EP0180343B1 - Boîtier modulaire pour contacts électriques - Google Patents

Boîtier modulaire pour contacts électriques Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0180343B1
EP0180343B1 EP19850307077 EP85307077A EP0180343B1 EP 0180343 B1 EP0180343 B1 EP 0180343B1 EP 19850307077 EP19850307077 EP 19850307077 EP 85307077 A EP85307077 A EP 85307077A EP 0180343 B1 EP0180343 B1 EP 0180343B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
housing
groove
resilient
contacts
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19850307077
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0180343A1 (fr
Inventor
David Donald Morgan
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.)
AB Electronic Components Ltd
Original Assignee
AB Electronic Components Ltd
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
Priority claimed from GB848425406A external-priority patent/GB8425406D0/en
Priority claimed from GB858513067A external-priority patent/GB8513067D0/en
Application filed by AB Electronic Components Ltd filed Critical AB Electronic Components Ltd
Publication of EP0180343A1 publication Critical patent/EP0180343A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0180343B1 publication Critical patent/EP0180343B1/fr
Expired 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
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/514—Bases; Cases composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H01R13/428—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/516—Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing, hoods
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/645—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by exchangeable elements on case or base

Definitions

  • GB-A-121742 there is described and illustrated a form of electrical coupler for multi-conducting cables in which the individual contacts are located in contact modules which are built up into an assembly which is then inserted as a whole into a housing. In such an arrangement, it is not possible to remove any one contact module individually from the housing.
  • a connector element incorpoorates electrical terminals which are held in channels only when the connector is fully assembled.
  • the present invention provides an improvement for locating and holding of the electrical terminals during assembly and before final assembly of a connector element.
  • a contact module comprising a body adapted to be individually slidably received and located in a housing in close lateral proximity to other similar bodies, and at least one contact received or receivable in an individual groove in the body so as to project from the body at one end to make an external connection and having a distal end for co-operation with a further contact, the contact having a configuration co-operable with a corresponding formation in the groove to prevent longitudinal movement of the contact in the groove , characterised in that each contact has a resilient part adapted to be engaged by an abutment provided in the groove to inhibit lateral movement of the contact out of the groove.
  • the abutment may be L-shaped having an undercut which receives and bears against the edge part of the contact.
  • the contacts may be formed of two spring leaves diverging away from a zone of resilient contact so that the zone of resilient contact may receive one of the leaves of a similar contact directed towards it.
  • the contact modules will be slid individually and in close contact into a housing, so that movement of the contact out of the grooves will be prevented, either by the housing itself or, in most cases, by the adjacent contact module body.
  • the individual contacts may be accessed, e.g. for changing, if required, without disturbing the adjacent contacts.
  • the bodies shall each have a portion deflectable so as to snap fit into the housing, and also so as to be releasable from the snap fit when required.
  • the distal ends of the contacts should not protrude beyond the ends of their respective grooves.
  • the contacts are hermaphroditic.
  • the bodies are made usable with either male or female housings, being inserted one way up in the male housings and the reverse way up in the female housings.
  • one contact of two in the body may be isolated from one adjacent contact by means of a further wall located in a position offset from the median plane of the body.
  • the contacts may be isolated from the contacts of adjacent modules by a laterally offset wall, which avoids the necessity for inverting the modules in male and female housings.
  • the contacts themselves may be formed of two spring leaves diverging away from a zone of resilient contact so that the zone of resilient contact may receive one of the leaves of a similar contact directed towards it.
  • the contacts are thus hermaphroditic.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded view of a female housing including modular bodies and one contact;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale showing some details of the contact and body
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of a male housing to co-operate with the female housing shown in figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to part of figure 1 showing a modification
  • FIG 1 a female housing 21 having a group of modular bodies 22 in position therein. Grooves 21a are shown moulded into the housing 21 to improve grip thereon.
  • Figure 1 also shows one modular body 22 removed from the housing 21. It will be seen that this body has a latching arm 23 which is generally similar to the latching arm 7 described above, although the ramps 23a are rather more gently inclined and longer. Also, the portion 23b between the ramps 23a has square sides to slide between square form barriers within the housing 21. The latching arm 23 cooperates with a matching formation (not shown) within the housing 21.
  • the body 22 has first and second contact-receiving grooves or recesses 24, and these grooves continue into extension recesses 25 bounded by an offset lateral wall 26.
  • the extension recesses 25 and wall 26 are also visible on the bodies shown within the female housing 21.
  • Each groove 24 is provided with an abutment 27 (see also figure 2).
  • the grooves 24 also widen out at the ends opposite the extensions 25 to form extension recesses 28 receiving an enlarged contact end 29 which is crimped over a lead 31.
  • the contact illustrated in figure 1 is formed of two leaves 32 and 33 which have divergent end portions 32a and 33a respectively, and form a zone of contact 35 from where the divergent ends commence.
  • the zone of contact 35 is resilient so that a leaf of a similar contact introduced longitudinally will be received and held in the zone of contact to provide good electrical contact. This is achieved automatically when a male housing 36 (see figure 3) is introduced into and united with the female housing 21.
  • the leaf 33 is provided with a slot or recess 37 which, as shown more particularly in figure 2, cooperates with the abutment 27 to prevent longitudinal movement of the contact in the slot. Further, the lower edge of the slot 37 is provided with a resilient tongue 38 which is somewhat deflected on introduction of the contact into the slot and bites into the lower surface of the abutment 27 to provide a degree of inhibition of removal of the contact in a lateral direction. Accordingly, the contact will not readily fall out of its body.
  • tie contact leaves are somewhat offset axially with respect to a median axial plane of the body 22, and the configuration of the wall 26 and extensions 25 is also axially offset, as may best be seen in figure 1 in respect of the bodies visible within the housing 21.
  • Figure 1 also shows that the female housing is provided with lateral extensions 41 having recesses 42 which receive resilient arms 43 (see figure 7) on the male housing 36. These arms 43 are provided with latching lugs 44 having lead-in surfaces 45 to engage and snap over appropriate surfaces (not shown) arranged within each of the recesses 42.
  • the two parts of the housing are thus releasably mated together, and the design is such that when the latching lugs 44 snap into position, the contacts in the various bodies 22 are in firm contact with their opposed contacts.
  • the housing parts 21 and 36 may be readily released for separation by manual pressure on the arms 43. In order to improve manual engagement with the arms 43, they are provided with moulded-in grooves 43a.
  • the male housing 36 is shown in figure 3 as having an enlarged rear end 61, which is of the same overall dimensions as the rear of the female housing 21, thereby facilitating the use of a common form of sealing grommet (not shown) for splash-proofing of the housings.
  • Figure 1 further shows a mounting device comprising a base 51 adapted to be attached to a panel or the like.
  • the base 51 is provided with a pair of resilient arms 52 ending in latching lugs 53 with lead-in surfaces 54 and forming shoulders 55 to provide a snap fit when introduced between the extensions 41 and further extensions 56 located therebehind so as to form a slot 57 of substantially the width of the arms 52, and provided with an abutment or keeper surface which is just visible at 58.
  • FIG 4 shows a modified form of retention for the contact by the abutment 27a.
  • the abutment 27a is of L section to provide an undercut 27b which receives and engages the lower edge of the slot 37 to hold the contact against lateral movement.
  • the contact has to be introduced at an angle and twisted into its final position. Removal may also be effected by an initial twist to release the edge of the slot 37 from the undercut 27b.
  • the tine or tongue 38 has been omitted.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Claims (3)

  1. Module de contact comportant un corps (22) conçu pour être individuellement introduit, par coulissement, et logé dans un boîtier (21, 36) immédiatement à côté d'autres corps semblables, et au moins un contact (32,33) introduit, ou pouvant être introduit, dans une rainure individuelle (24) prévue dans le corps (22) de façon à dépasser du corps (22) à une extrémité (29) pour réaliser une connexion extérieure, et présentant une extrémité (32a, 33a), du côté opposé à la connexion, pouvant coopérer avec un autre contact, le contact (32, 33) présentant une configuration (37) prévue pour coopérer avec une formation correspondante (27) prévue dans la rainure (24) pour empêcher le mouvement longitudinal du contact (32, 33) dans la rainure (24), caractérisé par le fait que chaque contact comporte une partie élastique (38) conçue pour venir en prise avec une butée (27a) prévue dans la rainure pour empêcher que le contact ne sorte de la rainure par déplacement latéral.
  2. Module de contact selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que la butée (27a) est en forme de L présentant une entaille (27b) qui reçoit un bord (37) de la partie élastique (38) du contact et porte contre ce bord.
  3. Module de contact selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé par le fait que les contacts sont formés de deux branches élastiques (32, 33) qui divergent à partir d'une zone (35) de contact élastique de façon que la zone de contact élastique puisse recevoir l'une des branches d'un contact semblable dirigé vers ce contact.
EP19850307077 1984-10-08 1985-10-03 Boîtier modulaire pour contacts électriques Expired EP0180343B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8425406 1984-10-08
GB848425406A GB8425406D0 (en) 1984-10-08 1984-10-08 Electrical contact housing
GB858503075A GB8503075D0 (en) 1984-10-08 1985-02-07 Electrical contact housing
GB8503075 1985-02-07
GB8513067 1985-05-23
GB858513067A GB8513067D0 (en) 1984-10-08 1985-05-23 Electrical contact housing

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0180343A1 EP0180343A1 (fr) 1986-05-07
EP0180343B1 true EP0180343B1 (fr) 1991-02-27

Family

ID=27262475

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19850307077 Expired EP0180343B1 (fr) 1984-10-08 1985-10-03 Boîtier modulaire pour contacts électriques

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0180343B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU580814B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE3581882D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES296671Y (fr)
GB (1) GB2167611A (fr)
HK (1) HK59692A (fr)
IN (1) IN164266B (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2217524A (en) * 1988-04-13 1989-10-25 Crl Electrical connector
US4836804A (en) * 1988-05-24 1989-06-06 London Harness & Cable Corp. Electrical connector
FR2706688B1 (fr) * 1993-06-16 1995-08-25 Cinch Connecteurs Sa Elément modulaire destiné, avec d'autres éléments identiques, à constituer un élément de boîtier de connecteur électrique.
EP1026788A1 (fr) * 1999-02-04 2000-08-09 Raychem Corporation Connecteur modulaire
DE102010063303A1 (de) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 Robert Bosch Gmbh Elektrische Kontaktanordnung für eine elektrische Steckverbindung sowie Kontakt dafür

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2545429A (en) * 1945-11-27 1951-03-13 Aircraft Marine Prod Inc Electrical connector
GB990416A (en) * 1961-06-02 1965-04-28 Painton & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electrical connectors
NL135885C (fr) * 1962-06-18 1900-01-01
NL134807C (fr) * 1967-01-19
US3471822A (en) * 1967-07-26 1969-10-07 Amp Inc Terminal junction system for electrical conductors
GB1234480A (fr) * 1967-12-18 1971-06-03
GB1503505A (en) * 1974-05-01 1978-03-15 Rists Wires & Cables Ltd Electrical connector element
ZA752538B (en) * 1974-05-01 1976-03-31 Rists Wires & Cables Ltd Electrical connector
FR2347797A1 (fr) * 1976-04-08 1977-11-04 Jovy Robert Reglette a coupure et procede de montage de celle-ci
AU564678B2 (en) * 1984-02-06 1987-08-20 Thomas & Betts International, Inc. Modular telephone connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU580814B2 (en) 1989-02-02
ES296671U (es) 1987-12-16
GB2167611A (en) 1986-05-29
ES296671Y (es) 1988-05-16
IN164266B (fr) 1989-02-11
AU5021985A (en) 1987-05-28
HK59692A (en) 1992-08-21
DE3581882D1 (de) 1991-04-04
GB8524384D0 (en) 1985-11-06
EP0180343A1 (fr) 1986-05-07

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