EP0802581A2 - Cable branch connector for electrically connecting multicore trunk cables and multicore branch cables with each other - Google Patents
Cable branch connector for electrically connecting multicore trunk cables and multicore branch cables with each other Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0802581A2 EP0802581A2 EP97106141A EP97106141A EP0802581A2 EP 0802581 A2 EP0802581 A2 EP 0802581A2 EP 97106141 A EP97106141 A EP 97106141A EP 97106141 A EP97106141 A EP 97106141A EP 0802581 A2 EP0802581 A2 EP 0802581A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cables
- branch
- case
- cable
- 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.)
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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
- 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
- H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
- H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
- H01R4/242—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members being plates having a single slot
- H01R4/2425—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates
- H01R4/2429—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates mounted in an insulating base
- H01R4/2433—Flat plates, e.g. multi-layered flat plates mounted in an insulating base one part of the base being movable to push the cable into the slot
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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
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
- H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
- H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
- H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a cable branch connector for electrically connecting multicore trunk cables and multicore branch cables with each other.
- Fig.17 is a perspective view of a conventional branch connector being disassembled.
- the reference numeral 121 denotes a housing
- numeral 122 denotes a first cable receiving portion for receiving trunk cables 128 which are for signal transfer or for power supply
- numeral 123 denotes a second cable receiving portion for receiving branch cables 130.
- the first and second cable receiving portions 122,123 are formed on the back and the surface side, respectively, of the housing 121.
- Numeral 124 denotes a contact member having electrical conductivity and formed by insert molding in the housing 121 so as to project from each of the cable receiving portions 122,123.
- Numerals 125 and 126 denote engaging lugs formed plurally at predetermined positions on the side faces of the housing 121.
- Numerals 129 and 131 denote covers, which are formed with cable receiving portions 132 in corresponding relation to the cable receiving portions 122,123 and also formed with engaging pieces 133.
- Numerals 134 and 135 denote first and second engaging holes formed in each engaging piece 133.
- the engaging lugs 125 and 126 of the housing 121 come into engagement with the first engaging holes 134 of the engaging pieces 133, and in a completely engaged state of the covers with the housing, the engaging lugs 125 and 126 are engaged with the engaging holes 135.
- the trunk cables 128 and the branch cables 130 which are arranged in up and down relation to each other, are interconnected electrically by means of the contact members 124.
- the conventional cable branch connector is constructed as above, if the trunk cables 128 and the branch cables 130 are flat cables, it is easy to mount them to the cable receiving portions 122 and 123 formed on the back and the front surface sides, respectively, of the housing 121.
- the cables are held by only the contact members 124 and thus the cable holding force is weak, so that the cables when pulled are apt to come off the connector.
- the present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned problems and it is an object of the invention to provide a cable branch connector which can ensure both high connecting work efficiency and high reliability of connection.
- a cable branch connector comprising a case, the case having holding members for holding trunk cables and branch cables, which are to be connected together, in an adjacent and parallel manner; conducting members for making the trunk cables and the branch cables conductive with each other; a cover formed so that it can be mounted to the case; and engaging means for holding the cover in a temporarily engaged state spaced at a predetermined distance from the case and for locking the cover when mounted to the case.
- a cable branch connector wherein the cover has urging projections for urging the trunk and branch cables to the case side when the cover is mounted to the case.
- a cable branch connector wherein the conducting members each have a pressing blade for pressure contact with the associated trunk cable, a pressing blade for pressure contact with the associated branch cable, and a connecting piece for connecting the two blades with each other in such a manner that the blades are arranged obliquely relative to each other.
- a cable branch connector wherein branch cable end insertion holes for insertion therein of end portions of the branch cables are formed in the case.
- a cable branch connector wherein branch cable holding ribs for pressing and holding end portions of the branch cables are formed on the case.
- the reference numeral 1 denotes a trunk cable which is a twisted pair cable for signal transfer or for power supply
- the numeral 2 denotes a branch cable for branching from the trunk cable.
- Numeral 3 denotes a case having cable holding posts (holding members) 4 for holding the trunk cables 1 and the branch cables 2 to be connected together in such a manner that both cables are arranged in an adjacent and parallel manner.
- the case 3 has an outer surface formed in a shape such that when a cover 20 is pressed against the case 3 using a pressing tool available commercially, the area of abutment of the case outer surface with the pressing tool is as large as possible and that the pressing force is applied uniformly to the case outer surface.
- Numeral 4a denotes a trunk cable holding porjection for temporarily holding each trunk cable 1 in a sandwiched state between adjacent cable holding posts 4
- Numeral 4b denotes a branch cable holding projection for temporarilty holding each brach cable 2 in a sandwiched state between adjacent cable holding posts 4.
- Numeral 5 denotes a cable bending rib which clamps the cables when the case 3 and the cover 20 to be described later are pressed against each other. As shown in Figs.15 and 16, the cables are held by both cable receiving ends 3a formed at upper edges of the case 3 and cable pressing ends 20a formed at lower edges of the cover 20.
- Numeral 6 denotes a solderless terminal (conducting member) formed of, say, a copper alloy for coduction between the trunk cables 1 and the branch cables 2 to be connected together.
- the pressing terminal 6 is provided with two pressing blades 6a each having a U-shaped groove for press-fitting therein of the associated trunk cable 1 or branch cable 2, and a connecting piece 6b for interconnecting the pressing blades 6a in such a manner that the blades are arranged obliquely relative to each other.
- the blades for both trunk cable 1 and branch cable 2 there is no distinction between the blades for both trunk cable 1 and branch cable 2. Therefore, it is optional in which direction the pressing blades are to face when each cable is press-fitted into the U-shaped grooves.
- the pressing blades 6a are formed so that they can break the coating of the associated trunk cable 1 or branch cable 2 to provide conduction between both cables.
- the pressing blades 6a are each provided at the lower portion thereof with projections 6c for preventing dislodgment of each solderless terminal 6 after press-fitted into a solderless terminal press-fitting portion 7 which is recessed in the case 3.
- Numeral 8 denotes a branch cable end insertion hole formed in the case 3 for insertion therein of an end portion of each branch cable 2 to hold the same cable.
- Numeral 9 denotes a branch cable supporting rib formed in a pair on each cable holding post 4 to press and hold an end portion of the associated branch cable 2.
- the branch cable holding ribs 9 each have a generally triangular shape in horizontal section and are formed so that the spacing between the paired ribs 9 is narrower at the bottom. That is, the lower the position where each branch cable 2 is press-fitted between adjacent cable holding posts 4, the stronger the pressing force exerted on the branch cable from the branch cable holding ribs 9.
- An internal structure of the case 3 composed of the above components is in the shape of 180-deg. rotation symmetry, as shown in Fig.5, so that the case 3 and the cover 20 can be easily pressed against each other without the need for the worker to consider the direction of the case.
- Numeral 10 denotes a temporary retaining portion (engaging means) projecting from each of the right and left outer side faces of the case 3 to hold the cover in a temporarily engaged state spacedly a predetermined distance from the case when the cover is mounted to the case.
- Numeral 11 denotes a retaining portion (engaging means) projecting from each of right and left outer side faces of the case 3 below and spacedly from the temporary retaining portion 10. This spaced distance between the temporary retaining portion 10 and the retaining portion 11 permits the creation of the above temporarily engaged state.
- Numeral 12 denotes a guide portion which, in mounting the cover 20 to the case 3, comes into engagement with a slit portion 22 to be described later of the cover 20 to position the cover and the case with respect to each other.
- the cover 20 is formed so that it can be mounted to the case 3. It has an outer surface formed in such a shape that, when the cover is pressed against the case using a pressing tool available commercially, the area of abutment of the outer surface with the pressing tool is as large as possible and that a uniform pressing force is applied to the outer surface.
- the peripheral edge portion of the cover 20 is cut out in a predetermined shape so that the trunk cables 1 and branch cables 2 can pass therethrough when the cover and the case are pressed against each other.
- the cover 20 has an internal structure of a shape which is 180-deg. rotation symmetry. This shape of an internal structure permits the cover 20 to be brought into pressure engagement with the case 3 without the need for the worker to consider the direction of the cover.
- Numeral 21 denotes an urging projection for urging the trunk and branch cables 1,2 to the case 3 side when the cover is mounted to the case.
- Numeral 22 denotes a slit portion for engagement with the associated guide portion 12 of the case 3.
- Numeral 24 denotes an engaging projection (engaging means) capable of engagement with the temporary retaining portion 10 and retaining portions 11.
- the trunk cables 1 and the branch cables 2 to be connected together are arranged at predetermined positions in an adjacent parallel manner.
- the operation for such an adjacent arrangement can be done easily because the cables have respective predetermined colors on their coatings.
- the trunk cables 1 are brought into engagement with the solderless terminals 6 and are each sandwiched in between adjacent cable holding posts 4 by means of the trunk cable holding projections 4a, whereby the trunk cables are held temporarily.
- branch cables 2 are held by inserting their end portions 2a into the branch cable end insertion holes 8 (Fig. 10) and also by means of the branch cable holding ribs 9. Further, for temporary fixing, the branch cables 2 are each sandwiched in between adjacent cable holding posts 4 by means of the branch cable holding projections 4b.
- trunk cables 1 and the branch cables 2 are easily mounted temporarily to the case 3.
- trunk and branch cables 1,2 are urged to the case 3 side by the urging projections 21 of the cover 20.
- the trunk and branch cables 1,2 are broken their coatings by the pressing blades 6a and come into conduction with each other, so that the branch connection is completed.
- trunk and branch cables 1,2 are bent by the bending ribs 5 and pulled outward, resulting in that the proportion of the cable portions whose coatings are broken by the pressing blades 6a increases to a further extent and hence the connection becomes more reliable.
- trunk and branch cables 1,2 after the pressure engagement of the cover with the case are bent and clamped firmly by both cover 20 and bending ribs 5, as shown in Figs.15 and 16, so even if the cables are pulled outward, this tension is difficult to be applied to the solderless terminals 6, which terminals therefore can be prevented from being damaged.
- the connection reliability is enhanced.
- branch cable end insertion holes 8 are formed in the case 3, the worker can recognize at a glance in which position the end portion 2a of each branch cable 2 should be located. That is, the temporary mounting work for the cables can be done quickly.
- the internal structure of the case 3 and that of the cover 20 are each in the shape of 180-deg. rotation symmetry, the cover 20 can be mounted to the case 3 easily without the need for the worker to consider the direction of the cover and the case. Thus, the working efficiency is high.
- case 3 and the cover 20 can be held in a temporarily engaged state, the worker can perform the case-cover pressing work easily while having in one hand the case 3 which is in a state of temporary engagement with the cover and while having a pressing tool in the other hand.
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- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)
- Cable Accessories (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
Abstract
The cable branch connector for electrically connecting multicore trunk cables and multicore branch cables with each other comprises a case having holding members for holding trunk cables and branch cables, which are to be connected together, in an adjacent and parallel manner, solderless terminals for making the trunk cables and the branch cables conductive with each other, a cover formed so that it can be mounted to the case, and engaging means for holding the cover in a temporarily engaged state spaced at a predetermined distance from the case and for locking the cover mounted to the case.
Description
- The present invention relates to a cable branch connector for electrically connecting multicore trunk cables and multicore branch cables with each other.
- As a cable branch connector, for example, the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Unexamined Publication No. 62468/94 has been known heretofore. Reference will be made below to such a conventional cable branch connector.
- Fig.17 is a perspective view of a conventional branch connector being disassembled. In the same figure, the
reference numeral 121 denotes a housing,numeral 122 denotes a first cable receiving portion for receivingtrunk cables 128 which are for signal transfer or for power supply, andnumeral 123 denotes a second cable receiving portion for receivingbranch cables 130. The first and second cable receiving portions 122,123 are formed on the back and the surface side, respectively, of thehousing 121. Numeral 124 denotes a contact member having electrical conductivity and formed by insert molding in thehousing 121 so as to project from each of the cable receiving portions 122,123.Numerals housing 121.Numerals cable receiving portions 132 in corresponding relation to the cable receiving portions 122,123 and also formed withengaging pieces 133.Numerals engaging piece 133. - In assembling, when the
covers housing 121 spaced at a predetermined distance, theengaging lugs housing 121 come into engagement with the firstengaging holes 134 of theengaging pieces 133, and in a completely engaged state of the covers with the housing, theengaging lugs engaging holes 135. In this state, thetrunk cables 128 and thebranch cables 130, which are arranged in up and down relation to each other, are interconnected electrically by means of thecontact members 124. - Since the conventional cable branch connector is constructed as above, if the
trunk cables 128 and thebranch cables 130 are flat cables, it is easy to mount them to thecable receiving portions housing 121. - However, in the case of mounting twisted pair cables consisting of discrete trunk or branch cables, it is required to perform their mounting work while checking the cables one by one and while holding them temporarily in the
cable receiving portions housing 121. Thus, the working efficiency is poor and the cables are apt to be mounted in wrong positions. - Moreover, since it is difficult to hold the twisted pair cables temporarily at the time of mounting, if there are limitations on the space for working, for example if the working space is intricate or narrow, the working efficiency is further deteriorated, and the cables will come off when the covers are brought into pressure engagement with the housing.
- Further, after the said pressure engagement, the cables are held by only the
contact members 124 and thus the cable holding force is weak, so that the cables when pulled are apt to come off the connector. - Thus, a cable branch connector which permits mounting of even twisted piar cables firmly has not been provided heretofore.
- The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned problems and it is an object of the invention to provide a cable branch connector which can ensure both high connecting work efficiency and high reliability of connection.
- In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cable branch connector comprising a case, the case having holding members for holding trunk cables and branch cables, which are to be connected together, in an adjacent and parallel manner; conducting members for making the trunk cables and the branch cables conductive with each other; a cover formed so that it can be mounted to the case; and engaging means for holding the cover in a temporarily engaged state spaced at a predetermined distance from the case and for locking the cover when mounted to the case. With this construction, both high connecting work efficiency and high reliability of connection can be ensured not only in the case where the cables to be connected are flat cables but also where they are twisted pair cables.
- According to the second aspect of the present invention, in combination with the cable branch connector of the first aspect, there is provided a cable branch connector wherein the cover has urging projections for urging the trunk and branch cables to the case side when the cover is mounted to the case. With this construction, the trunk and branch cables can be held more firmly and it is possible to obtain a high reliability of connection.
- According to the third aspect of the present invention, in combination with the cable branch connector of the first aspect, there is provided a cable branch connector wherein the conducting members each have a pressing blade for pressure contact with the associated trunk cable, a pressing blade for pressure contact with the associated branch cable, and a connecting piece for connecting the two blades with each other in such a manner that the blades are arranged obliquely relative to each other. With this construction, adjacent trunk and branch cables can be surely conducted with each other in a simple shape. Besides, it is not necessary to determine in what order the cables are to be mounted in accordance with signals. Thus, the working efficiency is improved.
- According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in combination with the cable branch connector of the first aspect, there is provided a cable branch connector wherein branch cable end insertion holes for insertion therein of end portions of the branch cables are formed in the case. With this construction, end portions of the branch cables can be held easily and the assembling work efficiency is improved.
- According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in combination with the cable branch connector of the fourth aspect, there is provided a cable branch connector wherein branch cable holding ribs for pressing and holding end portions of the branch cables are formed on the case. With this construction, the branch cables inserted into the branch cable end insertion holes are held more firmly and difficult to be disengaged from those holes. Thus, the connecting work efficiency and the reliability of connection are further improved.
- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood more fully from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig.1 is a perspective view of a cable branch connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing in what state the connector is assembled;
- Fig.2 is a perspective view showing a solderless terminal used in the cable branch connector;
- Fig.3 is a perspective view of a case of the cable branch connector, showing a state before mounting of the solderless terminals;
- Fig.4 is a perspective view of the case after mounting of the solderless terminals;
- Fig.5 is a plan view showing the interior of the case;
- Fig.6 is a plan view showing the interior of a cover of the cable branch connector;
- Fig.7 is a front view in vertical section showing a state before mounting of the cover to the case;
- Fig.8 is a side view in vertical section of the cable branch connector in the state shown in Fig.7;
- Fig.9 is a plan view of the cable branch connector, showing a temporarily mounted state of trunk and branch cables to the case;
- Fig.10 is a diagram showing an end portion of a branch cable as inserted into a branch cable end insertion hole;
- Fig.11 is a diagram showing in what manner the cover is pressed against the case, using a commercially available tool;
- Fig.12 is a front view in vertical section showing a temporarily mounted state of the cover to the case;
- Fig.13 is a perspective view showing the cover as pressed against the case;
- Fig.14 is a front view in vertical section of Fig.13;
- Fig.15 is a side view in vertical section showing a pressed state of a trunk cable;
- Fig.16 is a side view in vertical section showing a pressed state of a branch cable; and
- Fig.17 is a perspective view of a conventional cable branch connector being disassembled.
- The present invention will be described in detail hereinunder by way of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- In Figs.1 to 6, the
reference numeral 1 denotes a trunk cable which is a twisted pair cable for signal transfer or for power supply, and thenumeral 2 denotes a branch cable for branching from the trunk cable. Although the following description is based on the assumption that thetrunk cable 1 and thebranch cable 2 are twisted pair cables, it goes without saying that they may be flat cables. - Numeral 3 denotes a case having cable holding posts (holding members) 4 for holding the
trunk cables 1 and thebranch cables 2 to be connected together in such a manner that both cables are arranged in an adjacent and parallel manner. Thecase 3 has an outer surface formed in a shape such that when acover 20 is pressed against thecase 3 using a pressing tool available commercially, the area of abutment of the case outer surface with the pressing tool is as large as possible and that the pressing force is applied uniformly to the case outer surface. - Numeral 4a denotes a trunk cable holding porjection for temporarily holding each
trunk cable 1 in a sandwiched state between adjacentcable holding posts 4, Numeral 4b denotes a branch cable holding projection for temporarilty holding eachbrach cable 2 in a sandwiched state between adjacentcable holding posts 4. Numeral 5 denotes a cable bending rib which clamps the cables when thecase 3 and thecover 20 to be described later are pressed against each other. As shown in Figs.15 and 16, the cables are held by both cable receivingends 3a formed at upper edges of thecase 3 and cablepressing ends 20a formed at lower edges of thecover 20. - Numeral 6 denotes a solderless terminal (conducting member) formed of, say, a copper alloy for coduction between the
trunk cables 1 and thebranch cables 2 to be connected together. Thepressing terminal 6 is provided with twopressing blades 6a each having a U-shaped groove for press-fitting therein of the associatedtrunk cable 1 orbranch cable 2, and a connectingpiece 6b for interconnecting thepressing blades 6a in such a manner that the blades are arranged obliquely relative to each other. Thus, there is no distinction between the blades for bothtrunk cable 1 andbranch cable 2. Therefore, it is optional in which direction the pressing blades are to face when each cable is press-fitted into the U-shaped grooves. - The
pressing blades 6a are formed so that they can break the coating of the associatedtrunk cable 1 orbranch cable 2 to provide conduction between both cables. - The
pressing blades 6a are each provided at the lower portion thereof withprojections 6c for preventing dislodgment of eachsolderless terminal 6 after press-fitted into a solderless terminal press-fittingportion 7 which is recessed in thecase 3. -
Numeral 8 denotes a branch cable end insertion hole formed in thecase 3 for insertion therein of an end portion of eachbranch cable 2 to hold the same cable. -
Numeral 9 denotes a branch cable supporting rib formed in a pair on eachcable holding post 4 to press and hold an end portion of the associatedbranch cable 2. The branchcable holding ribs 9 each have a generally triangular shape in horizontal section and are formed so that the spacing between the pairedribs 9 is narrower at the bottom. That is, the lower the position where eachbranch cable 2 is press-fitted between adjacentcable holding posts 4, the stronger the pressing force exerted on the branch cable from the branchcable holding ribs 9. - An internal structure of the
case 3 composed of the above components is in the shape of 180-deg. rotation symmetry, as shown in Fig.5, so that thecase 3 and thecover 20 can be easily pressed against each other without the need for the worker to consider the direction of the case. -
Numeral 10 denotes a temporary retaining portion (engaging means) projecting from each of the right and left outer side faces of thecase 3 to hold the cover in a temporarily engaged state spacedly a predetermined distance from the case when the cover is mounted to the case. -
Numeral 11 denotes a retaining portion (engaging means) projecting from each of right and left outer side faces of thecase 3 below and spacedly from thetemporary retaining portion 10. This spaced distance between thetemporary retaining portion 10 and the retainingportion 11 permits the creation of the above temporarily engaged state. -
Numeral 12 denotes a guide portion which, in mounting thecover 20 to thecase 3, comes into engagement with aslit portion 22 to be described later of thecover 20 to position the cover and the case with respect to each other. - The
cover 20 is formed so that it can be mounted to thecase 3. It has an outer surface formed in such a shape that, when the cover is pressed against the case using a pressing tool available commercially, the area of abutment of the outer surface with the pressing tool is as large as possible and that a uniform pressing force is applied to the outer surface. - The peripheral edge portion of the
cover 20 is cut out in a predetermined shape so that thetrunk cables 1 andbranch cables 2 can pass therethrough when the cover and the case are pressed against each other. - As shown in Fig.6, moreover, the
cover 20 has an internal structure of a shape which is 180-deg. rotation symmetry. This shape of an internal structure permits thecover 20 to be brought into pressure engagement with thecase 3 without the need for the worker to consider the direction of the cover. -
Numeral 21 denotes an urging projection for urging the trunk andbranch cables case 3 side when the cover is mounted to the case. -
Numeral 22 denotes a slit portion for engagement with the associatedguide portion 12 of thecase 3. -
Numeral 24 denotes an engaging projection (engaging means) capable of engagement with thetemporary retaining portion 10 and retainingportions 11. - In assembling, as shown in Figs.7 and 8, the
trunk cables 1 and thebranch cables 2 to be connected together are arranged at predetermined positions in an adjacent parallel manner. The operation for such an adjacent arrangement can be done easily because the cables have respective predetermined colors on their coatings. - Next, as shown in Fig.9, the
trunk cables 1 are brought into engagement with thesolderless terminals 6 and are each sandwiched in between adjacentcable holding posts 4 by means of the trunkcable holding projections 4a, whereby the trunk cables are held temporarily. - The
branch cables 2 are held by inserting theirend portions 2a into the branch cable end insertion holes 8 (Fig. 10) and also by means of the branchcable holding ribs 9. Further, for temporary fixing, thebranch cables 2 are each sandwiched in between adjacentcable holding posts 4 by means of the branchcable holding projections 4b. - In this way the
trunk cables 1 and thebranch cables 2 are easily mounted temporarily to thecase 3. - Next, as shown in Fig.12, for temporary engagement of the
cover 20 with thecase 3, the engagingprojections 24 of thecover 20 are brought into engagement with thetemporary retaining portions 10 of thecase 3. At this time, theslit portions 22 and theguide portions 12 come into engagement with each other, so that thecase 3 and thecover 20 can be positioned with respect to each other easily and quickly. - Then, as shown in Fig.11, the
case 3 and thecover 20 are clamped by apressing tool 23 available commercially and pressed together until engagement of the engagingprojections 24 with the retainingportions 11 as in Fig. 14. - As a result, the trunk and
branch cables case 3 side by the urgingprojections 21 of thecover 20. At this time, the trunk andbranch cables pressing blades 6a and come into conduction with each other, so that the branch connection is completed. - Moreover, when urged to the
case 3 side as above, the trunk andbranch cables ribs 5 and pulled outward, resulting in that the proportion of the cable portions whose coatings are broken by thepressing blades 6a increases to a further extent and hence the connection becomes more reliable. - Further, the trunk and
branch cables ribs 5, as shown in Figs.15 and 16, so even if the cables are pulled outward, this tension is difficult to be applied to thesolderless terminals 6, which terminals therefore can be prevented from being damaged. Thus, the connection reliability is enhanced. - According to this embodiment, as described above, not only in the case where the cables to be connected are flat cables but also where they are twisted pair cables, it is possible to easily effect temporary mounting of the cables and the case-cover pressing work. Consequently, it is possible to improve the connecting work efficiency and enhance the reliability of the connection.
- In particular, since the connector components required in the case-cover pressing work are only the
case 3 with solderless terminals 6 pre-mounted thereon and thecover 20, not only the cable connecting work is easy, but also the components cost can be reduced. - Besides, since the branch cable end insertion holes 8 are formed in the
case 3, the worker can recognize at a glance in which position theend portion 2a of eachbranch cable 2 should be located. That is, the temporary mounting work for the cables can be done quickly. - Moreover, since the internal structure of the
case 3 and that of thecover 20 are each in the shape of 180-deg. rotation symmetry, thecover 20 can be mounted to thecase 3 easily without the need for the worker to consider the direction of the cover and the case. Thus, the working efficiency is high. - Further, since the
case 3 and thecover 20 can be held in a temporarily engaged state, the worker can perform the case-cover pressing work easily while having in one hand thecase 3 which is in a state of temporary engagement with the cover and while having a pressing tool in the other hand. - Although the above description of this embodiment is based on the assumption that the cable branch connector is used for branching cables, it is possible to apply the cable branch connector to other purposes such as, for example, extension of cables and coupling of device blocks.
- While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, such description is for illustrative purpose only, and it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims (5)
- A cable branch connector comprising:a case having holding members for holding trunk cables and branch cables, which are to be connected together, in an adjacent and parallel manner;conducting members provided on said case for making said trunk cables and said branch cables conductive with each other;a cover formed so that it can be mounted to said case; andengaging means for holding said cover in a temporarily engaged state spaced at a predetermined distance from said case in the course of mounting the cover to the case and for locking the cover when mounted to the case.
- A cable branch connector according to claim 1, wherein said cover has urging projections for urging said trunk cables and said branch cables to said case side when the cover is mounted to the case.
- A cable branch connector according to claim 1, wherein said conducting members each have a pressing blade for pressure contact with the associated trunk cable, a pressing blade for pressure contact with the associated branch cable, and a connecting piece for connecting said two pressing blades with each other in such a manner that the blades are arranged obliquely relative to each other.
- A cable branch connector according to claim 1, wherein branch cable end insertion holes for insertion therein of end portions of said branch cables are formed in said case.
- A cable branch connector according to claim 4, wherein branch cable holding ribs for pressing and holding end portions of said branch cables are formed on said case.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP09441396A JP3308809B2 (en) | 1996-04-16 | 1996-04-16 | Cable branch connector |
JP94413/96 | 1996-04-16 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0802581A2 true EP0802581A2 (en) | 1997-10-22 |
EP0802581A3 EP0802581A3 (en) | 1998-12-30 |
Family
ID=14109564
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97106141A Withdrawn EP0802581A3 (en) | 1996-04-16 | 1997-04-15 | Cable branch connector for electrically connecting multicore trunk cables and multicore branch cables with each other |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0802581A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3308809B2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2798230A1 (en) * | 1999-09-07 | 2001-03-09 | Framatome Connectors Int | Connector for flexible circuit |
US6273746B1 (en) | 1998-09-28 | 2001-08-14 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Connector and a method for producing the same |
US8827738B2 (en) | 2009-11-03 | 2014-09-09 | Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd | Connector, and methods of use |
WO2017181232A1 (en) * | 2016-04-21 | 2017-10-26 | Zip-Zip Technology Pty Ltd | Electrical connector |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7261585B2 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2007-08-28 | Yazaki Corporation | Press-contact connector |
JP5495423B2 (en) * | 2009-10-08 | 2014-05-21 | 日本圧着端子製造株式会社 | Connection terminal |
CN109462203B (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2020-08-04 | 广东求精电气有限公司 | Cable branch box convenient to wiring |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4326767A (en) * | 1979-03-12 | 1982-04-27 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Wire cutting electrical connector |
US4822298A (en) * | 1987-04-07 | 1989-04-18 | Krone Aktiengesellschaft | Wire connection for cable wires |
EP0449743A1 (en) * | 1990-03-29 | 1991-10-02 | Daiichi Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Insulation-piercing connector |
EP0615306A2 (en) * | 1993-03-11 | 1994-09-14 | Molex Incorporated | Commoning electrical connectors |
EP0650218A2 (en) * | 1993-10-26 | 1995-04-26 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Cramping joint connector |
US5498172A (en) * | 1993-07-30 | 1996-03-12 | Sunx Kabushiki Kaisha | Electrical connector for interconnecting parallel multiconductor cables |
-
1996
- 1996-04-16 JP JP09441396A patent/JP3308809B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-04-15 EP EP97106141A patent/EP0802581A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4326767A (en) * | 1979-03-12 | 1982-04-27 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Wire cutting electrical connector |
US4822298A (en) * | 1987-04-07 | 1989-04-18 | Krone Aktiengesellschaft | Wire connection for cable wires |
EP0449743A1 (en) * | 1990-03-29 | 1991-10-02 | Daiichi Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Insulation-piercing connector |
EP0615306A2 (en) * | 1993-03-11 | 1994-09-14 | Molex Incorporated | Commoning electrical connectors |
US5498172A (en) * | 1993-07-30 | 1996-03-12 | Sunx Kabushiki Kaisha | Electrical connector for interconnecting parallel multiconductor cables |
EP0650218A2 (en) * | 1993-10-26 | 1995-04-26 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Cramping joint connector |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6273746B1 (en) | 1998-09-28 | 2001-08-14 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Connector and a method for producing the same |
FR2798230A1 (en) * | 1999-09-07 | 2001-03-09 | Framatome Connectors Int | Connector for flexible circuit |
US8827738B2 (en) | 2009-11-03 | 2014-09-09 | Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd | Connector, and methods of use |
WO2017181232A1 (en) * | 2016-04-21 | 2017-10-26 | Zip-Zip Technology Pty Ltd | Electrical connector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0802581A3 (en) | 1998-12-30 |
JPH09283193A (en) | 1997-10-31 |
JP3308809B2 (en) | 2002-07-29 |
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