EP0101419A1 - An electric connector device - Google Patents

An electric connector device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0101419A1
EP0101419A1 EP83850184A EP83850184A EP0101419A1 EP 0101419 A1 EP0101419 A1 EP 0101419A1 EP 83850184 A EP83850184 A EP 83850184A EP 83850184 A EP83850184 A EP 83850184A EP 0101419 A1 EP0101419 A1 EP 0101419A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pin
contact pin
protective sleeve
cable clip
connection region
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83850184A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Göran Lundqvist
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HB Bohus Maskinutveckling
Original Assignee
HB Bohus Maskinutveckling
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HB Bohus Maskinutveckling filed Critical HB Bohus Maskinutveckling
Publication of EP0101419A1 publication Critical patent/EP0101419A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
    • H01R11/11—End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member
    • H01R11/28—End pieces consisting of a ferrule or sleeve
    • 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
    • H01R4/02—Soldered or welded 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
    • H01R4/58—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 characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/64—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electric connector device comprising a contact pin and a cable clip.
  • the problem behind the invention is to provide a connector device having a contact pin/cable clip which guarantees a good electric contact between the cable clip and the contact pin as well as sufficient strength in the connection region between the clip and the pin.
  • the pin should be mountable in structural members, for instance thin plate sheets, which are to be surface treated, for instance by-aggressive surface treating agents and/or lacquer, after the pin has been mounted.
  • the connector device should be such that manual handling mounting failure sources are eliminated.
  • the mounting should be simple and it should be possible to determine by a simple inspection whether the connection between the cable clip and the pin is correct or not.
  • the connector device has to meet high standards of function as well as mass producion utility.
  • the connector device should be useful - with advantage - as an earthing arrangement of thin plate sheet structural members of for instance motor vehicles, household machines, electric heaters, etc.
  • British patent No. 121 442 330 discloses an arrangement of bendable pins insertable into a cable clip.
  • contact pin is broadened to include also accumulator terminals, for instance
  • British patent No. 1 288 001 discloses a cable clip arranged to be tightened by a locking screw on a conical accumulator terminal.
  • pins require that specific measures are taken, for instance cleaning by a steel brush, after the sheet having the pin mounted thereon has been surface treated. Such a cleaning is not reliable enough to guarantee a long-term well operating earth connection. It is not possible to mount the known pins after a surface treating of the lacquering type, because the lacquer is destroyed and/or the mounting causes regions of corrosion.
  • the clamping force of the screw union is small implying that the screw gets untightened.
  • Lacquer of the screw union "sets" and contributes to the untightening of the screw union.
  • the object of the invention is to obviate said drawback(s) and offer a more advantageous alternative.
  • the invention provides an electric connector device comprising a contact pin and a cable clip for connection thereto.
  • the device is characterized in that the contact pin is provided with a protective sleeve arranged for being removed after the pin has been mounted to a surrounding structural member, and in that the protective sleeve is arranged to cover at least an electric connection region of the pin.
  • connection region comprises a conical region.
  • the conical region is arranged to form a press union with the cable clip arranged for co-operation with the contact pin.
  • the dimension relations preferably are such that the yield limit of the material of the collared part is passed when said press union is obtained.
  • the pin preferably has a portion to be welded to the structural member, consisting for instance of thin plate. Other fastening methods are not excluded.
  • the contact pin is arranged to form an earthing pin.
  • the protective sleeve consists of metal meeting the required protection standards but also allowing a rational demounting. Plastics material withstanding for instance heat may also be used as material of the protective sleeve.
  • the protective sleeve is arranged such that it prevents for instance surface treating agents, including lacquer for said structural member, from affecting the electric connection region of the contact pin.
  • the contact pin denoted by 10 in Figure 1 consists of metal, for instance stainless steel, and has an upper truncated conical envelope surface 11.
  • the envelope surface region of the contact pin continues in a generally cylindric attachment portion via a downwards conical portion 12.
  • the cylindrical portion is arranged for being welded to a thin plate structural member 14 and therefore said portion is provided with a tip 16 for initiating the welding arc.
  • a protective sleeve 15 consisting of a relatively soft metal, for example copper, in the embodiment shown.
  • the fit between the sleeve 15 and the envelope surface 11 is made sufficient from a protective point of view with regard to aggressive, from an electric point of view detrimental surface treating agents, but such that simple demounting by axial removal is possible.
  • the envelope surface 11 is shown uncovered, basically after two consecutive steps, namely welding of the contact pin 10 to the sheet 14 and lacquering of the structural member (generally involving a preceding further - surface treatment) by a lacquer layer 17.
  • a portion 18 of the lacquer layer remains on the tip of the pin 10 after the protective sleeve has been drawn off.
  • a rational drawing off is carried out by a puller.
  • the welding is made for instance by an automatically loaded welding gun, where any contact pins for some reason lacking protective sleeves are discarded without action from the operator, implying that an otherwise doubtful source of failure is eliminated.
  • the lacquer free portion 11 of the contact pin in Figure 2 forms the electric connection region.
  • a collared cable clip 19 having a collar 20 dimensioned for press fit relative the pin surface 11 is shown in Figure 4.
  • the material of the cable clip preferably is soft, for instance copper, brass, and the dimension of the collar and the pin surface 11 are such that the yield limit of the material of the collar is passed, at least partially, when the collar is mounted onto the pin.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown a modified contact pin 10 provided with a protective sleeve 15.
  • the transition region 12 is here extended and cylindric.
  • the electric contact surface may comprise also the top surface of the contact pin, which requires a "cup"-shaped protective sleeve.

Landscapes

  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

An electric connector device comprising a contact pin (10) and a cable clip for connection thereto.
The pin is provided with a protective sleeve (15) arranged to cover an electric connection region (11) of the pin. Preferably, the pin is conical at least within the area of said connection region thereof.
The cable clip is mounted with press fit onto the pin.

Description

    Field of the invention
  • The present invention relates to an electric connector device comprising a contact pin and a cable clip.
    • Background of the invention
  • The problem behind the invention is to provide a connector device having a contact pin/cable clip which guarantees a good electric contact between the cable clip and the contact pin as well as sufficient strength in the connection region between the clip and the pin.
  • Additionally, the pin should be mountable in structural members, for instance thin plate sheets, which are to be surface treated, for instance by-aggressive surface treating agents and/or lacquer, after the pin has been mounted.
  • Further on, the connector device should be such that manual handling mounting failure sources are eliminated.
  • The mounting should be simple and it should be possible to determine by a simple inspection whether the connection between the cable clip and the pin is correct or not.
  • In other words, the connector device has to meet high standards of function as well as mass producion utility.
  • The connector device should be useful - with advantage - as an earthing arrangement of thin plate sheet structural members of for instance motor vehicles, household machines, electric heaters, etc.
    • Prior art within the actual field
  • A great variety of connector devices comprising a contact pin and a cable clip are of course known. British patent No. 121 442 330, for instance, discloses an arrangement of bendable pins insertable into a cable clip. Provided the term contact pin is broadened to include also accumulator terminals, for instance British patent No. 1 288 001 discloses a cable clip arranged to be tightened by a locking screw on a conical accumulator terminal.
  • As far as connector devices for earthing purposes are concerned, there are known several arrangements of pins that are weldable to sheet members.
  • However, such pins require that specific measures are taken, for instance cleaning by a steel brush, after the sheet having the pin mounted thereon has been surface treated. Such a cleaning is not reliable enough to guarantee a long-term well operating earth connection. It is not possible to mount the known pins after a surface treating of the lacquering type, because the lacquer is destroyed and/or the mounting causes regions of corrosion.
  • The lack of better alternatives has caused that to-day, for earthing metal sheets, there is used the conventional method of applying a cable clip, a washer and a self- tapping screw, in spite of a number of drawbacks, as: - The screw cracks the lacquer, which causes corrosion and poor electric contact.
  • The clamping force of the screw union is small implying that the screw gets untightened.
  • Lacquer of the screw union "sets" and contributes to the untightening of the screw union.
  • A barbed washer tears the lacquer.
  • Washers are expensive to mount.
  • It is difficult to control the tightening torque.
  • Careless tightening mistakes are difficult to reveal.
  • It is expensive to make holes in car body sheets. Therefore, the object of the invention is to obviate said drawback(s) and offer a more advantageous alternative.
    • Summary of the invention
  • In the broadest sense thereof, the invention provides an electric connector device comprising a contact pin and a cable clip for connection thereto.
  • The device is characterized in that the contact pin is provided with a protective sleeve arranged for being removed after the pin has been mounted to a surrounding structural member, and in that the protective sleeve is arranged to cover at least an electric connection region of the pin.
  • Preferably, said connection region comprises a conical region.
  • In an escpecially preferred embodiment, the conical region is arranged to form a press union with the cable clip arranged for co-operation with the contact pin.
  • From a strength point of view, the dimension relations preferably are such that the yield limit of the material of the collared part is passed when said press union is obtained.
  • In order to arrange for a rational fastening of the contact pin, the pin preferably has a portion to be welded to the structural member, consisting for instance of thin plate. Other fastening methods are not excluded.
  • Primarily, the contact pin is arranged to form an earthing pin.
  • Advantageously, the protective sleeve consists of metal meeting the required protection standards but also allowing a rational demounting. Plastics material withstanding for instance heat may also be used as material of the protective sleeve.
  • In the preferred embodiment, the protective sleeve is arranged such that it prevents for instance surface treating agents, including lacquer for said structural member, from affecting the electric connection region of the contact pin.
    • Brief description of the drawings
    • Figure 1 partially in section shows a first type of a contact pin provided with a protective sleeve,
    • Figure 2 shows the contact pin mounted to a structural member and with the protective sleeve removed,
    • Figure 3 shows a modified version of a contact pin, and
    • Figure 4 in a partial section view shows a cable clip, more precisely the collared portion thereof.
    Description of preferred embodiments
  • The contact pin denoted by 10 in Figure 1 consists of metal, for instance stainless steel, and has an upper truncated conical envelope surface 11. The envelope surface region of the contact pin continues in a generally cylindric attachment portion via a downwards conical portion 12. The cylindrical portion is arranged for being welded to a thin plate structural member 14 and therefore said portion is provided with a tip 16 for initiating the welding arc.
  • Along the conical envelope surface 11 of the contact pin 10 there is a protective sleeve 15, consisting of a relatively soft metal, for example copper, in the embodiment shown. The fit between the sleeve 15 and the envelope surface 11 is made sufficient from a protective point of view with regard to aggressive, from an electric point of view detrimental surface treating agents, but such that simple demounting by axial removal is possible.
  • In Figure 2 the envelope surface 11 is shown uncovered, basically after two consecutive steps, namely welding of the contact pin 10 to the sheet 14 and lacquering of the structural member (generally involving a preceding further - surface treatment) by a lacquer layer 17. A portion 18 of the lacquer layer remains on the tip of the pin 10 after the protective sleeve has been drawn off. A rational drawing off is carried out by a puller.
  • The welding is made for instance by an automatically loaded welding gun, where any contact pins for some reason lacking protective sleeves are discarded without action from the operator, implying that an otherwise doubtful source of failure is eliminated.
  • The lacquer free portion 11 of the contact pin in Figure 2 forms the electric connection region. A collared cable clip 19 having a collar 20 dimensioned for press fit relative the pin surface 11 is shown in Figure 4. The material of the cable clip preferably is soft, for instance copper, brass, and the dimension of the collar and the pin surface 11 are such that the yield limit of the material of the collar is passed, at least partially, when the collar is mounted onto the pin.
  • As an example of dimensions the following may be mentioned. Surface 11: hight 3,5 mm, top dimension 3,0 mm, bottom dimension 3,5 mm; collar 19: hight 3,5 mm (the conical portion thereof), top dimension 3,0 mm, bottom dimension 3,5 mm.
  • The hight relations given also imply that the collar 20 will be at the same level as the top surface 18 of the pin 11 after the cable clip has been mounted. This gives a simple, quick and reliable inspection possibility after mounting.
  • In Figure 3 there is shown a modified contact pin 10 provided with a protective sleeve 15. The transition region 12 is here extended and cylindric.
  • Further alternatives are of course possible within the scope of the claims. If desired, the electric contact surface may comprise also the top surface of the contact pin, which requires a "cup"-shaped protective sleeve.

Claims (9)

1. An electric connector device, comprising a contact pin (10) and a cable clip (19) for connection thereto, wherein the contact pin is provided with a protective sleeve (15) arranged for being removed after the pin has been mounted to a surrounding structural member (14), and the protective sleeve (15) is arranged to cover at least an electric connection region (11) of the pin.
2. A device as in claim 1, characterized in that the pin comprises a conical region forming said connection region.
3. A device as in claim 2, characterized in that the conical region is arranged for forming a press fit-with the cable clip.
. 4. A device as in claim 3, characterized in that the cable clip is provided with a collared hole (20) for obtaining said press fit.
5. A device as in claim 4, characterized in that the dimension relations between the collared hole (20) and the conical connection region (11) are such that the yield limit of the material of the collared portion is passed when said press fit is formed.
6. A device as in anyone or any of the preceeding claims, characterized in that the contact pin has a portion (13) to be welded to the structural member (14), for instance consisting of thin plate.
7. A device as in anyone or any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contact pin (10) is arranged for forming an earthing pin.
8. A device as in anyone or any of the preceeding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve (15) consists of metal.
9. A device as in anyone or any of the preceeding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve is arranged to protect the electric connection region (11) of the pin, for instance from a surface treating agent, including lacquer, for said structural member (14).
EP83850184A 1982-07-09 1983-06-29 An electric connector device Withdrawn EP0101419A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8204251A SE431699B (en) 1982-07-09 1982-07-09 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 0
SE8204251 1982-07-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0101419A1 true EP0101419A1 (en) 1984-02-22

Family

ID=20347342

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83850184A Withdrawn EP0101419A1 (en) 1982-07-09 1983-06-29 An electric connector device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0101419A1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5978474A (en)
SE (1) SE431699B (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE763154A (en) * 1970-02-19 1971-07-16 Amp Inc TERMINAL FOR ACCUMULATOR BATTERY TERMINAL
GB1381250A (en) * 1972-08-07 1975-01-22 Fulmen In situ production of accumulator cell terminals
DE2359429A1 (en) * 1973-08-29 1975-06-05 Multi Contact Ag ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE FOR CONNECTING AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR TO AN ACCUMULATOR

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE763154A (en) * 1970-02-19 1971-07-16 Amp Inc TERMINAL FOR ACCUMULATOR BATTERY TERMINAL
GB1381250A (en) * 1972-08-07 1975-01-22 Fulmen In situ production of accumulator cell terminals
DE2359429A1 (en) * 1973-08-29 1975-06-05 Multi Contact Ag ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE FOR CONNECTING AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR TO AN ACCUMULATOR

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5978474A (en) 1984-05-07
SE431699B (en) 1984-02-20
SE8204251L (en) 1984-01-10
SE8204251D0 (en) 1982-07-09

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Legal Events

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19840723

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19851210

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: LUNDQVIST, GOERAN