CN1097328C

CN1097328C - Protective cover for electrical connectors

Info

Publication number: CN1097328C
Application number: CN95195842A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·A·拉斯维亚; E·加略
Original assignee: Whitaker LLC
Current assignee: Whitaker LLC
Priority date: 1994-09-14
Filing date: 1995-07-20
Publication date: 2002-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-20
Also published as: CA2199276A1; EP0781461A1; WO1996008855A1; JPH10508418A; CN1161762A; BR9403559A; AU3360295A

Abstract

A protective cover assembly (10) for electrical connectors is disclosed having a cover (20) with body cable passages (50). A spacer latch component (60) is operatively disposed in the passages (50) for latching electrical cables (12,14) to the assembly (10). Sealant grease (46) is disposed in a channel (44) of the body (40) for sealing between the cover (20) and the body (40). Sealing and dielectric compound pads (59a,59b) are disposed adjacent to the spacer latch component (60) and body cable passage (50). The protective cover assembly (10) thus provides protection against moisture and other contaminants which would tend to cause corrosion and failure of the electrical connector.

Description

The protective cover of electric connector

The present invention relates to a kind of protective cover assembly, be used for and the electric conductor coupling that is connected to an electric connector, this protective cover assembly comprises a cap assemblies half part and matrix component half part, these assemblies half part is suitable for cooperating hermetically around electric connector and conductor, these assemblies half part comprises at least one conductor channel separately, this protective cover assembly is included in an isolation locking member that is provided with between assembly half part, is used for clamping and conductor of sealing.

Be corrosion and the fault that prevents connector, require electric connector is protected, in order to avoid be subjected to dirt, humidity and other pollutant effects.For this reason, developed such lid, it is sealed in protective cover inside with connector.For example, made this class lid that comprises clamshell shape half part, half part has the snap-on type locking member, is used for half partial fixing together.But, the particularly important is for this class lid, adapt to the ability of different cable dimension in the excellent sealing of cable passage or lid tapping and cable passage or perforate.Existing lid has the locking member that is used for the clamping conductor, but locking member is a rigidity, therefore, because acting on the fracture of the locking member that the power on the conductor that covers or be arranged at wherein causes is a problem, when especially lid runs into following extreme case: impact, crooked, distortion or stretching or extruding force effect.These extreme cases are relevant with the strict demand of outdoor distribution environment.

Disclose an example of existing cable connector lid in the United States Patent (USP) 4229616, this conventional device provides a kind of lid that comprises two clamshell shapes that are connected together, half part.A cable outlet that passes half part of connection needs a door that can slide of rigidity basically, and this door has sealed tooth, be used for lid partly the sealed tooth on partly the rigid walls cooperate.Door can slide in the slotted eye in housing wall, and the tooth cooperation on door and the wall is maintained at given position with door.Door comprises the CIU of an arch formula, and these parts have defined the semicircle edge of cable outlet, and adjustable cable outlet diameter is provided.

But, when lid or conductor are subjected to impacting, crooked, distortion or stretching or extruding force are done the time spent, the loose fit that the structure setting of tooth and rigid door may cause the loosening of the fracture of sealed tooth and/or door and pass the cable of outlet.Therefore this lid is suitable for indoor application, and it is unsuitable for the strict demand of outdoor distribution environment especially.In addition, existing connector does not provide any device that is used for the sealed tooth of twin-lock, and this causes the bad performance under impact or mechanically stressed condition.

In addition, existing lid opposing abilities moist and other pollutant effects partly depend on the edge of half and half part that is tightly connected, but, because the edge is subjected to the influence of the variation of the physical dimension that caused by manufacturing tolerance and material, hermetic seal may not be kept in the edge, allows undesirable external impurities to enter therefrom and covers housing.At last, the edge is not designed to be able to hold sealing fat.

The present invention has provided solution of the above problems by a kind of protective cover assembly is provided, this protective cover assembly is used for and the electric conductor coupling that is connected to an electric connector, it comprises a cap assemblies half part and matrix component half part, these assemblies half part is suitable for cooperating hermetically around electric connector and conductor, each assembly half part comprises at least one conductor channel, and this protective cover assembly comprises that of being provided with isolates locking member, is used for clamping and conductor of sealing between assembly half part.This protective cover assembly has solved the problem of latch fracture, because one of assembly half part or isolation locking member comprise an elasticity latch, this elasticity latch is that a contiguous groove that forms in one of assembly half part or isolation locking member is provided with, in this protective cover assembled process, the elasticity latch is offset towards slotted eye thus.The elasticity of latch has prevented valuably by the fracture that acts on the latch that causes of power on lid or the conductor or loosening.

According to an aspect of the present invention, one of assembly half part comprises the elasticity latch, is used for and isolates locking member and cooperates, and isolate locking member and comprise the ratchet surface that is positioned on the one side, is used to make at least one assembly half elasticity latch partly to be offset.Wherein, the elasticity latch is that the groove that vicinity forms in corresponding assembly half part is provided with, and when cooperating with the isolation locking member, the elasticity latch is towards this groove skew thus.

Such scheme comprises two kinds of variations of the useful sealed feature of latch, that is: one of assembly half part comprises the twin-lock parts that form thereon, is used for inserting in the complementary taper slotted eye that another assembly half part forms; Perhaps, each assembly half part comprises the twin-lock parts that at least one forms thereon, is used for inserting in the complementary taper slotted eye that another assembly half part forms.

According to a further aspect in the invention, isolate locking member and comprise the elasticity latch, be used for cooperating, and the elasticity latch is that the contiguous respective grooves that forms in isolating locking member is provided with one of assembly half part, when cooperating with assembly half part, the elasticity latch is towards this groove skew thus.

At last,, isolate locking member and matrix half part and can comprise a sealed insulation compound pad separately, be used to seal conductor and conductor channel, and at least one assembly half part comprises one along its peripheral groove, be used to hold encapsulant according to the present invention.Therefore, the periphery around this protective cover assembly has formed hermetic seal valuably.

Below will present invention is described by means of embodiment and with reference to accompanying drawing, in the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is the exploded perspective view according to protective cover assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the plane graph of electric connector of the latter half that places the protective cover of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cutaway view, and it illustrates the cable that places the protective cover of Fig. 1 when lid half part, isolation locking member and matrix half part are in confined state.

Fig. 4 is the cutaway view that amplifies, and it illustrates the cable that places the protective cover of Fig. 1 when lid half part, isolation locking member and matrix half part are in confined state.

Fig. 5 is the amplification view of the second embodiment of the present invention, and it illustrates the cable that places protective cover when lid half part, isolation locking member and matrix half part are in confined state.

Fig. 6 is the amplification view of the third embodiment of the present invention, and it illustrates the cable that places protective cover when lid half part, isolation locking member and matrix half part are in confined state.

Fig. 1 illustrates according to protective cover assembly 10 of the present invention in the exploded view mode, and it comprises a lid 20, matrix 40 and isolates locking member (spacer latch component) 60.Cap assemblies 10 is preferably made by suitable plastic or other insulating material, and comprise lid along 21, lid cable passage 30 and tongue piece 22 that can strain, tongue piece 22 is used for sealed lug 42 to matrix 40, and is such as will be described below.Cable passage 30 forms the roughly shape of box-like, and it comprises that one is suitable for around the cable arched door 38 of

cable

12,14 installations, and is suitable for holding isolation locking member 60 within it.Cable arched door part 38 comprises a sealed insulation pad 59c, and this pad is used for around the sealing of

cable

12,14 realizations with cable passage 30.

With reference to Fig. 2, in a preferred embodiment, lid 20 has three lid cable passages, wherein two are used for extending (run) conductor 12, one is used for top (top) conductor 14, and these conductors are connected by the electric connector 16 of routine, and electric connector 16 comprises the C shape parts of a band wedge-like portion.As what be clearly shown that among Fig. 4, lid 30 also comprises twin-lock (double-lock) parts 32 that form thereon, is used for inserting the cone tank 56 on the matrix 40, and this will be further described below.

Matrix 40 comprise backstop with top surface 41a along 41, sealed lug 42, be used to hold the groove 44, sealing fat 46 and the matrix chamber 48 that seal fat.Matrix 40 also comprises a neck 40a and a head 40b, and they have defined a matrix cable passage 50.Matrix cable passage 50 has top surface 51, stand 52 (clearlying show that among Fig. 3), the elasticity latch 54 that has pawl 55, taper slotted eye 56 and cable support surface 58.Preparing the hermetically-sealed cable passage at 30,50 o'clock, sealed insulation compound pad 59a is placed on the stand 52.Lug 42 comprises the surperficial 42a of an inclination, be used for making when lid 20 is connected to matrix 40 covering 20 tongue piece 22 strains, and lug 42 comprises that also one is used for tongue piece 22 sealed edge 42b in place.When two and

half parts

20,40 link together, the lid 20 along 21 with applying backstop along 41.In addition, lid 20 comprises a neck 20a and a head 20b, is used to form and builds cable passage 30.Refer again to Fig. 2, groove 44 is suitable for holding conventional sealing fat 46, so that as will be further described below, and when protective cover assembly 10 is in complete confined state, hermetic seal protective cover assembly 10.

With reference to Fig. 1 and 3, matrix cable passage 50 is described now.Matrix cable passage 50 comprises cable stand 52, sidewall 50a and diapire 50b.As what be clearly shown that among Fig. 3, stand 52 and cable support surface 58 and leg 52a associating

supportive conductors

12,14, leg 52a is connected to diapire 50b.Inside at matrix cable passage 50 is molded with elasticity latch 54 integratedly, and latch 54 has pawl 55, and the setting of pawl 55 is suitable for cooperating with ratchet 62, as will be described below.Elasticity latch 54 is arranged in the taper slotted eye 56, so that for its distortion be subjected to protect expanding the space is provided.Cable support surface 58 roughly is semi-barrel shape, and has with

cable

12,14 and pass the consistent direction of principal axis of direction that sealed groove 44 enters matrix chamber 48.With the vertical substantially plane of the direction of principal axis on cable support surface 58 in, lug 42 is provided with also and is formed on the sidewall 50a.In this preferred embodiment, taper slotted eye 56, twin-lock parts 32 and latch 54 also can roughly be arranged in this plane, and this provides the useful overall cable grip locking structure that below will describe.

Referring now to Fig. 1 and 3, describe in further detail and isolate locking member 60.Isolate locking member 60 and roughly be box-like, and comprise that the side is provided with the leg 66 of ratchet 62, cavity part 61 and cable fastening and sealing arched door part 64.Preparing the hermetically-sealed cable passage at 30,50 o'clock, sealed insulation compound pad 59b is placed on this sealing arched door part.The shape of isolating locking member 60 is suitable for it and is installed in when half paired

part

20,40 connects fully and covers in cable passage 30 and the matrix cable passage 50.Ratchet 62 is arranged on the leg 66, is suitable in the process of assembling

protective cover assembly

10 and 55 sealed connections of pawl.

Refer again to Fig. 4, wherein show the amplification view that is in confined state according to the present invention of this preferred embodiment.Twin-lock parts 32 totally are wedge shape, the shape complementarity of its shape and taper slotted eye 56.When lid 30, isolation locking member 60 and matrix 40 are in confined state, twin-lock parts 32 and latch 54 adjacent settings, thereby the position of keeping latch 54.Therefore, latch 54 not travelling backwards fully freely discharges to taper slotted eye 56 and thus and isolates locking member 60 because twin-lock parts 32 advantageously backstop this distortion of latch 54.By guaranteeing that latch 54 with the power that acts on

cable

12,14 and/or the protective cover assembly 10 disadvantageous distortion does not take place, this feature is tending towards keeping the tight clamping of isolation locking member 60 on cable 12,14.When isolation locking member 60 was assembled on matrix half part 40 fully, sealed

insulation compound pad

59a, 59b were extruded, and compound is around cable and

cable passage

30,50 diffusions, thus with their sealings, as shown in Figure 4.

Describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention above, described the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and 6 now.Fig. 5 is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 1-4 with 6 embodiment, therefore, for understanding the present invention fully, is repeated in this description the common feature of all embodiment again and there is no need.Fig. 5 illustrates a protective cover assembly 10 ', and it comprises covers half part 20 ', matrix half part 40 ' and isolate locking member 60 '.But, be positioned at the orientation of latch 54 ', slotted eye 56 ' and the ratchet 62 ' of twin-lock parts 32 ' on the side of protective cover assembly 10 ', band pawl 55 ', with respect to latch 54, the slotted eye 56 of twin-lock parts 32, band pawl 55 and the orientation that is positioned at the ratchet 62 on the isolation locking member 60 ' opposite side, have the rotations of 180 degree.Because the embodiment of Fig. 5 comprises twin-lock parts 32,32 ', it closes for the maintenance of guaranteeing to isolate locking member 60 ' and

cable

12,14 provides latch 54,54 ' twin-lock valuably.When isolating locking member 60 ' when being assembled to matrix half part 40 ' fully and going up, sealed insulation compound pad 59a ', 59b ' are extruded, and compound is around cable and cable passage diffusion, thus with they sealings, as shown in Figure 5.

The 3rd embodiment 10 of protective cover assembly is described " referring now to Fig. 6.Protective cover assembly 10 " comprise and cover half part 20 ", matrix half part 50 " and isolate locking member 60 ".Isolating locking member 60 " go up and slotted eye 56 " and resilient tongue parts 68 adjacent being formed be with pawls 55 " elasticity latch 54 ".Ratchet 62 " be formed on matrix half part 50 " on, be used for engaged claw 55 ", make thus and isolate locking member 60 " keep closely pressing cable 12,14.Resilient tongue parts 68 and

cable

12,14 resilient engagement closely cooperate to form betwixt.When isolating locking member 60 " be assembled to matrix half part 40 fully " time, sealed insulation compound pad 59a ", 59b " be extruded, compound is around cable and cable passage diffusion, thus with they sealings, as shown in Figure 6.

Referring now to accompanying drawing and above explanation assembling and operation principle according to the connector assembly 10 of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1-4 are described; But, should be appreciated that Fig. 5 can assemble by identical mode with 6 embodiment.At first, for example by means of electric connector shown in Figure 2 16, continuous conductor 12 is connected to tap (tap) conductor 14.The operator places the sealing fat 46 of q.s in groove 44, matrix 40 is placed on

cable

12,14 and the electric connector 16, as shown in Figure 2, will isolate locking member 60 then and be depressed into its relevant position in matrix cable passage 50, thus matrix 40 will be mounted to cable 12,14.Along with each isolate locking member 60 be urged in place, ratchet 62 pawl 55 is moved and cause elasticity latch 54 towards taper slotted eye 56 according to required resilient bias.When each ratchet 62 passed through pawl 55, latch 54 elastic vibration in taper slotted eye 56 pressed

cable

12 or 14 up to isolating locking member 60.Because tongue piece 22, lug 42, latch 54, pawl 55 and ratchet 62 roughly are arranged in the plane, this plane as mentioned above, has therefore formed flexible mechanical connection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of cable 12 or 14.Therefore the stopping power of tongue piece 22, lug 42, ratchet 62 and pawl 55 is consistent, thus clamping cable 12,14.In addition, [move] on leg 66 owing to ratchet 62 SlideCertain-length, thus for pawl 55 provides better clamping, pawl 55 can not cause breaking away from cooperation from ratchet 62 slips owing to the external force that acts on the cable 12,14.In addition, the elasticity of latch 54 is easy to assembling.Another advantage is to isolate locking member 60 and can adapt to different cable dimension, because the interaction of ratchet 62 and pawl 55 makes the cable holding opening to regulate.Further advantage of the present invention is, be assembled on matrix half part 40 fully and cover 20 when being mounted thereon when isolating locking member 60, sealed

insulation compound pad

59a, 59b, 59c are extruded, and compound is around cable and

cable passage

30,50 diffusions, thus with they sealings.Therefore

cable

12 or 14 closely and hermetically is arranged between cable clamping arched door 64 and the stayed surface 58.Next step, sealing fat 46 is applied to each matrix cable passage 50, then, the operator will be covered 20 and place on the matrix 40, so elastic tongue piece 22 outwards skew along with its slip on the surperficial 42a that tilts, sealed up to tongue piece and edge 42, and the lid arched door part 38 that has a sealed insulation pad

59c presses cable

12,14 hermetically.Lid edge 21 closely presses matrix edge 41 thus.Because sealing fat 46 is to arrange along lid 20 downside, therefore around cover 20 with matrix 40 and put the hermetic seal packing ring of seam formation that has a common boundary.In addition, as mentioned above, by guaranteeing latch 54 not because of the power that acts on

cable

12,14 and/or the protective cover assembly 10 produces disadvantageous skew, the setting of twin-lock parts 32 in tapered trenches 56 is tending towards keeping the tight clamping that isolation locking member 60 forms on cable 12,14.Fig. 5 is assembled in the mode identical with above-mentioned preferred embodiment with 6 embodiment and works.

Describe at three embodiment of the protective cover of indoor or outdoor application being suitable for above; But, under the situation of the scope that does not break away from spirit of the present invention or claim, can make improvement of the present invention.For example, isolate locking member can be fit to more than three cables or be less than the assembly coupling of three cables.In addition, though preferred embodiment discloses a kind of universal connector, should be appreciated that this protective cover assembly can be fit to and any electric power of Any shape or the connector coupling of electronic application, for example, telecommunications connector, automobile connector, coaxial connector, the optical fiber connector etc.In addition, should be appreciated that the protective cover assembly can for example be coated with the thin slice or the metal of insulating material by the non-plastic material manufacturing.Moreover, isolate locking member 60 and can change into and comprise latch 54 and pawl 55, and passage 50 changes into and has ratchet 62.Therefore, although described several embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art should be appreciated that the present invention is not strict and is confined to this embodiment, and can be the other various situations in the claim scope.

Claims

1. a protective cover assembly (10,10 ', 10 "); be used for and electric conductor (12, the 14) coupling that is connected to an electric connector (16), this protective cover assembly comprise a cap assemblies half part (20; 20 '; 20 ") and matrix component half part (40,40 ', 40 "); described these assemblies half part is suitable for cooperating hermetically around electric connector and conductor; these half partly comprise separately at least one conductor hold passage (30,30 ', 30 "; 50,50 ', 50 "), and this protective cover assembly comprises that of being arranged between assembly half part isolates locking member (60,60 ', 60 "), is used for clamping and conductor of sealing, and this protective cover assembly is characterised in that:

One of assembly half part or isolation locking member comprise an elasticity latch (54,54 ', 54 "); this elasticity latch is contiguous in one of assembly half part or isolate a respective grooves forming in the locking member (56; 56 '; 56 ") and be provided with, and in this protective cover assembled process, the elasticity latch is offset towards respective grooves thus;

In assembly half part (40,40 ', 40 ") at least one comprises one along its peripheral groove (44), is used to hold encapsulant (46).

2. according to the cap assemblies of claim 1, wherein, each assembly half part (20 ', 40 ') comprises flexible latch (54,54 '), is used for cooperating with isolation locking member (60 ').

3. according to the cap assemblies of claim 2, wherein, the isolation locking member is included in the ratchet surface (62) on the one side, is used to make the elasticity latch skew of corresponding assembly half part.

4. according to the cap assemblies of claim 2, wherein, the elasticity latch is contiguous in a corresponding assembly half part (20 ', 40 ') groove (56 that forms in, 56 ') be provided with, when cooperating with the isolation locking member, the elasticity latch is towards this groove skew thus.

5. according to the cap assemblies of claim 1, wherein, isolate locking member (60 ") and comprise the elasticity latch, be used for cooperating with one of assembly half part (40 ").

6. according to the cap assemblies of claim 5, wherein, the elasticity latch is that the contiguous respective grooves that forms in isolating locking member (56 ") is provided with, and when cooperating with assembly half part, the elasticity latch is towards this groove skew thus.

7. according to the cap assemblies of claim 1, wherein, one of assembly half part (40) comprises the twin-lock parts (32) that form thereon, is used for inserting in the complementary cone tank that another assembly half part forms.

8. according to the cap assemblies of claim 1, wherein, each assembly half part (20 ', 40 ') comprises the twin-lock parts (32,32 ') that at least one forms thereon, is used for inserting in the complementary taper slotted eye (32,32 ') that another assembly half part forms.

9. according to the cap assemblies of claim 1, wherein, isolate locking member (60,60 ', 60 ") and matrix half partly (40,40 ', 40 ") comprise that separately (59a 59b), is used to seal conductor and conductor channel to a sealed insulation compound pad.