GB1584638A

GB1584638A - Multiway connector and screening partition

Info

Publication number: GB1584638A
Application number: GB3755277A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GLYBEN AUTOMATION Ltd
Current assignee: GLYBEN AUTOMATION Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-18
Filing date: 1978-05-18
Publication date: 1981-02-18

Description

(54) MULTIWAY CONNECTOR AND SCREENING PARTITION (71) We, GLYBEN AUTOMATION LIMI TED, a British Company, of 114-116 Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge, Kent do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a special purpose multiway connector for rail mounted and insertion type terminal blocks.

Rail mounted terminal blocks have been manufactured for many years and are used wherever the need arises to terminate a wire end.

Many different designs exist offering facilities additional to the basic function of wire termination. Such facilities include built-in fuses, switches, electrical components, shorting links and other desirable features.

One useful facility available on most designs is the inclusion of a test socket or plug bolt, as it is sometimes known. This enables a plug to be connected into the terminal, perhaps to monitor an electrical voltage on the terminal.

As mentioned above, the terminals are manufactured in different sizes, dependant on the companies designs and also the current ratings of the terminals. However, standards have been established for the mounting arrangements of these terminals and most manufacturers design their terminals in order that they will mount on universally accepted mounting rails or brackets. In fact, there is one size of mounting rail which is used more than any other and this is the one generally found in industry. Most terminals, irrespective of manufacturer or design, mount on this rail - sometimes called a DIN rail.

Whilst it is possible to connect a single test plug into these terminals, it becomes difficult to connect a multipole plug because of the varying spacings, heights etc.

According to the invention there is provided a multiway connector having a first portion comprising a plurality of discrete terminal elements each for receiving an inlet and outlet wire and having a foot portion for slideably cooperating with a mounting rail and each element including a connector in the form of a plug or socket; and having a second portion comprising a plurality of connectors each in the form of a plug or socket to cooperate with a corresponding plug or socket in the first portion to effect connection therebetween.

Thus the invention provides a means of plugging into any predetermined arrangement of terminals of such a rail mounted terminal block assembly.

Each pole of the connector according to the invention can also be provided with an inline stacking facility if required.

The multi-pole connector of the invention may be constructed by arranging the plug pins into the required formation, where necessary using as many different types and positions as dictated by the terminal block arrangement.

Any screening components are then positioned as required. Cables are attached to the plug pins and screening components as necessary, and the whole assembly for example being encased in a suitable material.

In order to provide a replacement facility for damaged plug pins, threaded inserts can be initially arranged into the connector in place of the pins and finally encased. The plug pins are then screwed into the connector carrying the threaded inserts.

For convenience, a printed circuit base can be used to mount the threaded inserts thereby providing any desirable circuit configuration, together with good mechanical integrity prior to encasement.

Guide pins may be built into the connector, these locating in additional terminal sockets or alternative devices incorporated between the terminal blocks. Polarising of the connector can be accomplished by diameter variation of the additional socket and associated guide.

The above description relates generally to an assembly incorporating plug pins. An alternative assembly may be constructed where these pins are replaced with socket contacts, thereby providing a multi-pole socket connector.

Also, the invention may provide a screening partition for positioning between selected terminals of the terminal block assembly, said partition comprising a sheet of insulating material having a think layer of metal on one side.

This screening partition replaces the insulating partitions provided by many terminal block manufacturers, this partition often being inserted between terminals where greater isolá- tion or insulation is required. The thin layer of metal may be electrically connected as required in order to provide screening qualities.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the known rail mounted terminal block assembly together with an em bodiment of the connector of the invention; and Figure 2 shows details of various individual connector constructions for the multiway connector.

The terminal block 10 comprises a number of known terminal elements 11 (e.g. Klippon SAK 25, Registered Trade Mark) mounted on an assembly rail 12. The individual elements are held in position by means of end blocks 13 having locking screws 14 therein. The normal connection to these terminals is effected by screw clamp connectors, incoming wire (not shown) being received through opening 16 on the front face and an outgoing wire being re ceived through a rear opening (not shown). The wires are clamped by tightening a screw access ible through openings 18. In addition to the screw opening, a further opening 19 is pro vided which contains a test socket. A larger diameter test socket is provided through opening 20. A partition 21 of plastics material is shown provided between individual connec tor elements.

The plug 30 cooperates with block 20 to provide a multipole connector. The pins 33, 34 are selected to match their corresponding sockets in the connector block. A connecting lead 32 with a number of wires makes connection to the individual pins of the plug.

The body 31 of the plug may be of moulded construction e.g. epoxy resin.

Typical pin constructions are shown in more detail in Figure 2. The pins 33 include a threaded portion 37 which screws into a bush 38 which has an end portion 39 to which connection of the wire is made. By providing the bush 38 the pins 33 can be interchanged with pins 34 for example or damaged pins can be replaced. The bush 38 can be mounted on the insulating plate 36 by means of copper facing 35 which may have the circuit connections etched therein by normal printed circuit practice.

If electrical screening of any pin is required then a coaxial metal screen 40 may be provided as shown and is electrically connected to an adjacent bush 41 by means of solder for example.

Guide pins (not shown) without electrical connection could be incorporated to facilitate easy insertion if no electrical connection to some of the elements 11 was required.

An alternative connection technique is shown with respect to pin 44. In the insert 45 a socket 46 is provided to allow in-line connection to an exterior plug and lead.

Although the connector 30 has been described as being a plug, the pins could be replaced by sockets 50 if the sockets through apertures 19,20 of the block 10 of Figure 1 were replaced by pins to allow connection to be effected.

The normal plastics partition 21 could be replaced, by a screening partition which preferably comprises a metal faced sheet of insulating material (e.g. copper faced glass fibre board).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A multiway connector having a first portion comprising a plurality of discrete terminal elements each for receiving an inlet and outlet wire and having a foot portion for slideably cooperating with a mounting rail, and each element including a connector in the forum of a plug or socket; and having a second portion comprising a plurality of connectors each in the form of a plug or socket to cooperate with a corresponding plug or socket in the first portion to effect connection therebetween.

2. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said connectors of said second portion each comprise a pin having a first part mounted on a support member and having a second part detachably affixed to said first part to allow replacement.

3. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said support member includes a first major insulated surface and a conductive second major surface to which said first part is electrically connected.

4. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said conductive surface is in the form of a printed circuit.

5. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one of said connectors of said second portion comprises a plug having an integral socket to provide in line interconnection to a further plug.

6. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein at least one of said connectors of said second portion includes a coaxial screened portion.

7. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein screening means are provided between adjacent terminal elements of said first portion.

8. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said screening means comprises an insulated board having a metal layer on one major face.

9. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein guide pins are provided on said second portion.

10. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein polarising means are provided to prevent connection reversal between the first and second portions.

11. A multiway connector substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

of metal may be electrically connected as required in order to provide screening qualities.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the known rail mounted terminal block assembly together with an em bodiment of the connector of the invention; and Figure 2 shows details of various individual connector constructions for the multiway connector.

The terminal block 10 comprises a number of known terminal elements 11 (e.g. Klippon SAK 25, Registered Trade Mark) mounted on an assembly rail 12. The individual elements are held in position by means of end blocks 13 having locking screws 14 therein. The normal connection to these terminals is effected by screw clamp connectors, incoming wire (not shown) being received through opening 16 on the front face and an outgoing wire being re ceived through a rear opening (not shown). The wires are clamped by tightening a screw access ible through openings 18. In addition to the screw opening, a further opening 19 is pro vided which contains a test socket. A larger diameter test socket is provided through opening 20. A partition 21 of plastics material is shown provided between individual connec tor elements.

The plug 30 cooperates with block 20 to provide a multipole connector. The pins 33,

34 are selected to match their corresponding sockets in the connector block. A connecting lead 32 with a number of wires makes connection to the individual pins of the plug.

The body 31 of the plug may be of moulded construction e.g. epoxy resin.

Typical pin constructions are shown in more detail in Figure 2. The pins 33 include a threaded portion 37 which screws into a bush 38 which has an end portion 39 to which connection of the wire is made. By providing the bush 38 the pins 33 can be interchanged with pins 34 for example or damaged pins can be replaced. The bush 38 can be mounted on the insulating plate 36 by means of copper facing 35 which may have the circuit connections etched therein by normal printed circuit practice.

If electrical screening of any pin is required then a coaxial metal screen 40 may be provided as shown and is electrically connected to an adjacent bush 41 by means of solder for example.

Guide pins (not shown) without electrical connection could be incorporated to facilitate easy insertion if no electrical connection to some of the elements 11 was required.

An alternative connection technique is shown with respect to pin 44. In the insert 45 a socket 46 is provided to allow in-line connection to an exterior plug and lead.

Although the connector 30 has been described as being a plug, the pins could be replaced by sockets 50 if the sockets through apertures 19,20 of the block 10 of Figure 1 were replaced by pins to allow connection to be effected.

The normal plastics partition 21 could be replaced, by a screening partition which preferably comprises a metal faced sheet of insulating material (e.g. copper faced glass fibre board).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A multiway connector having a first portion comprising a plurality of discrete terminal elements each for receiving an inlet and outlet wire and having a foot portion for slideably cooperating with a mounting rail, and each element including a connector in the forum of a plug or socket; and having a second portion comprising a plurality of connectors each in the form of a plug or socket to cooperate with a corresponding plug or socket in the first portion to effect connection therebetween.
2. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said connectors of said second portion each comprise a pin having a first part mounted on a support member and having a second part detachably affixed to said first part to allow replacement.
3. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said support member includes a first major insulated surface and a conductive second major surface to which said first part is electrically connected.
4. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said conductive surface is in the form of a printed circuit.
5. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one of said connectors of said second portion comprises a plug having an integral socket to provide in line interconnection to a further plug.
6. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein at least one of said connectors of said second portion includes a coaxial screened portion.
7. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein screening means are provided between adjacent terminal elements of said first portion.
8. A multiway connector as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said screening means comprises an insulated board having a metal layer on one major face.
9. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein guide pins are provided on said second portion.
10. A multiway connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein polarising means are provided to prevent connection reversal between the first and second portions.
11. A multiway connector substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.