EP0221158B1 - Modulares verbindungssystem - Google Patents

Modulares verbindungssystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0221158B1
EP0221158B1 EP19860903079 EP86903079A EP0221158B1 EP 0221158 B1 EP0221158 B1 EP 0221158B1 EP 19860903079 EP19860903079 EP 19860903079 EP 86903079 A EP86903079 A EP 86903079A EP 0221158 B1 EP0221158 B1 EP 0221158B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
module
housing
connector
receiving portion
cover
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP19860903079
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0221158A1 (de
Inventor
Lev B. Furman
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.)
TE Connectivity Corp
Original Assignee
AMP Inc
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 US06/729,102 external-priority patent/US4632495A/en
Priority claimed from US06/853,306 external-priority patent/US4715827A/en
Application filed by AMP Inc filed Critical AMP Inc
Publication of EP0221158A1 publication Critical patent/EP0221158A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0221158B1 publication Critical patent/EP0221158B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to electrical wiring connectors and, more particularly, to modular electrical connectors having an outer housing supporting one or more internal modules in which various conductor wires to be connected are accommodated in passageways extending through the modules.
  • Wiring connectors of various types are well known in the art. Typically, however, such connectors are difficult to manufacture, assemble, and service, thereby increasing the ultimate cost of using such connectors.
  • Electrical connectors usually comprise an assembly consisting of two connector halves, i.e., a male connector and a female connector, which are adapted to be joined together to form an electrical and mechanical connection between conductors which are terminated in the connector halves.
  • the conductors in each connector half are terminated by suitably configured contacts; and the contacts must be accurately positioned within the connector halves to ensure that they will be in alignment for proper mating when the connector halves are joined together. Misalignment of contacts when the connector halves are joined together can result in improper electrical connection and physical damage to the connector assembly.
  • a one-piece shell is provided; and a pair of modules or wafers is inserted into the shell by longitudinal movement therein.
  • a rib arrangement is provided on the horizontal surfaces of the modules, and cooperating keyways are formed on the internal horizontal surfaces of the shell in order to prevent lateral movement of the modules within the shell.
  • the springs upon compression of the springs for withdrawal of the prior art modules, the springs can be deformed, thus adversely affecting the accuracy of placement of the modules upon reinsertion. Such deformation may become so severe as to render the connector useless and to require a complex substitution of the springs for further utilization.
  • the above-described known connector is also not fully effective in achieving and maintaining proper positioning of the modules and hence of the contact-terminated conductors therein in the vertical direction as the springs themselves are resilient and the wafers can move thereagainst within the shell. Furthermore, the conductor wires are permanently secured within the modules by a rectangular insulation mass; and if it becomes necessary or desirable to remove or replace one or more of the conductors, the entire module must be replaced.
  • a connector comprising a housing, at least one module adapted to be received within said housing, said module including means for receiving a plurality of electrical conductors therein, and positioning means for positioning said module within said housing, whereby said housing includes a receiving portion and a cover portion, said cover portion being releasably mountable to said receiving portion for releasably enclosing said module within said housing, and further in that said positioning means includes locking means on said housing and said module for locking said module laterally within said housing.
  • a connector comprising at least one module for receiving therein a plurality of electrical conductors, a housing, the housing having a receiving portion and a cover portion for locking releasably to the receiving portion and enclosing the module and locking structure on the housing and on the module for locking releasably the module to the housing, is characterised in that;
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of two halves of a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a male connector generally designated at 10
  • a female connector generally designated at 12.
  • the following description which is directed toward the female connector 12, is applicable essentially identically to the structure of the male connector 10.
  • female connector 12 includes a receiving portion 14 and a cover portion 16 which, together, generally form a housing 18 for a module 20, the forward end of which is seen in Fig. 1.
  • the receiving portion has a front portion 22 and a rear portion 24, generally connected by upstanding sidewalls 26.
  • the housing is die cast aluminum, although stainless steel or plastic materials may be used.
  • the receiving portion 14 includes a floor portion 28 connecting the rear portion 24, upstanding sidewalls 26, and the front portion 22.
  • cover portion 16 is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the internal details being shown in Fig. 4 which illustrates the cover in an inverted position.
  • cover 16 includes depending sidewalls 30 designed for mating with the upstanding sidewalls 26 of the receiving portion 14 of the housing.
  • cover 16 when cover 16 is mounted on receiving portion 14 and is fastened thereto by fasteners illustrated as screws 32, a substantially closed housing structure results with a rear opening 34 for receiving wiring arrangement 36 (shown in Fig. 1) therein and with a front opening 38 permitting access to the contracts provided at the forward end of module 20.
  • the housing structure including the cooperating sidewalls 40, 26 and 30, provides shielding for the exposed wire terminals and contacts housed therein.
  • the forwardly projecting contacts of male connector 10 are surrounded by an enclosure 37 including outwardly projecting horizontal fins 39.
  • Enclosure 37 is dimensioned to fit within the opening 38 in female connector 12 upon connection of the connector assembly.
  • Fins 39 are similarly dimensioned to fit within opening 38. The fins thus provide proper lateral alignment of the enclosure 37 within opening 38, thereby assuring a desired mating contact between corresponding male and female connectors.
  • a number of interengaging surfaces such as flanges 40, shown in Fig. 4, descending from the sidewalls 30 of the cover.
  • Flanges 40 are inwardly laterally spaced on sidewall 30 in order to engage inner surfaces of upstanding walls 26 of the receiving portion of the housing.
  • abutment of flanges 40 against the inner surfaces of upstanding walls 26 there is provided a rear vertical wall 42 of the front portion 22, as shown in Fig. 2.
  • a front wall 44 is provided in the structure of cover 16, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for engaging rear vertical wall 42 when the cover is mounted to the receiving portion.
  • a still further alignment structure includes a groove 46 in the housing and a matching tongue 48 in cover 16 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The tongue and groove arrangement is provided for vertically locking the cover to the receiving portion.
  • the cover in order to assemble the cover to the receiving portion, the cover is first laterally aligned with the receiving portion and is placed rearwardly of its finally assembled position. The cover 16 may then be slid forward slightly to obtain engagement of the tongue and groove arrangement 48, 46 and further to obtain an abutment between front wall 44 of the cover and rear vertical wall 42 of the receiving portion. Once such abutment is attained, the cover is locked from any further lateral, vertical, or forward longitudinal movement with respect to the receiving portion.
  • the cover and receiving portion include a cooperating, self-aligning structure for simplified alignment and assembly of the cover to the receiving portion to form the housing of the present connector.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the two modules used in the two halves of the connector assembly shown in Figures 1 - 4 and the contact structure affixed to the wiring arrangement provided therein. With the exception of the male and female contacts and their connection to the front portions of the two modules, the modules are substantially identical.
  • the modules are made of a plastic material capable of withstanding high temperatures, such as polyethylene ether ketone although other materials may also be used.
  • Module 20 shown in detail in Fig. 5, is provided with a segmented rib structure 50 in which rib segments 50a, 50b, and 50c are arranged laterally on an upper surface of the module and are laterally spaced apart from one another.
  • the rib segments 50a, 50b, and 50c may each be provided with angled wedge-like forward faces.
  • a similar ribbed structure may be provided on the bottom surface of the module, although it is preferable that the ribbed structure be provided on either the top surface or the bottom surface and not on both surfaces.
  • the segmented rib structure 50 provided on the top surface of the module will preferably differ in configuration from the rib structure provided on the bottom surface.
  • the connector according to the invention is assembled by placing module 20 within receiving portion 14 of the connector.
  • a number of channels are provided on floor portion 28 of the receiving portion.
  • lateral channel segments 52 are provided for a generally L-shaped channel structure shown therein.
  • the channel segments 52 may be provided with angled wedge-like forward faces that mate and engage the forward faces of the rib segments.
  • the channel arrangement on floor portion 28 corresponds to the rib structure (not shown) that may be provided on the bottom surface of module 20 so that all sides of the rib segments are engaged by the vertical and slanted surfaces of the channel segments 52. Accordingly, once being so engaged, the module 20 is locked both longitudinally and laterally by the channel structure and is fixed laterally and longitudinally relative to the receiving portion 14 of the housing.
  • a number of channel segments 54 are provided on a bottom surface 56 of the cover 16.
  • Channel segments 54 cooperating with the rib structure 50 on the upper surface of the module, also provide a structure for locking the module both longitudinally and laterally within the housing.
  • cover 16 may be assembled to form the connector by moving the cover forwardly in contact with the module until the segmented rib 50 mates with and engages channel segments 54.
  • the rib structure and channel segments are arranged on the module and cover, respectively, so that engagement occurs at a point in which the tongue and groove arrangement 48 - 46 provides vertical interlocking for the cover and receiving portion of the housing.
  • the connector is substantially fully assembled; and any further lateral, longitudinal, or transverse movement of the module is prevented inasmuch as the module is locked in position by the receiving portion or by the cover portion of the housing, or by both, since the cover is vertically locked by the tongue and groove arrangement 48 - 46.
  • the channel structures 52, 54 are provided on both the inside surface of the cover 16 and on the floor surface of the receiving portion. It is preferred, however, that the complementary ribbed structure be provided on only one surface of the module and that the other surface be flat. Where two sets of engaging rib-channel structures are used to engage the module, there is a possibility for conflict and improper assembly of the module.
  • the resulting assembly forms the female connector 12 of Fig. 1.
  • a similar module 21, shown in Fig. 5, may be used for assembling the male connector 10 of Fig. 1.
  • the male module 21 is provided with a segmented rib structure for lockably engaging the interior of the male connector housing.
  • the front portion 22 of the housing is preferably dimensioned to permit passage of the module structure therethrough, but not to permit passage of the ribbed portions 50 therethrough.
  • the vertical dimensions of the front portion 22 of the housing may be somewhat larger than the dimension of the module 20 and somewhat smaller than the dimension of the ribs projecting outwardly from the module.
  • ribs may be provided on the sidewalls of the module 20, and the lateral dimensions of the front portion of the housing may be similarly arranged to block passage of the ribbed segments therethrough.
  • sidewall portions 26 of the receiving portion 14 may be provided with channels for locking with any mating ribs on the side portions of the module.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show an arrangement of the present invention for longitudinally locking the contacts within the module and thus within the connector.
  • transverse holes 58 are provided in the module.
  • Retention pins 60 are provided for insertion in the holes 58.
  • the retention pins engage a shaped portion 62 of a contact 64 as shown in Figure 5.
  • a curved portion 62 is provided matching the curvature of the retention pins 60.
  • the shaped portion 62 is located so that, upon engagement by a pin 60, the forward end of a contact 64 will be at the proper longitudinal position within the lon- gitudinai passageway provided therefor in module 20 to receive the forward end of male contact 66.
  • pin 60 is inserted in the hole 58 to lock the contact from further longitudinal movement.
  • the number of retention pins may be less than the number of contacts and wires retained in the module.
  • the adjacent contacts preferably each include a shaped portion 62 matching the shape of one half of a retention pin 60.
  • contacts 64 are similarly prevented from such movement.
  • a similar arrangement is provided by providing a stamped semi-circular hole at 68, thus providing an appropriately shaped portion for engagement by a retention pin.
  • the contacts are arranged to have semi-circular-shaped portions facing each other, rather than providing each pin with a fully circular-shaped portion, only one retention pin is required for each pair of contacts retained by the module.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a pin-and-socket contact arrangement in which a pin and socket are provided with an appropriate arcuate encircling groove or chamfer at 70 and 72, permitting the use of the retention pin arrangement hereinabove described with reference to Figure 5.
  • An advantage of the structure of Figure 6 is that the pin-and-socket contacts need not be specially positioned, and pairs of adjacent contacts will engage the retention pins no matter how they are rotationally oriented when inserted into the module.
  • the inventive structure permits a simplified locking of a contact within a module, together with a simplified structure for locking a module within a housing for precisely defining the positions of the contacts within the connector and for assembling the entire connector.
  • FIGS. 2 and 4 show upstanding wall 74 and descending wall 76, respectively associated with the rear portions of the receiving and cover portion of the housing. These two walls define therebetween a space accommodating the wiring arrangement passing therethrough.
  • the upstanding and descending walls 74 and 76 may be appropriately dimensioned in order to provide additional shielding and to enable the ribbon cable to be clamped therebetween, thus providing strain relief for the connections between the wires and contacts within the module.
  • a strain relief pad 78 is provided, providing mating surfaces for engagement of the walls 74 and 76. Passage of a wiring arrangement between the pad 78 and the wall 76, or alternatively between pad 78 and wall 74, provides an appropriate tortuous path for the wiring arrangement, thus crimping the same to provide the desired form of strain relief.
  • yet another structure may be provided for preventing longitudinal backward movement of the module within the housing.
  • Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the connector halves include a plurality of stacked modules.
  • Figure 7 shows an assembled, double male connector half 101 which includes a receiving portion 141 and a cover therefor.
  • the receiving portion 141 may include a floor portion, as described for the embodiments of Figures 1 - 5, the receiving portion is formed as a central portion at its top and bottom in the arrangement shown in Figure 7.
  • First and second covers 161 and 162 are provided for the top and bottom of the receiving portion 141.
  • the receiving portion of Figure 7 is larger than that shown in Figure 2 in order to accommodate a pair of modules.
  • housing 181 to enclose a pair of modules.
  • a pair of modules is described for the housing 181 of Figure 7, a single module may be provided therein, the single module having a sufficiently large vertical dimension to accommodate a number of horizontal rows of wires and contacts to pass therethrough.
  • housing 181 may be formed by a receiving portion 141 integrally formed with a floor portion (as if the bottom cover 162 were integral with receiving portion 141) and a top cover 161, or as the above-described openended receiving portion with a pair of covers.
  • the module may include an arrangement of rib structures similar to those shown in Figure 5 while the top cover may include a channel arrangement as shown in Figure 4.
  • the bottom cover 162 or the floor portion of an integral receiving portion 141 may be provided with the channel structure shown in Figure 2.
  • each module includes a rib structure for interlocking with the corresponding cover or floor portion, the internal vertical dimension of the housing being such as to require the ribs to mate with the channels in order to permit fastening of the cover or covers to the receiving portion.
  • a rib and channel arrangement between two modules which are to be received within housing 181.
  • one of the modules may include a protruding rib structure, and the other such module may include a corresponding channel arrangement.
  • the receiving portion is formed of a front portion 221 and a rear portion 241, and includes upstanding sidewalls 261.
  • the covers 161 and 162 include depending sidewalls 301 and 302 respectively which mount on the sidewall 261 of the receiving portion.
  • flanges are provided for the depending sidewalls 301 and 302 as described in connection with the structure of Figure 4.
  • a tongue portion 481 is preferably provided for the covers 161 and 162 to engage the housing and thus to align the cover thereto.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a male connector like that shown at 10 in Figure 1 and includes an enclosure 371 for the protruding contacts.
  • a plurality of fins 391 may be provided in order to align the male contacts with the female contacts of a female connector, as hereinabove described with reference to Figure 1.
  • Figure 8 shows a right-angle connector in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • the connector of Figure 8 generally embodies the various features hereinabove described for the simplified in-line connector illustrated in Figures 1 - 5.
  • a right-angle male connector 100 is generally shown as including an L-shaped receiving portion 140 and a cover portion 160 defining a housing 191.
  • the right-angle connector houses an L-shaped module 210, illustratively shown as a male module.
  • the receiving portion 140 includes a front portion 220 and a rear portion 240, connected by upstanding sidewalls 260 therebetween.
  • the sidewalls similarly to the receiving means itself, are L-shaped.
  • the receiving portion 140 includes an L-shaped floor portion 280 connecting the sidewalls 260, the front portion 220, and the rear portion 240.
  • cover portion 160 provides depending sidewalls 300 for mounting on at least a portion of the upstanding sidewalls 260 of the receiving portion.
  • cover portion 160 is shown substantially as a planar structure, the cover may, similarly to the module 210, be L-shaped.
  • the module includes a segmented rib structure 50 in which a number of laterally spaced rib segments are provided on at least one surface.
  • rib segments are shown on the upper portion of the L-shaped module, it should be understood that similar segments may be provided on the vertical portion, as well as on side portions thereof. Moreover, the rib segments may similarly be provided on the hidden horizontal and vertical surfaces of the module.
  • the floor 280 of the receiving portion 140, the inner surface of cover portion 160, as well as other inner surfaces of the housing, include channels for appropriately interlocking with the rib segments.
  • the preferred embodiment includes a rib structure 51 on the floor portion 280; and a channel structure (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of module 210 for interlocking with the rib structure 51.
  • the various rib and channel interlocking sections are generally shown as including longitudinal portions only, for preventing lateral movement between the module and the housing.
  • the L-shaped arrangement secures the module longitudinally against the inner surfaces of the housing by providing an abutment between the inner vertical surface (not shown) of module 210 and the vertical surface of the floor portion 280.
  • the lateral rib and channel portions may be provided in the right-angle connector embodiment shown in Figure 8.
  • additional ribs may be provided on the vertical surface of the module 210, with an appropriate channel structure on the inner surface of the cover portion 160.
  • the ribs may be provided on the inner surface of the cover and a channel structure provided on the vertical surface of the module.
  • the inventive structure includes an enclosure 370 at the forward end thereof for insertion in an opening of the female connector.
  • the inventive structure provides the groove and tongue arrangement previously described in relationship to the in-line assembly of Figures 2 and 3.
  • a groove 460 is provided in the L-shaped receiving portion; and a tongue 480 is provided in the cover portion for mating with groove 460 thereby to lockthe upper portion of cover 160 relative to the receiving portion.
  • Fasteners shown in the form of screws 32 are used to fasten the cover to the receiving portion.
  • the module 210 is slid into enclosure 370 of receiving portion 140.
  • Any ribs 50 and 51 provided on the module and/or the receiving portion engage corresponding channels provided on the inner surface of the receiving portion or on the module, respectively, thus assuring proper lateral arrangement of the module within the housing.
  • Cover portion 160 is thereafter fastened to the receiving portion by the tongue and groove arrangement and by fasteners 32, and any flanges and rib and channel struture which may be provided in the cover and module lock the cover laterally with respect to the module. Fastening screws 32 are used to finalize the assembly of the inventive right-angle connector.
  • the arrangement used in the embodiment of Figure 5, including retention pins and transverse holes in the module may be used to lockthe contacts from the longitudinal movement within the connector of Figure 8.
  • the L-shaped structure provides advantageously, its own longitudinal locking for the contacts.
  • the preferred embodiment does not utilize the retention pin structure.
  • Figures 9 - 13 illustrate a connector assembly in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector half 512 of the connector assembly.
  • the male connector half is substantially identical to the female connector half, exept for the contact structure and the mating structure; and there is, therefore, no need for a duplicate description of the female connector half.
  • Connector half 512 includes a housing 518 composed of a receiving portion 514 and a cover portion 516.
  • One or more modules are adapted to be positioned repeatably within the housing 518 by a variety of alignment features similar to those described and illustrated with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5.
  • two modules 520 and 521 each having a single row of passageways for receiving a single row of conductors 536 and 537, respectively, are positioned within housing 518. If desired a single module having two or more rows of passageways for receiving two or more rows of conductors may be positioned in housing 518.
  • cover portion 516 includes depending sidewall portions 530 designed to mate with upstanding sidewalls 526 of the receiving portion 514 so that when the cover is mounted on the receiving portion and is fastened thereto by fasteners 532, a substantially closed housing structure is provided for enclosing and supporting the modules 520 and 521.
  • Flanges (not shown) are provided on the cover 516 to engage inner surfaces of the upstanding wall 526 of the receiving portion to prevent lateral movement of the cover with respect to the receiving portion when the two portions are secured together.
  • a rear vertical wall 542 at the front of the receiving portion 514 engages front wall 544 of the cover 516.
  • tongues 548 on cover portion 516 engages grooves 546 in receiving portion 514.
  • the embodiment of Figures 9 - 13 also includes a structure similar to that in the Figures 1 - 5 embodiment for retaining the modules 520 and 521 within the housing 518 and for defining the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical position of the modules in the housing.
  • receiving portion 514 includes a plurality of channels 552 adapted to engage a rib structure (not shown) on the lower surface of module 521 when the module is placed within the housing to position the module and prevent both lateral and longitudinal movement of the module within the housing.
  • a plurality of channels (not shown) is also provided on the underside of the cover portion 516 to engage rib structure 522 on the top surface of the module 520 to position and lock module 520 within the housing.
  • the interengaging rib and channel structure on the lower surface of cover portion 516 and the upper surface of module 521 differs in configuration from the interengaging rib and channel structure on the upper surface of receiving portion 514 and the lower surface of module 521.
  • the lower surface of module 520 and the upper surface of module 521 are smooth and without any interengaging structure which could conflict with the interengaging structures between the modules and the housing portions.
  • strain relief pad 78 has been replaced by sealing boots 578 and 579 integral with modules 520 and 521, respectively.
  • Sealing boots 578 and 579 comprise a soft, pliant, chemically inactive material, such as a fluorosilicone polymer, and are bonded to the back edges of the modules 520 and 521, respectively, by a vacuum-bonding process so that portions 578a and 579a of the sealing boots will extend beyond the rear edges of the modules.
  • Sealing boots 578 and 579 are formed with a plurality of apertures 581 and 585, respectively, which are aligned with passageways in the modules 520 and 521 for receiving conductor wires 536 and 537.
  • the upper surface 582 of extended portion 578a of the sealing boot 578 and the lower surface 583 of extended portion 579a of sealing boot 579 are of generally rippled configuration and are defined by a plurality of spaced, generally semi-circular segments that are coaxial with the apertures 581 and 585, respectively, in the sealing boots. Rippled surfaces 582 and 583 are adapted to be engaged by complementary rippled surfaces 584 and 586 provided on the rear edges of the cover and receiving portions, respectively, of the connector housing. Sealing boots 578 and 579 seal around the conductor wires 536 and 537 entering into the modules 520 and 521 and between the modules and the housing.
  • the rippled surfaces 584 and 586 will engage the rippled surfaces 582 and 583 on the extended portions 578a and 579a of sealing boots 578 and 579 and compress the sealing boots and effect a seal at the rear end of the connector.
  • the rippled configuration on the sealing boots and on the housing portions results in the compressive forces being applied generally radially around each of the semi-circular ripples and substantially radially around each of the conductor wires 536 and 537 to ensure a more complete seal around the wires.
  • the rippled surface 586 on the receiving portion 514 is composed of two portions 586a and 586b separated by a narrow groove 591 extending laterally across the receiving portion.
  • a similar groove 592 ( Figure 10) is provided in the cover portion 516 to divide the rippled surface 584 thereon into two portions 584a and 584b.
  • the grooves are illustrated in greater detail in Figure 10 which is a cross sectional view of the rear portion of the connector of Figure 9 in assembled form.
  • portions of the pliant sealing boots 578a and 579a will extend into the grooves 591 and 592 within the receiving portion and cover portion, respectively, of the housing.
  • the grooves thus help support the seaing boots within the connector.
  • the sealing boots also cooperate with the housing to provide strain relief for the conductor wires 536 and 537 by isolating the locations where the wires are connected to the contacts from any bending forces applied against the conductor wires, thus transferring stress to the location where the wires enter the sealing boots.
  • Sealing boots 578 and 579 illustrated in Figures 9 - 10 provide an effective, reliable seal around the conductor wires and of the rear end of the connector.
  • the sealing boots are preferably integral with the module, avoiding the need for a separate sealing member as in the embodiment of Figures 1 - 5.
  • FIG 11 illustrates a rear view of a modified sealing boot 596 for such a module.
  • sealing boot 596 has two rows of apertures 597 and 598 positioned to be aligned with corresponding conductor wire-receiving passageways in the module to which boot 596 is mounted.
  • a rippled surface 601 and 602 is provided on both the upper and lower surface of the extended portion of the sealing boot to cooperate with rippled surfaces 584 and 586 on the cover and receiving portions of the housing.
  • a slot 599 is provided in the sealing boot between the two rows of apertures 597 and 598 and extends substantially across the width of the sealing boot. Slot 599 somewhat isolates the compressive forces applied against surface 601 by surface 584 of cover 516 from the compressive forces applied against surface 602 by the surface 586 of receiving portion 514 to enhance the reliability of the sealing boot. Slot 599 preferably extends within extended portion of the sealing boot from the rear face of the sealing boot to the back edge of the module.
  • Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an electrical contact 600 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention for terminating the conductor wires 536 within a module, for example, module 520.
  • electrical contact 600 includes a male terminal portion 602, contact 600 could equally as well be formed with a female terminal portion by replacing the male terminal portion 602 with a female receptacle portion.
  • Contact 600 comprises a generally elongated, one-piece member which includes a terminal portion 602 at one end; a central contact retention portion 603; and a conductor wire receiving portion 604 at the opposite end.
  • Conductor wire-receiving portion 604 comprises essentially a hollowed-out cylinder or barrel 607 adapted to receive the end of a conductor wire after the insulation has been removed.
  • the walls of hollowed-out cylinder are provided with a plurality of raised ribs 608 extending axially of the cylinder.
  • the exposed end of a conductor wire 536 is inserted into hollowed-out cylinder 607 and the cylinder is then firmly crimped radially inward and around the wire to secure the electrical contact 600to the conductor.
  • the ribs 608 in the wall of the cylinder are raised radially outward of the cylinder during inward deformation of the cylinder to an extent to firmly retain the contact 600 on the conductor wire and to maintain a reliable electrical connection without the use of solder or the like.
  • Central, contact retention portion 603 comprises a flattened portion from which a generally U-shaped portion 603a is cut away to define a spring finger 609.
  • Spring finger 609 extends rearwardly of the contact and is bent upwardly at a slight angle.
  • Spring finger 609 is adapted to cooperate with stops 611 formed in contact-receiving passageways 612 in module 520, as illustrated in Figure 13.
  • the passageways 612 are also provided with a pair of channels 612a having front walls 613. Channels 612a are positioned to receive a pair of stops 614 formed on contact 600 as shown in Figure 12. Stops 614 are formed by stamping the flattened central portion of electrical contact 600.
  • a contact 600 with conductor wire 536 secured thereto is inserted into module 520 from the rear and pushed forwardly within a passageway 612 until spring member 609 clears shoulder 611 at which point the spring finger 609 will spring upwardly to secure the contact in place within the module and prevent its rearward movement. Further forward movement of the contact within the module will be limited by stops 614 which impinge upon the front wall 613 of channels 612a. Portions 614 of the contact in conjunction with deformed portions 617 restrict vertical movement of the contact within the module. Thus, the contact 600 is securely positioned within module 520 and will remain in position during use of the connector.
  • a contact 600 can be easily removed from the module 520 by inserting an appropriate tool 621 into portion 618 of its passageway 612 in the module through the front end, pressing the tool against the spring member 609 and holding it down as the contact is withdrawn from the rear end of the module.
  • a particularly desirable feature of contact 600 and the contacts of the other embodiments is that the contacts are removably mounted within the modules. Accordingly, should the removal or placement of a contact be desired or necessary, the contact can be removed and replaced without destruction of the module. In prior systems, the contacts were permanently secured within the modules and could not be removed.
  • a further advantage of the contact system illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 is that separate retention pins orthe like, which can become mislaid, are not required.
  • the contacts and sealing means described and illustrated in Figures 9 - 13 may be applied to a right-angle connector such as that illustrated in Figure 8 and to a multiple-row connector such as illustrated in Figure 7.

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  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Claims (7)

1. Verbinder mit wenigstens einem Modul (20, 21, 210, 520, 521) zum darin Aufnehmen einer Mehrzahl elektrischer Leiter (36, 536, 537), mit einem Gehäuse (18, 181, 191, 518), wobei das Gehäuse (18, 181, 191, 518) einen Aufnahmebereich (14, 140, 141, 514) und einen Abdeckbereich (16, 160, 161, 162, 516) zur lösbaren Verriegelung mit dem Aufnahmebereich (14, 140, 141, 514) und zum Umschließen des Moduls (20, 21, 210, 520, 521) aufweist, und mit einer Verriegelungskonstruktion (50, 51, 52, 54, 522, 552) an dem Gehäuse (18, 181, 191, 518) und an dem Modul (20, 21, 210, 520, 521) zur lösbaren Verriegelung des Moduls (20, 21,210,520, 521) mit dem Gehäuse (18,181,191, 518), dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Abdeckbereich (16,160,161,162, 516) und der Aufnahmebereich (14, 140, 141, 514) eine zusammenwirkende Ausrichtungskonstruktion (26, 30,40,42,44,46,48,260,261,300,301,302, 460, 461, 480, 481, 526, 530, 544, 546, 548) zum Ausrichten des Abdeckbereichs (16, 160, 161, 162, 516) in bezug auf den Aufnahmebereich (14, 140, 141, 514) besitzen,
daß eine Kontaktverriegelungskonstruktion (58, 60,62,68,70,72,609,611,613,614)vorgesehen ist zum lösbaren Festhalten einer Mehrzahl von an den Enden der elektrischen Leiter (36, 536, 537) angebrachten elektrischen Kontakten (64, 65, 66, 600) in dem Modul (20, 21, 210, 520, 521), und
daß Abdichtungen (578, 579, 596) vorgesehen sind zur Montage zwischen dem Aufnahmebereich (14, 140, 141, 514) und dem Abdeckbereich (16, 160, 161, 162, 516) zum Abdichten um die elektrischen Leiter (36, 536, 537) herum.
2. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kontaktverriegelungskonstruktion (58, 60, 62, 68, 70, 72, 609, 611, 613, 614) eine Mehrzahl von Festhaltestiften (60) besitzt, die sich entlang entsprechender Löcher (58) in dem entsprechenden Modul (20, 210) erstrecken und an in dem entsprechenden Modul (20, 210) positionierten Formbereichen (62, 68, 70, 72) der Kontakte (64, 65, 66) angreifen, um dadurch einer Bewegung der Kontakte (64, 65, 66) entgegenzuwirken.
3. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abdichtungen (578, 579, 596) mit einem entsprechenden Modul (520, 521) einstückig ausgebildet sind und sich von der Rückseite des entsprechenden Moduls (520, 521) wegerstrecken.
4. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Abdichtungen (578, 579, 596) eine Mehrzahl von Öffnungen (581, 585, 597, 598) zum darin Aufnehmen entsprechender elektrischer Leiter (536, 537) aufweisen.
5. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abdichtungen (578, 579, 596) zwischen einem entsprechenden Abdeckbereich (516) und einem entsprechenden Aufnahmebereich (514) zusammengedrückt sind, wenn der entsprechende Abdeckbereich (516) an dem entsprechenden Aufnahmebereich (514) montiert ist.
6. Verbinder nach Anspruch 5, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der entsprechende Aufnahmebereich (514) und der entsprechende Abdeckbereich (516) je einen in seitlicher Richtung verlaufenden Schlitz (591, 592) aufweisen, in denen die entsprechenden Abdichtungen (578, 579, 596) aufgenommen und zusammengedrückt sind.
7. Verbinder nach Anspruch 1, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein entsprechender Aufnahmebereich (514) und ein entsprechender Abdeckbereich (516) geriffelte Flächen (586, 584) zur Verbindung mit jeweiligen, an entsprechenden Abdichtungen (578, 579) vorgesehenen geriffelten Flächen (582, 583) aufweisen.
EP19860903079 1985-04-30 1986-04-30 Modulares verbindungssystem Expired - Lifetime EP0221158B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US72910385A 1985-04-30 1985-04-30
US72910485A 1985-04-30 1985-04-30
US729103 1985-04-30
US06/729,102 US4632495A (en) 1985-04-30 1985-04-30 Right-angle modular connector with two-part housing
US729102 1985-04-30
US729104 1985-04-30
US06/853,306 US4715827A (en) 1985-04-30 1986-04-17 Modular connector system
US853306 1986-04-17

Publications (2)

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EP0221158A1 EP0221158A1 (de) 1987-05-13
EP0221158B1 true EP0221158B1 (de) 1990-01-31

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DE (1) DE3668731D1 (de)
WO (1) WO1986006556A1 (de)

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CN102683980B (zh) 2011-03-17 2014-06-04 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 线缆连接器组件

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH330621A (de) * 1953-11-19 1958-06-15 Licentia Gmbh Mehrpolige gekapselte Steckvorrichtung
FR1323749A (fr) * 1962-03-02 1963-04-12 Souriau & Cie Perfectionnements apportés aux dispositifs du genre des prises de courant, plus spécialement à éléments multiples
AU446128B2 (en) * 1971-03-16 1974-02-25 Bryant Manufacturing Pty. Ltd. A plug and socket connector for electric circuits
DE2313437A1 (de) * 1973-03-17 1974-09-26 Schaltbau Gmbh Befestigung von kontaktelementen in steckerteilen
JPS5431674Y2 (de) * 1974-03-04 1979-10-03
US3993394A (en) * 1974-07-31 1976-11-23 Raychem Corporation Connector half having connector wafer retained therein
EP0070392A3 (de) * 1981-07-21 1984-07-04 Allied Corporation Modulartiger elektrischer Verbinder und Verfahren zum Spritzen der kontakttragenden Modulen
US4448471A (en) * 1982-05-20 1984-05-15 Amp Incorporated Polarized locking latch cover for an electrical connector
FR2544558B1 (fr) * 1983-04-15 1986-06-27 Deutsch Co Connecteur perfectionne

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WO1986006556A1 (en) 1986-11-06
EP0221158A1 (de) 1987-05-13
DE3668731D1 (de) 1990-03-08

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