CA1202395A - Contact for an electrical connector - Google Patents
Contact for an electrical connectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1202395A CA1202395A CA000424501A CA424501A CA1202395A CA 1202395 A CA1202395 A CA 1202395A CA 000424501 A CA000424501 A CA 000424501A CA 424501 A CA424501 A CA 424501A CA 1202395 A CA1202395 A CA 1202395A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- angle
- insert
- combination
- contacts
- 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
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
- H01R13/422—Securing in resilient one-piece base or case, e.g. by friction; One-piece base or case formed with resilient locking means
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This invention relates to an electrical connector that has insertable and removable contacts (20) retained and sealed against moisture by a one piece molded rubber insert (30). The invention is characterized by a contact (20) having two annular grooves (24, 25) formed by acutely angled flat surfaces (26, 27) that are adapted to mate with flat surfaces (36, 37) from corresponding wall portions (32, 33) of a complementary shaped bore (31) in a molded rubber insert (30).
This invention relates to an electrical connector that has insertable and removable contacts (20) retained and sealed against moisture by a one piece molded rubber insert (30). The invention is characterized by a contact (20) having two annular grooves (24, 25) formed by acutely angled flat surfaces (26, 27) that are adapted to mate with flat surfaces (36, 37) from corresponding wall portions (32, 33) of a complementary shaped bore (31) in a molded rubber insert (30).
Description
3~5 This invention relates to an electrical connector and more particularly to an electrical contact mounted within the connector, This invsntion is related to applicant's Canadian Application Serial No. ~16,156, filed November 23, 19~2.
Electrical, connectors generally include a plug ana receptacle, each of which has an insert of dielec-tric material provided with multiple openinys within which electrical contac-ts are retained. The insert is introducea into the rear end of a metal shell or housing of the connector where it is held in place by some means, such as a nut. Some connec-tors provide for rearward insertion and front or rear release of electrical contacts, while other connectors provide for front insertion and front or rear release o~ electrical contac-ts. These features are desirable and facilitate the assembly and servicing of the connector.
Examples of a prior art electrical connector having insertable and removabl~ contacts may be found in U.S. Patents 3,165,369 entitled "Retention System For Electrical Contacts" issued July 12, 1~66; and 3,221,292 entitled "Electrical Connector"
issued November 30, 196~. In the foregoing patents, the contacts are retained within the connector housing by a retention mechanism and the contacts are sealed from moisture by a separate rubber grommet which fits tightly around -the incoming wires to prevent moisture from enterin~ into the area be-tween the contacts. Generally, where removable contacts and a moisture seal is required -three or more parts were sandwiched together to accomplish these functions.
This invention is used in combination with an electrical connector of the type including: a housing having a forward portion and a rearward portion; a plurality of elongated cylindrical contacts with each having a forward mating portion, an intermedia-te mounting portion and a , ~ rearward wire receiving portion; and means Eor releasably ~1~
mounting the contacts in the housing including an insert having a plurality of cylindrical bores therein, each bore having a cen-tral portion for receivin~ the mounting portion of a respective contact, the impro~tement wherein: the intermediate mounting portion of each of the contacts has two lonyitudinally spaced annular grooves and the central portion oE each bore has two longitudinally spaced and radially inwardly projecting wall portions with each wall portion being adap-ted to seat within one respective ~nnular groove, each groove having a ~irst surface facing rearwardly and a second surface facing forwardly with each of the surfaces being acutely angled from the central axis of the contact with the angle of the first surface being greater than the angle of the second surface; each wall portion having a first mating surEace and a second mating surface with the first and second mating surfaces being acutely angled -to engage, respectively, wi-th the first and second surface of onè annular groove; and each bore in the insert has a diameter less than that of the contact.
Accordingly, it is an advantage of this invention -to provide an insert for an` electrical connector that combines the contact retaining functions and moisture sealin~ functi~ns into a single integral part.
It is also an advantage of this invention to eliminate the need to sandwich two or more par-ts together to accomplish the retention and moisture sealing oE a contact with an elec-trical connector.
It is another advanta~e of this invention to decrease the cost of assembling an electrical connector.
It is another advan-tage of this invention to eliminate the need for adhesives to seal the multiple parts that made up a prior art connector insert.
Electrical, connectors generally include a plug ana receptacle, each of which has an insert of dielec-tric material provided with multiple openinys within which electrical contac-ts are retained. The insert is introducea into the rear end of a metal shell or housing of the connector where it is held in place by some means, such as a nut. Some connec-tors provide for rearward insertion and front or rear release of electrical contacts, while other connectors provide for front insertion and front or rear release o~ electrical contac-ts. These features are desirable and facilitate the assembly and servicing of the connector.
Examples of a prior art electrical connector having insertable and removabl~ contacts may be found in U.S. Patents 3,165,369 entitled "Retention System For Electrical Contacts" issued July 12, 1~66; and 3,221,292 entitled "Electrical Connector"
issued November 30, 196~. In the foregoing patents, the contacts are retained within the connector housing by a retention mechanism and the contacts are sealed from moisture by a separate rubber grommet which fits tightly around -the incoming wires to prevent moisture from enterin~ into the area be-tween the contacts. Generally, where removable contacts and a moisture seal is required -three or more parts were sandwiched together to accomplish these functions.
This invention is used in combination with an electrical connector of the type including: a housing having a forward portion and a rearward portion; a plurality of elongated cylindrical contacts with each having a forward mating portion, an intermedia-te mounting portion and a , ~ rearward wire receiving portion; and means Eor releasably ~1~
mounting the contacts in the housing including an insert having a plurality of cylindrical bores therein, each bore having a cen-tral portion for receivin~ the mounting portion of a respective contact, the impro~tement wherein: the intermediate mounting portion of each of the contacts has two lonyitudinally spaced annular grooves and the central portion oE each bore has two longitudinally spaced and radially inwardly projecting wall portions with each wall portion being adap-ted to seat within one respective ~nnular groove, each groove having a ~irst surface facing rearwardly and a second surface facing forwardly with each of the surfaces being acutely angled from the central axis of the contact with the angle of the first surface being greater than the angle of the second surface; each wall portion having a first mating surEace and a second mating surface with the first and second mating surfaces being acutely angled -to engage, respectively, wi-th the first and second surface of onè annular groove; and each bore in the insert has a diameter less than that of the contact.
Accordingly, it is an advantage of this invention -to provide an insert for an` electrical connector that combines the contact retaining functions and moisture sealin~ functi~ns into a single integral part.
It is also an advantage of this invention to eliminate the need to sandwich two or more par-ts together to accomplish the retention and moisture sealing oE a contact with an elec-trical connector.
It is another advanta~e of this invention to decrease the cost of assembling an electrical connector.
It is another advan-tage of this invention to eliminate the need for adhesives to seal the multiple parts that made up a prior art connector insert.
2 -:~Zf~239~
Detailed Description oE the Invention FIGURE 1 illustrates an electrical contact.
FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view oE an electrical connector incorporating the principles of- the invention.
Referring now to the drawing, FIGURE 1 illustrates a pin-type electrical contact 20 having a central axis A, a forward mating portion 21, an intermediate portion 22 and a rear wire receiving portion 23. The intermeaiate portion 22 includes two grooves 24 and 25. Each groove 24, 25 includes acutely angled flat surfaces 26, 27. The forward an~led urface 26 is at an angle of abou-t 30 degrees from the central a~is of the contact. The surface 27 rearward of the forward surface 26 is at an angle of about 15 degrees from the central axis of the contact 20. A rearwardly facing shoulder 28 is located between the in-termediate portion 22 and end portion 23. The angle of the surfaces 26, 27 are designed in this embodiment to require a lower removal force from the insert 30 than insertion force. The angles could be reversed if a reverse result is d`esired, i.e., higher removal force.
FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical connector incorporating the principles of the invention.
The electrical connector includes a metal housing 10, a dielectric insert 30 having mounted therein a male pin-type contact 20 ox a female socket-type contact 20, a rearward plate ~0 and a forward plate 50. Each insert 30 includes a bore 31 having mounted therein a respective contact 20. Each of the bores 31 in the insert 30 includes two radially in-wardly projecting wall portions 32 and 33 (or restrictions) that mate, respectively, with the annular grooves 24, 25 in the contac-t 20. Each wall portion includes acutely an~led flat surfaces 36, 37 which ma-te against the respective surfaces 26, 27 of each of the corresponding grooves 2~, 25.
Detailed Description oE the Invention FIGURE 1 illustrates an electrical contact.
FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view oE an electrical connector incorporating the principles of- the invention.
Referring now to the drawing, FIGURE 1 illustrates a pin-type electrical contact 20 having a central axis A, a forward mating portion 21, an intermediate portion 22 and a rear wire receiving portion 23. The intermeaiate portion 22 includes two grooves 24 and 25. Each groove 24, 25 includes acutely angled flat surfaces 26, 27. The forward an~led urface 26 is at an angle of abou-t 30 degrees from the central a~is of the contact. The surface 27 rearward of the forward surface 26 is at an angle of about 15 degrees from the central axis of the contact 20. A rearwardly facing shoulder 28 is located between the in-termediate portion 22 and end portion 23. The angle of the surfaces 26, 27 are designed in this embodiment to require a lower removal force from the insert 30 than insertion force. The angles could be reversed if a reverse result is d`esired, i.e., higher removal force.
FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical connector incorporating the principles of the invention.
The electrical connector includes a metal housing 10, a dielectric insert 30 having mounted therein a male pin-type contact 20 ox a female socket-type contact 20, a rearward plate ~0 and a forward plate 50. Each insert 30 includes a bore 31 having mounted therein a respective contact 20. Each of the bores 31 in the insert 30 includes two radially in-wardly projecting wall portions 32 and 33 (or restrictions) that mate, respectively, with the annular grooves 24, 25 in the contac-t 20. Each wall portion includes acutely an~led flat surfaces 36, 37 which ma-te against the respective surfaces 26, 27 of each of the corresponding grooves 2~, 25.
3~S
Each bore 31 has an inner diameter that is sligh-tly less than the outside ~iame-ter of the contact 20 so as to provide a pressure tight seal around the contact. The angle of the surfaces 26, 27 of each of -the grooves 24, 25 determine ~he retention stren~th of the contact when it is inser-ted into the insert 30. By changing the angle of the surfaces 26, 27 and their corresponding surfaces 36, 37, the Eorce required to insert and remove the contact 20 frorn the inser-t 30 can be changed. To prevent further rearward movement of a contact 20 mounted in a connector insert 30 a pla-te 40, comprised of a hard dielec-tric material, is fixedly mounted within the housing 10. The plate ~0 has a bore ~1 therethrough which receives the rear portion of the contact and includes a tower ~2 which seats in the dielectric 30. The rear shoulder 28 of the contact 20 abuts against a forwardly facing shoulder ~3 from the tower 42 on the plate 40 to prevent further rearward movement of the contact 20 in the insert 30. The plate ~0 acts as a positive stop when a contact 20 is inserted into the bore 31 of the insert 30 from the front of -the connec-tor housing 10.
The insert 30 is comprised of an elastomer such as rubber and preferably has a durometer of about 65.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skille~ in the art that changes may be made to the inven-tion as set forth in the appended claims and, in some instances, certain eatures of the invention may be used to advantage without corresponding use of other eatures. For instance~ there could be one groove instead of two grooves in each contact 20 and the angle of the surfaces 26, 27 could be the same ~ccordingly, it is intended that the illustrative and descriptive materials herein be used to limit ~he principles of the invention and not to limit the scope thereof.
Each bore 31 has an inner diameter that is sligh-tly less than the outside ~iame-ter of the contact 20 so as to provide a pressure tight seal around the contact. The angle of the surfaces 26, 27 of each of -the grooves 24, 25 determine ~he retention stren~th of the contact when it is inser-ted into the insert 30. By changing the angle of the surfaces 26, 27 and their corresponding surfaces 36, 37, the Eorce required to insert and remove the contact 20 frorn the inser-t 30 can be changed. To prevent further rearward movement of a contact 20 mounted in a connector insert 30 a pla-te 40, comprised of a hard dielec-tric material, is fixedly mounted within the housing 10. The plate ~0 has a bore ~1 therethrough which receives the rear portion of the contact and includes a tower ~2 which seats in the dielectric 30. The rear shoulder 28 of the contact 20 abuts against a forwardly facing shoulder ~3 from the tower 42 on the plate 40 to prevent further rearward movement of the contact 20 in the insert 30. The plate ~0 acts as a positive stop when a contact 20 is inserted into the bore 31 of the insert 30 from the front of -the connec-tor housing 10.
The insert 30 is comprised of an elastomer such as rubber and preferably has a durometer of about 65.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skille~ in the art that changes may be made to the inven-tion as set forth in the appended claims and, in some instances, certain eatures of the invention may be used to advantage without corresponding use of other eatures. For instance~ there could be one groove instead of two grooves in each contact 20 and the angle of the surfaces 26, 27 could be the same ~ccordingly, it is intended that the illustrative and descriptive materials herein be used to limit ~he principles of the invention and not to limit the scope thereof.
Claims (5)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In combination with an electrical connector of the type including: a housing having a forward portion and a rearward portion; a plurality of elongated cylindrical contacts with each having a forward mating portion, an intermediate mounting portion and a rearward wire receiving portion; and means for releasably mounting said contacts in said housing including an insert having a plurality of cylindrical bores therein, each said bore having a central portion for receiving the mounting portion of a respective contact, the improvement wherein:
the intermediate mounting portion of each of said contacts has two longitudinally spaced annular grooves and the central portion of each said bore has two longitudinally spaced and radially inwardly projecting wall portions with each said wall portion being adapted to seat within one respective annular groove, each said groove having a first surface facing rearwardly and a second surface facing forwardly with each of said surfaces being acutely angled from the central axis of said contact with the angle of the first surface being greater than the angle of the second surface;
each said wall portion having a first mating surface and a second mating surface with the first and second mating surfaces being acutely angled to engage, respectively with the first and second surface of one said annular groove;
and each said bore in said insert has a diameter less than that of said contact.
the intermediate mounting portion of each of said contacts has two longitudinally spaced annular grooves and the central portion of each said bore has two longitudinally spaced and radially inwardly projecting wall portions with each said wall portion being adapted to seat within one respective annular groove, each said groove having a first surface facing rearwardly and a second surface facing forwardly with each of said surfaces being acutely angled from the central axis of said contact with the angle of the first surface being greater than the angle of the second surface;
each said wall portion having a first mating surface and a second mating surface with the first and second mating surfaces being acutely angled to engage, respectively with the first and second surface of one said annular groove;
and each said bore in said insert has a diameter less than that of said contact.
2. The combination as recited in Claim 1 wherein the angle of said first surface, forward of said second surface, is about 30 degrees from the central axis of said contact and the angle of the second surface is about 15 degrees from the central axis of said contact.
3. The combination as recited in Claim 1 wherein the angle of the first surface is smaller than the angle of the second surface whereby the contact requires a higher removal force than insertion force.
4. The combination as recited in Claim 2 wherein the connector includes a dielectric plate having a tower extending therefrom and seated in the insert, and the contact includes a rearwardly facing shoulder that is abuttable against a face of the tower.
5. The combination as recited in Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the insert is comprised of a rubber having a durometer of about 65.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US40252482A | 1982-07-28 | 1982-07-28 | |
| US402,524 | 1982-07-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1202395A true CA1202395A (en) | 1986-03-25 |
Family
ID=23592267
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000424501A Expired CA1202395A (en) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-03-25 | Contact for an electrical connector |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0102878A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS5946777A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1202395A (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4431243A (en) * | 1982-07-28 | 1984-02-14 | The Bendix Corporation | Contact stop for an electrical connector |
| DE4401461C2 (en) * | 1994-01-19 | 1996-08-14 | Geiger Plastic Verwaltung | Plastic component with embedded metal element |
| US5460549A (en) * | 1994-09-02 | 1995-10-24 | Itt Industries, Inc. | Connector with sealed contacts |
| KR101144788B1 (en) * | 2004-12-01 | 2012-05-11 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Connector structure of washing machine |
| ES2392791T3 (en) | 2010-05-25 | 2012-12-13 | Beele Engineering B.V. | An assembly and a method for providing a sealing system in an opening |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3066272A (en) * | 1958-10-01 | 1962-11-27 | Whitney Blake Co | Axially mating electrical connector |
| US3101229A (en) * | 1960-10-07 | 1963-08-20 | Amphenol Borg Electronics Corp | Electrical connectors |
| CA918772A (en) * | 1970-01-20 | 1973-01-09 | The Bunker-Ramo Corporation | Miniature connector |
-
1983
- 1983-03-25 CA CA000424501A patent/CA1202395A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-07-27 JP JP13601683A patent/JPS5946777A/en active Pending
- 1983-07-28 EP EP83401557A patent/EP0102878A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0102878A3 (en) | 1987-06-03 |
| EP0102878A2 (en) | 1984-03-14 |
| JPS5946777A (en) | 1984-03-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |