EP0509324B1 - Round-to-flat shielded connector assembly - Google Patents
Round-to-flat shielded connector assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0509324B1 EP0509324B1 EP92105661A EP92105661A EP0509324B1 EP 0509324 B1 EP0509324 B1 EP 0509324B1 EP 92105661 A EP92105661 A EP 92105661A EP 92105661 A EP92105661 A EP 92105661A EP 0509324 B1 EP0509324 B1 EP 0509324B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- shield
- connector
- round
- crimp ferrule
- 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
Links
Images
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
- H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding
- H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
- H01R13/6591—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
- H01R13/6592—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members the conductive member being a shielded cable
-
- 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
- H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding
-
- 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
- H01R24/60—Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement
- H01R24/62—Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
Definitions
- This invention relates to a shielded connector assembly including a round multiconductor cable to connect same to a complementary connector having a flat array of terminals, and to a method of producing the assembly.
- the conductors may be provided for mass termination in a variety of forms.
- round conductor ribbon cable for example, discrete wire conductors are disposed in a generally flat, parallel spaced relation to each other between insulating dielectric layers which surround and insulate the wires and form webs of insulation between them.
- conductors may be provided in the form of a multi-cable assembly having a plurality of insulated conductors surrounded by an outer insulation jacket of a generally round cross-section. This latter type of cable assembly presents problems that are absent when dealing with round conductor ribbon cable.
- the intervening webs serve to maintain the relative position and spacing of adjacent conductors.
- the insulated conductors first must be unravelled from a bundle of wires and thereafter positioned in such a manner to permit mass termination with a plurality of terminals.
- a connector system is a telecommunication system wherein a modular unit, such as a telephone, may be provided with an external connector of the receptacle type having a row of laterally spaced terminals which are connected electrically to internal circuitry of the unit. Therefore, electrical connections may be made to the internal circuitry through a flat cable terminated in a modular telecommunication plug which is inserted into the receptacle type connector on the modular unit.
- the plug is provided with a row of laterally spaced terminals which electrically engage respective terminals in the receptacle type connector and are electrically connected to respective terminals in the flat cable.
- the flat cables provide means for avoiding any confusion as to which of the conductors in the cable is connected electrically to which of the terminals laterally spaced in the row.
- a round cable such as a coiled card.
- the round cable generally does not have the proper size or configuration for terminating in the modular plug suitable for insertion into the receptacle type connector on the unit.
- the conductors in the round cable are not disposed in predetermined side-by-side positional relationship for electrical connection to resepective terminals in the row thereof.
- adpaters are incorporated in the connectors for positioning and retaining the discrete wires of a round cable in a flat array for termination to the flat array of terminals in a row in the respective connector.
- Examples of such connectors are shown in US-A-4,713,023 and 4,769,906.
- US-A 4,713,023 shows the features of the preamble to claim 1 and includes a ring member which is used to hold neck members of a metallic shell which is in engagement with the exposed cable shield.
- US-A 4,769,906 shows a tape as retainer means for the end portions of the conductors in a row.
- the present invention is directed to solving the problems of terminating a round cable in a flat terminal array connector in an extremely simple manner and eliminating the adaptor means of the prior art.
- An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved system of providing a shielded connector assembly for connecting a round cable to a connector having a flat array or row of terminals.
- the system includes a method of producing the connector as well as the connector itself.
- the round cable includes a plurality of insulated conductors within a cable shield and drain wire and surrounded by an outer insulating jacket.
- the shielded connector assembly includes an insulating housing having receptacle means for receiving the insulated conductors in a flat array.
- a plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing for termination to the received conductors and for mating with the terminals of a complementary connector.
- a conductive connector shield means is mounted on and about a portion of the insulating housing, with a portion of the shield means extending into the receptacle means.
- the invention contemplates a method of producing a shielded connector assembly with the above basic components, including the steps of stripping a portion of the insulating jacket from the multiconductor cable to expose the cable shield and the discrete insulated conductors.
- a round conductive crimp ferrule is placed over the round multiconductor cable in engagement with the exposed cable shield and with the exposed insulated conductors projecting from an end of the crimp ferrule.
- the exposed insulated conductors then are sorted and positioned in a flat array.
- the round conductive crimp ferrule is crimped onto the round cable into a flat configuration for holding the sorted end positioned conductors in the flat array.
- the cable then can be positioned in the insulating housing with the flat array of conductors in the receptacle means for termination to the terminals and with the crimped ferrule in engagement with the portion of the shield means extending into the receptacle means.
- the shielded connector assembly is similar to that shown in the aforementioned 4,713,023 patent in that the connector assembly includes strain relief means for the cable at a location generally opposite the portion of the shield means which extends into the receptacle means.
- the invention contemplates providing access means in the conductive crimp ferrule to accommodate the strain relief means and still maintain the crimp ferrule in engagement with the portion of the shield means. This is accomplished by cutting the round crimp ferrule at an angle to provide a longer one side thereof than another side, the longer side being engageable with the shield means and the shorter side providing access to the cable by the strain relief means.
- Other embodiments of a crimp ferrule providing these functions are disclosed herein.
- the invention is embodied in a shielded electrical connector assembly, generally designated 14, which is in the form of a modular shielded plug connector assembly, such as might be used in the telecommunications industry.
- the plug assembly is shown generally to include a plug housing, generally designated 16, which mounts a grounding shield in the form of a unitary stamped and formed metallic shell, generally designated 18, around the rear area of housing 16, and a plurality of insulation piercing terminals 20 within the housing.
- terminals 20 are adapted for termination to discrete insulated conductors 22 of a multiconductor electrical cable 24 which is shown in Figure 1 to be stripped to expose the ends of insulated conductors 22 as well as a conductive metallic foil 26 which is shown turned back on itself over the outside surface of an insulating jacket 28 of the cable.
- Foil 26 acts as a shield for conductors 22 and insulating jacket 28 surrounds the foil.
- the foil may also comprise a braid or other ground system for the multi-conductor cable and may also include a drain wire.
- Figure 1 shows a round crimp ferrule 30 of conductive material, such as metal or the like, which is to be crimped into a flat configuration about multiconductor cable 24, in conductive engagement with foil 26 and exposing conductors 22 for termination with terminals 20.
- conductive material such as metal or the like
- FIG. 2 shows shielded plug connector assembly 14 in assembled condition, with grounding shield 18 around the rear of housing 16, and with multiconductor cable 24 projecting from the rear of the assembly.
- housing 16 of the connector assembly has a pair of latch arms 32 which extend laterally outwardly and rearwardly from opposite sides of the plug connector assembly for latching the plug connector assembly in mating engagement within a complementary receptacle connector assembly (not shown) as disclosed in the 4,713,023 patent described above.
- housing 16, including latch arms 32 is a unitary structure of dielectric material, such as molded plastic or the like.
- Figures 3 and 4 show that crimp ferrule 30 is generally cylindrical to define a round through passage 34 sized to receive round multiconductor cable 24.
- crimp ferrule 30 is cut at one end, as at 36, along an angle so that a bottom wall section 38 of the ferrule is longer than a top wall section 40.
- the angled cut of the ferrule provides a clearance, as indicated by double-headed arrow 42, in a vertically downward direction to define access means from the top of the ferrule to the multiconductor cable extending through the ferrule.
- FIG. 5 shows plug connector assembly 14 in completely assembled condition. It can be seen that crimp ferrule 30 has been crimped into a flat configuration onto the stripped end of multiconductor cable 24 about the grounding foil 26, with conductors 22 projecting forwarding from an end of the ferrule and terminated to terminals 20 which have been forced downwardly in the direction of arrow "B" to pierce the insulation of the conductors and terminate the cores of the conductors. It also can be seen that housing 16 has strain relief sections 44 and 46 to which access is provided by openings 48 and 50, respectively, in shield 18 (also see Fig. 2). Again, reference can be made to the 4,713,023 patent for details of this arrangement. Suffice it to say, strain relief section 44 provides strain relief laterally across the plug assembly for all of conductors 22, and strain relief section 46 provides strain relief onto insulating jacket 28 of multiconductor cable 24.
- housing 16 of plug assembly 14 has receptacle means in the form of an interior cavity 52 for receiving the cable, the receptacle means narrowing in a forward area 52a whereby conductors 22 are in a flat array for termination to the row of terminals 20 described in relation to Figure 1.
- shield 18 has a portion 54 bent back into receptacle means 52 along the bottom wall thereof. Shield portion 54 can be seen to be in vertical alignment with strain relief section 46. Therefore, with crimp ferrule 30 cut at an angle as described in relation to Figure 3, the clearance 42 (Fig.
- the system of the invention contemplates using grounding crimp ferrule 30 as a means for positioning conductors 22 of round cable 28 in a flat array for termination to the row of terminals 20.
- crimp ferrule 30 initially is provided in a cylindrical configuration with its round through passage 34 sized to receive round cable 24.
- the crimp ferrule is flattened considerably, after crimping, to maintain conductors 22 in a flat array for termination to the row of terminals 20.
- the invention contemplates a method of assembling connector 16, including the steps of stripping a portion of insulating jacket 28 (Fig. 1) from multiconductor cable 24 to expose the cable shield or foil 26 and the insulated conductors 22.
- Round crimp ferrule 30 then is placed about the round cable, with the vertically cut end of the ferrule generally in line with the stripped end of the insulating jacket of the cable, as seen in Figure 5.
- Conductors 22 then are sorted in their proper circuit order and laid out in a flat array, being careful not to cross one conductor over another.
- Crimp ferrule 30 then is crimped onto the cable by a generally flat crimping tool to hold the conductors in their sorted and flat array.
- this can be accomplished by placing the subassembly of the ferrule and cable, with the sorted conductors, in an anvil of an application tool, making sure that the top wall section 40 of the ferrule faces downwardly from the flat array of conductors.
- the crimped subassembly then can be positioned within interior cavity 52, and formed area 52a of plug connector housing 16, as described above, with the flat array of conductors in position for termination with terminals 20 and with the crimp ferrule 30 in engagement with shield portion 54.
- Appropriate application tooling then can be used to drive insulation piercing terminals 20 into conductors 22 and to force strain relief sections 44 and 46 of the housing into engagement with the conductors and the insulating jacket of the cable.
- Figure 6 simply shows one type of application tooling for crimping crimp ferrule 30 onto multiconductor cable 24.
- a tool may include a mounting base 60 for positioning on a support surface 62.
- a cable guide 64, a crimp anvil 66 and a cut off anvil 68 are fixed to the top of mounting base 60.
- Cable guide 64 has a trough 70 for positioning multiconductor cable 24.
- Crimp anvil 66 has a generally flat anvil surface 72 for engaging the bottom of crimp ferrule 30.
- Cut off anvil 68 has a cutting surface 74 for trimming ends 22a from conductors 22.
- the insulating jacket 28 of cable 24 is stripped slightly greater than the length of the conductors 22 to be positioned within the plug assembly housing so that excess ends 22a can be removed to provide a consistent length of the exposed conductors to be positioned within the plug housing.
- the application tooling may include a press ram 76 having a tool holder 78 for mounting a crimp punch 80 and a cutoff blade 82.
- the crimp punch has a distal end 84 shaped and sized to contain the ferrule 30 and to control its width for crimping onto the bottom of crimp ferrule 30, opposite flat surface 72 of crimp anvil 66 to flatten the crimp ferrule and maintain the flat sorted array of the conductors.
- Cut off blade 82 has a cutting edge 86 for cutting-off the ends 22a of conductors 22.
- Figures 7-12 show alternative forms of crimp ferrules for carrying out the concepts of the invention.
- the ferrule has a generally round through passage, similar to through passage 34 of crimp ferrule 30, for positioning over round cable 24 in engagement with its grounding means, such as foil 26.
- Figures 7 and 8 show a round crimp ferrule 30' having a through passage 34'.
- the crimp ferrule is generally cylindrical except for a lower wall section 38' which projects outwardly from the main portion of the ferrule.
- a clearance is provided, as indicated by double-headed arrow "D", sufficient for strain relief section 46 (Fig. 5) to engage the insulating jacket of the cable, while projecting wall section 38' of the crimp ferrule is maintained in engagement with shield portion 54.
- Figures 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of a crimp ferrule 30" which is substantially cylindrical but which is provided with a cutout 88 in the top of the ferrule to provide access through the cutout by strain relief section 46 of the plug connector housing, while the bottom of cylindrical crimp ferrule 30" is maintained in engagement with shield portion 54.
- Figures 11 and 12 show a further modification wherein a crimp ferrule 30"' is generally cylindrical and is provided with a window 90 in the top thereof.
- the window provides access means through which strain relief section 46 can be moved into engagement with the insulating jacket of the cable, while the bottom of crimp ferrule 30"' is maintained in grounding engagement with shield portion 54.
Landscapes
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a shielded connector assembly including a round multiconductor cable to connect same to a complementary connector having a flat array of terminals, and to a method of producing the assembly.
- It is very common to mass terminate a plurality of insulated conductors to a connector. The conductors may be provided for mass termination in a variety of forms. In round conductor ribbon cable, for example, discrete wire conductors are disposed in a generally flat, parallel spaced relation to each other between insulating dielectric layers which surround and insulate the wires and form webs of insulation between them. Alternatively, conductors may be provided in the form of a multi-cable assembly having a plurality of insulated conductors surrounded by an outer insulation jacket of a generally round cross-section. This latter type of cable assembly presents problems that are absent when dealing with round conductor ribbon cable. When using a ribbon cable, the intervening webs serve to maintain the relative position and spacing of adjacent conductors. On the other hand, when handling discrete wire, the insulated conductors first must be unravelled from a bundle of wires and thereafter positioned in such a manner to permit mass termination with a plurality of terminals.
- An example of such a connector system is a telecommunication system wherein a modular unit, such as a telephone, may be provided with an external connector of the receptacle type having a row of laterally spaced terminals which are connected electrically to internal circuitry of the unit. Therefore, electrical connections may be made to the internal circuitry through a flat cable terminated in a modular telecommunication plug which is inserted into the receptacle type connector on the modular unit. The plug is provided with a row of laterally spaced terminals which electrically engage respective terminals in the receptacle type connector and are electrically connected to respective terminals in the flat cable. The flat cables provide means for avoiding any confusion as to which of the conductors in the cable is connected electrically to which of the terminals laterally spaced in the row. However, in some instances, it may be necessary to make electrical connections to internal circuitry of the modular unit through a round cable, such as a coiled card. The round cable generally does not have the proper size or configuration for terminating in the modular plug suitable for insertion into the receptacle type connector on the unit. In addition, the conductors in the round cable are not disposed in predetermined side-by-side positional relationship for electrical connection to resepective terminals in the row thereof.
- In order to solve the round-to-flat problems described above, various electrical connector systems have been provided wherein adpaters are incorporated in the connectors for positioning and retaining the discrete wires of a round cable in a flat array for termination to the flat array of terminals in a row in the respective connector. Examples of such connectors are shown in US-A-4,713,023 and 4,769,906. US-A 4,713,023 shows the features of the preamble to claim 1 and includes a ring member which is used to hold neck members of a metallic shell which is in engagement with the exposed cable shield. US-A 4,769,906 shows a tape as retainer means for the end portions of the conductors in a row.
- The present invention is directed to solving the problems of terminating a round cable in a flat terminal array connector in an extremely simple manner and eliminating the adaptor means of the prior art.
- An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved system of providing a shielded connector assembly for connecting a round cable to a connector having a flat array or row of terminals. The system includes a method of producing the connector as well as the connector itself.
- The problem referred to above are solved by the teaching of claims 1 and 6, respectively.
- In the system to which the invention is applied herein, the round cable includes a plurality of insulated conductors within a cable shield and drain wire and surrounded by an outer insulating jacket. The shielded connector assembly includes an insulating housing having receptacle means for receiving the insulated conductors in a flat array. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing for termination to the received conductors and for mating with the terminals of a complementary connector. A conductive connector shield means is mounted on and about a portion of the insulating housing, with a portion of the shield means extending into the receptacle means.
- The invention contemplates a method of producing a shielded connector assembly with the above basic components, including the steps of stripping a portion of the insulating jacket from the multiconductor cable to expose the cable shield and the discrete insulated conductors. A round conductive crimp ferrule is placed over the round multiconductor cable in engagement with the exposed cable shield and with the exposed insulated conductors projecting from an end of the crimp ferrule. The exposed insulated conductors then are sorted and positioned in a flat array. The round conductive crimp ferrule is crimped onto the round cable into a flat configuration for holding the sorted end positioned conductors in the flat array. The cable then can be positioned in the insulating housing with the flat array of conductors in the receptacle means for termination to the terminals and with the crimped ferrule in engagement with the portion of the shield means extending into the receptacle means.
- As disclosed herein, the shielded connector assembly is similar to that shown in the aforementioned 4,713,023 patent in that the connector assembly includes strain relief means for the cable at a location generally opposite the portion of the shield means which extends into the receptacle means. The invention contemplates providing access means in the conductive crimp ferrule to accommodate the strain relief means and still maintain the crimp ferrule in engagement with the portion of the shield means. This is accomplished by cutting the round crimp ferrule at an angle to provide a longer one side thereof than another side, the longer side being engageable with the shield means and the shorter side providing access to the cable by the strain relief means. Other embodiments of a crimp ferrule providing these functions are disclosed herein.
- Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
- The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:
- FIGURE 1 is an exploded top plan view of the major components of a shielded connector assembly embodying the concepts of the invention;
- FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the assembled connector assembly;
- FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken generally along line 3-3 of Figure 1, through the crimp ferrule of the invention;
- FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view, looking toward the right-hand end of the crimp ferrule in Figure 3;
- FIGURE 5 is a vertical section, taken generally along line 5-5 of Figure 2;
- FIGURE 6 is a somewhat schematic illustration of a press tool for crimping the round-to-flat crimp ferrule of the invention;
- FIGURES 7 and 8 are side and end elevational views, respectively, of an alternate form of crimp ferrule according to the invention;
- FIGURES 9 and 10 are side and end elevational views, respectively, of a further form of crimp ferrule according to the invention; and
- FIGURES 11 and 12 are side and end elevational views, respectively, of still another form of crimp ferrule according to the invention.
- Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to Figure 1, the invention is embodied in a shielded electrical connector assembly, generally designated 14, which is in the form of a modular shielded plug connector assembly, such as might be used in the telecommunications industry. The plug assembly is shown generally to include a plug housing, generally designated 16, which mounts a grounding shield in the form of a unitary stamped and formed metallic shell, generally designated 18, around the rear area of
housing 16, and a plurality ofinsulation piercing terminals 20 within the housing. - As will be seen in greater detail hereinafter,
terminals 20 are adapted for termination to discrete insulatedconductors 22 of a multiconductorelectrical cable 24 which is shown in Figure 1 to be stripped to expose the ends ofinsulated conductors 22 as well as a conductivemetallic foil 26 which is shown turned back on itself over the outside surface of aninsulating jacket 28 of the cable.Foil 26 acts as a shield forconductors 22 and insulatingjacket 28 surrounds the foil. Of course, as is known, the foil may also comprise a braid or other ground system for the multi-conductor cable and may also include a drain wire. Lastly, Figure 1 shows around crimp ferrule 30 of conductive material, such as metal or the like, which is to be crimped into a flat configuration aboutmulticonductor cable 24, in conductive engagement withfoil 26 and exposingconductors 22 for termination withterminals 20. - Figure 2 shows shielded
plug connector assembly 14 in assembled condition, withgrounding shield 18 around the rear ofhousing 16, and withmulticonductor cable 24 projecting from the rear of the assembly. It can be seen thathousing 16 of the connector assembly has a pair oflatch arms 32 which extend laterally outwardly and rearwardly from opposite sides of the plug connector assembly for latching the plug connector assembly in mating engagement within a complementary receptacle connector assembly (not shown) as disclosed in the 4,713,023 patent described above. Suffice it to say,housing 16, includinglatch arms 32, is a unitary structure of dielectric material, such as molded plastic or the like. - Figures 3 and 4 show that
crimp ferrule 30 is generally cylindrical to define a round throughpassage 34 sized to receiveround multiconductor cable 24. As can be seen in Figure 3,crimp ferrule 30 is cut at one end, as at 36, along an angle so that abottom wall section 38 of the ferrule is longer than atop wall section 40. For purposes described hereinafter, the angled cut of the ferrule provides a clearance, as indicated by double-headed arrow 42, in a vertically downward direction to define access means from the top of the ferrule to the multiconductor cable extending through the ferrule. - Figure 5 shows
plug connector assembly 14 in completely assembled condition. It can be seen thatcrimp ferrule 30 has been crimped into a flat configuration onto the stripped end ofmulticonductor cable 24 about thegrounding foil 26, withconductors 22 projecting forwarding from an end of the ferrule and terminated toterminals 20 which have been forced downwardly in the direction of arrow "B" to pierce the insulation of the conductors and terminate the cores of the conductors. It also can be seen thathousing 16 hasstrain relief sections openings strain relief section 44 provides strain relief laterally across the plug assembly for all ofconductors 22, andstrain relief section 46 provides strain relief onto insulatingjacket 28 ofmulticonductor cable 24. - Still referring to Figure 5, it can be seen that
housing 16 ofplug assembly 14 has receptacle means in the form of aninterior cavity 52 for receiving the cable, the receptacle means narrowing in aforward area 52a wherebyconductors 22 are in a flat array for termination to the row ofterminals 20 described in relation to Figure 1. It also can be seen thatshield 18 has aportion 54 bent back into receptacle means 52 along the bottom wall thereof.Shield portion 54 can be seen to be in vertical alignment withstrain relief section 46. Therefore, withcrimp ferrule 30 cut at an angle as described in relation to Figure 3, the clearance 42 (Fig. 3) provides access means forstrain relief section 46 to engage insulatingjacket 28 of the cable whilebottom wall section 38 of the crimp ferrule still is in engagement withshield portion 54. Therefore, ground continuity is established betweenshield 18, itsportion 54, crimpferrule 30 andground foil 26 of the multiconductor cable. - The system of the invention contemplates using
grounding crimp ferrule 30 as a means for positioningconductors 22 ofround cable 28 in a flat array for termination to the row ofterminals 20. In other words, it can be seen in Figures 1, 3 and 4 that crimpferrule 30 initially is provided in a cylindrical configuration with its round throughpassage 34 sized to receiveround cable 24. However, as seen in Figure 5, the crimp ferrule is flattened considerably, after crimping, to maintainconductors 22 in a flat array for termination to the row ofterminals 20. - Specifically, the invention contemplates a method of assembling
connector 16, including the steps of stripping a portion of insulating jacket 28 (Fig. 1) frommulticonductor cable 24 to expose the cable shield or foil 26 and theinsulated conductors 22.Round crimp ferrule 30 then is placed about the round cable, with the vertically cut end of the ferrule generally in line with the stripped end of the insulating jacket of the cable, as seen in Figure 5.Conductors 22 then are sorted in their proper circuit order and laid out in a flat array, being careful not to cross one conductor over another. Crimpferrule 30 then is crimped onto the cable by a generally flat crimping tool to hold the conductors in their sorted and flat array. As will be seen hereinafter, this can be accomplished by placing the subassembly of the ferrule and cable, with the sorted conductors, in an anvil of an application tool, making sure that thetop wall section 40 of the ferrule faces downwardly from the flat array of conductors. The crimped subassembly then can be positioned withininterior cavity 52, and formedarea 52a ofplug connector housing 16, as described above, with the flat array of conductors in position for termination withterminals 20 and with thecrimp ferrule 30 in engagement withshield portion 54. Appropriate application tooling then can be used to driveinsulation piercing terminals 20 intoconductors 22 and to forcestrain relief sections - Figure 6 simply shows one type of application tooling for crimping
crimp ferrule 30 ontomulticonductor cable 24. In particular, a tool may include a mountingbase 60 for positioning on asupport surface 62. Acable guide 64, acrimp anvil 66 and a cut offanvil 68 are fixed to the top of mountingbase 60. Cable guide 64 has atrough 70 for positioningmulticonductor cable 24. Crimpanvil 66 has a generallyflat anvil surface 72 for engaging the bottom ofcrimp ferrule 30. Cut offanvil 68 has a cuttingsurface 74 for trimming ends 22a fromconductors 22. In actual practice, the insulatingjacket 28 ofcable 24 is stripped slightly greater than the length of theconductors 22 to be positioned within the plug assembly housing so that excess ends 22a can be removed to provide a consistent length of the exposed conductors to be positioned within the plug housing. - Still referring to Figure 6, the application tooling may include a
press ram 76 having atool holder 78 for mounting acrimp punch 80 and acutoff blade 82. The crimp punch has adistal end 84 shaped and sized to contain theferrule 30 and to control its width for crimping onto the bottom ofcrimp ferrule 30, oppositeflat surface 72 ofcrimp anvil 66 to flatten the crimp ferrule and maintain the flat sorted array of the conductors. Cut offblade 82 has acutting edge 86 for cutting-off the ends 22a ofconductors 22. - Figures 7-12 show alternative forms of crimp ferrules for carrying out the concepts of the invention. In each instance, the ferrule has a generally round through passage, similar to through
passage 34 ofcrimp ferrule 30, for positioning overround cable 24 in engagement with its grounding means, such asfoil 26. More particularly, Figures 7 and 8 show a round crimp ferrule 30' having a through passage 34'. The crimp ferrule is generally cylindrical except for a lower wall section 38' which projects outwardly from the main portion of the ferrule. In other words, a clearance is provided, as indicated by double-headed arrow "D", sufficient for strain relief section 46 (Fig. 5) to engage the insulating jacket of the cable, while projecting wall section 38' of the crimp ferrule is maintained in engagement withshield portion 54. - Figures 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of a
crimp ferrule 30" which is substantially cylindrical but which is provided with acutout 88 in the top of the ferrule to provide access through the cutout bystrain relief section 46 of the plug connector housing, while the bottom ofcylindrical crimp ferrule 30" is maintained in engagement withshield portion 54. - Figures 11 and 12 show a further modification wherein a
crimp ferrule 30"' is generally cylindrical and is provided with awindow 90 in the top thereof. The window provides access means through whichstrain relief section 46 can be moved into engagement with the insulating jacket of the cable, while the bottom ofcrimp ferrule 30"' is maintained in grounding engagement withshield portion 54.
Claims (8)
- A shielded connector assembly (14) including a round multiconductor cable (24) for connecting same to a complementary connector having a flat array of terminals, the round multiconductor cable (24) including a plurality of insulated conductors (22) within a cable shield (26) and surrounded by an outer insulating jacket (28) which is stripped from the cable to expose the cable shield (26) and the cable shield is turned back upon itself over the outer insulating jacket (28) to expose the insulated conductors (22), comprising:an insulating housing (16) having receptacle means for receiving the insulated conductors (22) in a flat array, a plurality of terminals (20) for termination to the received conductors (22) and for mating with the terminals of the complementary connector,a conductive connector shield means (18) mounted on and about at least a portion of the insulating housing (16) and being connected to said cable shield (26), and a ring member having an inner and an outer end and being placed and crimped over the round connector cable (24), characterized in that said connector shield means (18) has an inner portion (54) extending into the receptacle means,said ring member is a round conductive crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"") in conductive engagement with the exposed cable shield (26) and with the connector shield means inner portion (54), said exposed insulated conductors (22) projecting from said inner end of the crimp ferrule, andin that the crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"") has been crimped into a flat configuration onto the cable (24) for holding the conductors (22) in a generally flat array in the receptacle means of the housing (16).
- The shielded connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing (16) includes strain relief means (44, 46) for the cable (24) at a location generally opposite said portion (54) of the connector shield means (18) in the receptacle means, and the conductive crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"") includes access means (42, D, 88, 90) to accommodate the strain relief means (44, 46) and still maintain the crimp ferrule in engagement with said portion (54) of the connector shield means (18).
- The shielded connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said access means is provided by an angled end (42) of the crimp ferrule (30) providing a short wall section (40) adjacent the strain relief means (44, 46) and a long wall section (38) in engagement with said portion (54) of the shield means (18).
- The shielded connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said access means is provided by a cutout (88) at one end of the crimp ferrule (30" ).
- The shielded connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said access means is provided by an open window (90) in the crimp ferrule (30"').
- A method of producing a shielded connector assembly (14) including a round multiconductor cable (24) for connecting same to a complementary connector having a flat array of terminals, the round multiconductor cable (24) including a plurality of insulated conductors (22) within a cable shield (26) and surrounded by an outer insulating jacket (28), and the shielded connector assembly (14) including an insulating housing (16) having receptacle means for receiving the insulated conductors (22) in a flat array, a plurality of terminals (20) for termination to the received conductors (22) and for mating with the terminals of the complementary connector, and a conductive connector shield means (18) mounted on and about at least a portion of the insulating housing (16) and being connected to said cable shield (26), the method comprising the steps of:stripping a portion of the insulating jacket (28) from the cable (24) to expose the cable shield (26) and the insulated conductors (22);placing and crimping a ring member over the round multiconductor cable (24) and over a portion of the connector shield means (18) in engagement with the exposed cable shield (26) so that the exposed insulated conductors (22) project from the inner end of the ring member;positioning the exposed insulated conductors (22) in a flat array;characterized in that said connector shield means (18) has an inner portion (54) extending into the receptacle means;the ring member is a round conductive crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"") which is brought in conductive engagement (at 38) with the exposed cable shield (26) and with said inner portion (54) of said connector shield means (18),the round conductive crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"") is crimped into a flat configuration onto the cable (24) for holding the exposed projecting conductors (22) in said flat array, andin that the conductive crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"") is positioned in the insulating housing (16) with the connector shield means (18) extending on and about at least a portion of the insulating housing (16).
- The method of claim 6, wherein access means (42, D, 88, 90) in the conductive crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"") is provided and wherein strain relief means (44, 46) is pressed through said access means into said insulating housing (16) at a location generally opposite said inner portion (54) of the connector shield means (18).
- The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein said stripping of a portion of the insulating jacket from the cable is followed by a portion of turning the cable shield (26) back on itself over the remaining outer insulated jacket (28) so as to create an exposed cable shield portion (26) for being engaged by said conductive crimp ferrule (30, 30', 30", 30"', 30"").
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US68607091A | 1991-04-15 | 1991-04-15 | |
US686070 | 1991-04-15 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0509324A2 EP0509324A2 (en) | 1992-10-21 |
EP0509324A3 EP0509324A3 (en) | 1993-05-05 |
EP0509324B1 true EP0509324B1 (en) | 1997-07-02 |
Family
ID=24754780
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92105661A Expired - Lifetime EP0509324B1 (en) | 1991-04-15 | 1992-04-02 | Round-to-flat shielded connector assembly |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0509324B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH0760725B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR950012472B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69220605T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109610717A (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2019-04-12 | 贵州建工安顺建筑工程有限公司 | A kind of installation method of W font furred ceiling keelson |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4398780A (en) * | 1979-07-03 | 1983-08-16 | Amp Incorporated | Shielded electrical connector |
US4713023A (en) * | 1987-01-30 | 1987-12-15 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector and method of assembly |
-
1992
- 1992-04-02 DE DE69220605T patent/DE69220605T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-04-02 EP EP92105661A patent/EP0509324B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-04-13 JP JP4119808A patent/JPH0760725B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-04-14 KR KR1019920006182A patent/KR950012472B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH05159845A (en) | 1993-06-25 |
DE69220605D1 (en) | 1997-08-07 |
KR920020787A (en) | 1992-11-21 |
EP0509324A2 (en) | 1992-10-21 |
JPH0760725B2 (en) | 1995-06-28 |
DE69220605T2 (en) | 1998-02-12 |
KR950012472B1 (en) | 1995-10-18 |
EP0509324A3 (en) | 1993-05-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0276549B1 (en) | Electrical connector and method of assembly | |
EP0907221B1 (en) | Cable interconnection | |
EP0508255B1 (en) | Coaxial cable connector | |
US4681382A (en) | Electrical connector for transmission cable | |
US4701139A (en) | Shielded cable assembly | |
EP0080365B1 (en) | Termination of shielded cable | |
EP0330366B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for terminating flexible wires | |
EP0793311A2 (en) | System for terminating the shield of a high speed cable | |
EP0542075B1 (en) | Method of terminating miniature coaxial electrical connector and resulting terminated connector | |
EP0607485A1 (en) | Modular coaxial cable connector | |
US5281170A (en) | Round-to-flat shielded connector assembly | |
JPH04337262A (en) | Insulating perforating conductive terminal | |
EP0585878B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for securing a crimp-style terminal to a cable | |
EP0525249B1 (en) | Electrical connector and method of connecting shielded cable to same | |
EP0429962B1 (en) | Multiconductor cable connector and method of loading same | |
EP0211496A1 (en) | Double row electrical connector | |
US5238428A (en) | Round-to-flat shielded connector assembly | |
EP0429961B1 (en) | Multiconductor cable connector and method of loading same | |
US20110250797A1 (en) | Cable assembly with improved terminating means | |
EP0090538A2 (en) | Right angle coaxial connector | |
EP0590796B1 (en) | Mixed coaxial connector | |
USRE32810E (en) | Electrical contact for terminating insulated conductors | |
JP3398890B2 (en) | Electrical connector with coaxial cable termination | |
EP0509324B1 (en) | Round-to-flat shielded connector assembly | |
US4538872A (en) | Electrical contact for terminating insulated conductors |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19931105 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19950222 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed |
Owner name: DE DOMINICIS & MAYER S.R.L. |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69220605 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19970807 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20030313 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20030430 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20040402 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20041103 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED. Effective date: 20050402 |