GB2070868A - A multipolar electrical plug-in connector - Google Patents

A multipolar electrical plug-in connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2070868A
GB2070868A GB8104833A GB8104833A GB2070868A GB 2070868 A GB2070868 A GB 2070868A GB 8104833 A GB8104833 A GB 8104833A GB 8104833 A GB8104833 A GB 8104833A GB 2070868 A GB2070868 A GB 2070868A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
plug
light
conductors
light conductors
light sources
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB8104833A
Other versions
GB2070868B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kuhnke GmbH
Original Assignee
Kuhnke GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kuhnke GmbH filed Critical Kuhnke GmbH
Publication of GB2070868A publication Critical patent/GB2070868A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2070868B publication Critical patent/GB2070868B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/717Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in light source
    • H01R13/7175Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/717Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in light source
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/717Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in light source
    • H01R13/7172Conduits for light transmission
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00Structural 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
    • H01R12/70Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/75Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures connecting to cables except for flat or ribbon cables

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

A cable plug 1, whose contacts mate with the terminals 6 of a printed circuit board 3 forming part of an electrical circuit assembly 2 having a fascia plate 4 with indicator light sources 5, is provided with light conductors 8 so that light from the energised light sources is visible at the front face 10 of the plug. The light sources indicate switching functions of the circuit assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A multipolar electrical plug-in connector device The present invention relates to multipolar electrical plug-in connector assemblies of the kind in which a cable plug is insertable into an apparatus section having a facia panel in which are located the connector members representing terminals of an electrical circuit appertaining to the apparatus section, these connector members being connected to counterpart connector members of the plug when the latter is inserted, and selected functions of the circuit being indicated by means of light sources situated on the facia panel. More particularly the invention relates to the cable plugs of such assemblies.
The problem frequently arises in the case of known assemblies of this nature that the light sources arranged on the apparatus facia panel in vertical rows or one above another and beside each other in any suitable pattern are covered or partially covered by the plug when it is inserted, so that the light signals are not identifiable or even visible from certain viewpoints at least.The possibility of positioning the luminous diodes commonly utilised as light sources at an appropriate distance from the actual area of connection so that they can properly be seen is of course available but this is generally impracticable because this would result in facia panels having to be produced in several appropriate or corresponding widths and which would make their size not very practical in most instances particularly if it is needed to mount several assemblies side-by-side, for example within a rack.
It has therefore already been proposed to locate the light sources in the plug itself, that is to say in its front face facing towards the observer, and not on the apparatus facia panel. Although this obviously allows an unobstructed view of the light sources, it has the disadvantage that these latter require complex circuitry within the plug casing and moreover the signals given by the light sources will not necessarily and at all times provide an unequivocal indication as to whether a reading denoted by their illumination is attributable to a certain switching condition of the apparatus circuit or perhaps to faulty connections in the plug.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plug-in connector assembly in which the shortcomings of the known devices referred to are avoided or minimised and which consequently assures the provision of signals which are satisfactorily identifiable at all times and are related only to the apparatus circuit switching functions which are to be monitored.
Accordingly, the invention consists in a multipolar electrical plug-in connector device for use with a co-operating apparatus section having a fascia panel on which are assembled the terminal members of an electrical circuit appertaining to the apparatus section, and which became connected to the plug contacts upon inserting the plug thereinto, selected functions of the circuit being indicated by means of light sources located in or at said fascia panels, wherein a casing of said plug-in connector devices include light conductors to channel light from said light sources to particular points in a front panel of said casing to face towards an observer, the light thus being enabled to emerge in a pattern corresponding to the light sources themselves for indication of the switching function co-ordinated with the light source in question.
The invention also consists in such a plug connector device and apparatus sections assembly.
The construction accompanying to the invention enables an unequivocal provision of signals related to the switching functions in the apparatus sections in question to be maintained with retention of the essentially advantageous arrangement of the light sources with uncomplicated circuitry on the apparatus facia panel, and also enjoying the equally advantageous emission of signals at the front face of the plug.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show certain embodiments thereof by way of example and in which: Figure 1 shows a plug-in connector device comprising a plug partially inserted into an apparatus section, in a perspective view, Figure 2 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section through the device according to Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a view in perspective of the plug device, and Figure 4 shows a view in perspective of a plug of different structure.
Referring now to the drawings, the device illustrated substantially comprises a plug 1 for use with an apparatus section 2 which may for example form part of a separate electrical apparatus of any desired kind or which may alternately be intended to be installed within a frame or rack, say in modular form of construction, in combination with other identical apparatus sections. In the embodiment illustrated, the apparatus section 2 has a plate 3 bearing electrical components wired thereto and joined to a fascia panel 4. At one longitudinal side, the front plate has a row of recesses or sockets wherein luminous diodes 5 are installed as light sources. The plate 3 may be a pointed-circuit board.
In known manner, these light sources are connected to particular switching points or switching elements of the circuit mounted on the plate 3, in such manner that selected switching functions may be indicated by lighting-up of the co-ordinated luminous diode 5. Moreover, conventional circuit terminals 6 in the form of contact pins which are connected to plug contacts 7 afterthe plug 1 has been inserted into the apparatus section 2, are assembled on the fascia panel 4. A connecting cable, which is not otherwise illustrated, and whose conductors are connected to the contacts 7, is led into the plug 1.
Within the plug 1 are situated mutually parallel light conductors 8 in the form of rods, the terminal portions of which, shown at the upper part of the figures, are inserted into perforations 9 of the plug casing and the other extremities of which are each aligned separately with one of the luminous diodes 5, so that the light radiated by the light sources is ducted via the light conductor rods 8, through the plug casing and to the front face 10 of the plug cas ing facing towards an observer. The light is emitted thereat in a pattern corresponding to the light sources themselves, so that rlre light sources trans mitting a signal may be identified precisely even when the plug and socket connection has been established, whilst being substantially unaffected by the momentary direction of view.
As shown in figures 1 to 3, the light conductors 8 are thus secured at the front side in the said perforations 9 and are supported in centred and wedged manner in the area of a plug compartment 11 open towards the fascia panel 4, by means of projections 12. This wedging action may be obtained by the plug compartment 11 being tapered towards the front side 10 of the plug, at least within the area of action of the projections 12.
All the light conductors 8 appropriately form a cohesive structural unit, as shown in Figure 3 for a part of this unit. The light conductor rods 8 are accordingly joined together via transverse webs 13 which may be moulded in one operation from plastics material simultaneously with the light conductors 8 and the projections 12 present thereon.
In the case in which not all the light conductors of the light conductor unit thus produced are to be utilised, the light conductors affected thereby are sepa rated or broken off. Breaking off may be facilitated and the point of fracture may be preset by preferential predetermined fracture weakening points 14.
The light conductor component unit is moreover inserted via the lateral opening of the compartment and into the latter until the extremities of the light conductors have reached the scheduled position, that is to say have their one extremity inserted sufficiently far into the perforations 9, and are moreover fastened and supported in any desired manner within the compartment 11.
It may possible be advantageous for the outer extremities of the light conductors 8 not to be allowed to terminate flush with the front face 10, but to allow the perforations 9 to extend byond the corresponding extremities of the light conductors 8, so that dark spaces 15 are formed. In this manner, the signal light issues from the light conductors in a directed manner and without substantial dispersion, and identification of the light signals is not impeded by extraneous light.
If light ducted by the light conductors 8 in the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 has to be expected to be able to penetrate into adjacent light conductors, say via the transverse webs 13, or else into the compartment 11 as stray light, which could possibly lead to erroneous or equivocal indications at the front side 10, it is appropriate to utilise the embodiment of plug shown in Figure 4.
In this Figure, a plug 15 is provided with light conductors 16 extending parallel to each other and wholly inserted as single components into plug passages 17 open at both extremities, the one set of open extremities of these passages being situated in the plug front face 18 present atthe rear in the illust ration, and the other set of open extremities of the passages being aligned with the light sources which are individually co-ordinated with these and not illustrated in Figure 4. To this extent, this structure also corresponds to the combination of the plug and apparatus section shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the exception howeverthat in its case all the light conductors are protected against the incidence of light from adjacent light conductors.
To assure uncomplicated and reliable centring of the light conductors, the passages 17 should extend with a slight taper towards the front side 18 of the plug and closely enflank the light conductors thereat, whilst the light conductors are moreover wedged and immobilised in their installed positions in the passages 17 by projections 19 formed on them.

Claims (10)

1. A multipolar electrical plug-in connector device for use with a co-operating apparatus section having a fascia panel on which are assembled the terminal members of an electrical circuit appertaining to the apparatus section, and which became connected to the plug contacts upon inserting the plug thereinto, selected functions of the circuit being indicated by means of light sources located in or at said fascia panel, wherein a casing of said plug-in connector devices include light conductors to channel light from said light sources to particular points in a front panel of said casing to face towards an observer, the light thus being enabled to emerge in a pattern corresponding to the light sources themselves for indication of the switching function coordinated with the light source in question.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light conductors are mutually parallel and one set of the ends thereof is situated in perforations of the plug casing which are open towards the front face, whereas the other ends of the light conductors are aligned with the corresponding light sources when the plug-in connection has been established.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said perforations extend beyond the extremities of the light conductors inserted into them.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1,2 or3, wherein the light conductors are rod-shaped and form a cohesive structural component and have their front face extremities inserted into the said perforations and are centred and secured with respect to compartment surfaces by means of projections in the area of a plug conpartment open at one side towards the front fascia panel of the apparatus sections in use.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein adjacent light conductors are joined via a transverse web.
6. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the light conductors have a predetermined fracturing point.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light conductors are wholly inserted as individual elements into passages ofthe plug casing which are open at both extremities, the one set of open extremities of the passages being situated at the front face of the plug casing, and the other set of open extremities of the passages being aligned in use with the light sources co-ordinated individually with them.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the passages taper towards the front face of the plug connector and at said side closely enflank the light conductors, and the light conductors are wedged and immobilised in the passages by means of projections formed on them.
9. Plug-connector devices substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A plug-in connector and apparatus section assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8104833A 1980-02-15 1981-02-16 Multipolar electrical plug-in connector Expired GB2070868B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3005652A DE3005652C2 (en) 1980-02-15 1980-02-15 Multipole electrical connector device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2070868A true GB2070868A (en) 1981-09-09
GB2070868B GB2070868B (en) 1984-03-14

Family

ID=6094681

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8104833A Expired GB2070868B (en) 1980-02-15 1981-02-16 Multipolar electrical plug-in connector

Country Status (5)

Country Link
DE (1) DE3005652C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2476396A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2070868B (en)
NL (1) NL187830C (en)
SE (1) SE435119B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5741152A (en) * 1995-04-25 1998-04-21 Amphenol Corporation Electrical connector with indicator lights
EP0945933A3 (en) * 1998-03-25 2000-09-27 Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. Modular jack assembly with indicator
US6217389B1 (en) 1999-02-08 2001-04-17 Amphenol Corporation Universal serial bus connector with an integral over-current protection device and indicator
US6283786B1 (en) 1998-12-18 2001-09-04 Molex Incorporated Electrical connector assembly with light transmission means
CN107546508A (en) * 2016-06-28 2018-01-05 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Bayonet connector

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2567331B1 (en) * 1984-07-09 1987-06-26 Vibrachoc Sa DEVICE FOR VISUALIZING THE PLUG OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ON AN AIRCRAFT TRAY
DE3703423A1 (en) * 1987-02-05 1988-08-25 Kuhnke Gmbh Kg H Multipole electric plug-in PCB connector device - comprises longitudinal plug housing and several electrical plug contacts joined to out-going cable cores
DE3784244D1 (en) * 1987-11-07 1993-03-25 Weidmueller Interface PCB CONNECTING ELEMENT.
WO1995026582A1 (en) * 1994-03-25 1995-10-05 Xedia Corporation Non-opaque electrical connector visual status indicator
US5876239A (en) * 1996-08-30 1999-03-02 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector having a light indicator
DE102007035088A1 (en) * 2007-07-27 2009-01-29 Yamaichi Electronics Deutschland Gmbh Connector with integrated optical fiber
CN107978933B (en) * 2016-10-21 2020-02-21 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Card edge connector

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2615389A1 (en) * 1975-04-18 1976-10-21 Bunker Ramo OPTICAL-ELECTRONIC CONNECTION
ATA699577A (en) * 1977-09-30 1980-02-15 Futuritwerk Ag LIGHT SIGNAL

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5741152A (en) * 1995-04-25 1998-04-21 Amphenol Corporation Electrical connector with indicator lights
EP0945933A3 (en) * 1998-03-25 2000-09-27 Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. Modular jack assembly with indicator
US6283786B1 (en) 1998-12-18 2001-09-04 Molex Incorporated Electrical connector assembly with light transmission means
US6217389B1 (en) 1999-02-08 2001-04-17 Amphenol Corporation Universal serial bus connector with an integral over-current protection device and indicator
CN107546508A (en) * 2016-06-28 2018-01-05 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Bayonet connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE435119B (en) 1984-09-03
NL8100538A (en) 1981-09-16
SE8100957L (en) 1981-08-16
FR2476396A1 (en) 1981-08-21
FR2476396B1 (en) 1985-03-08
DE3005652C2 (en) 1982-03-04
NL187830C (en) 1992-01-16
NL187830B (en) 1991-08-16
DE3005652B1 (en) 1981-06-04
GB2070868B (en) 1984-03-14

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19960216