WO2007050438A1 - Connector for low-voltage circuitry - Google Patents

Connector for low-voltage circuitry Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007050438A1
WO2007050438A1 PCT/US2006/040954 US2006040954W WO2007050438A1 WO 2007050438 A1 WO2007050438 A1 WO 2007050438A1 US 2006040954 W US2006040954 W US 2006040954W WO 2007050438 A1 WO2007050438 A1 WO 2007050438A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
insulating part
cable
connector
inner insulating
low
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/040954
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Han Weijun
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Company
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 3M Innovative Properties Company filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Company
Publication of WO2007050438A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007050438A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/01—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for connecting unstripped conductors to contact members having insulation cutting edges
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H01R13/506—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces assembled by snap action of the parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a connector for low-voltage circuitry, and more particularly to a connector for interconnection between conductors in low-voltage circuitry.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,071,366 there is disclosed a circular IDC connector comprising a plurality of contacts and an insulating disk fitted above the IDC ends of contacts.
  • the insulating disk is used to engage the individual wire into an IDC slot.
  • the circular IDC connectors can connect their wire ends to the contacts without the aid of other special tools.
  • the above-mentioned circular IDC connectors still have several drawbacks. Since the circular IDC connectors pierce into the insulation layer of the wires by means of a screwing connection and thus interconnect the wires inserted therein, it is necessary to screw three screws at the same time
  • the present invention provides a connector for low-voltage circuitry, where the connector can avoid stripping off the insulation layer of the wire and is convenient in usage without the aid of auxiliary mounting tools.
  • the connector for low-voltage circuitry in accordance with the present invention comprises an inner insulating part provided with a cable insertion face and a cable drawn-out face, and a cable through-hole passing through the cable insertion face and cable drawn-out face.
  • Metallic cutters capable of swinging along the cable drawn-out face are installed on the cable drawn-out face.
  • the cutters comprise a first cutter and a second cutter arranged on upper and lower sides of the cable through-hole respectively, the first cutter and the second cutter consist of blade portions adjacent to the cable through-hole and lever portions protruded outwards and formed on both sides of the inner insulating part.
  • the connector also includes an outer insulating part.
  • the outer insulating part is a hollow member with an open face for accommodating the inner insulating part therein. Snap-in means for assembling the inner insulating part and the outer insulating part together are also provided on the connector.
  • the connector for low- voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can not only avoid the step of stripping off the insulation layer, but also relieve the use of special tools, thereby largely enhancing working efficiency of the operators and lowering cost of labor.
  • the present invention may achieve the following advantages.
  • two blades installed on the inner insulating part pierce through the insulation layer of the double-head cable, thereby avoiding the trouble of insulation layer stripping procedure and achieving interconnection of the double-headed cable.
  • Operators may only adopt the connector for low-voltage circuitry of the present invention to achieve interconnection of the double-headed cable, without the aid of other auxiliary tools.
  • a single step of snap-in action is sufficient for the interconnection of the double-headed cable. Hence, it is simple, convenient, and efficient in operation.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of inner and outer insulating parts of the connector for low-voltage circuitry in accordance with the present utility model, wherein the inner insulating part has not been inserted into the outer insulating part yet;
  • Fig. 2 separately shows the inner insulating part in a schematic perspective view from another direction
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the internal construction of the outer insulating part seen from the open side thereof;
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the forces suffered on the inner and outer insulating parts of the connector for low- voltage circuitry in accordance with the present utility model during its assembling procedure;
  • Figs. 5 to 8 show respectively the progressive steps in the entire assembling procedure of the connector for low- voltage circuitry.
  • the low-voltage connector of the present invention generally comprises an inner insulating part provided with a cable insertion face and a cable drawn-out face, and a cable through-hole passing through the cable insertion face and cable drawn-out face.
  • Metallic cutters capable of swinging along the cable drawn-out face are installed on the cable drawn-out face.
  • the cutters comprise a first cutter and a second cutter arranged on upper and lower sides of the cable through-hole respectively, the first cutter and the second cutter consist of blade portions adjacent to the cable through-hole and lever portions protruded outwards and formed on both sides of the inner insulating part.
  • the connector also includes an outer insulating part.
  • the outer insulating part is a hollow member with an open face for accommodating the inner insulating part therein. Snap-in means for assembling the inner insulating part and the outer insulating part together are also provided on the connector.
  • a recessed hole may be provided on the face disposed on the interior side of the outer insulating part and opposed to the cable drawn-out face of the inner insulating part.
  • the shape of the hole is consistent to that of cable through-hole.
  • sliding grooves may be provided on both sides of the cable through-hole respectively, each of sliding grooves having a shape that allows for free slide of the lever portions therein.
  • the connector for low-voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can securely support the double-head cable within the inner insulating part, and the lever portions of the first and second cutters can slide freely in the sliding grooves, thereby preventing malfunction of the connector resulted from misalignment of the lever portions.
  • limiting grooves for limiting the swinging range of the lever portions may be provided respectively adjacent to fixed shafts of the lever portions mounted on the inner insulating part.
  • the connector for low-voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can limit the rotational range of the lever portion within 90 degrees to ensure normal operation of the connector.
  • the snap-in means for assembling the inner insulating part and the outer insulating part may comprise latch mechanisms disposed on both side walls of the inner insulating part respectively; and slots provided on both side walls of the outer insulating part. The shapes of the slots are mated with those of latch mechanisms.
  • the connector for low-voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can snap-in the inner and outer insulating parts together after the blade portions of the first and second cutters have pierced into the insulation layer of the cable, whereby the double-head cable can be kept in a state of electrical conduction.
  • the latch mechanisms may be provided with inclined faces extending into the slots.
  • the inner and outer insulating parts of the connector can be assembled together in a temporarily interconnected state, thereby providing both convenience and flexibility in application.
  • an aperture may be provided on the top of the outer insulating part for injection of anti-rust grease.
  • the antirust grease can be injected through the aperture on the top of the outer insulating part to protect the blade portions of the first and second cutters from rusting.
  • the connector for low-voltage circuitry in accordance with the present invention generally consists of an inner insulating part 1 and an outer insulating part 2. As shown in Fig. 1, both the inner insulating part 1 and outer insulating part 2 present an appearance of a cube, in which the outer insulating part 2 is a hollow member with one side face opened, and the inner insulating part 1 can be inserted precisely through the open side of the outer insulating part 2 into the interior of the outer insulating part 2.
  • both the inner and outer insulating parts may have any appropriate shapes, for example, rectangular, cylindrical, polygonal and the like, as long as the shape of the inner insulating part 1 is able to mate with that of outer insulating part.
  • One face of the inner insulating part 1 can serve as a cable insertion face (i.e., an external face of the inner insulating part in Fig. 1), and the other face opposite to the cable insertion face can serve as a cable drawn-out face (not shown in Fig. 1).
  • a cable through-hole 11 is disposed in the interior of the inner insulating part 1 to direct the cable from the cable insertion face to the cable drawn-out face. Operators may insert the cable to be interconnected through the inner insulating part 1 and direct the cable out from the cable drawn-out face.
  • the shape of the cable through-hole 11 preferably conforms to the cross section of the double-head cable.
  • a first cutter 14 and a second cutter 14' are mounted on the upper and lower sides of the cable drawn-out face of the inner insulating part 1, respectively.
  • the first cutter 14 and the second cutter 14' are made of metallic material, which has not only high strength but also good electric conductivity so that it can be suitable to interconnect the double-head cable 3.
  • the construction of the first cutter 14 is similar to that of second cutter 14', both are composed of a blade portion 14a or 14a' and a lever portion 14b or 14b 1 wherein the blade portions 14a and 14a' respectively are positioned above and below the cable through-hole 11 (more particularly, sharp edges of the blade portions respectively are positioned adjacent to one side of through hole), and connected onto the cable drawn-out face by means of fixed shafts 15, 15' integrally formed on the cable drawn-out face, and swinging freely about the fixed shafts 15 and 15' respectively.
  • the blade portions 14a, 14a' pierce through the insulation layer wrapped around the double-head cable protruded from the cable drawn-out face.
  • a lever portion 14b protruds outward,. forms an approximately L-shaped structure with the blade portion 14a of the first cutter and is integrally formed on one end of the first cutter 14.
  • a lever portion 14b' protrudes outward and is formed on one end of the second cutter 14' with a similar structure.
  • the mounting position of the lever portion 14b' is not at the same side, however, as the lever portion 14b of the first cutter 14 to avoid interference with the action of the lever portion 14b of the first cutter 14.
  • the lever portions 14b and 14b' of the first cutter 14 and second cutter 14' are positioned, respectively, on the sides of the inner insulating part 1.
  • limiting grooves 16 and 16' are provided respectively adjacent to the fixed shafts 15 and 15' of the lever portions 14b and 14b' on the inner insulating part 1 such that the swinging range of the lever portions is limited within 90 degrees.
  • the lever portions 14b and 14b' having the limiting grooves 16 and 16' can swing from the plane perpendicular to the cable drawn-out face (the horizontal plane in Fig. 2) to the cable drawn-out face. Since the swinging range of the lever portions 14b and 14b' are limited, the movement of the lever portions toward the cable insertion face can be prevented during its rotation procedure, thereby avoiding the risk of failure in interconnection.
  • a recessed hole 22 is provided at the center of the face disposed on the interior side of the outer insulating part 2 and opposed to the cable drawn-out face of the inner insulating part 1.
  • the shape of the recessed hole 22 is consistent with the cable through-hole 11 provided on the cable insertion face and cable drawn-out face. After an operator inserts the cable into the inner insulating part 1, the end of the cable will directly extend into the hole 22 of the outer insulating part 2, thereby positioning and supporting the cable.
  • Two longitudinal sliding grooves 23 a and 23 a 1 may, moreover, be provided on the left and right sides of the hole 22 respectively.
  • each of the grooves has a width consistent to the lever portions 14b and 14b of the cutters, the heads of the lever portions can slide within the grooves 23 a and 23 a'.
  • the displacement of the lever portions 14b and 14b' in their circumferential direction may also be limited, thereby avoiding accidents due to breakage because of misalignment of the lever portions 14b and 14b'.
  • Snap-in means for assembling the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 are also provided on the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 of the connector for low-voltage circuitry of the present invention.
  • Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous snap-in means to achieve the above-mentioned function.
  • a latch mechanism 12 with an inclined face may be provided on a side face of the inner insulating part 1, and a slot 21 with a corresponding dimension provided on the corresponding position of the outer insulating part 2.
  • the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 may be snapped together.
  • other snap-in means for achieving similar functions may also be adopted to replace the latch mechanism 12 and slot 21. These means will also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
  • a plurality of positioning projections 13 may also be provided on the side walls of the inner insulating part 1, so that the inner insulating part 1 and outer insulating part 2 can be located at an position where the inner and outer insulating parts have been assembled together but not yet snapped in completely.
  • an aperture 24 may be provided on the top of the outer insulating part 2 so that anti-rust grease can be injected into the outer insulating part after the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 have been snapped together.
  • a Double-headed cable 3 is firstly inserted into the cable through-hole 11 on the cable insertion face of the inner insulating part 1 and is drawn out through from the cable through-hole (not shown) on the cable draw-out face. Subsequently, by means of the positioning projections 13 on the inner insulating part 1, the inner insulating part 1 is inserted into the outer insulating part 2 from the open face of the outer insulating part 2 and preliminarily positioned in a position where the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 have been assembled together but not snapped in completely yet (as shown in Fig. 5).
  • the lever portion 14b' of the second cutter 14' receiving the pressure from the outer insulating part 2 at first will slide along within the groove 23 a.
  • the blade portion 14a' of the second cutter 14a will swing about the fixed shaft 15' at the same time.
  • the lever portion 14b of the first cutter 14 begins to slide within the other groove 23b.
  • the blade portions 14a and 14a' of the first and second cutters 14 and 14' both slice through the insulation layer of the double-headed cable 3.
  • the two wires in the double-headed cable 3 can be interconnected conductively.
  • the latch mechanism 12 of the inner insulating part 1 is snapped into the slot 12 of the outer insulating part 2 and the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 are thereby securely fixed together (as shown in Fig. 8).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

A connector for low-voltage circuitry comprising an inner insulating part, an outer insulating part and snap-in means for assembling the inner insulating part and the outer insulating part together. The inner insulating part is provided with a cable insertion face and a cable drawn-out face, and a cable through-hole passing through the cable insertion face and cable drawn-out face, metallic cutters capable of swinging along the cable drawn-out face are installed on the cable drawn-out face, the cutters comprise a first cutter and a second cutter arranged on upper and lower sides of the cable through-hole respectively, the first cutter and the second cutter consist of blade portions adjacent to the cable through-hole and lever portions protruded outward and formed on both sides of the inner insulating part. The outer insulating part is a hollow member with an open face for accommodating the inner insulating part therein.

Description

CONNECTOR FOR LOW-VOLTAGE CIRCUITRY
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a connector for low-voltage circuitry, and more particularly to a connector for interconnection between conductors in low-voltage circuitry.
Background
For connectors in low-voltage circuitry, it is usually necessary to use different kinds of auxiliary tools for stripping off the insulation layers wrapped around the conductors and then interconnecting the conductors together. On the other hand, the ordinarily skilled persons in the art also generally adopt screw fastening or pressure connection to realize the interconnection between connectors. However, if operators adopt the above-mentioned methods for interconnection between conductors, they have to strip off the insulation layers around the conductor or use other auxiliary tools. The methods are, therefore, inconvenient to the operators.
In U.S. Patent No. 3,838,206, for example, there is disclosed a wire connector in which two wires without the insulation layers wrapped around can be connected together without the aid of auxiliary tools. However, since it is still necessary for operators to strip off the insulation layers wrapped around the wires before interconnection of said two wires, this method is also inconvenient during the employment, of those wires and unable to satisfy the demand of high efficiency in modem society.
Furthermore, in U.S. Patent No. 5,071,366 there is disclosed a circular IDC connector comprising a plurality of contacts and an insulating disk fitted above the IDC ends of contacts. The insulating disk is used to engage the individual wire into an IDC slot. Once its assembling procedure is complete, the circular IDC connectors can connect their wire ends to the contacts without the aid of other special tools. However, the above-mentioned circular IDC connectors still have several drawbacks. Since the circular IDC connectors pierce into the insulation layer of the wires by means of a screwing connection and thus interconnect the wires inserted therein, it is necessary to screw three screws at the same time
rl- during operation, bringing about disadvantages involving time-consuming and tiresome operation.
Accordingly, at present it is urgent to provide a connector for low-voltage circuitry, where the connector can avoid stripping off the insulation layer of the wire and is convenient in usage without the aid of auxiliary mounting tools.
Summary
The present invention provides a connector for low-voltage circuitry, where the connector can avoid stripping off the insulation layer of the wire and is convenient in usage without the aid of auxiliary mounting tools.
The connector for low-voltage circuitry in accordance with the present invention comprises an inner insulating part provided with a cable insertion face and a cable drawn-out face, and a cable through-hole passing through the cable insertion face and cable drawn-out face. Metallic cutters capable of swinging along the cable drawn-out face are installed on the cable drawn-out face. The cutters comprise a first cutter and a second cutter arranged on upper and lower sides of the cable through-hole respectively, the first cutter and the second cutter consist of blade portions adjacent to the cable through-hole and lever portions protruded outwards and formed on both sides of the inner insulating part. The connector also includes an outer insulating part. The outer insulating part is a hollow member with an open face for accommodating the inner insulating part therein. Snap-in means for assembling the inner insulating part and the outer insulating part together are also provided on the connector.
The connector for low- voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can not only avoid the step of stripping off the insulation layer, but also relieve the use of special tools, thereby largely enhancing working efficiency of the operators and lowering cost of labor.
Compared with conventional connectors for low-voltage circuitry, the present invention may achieve the following advantages. In the present invention, two blades installed on the inner insulating part pierce through the insulation layer of the double-head cable, thereby avoiding the trouble of insulation layer stripping procedure and achieving interconnection of the double-headed cable. Operators may only adopt the connector for low-voltage circuitry of the present invention to achieve interconnection of the double-headed cable, without the aid of other auxiliary tools. A single step of snap-in action is sufficient for the interconnection of the double-headed cable. Hence, it is simple, convenient, and efficient in operation.
Brief Description of Figures
For further description of the construction and technical effects of the connectors for low-voltage circuitry of the invention, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the appended drawings and particular embodiments, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of inner and outer insulating parts of the connector for low-voltage circuitry in accordance with the present utility model, wherein the inner insulating part has not been inserted into the outer insulating part yet;
Fig. 2 separately shows the inner insulating part in a schematic perspective view from another direction;
Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the internal construction of the outer insulating part seen from the open side thereof;
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the forces suffered on the inner and outer insulating parts of the connector for low- voltage circuitry in accordance with the present utility model during its assembling procedure;
Figs. 5 to 8 show respectively the progressive steps in the entire assembling procedure of the connector for low- voltage circuitry.
Detailed Description
The low-voltage connector of the present invention generally comprises an inner insulating part provided with a cable insertion face and a cable drawn-out face, and a cable through-hole passing through the cable insertion face and cable drawn-out face. Metallic cutters capable of swinging along the cable drawn-out face are installed on the cable drawn-out face. The cutters comprise a first cutter and a second cutter arranged on upper and lower sides of the cable through-hole respectively, the first cutter and the second cutter consist of blade portions adjacent to the cable through-hole and lever portions protruded outwards and formed on both sides of the inner insulating part. The connector also includes an outer insulating part. The outer insulating part is a hollow member with an open face for accommodating the inner insulating part therein. Snap-in means for assembling the inner insulating part and the outer insulating part together are also provided on the connector.
In one embodiment of the invention, a recessed hole may be provided on the face disposed on the interior side of the outer insulating part and opposed to the cable drawn-out face of the inner insulating part. The shape of the hole is consistent to that of cable through-hole. Preferably, sliding grooves may be provided on both sides of the cable through-hole respectively, each of sliding grooves having a shape that allows for free slide of the lever portions therein.
The connector for low-voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can securely support the double-head cable within the inner insulating part, and the lever portions of the first and second cutters can slide freely in the sliding grooves, thereby preventing malfunction of the connector resulted from misalignment of the lever portions.
In another embodiment, limiting grooves for limiting the swinging range of the lever portions may be provided respectively adjacent to fixed shafts of the lever portions mounted on the inner insulating part.
The connector for low-voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can limit the rotational range of the lever portion within 90 degrees to ensure normal operation of the connector.
In still another embodiment, the snap-in means for assembling the inner insulating part and the outer insulating part may comprise latch mechanisms disposed on both side walls of the inner insulating part respectively; and slots provided on both side walls of the outer insulating part. The shapes of the slots are mated with those of latch mechanisms.
The connector for low-voltage circuitry in the above-mentioned embodiment can snap-in the inner and outer insulating parts together after the blade portions of the first and second cutters have pierced into the insulation layer of the cable, whereby the double-head cable can be kept in a state of electrical conduction.
In a further embodiment of the invention the latch mechanisms may be provided with inclined faces extending into the slots.
The inner and outer insulating parts of the connector can be assembled together in a temporarily interconnected state, thereby providing both convenience and flexibility in application.
In another embodiment of the invention, an aperture may be provided on the top of the outer insulating part for injection of anti-rust grease. The antirust grease can be injected through the aperture on the top of the outer insulating part to protect the blade portions of the first and second cutters from rusting.
Some preferred embodiments of present invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings, in which like numerals will generally represent like elements.
The connector for low-voltage circuitry in accordance with the present invention generally consists of an inner insulating part 1 and an outer insulating part 2. As shown in Fig. 1, both the inner insulating part 1 and outer insulating part 2 present an appearance of a cube, in which the outer insulating part 2 is a hollow member with one side face opened, and the inner insulating part 1 can be inserted precisely through the open side of the outer insulating part 2 into the interior of the outer insulating part 2. It would, of course, be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that both the inner and outer insulating parts may have any appropriate shapes, for example, rectangular, cylindrical, polygonal and the like, as long as the shape of the inner insulating part 1 is able to mate with that of outer insulating part.
One face of the inner insulating part 1 can serve as a cable insertion face (i.e., an external face of the inner insulating part in Fig. 1), and the other face opposite to the cable insertion face can serve as a cable drawn-out face (not shown in Fig. 1). A cable through-hole 11 is disposed in the interior of the inner insulating part 1 to direct the cable from the cable insertion face to the cable drawn-out face. Operators may insert the cable to be interconnected through the inner insulating part 1 and direct the cable out from the cable drawn-out face. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the shape of the cable through-hole 11 preferably conforms to the cross section of the double-head cable.
With reference to Fig. 2, a first cutter 14 and a second cutter 14' are mounted on the upper and lower sides of the cable drawn-out face of the inner insulating part 1, respectively. In this embodiment, the first cutter 14 and the second cutter 14' are made of metallic material, which has not only high strength but also good electric conductivity so that it can be suitable to interconnect the double-head cable 3. The construction of the first cutter 14 is similar to that of second cutter 14', both are composed of a blade portion 14a or 14a' and a lever portion 14b or 14b1 wherein the blade portions 14a and 14a' respectively are positioned above and below the cable through-hole 11 (more particularly, sharp edges of the blade portions respectively are positioned adjacent to one side of through hole), and connected onto the cable drawn-out face by means of fixed shafts 15, 15' integrally formed on the cable drawn-out face, and swinging freely about the fixed shafts 15 and 15' respectively. When the first cutter 14 and the second cutter 14' swing respectively about the fixed shafts 15 and 15', the blade portions 14a, 14a' pierce through the insulation layer wrapped around the double-head cable protruded from the cable drawn-out face.
A lever portion 14b protruds outward,. forms an approximately L-shaped structure with the blade portion 14a of the first cutter and is integrally formed on one end of the first cutter 14. Similarly, a lever portion 14b' protrudes outward and is formed on one end of the second cutter 14' with a similar structure. The mounting position of the lever portion 14b' is not at the same side, however, as the lever portion 14b of the first cutter 14 to avoid interference with the action of the lever portion 14b of the first cutter 14. Thus, the lever portions 14b and 14b' of the first cutter 14 and second cutter 14' are positioned, respectively, on the sides of the inner insulating part 1.
In another mode of the present embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, limiting grooves 16 and 16' are provided respectively adjacent to the fixed shafts 15 and 15' of the lever portions 14b and 14b' on the inner insulating part 1 such that the swinging range of the lever portions is limited within 90 degrees. With reference to Fig. 2, the lever portions 14b and 14b' having the limiting grooves 16 and 16' can swing from the plane perpendicular to the cable drawn-out face (the horizontal plane in Fig. 2) to the cable drawn-out face. Since the swinging range of the lever portions 14b and 14b' are limited, the movement of the lever portions toward the cable insertion face can be prevented during its rotation procedure, thereby avoiding the risk of failure in interconnection. Fig. 3 shows the internal construction of the outer insulating part 2 seen from its open side. A recessed hole 22 is provided at the center of the face disposed on the interior side of the outer insulating part 2 and opposed to the cable drawn-out face of the inner insulating part 1. The shape of the recessed hole 22 is consistent with the cable through-hole 11 provided on the cable insertion face and cable drawn-out face. After an operator inserts the cable into the inner insulating part 1, the end of the cable will directly extend into the hole 22 of the outer insulating part 2, thereby positioning and supporting the cable. Two longitudinal sliding grooves 23 a and 23 a1 may, moreover, be provided on the left and right sides of the hole 22 respectively. Since each of the grooves has a width consistent to the lever portions 14b and 14b of the cutters, the heads of the lever portions can slide within the grooves 23 a and 23 a'. Thus, not only the resistance force generated due to friction during movement of the lever portions 14b and 14b' can be reduced, the displacement of the lever portions 14b and 14b' in their circumferential direction may also be limited, thereby avoiding accidents due to breakage because of misalignment of the lever portions 14b and 14b'.
Snap-in means for assembling the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 are also provided on the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 of the connector for low-voltage circuitry of the present invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous snap-in means to achieve the above-mentioned function. For example, in one embodiment a latch mechanism 12 with an inclined face may be provided on a side face of the inner insulating part 1, and a slot 21 with a corresponding dimension provided on the corresponding position of the outer insulating part 2. When the inclined face of the latch mechanism 12 comes into the slot 21, the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 may be snapped together. As alternate embodiments, other snap-in means for achieving similar functions may also be adopted to replace the latch mechanism 12 and slot 21. These means will also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
In addition, a plurality of positioning projections 13 may also be provided on the side walls of the inner insulating part 1, so that the inner insulating part 1 and outer insulating part 2 can be located at an position where the inner and outer insulating parts have been assembled together but not yet snapped in completely.
Moreover, an aperture 24 may be provided on the top of the outer insulating part 2 so that anti-rust grease can be injected into the outer insulating part after the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 have been snapped together.
With reference to Fig. 5 to 8, the operation procedure of the connector for low-voltage circuitry of the present invention will be briefly described as follows.
A Double-headed cable 3 is firstly inserted into the cable through-hole 11 on the cable insertion face of the inner insulating part 1 and is drawn out through from the cable through-hole (not shown) on the cable draw-out face. Subsequently, by means of the positioning projections 13 on the inner insulating part 1, the inner insulating part 1 is inserted into the outer insulating part 2 from the open face of the outer insulating part 2 and preliminarily positioned in a position where the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 have been assembled together but not snapped in completely yet (as shown in Fig. 5). Since a recessed hole 22 whose shape is consistent to the cable through-hole 11 is provided on the face disposed on the interior side of the outer insulating part 2 and opposed to the cable drawn-out face of the inner insulating part 1, when the double-head cable 3 further enters into the interior of the assembled inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2, the end of the double-headed cable 3 that has passed through the inner insulating part 1 will abut against the recessed hole 22 of the outer insulating part 2. The double-headed cable 3 will thereby be securely supported in the connector for low-voltage circuitry. At that time, the lever portion 14b of the first cutter 14 will lean against the insulation layer of the double-headed cable 3 due to gravity force, and the lever portion 14b1 of the second cutter 14' will press against one of the two longitudinal sliding grooves 23 a and 23b provided respectively on both sides of the recessed hole 22 in an upright manner. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 6, the operator may exert equal forces respectively onto the front and rear sides of the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 in opposite directions. Fig. 4 shows the forces exerted on the inner and outer insulating parts of the connector for low-voltage circuitry in accordance with the present invention during its assembling procedure. The lever portion 14b' of the second cutter 14' receiving the pressure from the outer insulating part 2 at first will slide along within the groove 23 a. The blade portion 14a' of the second cutter 14a will swing about the fixed shaft 15' at the same time. With the gradual advance of the inner insulating part 1 into the interior of the outer insulating part 2, the lever portion 14b of the first cutter 14 begins to slide within the other groove 23b. When the inner insulating part 1 enters completely into the interior of the outer insulating part 2, the blade portions 14a and 14a' of the first and second cutters 14 and 14' both slice through the insulation layer of the double-headed cable 3. Since the metallic blade portions 14a and 14a' of the first and second cutters 14 and 14' are conductive in electricity, the two wires in the double-headed cable 3 can be interconnected conductively. At the time of the interconnection of the two wires, the latch mechanism 12 of the inner insulating part 1 is snapped into the slot 12 of the outer insulating part 2 and the inner and outer insulating parts 1 and 2 are thereby securely fixed together (as shown in Fig. 8).
Although the constructions of the connector for low-voltage circuitry of the present invention have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the ordinary persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described above are only exemplary and by no means restrictive to the present invention. Consequently, the foregoing embodiments may be modified and varied within the basic spirit and scope of the present invention. The modifications or variations may, for example, comprise replacement of the double-headed cable by a single-headed cable, installation of sliders on the top ends of the lever portions of the first and second cutters to reduce their friction forces, etc. All of these modifications or variation will fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector for low-voltage circuitry comprising: an inner insulating part (1), said inner insulating part (1) being provided with a cable insertion face and a cable drawn-out face, and a cable through-hole (11) passing through said cable insertion face and said cable drawn-out face, metallic cutters (14, 14') capable of swinging along the cable drawn-out face being installed on said cable drawn-out face, said cutters (14, 14') comprising a first cutter (14) and a second cutter (14') arranged on upper and lower sides of said cable through-hole (11) respectively, said first cutter (14) and said second cutter (14') consisting of blade portions (14b, 14b') adjacent to said cable through-hole (11) and lever portions (14a, 14a') protruded outwards and formed on both sides of said inner insulating part (1); an outer insulating part (2), said outer insulating part (2) being a hollow member with an open face for accommodating said inner insulating part (1) therein; and snap-in means for assembling said inner insulating part (1) and said outer insulating part (2) together.
2. A connector for low- voltage circuitry according to claim 1 wherein a recessed hole (22) is provided on the face which disposed on the interior side of said outer insulating part (2) and opposed to the cable drawn-out face of said inner insulating part (1), wherein the shape of the hole (22) is consistent to that of said cable through-hole (11).
3. A connector for low-voltage circuitry according to claim 2 wherein sliding grooves (23 a, 23 a') are provided on both sides of said cable through-hole (22) respectively and each of said sliding grooves (23a, 23a') has a shape allowing for free slide of said lever portions (14a, 14a1) therein.
4. A connector for low-voltage circuitry according to claim 1 wherein limiting grooves (16, 16') for limiting the swinging range of said lever portions (14b, 14b') are provided respectively adjacent to fixed shafts (15, 15') of the lever portions (14b, 14b1) mounted on the inner insulating part (1).
5. A connector for low-voltage circuitry according to claim 1 wherein said snap-in means for assembling said inner insulating part (1) and said outer insulating part (2) comprises: latch mechanisms (12) disposed on both side walls of said inner insulating part (1) respectively; and slots (21) provided on both side walls of said outer insulating part (2), the shapes of said slots being mated with those of said latch mechanisms (12).
6. A connector for low- voltage circuitry according to claim 5 wherein said latch mechanisms (12) are provided with inclined faces extending into said slots (21).
7. A connector for low- voltage circuitry according to claim 1 further comprising positioning projections (13) provided on both sides of said inner insulating part (1) respectively for prevention of disengaging.
8. A connector for low- voltage circuitry according to claim 1 wherein an aperture (24) is provided on the top of said outer insulating part (2) for injection of antirust grease.
PCT/US2006/040954 2005-10-24 2006-10-18 Connector for low-voltage circuitry WO2007050438A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN20129008.4 2005-10-24
CN200520129008 2005-10-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007050438A1 true WO2007050438A1 (en) 2007-05-03

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4409713A (en) * 1980-09-18 1983-10-18 Akzona Incorporated Electrical connector application tool
US4722696A (en) * 1985-12-20 1988-02-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Environmentally and abuse-protected plug connector
US4884978A (en) * 1987-11-25 1989-12-05 Yazaki Corporation Connector
WO1991011046A1 (en) * 1990-01-12 1991-07-25 Corecon Corporation Armored cable connector
US5620333A (en) * 1994-12-07 1997-04-15 Burndy Corporation Electrical connector strain relief hood
JPH09213412A (en) * 1996-01-30 1997-08-15 Japan Aviation Electron Ind Ltd Snap ring for connector
WO1997039495A1 (en) * 1996-04-13 1997-10-23 Richard Hirschmann Gmbh & Co. Cable plug connector

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4409713A (en) * 1980-09-18 1983-10-18 Akzona Incorporated Electrical connector application tool
US4722696A (en) * 1985-12-20 1988-02-02 Robert Bosch Gmbh Environmentally and abuse-protected plug connector
US4884978A (en) * 1987-11-25 1989-12-05 Yazaki Corporation Connector
WO1991011046A1 (en) * 1990-01-12 1991-07-25 Corecon Corporation Armored cable connector
US5620333A (en) * 1994-12-07 1997-04-15 Burndy Corporation Electrical connector strain relief hood
JPH09213412A (en) * 1996-01-30 1997-08-15 Japan Aviation Electron Ind Ltd Snap ring for connector
WO1997039495A1 (en) * 1996-04-13 1997-10-23 Richard Hirschmann Gmbh & Co. Cable plug connector

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