IL38978A

IL38978A - Hermaphroditic electrical connector

Info

Publication number: IL38978A
Application number: IL38978A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Bendix Corp
Priority date: 1971-03-15
Filing date: 1972-03-14
Publication date: 1974-11-29
Also published as: US3725844A; IL38978A0; DE2212560C2; GB1373268A; NL7203409A; DE2212560A1; JPS5411914B1; CH551087A; FR2130235A1; NL170073C; IT950209B; FR2130235B1; CA944832A; NL170073B

Description

*οΐ3'Λ ττ3« *^osm -tana Hermaphroditic electrical connector THE 3ENDIX GORPORATIOK C:-37000 In order to link the operating unite or components of an electrical installation, it is known to make use of multi-wire cables which are interconnected by means of terminal connectors. Such coupling devices are usually of the male and female type, the cable interconnections being made by properly mating male and female contacts of the connectors.

This implies the necessity of constructing and storing separately male and female contacts, and to keep in store, for maintenance sake, a double series of contacts.

In order to simplify the industrial production of such contacts and to make easier the watching of the contacts stored for maintenance, the present invention discloses a hermaphroditic type electrical connector each contact of which comprises several fine wires bundled together to form a brush contact. When the contacts are in mated relationship, their respective file wires are intermingled so as to provide a very good and reliable electrical circuit relationship therebetween.

The invention will be now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a hermaphroditic contact according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a magnified view of a contact wire; Fig; 4 shows two contacts in mated relationship; and ' Fig. 5, 6, 7 are respectively sectional view of contacts according three other embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings , FIGURE 1 illustrates a connector assembly that is comprised of a first assembly 1 and a second aesembly 2, both of which embody the principles of the invention.

, The first ssembly 1 comprises a housing 8, having a plurality of passages 23, a plurality. of ducts 21. and 22 disposed in the passages 23, and an electrical connector contact 11 disposed in each of said ducts 21 and 22.

The housing 8 is generally comprised of a nonconducting material and ma y take any particular configuration.

The ducts 21 and 22 are disposed within the passages 23 in a predetermined manner so that some of the ducts 21 extend out of the pas sage 23 and other of the ducts 22 terminate within the passage 23. In this embodiment the position of the ducts 21 and 22 determine the male and female portion of the assembly 1.

Located within each duct 21 , 22 is an electrical contact 11 similar to that shown in FIGURE 2. The shoulder 17 of the electrical contact 11 assists in positioning the electrical contact 1 1 in its proper place within the duct 21 , 22. In the first assembly, the electrical contact 1 1 is located in the ducts 21 that extend out ± «.ne passage 23 so that neither the hous ing 10 nor the Wi res 12 ex-tend out of the duct 21. · The electrical conductor 5 that is to be connected to another conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with the electrical contact 1 1.

Similarly, the second assembly 2 comprises a housing 9 having a plurality of passages 23 therein, a plurality of ducts 21 and 22 located in each o the housing passages 23, and an electrical contact 11 located in each of the ducts 21 , 22. The shape of the housing 9 and the arrangement of the passages 23 a re identical to the first assembly housing and passage arrangement so that the duct 21 and 22 may enter the passage 23 in assemblies 8 and 9 in a predetermined relationship..

\ III the second assembly 2 there are a plurality of ducts 22 that terminate within the passage 23 of the second assembly 2. This is so the passages 23 may receive ducts 21 from the first as sembly 1. The re are also a plurality df ducts 21 that extend beyond the passage 23 for mating with the passages 23 in the first assembly 1.

Located in each duct 21 , 22 are electrical contacts 11. Extending beyond the duct 22 is a portion of the housing 10 and wires 12 of the electrical contact 11 that, will be inserted into the. duct 1 when duct 21 is inserted into passage 23 of the second assembly 2.

• A sepond conductor 6 is in circuit relationship with the electrical contact 1 1 so that when the first as sembly 1 is in mated relationship with the second assembly 2, the Wires 12 of the first and second assembly a re intermingled with and in cohtac .with each other whereby the first electrical conductor 5 is Although a plurality of ducts 21 and 22 and electrical contacts 11 arc shown; this connector may also be used for connectin as few as two wires in electrical circuit relationship. Further, the first assembly 1 could be arranged such that all the ducts .21 and 22 terminate within the passages 23 making it a receptacle while all the ducts 21 and 22 located in the second assembly 2 may extend beyond the housing making it a plug. However, the combination of male and female contacts in each as sembly makes it possible to key one assembly to another so that only one mating relationship is possible. Also, the ducts 21 and 22 could be eliminated from the assembly and the electrical contacts 1 1 placed directly into a housing. In this regard, resilient inserts, adapted to receive and locate the contacts 11 in a predetermined position would comprise the connector assembly. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 , the passages 23 and ducts 21 and 22 are used to align and position the electrical contacts 11.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an electrical connector contact 11 that embodies the principles of this invention. The elongated housing 10 , which is fabricated from an appropriate conducting mate rial, has an axial passage 14 in one end for receiving an electrical conductor (not shown). The other end of the housing 10 has an axial passage 13 of two different cross- sections', for receiving a plurality of wires 12. Generally, seven or more wires 12 fill the inner portion B of the passage 13 and. are crimped at one or more points 19 into place. However, they may be solde red or brazed into position so long as all of the wires 12 are in electrical circuit relationship with one another. The end portion A of the passage 1 3 has a larger axial cross- sectional area than the axial cross-sectional area of the interior portion A of the passage 13. This larger cross- sectional area provides a space between the wires 12 and the inner wall of the end portion of the passage 13 for s r in of wi es 12 in a radial direction. The o enin at the end ortion of the passage 13 is chamfe red inwa rdly to facilitate the passage of similar wires (not shown) into the end portion of the passage 1 3. When the wires of a similar assembly are axialfy in line with the wires 12 of this assembly, and an axial force is applied thereto, the wires of this assembly expand within the confines of the end portion A of the housing passage 13 as the wires of the other assembly enter the passage 13 and intermingle with the wires of this assembly. This action completes the electrical circuit relationship between the two assemblies.

Preferably, the distance D that the wires 12 extend beyond the housing 10 is less than the length of the end portion A of the housing passage 13. This will insure that when all wires 12 are in mated relationship with the wires of a similar contact they are surrounded by and supported by the housing 10. This confine 8 the wires 12 to a given space and helps to prevent radical bending of the wires that prevents a wire from entering the passage 13 in the housing 10 when the contacts are placed in mated relationship.

FIGURE 3 is a magnified view of one of the wires 12 that are mounted in a housing to accomplish the objects of this invention. In this embodiment, for ease of assembly, both ends of wire 12 have a tapered or an angled surface 3 to facilitate eliding movement upon contact with the wires of another connector. The wire shown may be of any conducting material depending upon the strength and conductivity requirements. An example of one preferred material is beryllium- copped wire having a silver coating thereon. When beryllium- copper is used, it is preferred that for a housing 1 1 , having, an outside diamete r of about '. 1 ^ 5 mm 1, that the wires 12 have a length of about . - 10 mm and a diameter of about . G» l5 mm . In this embodiment, wires having a diameter less than 0, 25 mm and greater than .0*025 mm are preferred. A s previously mentioned, for structural purposes, it may be desirable to limit the length of the wire 12 to FIGURE 4 illustrates hermaphroditic contacts , similar to the one shown in FIGURE 2, in mated relationship. In this prefer i ed embodiment, it is shown how the end portions A of the housing passages 13 confine the intermingled wires 12 to a specific space. Although it is , not necessary that the ends of each housing 1 0 contact each other, it is preferred that they do. Such an arrangement prevents the buckling of the wires should an unusually high amount of axial force be exerted on the housings 10. Each of the housings 10 include a second axial pas sage 14 for receiving an electrical conductor {not shown).

FIGURE 5 is a cross- sectional View of a preferred embodiment of a hermaphroditic electrical contact 11 which characterizes this invention. In this embodiment, the wires 12 are mounted in the axial passage 13 in the housing 10. However, the axial passage 13 is of uniform cross- section and there is no end portion which is spaced' from the wires mounted therein. This type of contact may be mated with the electrical contacts shown in FIGURES 2, 6 or 7 and with contacts identical to that shown in this figure.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred embodiment of a hermaphroditic -electrical contact which characterizes this invention. In this embodiment, the wires 12 do not extend beyond the end of the housing 10, but terminate at or within the housing 10. The end portion A of the passage 13 has a larger cross-section than the interior passage portion B for containing the wires 12 to a predetermined space when mated with the wires of another contact. This type of contact is especially adapted to receive the contact shown in FIG URES 5 and 7 but may also receive the contact shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a cross -sectional view of a double ended hermaphroditic electrical contact which embodies the principles of this invention. In this embodiment, the wires 12 of either end of the contact 11 can be mated with the contact

Claims

1. CLAIMS An electrical contact a conduit h an axial and several electrical conducting wires aligned and axially within the passage of said conduit so that said wires extend beyond one end Of said each of said wires extending beyond end of said conduit including an end portion that terminates an acutely angled An electrical contact according to Claim 1 an elongated electrical conductor having an axial passage that an end portion that terminates in an opening at one nd of said conductor and an interior passage the end portion of said passage having a area larger than the area of the portion of said and several electrical wires axially aligned and axially mounted in said axial passage and a predetermined distance beyond the end of said elongated said wires spaced from the wall of the end portion of said passage to permit spreading of said wires within the portion of said each said wires extending beyond the end of said conductors includes an end portion that terminates in a The combination as recited in Claim 2 wherein the passag opening in said elongated conductor includes a portion that is tapered combination as recited in Claim 2 wherein the predetermined distance wires extend beyond end of said conductor is less than the length of the end portion of the axial An electrical connector including an electrical contact according to Claim for connecting a electrical conducto in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical said connector a first assembly which a housing having a passage duct disposed in said housing said duct a first whic extends beyond said housin an elongated conductor adapted to receive said first electrical conducto in said elongated conductor havin an axial passage tha includes an end passage portion that terminates in a opening at one end of said conductor and a interior passage the end passage portion having a area large tha the area of interior passage and a pluralit of wires axially mounted in axial passage and extending beyond the end of said said conductor in said duct so that the end portio of said having said wires extending does not extend out the first end of said a second assembly which a havin a passage said passage adapted to receive the first end of said firs duct that extends beyond said first assembly a duct disposed in said housing said duct having a first which terminates within said housing an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor in one said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at end o said conductor and an interior passage the end passage portion having a area larger than area of the interior passage and a of wires mounted in said passage and extending beyond the end of said said conductor in said duct so that the end portion of said having said extending extends out of first end of said so that when said assembly is in relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and secon assembl are intermingled with and contact with each othe whereby electrical conductor is in electrical circuit ship with second electrical The combination as recited in Claim 5 for connecting a first plurality of electrical conductors in circuit relationship with second plurality o electrical wherein said first housing has a plurality of passages therethrough each having an elongated a plurality of and duct therein extends beyond said housing and wherein said second assembly housing a plurality of passages arranged in the as the passages in said first each having an elongated a plurality of wires and a duct therein that terminates within said second housing so that when said first is in mated relationship with said second assembly first plurality of conductors in said first are in predetermined circuit second plurality conductors in said second plurality o conductors in said second The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein said i assembly has at least one duct which terminates within a firs housing passage which is also adapted to a duct from second and wherein said second housing includes at least one duct which extends beyond a second housing passage whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and female A electrical connector an electrical contact Claim for connectin a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a said connector assembly comprisin a first assembly which includess a housing havin a passage an elongated conductor mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first electrical conducto at one said elongated conductor having an axial passage that an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of elongated conductor and an interior passage th end passage portion having a area larger than the sectional area of the interior passage a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted said interior passage portion and extending out but spaced from the inside walls of the end passage portion of said elongated the other ends of said wires terminating in free ends each of which includes a tapered end said elongated conductor in said housing so that the end portion of said elongated having said extends out of the first passage of said first assembly and a second assembly which a housing having a passage said passage adapted to receive the wires of said first tha extends out of said first assembly housing an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor at one said elongated conductor having an passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage the end passage portion having a sectional area larger than area of the interior passage and a plurality of aligned wires axially mounted in said interior passage portion of said second assembly elongated conductor and extending out but spaced the walls of the end passage portion of said elongated the other of said wires ends each which includes a tapered end said elongated conductor said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said havin said wires terminates withi the assa e of i se ond assemb o sin s when is in relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact with each other within confines of said end portions of sai elongated conductors of said first and second whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical The combination as recited in Claim 8 for connecting a first plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit relationship with a second plurality o electrical wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of th other ends of said elongated said elongated conductors of said assembly having portions that extend beyond said housing passage and wherein said second assembly housin has a plurality of passages arranged in the same manner the passages i said first assembly each o said passages of second housing having mounted therein elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said second plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated conductors of said second elongated conductors of said second assembly having portions which terminate within said second housing so that whe said first assembly in relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit relationship with said second of conductors in said The as recited in wherein said firs has a leas one elongated conductor which terminates within one of said housing passages is adapted to receive a elongated conductor said second and wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages whereby said and include both male and female ftn electrical connecto including an electrical contact according to Claim for connecting a first electrical conducto predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical said connector assembly a assembly which a housing having a passage an elongated mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first conducto at on said elongated conducto having an axial passage that terminates in an at the other end of said and a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted in said passage and extending beyond the end of said elongated said elongated conducto mounted in said housing so that the end portion of said elongated having said wires extending extends out the of said and a second assembly which a housing having a passage passage adapted to receive the end said elongated conductor that extends beyond said first an elongated conductor receive said second electrical conductor at one said elongated conductor having an that includes an end passage portion that an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage the end passage portion having a area larger that the area of the interior passage a plurality of axially aligned wires axially in said interior passage portion and extending into but spaced from the of the end passage portion of said elongated said elongated conductor said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said said wires extending terminates within the passage of said second assembly so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact with each other whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said secon The combinatio as recited in Claim 11 for connecting a first plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit relationship with a second plurality of electrical wherein said first assembly has a plurality of passages therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality end of wires in each of the other of said elongated elongated conductors of first assembly having portions which extend beyond said housing passage and whereby said second assembly housing has a plurality of passages arranged the as the passages in said first assembly each of said passages of said second housing having therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one Of said electrical conductors of said second plurality at one end a plurality of wires in eac of the other ends of said elongated said elongated conductors of said second assembly having portions which terminate within said housing so that when said first is in mated with said second assembly said first plurality of conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit relationship with said second plurality of conductors in said second connecto assembly as recited in Claim 12 wherein each of said wires of said first and second assemblies a free end having a tapered end The combination as recited in claim 11 wherein said first assembly has at least one conductor which terminates withi one of said first housing passages which also adapted to receive an elongated mounted in said and wherein said second housing at least one elongated conductor which extends beyond one of said housing passages whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and female An electrical connector assembly in Claim 14 wherei each of said wire of said first and second assemblies includes a free end having a tapered end An electrical connector as recited in 11 wherein each of said wires of said first and second assemblies includes a free end having a tapered end electrical connector including an electrical contact according to Claim for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical said connector assembly a first assembly which a housing having a passage elongated mounted in housing passage adapted to receive said electrical conductor at one said ted conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an at the othe end of said and a plurality of axialiy wires in said axial wires terminating a ee end each having an acutel angled end a second assembly which a housing having a passage passage adapted to receive the end of said elongated conductor of said an elongated to receive said second electrical conductor at one said elongated conductor having an passage that terminates in an at the other end of said and a plurality of wires aligned and said axial passage of said second assembly elongated said wires terminating in a end each having acutely angled end said elongated conductor in said assembly housing so wires mounted within the passage of said second whereby when said firs assembly is placed in mated relationship said second assembl angled end portions at the ee ends of said wires of each assembly facilitates f said wires without the bending thereof so that said wires of said first assembly may be repeatedly placed in electrical circuit relationship said wires second The combination as recited in Claim 17 for a first plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors wherein said assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated said elongated conductors of said first assembly having end portions which extend beyond said housing and said second assembly housing has a plurality of passages arranged in the same manner as the in said first assembly eac of said passages of said second housing having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in the other ends of said elongated said elongated conductors of said assembly having portions which terminate within said second housing so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of conductors in said The combination as recited in Claim 17 wherein said first has at least one elongated conductor which terminates within one of said first housing passage which is also adapted to receive an elongated conductor in said second and wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated conductor which said extends beyond one housing passages whereby said first and second assemblies includes both female The combination as recited in 18 wherein said first assembly has at least on elongated conductor which terminates within one of said housing passages which is also adapted to receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second and wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages whereby and second assemblies include both male and female An electrical contact as recited in Claim substantially as described with reference to the accompanying insufficientOCRQuality