CA1161135A - Contact device for a multi-conductor cable - Google Patents
Contact device for a multi-conductor cableInfo
- Publication number
- CA1161135A CA1161135A CA000377123A CA377123A CA1161135A CA 1161135 A CA1161135 A CA 1161135A CA 000377123 A CA000377123 A CA 000377123A CA 377123 A CA377123 A CA 377123A CA 1161135 A CA1161135 A CA 1161135A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- terminal
- support member
- terminal cover
- terminals
- cable
- 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
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
- H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
- H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
- H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
- H01R4/242—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members being plates having a single slot
- H01R4/2425—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates
- H01R4/2429—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates mounted in an insulating base
- H01R4/2433—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates mounted in an insulating base one part of the base being movable to push the cable into the slot
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/70—Coupling devices
- H01R12/77—Coupling devices for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
-
- 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
- H01R13/58—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
- H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections
- H01R9/031—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections for multiphase cables, e.g. with contact members penetrating insulation of a plurality of conductors
Landscapes
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)
- Communication Cables (AREA)
- Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
TITLE
CONTACT DEVICE FOR A MULTICONDUCTOR CABLE
ABSTRACT
A three piece connector comprising a terminal support member supporting a multiplicity of terminals, a cable support member and a terminal cover between the terminal support and cable support. Insulated wire retained between the cable support and terminal cover is pushed down within a recess in the terminal cover to contact an insulation piercing contact of an electrical terminal.
CONTACT DEVICE FOR A MULTICONDUCTOR CABLE
ABSTRACT
A three piece connector comprising a terminal support member supporting a multiplicity of terminals, a cable support member and a terminal cover between the terminal support and cable support. Insulated wire retained between the cable support and terminal cover is pushed down within a recess in the terminal cover to contact an insulation piercing contact of an electrical terminal.
Description
L3~i;
'i'ITLF.
CONTACT DEVICE FOR A ~IULTICONDUCTOR CABLE
BAC~GROUND_OF THE INVENTIOW
The invention relates to a cont~Lct de~tice for a multiconduc~or ca~le comprising a terminal support and a terminal cover o insulating material.
The terminal support contains recesses in wh.ch terminals are located. Terminals at the side of the terminal cover comprise bifurcated insulatlon piercing con~acts. Insulated electrical conductors of multiconductor cable are passed throush the contact cover to the bifurcated in~ulation piercing con~ac ts .
Said contact device is known from the DutCh lS Patent Application 76G3231, laid open to public inspection, In this known device the insulated electrical conductors are passed through separate bores in ~he terminal cover, after which the ends are pressed between the tineso~ the bi~urcated insulation piercing contacts, located in ~he terminal support.
The lower surface of the terminal cover comprises recesses for acco~oda~ing the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts, whereas trans-~ersely to each recess a deep yroove is m~de for accammodatlng the bent end of the electr ical conductor pressed between the tines of the insul,7tion piercing contact. Upon assembling this contacf device each conductor ~irst has to be bent rectangularly at its end to be connected, after which this bent portion i5 pressed between ~he tines of the corresponding insulation piercing contact . The free end of the electrical conductor is passed thrcugh cocrespondin~ bores in the terminal cover, w~ich cover then is slid over the core piercing contacts and lowered on the terminal support upcn pulling the ends of the conductors extend-ing out of the bores.
'- Al~ .~ ~ .q ~3 q ~
- Using a rnultitudc o~ conductors to assemble suc;~ a contact device is time-consuming. This contact device does not lend itself to autcmatic assembly processes. IF one of the connectors has to S be repaired o~ replaced, the terminal cover has to be removed, the conductor has to be repla~ed and the terminal cover has to be pos i t ioned aga in . As a matter of course ~he remaining conductors may be damaged or torn apart in this repairing process.
S~I~R~f OF~ /~NTION
The above disadvailtages are avoided in the contact device oE the present invention which is characteri~ed in tha~ the insulated electrical conductors contacting the terminals have been bent in 15 a U-s;.ape over a part of their length and are supported. The base portion of the U-shaped bent conductor is pushed into the slit between the ~ines of the bifurcated core piercing contact in order to achieve electrical contact with the terminal.
The use of a supported, U-shaped bent conductor portion provides a means of contacting the conductor with the bifurcated insulatiGn piercin~
contact without pass ng the conductor separately through a terminal cover. This can be achieved 25 simply by pressing the conduc~or do~n between the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contact through an openin~ or recess. The U-shape o~fers a good strain ~elief, which can be improved by additional pressing means. Repair or replacement of 30 the conductors can ~e done very easily since these conductors need not be passed separately through ~he terminal cover.
In a prererred embodiment of the contac~
device of the present invention the cover contains 35 recesses for accommodating and supporting the ~ 3 ~
U-shaped bent conductoc portions. These recesses are located such that all U-shaped ben~ conductor portions are posi~ioned in parallel plane~. The cove. also contains channels Eor the bifurcated core pie;cing contacts. These channels emerge into ~he recesses for ~he U-shaped bent conduc~or portions.
Pre~era~ly the recesses in the terminal cover for the U-shaped bent conductor portions extend from the upper surfa~e almost ~o the lower surface cf the terminal cover. The channels ~or the bifurcated core piercing contacts consist of slots extendiny transversely to the longitudinal direction of the recesses fc. the U-shaped bent connector portions.
In an assembled con~ac~ device a bifurcated insulation piercing contact in a slot is squeezed until within the recess. In the recess both sides of the bifurcated insul~tion piercing contact are sufficientl~ spaced from the walls of the recess so that there is room for pushing between the tines o~
this bifurcated insulation piecing contact a portion of an insulated electrical conductor which was passing lengthwise over the recess on the upper sur~ace of the terminal cover.
Upon assembling the con~act device of the present invention, first the terminal cover is lowered on the terminal sUp?ort containing the inserted terminals. The bifurc~ted insula~ion piercing contacts are first received by the slots in the terminal cover. The contacts thereafter emerge at the upper surface of the cover within a recess.
~ext the electrical c~nductors are placed on the upper surface of the terminal co~er in the longitudinal direction across the recesses.
Thereafter these conductors can be pressed successively and separatel~, but also simultaneously in~o the recess bet~een the tines o tbe bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. This can be executed with separate tooling formed as a flat strip-shaped anvil, w~ich can press the portion oE ~ cond~lctor stretching across the recess in w this recess until in the slit between the two tines. The insulation is cut by the shar~ edges of the tines and the core is brought into contact with these sharp edges. Also the pressin~ action on the conductors can be executed simultaneously for all conductors by means of the cable support. This support consists o a plate having a lower surface resting upon the insulated electrical conductors which in turn rest upon the upper surface of the terminal cover. In this lower surf~ce paraLlel grooves adjacent to each other are formed for at least partly receiving the electrical conductors. Conductor pushing means are located in the grooves of the cable support, opposite to a rece~s in the terminal cover. Said conductor pushing means each consist of a ~inger or a strip por~ion stretching in the direction to the terminal cover, the largest width of which extends transversely to the plane of the bifurcated insulation piercing contact located in the recess. The length and position of each strip portion is chosen such, that uyon lowering the cable suppor. on the terminal cover each strip portion can be conducted into the slit betwee~ the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contact. ~pon lowering the cable support on the terminal cover simultaneously all conductors are pressed between the tines of the terminal.
Preferably a clamp is used in order to keep the cable support in position. This clamp may be buiLt in, for instance, or form a part of the usual dust cover for the contact device.
35~
The contact device o~ the present invention is particularly sultable ~or automatically operating assembling means. In case a conductor has ~o be repaired or replace~ only one conduc tor needs to !~e handled. t~lith the except ion of the cable support all remaining ~ortions sf the contact device can remain in position. The contact between each core and corresponding bif~lr-ated insula tion piercin~ con tact is maintained, e-~en ~Jhen the cable support is remove~. Bending each con~]uctor several times for pushing it into the recess of the sover and between the tines of the insula~ion piercing contact results in a U-sha~ed bend in the conductor, wnich by its position in the terminal cover gives a strain relief. This strain relief can be improved by lowering the cable support, which is clampe~ on the upper surface of the ':erminal cover. The lower surface of ~he cable support an~ the upper surface of the terminal cover may comprise parallel grooves 20 adjacent to each other or at least p2rtly receiving the electrical conductors.
In contact devices for multiconductor cables there is a tendency to an ever increasing density of the connections, i.e., an ever increasing number o~
25 connectors and terminals per contact device.
~ncreasing the density in the above mentioned known contact devices also increases the assembly and repai; proble.~s. The usual dimensioning of such contact devices, in which the di~tance between the 30 center lines of the recesses is for instance equal to
'i'ITLF.
CONTACT DEVICE FOR A ~IULTICONDUCTOR CABLE
BAC~GROUND_OF THE INVENTIOW
The invention relates to a cont~Lct de~tice for a multiconduc~or ca~le comprising a terminal support and a terminal cover o insulating material.
The terminal support contains recesses in wh.ch terminals are located. Terminals at the side of the terminal cover comprise bifurcated insulatlon piercing con~acts. Insulated electrical conductors of multiconductor cable are passed throush the contact cover to the bifurcated in~ulation piercing con~ac ts .
Said contact device is known from the DutCh lS Patent Application 76G3231, laid open to public inspection, In this known device the insulated electrical conductors are passed through separate bores in ~he terminal cover, after which the ends are pressed between the tineso~ the bi~urcated insulation piercing contacts, located in ~he terminal support.
The lower surface of the terminal cover comprises recesses for acco~oda~ing the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts, whereas trans-~ersely to each recess a deep yroove is m~de for accammodatlng the bent end of the electr ical conductor pressed between the tines of the insul,7tion piercing contact. Upon assembling this contacf device each conductor ~irst has to be bent rectangularly at its end to be connected, after which this bent portion i5 pressed between ~he tines of the corresponding insulation piercing contact . The free end of the electrical conductor is passed thrcugh cocrespondin~ bores in the terminal cover, w~ich cover then is slid over the core piercing contacts and lowered on the terminal support upcn pulling the ends of the conductors extend-ing out of the bores.
'- Al~ .~ ~ .q ~3 q ~
- Using a rnultitudc o~ conductors to assemble suc;~ a contact device is time-consuming. This contact device does not lend itself to autcmatic assembly processes. IF one of the connectors has to S be repaired o~ replaced, the terminal cover has to be removed, the conductor has to be repla~ed and the terminal cover has to be pos i t ioned aga in . As a matter of course ~he remaining conductors may be damaged or torn apart in this repairing process.
S~I~R~f OF~ /~NTION
The above disadvailtages are avoided in the contact device oE the present invention which is characteri~ed in tha~ the insulated electrical conductors contacting the terminals have been bent in 15 a U-s;.ape over a part of their length and are supported. The base portion of the U-shaped bent conductor is pushed into the slit between the ~ines of the bifurcated core piercing contact in order to achieve electrical contact with the terminal.
The use of a supported, U-shaped bent conductor portion provides a means of contacting the conductor with the bifurcated insulatiGn piercin~
contact without pass ng the conductor separately through a terminal cover. This can be achieved 25 simply by pressing the conduc~or do~n between the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contact through an openin~ or recess. The U-shape o~fers a good strain ~elief, which can be improved by additional pressing means. Repair or replacement of 30 the conductors can ~e done very easily since these conductors need not be passed separately through ~he terminal cover.
In a prererred embodiment of the contac~
device of the present invention the cover contains 35 recesses for accommodating and supporting the ~ 3 ~
U-shaped bent conductoc portions. These recesses are located such that all U-shaped ben~ conductor portions are posi~ioned in parallel plane~. The cove. also contains channels Eor the bifurcated core pie;cing contacts. These channels emerge into ~he recesses for ~he U-shaped bent conduc~or portions.
Pre~era~ly the recesses in the terminal cover for the U-shaped bent conductor portions extend from the upper surfa~e almost ~o the lower surface cf the terminal cover. The channels ~or the bifurcated core piercing contacts consist of slots extendiny transversely to the longitudinal direction of the recesses fc. the U-shaped bent connector portions.
In an assembled con~ac~ device a bifurcated insulation piercing contact in a slot is squeezed until within the recess. In the recess both sides of the bifurcated insul~tion piercing contact are sufficientl~ spaced from the walls of the recess so that there is room for pushing between the tines o~
this bifurcated insulation piecing contact a portion of an insulated electrical conductor which was passing lengthwise over the recess on the upper sur~ace of the terminal cover.
Upon assembling the con~act device of the present invention, first the terminal cover is lowered on the terminal sUp?ort containing the inserted terminals. The bifurc~ted insula~ion piercing contacts are first received by the slots in the terminal cover. The contacts thereafter emerge at the upper surface of the cover within a recess.
~ext the electrical c~nductors are placed on the upper surface of the terminal co~er in the longitudinal direction across the recesses.
Thereafter these conductors can be pressed successively and separatel~, but also simultaneously in~o the recess bet~een the tines o tbe bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. This can be executed with separate tooling formed as a flat strip-shaped anvil, w~ich can press the portion oE ~ cond~lctor stretching across the recess in w this recess until in the slit between the two tines. The insulation is cut by the shar~ edges of the tines and the core is brought into contact with these sharp edges. Also the pressin~ action on the conductors can be executed simultaneously for all conductors by means of the cable support. This support consists o a plate having a lower surface resting upon the insulated electrical conductors which in turn rest upon the upper surface of the terminal cover. In this lower surf~ce paraLlel grooves adjacent to each other are formed for at least partly receiving the electrical conductors. Conductor pushing means are located in the grooves of the cable support, opposite to a rece~s in the terminal cover. Said conductor pushing means each consist of a ~inger or a strip por~ion stretching in the direction to the terminal cover, the largest width of which extends transversely to the plane of the bifurcated insulation piercing contact located in the recess. The length and position of each strip portion is chosen such, that uyon lowering the cable suppor. on the terminal cover each strip portion can be conducted into the slit betwee~ the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contact. ~pon lowering the cable support on the terminal cover simultaneously all conductors are pressed between the tines of the terminal.
Preferably a clamp is used in order to keep the cable support in position. This clamp may be buiLt in, for instance, or form a part of the usual dust cover for the contact device.
35~
The contact device o~ the present invention is particularly sultable ~or automatically operating assembling means. In case a conductor has ~o be repaired or replace~ only one conduc tor needs to !~e handled. t~lith the except ion of the cable support all remaining ~ortions sf the contact device can remain in position. The contact between each core and corresponding bif~lr-ated insula tion piercin~ con tact is maintained, e-~en ~Jhen the cable support is remove~. Bending each con~]uctor several times for pushing it into the recess of the sover and between the tines of the insula~ion piercing contact results in a U-sha~ed bend in the conductor, wnich by its position in the terminal cover gives a strain relief. This strain relief can be improved by lowering the cable support, which is clampe~ on the upper surface of the ':erminal cover. The lower surface of ~he cable support an~ the upper surface of the terminal cover may comprise parallel grooves 20 adjacent to each other or at least p2rtly receiving the electrical conductors.
In contact devices for multiconductor cables there is a tendency to an ever increasing density of the connections, i.e., an ever increasing number o~
25 connectors and terminals per contact device.
~ncreasing the density in the above mentioned known contact devices also increases the assembly and repai; proble.~s. The usual dimensioning of such contact devices, in which the di~tance between the 30 center lines of the recesses is for instance equal to
2 . 54 mm (O .1 inch) and the number of recesses positioned behind each other in one row is three.
This cons.itutes a li~it for the number of terminals to be used in one contact device. The length also 35 has to be within cer~ain dimensions, particularly iE
` ~gL6~3~
s all conductocs have ~o be supplied from one side to the contact device as is customary with flat ca~le.
~n the known devices it is custom~ry to introduce the conductors erom above or from different opposite S si~es to the up2er sur ace of the ~erminal support.
Thls problem is solved llkewise by the contact de~ice of the present invention, which is characterize~ in having one ro~/ o~ recesses positioned behind one another in the terminal iO support. ~erminals in the terminal support have different distances bet~e2n tle center line of the terminal and the slit between t'ne tines of the bifurcated insulating piercing contact. Termina;s having an offset between the slit and their center l; line are m-ltually turned with respect to each other In case of three recesses, one behind each other, in one row a central terminal can be used, the slit of which coincides with the center line of this ~erminal, whereas the outer terminals ha-Je slits offset with respect to its center line and are rotatçd 180 with respQct to one another. With the above mantioned dimensioning in this case three ~onductors can be supplied from one side o~ the 25 contact device to tne up~er surface of the terminal cove r .
THE D ~IN~S
. The invention will now be further explained tJith reference to the drawings, in ~hich:
This cons.itutes a li~it for the number of terminals to be used in one contact device. The length also 35 has to be within cer~ain dimensions, particularly iE
` ~gL6~3~
s all conductocs have ~o be supplied from one side to the contact device as is customary with flat ca~le.
~n the known devices it is custom~ry to introduce the conductors erom above or from different opposite S si~es to the up2er sur ace of the ~erminal support.
Thls problem is solved llkewise by the contact de~ice of the present invention, which is characterize~ in having one ro~/ o~ recesses positioned behind one another in the terminal iO support. ~erminals in the terminal support have different distances bet~e2n tle center line of the terminal and the slit between t'ne tines of the bifurcated insulating piercing contact. Termina;s having an offset between the slit and their center l; line are m-ltually turned with respect to each other In case of three recesses, one behind each other, in one row a central terminal can be used, the slit of which coincides with the center line of this ~erminal, whereas the outer terminals ha-Je slits offset with respect to its center line and are rotatçd 180 with respQct to one another. With the above mantioned dimensioning in this case three ~onductors can be supplied from one side o~ the 25 contact device to tne up~er surface of the terminal cove r .
THE D ~IN~S
. The invention will now be further explained tJith reference to the drawings, in ~hich:
3~ FIG. 1 shows a side elevation or an example o~ a terminal of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows the termiinal according to FIG. 1 in si-le elevation rotated over 90 with cespect to the side elevation oE FIG. l;
,5 3~ii FIG. 3 sho~s an example o~ a modified terminal for the contact de~Jice of the presen~
in~ention also rotated over 90 with respec~ ~o the side elevation of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 s!lo~s a top view o. the terminal of FIG, 2;
FI5. 5 sho.~s a top view of the terminal of FIG. 3;
FIr.. 6 shows an embodiment of a contact lQ device of the presen~ invention in e~ploded view;
FIG. 7 shows a tcp view of the terminal cover o~ tlle contact device o~ FI5. 2 with insulated electri~al conductors lald upon the cover;
. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show cross sections of the 1~ asse~bled contact device of FIG. 7 across the ~es~ec t ive th ree termina ls pos i tioned beh ind each other in one row;
FIGS. 11, 12 ar.d 13 show contact devices acoording to the pres~nt invention and a r.umber of 20 possibilities for appl.ying electrical conductors;
F~G. 14 shows a contact device of the present invention in which a dust cover is used.
DESCRIPTI¢N_OF THE INVENTION
Each terminal consists OL ~n upper 25 portion 1, 2n intermediate po~tion 2 ~nd a lower portion 3. The terminal may consist of a U-shaped bent elect;ically conducting sheet. The t~o parallel sides or this bent sheet are elonqated above and below and connected with one another by me~ns of the 30 connection s~rip 4 in the inter~lediate ?ortion 2.
The elongated u~per portions constitute the bi~urcated insulation pie~cing contacts, each consisting of a p~ir of upstanding tines 5 and 6 respectively, separated from one anoth~r by a slit 35 7. ~he edges of the tines 5 and 6 defining the slit 3~
7 are sharpened such that upon pressing an insulated conductor ~rom above into the slit 7 the insulation will be cut and the sharp edges Q~ the slit 7 will dig into the core o~ the electrical conductor. This results in an extremely reliable contact between the core and the terminal.
FIGS. 1, 4 and S show in the upper portion two parallel bi~urc~ ted insulation piercing contacts. For each terminal one or more bifurcated insulation piercins contacts can be used, however, in the present invention usually two biEurcated insulation piercing contac~s are used. FIGS. 6, 12 and 13 show as an e~ampie one bifurcated insulation piercing contact ~er terminal. In FIG~ l two 15 insulation piercing contacts per terminal are used.
The connection strip 4 o~ the intermediate portion 2 is offset to the right over a predetermined distance with respect to the right-hand edge oE the side surfaces, so that a shoulder or support base 3 20 is obtained. Upon positioning a terminal in the ~erminal support 10 this shoulder will come to rest on a cam in the recesses 11 of the terminal support 10. At the opposite edge of the intermediate portion 2 a sharp~protruding barb 9 i5 formed, which upon ~S positionin~ in the recess 11 wilL dig in the material of the side o~ the opening, 50 that ~he terminal cannot be drawn or ~all out of the recess.
The lower portion 3 of each terminal comprises two contact terminals 12, 13 approaching - 30 each other for connectin~ a ~urther conductor. ~hese contac~ terminals as a matter of course need not be embodied as shown and also may ~orm part o~ the intermedL2te portion The difference between the terminaLs of 35 ~IGS. 2, 4 and FIGS~ 3, 5 respecti-~e'y is that the bifurcatccl core piercing contacts in the te~minal of FIGS. 2 and 4 are displaced ~ith respect to the center line oE the intermedi~te p~rtion 2. The slit 7 in FIG. ~ is situated to the left ,with respect to the center line over a d is tance de termined b~ the dia~.eter of the used electrical conductors. Upon positionin~ these terminals i~ the termlnal support 10 one pair of each set s turned over 180, so that the bifurc~ted insulation piercing contacts are displaced to the left or to the right with respect to the longitudinal direction of each row of recesses ll. By using a further terrninal, the biEurca~ed insulation piercing ccntacts of whicn are not displaced with respect to the centec line, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a hig'ne~ connection density can be obtained in ~he present in~ention.
The shape of the in termed ia te port ion 2 is so adapted to the shape of the recesses 11, that the terminal fits closely in these recesses. In FIG. 6 20 these recesses are shown h~ving rectangular cross sections. In this case the cross sectlon o~ the interme~iate portion 2 will be likewise rectangularO
This can be seen in FI~. 6.
FI~. 6 shows the component portions o~ a 25 contact device of the present invention in an exploded view. The device consis~s of the ~erminal support 10, tle terminal cover 14 and the cable support 15. The co.~ponent portions 10 t 14 an~ l~ are drawn above one another, such tha. upon lowering each 30 portion will take the neces-ary mutual position.
Between the cable suppor~ 15 and the terminal cover 14 an electrical insulated conductor to be connected is shown having an insulating sheeth 17 and a core 18.
The ter~inal support 10 ccnsists of a 35 pl~stic block having three rows of equi-spaced square 35i or rectangular recesses 11 in this shown ~rnbodiment.
The pitch between these recesses, which means the distance between the center lines of the recesses 11 which are placed behind each o~her and next to each S other is as usual in tllis kind of contact devices 2.54 mm or 0~100 inch. This meas~re is mainly standarized and is used in the U.S.A. and in Europe.
Between the recesses 11 lands 19 are formed, having equal wi2th, as lon~ as the recesses 11 are o~ a 1~ rectangular cross section. The upper sur~aces of these lands function as suPpor~ Eor the terminals as shown in FIG. 1, where the shoulders 20 re~t upon the upper side of the lands 19 be~ween ~he recesses 11.
Terminals according to FIGS. 2 and 3 are positione~ in the middle row of the shown recesses, which row is parallel to the direction of grooves 21 in the terminal cover 14. In the centec opening a terminal according to FIG. 3 is introduced, whereas at both sides hereof terminals accordin~ to F~G. 2 are turned 180 with respect to each other. Upon introducing these terminals in che recesses 11 the barbs 9 dig in the material of the walls bet~een the re~esses, so th~t the terminals are kept ~irmly in position. The recesses in FIG. 6 are of square cross 25 section, however, the invention is not restricted to this cross section. The cross section likewise can be circular or alliptical, in which case as a matter of course the intermed;ate portions 2 of the terminals have to be adapted to this modified cross 30 sec~ion, such that the terminals cannot rotate in the recesses about their center lines.
In F~G. 6 the terminal cover 14 is shown partly in cross section above ~he terminal support 10.
The cover i4 i5 provided at the upper side 35 with parallel grooves 21 having sucn cross section 3~
that the round outer surface of each conductor i5 suppo.ted over a p~rt o the periphery. Three paralleL grooves 21 are positionct3 within the distance between two recesses lli seen ~ransversel~
to the direction of the geoove~.
A recess 22 emerges into eacn grcove 21. A
channel or slot 23 emerges in the lower end of the re~^ess ~2. Slot 23 emerges also in the lower surface of the termin~l cover 1~1. In FIG. 6 upon iowe~ing the terminal covec 1~ on ~he `terminal support 10 ~he slot 23 receives the bifurcated insulation piercing contact which for~s par. of the terminal positioned at the mo'st right side in a recess of the terminal support 10. The recess 22 is of such depth that the l; upper parts o~ the two tines 5 and 6 togetller with slit 7 i~between are received in the recess 22, su~ficiently high in order ~o obtain a good contact between core 18 oE conductor 16 after pushing down a conductor portion in the recess 22 and between the 'O tines S and 6. In FI(~. 6 the recess 22 is of angular sha~e at the bottom. Hotlever, this bottom can also be rounded.
Upo~ asse~bling the contact device of the present invention, first the ter~inals are ~ositioned ~5 in a manner shown in the recesses ll of th~ terminal support lQ. In FIG. 6 three of the recesses are ~illed only, but it will be ob-~ious that the inven~ion is not restricted ~o tllia shown example.
~e~t the terminal cover 1~ i5 lowerea on the upper 30 surface of the termin 1 support 10 upon which all bifurca~ed insulation pie cing contacts will slip into the corresponding slots 23.
Next conductor- 16 are laid in the groo~es 21, which conductors 1~ in al~y case ila~e to extend 35 over the recesses 22, in Whl'Ch 2C both sides 1~
su~ficient length r~mains in order to comple~ely fill the recess 22 with the U-shaped bent portion of this conductor 16 upon pressing in the recess. See also FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. A~ter applying all necessary conductors the ca~le suppor~ 15 is pressed on the upper surface of the terminal cover 14. The cable support 15 also is provided with paeallel grooves 24, ~hich together with grooves 21 in the terminal coYer 14 will pinch in the eLectrical conduc~or 16. In 10 each groove 2~ of the cable suppor t 15 a str iplike anvil 25 is rormed. Tlli~ anvil is made of the same materials as the cable support 15. Upon lowering the ca'~l~ sup~or. 15 on the termin21 cov~r 14 eacn anvil 25 is conducted into a corres?onding r~cess 22. The lS front of the anvil 25 forms a roun2ed hollow cylindrical support surface 26 for the insulting sheeth 17 o~ conductor 16. In the middle each anvil comprises an opening 27, having sucn wid~h that the two re;naining pads at both sides of the opening 27 will.take a position at both sides of ~he slit 7 in tl~e bifurcate3 insulation piercing contact. I
conductor 16 is ~laced on the groove 21 oE tne t~rminal cover, which conduccor ~6 runs over the recess 22, this part of the conductor 16 on top of recess 22 .~ill be pressed d~wnwardly and between the tines S and 6 of the bifurcated insulation piercing contac. upon lowering t'ne cable suppor. 15 on the terminal cover 1~, so that the core 18 is introduced in the slit 7 after cutting insulation 17 by tines 5 30 and 6. This r~suLts in an excellent electrical contact between the core 18 and the terminal.
The above show~, that upon lowerin~ the cable support 15 on cover L4 all conductors 16 in grooves 21 n~rlv simultaneously wilL be br~usht into 35 contact ~ith the co~responding bi~urcated insulation piercing contact. For pressing a multitude of conductors in the recesses 22 a particular pressing means for the cable support 15 will be necessary.
However, the conductors also can be pressed separately in each of the corresponding recesses 22 and between the tines 5 and 6 by a suitable tooling, the end surface of which is formed as the shown anvil 25.
Apart from the U-shaped portion of the conductor located in the recess 22 the cable support 15 together with the anvil 25, if used, gives an additional strain relief for conductors 16~
Instead of the permanently present cable support 15 and anvils 25, the conductors also may be pressed simultaneously by means of a correspondingly shaped tooling in the recesses 22 and slit 7 of the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. This particular tooling should be provided with anvils 25 in accordance with the number of recesses in which conductors have to be connected. After applying the conductors this particular tooling can be replaced by cable support 15, from which the anvils 25 can be omitted.
The terminal support 10 comprising the terminals, the terminal cover 14 lowered on the terminal support 10 and the cable support 15 with conductor 16 placed inbetween can be covered by a dust cover which also may provide additional pressing force between the three plastic parts 10~
14 and 15. This dust cover may be provided with a clamp.
FIG. 7 shows a top view of the terminal cover 14, after introducing the different conductors 16 between the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. As distinct from the embodiment of FIG. 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 each terminal is provided with two bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. In the top ~iew of FIG. 7 these are shown in interrupted lin-~s. FIG. 7 also shows that theee conducto~s 1~ can be located between th~ usual distance of 2.5~ m~ between the recesses 11.
FI5S. 8, 9 and 10 respectively show cross sections of terminal cover 14 and terminal support 10 having terminals located in the recesses 11 of the terminal suppor~ 15, wnich terminals are prc~ided with the bifurcated lnsulation piercing contacts.
FIG. 8 sho~.s a cross section over the central row in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 S'lOtJ~ a cross section over the upper row and FIG. 10 a c~oss section over the lo~er row, se~n in tle surEace of the dra~ing o~ FIG. 7.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 clearly show that the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts Oe the center row coincide with the center line of the terminal whereas the ~i~urcated insulation piercing contacts of the ou~er rows in F~GS. 9 and 10 are displaced ` with respect ~o the center line. ~his shows that three bif~rcated insulation piercing contacts positioned in one ~ow behind each other each can be brought into contact with a separate conductor 16~
In this manner .hree conductors can be guided to the 25 exterior of the contact at one side hereof. These three conductors use the space of one pitch between two recesses 11 in the terminal support 10.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 also show how the terminals rest with the shoulders 20 and 8 on the 30 cecesses 11 of the terminal sup~ort. The barbs`9 form an additional safety ~eans for the terminals.
FIGS. Ll, 12 and 13 show modified embodiments for applying the conductors 16. In the embodiment of FI5. 11 ~ir~t t~e conductors 16 are 35 ap?lied and connected, a~ter ~hich these conductors are cut simuitaneously at an edge of the conkact device. See reference number 28. In this em~odiment the conductors approach the contact device at the upper surface of the terminal ccver 1~.
As shown in FIG. 11 t~Yo biEurca ted insulation piercing cont~cts per ~erminal are used.
In the embodiment of FI~. 12 the conductors 1~ approac~ from above. Here likewise all conductors are cut simultaneously a~ 28~ In the embodiment of FIG. 13 the conductors also approach ~rom above~ but are cut in a surface of the grooves 21~ where the bent portions of the conductors 16 leave the recesses 22 .
In case one s ingle conductor has to be re~aired or replaced separately, the cable support 15 need only be lift~d, a~ter ~hich the conductor to ~e repaired can be removed by pulling out of recess 22 and out of the biEurcated insula~ion piercing contact. Thereafter, a new conductor can be applied and connected, after which the cable suppot 15 can be low~red on the terminal cover again.
.The embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 1~ are pre.erred above the embodiment of FIG. 13, because alL conductors 16 in the embodiments of ~I~S. 11 and 25 12 can be cut in one cutting operating, in J~hich the cutti~g surfaces are in line with the side of the contact device. Also upon this cutting operation all conductors 16 are supported, at least in the embodiment of FIG. 11.
In the contact device of FIG. 14 a dust cover is used, consisting of two halves 29. These halves 29 are pressed together and grip around the terminal support 10, terminal cover 14 and cable support 15 and keep these parts clamped together.
35 Conductors 2~ are guided out through the shown pip~, also consisting of two halves 30. As a matter of course the number of conductors is not restricted to three as shown.
The embodiment to be practiced depends on the particular circumstances.
The contact device of the present invention can be used with cables of different design. In case of flat cables each conductor or wire needs firstly to be separated. The core 17 can be solid, but also may be a stranded type.
The configuration and dimension of the contact device of the present invention is adapted to a DIN 41612 connector system. However, there is enough design freedom within the scope of the present invention to produce connectors with different dimensional sizes and numbers of positions or recesses in one or more rows.
Also it is self-evident, that the invention is not restricted to a contact device having only three recesses placed behind each other in one row.
The invention can be used throughout where space limitations exist caused by high density of connections, conductors and terminals. In the present invention -these problems are solved by moving the separate conductors from a flat surface downwardly in the shape of a U, below the upper surface of the ~erminal cover 14 and pressing the conductors in the lower portion of the recess between the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. Between these adjoining bifurcated insulation piercing contacts sufficient insulation exists by turning these bifurcated insulation piercing contacts of the different terminals with respect to the center line of the terminals over 180. This likewise facilitates the repair of separate conductors.
3~
I t is s~ lf ev iden t tha t the i nven t ion is no t limited to the shown embodim~n ts, and that modific~-ions and additions are poc.sible wi~hout leaving the scop~ of the present inventior~.
.
1~
FIG. 2 shows the termiinal according to FIG. 1 in si-le elevation rotated over 90 with cespect to the side elevation oE FIG. l;
,5 3~ii FIG. 3 sho~s an example o~ a modified terminal for the contact de~Jice of the presen~
in~ention also rotated over 90 with respec~ ~o the side elevation of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 s!lo~s a top view o. the terminal of FIG, 2;
FI5. 5 sho.~s a top view of the terminal of FIG. 3;
FIr.. 6 shows an embodiment of a contact lQ device of the presen~ invention in e~ploded view;
FIG. 7 shows a tcp view of the terminal cover o~ tlle contact device o~ FI5. 2 with insulated electri~al conductors lald upon the cover;
. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show cross sections of the 1~ asse~bled contact device of FIG. 7 across the ~es~ec t ive th ree termina ls pos i tioned beh ind each other in one row;
FIGS. 11, 12 ar.d 13 show contact devices acoording to the pres~nt invention and a r.umber of 20 possibilities for appl.ying electrical conductors;
F~G. 14 shows a contact device of the present invention in which a dust cover is used.
DESCRIPTI¢N_OF THE INVENTION
Each terminal consists OL ~n upper 25 portion 1, 2n intermediate po~tion 2 ~nd a lower portion 3. The terminal may consist of a U-shaped bent elect;ically conducting sheet. The t~o parallel sides or this bent sheet are elonqated above and below and connected with one another by me~ns of the 30 connection s~rip 4 in the inter~lediate ?ortion 2.
The elongated u~per portions constitute the bi~urcated insulation pie~cing contacts, each consisting of a p~ir of upstanding tines 5 and 6 respectively, separated from one anoth~r by a slit 35 7. ~he edges of the tines 5 and 6 defining the slit 3~
7 are sharpened such that upon pressing an insulated conductor ~rom above into the slit 7 the insulation will be cut and the sharp edges Q~ the slit 7 will dig into the core o~ the electrical conductor. This results in an extremely reliable contact between the core and the terminal.
FIGS. 1, 4 and S show in the upper portion two parallel bi~urc~ ted insulation piercing contacts. For each terminal one or more bifurcated insulation piercins contacts can be used, however, in the present invention usually two biEurcated insulation piercing contac~s are used. FIGS. 6, 12 and 13 show as an e~ampie one bifurcated insulation piercing contact ~er terminal. In FIG~ l two 15 insulation piercing contacts per terminal are used.
The connection strip 4 o~ the intermediate portion 2 is offset to the right over a predetermined distance with respect to the right-hand edge oE the side surfaces, so that a shoulder or support base 3 20 is obtained. Upon positioning a terminal in the ~erminal support 10 this shoulder will come to rest on a cam in the recesses 11 of the terminal support 10. At the opposite edge of the intermediate portion 2 a sharp~protruding barb 9 i5 formed, which upon ~S positionin~ in the recess 11 wilL dig in the material of the side o~ the opening, 50 that ~he terminal cannot be drawn or ~all out of the recess.
The lower portion 3 of each terminal comprises two contact terminals 12, 13 approaching - 30 each other for connectin~ a ~urther conductor. ~hese contac~ terminals as a matter of course need not be embodied as shown and also may ~orm part o~ the intermedL2te portion The difference between the terminaLs of 35 ~IGS. 2, 4 and FIGS~ 3, 5 respecti-~e'y is that the bifurcatccl core piercing contacts in the te~minal of FIGS. 2 and 4 are displaced ~ith respect to the center line oE the intermedi~te p~rtion 2. The slit 7 in FIG. ~ is situated to the left ,with respect to the center line over a d is tance de termined b~ the dia~.eter of the used electrical conductors. Upon positionin~ these terminals i~ the termlnal support 10 one pair of each set s turned over 180, so that the bifurc~ted insulation piercing contacts are displaced to the left or to the right with respect to the longitudinal direction of each row of recesses ll. By using a further terrninal, the biEurca~ed insulation piercing ccntacts of whicn are not displaced with respect to the centec line, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a hig'ne~ connection density can be obtained in ~he present in~ention.
The shape of the in termed ia te port ion 2 is so adapted to the shape of the recesses 11, that the terminal fits closely in these recesses. In FIG. 6 20 these recesses are shown h~ving rectangular cross sections. In this case the cross sectlon o~ the interme~iate portion 2 will be likewise rectangularO
This can be seen in FI~. 6.
FI~. 6 shows the component portions o~ a 25 contact device of the present invention in an exploded view. The device consis~s of the ~erminal support 10, tle terminal cover 14 and the cable support 15. The co.~ponent portions 10 t 14 an~ l~ are drawn above one another, such tha. upon lowering each 30 portion will take the neces-ary mutual position.
Between the cable suppor~ 15 and the terminal cover 14 an electrical insulated conductor to be connected is shown having an insulating sheeth 17 and a core 18.
The ter~inal support 10 ccnsists of a 35 pl~stic block having three rows of equi-spaced square 35i or rectangular recesses 11 in this shown ~rnbodiment.
The pitch between these recesses, which means the distance between the center lines of the recesses 11 which are placed behind each o~her and next to each S other is as usual in tllis kind of contact devices 2.54 mm or 0~100 inch. This meas~re is mainly standarized and is used in the U.S.A. and in Europe.
Between the recesses 11 lands 19 are formed, having equal wi2th, as lon~ as the recesses 11 are o~ a 1~ rectangular cross section. The upper sur~aces of these lands function as suPpor~ Eor the terminals as shown in FIG. 1, where the shoulders 20 re~t upon the upper side of the lands 19 be~ween ~he recesses 11.
Terminals according to FIGS. 2 and 3 are positione~ in the middle row of the shown recesses, which row is parallel to the direction of grooves 21 in the terminal cover 14. In the centec opening a terminal according to FIG. 3 is introduced, whereas at both sides hereof terminals accordin~ to F~G. 2 are turned 180 with respect to each other. Upon introducing these terminals in che recesses 11 the barbs 9 dig in the material of the walls bet~een the re~esses, so th~t the terminals are kept ~irmly in position. The recesses in FIG. 6 are of square cross 25 section, however, the invention is not restricted to this cross section. The cross section likewise can be circular or alliptical, in which case as a matter of course the intermed;ate portions 2 of the terminals have to be adapted to this modified cross 30 sec~ion, such that the terminals cannot rotate in the recesses about their center lines.
In F~G. 6 the terminal cover 14 is shown partly in cross section above ~he terminal support 10.
The cover i4 i5 provided at the upper side 35 with parallel grooves 21 having sucn cross section 3~
that the round outer surface of each conductor i5 suppo.ted over a p~rt o the periphery. Three paralleL grooves 21 are positionct3 within the distance between two recesses lli seen ~ransversel~
to the direction of the geoove~.
A recess 22 emerges into eacn grcove 21. A
channel or slot 23 emerges in the lower end of the re~^ess ~2. Slot 23 emerges also in the lower surface of the termin~l cover 1~1. In FIG. 6 upon iowe~ing the terminal covec 1~ on ~he `terminal support 10 ~he slot 23 receives the bifurcated insulation piercing contact which for~s par. of the terminal positioned at the mo'st right side in a recess of the terminal support 10. The recess 22 is of such depth that the l; upper parts o~ the two tines 5 and 6 togetller with slit 7 i~between are received in the recess 22, su~ficiently high in order ~o obtain a good contact between core 18 oE conductor 16 after pushing down a conductor portion in the recess 22 and between the 'O tines S and 6. In FI(~. 6 the recess 22 is of angular sha~e at the bottom. Hotlever, this bottom can also be rounded.
Upo~ asse~bling the contact device of the present invention, first the ter~inals are ~ositioned ~5 in a manner shown in the recesses ll of th~ terminal support lQ. In FIG. 6 three of the recesses are ~illed only, but it will be ob-~ious that the inven~ion is not restricted ~o tllia shown example.
~e~t the terminal cover 1~ i5 lowerea on the upper 30 surface of the termin 1 support 10 upon which all bifurca~ed insulation pie cing contacts will slip into the corresponding slots 23.
Next conductor- 16 are laid in the groo~es 21, which conductors 1~ in al~y case ila~e to extend 35 over the recesses 22, in Whl'Ch 2C both sides 1~
su~ficient length r~mains in order to comple~ely fill the recess 22 with the U-shaped bent portion of this conductor 16 upon pressing in the recess. See also FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. A~ter applying all necessary conductors the ca~le suppor~ 15 is pressed on the upper surface of the terminal cover 14. The cable support 15 also is provided with paeallel grooves 24, ~hich together with grooves 21 in the terminal coYer 14 will pinch in the eLectrical conduc~or 16. In 10 each groove 2~ of the cable suppor t 15 a str iplike anvil 25 is rormed. Tlli~ anvil is made of the same materials as the cable support 15. Upon lowering the ca'~l~ sup~or. 15 on the termin21 cov~r 14 eacn anvil 25 is conducted into a corres?onding r~cess 22. The lS front of the anvil 25 forms a roun2ed hollow cylindrical support surface 26 for the insulting sheeth 17 o~ conductor 16. In the middle each anvil comprises an opening 27, having sucn wid~h that the two re;naining pads at both sides of the opening 27 will.take a position at both sides of ~he slit 7 in tl~e bifurcate3 insulation piercing contact. I
conductor 16 is ~laced on the groove 21 oE tne t~rminal cover, which conduccor ~6 runs over the recess 22, this part of the conductor 16 on top of recess 22 .~ill be pressed d~wnwardly and between the tines S and 6 of the bifurcated insulation piercing contac. upon lowering t'ne cable suppor. 15 on the terminal cover 1~, so that the core 18 is introduced in the slit 7 after cutting insulation 17 by tines 5 30 and 6. This r~suLts in an excellent electrical contact between the core 18 and the terminal.
The above show~, that upon lowerin~ the cable support 15 on cover L4 all conductors 16 in grooves 21 n~rlv simultaneously wilL be br~usht into 35 contact ~ith the co~responding bi~urcated insulation piercing contact. For pressing a multitude of conductors in the recesses 22 a particular pressing means for the cable support 15 will be necessary.
However, the conductors also can be pressed separately in each of the corresponding recesses 22 and between the tines 5 and 6 by a suitable tooling, the end surface of which is formed as the shown anvil 25.
Apart from the U-shaped portion of the conductor located in the recess 22 the cable support 15 together with the anvil 25, if used, gives an additional strain relief for conductors 16~
Instead of the permanently present cable support 15 and anvils 25, the conductors also may be pressed simultaneously by means of a correspondingly shaped tooling in the recesses 22 and slit 7 of the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. This particular tooling should be provided with anvils 25 in accordance with the number of recesses in which conductors have to be connected. After applying the conductors this particular tooling can be replaced by cable support 15, from which the anvils 25 can be omitted.
The terminal support 10 comprising the terminals, the terminal cover 14 lowered on the terminal support 10 and the cable support 15 with conductor 16 placed inbetween can be covered by a dust cover which also may provide additional pressing force between the three plastic parts 10~
14 and 15. This dust cover may be provided with a clamp.
FIG. 7 shows a top view of the terminal cover 14, after introducing the different conductors 16 between the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. As distinct from the embodiment of FIG. 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 each terminal is provided with two bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. In the top ~iew of FIG. 7 these are shown in interrupted lin-~s. FIG. 7 also shows that theee conducto~s 1~ can be located between th~ usual distance of 2.5~ m~ between the recesses 11.
FI5S. 8, 9 and 10 respectively show cross sections of terminal cover 14 and terminal support 10 having terminals located in the recesses 11 of the terminal suppor~ 15, wnich terminals are prc~ided with the bifurcated lnsulation piercing contacts.
FIG. 8 sho~.s a cross section over the central row in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 S'lOtJ~ a cross section over the upper row and FIG. 10 a c~oss section over the lo~er row, se~n in tle surEace of the dra~ing o~ FIG. 7.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 clearly show that the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts Oe the center row coincide with the center line of the terminal whereas the ~i~urcated insulation piercing contacts of the ou~er rows in F~GS. 9 and 10 are displaced ` with respect ~o the center line. ~his shows that three bif~rcated insulation piercing contacts positioned in one ~ow behind each other each can be brought into contact with a separate conductor 16~
In this manner .hree conductors can be guided to the 25 exterior of the contact at one side hereof. These three conductors use the space of one pitch between two recesses 11 in the terminal support 10.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 also show how the terminals rest with the shoulders 20 and 8 on the 30 cecesses 11 of the terminal sup~ort. The barbs`9 form an additional safety ~eans for the terminals.
FIGS. Ll, 12 and 13 show modified embodiments for applying the conductors 16. In the embodiment of FI5. 11 ~ir~t t~e conductors 16 are 35 ap?lied and connected, a~ter ~hich these conductors are cut simuitaneously at an edge of the conkact device. See reference number 28. In this em~odiment the conductors approach the contact device at the upper surface of the terminal ccver 1~.
As shown in FIG. 11 t~Yo biEurca ted insulation piercing cont~cts per ~erminal are used.
In the embodiment of FI~. 12 the conductors 1~ approac~ from above. Here likewise all conductors are cut simultaneously a~ 28~ In the embodiment of FIG. 13 the conductors also approach ~rom above~ but are cut in a surface of the grooves 21~ where the bent portions of the conductors 16 leave the recesses 22 .
In case one s ingle conductor has to be re~aired or replaced separately, the cable support 15 need only be lift~d, a~ter ~hich the conductor to ~e repaired can be removed by pulling out of recess 22 and out of the biEurcated insula~ion piercing contact. Thereafter, a new conductor can be applied and connected, after which the cable suppot 15 can be low~red on the terminal cover again.
.The embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 1~ are pre.erred above the embodiment of FIG. 13, because alL conductors 16 in the embodiments of ~I~S. 11 and 25 12 can be cut in one cutting operating, in J~hich the cutti~g surfaces are in line with the side of the contact device. Also upon this cutting operation all conductors 16 are supported, at least in the embodiment of FIG. 11.
In the contact device of FIG. 14 a dust cover is used, consisting of two halves 29. These halves 29 are pressed together and grip around the terminal support 10, terminal cover 14 and cable support 15 and keep these parts clamped together.
35 Conductors 2~ are guided out through the shown pip~, also consisting of two halves 30. As a matter of course the number of conductors is not restricted to three as shown.
The embodiment to be practiced depends on the particular circumstances.
The contact device of the present invention can be used with cables of different design. In case of flat cables each conductor or wire needs firstly to be separated. The core 17 can be solid, but also may be a stranded type.
The configuration and dimension of the contact device of the present invention is adapted to a DIN 41612 connector system. However, there is enough design freedom within the scope of the present invention to produce connectors with different dimensional sizes and numbers of positions or recesses in one or more rows.
Also it is self-evident, that the invention is not restricted to a contact device having only three recesses placed behind each other in one row.
The invention can be used throughout where space limitations exist caused by high density of connections, conductors and terminals. In the present invention -these problems are solved by moving the separate conductors from a flat surface downwardly in the shape of a U, below the upper surface of the ~erminal cover 14 and pressing the conductors in the lower portion of the recess between the tines of the bifurcated insulation piercing contacts. Between these adjoining bifurcated insulation piercing contacts sufficient insulation exists by turning these bifurcated insulation piercing contacts of the different terminals with respect to the center line of the terminals over 180. This likewise facilitates the repair of separate conductors.
3~
I t is s~ lf ev iden t tha t the i nven t ion is no t limited to the shown embodim~n ts, and that modific~-ions and additions are poc.sible wi~hout leaving the scop~ of the present inventior~.
.
1~
Claims (4)
1. In a connector for multiconductor cable having a dielectric terminal support member supporting a multiplicity of terminals, each terminal having at least one bifurcated insulation wire piercing contact with a slit for receiving an insulated conductor at one end and another electrical contact at the other end, a dielectric cable support member, a dielectric terminal cover between said terminal support member and said cable support member and a multiconductor cable retained longitudinally between said terminal cover and said cable support member, the improvement comprising:
(a) mounting the terminals in three rows, two outer and one middle row, the outer rows containing terminals with the slit offset with respect to the center line of the terminal, one outer row of terminals being turned 180° with respect to the other row and the middle row containing terminals with the slit in line with the center line of the terminal, (b) a multiplicity of recesses in a top surface of the terminal cover and a channel from each said recess to an exit in a bottom surface of the terminal cover, each recess accommodating the bifurcated end of a terminal when the terminal cover is mated with the terminal support member, and (c) the cable support member maintaining the cable in a U-shaped configuration when the connector is closed with one conductor within the slit of each terminal.
(a) mounting the terminals in three rows, two outer and one middle row, the outer rows containing terminals with the slit offset with respect to the center line of the terminal, one outer row of terminals being turned 180° with respect to the other row and the middle row containing terminals with the slit in line with the center line of the terminal, (b) a multiplicity of recesses in a top surface of the terminal cover and a channel from each said recess to an exit in a bottom surface of the terminal cover, each recess accommodating the bifurcated end of a terminal when the terminal cover is mated with the terminal support member, and (c) the cable support member maintaining the cable in a U-shaped configuration when the connector is closed with one conductor within the slit of each terminal.
2. The connector according to Claim 1 wherein a multiplicity of anvils extend from a lower surface of said cable support member, each anvil corresponding in position to a recess in the terminal cover.
3. Connector according to Claim 1 wherein an upper surface of said terminal cover comprises parallel grooves adjacent to each other for at least partly accommodating insulated electrical conductors.
4. Connector according to Claim 1 wherein said cable support member consists of a plate having a lower surface which is supported by the insulated electrical conductors located at the upper surface of the terminal cover, said lower surface having parallel grooves, located adjacent to each other for at least partly accommodating said electrical conductors.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL80.02692 | 1980-05-09 | ||
| NL8002692A NL8002692A (en) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-05-09 | CONTACT DEVICE FOR A MULTI-WIRE CABLE. |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1161135A true CA1161135A (en) | 1984-01-24 |
Family
ID=19835276
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000377123A Expired CA1161135A (en) | 1980-05-09 | 1981-05-07 | Contact device for a multi-conductor cable |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0039978B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS575276A (en) |
| KR (2) | KR830006834A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE7183T1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8102694A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1161135A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3163167D1 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK13586A (en) |
| MX (1) | MX150051A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL8002692A (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2110886B (en) * | 1981-12-01 | 1985-12-11 | Bunker Ramo | Electrical connector member |
| DE3315688A1 (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1984-03-29 | Karl 7298 Loßburg Hehl | CONNECTING SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO A WORKING MACHINE |
| CH665733A5 (en) * | 1983-04-29 | 1988-05-31 | Karl Hehl | CONTACT BAR. |
| EP0171737B1 (en) * | 1984-08-07 | 1990-12-27 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Electric wire branching connector device |
| JP2548543B2 (en) * | 1985-08-28 | 1996-10-30 | コンチネンタル−ワ−ト エレクトロニクス コ−ポレイシヨン | Insulation connection device for double wire flat cable |
| US4728299A (en) * | 1985-08-28 | 1988-03-01 | Continental-Wirt Electronics Corporation | Insulation displacement connector for flat cable having closely spaced wires |
| EP0471483A1 (en) * | 1990-08-03 | 1992-02-19 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Surface reforming method, process for production of printing plate, printing plate and printing process |
| TW218938B (en) * | 1993-04-12 | 1994-01-11 | Whitaker Corp | Electrical connector assembly |
| DE19712846C1 (en) * | 1997-03-26 | 1998-08-13 | Siemens Ag | Knife edge contact plug-in connection e.g for motor vehicle transmission fuse box |
| JP4916982B2 (en) * | 2007-09-19 | 2012-04-18 | スタンレー電気株式会社 | Connector for multi-core flat cable |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1238085B (en) * | 1965-03-22 | 1967-04-06 | Amp Inc | Electrical connector for ribbon cable |
| DE2022029B1 (en) * | 1970-05-05 | 1971-04-15 | Krone Kg | Electrical clamp connection |
| US4160574A (en) * | 1977-04-11 | 1979-07-10 | Bunker Ramo Corporation | Connector for flat wire cables having improved contacts and integral strain relief means |
| AU3453178A (en) * | 1977-04-11 | 1979-10-04 | Bunker Ramo | Connector for flat wire cables |
| DE2726226A1 (en) * | 1977-06-10 | 1978-12-14 | Stocko Metallwarenfab Henkels | Printed circuit board plug connector - has cable entry perpendicular to contact direction and cut=out in top part housing engaging depressed contact elements |
| DE2747395C2 (en) * | 1977-10-21 | 1979-12-20 | Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen | Device for solderless connection of a wire-shaped conductor |
-
1980
- 1980-05-09 NL NL8002692A patent/NL8002692A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1981
- 1981-05-04 BR BR8102694A patent/BR8102694A/en unknown
- 1981-05-07 CA CA000377123A patent/CA1161135A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-05-07 KR KR1019810001567A patent/KR830006834A/en unknown
- 1981-05-08 EP EP81200495A patent/EP0039978B1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-05-08 DE DE8181200495T patent/DE3163167D1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-05-08 AT AT81200495T patent/ATE7183T1/en active
- 1981-05-08 MX MX187222A patent/MX150051A/en unknown
- 1981-05-08 JP JP6842381A patent/JPS575276A/en active Pending
-
1984
- 1984-10-08 KR KR2019840009839U patent/KR850001896Y1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1986
- 1986-02-27 HK HK135/86A patent/HK13586A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3163167D1 (en) | 1984-05-24 |
| HK13586A (en) | 1986-03-07 |
| MX150051A (en) | 1984-03-05 |
| KR850001896Y1 (en) | 1985-08-31 |
| ATE7183T1 (en) | 1984-05-15 |
| NL8002692A (en) | 1981-12-01 |
| BR8102694A (en) | 1982-01-26 |
| JPS575276A (en) | 1982-01-12 |
| KR830006834A (en) | 1983-10-06 |
| EP0039978B1 (en) | 1984-04-18 |
| EP0039978A1 (en) | 1981-11-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |