EP0102156B1 - Insulation displacement terminal for an electrical connector and environmental sealing means therefor - Google Patents
Insulation displacement terminal for an electrical connector and environmental sealing means therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0102156B1 EP0102156B1 EP19830303933 EP83303933A EP0102156B1 EP 0102156 B1 EP0102156 B1 EP 0102156B1 EP 19830303933 EP19830303933 EP 19830303933 EP 83303933 A EP83303933 A EP 83303933A EP 0102156 B1 EP0102156 B1 EP 0102156B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- terminal
- wire
- conductor
- housing
- 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
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- 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
- H01R9/05—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections for coaxial cables
- H01R9/053—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections for coaxial cables using contact members penetrating insulation
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2103/00—Two poles
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
- H01R24/38—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
- H01R24/40—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts specially adapted for high frequency
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and specifically, to connectors having the capability of terminating electrical cable or wiring by the method of insulation displacement.
- Connectors in current use are of diverse construction.
- a common arrangement includes a dielectric housing fitted with a plurality of stamped and formed conductive terminals to which insulated multi-conductor cable or wiring may be electrically connected.
- Numerous terminal configurations are likewise available, suited to the specific requirements of the application.
- a preferred terminal in many applications is one which has the capability of establishing electrical contact with the conductors of the cable by displacement of the insulative coating of the conductors, obviating the need to perform the separate step of stripping the insulative coating.
- US ⁇ A ⁇ 4,217,022 discloses an insulation displacement terminal which is representative of the type of terminal currently in widespread use.
- these terminals provide a narrow slot which receives an insulation covered wire, severs the insulation covering of the wire in the process, and establishes, automatically, an electrical connection between the terminal and the central core of the wire.
- This is contrasted with the self-piercing type of terminals which usually have sections in the form of teeth that pierce the insulation and enter the metallic core when the terminal is clinched or secured to the wire.
- Both the self-piercing and insulation displacement terminals suffer from a number of disadvantages.
- both techniques have limitations in terms of the acceptable wire dimensions which may be used in connection with a specific terminal.
- currently known terminals generally require a transverse actuating force to be applied in order to establish the electrical connection. That is, a force must be applied transversely to the length of the wire requiring the wire to be accessible to the transversely applied force at the terminal.
- a force must be applied transversely to the length of the wire requiring the wire to be accessible to the transversely applied force at the terminal.
- EP-A-0 000 624 discloses one attempt to meet this problem and proposes an insulation displacement terminal including a body positionable about an insulation covered wire, the body including an insulation displacing edge with means for severing said wire covering in a direction generally transverse to the length of said wire in response to an actuating force applied to said body generally parallel to the length of said wire.
- GB-A-1 109 914 discloses an insulation displacement terminal in which opposite pairs of arms having insulation displacement edges at their free ends are deflected inwardly transversely of the insulation cold wire to sever the wire covering by camming action when an actuating force is applied to the terminal in the direction of the wire.
- a further limitation of the prior art resides in the difficulties associated with sealing a conventional connector housing against environmentai degrading of the electrical connections contained within it. This limitation is particularly present in the case of conventional insulation displacement connectors which, as heretofore discussed, require transverse accessibility to the wire in the region of the terminal during the final wire termination process.
- the present invention provides an insulation displacement terminal including a body positionable about an insulation covered wire, said body including an insulation displacing edge and a pair of weakened, generally opposed wall portions at least one of which includes said insulation displacement edge, and means for causing said insulation displacing edge to move into said insulation covering in a direction generally transverse to the length of said wire in response to an actuating force applied to said body generally parallel to the length of said wire, characterized in that said body comprises a weakened section formed by said pair of generally opposed wall portions which extend axially of said body, said weakened section being collapsible when said body is axially compressed by said actuating force from an initial position, inwardly to a collapsed position.
- the terminal 10 is of the box- type, formed from a folded sheet metal blank (not shown).
- the terminal 10 has a plain, rectangular, first housing end portion 11, an intermediate collapsible portion 12, and a second housing end portion 13 which has a pair of cantilevered resilient contact beams 14 struck from each of two opposed side walls thereof.
- the beams 14 define a female terminal adapted to mate with a male contact pin (not shown) introduced therebetween.
- the intermediate collapsible portion 12 comprises a pair of opposed wall portions or contacting sections 15 each formed integrally with end portions 11 and 13 along a line of reduced width 16 such that sections 15 may be bent inwardly into a shallow V-shape.
- Each section 15 is formed with a pair of generally V-shaped reinforcing ribs 17 and a pair of edge notches 18 positioned intermediately between the ribs 17.
- the notches 18 and ribs 17 of each section 15 combine to define an axis 19 about which the section 15 may be bent.
- a polygonal aperture 20 is formed in each of the contacting sections 15 with an assy- metrical shape with respect to the axis of bending 19. In stamping of the terminal 10, the edges of the apertures 20 are suitably chamfered to possess a relative knife-like sharpness to the insulative coating of a typical electrical cable or wire.
- Teeth 21 project from the edges of end portion 13 and serve to secure the terminal in position in a connector housing.
- End portion 13 is also adapted with inwardly projecting wire stops 22 (only one of which can be seen) so as to constitute a stop for the end of a conductor wire inserted into end portion 11 of the terminal.
- Protrusions 23 are pressed outwardly of the side walls of the end portion 13 for facilitating sliding of the end portion 13 within the cavity of a connector housing, in a manner which will be described in greater detail, hereinafter.
- tab means 24 extend from the side walls of housing end portion 13 into the intermediate portion 12, each being configured with a pair of pivot points 25 for purposes which will likewise be discussed hereinafter.
- FIG. 2 there is shown an exemplary connector assembly, designated generally by the reference numeral 30, suitable for utilization of the collapsible terminal 10 of Fig. 1.
- the connector assembly 30 comprises a one- piece housing 31, a sealing means or gasket 32 and a gasket retainer 33.
- Formed within the housing 31 are a plurality of cavities, designated generally by the reference numeral 34, corresponding in number to the number of circuits which the connector is capable of terminating.
- Each cavity 34 is suitably dimensioned to slidingly receive a terminal 10.
- the housing 31 is further adapted with an upstanding rim 35 for properly locating the gasket 32 and retainer 33.
- Integrally formed latching arms 36 serve to secure the retainer 33 in compression with the gasket 32 when it is desired that the connector housing 31 be environmentally sealed.
- Corresponding apertures 40 and 41 are likewise formed in the gasket 32 and retainer 33, respectively.
- the wire 39 is illustrated as a discrete single-conductor wire having a conductive core 42 enveloped in a coating of insulation 43, although other types of wire such as ribbon cable, for example, are adaptable for use with the instant connector assembly 30 within the ordinary skill in the art.
- each cavity 34 have a nominal depth approximately equal to the length of an unactuated terminal 10b.
- the terminal 10b is shown in abutment witfi the upper wall 37 of the housing 31 and with its lower end approximately co-planar with the lower surface of the housing 31.
- Recesses 44 are provided in the walls of each cavity 34 defining a continuous ledge 45 around the cavity 34 at a depth approximately equal to the desired distance of travel of terminal end portion 13 upon actuation of the terminal 10.
- the upper housing wall 37 is adapted with a plurality of integrally formed re-entrant strain relief tabs, designated generally by the reference numeral 46, extending inwardly into the cavities 34 in opposed pairs.
- Each tab 46 has a shoulder portion 47 suitable for gripping of the wire 39 upon its termination to the connector 30.
- the upper housing wall 37 is formed with integral ridges 48 extending upwardly around the periphery of each housing aperture 38.
- the gasket retainer 33 is adapted with downwardly extending ridges 49 circumscribing the apertures 41 of the retainer 33.
- the gasket 32 is formed with resiliently deformable collars 50 extending inwardly of the connector housing 31 at each gasket aperture 40 suitably dimensioned to grip the terminated wire 39 in sealing relationship.
- one method of utilizing the terminal 10 entails bracing the connector housing 31 against a fixed surface (not shown).
- a wire 39 is moved axially through an appropriate aperture 41 of the gasket retainer 33, then through a corresponding gasket aperture 40 and finally through an aligned housing aperture 38 whereupon it enters the terminal 10 and is urged into abutment with the stops 22 struck from end portion 13 of the terminal 10.
- Terminal end portion 13 is moved axially inwardly of the housing cavity 34 by application of an axial force imposed upon the terminal 10 by a suitable insertion tool (not shown).
- the insertion tool is dimensioned so as to be sliding received within the recess 44 of the cavity 34.
- the cradling action of the aperture 20, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, maintains the wire 39 in position during this cutting operation. Because the apertures 20 are shaped asymmetrically about the axis of bending 19, one side of each contacting section 15 penetrates the insulation 43 to a greater extent than the opposite side. In this manner less insertion force is required to collapse the terminal 10 into contact with the wire conductor 42. When the cutting edges of the apertures 20 contact the metallic core 42 of the wire 39, as illustrated in Fig. 5, a much greater resistance is encountered and the compression of the terminal 10 may be discontinued.
- Terminal end portion 13 may be forced even further such that the ears 24 of housing portion 13 engage the contacting sections 15 at their midpoints causing a slight bowing of each section 15 about the pivot points 25 formed in the tabs 24.
- the bowing of the sections 15 facilitates a slight reorientation of the contacting line of force approaching a force which is normal to the surface of the wire conductor 43 and which remains extant after collapse of the terminal 10 due to the latent resilience of the terminal material.
- the contacting sections 15 maintain a good electrical interface with the conductors 43 of the terminated wire 39 against the adverse effects of such transients as vibration, for example.
- the bowing condition of the contacting sections 15 occurs at the same time that the insertion tool (not shown) bottoms on the ledge 45 formed in the cavity 34 thereby avoiding overstressing of the terminal 10.
- the teeth 21 of terminal portion 13 thereafter seat into the walls of the cavities 34, maintaining the terminals 10 in fully collapsed and loaded condition within the connector housing 31.
- Strain relieving of the wires 39 occurs simultaneously with electrical termination of the wires, 39 to the connector 10.
- re-entrant strain relief tabs 46 extend a sufficient length into the cavities 34 such that as the contacting sections 15 bend inwardly upon collapsing, they bear against the tabs 46 forcing the shoulders 47 to become imbedded in the insulation 42 of the wires 39.
- the wires 39 are thereby firmly retained in the housing 31 against retrograde forces which might occur during use of the connector assembly.
- Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c an alternative embodiment of the instant invention comprising the terminal 60 illustrated in Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c may be utilized.
- terminal 60 is illustrated as a flat sheet metal blank 60a prior to its forming, the terminal 60 is seen to include a first housing end portion 61, an intermediate collapsible portion 62 and a second housing end portion 63.
- the intermediate collapsible portion 62 comprises a pair of collapsible contacting sections 65 each adapted with a pair of generally V-shaped reinforcing ribs 66 and a pair of edge notches 67.
- the ribs 66 and notches 67 together define an axis 68 about which the sections 65 may be bent.
- a polygonal aperture 69 is formed in each section 65 shaped asymemtrically about the axis of bending 68.
- the contacting sections 65 are formed such that they are offset axially one to another yielding the terminal configuration illustrated in Figs. 7b and 7c after the terminal blank 60a is formed into a box-like housing.
- the operation of the modified terminal 60 may be seen from Figs. 7b and 7c wherein the terminal 60 is shown as having been inserted into a housing 70 and collapsed into contact with a relatively small gauge wire 71 in Fig. 7b and a relatively large gauge wire 72 in Fig. 7c.
- the relative axial displacement of the contacting sections 65 along the length of each terminal 60 permits the sections 65 to assume a degree of collapsing compatible with the diameter of the respective terminated wire, without ultimate abutment between pairs of contacters at the axes of bending 68 as would occur in termination of a small diameter wire, were the contacting sections 65 in alignment with one another along the length of the terminal 60.
- the housing 10 may be adapted with suitable re-entrant strain relief tabs 73.
- the upper tab 73 as viewed in Figs. 7b and 7c, is slightly longer than the lower tab 73 such that both tabs are acted upon simultaneously by respective contacting sections 65 despite the relative displacement of the sections 65 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the terminal 60.
- a collapsible terminal designated generally by the reference numeral 80, is adapted for terminating a shielded cable 81.
- the cable 81 generally includes a coaxially arranged conductor core 82 coated with insulation 83, a metallic shielding layer 84 and a surface coating of insulation 85.
- the terminal 80 is formed into a U-shaped configuration from a sheet metal blank having a first end portion 86, an intermediate collapsible portion 87 and a second end portion 88. Notches 89 are formed in the terminal 80 at the junctures of the intermediate portion 87 with end portions 86 and 88 to weaken the terminal 80 for bending at such junctures.
- Intermediate portion 87 comprises a pair of opposed contacting sections 90 each having strenthening ribs 91 suitably positioned on opposite sides of intermediate edge notches 92 which together define a line of weakness 93 transversely through the center of each section 90.
- the sections 90 are further adapted with apertures 94 each configured with teeth 95 extending centrally therewithin.
- Straps 96 are provided at end portions 86 and 88 connecting the contacting sections 90 in opposed spaced-apart relationship. Gussets 97 are pressed into end portions 86 and 88 lending rigidity to the terminal 80 in its fully formed configuration.
- terminal 80 is shown as fully inserted into a dielectric housing 101 for connection to a printed circuit board 102 or the like.
- the housing is formed with an open end 103 providing access to a cavity 104 which slidingly receives the terminal 80.
- a bottom wall 105 Opposite the open end 103 is a bottom wall 105 having an aperture 106 for passage of a round pin terminal 107.
- the pin terminal 107 is formed with a shoulder portion 108 which is received in a complementary recess 109 formed in the bottom wall 105 of the housing 101.
- a spike 110 formed integrally with the pin 107 extends above the shoulder 108 and into the housing cavity 104 for electrical engagement with the conductor core 82 of the inserted cable 81.
- Tabs 111 integrally formed with bottom wall 105 extend upwardly into the cavity 104 to provide fulcrums for collapse of each contacting section 90 in a direction suitable to permit the teeth 95 to pierce the insulative coating 85 of the cable 81 and establish electrical contact with the shield 84.
- the actuation force required to collapse a terminal constructed in accordance with the invention can be transmitted to the terminal by a variety of methods.
- the terminal 10 of Figs. 3 and 4 may be actuated, as described hereinabove, by bracing . the housing 31 against a fixed surface.
- the terminal end portion 13 may be braced against an appropriately designed fixture (not shown) while the housing 31 is moved in a direction axially of the terminals 10.
- an actuation force applied to end portion 86 of terminal 80 coincident with the direction of wire insertion, in contrast to the opposite arrangement of Figs. 3 and 4, is equally possible permitting termination in a single step, for example, by use of a suitable fixture having the capability of inserting the wire and collapsing the terminal in one motion.
- a wide degree of design variability with respect to housing configurations and uses of the collapsible terminal of the invention are possible, so long as a resultant force is applied axially to the terminal and the terminal is free to collapse in response to such force.
- the collapsible terminal of the instant invention due to its axial actuation capability, is particularly suitable for use in high density electrical connectors wherein space limitations require that a multiplicity of circuit terminations are arranged in a closely spaced array.
- axial terminal actuation in accordance with the principles of the invention, and as best illustrated in Fig. 2 permits a connector housing to be completely environmentally sealed by convenient and inexpensive means.
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- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and specifically, to connectors having the capability of terminating electrical cable or wiring by the method of insulation displacement.
- Electrical connectors have become widely accepted as a preferred means for interconnecting the circuitry components of electrically operated products and equipment. In such applications, providing for the facile connection and disconnection of cable or wire through the use of connectors permits convenience of assembly and maintenance as well as versatility in design.
- Connectors in current use are of diverse construction. However, a common arrangement includes a dielectric housing fitted with a plurality of stamped and formed conductive terminals to which insulated multi-conductor cable or wiring may be electrically connected. Numerous terminal configurations are likewise available, suited to the specific requirements of the application. A preferred terminal in many applications is one which has the capability of establishing electrical contact with the conductors of the cable by displacement of the insulative coating of the conductors, obviating the need to perform the separate step of stripping the insulative coating.
- A wide variety of insulation displacement terminals are known in the art. US―A―4,217,022, for example, discloses an insulation displacement terminal which is representative of the type of terminal currently in widespread use. Generally, these terminals provide a narrow slot which receives an insulation covered wire, severs the insulation covering of the wire in the process, and establishes, automatically, an electrical connection between the terminal and the central core of the wire. This is contrasted with the self-piercing type of terminals which usually have sections in the form of teeth that pierce the insulation and enter the metallic core when the terminal is clinched or secured to the wire.
- Both the self-piercing and insulation displacement terminals, as previously known in the art, suffer from a number of disadvantages. First, both techniques have limitations in terms of the acceptable wire dimensions which may be used in connection with a specific terminal. In addition, currently known terminals generally require a transverse actuating force to be applied in order to establish the electrical connection. That is, a force must be applied transversely to the length of the wire requiring the wire to be accessible to the transversely applied force at the terminal. Where it is desired that the terminals are prefitted into the connector housing prior to wire termination, requirement of transverse terminal accessibility prevents the close spacing of a plurality of connections. This condition is particularly limiting where multiple rows of circuit connections are desired.
- It is known that conventional wire terminating techniques frequently require two or more operations including the steps of inserting the wire into the connector and thereafter crimping or actuating the terminal in order to establish the connection. These separate operations typically involve significant expenditures of assembly time and tooling investment. When only one step is required, such as forcing a wire side-ways into an insulation displacement terminal, the operation is usually awkward due to the transverse flexibility of the wire. As a consequence, considerable care is required to assure the proper termination of the wire or cable to the connector.
- EP-A-0 000 624 discloses one attempt to meet this problem and proposes an insulation displacement terminal including a body positionable about an insulation covered wire, the body including an insulation displacing edge with means for severing said wire covering in a direction generally transverse to the length of said wire in response to an actuating force applied to said body generally parallel to the length of said wire.
- In a similar vein GB-A-1 109 914 discloses an insulation displacement terminal in which opposite pairs of arms having insulation displacement edges at their free ends are deflected inwardly transversely of the insulation cold wire to sever the wire covering by camming action when an actuating force is applied to the terminal in the direction of the wire.
- A further limitation of the prior art resides in the difficulties associated with sealing a conventional connector housing against environmentai degrading of the electrical connections contained within it. This limitation is particularly present in the case of conventional insulation displacement connectors which, as heretofore discussed, require transverse accessibility to the wire in the region of the terminal during the final wire termination process.
- The present invention provides an insulation displacement terminal including a body positionable about an insulation covered wire, said body including an insulation displacing edge and a pair of weakened, generally opposed wall portions at least one of which includes said insulation displacement edge, and means for causing said insulation displacing edge to move into said insulation covering in a direction generally transverse to the length of said wire in response to an actuating force applied to said body generally parallel to the length of said wire, characterized in that said body comprises a weakened section formed by said pair of generally opposed wall portions which extend axially of said body, said weakened section being collapsible when said body is axially compressed by said actuating force from an initial position, inwardly to a collapsed position.
- Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and not by way of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insulation displacement terminal constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of an exemplary environmentally sealed connector assembly;
- FIG. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the connector of Fig. 2 illustrating the operation of the terminal shown in Fig. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;
- FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention comprising a modified terminal adapted for use with differing gauges of wire;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention illustrating a terminal adapted for use with shielded cable; and
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a shielded cable connector employing the terminal illustrated in Fig. 8.
- With reference to the accompanying drawings and first to Fig. 1, the terminal 10 is of the box- type, formed from a folded sheet metal blank (not shown). The terminal 10 has a plain, rectangular, first
housing end portion 11, an intermediatecollapsible portion 12, and a secondhousing end portion 13 which has a pair of cantileveredresilient contact beams 14 struck from each of two opposed side walls thereof. Thebeams 14 define a female terminal adapted to mate with a male contact pin (not shown) introduced therebetween. - The intermediate
collapsible portion 12 comprises a pair of opposed wall portions or contactingsections 15 each formed integrally withend portions width 16 such thatsections 15 may be bent inwardly into a shallow V-shape. Eachsection 15 is formed with a pair of generally V-shaped reinforcingribs 17 and a pair ofedge notches 18 positioned intermediately between theribs 17. Thenotches 18 andribs 17 of eachsection 15 combine to define anaxis 19 about which thesection 15 may be bent. Apolygonal aperture 20 is formed in each of the contactingsections 15 with an assy- metrical shape with respect to the axis of bending 19. In stamping of the terminal 10, the edges of theapertures 20 are suitably chamfered to possess a relative knife-like sharpness to the insulative coating of a typical electrical cable or wire. - Teeth 21 project from the edges of
end portion 13 and serve to secure the terminal in position in a connector housing.End portion 13 is also adapted with inwardly projecting wire stops 22 (only one of which can be seen) so as to constitute a stop for the end of a conductor wire inserted intoend portion 11 of the terminal.Protrusions 23 are pressed outwardly of the side walls of theend portion 13 for facilitating sliding of theend portion 13 within the cavity of a connector housing, in a manner which will be described in greater detail, hereinafter. Additionally, tab means 24 (only one of which can be seen) extend from the side walls ofhousing end portion 13 into theintermediate portion 12, each being configured with a pair ofpivot points 25 for purposes which will likewise be discussed hereinafter. - Turning now to Fig. 2, there is shown an exemplary connector assembly, designated generally by the
reference numeral 30, suitable for utilization of the collapsible terminal 10 of Fig. 1. Theconnector assembly 30 comprises a one-piece housing 31, a sealing means orgasket 32 and agasket retainer 33. Formed within thehousing 31 are a plurality of cavities, designated generally by thereference numeral 34, corresponding in number to the number of circuits which the connector is capable of terminating. Eachcavity 34 is suitably dimensioned to slidingly receive a terminal 10. - The
housing 31 is further adapted with anupstanding rim 35 for properly locating thegasket 32 andretainer 33. Integrally formed latchingarms 36 serve to secure theretainer 33 in compression with thegasket 32 when it is desired that the connector housing 31 be environmentally sealed. Enclosing thecavities 34 at their upper ends, as viewed in Fig. 2, is ahousing wall 37 havingapertures 38 aligned with the vertical center-line of eachcavity 34 for receiving the end of awire 39 to be terminated. Correspondingapertures gasket 32 andretainer 33, respectively. Thewire 39 is illustrated as a discrete single-conductor wire having aconductive core 42 enveloped in a coating ofinsulation 43, although other types of wire such as ribbon cable, for example, are adaptable for use with theinstant connector assembly 30 within the ordinary skill in the art. - Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the interior structure of the
connector assembly 30 is shown, illustrating both an actuated andunactuated terminal terminal 10a residing in the lower portion of each figure. For proper support of the terminal 10 during actuation, it is preferrable that eachcavity 34 have a nominal depth approximately equal to the length of anunactuated terminal 10b. Accordingly, in the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4 theterminal 10b is shown in abutment witfi theupper wall 37 of thehousing 31 and with its lower end approximately co-planar with the lower surface of thehousing 31.Recesses 44 are provided in the walls of eachcavity 34 defining acontinuous ledge 45 around thecavity 34 at a depth approximately equal to the desired distance of travel ofterminal end portion 13 upon actuation of the terminal 10. - As best shown in Fig. 3, the
upper housing wall 37 is adapted with a plurality of integrally formed re-entrant strain relief tabs, designated generally by thereference numeral 46, extending inwardly into thecavities 34 in opposed pairs. Eachtab 46 has ashoulder portion 47 suitable for gripping of thewire 39 upon its termination to theconnector 30. - In order to seal the
connector 30 after assembly, theupper housing wall 37 is formed withintegral ridges 48 extending upwardly around the periphery of eachhousing aperture 38. Likewise, thegasket retainer 33 is adapted with downwardly extendingridges 49 circumscribing theapertures 41 of theretainer 33. Additionally, thegasket 32 is formed with resilientlydeformable collars 50 extending inwardly of theconnector housing 31 at eachgasket aperture 40 suitably dimensioned to grip the terminatedwire 39 in sealing relationship. - With further reference to Figs. 3 and 4, one method of utilizing the terminal 10 entails bracing the
connector housing 31 against a fixed surface (not shown). Awire 39 is moved axially through anappropriate aperture 41 of thegasket retainer 33, then through acorresponding gasket aperture 40 and finally through an alignedhousing aperture 38 whereupon it enters the terminal 10 and is urged into abutment with thestops 22 struck fromend portion 13 of the terminal 10.Terminal end portion 13 is moved axially inwardly of thehousing cavity 34 by application of an axial force imposed upon the terminal 10 by a suitable insertion tool (not shown). The insertion tool is dimensioned so as to be sliding received within therecess 44 of thecavity 34. - Continued insertion of
end portion 13 compresses theintermediate portion 12 of the terminal 10 causing the contactingsections 15 to collapse inwardly into thewire 39. The collapsing action of eachsection 15 is accomplished by the controlled yielding of the terminal material along theaxis 19 defined by thenotches 18. As collapsing continues, the chamfered edges ofapertures 20 come into contact with theinsulative coating 42 of thewire 39. At first no cutting occurs in the coating due to the alignment of theaperture 20 over thewire 39 and the resulting cradling of thewire 39 by theaperture 20. However, continued compression of the terminal 10 causes the edges of theapertures 20 to begin to sever and displace thecoating 43 of thewire 39. In response to this inward compression and cutting action the insulation covering 42 bulges outwardly as indicated at 51 of Figs. 3 and 4. - The cradling action of the
aperture 20, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, maintains thewire 39 in position during this cutting operation. Because theapertures 20 are shaped asymmetrically about the axis of bending 19, one side of each contactingsection 15 penetrates theinsulation 43 to a greater extent than the opposite side. In this manner less insertion force is required to collapse the terminal 10 into contact with thewire conductor 42. When the cutting edges of theapertures 20 contact themetallic core 42 of thewire 39, as illustrated in Fig. 5, a much greater resistance is encountered and the compression of the terminal 10 may be discontinued. -
Terminal end portion 13 may be forced even further such that theears 24 ofhousing portion 13 engage the contactingsections 15 at their midpoints causing a slight bowing of eachsection 15 about the pivot points 25 formed in thetabs 24. As best seen in Fig. 3, the bowing of thesections 15 facilitates a slight reorientation of the contacting line of force approaching a force which is normal to the surface of thewire conductor 43 and which remains extant after collapse of the terminal 10 due to the latent resilience of the terminal material. In this loaded state, the contactingsections 15 maintain a good electrical interface with theconductors 43 of the terminatedwire 39 against the adverse effects of such transients as vibration, for example. - Ideally, the bowing condition of the contacting
sections 15 occurs at the same time that the insertion tool (not shown) bottoms on theledge 45 formed in thecavity 34 thereby avoiding overstressing of the terminal 10. Theteeth 21 ofterminal portion 13 thereafter seat into the walls of thecavities 34, maintaining the terminals 10 in fully collapsed and loaded condition within theconnector housing 31. - Strain relieving of the
wires 39 occurs simultaneously with electrical termination of the wires, 39 to the connector 10. As best shown in Fig. 3, re-entrantstrain relief tabs 46 extend a sufficient length into thecavities 34 such that as the contactingsections 15 bend inwardly upon collapsing, they bear against thetabs 46 forcing theshoulders 47 to become imbedded in theinsulation 42 of thewires 39. Thewires 39 are thereby firmly retained in thehousing 31 against retrograde forces which might occur during use of the connector assembly. - Where it is desired that the
connector assembly 30 have the capability of terminating wire or cable of varying gauges, an alternative embodiment of the instant invention comprising the terminal 60 illustrated in Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c may be utilized. As best seen in Fig. 7a, wherein terminal 60 is illustrated as a flat sheet metal blank 60a prior to its forming, the terminal 60 is seen to include a first housing end portion 61, an intermediatecollapsible portion 62 and a secondhousing end portion 63. - The intermediate
collapsible portion 62 comprises a pair of collapsible contactingsections 65 each adapted with a pair of generally V-shaped reinforcingribs 66 and a pair ofedge notches 67. Theribs 66 andnotches 67 together define anaxis 68 about which thesections 65 may be bent. Apolygonal aperture 69 is formed in eachsection 65 shaped asymemtrically about the axis of bending 68. For the purpose of accommodating wire or cable of varying gauges, in a manner which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the contactingsections 65 are formed such that they are offset axially one to another yielding the terminal configuration illustrated in Figs. 7b and 7c after the terminal blank 60a is formed into a box-like housing. - The operation of the modified
terminal 60 may be seen from Figs. 7b and 7c wherein the terminal 60 is shown as having been inserted into ahousing 70 and collapsed into contact with a relativelysmall gauge wire 71 in Fig. 7b and a relativelylarge gauge wire 72 in Fig. 7c. The relative axial displacement of the contactingsections 65 along the length of each terminal 60 permits thesections 65 to assume a degree of collapsing compatible with the diameter of the respective terminated wire, without ultimate abutment between pairs of contacters at the axes of bending 68 as would occur in termination of a small diameter wire, were the contactingsections 65 in alignment with one another along the length of the terminal 60. - To provide strain relief for the terminated
wires strain relief tabs 73. Theupper tab 73, as viewed in Figs. 7b and 7c, is slightly longer than thelower tab 73 such that both tabs are acted upon simultaneously by respective contactingsections 65 despite the relative displacement of thesections 65 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the terminal 60. - Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, there is shown a still further embodiment of the present invention wherein a collapsible terminal, designated generally by the
reference numeral 80, is adapted for terminating a shielded cable 81. The cable 81 generally includes a coaxially arrangedconductor core 82 coated withinsulation 83, ametallic shielding layer 84 and a surface coating ofinsulation 85. The terminal 80 is formed into a U-shaped configuration from a sheet metal blank having afirst end portion 86, an intermediatecollapsible portion 87 and asecond end portion 88.Notches 89 are formed in the terminal 80 at the junctures of theintermediate portion 87 withend portions -
Intermediate portion 87 comprises a pair of opposed contactingsections 90 each havingstrenthening ribs 91 suitably positioned on opposite sides ofintermediate edge notches 92 which together define a line of weakness 93 transversely through the center of eachsection 90. Thesections 90 are further adapted withapertures 94 each configured withteeth 95 extending centrally therewithin.Straps 96 are provided atend portions sections 90 in opposed spaced-apart relationship.Gussets 97 are pressed intoend portions end portion 86 and a pair of inwardly directedcollar tangs 98 for centering and supporting an inserted cable 81, and a pair of outwardly directedteeth 99 are provided for engagement with the walls of a housing. A groundingtang 100 extends outwardly fromopposite end portion 88. - Turning now to Fig. 9,
terminal 80 is shown as fully inserted into adielectric housing 101 for connection to a printedcircuit board 102 or the like. The housing is formed with anopen end 103 providing access to acavity 104 which slidingly receives the terminal 80. Opposite theopen end 103 is abottom wall 105 having anaperture 106 for passage of around pin terminal 107. - The
pin terminal 107 is formed with ashoulder portion 108 which is received in acomplementary recess 109 formed in thebottom wall 105 of thehousing 101. Aspike 110 formed integrally with thepin 107 extends above theshoulder 108 and into thehousing cavity 104 for electrical engagement with theconductor core 82 of the inserted cable 81.Tabs 111 integrally formed withbottom wall 105 extend upwardly into thecavity 104 to provide fulcrums for collapse of each contactingsection 90 in a direction suitable to permit theteeth 95 to pierce theinsulative coating 85 of the cable 81 and establish electrical contact with theshield 84. - From comparison of the illustrative embodiments, it will be appreciated that the actuation force required to collapse a terminal constructed in accordance with the invention can be transmitted to the terminal by a variety of methods. For example, the terminal 10 of Figs. 3 and 4 may be actuated, as described hereinabove, by bracing . the
housing 31 against a fixed surface. In the alternative, theterminal end portion 13 may be braced against an appropriately designed fixture (not shown) while thehousing 31 is moved in a direction axially of the terminals 10. - As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, an actuation force applied to end
portion 86 ofterminal 80 coincident with the direction of wire insertion, in contrast to the opposite arrangement of Figs. 3 and 4, is equally possible permitting termination in a single step, for example, by use of a suitable fixture having the capability of inserting the wire and collapsing the terminal in one motion. A wide degree of design variability with respect to housing configurations and uses of the collapsible terminal of the invention are possible, so long as a resultant force is applied axially to the terminal and the terminal is free to collapse in response to such force. - Numerous variations are likewise available for the configuration of the aperture, as is demonstrated by comparing
aperture 20 of Fig. 1 andaperture 94 of Fig. 8. The principal design limitations reside in the provision of suitable insulation severing means and proper cradling of the wire during termination. - It should also be apparent from consideration of the above-described illustrative embodiments that the collapsible terminal of the instant invention, due to its axial actuation capability, is particularly suitable for use in high density electrical connectors wherein space limitations require that a multiplicity of circuit terminations are arranged in a closely spaced array. This departs from known insulation displacement connectors which typically have the capability of wire termination to only two rows of connector terminals because of the requirement that the wire or cable be accessible at the terminal to an actuation force directed transversely to the axis of the cable or wire. Further, axial terminal actuation in accordance with the principles of the invention, and as best illustrated in Fig. 2, permits a connector housing to be completely environmentally sealed by convenient and inexpensive means.
Claims (24)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8221411 | 1982-07-23 | ||
GB8221411 | 1982-07-23 | ||
GB8222891 | 1982-08-09 | ||
GB8222891 | 1982-08-09 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0102156A2 EP0102156A2 (en) | 1984-03-07 |
EP0102156A3 EP0102156A3 (en) | 1985-12-27 |
EP0102156B1 true EP0102156B1 (en) | 1988-04-06 |
Family
ID=26283422
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19830303933 Expired EP0102156B1 (en) | 1982-07-23 | 1983-07-06 | Insulation displacement terminal for an electrical connector and environmental sealing means therefor |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0102156B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3376242D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4955816A (en) * | 1989-04-20 | 1990-09-11 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector system and insulation displacement terminals therefor |
DE59106518D1 (en) * | 1990-09-01 | 1995-10-26 | Molex Inc | Connection device for multi-conductor cables. |
US5125851A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1992-06-30 | Molex Incorporated | Insulation displacement terminal for an electrical connector |
DE4203455C1 (en) * | 1992-02-07 | 1993-06-03 | Harting Elektronik Gmbh, 4992 Espelkamp, De | |
GB9504581D0 (en) * | 1995-03-07 | 1995-04-26 | Amp Great Britain | Electrical connector having gel sealing and post insertion conductor engagement |
FR2747772B1 (en) * | 1996-04-22 | 1999-08-06 | Livbag Snc | SELF-LOCKING TWO-WIRE INITIATOR FOR PYROTECHNIC GAS GENERATORS |
US6799991B2 (en) * | 2001-09-05 | 2004-10-05 | Medtronic, Inc. | Medical lead connector |
CN109088202B (en) * | 2018-07-23 | 2023-08-15 | 昆山杰顺通精密组件有限公司 | Anti-crumple terminal, clamping seat and mobile equipment |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2035947A (en) * | 1931-11-30 | 1936-03-31 | Gen Motors Corp | Connecter |
GB1109914A (en) * | 1965-09-28 | 1968-04-18 | Eric Lionel Hutchings | Improvements in or relating to coaxial cable connectors |
US4090764A (en) * | 1973-12-19 | 1978-05-23 | The Deutsch Company Electronic Components Division | Modular electrical connector |
US4114975A (en) * | 1977-07-20 | 1978-09-19 | Amp Incorporated | Displation type electrical connector |
-
1983
- 1983-07-06 DE DE8383303933T patent/DE3376242D1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-07-06 EP EP19830303933 patent/EP0102156B1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0102156A3 (en) | 1985-12-27 |
EP0102156A2 (en) | 1984-03-07 |
DE3376242D1 (en) | 1988-05-11 |
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