EP3809532A1 - Connector with a connector housing and terminals and method for fixing a terminal in a connector housing - Google Patents
Connector with a connector housing and terminals and method for fixing a terminal in a connector housing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3809532A1 EP3809532A1 EP19203792.7A EP19203792A EP3809532A1 EP 3809532 A1 EP3809532 A1 EP 3809532A1 EP 19203792 A EP19203792 A EP 19203792A EP 3809532 A1 EP3809532 A1 EP 3809532A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- terminal
- accommodation chamber
- connector housing
- access opening
- terminal accommodation
- 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.)
- Pending
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/405—Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting
- H01R13/415—Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting by permanent deformation of contact member
Definitions
- the present invention refers to a connector with a connector housing and at least one terminal, wherein the connector housing comprises a terminal accommodation chamber in which one of said at least one terminal is inserted in an insertion direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing.
- the connector housing further has a locking recess in the terminal accommodation chamber extending radially therefrom.
- a first access opening of the connector housing reaches in a first radial direction traverse the longitudinal axis into the terminal accommodation chamber for inserting a first pressing element of a forming tool, wherein the first access opening is axially aligned with the locking recess.
- the at least one terminal comprises a locking portion axially aligned with the first access opening and has a radially outward deformed area engaging into the locking recess for locking the terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber against the insertion direction.
- a connector of such a kind is described in EP 0 622 867 A2 disclosing a connector which comprises a connector housing and at least one metal terminal.
- the connector housing comprises, at least one terminal accommodating hole for receiving the metal terminals, primary locking means for elastically engaging with the metal terminals, at least one fallout preventing protrusion formed on the wall of the terminal accommodating holes, and at least one window for inserting a jig.
- the metal terminal comprises secondary locking means extended from the metal terminal, confronting with the window when the metal terminal is locked by the primary locking means while being avoided interference with the fallout preventing protrusion, and deformed by a jig inserting into the window to engage with the fallout preventing protrusion. During the deformation of the secondary locking means, the terminal is supported against a bottom of the connector housing.
- a connector with a connector housing and at least one terminal
- the connector housing comprises a terminal accommodation chamber in which one of said at least one terminal is inserted in an insertion direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing.
- the connector housing further has a locking recess in the terminal accommodation chamber extending radially therefrom.
- a first access opening of the connector housing reaches in a first radial direction traverse the longitudinal axis into the terminal accommodation chamber for inserting a first pressing element of a forming tool, wherein the first access opening is axially aligned with the locking recess.
- the at least one terminal comprises a locking portion axially aligned with the first access opening and has a radially outward deformed area engaging into the locking recess for locking the terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber against the insertion direction.
- the connector housing further comprises a second access opening reaching in a second radial direction divergent from the first radial direction into the terminal accommodation chamber for inserting a second pressing element of the forming tool, wherein the second access opening is axially aligned with the locking recess of the connector housing.
- the connector is provided with two access openings per accommodation chamber so that two elements of the forming tool, i.e. the first and the second pressing element, can be inserted into the connector housing. It is possible to deform the locking portion of the terminal by pressing it between the two pressing elements of the forming tool.
- one pressing element can be used as a moving puncher and the other pressing element can be used as not moving anvil.
- This pressing operation forms a radially outward deformed area of the locking portion, which engages into said locking recess for locking said terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber.
- the pressing operation does not stress or affect the connector housing as all forces for deforming the locking portion of the terminal are only supported against the elements of the forming tool.
- the terminal is made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal material.
- the terminal is designed to be electrically connected to a conductor of an electric cable.
- the connector housing is made of an electrically insulative material, such as syntactic resin.
- first access opening and the second access opening are part of a common access opening in the connector housing.
- the first pressing element and the second pressing element of the forming tool can be inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber through the same common access opening, wherein the common access opening is big enough to insert the first and the second pressing elements in different radial directions/angles.
- the at least one terminal can be a round terminal with a round cross-section.
- the locking portion may have a larger diameter than the rest of the terminal.
- the locking portion can be arranged between a contact section and a connection section of the terminal.
- the contact section is the front part of the terminal with respect to the insertion direction. In other words, the contact section is the foremost section of the terminal, which is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber.
- the contact section servers to be mated to a counter-terminal of a counter-connector, which is designed to be mated to the connector.
- connection section is the rearmost section of the terminal, which is design to be electrically connected to a conductor of an electric cable, for instance, by crimping, welding or soldering.
- the round terminal is accommodated in an accordingly designed accommodation chamber with a round cross-section.
- the maximum diameter of the locking portion in the region of the deformed area is larger than the diameter of a rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber.
- the rear part is located, in mating direction, in front of the locking portion of the respective terminal.
- the rear part accommodates the connection section of the terminal.
- the locking recess extends radially from the terminal accommodation chamber. It has, therefore, the larger cross-section than the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber.
- the locking recess and the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber establish a shoulder in the transition from the locking recess to the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. The deformed area of the locking portion is supported against said shoulder when the terminal is pulled out of the terminal accommodation chamber against the insertion direction.
- the maximum diameter of the locking portion is smaller than the diameter of the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. Hence, the locking portion can be pushed through the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber when inserting the terminal.
- the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber has a circular cross-section wherein the deformed looking portion of the terminal has an outer cross-section deviating from a circle.
- the connector housing has four terminal accommodation chambers each accommodating one of said at least one terminal and each terminal accommodation chambers is provided with a first access opening and a second access opening.
- the connector may be used as Ethernet connector.
- the connector housing may have two radial slots each of which forms the first access openings and the second access openings of two of said four terminal accommodation chambers.
- the slots can be separated by a wall of the connector housing.
- the at least one terminal can be assembled to the connector housing with a method comprising the steps of:
- the locking portion of the terminal is deformed by pressing it between the two elements of the forming tool, e.g. a puncher and an anvil.
- This pressing operation forms a radially outward deformed area of the locking portion, which engages into said locking recess for locking said terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber.
- the pressing operation does not stress or affect the connector housing as all forces for deforming the locking portion of the terminal are only supported against the forming tool.
- the insertion direction of the first pressing element may be opposite to the insertion direction of the second pressing element.
- the insertion direction of the first pressing element is orientated traverse the insertion direction of the second pressing element.
- Figures 1 to 4 depict an electric connector 1 having a first terminal 2 and a second terminal 3.
- the electric connector 1 further comprises third terminal and the fourth terminal, which are not shown for the sake of clarity.
- the electric connector further comprises a connector housing 4, wherein the connector housing 4 in Figure 1 is shown schematically and differs in its outer shape from the connector housing 4 of Figures 2 to 4 but has the same function.
- the connector housing 4 is provided with four terminal accommodation chambers, namely a first terminal accommodation chamber 5, a second terminal accommodation chamber 6, a third terminal accommodation chamber 7 and a fourth terminal accommodation chamber 8.
- the terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, 7, 8 have, in general, the shape of bores, which are arranged parallel to each other distributed around and parallel a longitudinal axis L of the electric connector 1.
- Each of the terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, 7, 8 accommodates one of the terminals 2, 3 wherein in Figures 1 to 4 only two terminals 2, 3 are shown, i.e. the first terminal 2 accommodated in the first terminal accommodation chamber 5 and the second terminal 3 accommodated in the second terminal accommodation chamber 6.
- axial and radial refer to axes of a Cartesian coordinate system with an X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction being perpendicular to each other.
- the X-direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis L wherein the Y-direction and the Z-direction are arranged radially to the X-direction and the longitudinal axis L, respectively.
- the terminals 2, 3 are round terminals 2, 3 with a round cross-section.
- Each of the terminals 2, 3 has a contact section 9 and a connection section 10.
- the contact section 9 is the front part of the terminal 2, 3 with respect to an insertion direction I parallel to the longitudinal axis L. In other words, the contact section 9 is the foremost section of the terminal 2, 3, which is inserted into the respective terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, 7, 8.
- the contact section 10 servers to be mated to a counter-terminal (not shown) of a counter-connector (not shown), which is designed to be mated to the connector 1.
- connection section 10 is the rearmost section of the terminal 2, 3, which is electrically connected to a conductor of an electric wire 11 of an electric cable 13 by crimping.
- the electric cable 13 has as many electrical wires 11 as terminals 2, 3 are provided. In the Figures only two of the electric wires 11, 12 are shown.
- each of the terminal 2, 3 has a locking portion 14 that has a lager diameter than the contact section 9 and the connection section 10.
- the connector housing 4 is divided into the rear portion 15 and a front portion 16.
- the terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, 7, 8 each extend through the rear portion 15 and the front portion 16 and open into a front face 17 of the connector housing 4. That part of each terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, 7, 8 that is arranged within the rear portion 15 of the connector housing 4 be also referred to as the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. That part of each terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, 7, 8 that is arranged within the front portion 16 of the connector housing 4 be also referred to as the front part of the terminal accommodation chamber.
- the terminals 2, 3 are each inserted into the respective terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, 7, 8 from the rear part thereof in the insertion direction I until the contact section 9 is accommodated in the front part of the respective terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, 7, 8 and the connection section 10 is accommodated in the rear part of the respective terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, 7, 8.
- the diameter of the locking portion 14, which has a circular cross-section, is smaller than the diameter of the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, 7, 8.
- the locking portion 14 can be pushed through the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, 7, 8 during the insertion process of the terminal 2, 3.
- the looking portions 14 of the terminals 2, 3 are located between the rear portion 15 and the front portion 16 of the connector housing 4.
- the connector housing 4 has two radial slots, namely a first slot 18 and a second slot 19, between the rear portion 15 and the front portion 16.
- Each of the slots 18, 19 extends from an outer circumference of the connector housing 4 into two of the terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, 7, 8.
- Each of the slots 18, 19 reaches almost over half of the cross-section of the connector housing 4 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.
- the two slots 18, 19 are separated by the wall 28, which integrally connects the rear portion 15 and the front portion 16 of the connector housing 4, as can best be seen in Figure 4 .
- the first slot 18 intersects the first and the fourth terminal accommodation chambers 5, 8.
- the second slot 19 intersects the second and the third terminal accommodation chambers 6, 7.
- the first slot 18 provides or forms a first access opening 20 and a second access opening 21.
- the first access opening 20 allows a first pressing element 22 of a forming tool to be inserted into the first access opening 20 for reaching the locking portion 14 of the first terminal 2 accommodated in the first terminal accommodation chamber 5.
- the second access opening 21 allows a second pressing element 23 of the forming tool to be inserted into the second access opening 21 for reaching the locking portion 14 of the first terminal 2.
- the second pressing element 23 is used as an anvil and is inserted into the second access opening 21 until it abuts the locking portion 14 of the first terminal 2 and supports the first terminal 2 in a direction against the Z-direction.
- the first pressing element 22 is used as a puncher and is inserted into the first access opening 20 in a direction against the Z-direction, i.e. opposite to the insertion direction of the second pressing element 23.
- the first pressing element 22 is used to press and deform the locking portion 14 of the first terminal 2 while the first terminal 2 is supported against the second pressing element 23.
- the locking portion 14 of the first terminal 2 is formed into a shape as depicted in Figure 4 , that is into a shape deviating from a round cross-section.
- the locking portion 14 In the Z-direction, the locking portion 14 is compressed. In the Y-direction, the locking portion 14 is enlarged forming two radially outward deformed areas 24, 25 reaching into looking recesses 35, 36 of the first terminal accommodation chamber 5.
- the locking recesses 35, 36 are part of the first slot 18 and are arranged in a first radial direction traverse the longitudinal axis L.
- the locking recesses 35, 36 can be separate recesses or cavities in the first terminal accommodation chamber 5.
- the first and second access openings 20, 21 can be separate from each other and can be separate from the locking recesses 35, 36. in the present embodiment of the invention the first and second access openings 20, 21 as well as the locking recesses 35, 36 are commonly formed by the first slot 18 in order to simplify the manufacture of the connector 1.
- the two deformed areas 24, 25 are arranged diametrically opposed to each other.
- the locking portion 14 and respectively the first terminal has a larger extension/diameter than the rear part of the first terminal accommodation chamber 5. Therefore, after the deformation process of the locking portion 14 the first terminal 2 is locked within the first terminal accommodation chamber 5 against pullout forces.
- the connector housing 4 is designed symmetrically to the wall 28. Therefore, the locking portion 14 of the second terminal 3 can be deformed in the same manner within the second slot 19 as the locking portion 14 of the first terminal 2.
- the forming tool is also designed symmetrically with respect to the wall 28 and is provided with a further first pressing element 26 and a further second pressing element 27, which are driven in the same direction as the first pressing element 22 and the second pressing element 23 for deforming the locking portion 14 of the first terminal 2.
- the first pressing elements 22, 26 are part of a common first pressing member 29.
- the second pressing elements 23, 27 are part of a common second pressing member 30.
- the second pressing member 30 is held still and does not move while the first pressing member 29 is moved towards the second pressing member 30.
- the locking portions 14 of both the first and the second terminal 2, 3 are being deformed simultaneously.
- the third and the fourth terminals are inserted in the respective terminal accommodation chamber 7, 8 and deformed likewise.
- first and second terminals 2, 3 are inserted into the first and second terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6 respectively in an insertion direction I parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the connector housing 4.
- the first pressing elements 22, 26 are inserted into the first access openings 20 of the first and second terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, respectively.
- the first access openings 20 reach in a radial direction traverse said longitudinal axis L into the first and second terminal accommodation chamber 5, 6, wherein the first access openings 20 are axially aligned with the locking recesses 35, 36, which extend radially from the first and second terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, respectively.
- the second pressing elements 23, 27 are inserted into the second access openings 21 of the first and second terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, respectively.
- the second access openings 21 reach in a radial direction divergent from the radial direction of the first access openings 20 into the terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6, wherein said second access openings are axially aligned with the locking recesses 35, 36.
- the locking portions 14 of the first and second terminals 2, 3, which have been inserted into the first and second terminal accommodation 5, 6 previously, are pressed and deformed between the first pressing elements 22, 26 and the second pressing elements 23, 27 forming radially outward deformed areas 24, 25 of the locking portions 14. Said radially outward deformed areas 24, 25 engage into the locking recesses 35, 36 in order to lock the first and second terminal 2, 3 against removal out of the first and second terminal accommodation chambers 5, 6 against the insertion direction I.
- Figures 5 and 6 show the connector 1 according to Figures 1 to 4 with a second embodiment of a forming tool.
- the forming tool according to the second embodiment is basically identical to the forming tool according to the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 .
- the second embodiment of the forming tool distinguishes from the first embodiment with respect to the fact that during the forming process both pressing members 29, 30 are being moved towards each other.
- the second pressing member 30 moves in Z-direction during the deformation of the locking portions 14.
- the second embodiment of the forming tool is identical to the first embodiment.
- Figures 7 and 8 show the connector 1 according to Figures 1 to 4 with a third embodiment of a forming tool.
- the forming tool according to the third embodiment is basically identical to the forming tool according to the second embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 .
- the third embodiment of the forming tool distinguishes from the second embodiment with respect to the fact that it has third pressing elements 31, 32.
- One of the third pressing elements 31 is moved in Y-direction.
- Another one of the third pressing elements 32 is arranged opposite to the first mentioned third pressing elements 31 and moves against the Y-direction.
- the third pressing elements 31, 32 can be used as terminal holders or anvils, which are not moved during the deformation of the locking portions.
- the first third pressing elements 22, 26 and the second pressing elements 23, 27 are used for the deformation.
- first pressing elements 22, 26 can be moved and the second pressing elements 23, 27 can be used as anvils without being moved. It is also possible that the third pressing elements 31, 32 are moved during the deformation of the locking portions 14 and the first and second pressing elements 22, 23, 26, 27 are not moved.
- Figures 9 and 10 show the connector 1 according to Figures 1 to 4 with a fourth embodiment of a forming tool.
- the forming tool according to the fourth embodiment is basically identical to the forming tool according to the third embodiment of Figures 7 and 9 .
- the third pressing elements 31, 32 are used as anvils and are inserted in radial direction in and against the Y-direction.
- the third pressing elements 31, 32 are inserted between the first and the fourth terminal 2, 34 and between the second and the third terminals 3, 33, respectively.
- the first pressing member 29 is moved against the Z-direction and against the first and the second terminals 2, 3.
- the first and the second terminals 2, 3 are supported against the third pressing elements 31, 32 against the Z-direction.
- the second pressing element 30 is moved in the Z-direction and against the third and the fourth terminals 33, 34.
- the third and fourth terminals 32, 34 are supported against the third pressing elements 31, 32 in Z-direction.
Abstract
a terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) in which one of said at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) is inserted in an insertion direction (I) parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the connector housing (4),
a locking recess (35, 36) in said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) extending radially therefrom, and
a first access opening (20) reaching in a first radial direction traverse said longitudinal axis (L) into said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) for inserting a first pressing element (22, 26) of a forming tool, wherein said first access opening (20) is axially aligned with said locking recess (35, 36),
said at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) comprising:
a locking portion (14) axially aligned with said first access opening (20) and having a radially outward deformed area (24, 25) engaging into said locking recess (35, 36) for locking said terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) against removal out of said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) against said insertion direction (I),
wherein said connector housing (4) further comprises a second access opening (21) reaching in a second radial direction divergent from the first radial direction into the terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) for inserting second pressing element (23, 27) of the forming tool, wherein said second access opening (21) is axially aligned with the locking recess (35, 36) of the connector housing (4).
Description
- The present invention refers to a connector with a connector housing and at least one terminal, wherein the connector housing comprises a terminal accommodation chamber in which one of said at least one terminal is inserted in an insertion direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. The connector housing further has a locking recess in the terminal accommodation chamber extending radially therefrom. A first access opening of the connector housing reaches in a first radial direction traverse the longitudinal axis into the terminal accommodation chamber for inserting a first pressing element of a forming tool, wherein the first access opening is axially aligned with the locking recess. The at least one terminal comprises a locking portion axially aligned with the first access opening and has a radially outward deformed area engaging into the locking recess for locking the terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber against the insertion direction.
- A connector of such a kind is described in
EP 0 622 867 A2 - It is the object of the invention to provide an electrical connector with locking means to avoid removal of the terminal out of the accommodation chamber of the connector housing wherein the connector is design to avoid too much stress to the connector housing during the locking of the terminal.
- The object is met by a connector with a connector housing and at least one terminal, wherein the connector housing comprises a terminal accommodation chamber in which one of said at least one terminal is inserted in an insertion direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. The connector housing further has a locking recess in the terminal accommodation chamber extending radially therefrom. A first access opening of the connector housing reaches in a first radial direction traverse the longitudinal axis into the terminal accommodation chamber for inserting a first pressing element of a forming tool, wherein the first access opening is axially aligned with the locking recess. The at least one terminal comprises a locking portion axially aligned with the first access opening and has a radially outward deformed area engaging into the locking recess for locking the terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber against the insertion direction. The connector housing further comprises a second access opening reaching in a second radial direction divergent from the first radial direction into the terminal accommodation chamber for inserting a second pressing element of the forming tool, wherein the second access opening is axially aligned with the locking recess of the connector housing.
- Hence, the connector is provided with two access openings per accommodation chamber so that two elements of the forming tool, i.e. the first and the second pressing element, can be inserted into the connector housing. It is possible to deform the locking portion of the terminal by pressing it between the two pressing elements of the forming tool. Thereby, for instance, one pressing element can be used as a moving puncher and the other pressing element can be used as not moving anvil.
- This pressing operation forms a radially outward deformed area of the locking portion, which engages into said locking recess for locking said terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber. The pressing operation does not stress or affect the connector housing as all forces for deforming the locking portion of the terminal are only supported against the elements of the forming tool.
- The terminal is made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal material. The terminal is designed to be electrically connected to a conductor of an electric cable. The connector housing is made of an electrically insulative material, such as syntactic resin.
- In an embodiment, the first access opening and the second access opening are part of a common access opening in the connector housing. The first pressing element and the second pressing element of the forming tool can be inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber through the same common access opening, wherein the common access opening is big enough to insert the first and the second pressing elements in different radial directions/angles.
- The at least one terminal can be a round terminal with a round cross-section. The locking portion may have a larger diameter than the rest of the terminal. The locking portion can be arranged between a contact section and a connection section of the terminal.
- The contact section is the front part of the terminal with respect to the insertion direction. In other words, the contact section is the foremost section of the terminal, which is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber. The contact section servers to be mated to a counter-terminal of a counter-connector, which is designed to be mated to the connector.
- The connection section is the rearmost section of the terminal, which is design to be electrically connected to a conductor of an electric cable, for instance, by crimping, welding or soldering.
- The round terminal is accommodated in an accordingly designed accommodation chamber with a round cross-section. In one example, the maximum diameter of the locking portion in the region of the deformed area is larger than the diameter of a rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. The rear part is located, in mating direction, in front of the locking portion of the respective terminal. Hence, the rear part accommodates the connection section of the terminal. The locking recess extends radially from the terminal accommodation chamber. It has, therefore, the larger cross-section than the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. The locking recess and the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber establish a shoulder in the transition from the locking recess to the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. The deformed area of the locking portion is supported against said shoulder when the terminal is pulled out of the terminal accommodation chamber against the insertion direction.
- In the un-deformed state of the locking portion, the maximum diameter of the locking portion is smaller than the diameter of the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. Hence, the locking portion can be pushed through the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber when inserting the terminal.
- In an exemplary embodiment, the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber has a circular cross-section wherein the deformed looking portion of the terminal has an outer cross-section deviating from a circle.
- In an embodiment of the connector, the connector housing has four terminal accommodation chambers each accommodating one of said at least one terminal and each terminal accommodation chambers is provided with a first access opening and a second access opening. The connector may be used as Ethernet connector.
- The connector housing may have two radial slots each of which forms the first access openings and the second access openings of two of said four terminal accommodation chambers. For instance, the slots can be separated by a wall of the connector housing.
- The at least one terminal can be assembled to the connector housing with a method comprising the steps of:
- inserting one of said at least one terminal into a terminal accommodation chamber of the connector housing in an insertion direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing,
- inserting a first pressing element of a forming tool into a first access opening reaching in a first radial direction traverse said longitudinal axis into said terminal accommodation chamber, wherein said first access opening is axially aligned with a locking recess in said terminal accommodation chamber and extending radially therefrom,
- inserting a second pressing element of the forming tool into a second access opening reaching in a second radial direction divergent from the first radial direction into the terminal accommodation chamber, wherein said second access opening is axially aligned with the locking recess of the connector housing, and
- pressing and deforming a locking portion of said terminal, which is inserted into said terminal accommodation chamber, between the first and second pressing element and forming a radially outward deformed area of the locking portion, which engages into said locking recess for locking said terminal against removal out of said terminal accommodation chamber against the insertion direction.
- Hence, the locking portion of the terminal is deformed by pressing it between the two elements of the forming tool, e.g. a puncher and an anvil. This pressing operation forms a radially outward deformed area of the locking portion, which engages into said locking recess for locking said terminal against removal out of the terminal accommodation chamber. The pressing operation does not stress or affect the connector housing as all forces for deforming the locking portion of the terminal are only supported against the forming tool.
- In one embodiment of the method, the insertion direction of the first pressing element may be opposite to the insertion direction of the second pressing element.
- In an alternative embodiment of the method, the insertion direction of the first pressing element is orientated traverse the insertion direction of the second pressing element.
- Further details of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the figures.
- Figure 1
- is a schematic perspective explosion view of a connector,
- Figure 2
- is a perspective view of a connector with a first embodiment of a forming tool,
- Figure 3
- is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the forming tool according to
Figure 2 before deformation, - Figure 4
- is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to
Figure 3 after deformation, - Figure 5
- is a perspective view of a connector with a second embodiment of a forming tool,
- Figure 6
- is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the punch tool according to
Figure 5 before deformation, - Figure 7
- is a perspective view of a connector with a third embodiment of a forming tool,
- Figure 8
- is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the punch tool according to
Figure 7 before deformation, - Figure 9
- is a perspective view of a connector with a fourth embodiment of a forming tool, and
- Figure 10
- is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the punch tool according to
Figure 9 before deformation. -
Figures 1 to 4 depict anelectric connector 1 having afirst terminal 2 and asecond terminal 3. Theelectric connector 1 further comprises third terminal and the fourth terminal, which are not shown for the sake of clarity. The electric connector further comprises a connector housing 4, wherein the connector housing 4 inFigure 1 is shown schematically and differs in its outer shape from the connector housing 4 ofFigures 2 to 4 but has the same function. The connector housing 4 is provided with four terminal accommodation chambers, namely a firstterminal accommodation chamber 5, a secondterminal accommodation chamber 6, a thirdterminal accommodation chamber 7 and a fourthterminal accommodation chamber 8. - The
terminal accommodation chambers electric connector 1. Each of theterminal accommodation chambers terminals Figures 1 to 4 only twoterminals first terminal 2 accommodated in the firstterminal accommodation chamber 5 and thesecond terminal 3 accommodated in the secondterminal accommodation chamber 6. - It should be noted that the terms "axial" and "radial" refer to axes of a Cartesian coordinate system with an X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction being perpendicular to each other. The X-direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis L wherein the Y-direction and the Z-direction are arranged radially to the X-direction and the longitudinal axis L, respectively.
- The
terminals round terminals terminals connection section 10. The contact section 9 is the front part of theterminal terminal terminal accommodation chamber contact section 10 servers to be mated to a counter-terminal (not shown) of a counter-connector (not shown), which is designed to be mated to theconnector 1. - The
connection section 10 is the rearmost section of theterminal electric wire 11 of anelectric cable 13 by crimping. Theelectric cable 13 has as manyelectrical wires 11 asterminals electric wires - Between the contact section 9 and the
connection section 10 each of theterminal portion 14 that has a lager diameter than the contact section 9 and theconnection section 10. - The connector housing 4 is divided into the
rear portion 15 and afront portion 16. Theterminal accommodation chambers rear portion 15 and thefront portion 16 and open into afront face 17 of the connector housing 4. That part of eachterminal accommodation chamber rear portion 15 of the connector housing 4 be also referred to as the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber. That part of eachterminal accommodation chamber front portion 16 of the connector housing 4 be also referred to as the front part of the terminal accommodation chamber. - The
terminals terminal accommodation chambers terminal accommodation chamber connection section 10 is accommodated in the rear part of the respectiveterminal accommodation chamber - In an un-deformed state, the diameter of the locking
portion 14, which has a circular cross-section, is smaller than the diameter of the rear part of theterminal accommodation chamber portion 14 can be pushed through the rear part of theterminal accommodation chamber terminal portions 14 of theterminals rear portion 15 and thefront portion 16 of the connector housing 4. - The connector housing 4 has two radial slots, namely a
first slot 18 and asecond slot 19, between therear portion 15 and thefront portion 16. Each of theslots terminal accommodation chambers slots slots wall 28, which integrally connects therear portion 15 and thefront portion 16 of the connector housing 4, as can best be seen inFigure 4 . - The
first slot 18 intersects the first and the fourthterminal accommodation chambers second slot 19 intersects the second and the thirdterminal accommodation chambers - The
first slot 18 provides or forms a first access opening 20 and a second access opening 21. The first access opening 20 allows a firstpressing element 22 of a forming tool to be inserted into the first access opening 20 for reaching the lockingportion 14 of thefirst terminal 2 accommodated in the firstterminal accommodation chamber 5. The second access opening 21 allows a secondpressing element 23 of the forming tool to be inserted into the second access opening 21 for reaching the lockingportion 14 of thefirst terminal 2. - In the disclosed embodiment, the second
pressing element 23 is used as an anvil and is inserted into the second access opening 21 until it abuts the lockingportion 14 of thefirst terminal 2 and supports thefirst terminal 2 in a direction against the Z-direction. The firstpressing element 22 is used as a puncher and is inserted into the first access opening 20 in a direction against the Z-direction, i.e. opposite to the insertion direction of the secondpressing element 23. The firstpressing element 22 is used to press and deform the lockingportion 14 of thefirst terminal 2 while thefirst terminal 2 is supported against the secondpressing element 23. The lockingportion 14 of thefirst terminal 2 is formed into a shape as depicted inFigure 4 , that is into a shape deviating from a round cross-section. - In the Z-direction, the locking
portion 14 is compressed. In the Y-direction, the lockingportion 14 is enlarged forming two radially outwarddeformed areas recesses terminal accommodation chamber 5. The locking recesses 35, 36 are part of thefirst slot 18 and are arranged in a first radial direction traverse the longitudinal axis L. Alternatively the locking recesses 35, 36 can be separate recesses or cavities in the firstterminal accommodation chamber 5. Further, the first andsecond access openings second access openings first slot 18 in order to simplify the manufacture of theconnector 1. - The two
deformed areas portion 14 and respectively the first terminal has a larger extension/diameter than the rear part of the firstterminal accommodation chamber 5. Therefore, after the deformation process of the lockingportion 14 thefirst terminal 2 is locked within the firstterminal accommodation chamber 5 against pullout forces. - The connector housing 4 is designed symmetrically to the
wall 28. Therefore, the lockingportion 14 of thesecond terminal 3 can be deformed in the same manner within thesecond slot 19 as the lockingportion 14 of thefirst terminal 2. In order to facilitate this deformation of the lockingportion 14 of thesecond terminal 3 the forming tool is also designed symmetrically with respect to thewall 28 and is provided with a further firstpressing element 26 and a further secondpressing element 27, which are driven in the same direction as the firstpressing element 22 and the secondpressing element 23 for deforming the lockingportion 14 of thefirst terminal 2. - The first
pressing elements member 29. The secondpressing elements pressing member 30. During the deformation process, the second pressingmember 30 is held still and does not move while the first pressingmember 29 is moved towards the second pressingmember 30. Thereby, the lockingportions 14 of both the first and thesecond terminal portions 14 of the first andsecond terminals terminal accommodation chamber - In order to lock the first and
second terminals second terminals terminal accommodation chambers - The first
pressing elements first access openings 20 of the first and secondterminal accommodation chambers first access openings 20 reach in a radial direction traverse said longitudinal axis L into the first and secondterminal accommodation chamber first access openings 20 are axially aligned with the locking recesses 35, 36, which extend radially from the first and secondterminal accommodation chambers - The second
pressing elements second access openings 21 of the first and secondterminal accommodation chambers second access openings 21 reach in a radial direction divergent from the radial direction of thefirst access openings 20 into theterminal accommodation chambers - Then, the locking
portions 14 of the first andsecond terminals terminal accommodation pressing elements pressing elements deformed areas portions 14. Said radially outwarddeformed areas second terminal terminal accommodation chambers -
Figures 5 and6 show theconnector 1 according toFigures 1 to 4 with a second embodiment of a forming tool. - The forming tool according to the second embodiment is basically identical to the forming tool according to the first embodiment of
Figures 1 to 4 . The second embodiment of the forming tool distinguishes from the first embodiment with respect to the fact that during the forming process both pressingmembers member 30 moves in Z-direction during the deformation of the lockingportions 14. In all further aspects, the second embodiment of the forming tool is identical to the first embodiment. -
Figures 7 and8 show theconnector 1 according toFigures 1 to 4 with a third embodiment of a forming tool. - The forming tool according to the third embodiment is basically identical to the forming tool according to the second embodiment of
Figures 5 and6 . The third embodiment of the forming tool distinguishes from the second embodiment with respect to the fact that it has thirdpressing elements pressing elements 31 is moved in Y-direction. Another one of the thirdpressing elements 32 is arranged opposite to the first mentioned thirdpressing elements 31 and moves against the Y-direction. In order to deform the lockingportions 14 of the first andsecond terminals pressing elements pressing elements pressing elements pressing elements pressing elements pressing elements portions 14 and the first and secondpressing elements -
Figures 9 and10 show theconnector 1 according toFigures 1 to 4 with a fourth embodiment of a forming tool. - The forming tool according to the fourth embodiment is basically identical to the forming tool according to the third embodiment of
Figures 7 and9 . - The third
pressing elements pressing elements fourth terminal third terminals member 29 is moved against the Z-direction and against the first and thesecond terminals portions 14, the first and thesecond terminals pressing elements pressing element 30 is moved in the Z-direction and against the third and thefourth terminals portions 14 the third andfourth terminals pressing elements -
- 1
- electric connector
- 2
- first electric terminal
- 3
- second electric terminal
- 4
- connector housing
- 5
- first terminal accommodation chamber
- 6
- second terminal accommodation chamber
- 7
- third terminal accommodation chamber
- 8
- fourth terminal accommodation chamber
- 9
- contact section
- 10
- connection section
- 11
- electric wire
- 12
- electric wire
- 13
- electric cable
- 14
- locking portion
- 15
- rear portion of connector housing
- 16
- front portion of connector housing
- 17
- front face
- 18
- first slot
- 19
- second slot
- 20
- first access opening
- 21
- second access opening
- 22
- first pressing element
- 23
- first pressing element
- 24
- deformed area
- 25
- deformed area
- 26
- second pressing element
- 27
- second pressing element
- 28
- wall
- 29
- third pressing element
- 30
- third pressing element
- 31
- first side puncher
- 32
- second side puncher
- 33
- third electric terminal
- 34
- fourth electric terminal
- 35
- first locking recess
- 36
- second locking recess
- I
- insertion direction
- L
- longitudinal axis
- X
- X-direction
- Y
- Y-direction
- Z
- Z-direction
Claims (12)
- A connector (1) with a connector housing (4)and at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34),
said connector housing (4) comprising:a terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) in which one of said at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) is inserted in an insertion direction (I) parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the connector housing (4),a locking recess (35, 36) in said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) extending radially therefrom, anda first access opening (20) reaching in a first radial direction traverse said longitudinal axis (L) into said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) for inserting a first pressing element (22, 26) of a forming tool, wherein said first access opening (20) is axially aligned with said locking recess (35, 36),said at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) comprising:
a locking portion (14) axially aligned with said first access opening (20) and having a radially outward deformed area (24, 25) engaging into said locking recess (35, 36) for locking said terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) against removal out of said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) against said insertion direction (I),
characterized in
that said connector housing (4) further comprises a second access opening (21) reaching in a second radial direction divergent from the first radial direction into the terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) for inserting second pressing element (23, 27) of the forming tool, wherein said second access opening (21) is axially aligned with the locking recess (35, 36) of the connector housing (4). - The connector according to claim 1,
characterized in
that the first access opening (20) and the second access opening (21) are part of a common access opening in the connector housing (4). - The connector according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in
that the at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) has a round cross-section. - The connector according to claim 1,
characterized in
that the maximum diameter of the locking portion (14) in the region of the deformed area (24, 25) is larger than the diameter of a rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) which rear part is located, in insertion direction (I), in front of the locking portion (14) of the respective terminal (2, 3, 33, 34). - The connector according to claim 4,
characterized in
that the maximum diameter of the locking portion (14) in an un-deformed state is smaller than the diameter of the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8). - The connector according to claim 4 or 5,
characterized in
that the rear part of the terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) has a circular cross-section and
that the deformed locking portion (14) of the terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) has an outer cross-section deviating from a circle. - The connector according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in
that the connector housing (4) has four terminal accommodation chambers (5, 6, 7, 8) each accommodating one of said at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) and each terminal accommodation chambers (5, 6, 7, 8) is provided with a first access opening (20) and a second access opening (21). - The connector according to claim 7,
characterized in
that the connector housing (4) has two radial slots (18, 19) each of which forms the first access openings (20) and the second access openings (21) of two of said four terminal accommodation chambers (5, 6, 7, 8). - The connector according to claim 8,
characterized in
that the slots (18, 19) are separated by a wall (28) of the connector housing (4). - A Method for fixing at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) in a connector housing (4) of a connector (1), the method comprising the steps of:inserting one of said at least one terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) into a terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) of the connector housing (4) in an insertion direction (I) parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the connector housing (4),inserting a first pressing element (22, 26) of a forming tool into a first access opening (20) reaching in a first radial direction traverse said longitudinal axis (L) into said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8), wherein said first access opening (20) is axially aligned with a locking recess (35, 36) in said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) and extending radially therefrom,inserting a second pressing element (23, 27) of said forming tool into a second access opening (21) reaching in a second radial direction divergent from the first radial direction into the terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8),wherein said second access opening (21) is axially aligned with the locking recess (35, 36) of the connector housing (4), andpressing and deforming a locking portion (14) of said terminal (2, 3, 33, 34), which is inserted into said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8), between said first pressing element (22, 26) and said second pressing element (23, 27) and forming a radially outward deformed area 24, 25) of the locking portion (14) which engages into said locking recess (35, 36) for locking said terminal (2, 3, 33, 34) against removal out of said terminal accommodation chamber (5, 6, 7, 8) against the insertion direction (I).
- The method according to claim 10,
characterized in
that the insertion direction of the first pressing element (22, 26) is opposite to the insertion direction of the second pressing element (23, 27). - The method according to claim 10,
characterized in
that the insertion direction of the first pressing element (22, 26) is traverse to the insertion direction of the second pressing element (23, 27).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19203792.7A EP3809532A1 (en) | 2019-10-17 | 2019-10-17 | Connector with a connector housing and terminals and method for fixing a terminal in a connector housing |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19203792.7A EP3809532A1 (en) | 2019-10-17 | 2019-10-17 | Connector with a connector housing and terminals and method for fixing a terminal in a connector housing |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3809532A1 true EP3809532A1 (en) | 2021-04-21 |
Family
ID=68281296
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19203792.7A Pending EP3809532A1 (en) | 2019-10-17 | 2019-10-17 | Connector with a connector housing and terminals and method for fixing a terminal in a connector housing |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3809532A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102021131401A1 (en) | 2021-11-30 | 2023-06-01 | iwis e-tec GmbH | Process for manufacturing an electrical connector with a low-force secured flat conductor |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3046506A1 (en) * | 1980-12-10 | 1982-07-15 | Erich Ludwig GmbH & Co KG, 4600 Dortmund | Electric plug for e.g. cooking oven - has cooperating lead wire ends and connector pins secured by impact deformation |
EP0622867A2 (en) | 1993-04-26 | 1994-11-02 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Connector |
EP3118936A1 (en) * | 2015-07-17 | 2017-01-18 | Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH | Connector and deforming tool for same |
-
2019
- 2019-10-17 EP EP19203792.7A patent/EP3809532A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3046506A1 (en) * | 1980-12-10 | 1982-07-15 | Erich Ludwig GmbH & Co KG, 4600 Dortmund | Electric plug for e.g. cooking oven - has cooperating lead wire ends and connector pins secured by impact deformation |
EP0622867A2 (en) | 1993-04-26 | 1994-11-02 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Connector |
EP3118936A1 (en) * | 2015-07-17 | 2017-01-18 | Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH | Connector and deforming tool for same |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102021131401A1 (en) | 2021-11-30 | 2023-06-01 | iwis e-tec GmbH | Process for manufacturing an electrical connector with a low-force secured flat conductor |
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