GB2141294A

GB2141294A - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: GB2141294A
Application number: GB08412113A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luigi Paroni
Original assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Current assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Priority date: 1983-06-09
Filing date: 1984-05-11
Publication date: 1984-12-12
Also published as: ES279454U; GB8412113D0; IT8334030V0; DE8415941U1; ES279454Y; FR2547462A3; FR2547462B3

Abstract

An electrical connector of "flag-like" or "L" type comprises a rigid insulating casing (6) provided with an opening (10) for receiving a mating plug and an opening (9) for insertion of a metal terminal connected to at least one electrical power supply wire (8). Opening (9) is disposed in opposed relationship to opening (10), extends into side of casing (6), and is provided with flexible arm portions (11, 12) shaped with a configuration (21, 22) such as to assist the movement of the supply wire (8) therepast and to function, once the terminal (7) is positioned in the casing (6), as an insulating bridge for the supply wire (8) with respect to the space around the connector. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical connector The present invention relates to an electrical connector formed by an insulating casing of plastics material, into which is fitted a metal terminal connected to the electrical power supply wire.

Such connectors are widely used in electrical apparatuses of every kind and are normally provided on oppositely disposed sides thereof with a first opening for inserting the terminal and the associated wire and a second opening forfitting the connector to the apparatus which is to be electrically connected.

Such connectors of "linear" type are provided with rigid one-piece casings and may be assembled by automatic methods and machines. However, they are of relatively substantial axial size which prevents them from being used or which makes it difficult for them to be used in compact apparatuses where the amount of internal space is extremely small.

Connectors have been produced which are of the "flag-like" or "L" type in which the opening for introducing the wire into the casing is provided laterally thereon, that is to say, at 90" with respect to the opening for fitting the connector in position. This arrangement reduces the axial size of the connector but it makes the construction of the casing more complicated. In fact, the casing is generally constructed with a hinge means in such a way that it can be folded open like a book and closed onto the terminal by means of a spring latching arrangement; it will be appreciated that the construction requires manual assembly with an increase in the amounts of time required and in the difficulties in preparing and holding the connector.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector of "flag-like" or"L" type comprising a rigid insulating casing provided with a fitting opening and an opening for insertion of a metal terminal connected to at least one electrical power supply wire, the opening for insertion of the terminal, which is disposed in opposed relationship to the fitting opening, extending over a side of the casing and being provided with flexible arm portions at a position corresponding to the edge of said opening, which is extended laterally.

As will become apparent from the following description, the invention can provide an electrical connector of the "flag-like" or "L" type, with a rigid one-piece casing which permits automatic insertion of the terminal, securing the greatest design and operational advantages for the connector.

In fact, the illustrated embodiment guarantees not only mechanical security in the connection but also guarantees electrical security by ensuring that wires of connectors which are fitted in fairly closely adjacent positions cannot come into contact, giving rise to dangerous short circuits.

The advantages and features of a connector according to the present invention will be better appreciated from the following description and the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the connector according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a view of the connector in section taken along line ll-ll in Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows another view in section taken along line Ill-Ill in Figure 1.

It can be seen from the drawings that the connector 5 comprises a one-piece hollow casing 6 which is produced by moulding a suitable plastics material, for example nylon.

The casing 6 is of an "L"-shaped configuration capaable of receiving a metal terminal 7 and the associated electrical power supply wire 8, which are connected orthogonally relative to each other in per se known manner. Provided in the hollow body portion of the casing 6 are two openings 9 and 10 (see Figure 2) which are respectively intended to permit the terminal 7 to be automatically introduced by means of a simple pressure into the interior of the casing 6 and to permit the terminal 7 to be fitted to the corresponding plug member of the apparatus which is to be electrically connected (not shown in the drawings).

The opening 9 is extended onto the side of the casing 6 and is provided with two flexible arm portions 11 and 12 which are disposed in a position corresponding to the edge thereof. The flexible arm portions 11 and 12 which are produced directly in the operation of moulding the casing 6 are of such a shape as to assist the movement of the supply wire 8 therethrough and to operate, once the terminal 7 is positioned in the casing 6, as an insulating bridge for the supply wire 8 with respect to the space around the connector. Desirably, the arm portions 11 and 12 are each of a configuration having an inclined edge 21 to facilitate the insertion movement of the wire 8, and with an abutment edge 22 to prevent the wire from accidentally coming out.Provided in one piece on the internal walls of the body portion of the casing 6 is a flexible tongue portion 14 (see Figure 3) which is of suitable dimensions to retain the terminal 7 in the inserted position thereof and to co-operate with portions 15 of increased thickness and with the ribs 16 which correctly position the terminal 7 within the casing 6.

In that respect, it should be noted that the edge of the opening 9 of the casing 6 and the two arm portions 11 and 12 are suitably dimensioned to space and protect the terminal 7 and the associated supply wire 8 from other adjacent conductors and from unprotected metal parts with which they could come into contact in a dangerous manner.

If the terminal 7 has to be removed from the casing 6, it is possible to use a suitable tool which is already used for linear connectors and which is of such a shape asto depress the tongue portion 14for releasing the terminal 7 which can then be removed by pushing the wire 8 so as to overcome the resistance of the flexible arm portions 11 and 12.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the construction of the connector 5 makes it possible easily to automate the operation of inserting the terminal 7 and the wire 8 into the casing 6 and thus permits substantial rationalization in the connection assembly phase.

Another advantage of the connector 5 is that it provides for the production of a casing 6 which is immediately ready for automatic assembly and which guarantees the user improved safety, both electrical and mechanical, in comparison with conventional connectors provided with hinged casings which can be closed by a spring latching means. It will be appreciated that the connector according to the invention may be the subject of any suitable modifications according to the circumstances.

Claims

1. An electrical connector of "flag-like" or "L" type comprising a rigid insulating casing provided with a fitting opening and an opening for insertion of a metal terminal connected to at least one electrical power supply wire, the opening for insertion of the terminal, which is disposed in opposed relationship to the fitting opening, extending over a side of the casing and being provided with flexible arm portions at a position corresponding to the edge of said opening, which is extended laterally.

2. A connector according to Claim 1 wherein said flexible arm portions which are formed directly in moulding of the casing are shaped with a configuration such as to assist the movement of the supply wire therepast and to function, once the terminal is positioned in the casing, as an insulating bridge for the supply wire with respect to the space around the connector.

3. An electrical connector constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.