EP0654847A1 - Electrical contact element - Google Patents

Electrical contact element Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0654847A1
EP0654847A1 EP94203165A EP94203165A EP0654847A1 EP 0654847 A1 EP0654847 A1 EP 0654847A1 EP 94203165 A EP94203165 A EP 94203165A EP 94203165 A EP94203165 A EP 94203165A EP 0654847 A1 EP0654847 A1 EP 0654847A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connecting part
contact element
inlet slot
insulating sheath
diameter
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Withdrawn
Application number
EP94203165A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Danny Morlion
Luc Jonckheere
Jan Peter Karel Van Koetsem
Eddy Kamiel Creelle
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.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
Framatome Connectors International SAS
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
Application filed by Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical Framatome Connectors International SAS
Publication of EP0654847A1 publication Critical patent/EP0654847A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/02—Soldered or welded connections
    • H01R4/027—Soldered or welded connections comprising means for positioning or holding the parts to be soldered or welded
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/514—Bases; Cases composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2107/00—Four or more poles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/38—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
    • H01R24/40—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts specially adapted for high frequency
    • H01R24/56—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts specially adapted for high frequency specially adapted to a specific shape of cables, e.g. corrugated cables, twisted pair cables, cables with two screens or hollow cables
    • H01R24/562—Cables with two screens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/02—Soldered or welded connections
    • H01R4/023—Soldered or welded connections between cables or wires and terminals

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electrical contact element, comprising a connecting part for an electrical conductor with an insulating sheath, in particular a contact element of the type for use with conductors of shielded cables.
  • EP-A-0 536 849 discloses a connector with contact elements, wherein the characteristics of the plastic material of the insulating sheath of the electrical conductors is advantageously used for removing the insulating sheath of the electrical conductors. As this material is relatively soft, the insulating sheath can easily be shoved on the electrical conductor, whereby the free end of the conductor is exposed.
  • a stop for the insulating sheath is mounted in the connector, said stop holding the insulating sheath when the conductor is shoved into the connector, whereby the conductor is exposed on the connecting part of the corresponding contact element.
  • the construction of the connector should meet high requirements as the stop must be located at an accurately predetermined position with respect to the connecting part, while the conductors with the insulating sheath should be led to the connecting part and the stop in an accurate manner.
  • the invention aims to provide an electrical contact element which is made in a simple manner and when used in for example connectors for shielded cables does not call for further requirements for the connector for removing the insulating sheath of the conductor to be connected.
  • the electrical contact element of the invention is characterized in that the connecting part is provided with an inlet slot at its free end, wherein the width of the inlet slot is at least equal to the diameter of the electrical conductor but smaller than the diameter of the insulating sheath.
  • the connecting part of the contact element itself is advantageously used as stop for the insulating sheath, said stop being automatically located at the correct position with respect to the electrical conductor.
  • Fig. 1 shows a module of a connector which is provided with electrical contacts according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows the module of Fig. 1, wherein the electrical conductors of two shielded cables are placed on the connecting parts of the contacts.
  • Fig. 3-5 show a module of a connector which is provided with a second embodiment of the electrical contact element of the invention in different phases during connecting a shielded cable.
  • a module 1 of a connector not further shown is shown in a perspective view, wherein further two shielded cables 2 are shown.
  • the module is part of an assembled housing of the connector which is further described in a patent application of applicant of the same date. For a further description of the assembled housing reference is made to this patent application.
  • the shielded cables are made as a cable with a differential pair of signal conductors 3 and a ground or drain conductor 4.
  • the signal conductors 3 are provided with an insulating sheath 5 which consists of a relatively soft plastic material.
  • the signal conductors 3 together with the ground conductor 4 are enclosed by a metallized foil 6 working as a shielding which in turn is enclosed by an outer jacket 7 of insulating material.
  • a central ground contact element 8 and at both sides thereof two signal contact elements 9 are mounted, said contact elements 8, 9 being made identically.
  • the contact elements 8, 9 are mainly enclosed by the insulating material of the module 1 and only a connecting part 10 for the conductors 3, 4 can be seen in Fig. 1 and 2.
  • the contact elements 8, 9 are provided with spring elements in a usual manner, said spring elements being accessible through openings 11 for contact pins known per se.
  • An inlet slot 12 is provided in the free end of each connecting part 10, said inlet slot 12 joining the free end edge 13 of the connecting part 10 through a conically widening portion.
  • the width of the inlet slot 12 is at least equal to the diameter of the conductors 3, 4 but smaller than the diameter of the insulating sheath 5.
  • the inlet slot 12 joins an opening 14 at the side opposite of the end edge 13, the width of the opening 14 being at least twice the diameter of the ground conductor 4. Despite this larger opening the connecting part 10 at the location of the inlet slot 12 remains operating as stop for the insulating sheath 5 so that the contact element described is suitable for different applications.
  • Fig. 3-5 show a module 15 to which a twinaxial cable 16 can be connected.
  • the twinaxial cable includes two signal conductors 3 with insulating sheath 5 and a ground conductor 4.
  • the module 15 has two signal contact elements 17 mainly made in the same manner as the signal contact element 9. In this case, however, the connecting parts 10 are made without the openings 14.
  • the signal contact elements 17 are located in a dielectrical intermediate piece 18 which is surrounded by an outer conductor 19.
  • This outer conductor 19 has a connecting part 20 for connecting the ground conductor 4.
  • the connecting part 10 operates as a stop for the insulating sheath 5, so that by shifting the signal conductors 3 into the contact elements 17, these signal conductors are automatically exposed.
  • a cover lip 21 is bent into the position shown in Fig. 5, so that the connecting parts 10 are fully enclosed.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical contact element comprises a connecting part for an electrical conductor with an insulating sheath. The connecting part is provided with an inlet slot at its free end. The width of the inlet slot is at least equal to the diameter of the electrical conductor but smaller than the diameter of the insulating sheath.

Description

  • The invention relates to an electrical contact element, comprising a connecting part for an electrical conductor with an insulating sheath, in particular a contact element of the type for use with conductors of shielded cables.
  • EP-A-0 536 849 discloses a connector with contact elements, wherein the characteristics of the plastic material of the insulating sheath of the electrical conductors is advantageously used for removing the insulating sheath of the electrical conductors. As this material is relatively soft, the insulating sheath can easily be shoved on the electrical conductor, whereby the free end of the conductor is exposed. In the known connector a stop for the insulating sheath is mounted in the connector, said stop holding the insulating sheath when the conductor is shoved into the connector, whereby the conductor is exposed on the connecting part of the corresponding contact element. Although by this embodiment of the connector the conductors of the cable to be connected are exposed in a simple manner, the construction of the connector should meet high requirements as the stop must be located at an accurately predetermined position with respect to the connecting part, while the conductors with the insulating sheath should be led to the connecting part and the stop in an accurate manner.
  • The invention aims to provide an electrical contact element which is made in a simple manner and when used in for example connectors for shielded cables does not call for further requirements for the connector for removing the insulating sheath of the conductor to be connected.
  • To this end the electrical contact element of the invention is characterized in that the connecting part is provided with an inlet slot at its free end, wherein the width of the inlet slot is at least equal to the diameter of the electrical conductor but smaller than the diameter of the insulating sheath.
  • In this manner the connecting part of the contact element itself is advantageously used as stop for the insulating sheath, said stop being automatically located at the correct position with respect to the electrical conductor.
  • The invention will be further explained hereinafter by reference to the drawings, in which two embodiments of the electrical contact element of the invention are shown.
  • Fig. 1 shows a module of a connector which is provided with electrical contacts according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows the module of Fig. 1, wherein the electrical conductors of two shielded cables are placed on the connecting parts of the contacts.
  • Fig. 3-5 show a module of a connector which is provided with a second embodiment of the electrical contact element of the invention in different phases during connecting a shielded cable.
  • In Fig. 1 a module 1 of a connector not further shown, is shown in a perspective view, wherein further two shielded cables 2 are shown. The module is part of an assembled housing of the connector which is further described in a patent application of applicant of the same date. For a further description of the assembled housing reference is made to this patent application.
  • In this case the shielded cables are made as a cable with a differential pair of signal conductors 3 and a ground or drain conductor 4. The signal conductors 3 are provided with an insulating sheath 5 which consists of a relatively soft plastic material. The signal conductors 3 together with the ground conductor 4 are enclosed by a metallized foil 6 working as a shielding which in turn is enclosed by an outer jacket 7 of insulating material.
  • In the module 1 a central ground contact element 8 and at both sides thereof two signal contact elements 9 are mounted, said contact elements 8, 9 being made identically. The contact elements 8, 9 are mainly enclosed by the insulating material of the module 1 and only a connecting part 10 for the conductors 3, 4 can be seen in Fig. 1 and 2. At the end opposite of the connecting part 10 the contact elements 8, 9 are provided with spring elements in a usual manner, said spring elements being accessible through openings 11 for contact pins known per se.
  • An inlet slot 12 is provided in the free end of each connecting part 10, said inlet slot 12 joining the free end edge 13 of the connecting part 10 through a conically widening portion. The width of the inlet slot 12 is at least equal to the diameter of the conductors 3, 4 but smaller than the diameter of the insulating sheath 5. Thereby, it is obtained that the connecting part 10 itself operates as stop for the insulating sheath 5 when the cable 2 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 1 into the position of Fig. 2. The connecting part 10 stops the insulating sheath 5 so that the signal conductors 3 are exposed on the connecting part 10. For an optimal operation the end of the connecting part 10 is bent upwardly along at least a part of the length of the inlet slot 12 so that this part extends obliquely upwardly with respect to the remaining connecting part 10.
  • For applications wherein the central ground contact 8 should receive two ground conductors 4, the inlet slot 12 joins an opening 14 at the side opposite of the end edge 13, the width of the opening 14 being at least twice the diameter of the ground conductor 4. Despite this larger opening the connecting part 10 at the location of the inlet slot 12 remains operating as stop for the insulating sheath 5 so that the contact element described is suitable for different applications.
  • Fig. 3-5 show a module 15 to which a twinaxial cable 16 can be connected. The twinaxial cable includes two signal conductors 3 with insulating sheath 5 and a ground conductor 4. The module 15 has two signal contact elements 17 mainly made in the same manner as the signal contact element 9. In this case, however, the connecting parts 10 are made without the openings 14. The signal contact elements 17 are located in a dielectrical intermediate piece 18 which is surrounded by an outer conductor 19. This outer conductor 19 has a connecting part 20 for connecting the ground conductor 4. As shown in Fig. 3 and 4, the connecting part 10 operates as a stop for the insulating sheath 5, so that by shifting the signal conductors 3 into the contact elements 17, these signal conductors are automatically exposed. After soldering or welding the signal conductors 3 to the connecting part 10, a cover lip 21 is bent into the position shown in Fig. 5, so that the connecting parts 10 are fully enclosed.
  • The invention is not restricted to the embodiments shown which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

  1. Electrical contact element, comprising a connecting part for an electrical conductor with an insulating sheath, characterized in that the connecting part is provided with an inlet slot at its free end, wherein the width of the inlet slot is at least equal to the diameter of the electrical conductor but smaller than the diameter of the insulating sheath.
  2. Contact element according to claim 1, characterized in that said inlet slot debouches in the end edge of the free end of the connecting part.
  3. Contact element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inlet slot widens conically into said end edge.
  4. Contact element according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said free end of the connecting part extends obliquely upwardly along at least a part of the length of the inlet slot with respect to the remaining connecting part.
  5. Contact element according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet slot at the side opposite of said end edge joins an opening having a width of at least twice the diameter of the electrical conductor.
EP94203165A 1993-11-19 1994-10-31 Electrical contact element Withdrawn EP0654847A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL9302006 1993-11-19
NL9302006A NL9302006A (en) 1993-11-19 1993-11-19 Electric contact element.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0654847A1 true EP0654847A1 (en) 1995-05-24

Family

ID=19863157

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94203165A Withdrawn EP0654847A1 (en) 1993-11-19 1994-10-31 Electrical contact element

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0654847A1 (en)
NL (1) NL9302006A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5766036A (en) * 1996-10-11 1998-06-16 Molex Incorporated Impedance matched cable assembly having latching subassembly
US5830010A (en) * 1996-10-11 1998-11-03 Molex Incorporated Impedance matched cable assembly
US6364701B1 (en) 1996-03-01 2002-04-02 Molex Incorporated System for terminating the shield of a high speed cable
EP1529323A1 (en) * 2002-08-15 2005-05-11 3M Innovative Properties Company Electrical contact

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB377160A (en) * 1930-01-13 1932-07-21 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to terminals for conductors
US2263539A (en) * 1939-05-03 1941-11-18 Cinch Mfg Corp Soldering lug
US2664553A (en) * 1950-09-14 1953-12-29 Epstein Hirsch Soldering terminal for electrical wires
DE1002435B (en) * 1954-04-07 1957-02-14 Siemens Ag Clamp for insulated conductors that can be attached to electrical connection lugs
DE2444892A1 (en) * 1974-09-19 1976-04-01 Siemens Ag PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF STRIP-SHAPED CONNECTING ELEMENTS
EP0536849A1 (en) * 1991-10-09 1993-04-14 Framatome Connectors Belgium N.V. Contact device for a cable with one or more inner conductors

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB377160A (en) * 1930-01-13 1932-07-21 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to terminals for conductors
US2263539A (en) * 1939-05-03 1941-11-18 Cinch Mfg Corp Soldering lug
US2664553A (en) * 1950-09-14 1953-12-29 Epstein Hirsch Soldering terminal for electrical wires
DE1002435B (en) * 1954-04-07 1957-02-14 Siemens Ag Clamp for insulated conductors that can be attached to electrical connection lugs
DE2444892A1 (en) * 1974-09-19 1976-04-01 Siemens Ag PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF STRIP-SHAPED CONNECTING ELEMENTS
EP0536849A1 (en) * 1991-10-09 1993-04-14 Framatome Connectors Belgium N.V. Contact device for a cable with one or more inner conductors

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6364701B1 (en) 1996-03-01 2002-04-02 Molex Incorporated System for terminating the shield of a high speed cable
US5766036A (en) * 1996-10-11 1998-06-16 Molex Incorporated Impedance matched cable assembly having latching subassembly
US5830010A (en) * 1996-10-11 1998-11-03 Molex Incorporated Impedance matched cable assembly
EP1529323A1 (en) * 2002-08-15 2005-05-11 3M Innovative Properties Company Electrical contact
EP1798820A1 (en) * 2002-08-15 2007-06-20 3M Innovative Properties Company Electrical contact

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL9302006A (en) 1995-06-16

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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