US3218604A - Terminal block assembly for fine wires - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 16, 1965 w. A. REIMER 3,218,604

TERMINAL BLOCK ASSEMBLY FOR FINE WIRES FIG.3

FIG 4 INVENTOR. William A. Reimer ATTY.

N0V 15, 1955 w. A. RElMl-:R 3,218,604

TERMINAL BLOCK ASSEMBLY FOR FINE WIRES Filed April 22, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.6

F165 INVENTOR.

William A. Reimer ATTY.

United States Patent O 3,218,604 TERB/HNAL BLOCK ASSEMBLY FOR FINE WIRES Wiliiam A. Reimer. Villa Parli, Ili., assigner to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., Northlake, Ill., a corporation o Delaware Filed Apr. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 274,555 3 Claims. (Cl. 339-198) This invention relates to facilities for terminating wires, especially fine wires embedded in an encapsulant, and more particularly the invention relates to terminal blocks for twistor memory units such as for example disclosed in copending application Serial No. 194,246 filed May 14, 1962, Magnetic Memory System and Manufacture Thereof, by William A. Reimer.

Featured in memory units of the above type are a number of very tine twistor wires which are placed in an encapsulant made in the form of a twistor tape. The twistor wire envisioned in the invention is described in A. H. Bodecks article, A New Storage Element for Large- Sized Memory Arrays, The Twistor, Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 36, pp. 131941340, November 1957 issue. The tape is normally long and is folded in successive and alternative folds to form a multiple layer unit. Connected to each end of the tape is a terminal block with the twistor wires terminating therein. However, due to the twistor wires being very line they are inherently difficult to terminate and consequently foster high assembly cost. Furthermore, the absence of simple and straightforward means for terminating the twistor wires results in wire breaking. When the latter occurs substantial cost and effort is required to correct the defect due to the fact that the terminating operation is normally done in the final stages of assembly and after considerable time is already involved. Moreover, in order to sufliciently isolate the terminating lugs so that the fine wires can be terminated it was heretofore common to arrange the terminals in a fanned-out pattern with respect to the twistor wires. In other words, the terminals were spaced further apart than the individual wires. This pattern required the use of a larger terminal block and resulted in longer lengths of unsupported wires between the end of the twistor tape and the terminating lugs.

Therefore a principal object of the invention is to provide a terminal block for a twistor memory unit, for example, whereby the operation of terminating fine wires to terminals, relative to the prior art, is simplified substantially although made more reliable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a terminal block for a twistor memory unit whereby the length of unsupported twistor wire extending between the end of the tape and the terminal lug is a minimum and free of fanout with respect to the twistor wires.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a terminal design which is particularly suited for use in a terminal block of a twistor memory unit.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a terminal arangement wherein the spacing between the individual terminals and the spacing between the individual twistor wires are equal although the terminating lugs are adequately isolated from each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a terminal block assembly which can serve as an end plate to the twistor memory unit, giving structural rigidity to the twistor memory unit and simplifying the overall assembly operation thereof.

In accordance with these objectives the invention features a terminal that is U-shaped with one leg thereof serving as the twist-or wire lug and the other the Voutput wire lug. The two lugs are connected by a cross-leg portion which is of a selective length depending on the ICC particular terminals position in the arrangement of all the terminals in the terminal block. Another feature of the invention is that the terminals are arranged in a staggered pattern which enables the individual terminals to be placed as close together as the individual twistor wires and with suflicient isolation of the lugs for ease of terminating the twistor wires and the output wires.

Another feature of the invention is that the individual terminals are embedded in a block of epoxy material which secures them together. The block is relatively thin so that the ends of the terminating lugs remain exposed until after the twistor wire terminating operation is complete. Thusly, the epoxy block with the terminals embedded therein constitutes a sub-assembly to the terminal block assembly.

Still another feature of the invention is the potting dam which surrounds the terminal block andV is filled with an epoxy material. The filled potting dam completely embeds the twistor wire terminating lugs and thereby protects the wires from being damaged.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description which makes reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the terminal block with the individual terminals placed in a staggered or offset arrangement.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal envisioned for use in the terminal block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the terminal block shown in FIG. 1 and taken substantially along line 3-3 thereof showing the relative depth of the epoxy material to that of the exposed portion of the terminal.

FIG. 4 is a perspective View of the terminal block according to the invention showing the terminals wit-h the twistor wires terminated thereto.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal block assembly showing two terminal blocks surrounded by a potting dam on the one side and a bottom plate Von the other.

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view of a terminal block assembly such as shown in FIG. S and showing the relative depths of epoxy material after the potting dam is filled.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a subassembly 9 which includes a molded block 14 made from an epoxy or similar material, and a plurality of terminals 10. The terminals are imbedded in the epoxy material in a particular pattern as explained in detail subsequently. To facilitate the fabrication of sub-assembly 9 the mold for block 14 preferably includes simple locating fingers for locating the terminals 10 while the mold is being filled with the epoxy material.

FIG. 2 shows a typical terminal 10 used in block 14. The terminal is U-shaped and is blanked out, for example, from a brass or copper sheet. It includes a twistor wire lug portion 15, an output wire lug portion 16, and a cross-leg portion 17. Lug portion 15 is characterized by having its end rolled back on itself to form hook 19. On the other hand, lug portion 16 is substantially at and longer than lug portion 15 and is characterized by having an aperture 20 near its end for accommodating an output wire (not shown). With respect to this element it is to be understood that lug 16 is not to be restricted to the configuration shown. The lug could also be without the aperture. Cross-legs 17 bridge the two lug portions 15 and 16 and vary in length according to the preferred embodiment, depending on their relative position in the staggered pattern in block 14. That is, cross-leg 17 is made in three different lengths in order to provide suflicient isolation between the lugs and so that the twistor wires 22, of FIG. 4 for example,

and the output wires can be secured to them without undue difficulty.

In order to simplify the terminating operation the hook portion of the terminals are pre-tinned either individually r in a group after they are molded in block 14. The tinning operation can be done by dipping only the hook 19 in the tin and by virtue of the configuration of the hook a capillary attraction occurs which confines the tin to the hook. This pre-tinning of the hook aids in terminating the twistor wires substantially. This shall be explained in more detail here following.

While according to the embodiment shown terminal has but one lug portion 15, it should be understood that a terminal with two of these lug portions can also be used. In this event lug portion 16 would be centered between two oppositely extending lug portions of the configuration of lug portion 17. This of course would provide for greater exibility and capacity to the memory unit.

In order to have a minimum length of unsupported wire between the end of the twistor tape and the terminating lug, the terminals are spaced as close together as the individual twistor wires. Consequently, according to the embodiment the twistor wire terminal lugs are arranged in a pattern which repeats itself on alternate terminals and the output terminal lugs 16 are arranged in a pattern which repeats itself every six terminals. This arrangement is made possible by the terminals 10 being of three different lengths and by virtue of the fact that each terminal is offset or staggered with respect to adjacent terminals. In consequence of the arrangement the terminals are as close as the twistor wires while providing adequate spacing between the lugs in order to perform the terminating operation with ease.

From the foregoing it should be apparent that with the particular terminal configuration and the manner in which they are molded in block 14 that the operation of terminating the line twistor wires is made less complex and more direct and simple than heretofore was possible.

FIG. 3 illustrates the position of terminals 10 and the effect the aforementioned pattern has insofar as isolating the terminal lugs. It also shows the relative thickness of block 14 and to what extent the terminals project from the top surface of the epoxy material prior to being encompassed by other elements of the terminal block assembly.

FIG. 4 shows tape 21 connected to terminal block 9 with twistor wires 22 terminated to hooks 19. The length of unsupported twistor wire depends upon how much free wire is needed in the terminating operation and whether the terminals are tanned-out relative to the twistor wires. According to the invention the length of unsupported wire is kept a minimum by virtue of the fact that the terminals are spaced on centers equal to the centers of the individual twistor wires, and once the wires are free from the tape only an area suicient for a longnose pliers for instance, is required to terminate them.

It becomes apparent from FIG. 4 how tine wires and in particular the twistor wires 22 are secured to hooks 19. With hooks 19 pre-tinned, the terminating operation merely involves bringing the wires to the open end of the hook and touching the top surface of the hook with a solder iron in order to bring the tin to a liquid state. Upon reaching this state and after subsequent cooling the wire becomes fused into the tin.

The tape 21 lies parallel to and against terminal block 14 so that it is supported by it until the terminal block and tape are embedded in a filled potting dam shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 illustrates an end plate or terminal block assembly which has two terminal blocks 50 and 51 connectable to tapes 54 and 55 respectively, a bottom plate 52, and a potting dam 53. The potting dam 53 is fastened about the terminal blocks 50 and 51 and to bottom plate 52 by means of fastening means (not shown) extending through apertures 40 and 41. Bottom plate 52 can be made from any material which would provide structural rigidity to the memory unit without adding substantially to its weight. The potting darn 53 according to the embodiment is virtually a frame made of cross pieces having a rectangular-shaped cross-section. The cross pieces are also preferably rigid and light weight. The material from which the cross pieces are made should be compatible with the material that the potting dam is lled with in Iorder to achieve proper adhesion between the two.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of a completed terminal block assembly. Herein, potting dam 53 is placed over tape 54 and 55 and against bottom plate 52. Inside the potting dam is an encapsulant 43, for example an epoxy which completely embeds the terminating lugs 15 while leaving exposed lugs 16. As a result of the tape being formed over the end of terminal blocks 50 and 51 and covered with either cross pieces 53 or encapsulant 43, any force on tapes 54 and 55 would not extend to the twistor wires themselves subjecting them to undue stress and even possible breakage. Therefore, in effect the assembly provides a self-locking assembly which requires few component parts while making a rigid end piece for the memory unit.

The invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, this was done merely by Way of example and not intended to impose a limitation to the spirit and scope of my invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A terminal block assembly for terminating tine wires encapsulated, and extending in parallel with each other, in a flat tape of insulating material with the bare ends of said wires extending from the end edge of said tape; said assembly comprising: at least one terminal block comprising a molded block, and a plurality of terminals embedded in said molded block in a staggered pattern eac-h comprising a Iirst lug portion with one end thereof turned over on itself to form a hook designed to support and receive one of said bare wire ends, a second lugr portion formed apart from and parallel to said iirst lug portion, and a cross-leg portion extending perpendicularly between said rst and second dug portions with one end there-of joined to the opposite end of said rst lug portion and the other end thereof joined to the opposite end of said second lug portion; a substantially ilat and rigid plate placed adjacent one surface of said molded block; a rectangular shaped frame structure; connecting means to tix said frame structure to said plate with said tape extending therebetween, said tape being rigidly held between said frame structure and said plate, and an encapsulant formed over at least saidl rst lug portion and within said frame structure.

2. A terminal block assembly for terminating ne wires encapsulated, and extending in parallel with each other in a flat tape of insulating material with the bare ends of said wires extending from the end edge of said tape; said assembly comprising: a terminal block comprising a molded block of insulating material supporting a portion of said tape including said end edge, and a plurality of terminals embedded in said molded block in a predetermined pattern, said terminals having means to support and receive said Wires; a substantially at and rigid plate placed adjacent one surface of said molded block; a rectangular shaped frame structure; connecting means to x said frame structure to said plate with said tape extending therebetween, said tape being held rigidly between said frame structure and said plate; and an encapsulant formed over said terminals and said tape and within said frame structure.

3. A terminal bloeiti for terminating fine Wires comprising: a molded block; and a plurality of terminals, each comprising; a rst lug portion with one end thereof turned yover on itself to form a hook which is arranged and constructed to supported and receive one of said wires, a second lug portion formed apart from and parallel to said first lug portion, and a cross-leg portion extending perpendicularly between said rst and second lug portions with one end thereof joined to the opposite end of said first lug portion and the other end thereof joined to the opposite end of said second lug portion, and embedded in said molded block such that each of said rst lug portions are otset relative to adjacent first lug portions, and said second lug portions are offset relative to adjacent second lug portions.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH D.

Connell et al.

Hecht.

Kershaw 339-242 Korn 339-198 Smith 339-198 Weisberg 339-97 X Obst 339-198 Dahlgren 339-103 X Dahlgren et al 339-198 Nieter 339-17 X SEERS, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 3. A TERMINAL BLOCK FOR TERMINATING FINE WIRES COMPRISING: A MOLDED BLOCK; AND A PLURALITY OF TERMINALS, EACH COMPRISING; A FIRST LUG PORTION WITH ONE END THEREOF TURNED OVER ON ITSELF TO FORM A HOOK WHICH IS ARRANGED AND CONSTRUCTED TO SUPPORTED AND RECEIVE ONE OF SAID WIRES, A SECOND LUG PORTION FORMED APART FROM AND PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST LUG PORTION, AND A CROSS-LEG PORTION EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND LUG PORTIONS WITH ONE END THEREOF JOINED TO THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID FIRST LUG PORTION AND THE OTHER END THEREOF JOINED TO THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID SECOND LUG PORTION, AND EMBEDDED IN SAID MOLDED BLOCK SUCH THAT EACH OF SAID FIRST LUG PORTIONS ARE OFFSET RELATIVE TO ADJACENT FIRST LUG PORTIONS, AND SAID SECOND LUG PORTIONS ARE OFFSET RELATIVE TO ADJACENT SECOND LUG PORTIONS.

Images