EP0183487A2 - Electrical connectors - Google Patents
Electrical connectors Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0183487A2 EP0183487A2 EP85308468A EP85308468A EP0183487A2 EP 0183487 A2 EP0183487 A2 EP 0183487A2 EP 85308468 A EP85308468 A EP 85308468A EP 85308468 A EP85308468 A EP 85308468A EP 0183487 A2 EP0183487 A2 EP 0183487A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- terminal
- retainer
- terminals
- connector
- passages
- 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- Withdrawn
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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
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
- H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation
- H01R13/4367—Insertion of locking piece from the rear
Definitions
- This invention relates to a multi-way electrical connector forming one part of a two part plug and socket connector unit.
- the invention may be embodied in either the plug connector or the socket connector of the unit, and preferably will be embodied in both connectors of the unit.
- British Patent 2081526 discloses an electrical connector wherein the terminals of the connector are retained within passages in the moulded synthetic resin body of the connector both by resilient lances on the terminals which engage behind shoulders in their respective passages, and by means of a retainer plate which is received within the moulded synthetic resin body and which co-operates with abutments provided on the terminals.
- a primary latching between the terminals and the body by way of the lances and a secondary latching by means of engagement of the retainer with both the body and the terminals. Both primary and secondary latching serving to retain the terminals against withdrawal of the body.
- miniature connector is used herein generally to denote an electrical connector having male terminals which are 2.50mm or less in width or female terminalswhich are arranged matingly to receive male terminals 2.50mm or less in width.
- a moulded synthetic resin body having therein a plurality of parallel passages receiving respective electrical terminals, said terminals being inserted into their respective passages from a rear end of the body, and each terminal including integral latch means intended to co-operate with the body to resist withdrawal of the terminal from its respective passage in a direction opposite the direction of insertion, each terminal further including an abutment, and the connector including a terminal retainer engageable with the body, said terminal retainer when engaged with the body, co-operating with said abutments of said terminals to prevent withdrawal of said terminals from their respective passages, said terminal retainer, when engaged with the body, embracing the rear end region of the body, having wall portions extending along opposite outer walls of the body from the rear end of the body towards the front end, and engaging beneath undercut shoulders of said walls of the body, whereby rearward movement of the terminal retainer relative to the body is prevented.
- terminal retainer is arranged to be slidably engaged with the body, the direction of sliding movement of the retainer relative to the body being at right-angles to the length of said passages.
- each connector whether it be a plug part or a socket part includes a moulded synthetic resin body 11 having therein a plurality of passages 12 for receiving respective electrical terminals 13.
- the passages 12 are open at the rear end 14 of each body 11 to permit insertion of the terminals into their respective passages from the rear end of the body 11.
- the terminals 13 will be accessible at the front end of their _respective passage for mating engagement with a corresponding terminal when a pair of connectors of a connector unit are interengaged.
- each terminal 13 Prior to insertion into its respective passage 12, each terminal 13 will have a respective electrical lead 13a secured thereto in the usual manner. Thus a plurality of leads 13a will protrude from the rear end 14 of each body 11.
- each terminal and each passage includes stop means limiting movement of the terminal relative to its passage in the insertion direction, and furthermore each terminal will include at least one resilient lance which is intended to co-operate with a shoulder in the wall of its respective passage to resist withdrawal of the terminal from its respective passage.
- Each connector further includes a terminal retainer 15 moulded in synthetic resin material, and preferably of a colour which contrasts with the colour of the body 11,
- the retainer 15 is intended to embrace the rear end portion of its respective body 11, and thus is of a length slightly greater than the equivalent dimension of its respective body.
- the retainer In transverse cross- section the retainer is generally U-shaped having a pair of parallel wall portions 16 formed adjacent their free ends with inwardly directed longitudinally extending ribs 17.
- the base region 18 of the U-shape retainer 15 is divided into three parallel sections by two parallel slots 19 which extend longitudinally of the retainer 15 from one end thereof.
- the slots 19 do not extend completely to the opposite end of the retainer, and thus the three portions of the base of the retainer defined by the slots 19 are integral with one another at one end of the retainer.
- the central bar of the retainer defined between the two slots 19 is indicated at 21 in the drawings and as can be seen clearly in Figure 3 projects at its free end beyond the free ends of the two portions 22 on opposite sides thereof.
- the portions 22 are formed internally with integral longitudinally extending flanges 23 which lie parallel to the wall portions 16.
- the flat, longitudinally extending surfaces of the flanges 23 and the bar 21 which lie at right angles to the wall portions 16 and within the retainer 15 are co-planar.
- the passages 12 are arranged in two parallel rows, the extent of the rows being in a direction at right angles to the length of the passages and parallel to the length of the retainer 15.
- the retainer 15 is engaged with the respective body 11 in the following manner.
- the leads 13a will be protruding from the rear end of the body generally in two parallel rows.
- the retainer 15 is aligned with the body 11 and is moved relative to the body 11 in the direction of the length of the retainer 15 and at right angles to the passages 12.
- the body 11 enters between the walls 16 and the leads 13a of the two rows of leads enter, respectively, the slots 19 of the retainer 15.
- the retainer 15 is slid across the end of the body 11, embracing the rear end of the body 11 until the closed end 15a of the retainer abuts the body and prevents further sliding movement. At this point the protruding end of the central bar 16 will have been received within a stirrup 16a integral with the body 11.
- the retainer 15 is held against movement relative to the body 11 in the direction of the length of the passages in one direction by abutment of the interior of the retainer with the rear end of the body, and in the opposite direction by engagement of the ribs 17 beneath undercut shoulders 17a of the opposite outer walls of the body 11. If desired some form of latch arrangement can be provided to resist withdrawal of the retainer 15 from the body 11 in a direction opposite to that in which it is slidably engaged with the body 11.
- each terminal 13 includes a pair of outwardly directed abutments 24 which, when the terminal is fully inserted into its respective passage, lie at the rear end of the respective passage 12.
- the lower surface of the bar 21 overlies an abutment 24 of each of the terminals in both parallel rows, and the co-planar lower surface of each flange 23 overlies the other abutment 24 of the terminals of the respective row.
- Figures 1 to 4 are somewhat simplified diagrammatic representations, and thus there are changes in detail between the shapes and dimensions illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, and the equivalent shapes and dimensions in Figure 5.
- Figure 5 illustrates a more practical embodiment. It can also be seen in Figure 5 that the two body parts 11 are latched together by integral latch parts including an integral resilient finger 25 on one of the body parts 11 which engages beneath a shoulder 26 of the other body when the two connectors of the unit are inter-engaged.
- the terminals 13 in the unit shown in Figure 5 are male terminals having a width not exceeding 2.50 mm.
- the mating female terminals (not shown) will of course be dimensioned matingly to receive the male terminals.
Landscapes
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a multi-way electrical connector forming one part of a two part plug and socket connector unit. The invention may be embodied in either the plug connector or the socket connector of the unit, and preferably will be embodied in both connectors of the unit.
- British Patent 2081526 discloses an electrical connector wherein the terminals of the connector are retained within passages in the moulded synthetic resin body of the connector both by resilient lances on the terminals which engage behind shoulders in their respective passages, and by means of a retainer plate which is received within the moulded synthetic resin body and which co-operates with abutments provided on the terminals. Thus there is a primary latching between the terminals and the body by way of the lances, and a secondary latching by means of engagement of the retainer with both the body and the terminals. Both primary and secondary latching serving to retain the terminals against withdrawal of the body. The use of such primary and secondary latching is extremely desirable in electrical connectors, but the provision of an internally received retainer such as disclosed in 2081526 is difficult to achieve satisfactorily in a miniature multi-way connector. The difficulties arise in a miniature connector both as a result of the problems inherent in moulding intricate miniature connector bodies and, more importantly, in the manual dexterity necessary to assemble the retainer into the miniature body.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a miniature connector having primary and secondary latching in a simple and convenient form.
- The term miniature connector is used herein generally to denote an electrical connector having male terminals which are 2.50mm or less in width or female terminalswhich are arranged matingly to receive male terminals 2.50mm or less in width.
- In an electrical connector in accordance with the present invention there is provided a moulded synthetic resin body having therein a plurality of parallel passages receiving respective electrical terminals, said terminals being inserted into their respective passages from a rear end of the body, and each terminal including integral latch means intended to co-operate with the body to resist withdrawal of the terminal from its respective passage in a direction opposite the direction of insertion, each terminal further including an abutment, and the connector including a terminal retainer engageable with the body, said terminal retainer when engaged with the body, co-operating with said abutments of said terminals to prevent withdrawal of said terminals from their respective passages, said terminal retainer, when engaged with the body, embracing the rear end region of the body, having wall portions extending along opposite outer walls of the body from the rear end of the body towards the front end, and engaging beneath undercut shoulders of said walls of the body, whereby rearward movement of the terminal retainer relative to the body is prevented.
- Preferably said terminal retainer is arranged to be slidably engaged with the body, the direction of sliding movement of the retainer relative to the body being at right-angles to the length of said passages.
- One example of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:-
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector with its terminal retainer in position;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connector matable with the connector of Figure 1 to define a connector unit and having its terminal retainer removed;
- Figure 3 is a plan view of the retainer shown in Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow X in Figure 3; and
- Figure 5 is a sectional view of a connector unit showing the two connectors thereof mated. It should be noted that Figure 5 shows more detail of a practical construction then is apparent from the simplified views comprising Figures 1 to 4.
- Referring to the drawings, each connector whether it be a plug part or a socket part includes a moulded synthetic resin body 11 having therein a plurality of
passages 12 for receiving respectiveelectrical terminals 13. Thepassages 12 are open at therear end 14 of each body 11 to permit insertion of the terminals into their respective passages from the rear end of the body 11. Theterminals 13 will be accessible at the front end of their _respective passage for mating engagement with a corresponding terminal when a pair of connectors of a connector unit are interengaged. - Prior to insertion into its
respective passage 12, eachterminal 13 will have a respectiveelectrical lead 13a secured thereto in the usual manner. Thus a plurality ofleads 13a will protrude from therear end 14 of each body 11. Although not illustrated in the drawings, it will be recognised that each terminal and each passage includes stop means limiting movement of the terminal relative to its passage in the insertion direction, and furthermore each terminal will include at least one resilient lance which is intended to co-operate with a shoulder in the wall of its respective passage to resist withdrawal of the terminal from its respective passage. - Each connector further includes a
terminal retainer 15 moulded in synthetic resin material, and preferably of a colour which contrasts with the colour of the body 11, - It can be seen with particular reference to Figures 1 and 2 that the
retainer 15 is intended to embrace the rear end portion of its respective body 11, and thus is of a length slightly greater than the equivalent dimension of its respective body. In transverse cross- section the retainer is generally U-shaped having a pair ofparallel wall portions 16 formed adjacent their free ends with inwardly directed longitudinally extendingribs 17. Thebase region 18 of theU-shape retainer 15 is divided into three parallel sections by twoparallel slots 19 which extend longitudinally of theretainer 15 from one end thereof. Theslots 19 do not extend completely to the opposite end of the retainer, and thus the three portions of the base of the retainer defined by theslots 19 are integral with one another at one end of the retainer. The central bar of the retainer defined between the twoslots 19 is indicated at 21 in the drawings and as can be seen clearly in Figure 3 projects at its free end beyond the free ends of the twoportions 22 on opposite sides thereof. Theportions 22 are formed internally with integral longitudinally extendingflanges 23 which lie parallel to thewall portions 16. The flat, longitudinally extending surfaces of theflanges 23 and thebar 21 which lie at right angles to thewall portions 16 and within theretainer 15 are co-planar. It can be seen that thepassages 12 are arranged in two parallel rows, the extent of the rows being in a direction at right angles to the length of the passages and parallel to the length of theretainer 15. Theretainer 15 is engaged with the respective body 11 in the following manner. - After insertion of the
terminals 13 into theirrespective passages 12, theleads 13a will be protruding from the rear end of the body generally in two parallel rows. Theretainer 15 is aligned with the body 11 and is moved relative to the body 11 in the direction of the length of theretainer 15 and at right angles to thepassages 12. The body 11 enters between thewalls 16 and theleads 13a of the two rows of leads enter, respectively, theslots 19 of theretainer 15. Theretainer 15 is slid across the end of the body 11, embracing the rear end of the body 11 until the closedend 15a of the retainer abuts the body and prevents further sliding movement. At this point the protruding end of thecentral bar 16 will have been received within astirrup 16a integral with the body 11. Theretainer 15 is held against movement relative to the body 11 in the direction of the length of the passages in one direction by abutment of the interior of the retainer with the rear end of the body, and in the opposite direction by engagement of theribs 17 beneathundercut shoulders 17a of the opposite outer walls of the body 11. If desired some form of latch arrangement can be provided to resist withdrawal of theretainer 15 from the body 11 in a direction opposite to that in which it is slidably engaged with the body 11. - As can be seen in Figure 5 each
terminal 13 includes a pair of outwardly directedabutments 24 which, when the terminal is fully inserted into its respective passage, lie at the rear end of therespective passage 12. Thus after fitting of theretainer 15 to the body 11 the lower surface of thebar 21 overlies anabutment 24 of each of the terminals in both parallel rows, and the co-planar lower surface of eachflange 23 overlies theother abutment 24 of the terminals of the respective row. - It will be recognised therefore that should the aforementioned resilient lance or lances of a particular terminal fail to latch the terminal in its respective passage, then withdrawal of the terminal from its respective passage would be prevented by engagement of the
abutments 24 of the terminal with either or both of thecentral bar 21 and aflange 23 of theretainer 15. Moreover, in the event that a terminal is not fully engaged in its respective passage during engagement of theretainer 15 with the respective body 11, then either the terminal will impede fitting of theretainer 15 and the operator will realize that there is a misalignment and will correct the fitting of the offending terminal, or alternatively engagement of anabutment 24 with part of theretainer 15 will push the offending terminal into its correct position. If desired the leading edges of thebar 21 and theflanges 23 can be provided with ramp surfaces for this purpose. - It will be recognised that the presence of a correctly fitted
retainer 15 on a body 11 is an assurance that the terminals thereof are locked in position. - It will be recognised that Figures 1 to 4 are somewhat simplified diagrammatic representations, and thus there are changes in detail between the shapes and dimensions illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, and the equivalent shapes and dimensions in Figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates a more practical embodiment. It can also be seen in Figure 5 that the two body parts 11 are latched together by integral latch parts including an integral
resilient finger 25 on one of the body parts 11 which engages beneath ashoulder 26 of the other body when the two connectors of the unit are inter-engaged. - While the use of an integral lance on each terminals engaging a respective shoulder in a passage 12 is preferred in miniature connectors, it is to be recognised that "primary" latching could be obtained by providing a resilient lance like member on or in the wall of the passage engaging a latch means in the form of a shoulder formed integrally on the respective terminal.
- The
terminals 13 in the unit shown in Figure 5 are male terminals having a width not exceeding 2.50 mm. The mating female terminals (not shown) will of course be dimensioned matingly to receive the male terminals.
Claims (3)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB848430151A GB8430151D0 (en) | 1984-11-29 | 1984-11-29 | Electrical connectors |
GB8430151 | 1984-11-29 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0183487A2 true EP0183487A2 (en) | 1986-06-04 |
EP0183487A3 EP0183487A3 (en) | 1987-07-22 |
Family
ID=10570453
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85308468A Withdrawn EP0183487A3 (en) | 1984-11-29 | 1985-11-21 | Electrical connectors |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0183487A3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB8430151D0 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE9003013U1 (en) * | 1990-03-12 | 1991-07-11 | Grote & Hartmann Gmbh & Co Kg, 5600 Wuppertal | Electrical connector with two plug parts that can be releasably plugged together and locked together in the direction of its longitudinal center axis |
FR2666935A1 (en) * | 1990-09-18 | 1992-03-20 | Labinal | IMPROVEMENTS ON ELEMENTS OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSINGS. |
EP0496275A1 (en) * | 1991-01-25 | 1992-07-29 | Kabelwerke Reinshagen GmbH | Electrical connector with a locking part for the contact elements |
EP0795933A2 (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1997-09-17 | Framatome Connectors International | Electrical connector having additional locking |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3501736A (en) * | 1967-12-07 | 1970-03-17 | Whitaker Cable Corp | Multiple terminal electrical connector |
GB1491217A (en) * | 1975-04-29 | 1977-11-09 | Amp Inc | Electrical connector housing |
GB2026790A (en) * | 1978-03-08 | 1980-02-06 | Weidmueller Kg C | Plug-in unit for printed circuit boards |
GB2081526A (en) * | 1980-07-30 | 1982-02-17 | Lucas Industries Ltd | Electrical connector |
-
1984
- 1984-11-29 GB GB848430151A patent/GB8430151D0/en active Pending
-
1985
- 1985-11-21 EP EP85308468A patent/EP0183487A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3501736A (en) * | 1967-12-07 | 1970-03-17 | Whitaker Cable Corp | Multiple terminal electrical connector |
GB1491217A (en) * | 1975-04-29 | 1977-11-09 | Amp Inc | Electrical connector housing |
GB2026790A (en) * | 1978-03-08 | 1980-02-06 | Weidmueller Kg C | Plug-in unit for printed circuit boards |
GB2081526A (en) * | 1980-07-30 | 1982-02-17 | Lucas Industries Ltd | Electrical connector |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE9003013U1 (en) * | 1990-03-12 | 1991-07-11 | Grote & Hartmann Gmbh & Co Kg, 5600 Wuppertal | Electrical connector with two plug parts that can be releasably plugged together and locked together in the direction of its longitudinal center axis |
FR2666935A1 (en) * | 1990-09-18 | 1992-03-20 | Labinal | IMPROVEMENTS ON ELEMENTS OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSINGS. |
EP0477044A1 (en) * | 1990-09-18 | 1992-03-25 | Société anonyme dite: LABINAL | Improvements relating to casing parts of electrical connectors |
EP0496275A1 (en) * | 1991-01-25 | 1992-07-29 | Kabelwerke Reinshagen GmbH | Electrical connector with a locking part for the contact elements |
EP0795933A2 (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1997-09-17 | Framatome Connectors International | Electrical connector having additional locking |
EP0795933A3 (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1998-08-19 | Framatome Connectors International | Electrical connector having additional locking |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB8430151D0 (en) | 1985-01-09 |
EP0183487A3 (en) | 1987-07-22 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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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 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL SE |
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PUAL | Search report despatched |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19871110 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19891120 |
|
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: 19900402 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: CRINSON, ANDREW LEE |