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
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
  • H01R4/36—Conductive members located under tip of screw
• • 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
  • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
  • H01R13/512—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by screw or screws
• • 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
  • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
  • H01R13/5205—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet
• • 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
  • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
  • H01R13/621—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp
  • H01R13/6215—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp using one or more bolts

Definitions

• the present invention relates to electrical connectors of the type used in
• the invention relates to
• the present invention improves the functionality and reliability of existing connector designs, and facilitates attaching a number of wires of a cable to a connector in the field or replacing an existing connector in the field.
• the present invention provides, for each contact in the connector, a metallic band of closed configuration which is slidably received in the contact holder of the connector.
• Each band which is conductive and preferably made of metal, has a central opening, which may be elongated in the form of a rectangle, for receiving the stripped end of a wire.
• the wire is placed between the band, which is slidable relative to the contact holder, and a blade contact fixed to the contact holder and adapted to couple to an associated contact element of the solenoid.
• a threaded screw is received in each band. As the screw is turned, it forces the band into engagement with the stripped end of a wire received in the central aperture of the band, while the free end of the screw holds the contact in place.
• the wire is forced into engagement with the contact, thus establishing electrical continuity.
• the stripped end of each wire is secured within the opening of its associated band, between the band and the contact; and the contact is held between the end of the screw and the wire to which contact is made.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a field-attachable connector constructed according to the present invention having three contact assemblies and with the parts in exploded relation;
• FIG. 1A is an upper perspective view of a contact holder for the field- attachable connector of FIG. 1 illustrating the preparation and assembly of the wires to their associated contact assemblies;
• FIG. 2 is a top view of a field-attachable connector having four contact assemblies and incorporating the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the sight line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the connector of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the sight line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the sight line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and showing the elements of the connector in exploded relation.
• FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate a field-attachable connector incorporating the present invention having three contact assemblies and FIGS. 2-6 illustrate such a connector having four contact assemblies.
• Some of the components and some of the structure are common to embodiments of three or four or more contacts, and such common elements may bear the same reference numerals where they are identical or very similar, as persons skilled in the art will appreciate.
• FIG. 1 an overall explanation of the primary components and elements of the connector will be presented briefly so that the more detailed description which follows will be more readily understood and placed in the overall context of the complete connector.
• a conventional casing 42 receives a cable (see 10 in FIG. 1A) through a cable intake 47.
• the stripped ends of the wires of the cable are assembled to contact assemblies 22, 23 and 24, each of which includes a contact 28.
• the contact assemblies are received in receptacles (such as that designated 62 for contact assembly 22) formed in the top of a contact holder 18.
• a contact retainer 26 is placed above the contact holder and secures the contact assemblies in their associated receptacles.
• An alternate retainer is disclosed in the second embodiment.
• a printed circuit board 14, if desired, is located above the retainer 26.
• the incoming wires are placed through suitable apertures in the printed circuit board 14 and contact retainer 26.
• the upper portions of the contacts 28 may be connected to the printed circuit board, as will be described.
• the contact holder, contact assemblies, contact retainer and printed circuit board are then placed in the casing as the cable is withdrawn through the cable intake 47 of the casing.
• a compression nut 49 is tightened to secure and seal the cable to the casing.
• a gasket 87 is assembled to the bottom of the insert and a gasket retainer 92, if used, is assembled to the contact holder 18.
• the connector is then secured to the solenoid housing by means of the retainer screw 46, as will be understood by those in the art.
• reference numeral 10 generally designates a cable including three insulated wires designated respectively 11, 12, and 13.
• the distal end of each of the wires 11-13 is stripped of its insulation to expose a section of the conductor, such as that designated 11A for wire 11, as persons skilled in the art will appreciate.
• the distal end of each of the wires 11-13 is stripped and formed so as to project downwardly toward a contact holder designated 18.
• contact holder 18 is separated from its associated casing as well as from a solenoid body to which it is intended to be assembled, as will further be disclosed below, but which are known to those skilled in the art.
• the contact holder 18 shown in FIG. 1A is suitable for use with three conductors, such as the sheathed wires designated 11-13. Typically, however, connector assemblies of this type, including those incorporating the instant invention may accommodate three or four conductors as well as electronic circuits. A four- conductor embodiment of the instant invention is shown in FIGS. 2-6 and is described further below.
• the contact holder 18 may be of a molded, insulating material, formed in the general shape of a cube and having four individual sides, such as the ones designated 19 and 20 in FIG. 1A.
• the contact assemblies are generally designated 22, 23 and 24 in FIG. 1A. Each of the contact assemblies 22-24 is similar in structure and function in both embodiments, so that only one need be described in further detail for a complete understanding of the invention.
• the contact assembly 22 includes a conductive band 27 of closed configuration (or solid construction) with a central opening 31 for the wire, a blade contact (or connecting element) 28, and a threaded screw 29.
• the band 27, in the illustrated embodiment, may be made of metal and has a generally rectangular outer dimension in a horizontal plane, thus providing four connected walls arranged in a rectangle and defining the central receptacle or opening 31.
• the band 27 is slidably received in a receptacle or recess formed in the contact holder 18 (see 62 in FIG. 1) and secured by retainer 26.
• the upper portion 65 of a metal contact 28 is received in the opening 31 of band 27 and extends above retainer 26.
• the band 27 is permitted to slide along the recess of the contact holder in which the band is received.
• the screw 29 is threadedly received in a threaded aperture in a heavier adjacent wall 30 of the band 27 so that it projects into the opening 31, engaging the blade contact 28.
• the contact 28 is staked or otherwise fixed to the contact holder 18.
• the band 27 may slide within the recess or receptacle 62 in which it is received as the screw 9 is threaded into the band 27.
• a stop 25 is affixed to the contact holder 18 to limit the motion, of and prevents complete removal of the screw 29.
• the stripped distal end of the wire 13 fits into the opening 31 of the contact band 27 between the far wall 25 of the band 27 and the upper portion of the fixed blade contact 28, so that when the screw 29 is turned into the band 27, the wall 25 of the band 27 is moved toward and engages the wire, forcing the wire into engagement with the contact 28 and exert a compressive force on the wire. This forces the contact 28 into electrical connection with the stripped end of the conductor 13 to establish electrical continuity between the wire and the blade contact 28.
• the other contact assemblies 23, 24 function in the same manner as described for the contact assembly 22, and each of them may have the same structure as described.
• FIGS. 2-6 there is shown a connector incorporating the present invention having four contact assemblies to accommodate a four-conductor cable (not shown).
• the connector of FIGS. 2-6 includes four separate contact assemblies designated respectively 32, 33, 34 and 35 arranged on the sides of a generally square contact holder 43 seen in FIGS. 2-4.
• the contact assemblies 32-35 may be similar to one another and to the contact assembly described above so that only one need be described for an understanding of the invention.
• the contact assemblies 32-35 are adapted to accommodate four mating blade contacts typically employed on the solenoid, including three blade contacts having a C-shape in cross section and adapted to be received in corresponding slots 38-40 shown in the bottom of the connector (FIG. 4). Two of the slots 38-40 are used for data leads and the third is a power lead.
• the contact holder 43 of the four-contact connector defines a lower cavity 44 opening toward the bottom of the connector for receiving retainer member 9.
• An outer casing having a generally square horizontal section and designated 42 in FIG. 3 is received over the contact holder 43.
• the casing 42 includes four sidewalls and a top wall, the center of which is apertured to receive a tubular guide 45 for receiving a retainer screw 46 which secures the connector to the body of the solenoid, as is conventional.
• the casing 42 also includes a cylindrical cable intake 47 extending to the side thereof (see FIG. 1) and having an internally threaded opening (designated 48 in FIGS. 1 and 3) for receiving a cable (similar to cable 10 but having four conductors in this embodiment and not shown in FIG.
• a compression nut 49 (see FIG. 1) is placed over the cable and is threadedly received within the cable intake 47 of the casing 42.
• An annular flexible gasket 50 and washer 51 may be received in the opening 48 for sealing and securing the cable to the connector housing as the compression nut 49 is tightened, again, as is known in the art.
• FIG. 6 the components of the connector are seen in exploded relation, looking at the connector with the cable 10 extending into the plane of the page.
• the housing 42 and the contact holder 43 are separate elements.
• a contact retainer 52 is received on the top of the contact holder 43 and includes four depending latches 53 which extend downwardly from the center of each side section and into the cavity 44 of the contact holder.
• the depending latches 53 are barbed as seen at 54 to catch beneath the center pedestal 55 of the contact holder for securing the retainer 52 to the contact holder.
• One of the depending latches 53 can be seen from the front or inside in FIG. 6.
• the upper portion of the retainer 52 includes a flat peripheral portion 59 which defines apertures such as the one designated 60 for routing wires to each of the connector assemblies in the contact holder 43 and permitting the contacts to extend to the printed circuit board, while holding the contact assemblies in their respective recesses 62.
• the contact holder 43 defines as many recesses 62 as are required for the number of contact assemblies.
• each contact assembly includes a blade contact 28 (there are four in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-6) having a flat central engagement portion 64, an upwardly extending tab
• the legs 66, 67 include opposing contact areas or pads 69, 70 adjacent the lower portion thereof and beneath an enlarged opening 71.
• the contact portions 69, 70 are spaced to receive a blade of a mating connecting element, the mating blade fitting upwardly into the enlarged slot 71 , and the legs 66,
• the opening between the pads 69, 70, as well as the enlarged opening 71, are aligned with a slot 74 in the contact holder 43 to receive a contact element of the mating connector corresponding to one of the slot configurations 38-41 of FIG. 4 described above.
• the upper portion of the recess 62 is enlarged to define a peripheral shoulder or ledge 76 (FIG. 6).
• a pair of outwardly extending tabs 77 on the contact 28 rest on the opposite lateral edges of the shoulder 76 when the contact 28 is placed in the recess 62.
• the contact retainer 52 secures the contact assemblies in place.
• the upper, enlarged section of the recess 62 is sized to receive the band 27 while permitting the band to move or slide in the direction of the axis of the screw 29.
• the conductive band 27 is received over, and surrounds the central portion 64 of the contact 28.
• the band 27 rests on the top of the tabs 77 of the contact 28 to secure the contact in place vertically, while permitting the band to slide laterally, as will be explained.
• the upper portions of the legs 66, 67 of the contact 28 are barbed as at 78, 79 to fix the contact element in the lower, narrower portion of the recess 62 which is designated 80 in FIG. 6.
• the contact is fixed to the contact holder, whereas the band 27 may move in its recess parallel to the axis of the screw 29, and relative to its associated contact 28.
• the band 27, as previously indicated, is generally rectangular in form to be received in the upper, enlarged portion of the recess 62 and to be guided thereby so that it may move laterally relative to the upper, central engagement portion 64 of the contact 28.
• the band 27 is thicker at one end 30, as described above, and has a tapped bore which threadedly receives the screw 29.
• the distal or driving end of the screw 29 is located adjacent the central, enlarged engagement portion 64 of the contact 28.
• a stop such as the one designated 82 in FIG. 2 (and similar to the previously described stop 25) is secured in the contact holder for each connector assembly and to limit the motion and prevent removal of the screw 29.
• the portion 64 forms an engagement surface for the end of the screw 29 when the screw 29 is threaded into the band 27.
• the interior of the band 27 on the other side of the contact 28 defines an opening 85 for receiving the stripped end of one of the wires as described above (see FIG. 5).
• the tab 65 of the contact 28 extends above the lid 59 and through a conventional printed circuit board 87 which, if desired, rests on top of the retainer and beneath the top surface of the casing 42, as is known in the art.
• a peripheral gasket 87 is received on the bottom of the contact holder 43.
• the bottom of the contact holder 18 insert includes a peripheral notch 88 which receives an inwardly extending tongue 90 of the gasket 87.
• the gasket 87 is secured to the contact holder 18 by the lower portion of the outer casing 42.
• the gasket 87 is adapted to rest on and seal against the casing of the solenoid to which the connector is secured by means of the screw 46 (FIG. 1) which extends through the pedestal 55 and into a corresponding internally threaded opening in the housing of the solenoid as is known in the art.
• a gasket retainer 92 has an upwardly extending portion 93 which is sized to be snuggly received in the cavity 44 of the insert 43 to hold the gasket 87 in place during installation of the connector, as is known in the art.
• the contact holder 43 may be adapted to two, three or four contact assemblies, as desired.
• Each contact assembly includes a contact element having a central portion which serves as an engagement area for a threaded screw received in a band surrounding the upper portion of the contact.
• the band defines an opening for receiving the stripped end of a wire.
• a screw in the band is tightened to force the wire into engagement with the contact.
• the wire conductor is thus trapped between the contact and the band of the connector assembly; and a tight, secure and reliable electrical connection is conveniently and rapidly established. This facilitates convenient replacement of the connector in the field without the need of special tools or any particular expertise, and in minimum time.
• the contact holder 43, gasket 87 and retainer 92 are assembled into the casing 42, the cable is then pulled outwardly of the cylindrical cable intake portion 47 of the casing 42; and the compression nut 49 is tightened into the connector housing to form a seal by means of the grommet 50 which expands between the interior wall of the opening 48 and the outer surface of the feed cable and forms a seal.

Landscapes

• Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
• Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
• Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=27789052

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2003
  • 2003-02-26 AU AU2003230574A patent/AU2003230574A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-02-26 WO PCT/US2003/005853 patent/WO2003075407A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-02-26 EP EP03723657A patent/EP1488479A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-02-26 CN CNB038095815A patent/CN100349326C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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