WO2010146525A1 - Low cost clamp for connection of electric wires or cables on printed circuits - Google Patents

Low cost clamp for connection of electric wires or cables on printed circuits Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010146525A1
WO2010146525A1 PCT/IB2010/052645 IB2010052645W WO2010146525A1 WO 2010146525 A1 WO2010146525 A1 WO 2010146525A1 IB 2010052645 W IB2010052645 W IB 2010052645W WO 2010146525 A1 WO2010146525 A1 WO 2010146525A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
printed circuit
clamp
cables
suited
cable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2010/052645
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Claudio Manca
Original Assignee
Claudio Manca
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 Claudio Manca filed Critical Claudio Manca
Publication of WO2010146525A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010146525A1/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
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
    • H01R4/4809—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar
    • H01R4/48185—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a leaf spring to bias the conductor toward the busbar adapted for axial insertion of a wire end
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/515—Terminal blocks providing connections to wires or cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/712—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
    • H01R12/716—Coupling device provided on the PCB
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/53—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures connecting to cables except for flat or ribbon cables
    • 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
    • H01R43/16—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending

Definitions

  • the present patent concerns clamps for the connection of electric cables or wires of various diameter and current capacity for electric and/or electronic devices or for parts of them.
  • clamps which are mounted on printed circuits, comprising a flat rigid body with paths or tracks made of copper or other conductive metal.
  • the electronic devices are generally made of one or more printed circuits electrically interconnected by means of both rigid and flexible electric cables and/or wires.
  • Said printed circuits are generally also connected to other components and/or devices such as, among others, power supply sources and/or buttons and/or switches, again by means of electric cables of various diameter and current capacity.
  • clamps which, once welded to the printed circuit tracks, keep the cable in position, at the same time guaranteeing electrical continuity.
  • screw clamps with or without contact plate and/or spring clamps are preferred.
  • the components are: a metal screw, a metal barrel with a threaded hole for insertion of the screw and a square or round hole for insertion of the wire, a metal terminal which is positioned in contact with the wire via the barrel and rotation of the screw and which conveys the electric signal to the printed circuit, the point at which said terminal is welded.
  • the components are: a screw, a barrel with a threaded hole for insertion of the screw and a square or round hole for insertion of the wire, a terminal if necessary which is positioned in contact with the wire via the barrel and rotation of the screw.
  • the electric signal is conveyed to the printed circuit via the terminal or via a contact obtained directly from the barrel which is welded on the copper track.
  • the above components are supported and covered by a shell made of thermoplastic material.
  • This type of screw clamp entails the following production and operating problems.
  • the screw clamp consists of a minimum of two metal components plus the thermoplastic shell.
  • the minimum number of metal components is three plus the thermoplastic shell.
  • the thermoplastic shell is essential for correct operation of the clamp as it provides the supporting structure. This means that the clamp has a certain cost at least equal to the sum of the costs of the individual elements with the addition of the assembly cost.
  • Production of the clamps also involves the problem of assembly of the components by hand or with specific machinery in order to obtain the finished product.
  • the spring clamp involves similar production and operating problems, as specified below.
  • the spring clamp consists of a minimum of two metal components welded together or mechanically assembled plus the thermoplastic shell as the spring is made of a material that permits greater mechanical stress, whereas for the contact part a material with superior electric conductivity is used. Said contact is then welded on the printed circuit.
  • thermoplastic shell is essential for correct operation of the clamp, as it provides the supporting structure.
  • the clamp has a certain cost at least equal to the sum of the costs of the individual elements with the addition of the assembly cost.
  • the spring clamps for printed circuits must be welded on the printed circuit to which the electric wires are to be connected. This further operation represents a cost for the manufacturer of the electronic and/or electric device.
  • the European patent application 07115515 by the same applicant as this patent describes a clamp for the connection of terminals of electric wires to printed circuit tracks.
  • Said clamp consists of a generically hollow parallelepiped element made of a substantially rigid material and an electric wire.
  • Said clamp is provided with positioning hooks on the end.
  • Said hooks couple with said positioning holes or seats on the printed circuit.
  • the parallelepiped form of the clamp is open on the lower side, which rests on the printed circuit, to allow contact of the electric wire directly on a track of the printed circuit purposely designed to create electrical continuity between wire and circuit.
  • the upper side of the parallelepiped is provided with an appropriate flexible tang, the job of which, once the new clamp is coupled to the printed circuit, is to ensure by constant pressure the electrical contact between the cable and the printed circuit track below and the mechanical stability of the electric cable.
  • the clamp described in the patent cited is applied near the edge of a printed circuit by the insertion of hooks in corresponding positioning holes or seats obtained on the printed circuit at a distance from the edge equal to the length of the contact required.
  • Said clamp has considerable advantages, such as simplicity of construction and the possibility of being coupled to the printed circuit simultaneously fastening the terminal of the electric wire to be connected without using any tool.
  • the shape of said clamp requires holes to be made in the printed circuit for passage and coupling of the hooks of its parallelepiped form. Furthermore the shape of said clamp means that it can be positioned and fastened only near the edge of the printed circuit.
  • the present patent concerns a new low cost clamp which can be mounted on a printed circuit in positions other than the edge.
  • the object of the new clamp is to allow application thereof in positions other than the edge of the circuit header.
  • a further object of the new clamp is to allow application thereof both as an electric component mounted via holes (commonly known as THT) and as an electric component for surface mounting (commonly known as SMT).
  • THT electric component mounted via holes
  • SMT electric component for surface mounting
  • a further object of the new clamp is to allow the electric connection thereof with the upper face, with the lower face or with both faces of the circuit header.
  • a further object of the new clamp is to reduce the number of components, with respect to the known screw and barrel clamps, thus reducing the cost of the clamp.
  • a further object of the new clamp is to eliminate the cost of assembly thereof at the time of production, with respect to the known screw and barrel clamps, reducing the cost of the clamp and permitting easy adaptability thereof to specific application requirements.
  • the cost of assembly and connection of the new clamp is comparable to the cost of connection of the old clamps with the electric cables.
  • a further object of the new clamp is to avoid malfunctions of the devices due to vibrations.
  • a further object of the new clamp is to raise the operating temperatures.
  • the new clamp comprising two elements, by way of non-limiting example metallic, of which the first element can be fixed to the printed circuit and acts as a mounting base, and the second element can be coupled to said first element having the function of locking and electrically connecting the cable terminal.
  • the first element of the new clamp consists of a substantially flat part, with generically rectangular form.
  • Said first element has one or more edges, preferably its opposite shorter edges, raised and folded suitable for permitting coupling of the second element.
  • the first element can be fixed by welding directly on the track to which the cable terminal must be connected by means of surface mount technology commonly known as SMT.
  • Said first element can be provided with one or more appendixes for connection and fastening to the printed circuit via the through holes by means of the traditional technology commonly known as THT or Through Hole Technology.
  • Said connection appendixes are arranged preferably on the longer edges of its rectangular form.
  • Part of the longer edges of the rectangular form of said first element can be raised, in a direction opposite to said connection appendixes and in the same direction as said raised edges, thus containing the cable terminal, whether it is rigid or flexible.
  • Said first element can also be provided, in a generically central position of its rectangular form, with raised cuts or edges suitable for preventing slipping of the wire.
  • the second element of the new clamp consists of a substantially box-like part, with generically rectangular parallelepiped form.
  • said second element is without the lower wall.
  • At least two walls of said second element are provided with holes, openings or hooks in their lower part suitable for coupling and hooking to the corresponding coupling edges of said first element.
  • a lateral wall of said second element has an opening suitable for permitting insertion and housing of the cable terminal.
  • the upper wall of said second element is cut to provide an appropriate flexible tang, the job of which, once said second element is coupled to said first element, is to ensure, with a constant pressure, the electrical contact between the cable and said first element electrically connected to the printed circuit track below, in addition to the mechanical stability of the electric cable.
  • the first part of the new clamp is fastened to the printed circuit, preferably by welding, so that said first part has a stable and continuous electrical connection with the track of the printed circuit to be connected to the electric cable.
  • the second part of the new clamp receives the cable terminal so that the end of the electric wire without the insulating sheath is inserted in the second part via the lateral opening of the parallelepiped form. Subsequently said second part of the new clamp, housing the electric wire, is applied and fastened on said first part of the new clamp: the coupling edges of the second element hook and/or connect to the holes, openings or hooks of the lower walls of the second part, retaining said second part on said first part.
  • the cable terminal made of insulating material which is housed in said second part is pressed by said tang of said second part onto the upper surface of said first part, making the electrical contact.
  • Figure Ia shows an axonometric view of the new clamp with the first (A) and second (B) part assembled, while figure Ib shows the same view with the second part (B) partially sectioned.
  • Figure 2a shows an axonometric view of the second part (B) of the new clamp, while figure 2b shows the same view with the second part (B) partially sectioned.
  • Figure 3 a shows an axonometric view of the first part (A).
  • the new clamp comprises two elements (A, B) of which a first element (A) can be fixed to the printed circuit and has the function of a mounting base, and the second element (B) can be coupled to said first element (A) and has the function of locking and electrically connecting the cable terminal.
  • the first element (A) of the new clamp consists of a substantially flat part
  • Said first element (A) has its opposite shorter edges (A2, A3) raised and folded suitable for permitting coupling of the second element (B).
  • said first element (A) has one or more appendixes (A4) for connection and fastening to the printed circuit. Said connection appendixes
  • (A4) are arranged preferably on the longer edges of its rectangular form
  • Figure 3b illustrates a second embodiment example of the first element (A) having, in a generically central position of its rectangular form (Al), raised cuts or edges (A5) suitable for preventing sliding of the wire.
  • the second element (B) of the new clamp consists of a substantially box-like part, with generically rectangular parallelepiped form, obtained preferably by cutting and folding a metal sheet.
  • said second element (B) is without the lower wall.
  • the two shorter vertical walls (Bl, B2) of said second element (B) are provided with holes or openings (Ba) or hooks (Bb) in their lower part suitable for coupling and hooking with the corresponding coupling edges
  • One of the two shorter lateral walls (B2) of said second element (B) has an opening (Bc) suitable for permitting insertion and housing of the cable terminal.
  • the upper wall (B3) of said second element (B) is cut to provide an appropriate flexible tang (B4), the job of which, once said second element (B) is coupled to said first element (A), is to ensure, with a constant pressure, the electrical contact between the cable and said first element (A) electrically connected to the printed circuit track below, in addition to mechanical stability of the electric cable.
  • the first part (A) of the new clamp is fastened to the printed circuit, preferably by means of welding, so that said first part (A) has a stable continuous electrical connection with the track of the printed circuit to be connected with the electric cable.
  • the second part (B) of the new clamp receives the cable terminal so that the end of the electric wire without the insulating sheath is inserted into the second part (B) through the opening (Bc) of the parallelepiped form. Subsequently said second part (B) of the new clamp, housing the electric wire, is applied and fastened to said first part (A) of the new clamp: the coupling edges (A2, A3) of the first element hook and/or connect to the holes or openings (Ba) or hooks (Bb) of the second part (B), retaining said second part (B) on said first part (A).
  • the cable terminal made of conducting material which is housed in said second part (B) is pressed by said tang (B4) of said second part (B) onto the upper surface of said first part (A), making the electrical contact.
  • the new clamp as described above has considerable advantages. Given the simplicity of the construction, the new clamp can be produced in a simple inexpensive manner by means of widely-used low cost processes such as shearing.
  • the product, and in particular its first part (A) can be mounted on the printed circuit both by surface mount welding, SMT, and by through hole welding, THT.
  • the new clamp can be closed simply by hand, and is opened using any simple tool such as a screwdriver.

Landscapes

  • Insertion, Bundling And Securing Of Wires For Electric Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
  • Wire Bonding (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is a new clamp for connecting electric wires or cables on printed circuits, comprising two elements of which a first element, substantially plane, can be fixed to the printed circuit through both an SMT and a THT assembly process and serves as a mounting base, and a second element can be coupled to said first element and consists of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped part, provided with holes, openings or hooks in the lower part of its side walls, said holes, openings or hooks being suited to be coupled with corresponding coupling edges of said first element, and wherein said second element has an opening suited to allow insertion of the cable terminal and, on its upper wall, a flexible tang suitable for ensuring the electric contact between the cable and said first element.

Description

LOW COST CLAMP FOR CONNECTION OF ELECTRIC WIRES
OR CABLES ON PRINTED CIRCUITS DESCRIPTION
The present patent concerns clamps for the connection of electric cables or wires of various diameter and current capacity for electric and/or electronic devices or for parts of them. In particular it concerns clamps which are mounted on printed circuits, comprising a flat rigid body with paths or tracks made of copper or other conductive metal. The electronic devices are generally made of one or more printed circuits electrically interconnected by means of both rigid and flexible electric cables and/or wires.
Said printed circuits are generally also connected to other components and/or devices such as, among others, power supply sources and/or buttons and/or switches, again by means of electric cables of various diameter and current capacity.
The connection to these cables or wires is generally made by means of electromechanical components called clamps which, once welded to the printed circuit tracks, keep the cable in position, at the same time guaranteeing electrical continuity. For connection of these electric and/or electronic devices or parts of them to the electric cables or wires, screw clamps with or without contact plate and/or spring clamps are preferred.
These products generally consist of several components. In the case of the clamps with screw and contact plate, the components are: a metal screw, a metal barrel with a threaded hole for insertion of the screw and a square or round hole for insertion of the wire, a metal terminal which is positioned in contact with the wire via the barrel and rotation of the screw and which conveys the electric signal to the printed circuit, the point at which said terminal is welded. In the case of the screw clamp without contact plate, the components are: a screw, a barrel with a threaded hole for insertion of the screw and a square or round hole for insertion of the wire, a terminal if necessary which is positioned in contact with the wire via the barrel and rotation of the screw.
The electric signal is conveyed to the printed circuit via the terminal or via a contact obtained directly from the barrel which is welded on the copper track.
The above components are supported and covered by a shell made of thermoplastic material.
This type of screw clamp entails the following production and operating problems.
Production problems: the screw clamp consists of a minimum of two metal components plus the thermoplastic shell.
In the screw clamp of the type with contact plate, the minimum number of metal components is three plus the thermoplastic shell. The thermoplastic shell is essential for correct operation of the clamp as it provides the supporting structure. This means that the clamp has a certain cost at least equal to the sum of the costs of the individual elements with the addition of the assembly cost.
Production of the clamps also involves the problem of assembly of the components by hand or with specific machinery in order to obtain the finished product.
The cost of the machinery makes it particularly complex and costly to produce clamps for specific applications.
Operating problems: the screw clamps for printed circuits (of the type with contact plate and otherwise) must be welded on the printed circuit to which the electric wires are to be connected. This further operation represents a cost for the manufacturer of the electronic and/or electric device.
It is not unusual, due to vibration during use, for the screws securing the cable or wire to come loose thus creating false contacts and resulting in malfunctioning of the device.
The spring clamp involves similar production and operating problems, as specified below.
Production problems: the spring clamp consists of a minimum of two metal components welded together or mechanically assembled plus the thermoplastic shell as the spring is made of a material that permits greater mechanical stress, whereas for the contact part a material with superior electric conductivity is used. Said contact is then welded on the printed circuit.
Also in this case the thermoplastic shell is essential for correct operation of the clamp, as it provides the supporting structure. This means that the clamp has a certain cost at least equal to the sum of the costs of the individual elements with the addition of the assembly cost.
Production of the clamps also involves the problem of assembly of the components by hand or with specific machinery in order to obtain the finished product. The cost of the machinery makes it particularly complex and costly to produce clamps for specific applications.
Operating problems: the spring clamps for printed circuits must be welded on the printed circuit to which the electric wires are to be connected. This further operation represents a cost for the manufacturer of the electronic and/or electric device.
The European patent application 07115515 by the same applicant as this patent describes a clamp for the connection of terminals of electric wires to printed circuit tracks. Said clamp consists of a generically hollow parallelepiped element made of a substantially rigid material and an electric wire.
Said clamp is provided with positioning hooks on the end.
Said hooks couple with said positioning holes or seats on the printed circuit.
On the opposite side of the clamp retaining hooks are provided which fasten to the edge of the printed circuit.
The parallelepiped form of the clamp is open on the lower side, which rests on the printed circuit, to allow contact of the electric wire directly on a track of the printed circuit purposely designed to create electrical continuity between wire and circuit. The upper side of the parallelepiped is provided with an appropriate flexible tang, the job of which, once the new clamp is coupled to the printed circuit, is to ensure by constant pressure the electrical contact between the cable and the printed circuit track below and the mechanical stability of the electric cable. The clamp described in the patent cited is applied near the edge of a printed circuit by the insertion of hooks in corresponding positioning holes or seats obtained on the printed circuit at a distance from the edge equal to the length of the contact required.
Said clamp has considerable advantages, such as simplicity of construction and the possibility of being coupled to the printed circuit simultaneously fastening the terminal of the electric wire to be connected without using any tool.
The shape of said clamp requires holes to be made in the printed circuit for passage and coupling of the hooks of its parallelepiped form. Furthermore the shape of said clamp means that it can be positioned and fastened only near the edge of the printed circuit.
The present patent concerns a new low cost clamp which can be mounted on a printed circuit in positions other than the edge.
The object of the new clamp is to allow application thereof in positions other than the edge of the circuit header.
A further object of the new clamp is to allow application thereof both as an electric component mounted via holes (commonly known as THT) and as an electric component for surface mounting (commonly known as SMT).
A further object of the new clamp is to allow the electric connection thereof with the upper face, with the lower face or with both faces of the circuit header.
A further object of the new clamp is to reduce the number of components, with respect to the known screw and barrel clamps, thus reducing the cost of the clamp. A further object of the new clamp is to eliminate the cost of assembly thereof at the time of production, with respect to the known screw and barrel clamps, reducing the cost of the clamp and permitting easy adaptability thereof to specific application requirements.
The cost of assembly and connection of the new clamp is comparable to the cost of connection of the old clamps with the electric cables.
A further object of the new clamp is to avoid malfunctions of the devices due to vibrations.
A further object of the new clamp is to raise the operating temperatures.
These and further objects, direct and complementary, are achieved by the new clamp comprising two elements, by way of non-limiting example metallic, of which the first element can be fixed to the printed circuit and acts as a mounting base, and the second element can be coupled to said first element having the function of locking and electrically connecting the cable terminal. The first element of the new clamp consists of a substantially flat part, with generically rectangular form.
Said first element has one or more edges, preferably its opposite shorter edges, raised and folded suitable for permitting coupling of the second element. The first element can be fixed by welding directly on the track to which the cable terminal must be connected by means of surface mount technology commonly known as SMT.
Said first element can be provided with one or more appendixes for connection and fastening to the printed circuit via the through holes by means of the traditional technology commonly known as THT or Through Hole Technology. Said connection appendixes are arranged preferably on the longer edges of its rectangular form.
Part of the longer edges of the rectangular form of said first element can be raised, in a direction opposite to said connection appendixes and in the same direction as said raised edges, thus containing the cable terminal, whether it is rigid or flexible.
Said first element can also be provided, in a generically central position of its rectangular form, with raised cuts or edges suitable for preventing slipping of the wire. The second element of the new clamp consists of a substantially box-like part, with generically rectangular parallelepiped form.
In particular said second element is without the lower wall.
At least two walls of said second element are provided with holes, openings or hooks in their lower part suitable for coupling and hooking to the corresponding coupling edges of said first element.
A lateral wall of said second element has an opening suitable for permitting insertion and housing of the cable terminal.
The upper wall of said second element is cut to provide an appropriate flexible tang, the job of which, once said second element is coupled to said first element, is to ensure, with a constant pressure, the electrical contact between the cable and said first element electrically connected to the printed circuit track below, in addition to the mechanical stability of the electric cable.
The first part of the new clamp is fastened to the printed circuit, preferably by welding, so that said first part has a stable and continuous electrical connection with the track of the printed circuit to be connected to the electric cable.
The second part of the new clamp receives the cable terminal so that the end of the electric wire without the insulating sheath is inserted in the second part via the lateral opening of the parallelepiped form. Subsequently said second part of the new clamp, housing the electric wire, is applied and fastened on said first part of the new clamp: the coupling edges of the second element hook and/or connect to the holes, openings or hooks of the lower walls of the second part, retaining said second part on said first part. The cable terminal made of insulating material which is housed in said second part is pressed by said tang of said second part onto the upper surface of said first part, making the electrical contact. The characteristics of the new low cost clamp for printed circuits will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings attached by way of non-limiting example.
Figure Ia shows an axonometric view of the new clamp with the first (A) and second (B) part assembled, while figure Ib shows the same view with the second part (B) partially sectioned. Figure 2a shows an axonometric view of the second part (B) of the new clamp, while figure 2b shows the same view with the second part (B) partially sectioned.
Figure 3 a shows an axonometric view of the first part (A). The new clamp comprises two elements (A, B) of which a first element (A) can be fixed to the printed circuit and has the function of a mounting base, and the second element (B) can be coupled to said first element (A) and has the function of locking and electrically connecting the cable terminal.
The first element (A) of the new clamp consists of a substantially flat part
(Al), of generically rectangular form and preferably with surface treatment.
Said first element (A) has its opposite shorter edges (A2, A3) raised and folded suitable for permitting coupling of the second element (B).
In addition, said first element (A) has one or more appendixes (A4) for connection and fastening to the printed circuit. Said connection appendixes
(A4) are arranged preferably on the longer edges of its rectangular form
(Al). Part (A6) of the longer edges of the rectangular form (Al) of said first element (A) are raised, in a direction opposite to said connection appendixes
(A4), thus containing the cable terminal.
Figure 3b illustrates a second embodiment example of the first element (A) having, in a generically central position of its rectangular form (Al), raised cuts or edges (A5) suitable for preventing sliding of the wire. The second element (B) of the new clamp consists of a substantially box-like part, with generically rectangular parallelepiped form, obtained preferably by cutting and folding a metal sheet.
In particular said second element (B) is without the lower wall. The two shorter vertical walls (Bl, B2) of said second element (B) are provided with holes or openings (Ba) or hooks (Bb) in their lower part suitable for coupling and hooking with the corresponding coupling edges
(A2, A3) of said first element (A).
One of the two shorter lateral walls (B2) of said second element (B) has an opening (Bc) suitable for permitting insertion and housing of the cable terminal.
The upper wall (B3) of said second element (B) is cut to provide an appropriate flexible tang (B4), the job of which, once said second element (B) is coupled to said first element (A), is to ensure, with a constant pressure, the electrical contact between the cable and said first element (A) electrically connected to the printed circuit track below, in addition to mechanical stability of the electric cable.
The first part (A) of the new clamp is fastened to the printed circuit, preferably by means of welding, so that said first part (A) has a stable continuous electrical connection with the track of the printed circuit to be connected with the electric cable.
The second part (B) of the new clamp receives the cable terminal so that the end of the electric wire without the insulating sheath is inserted into the second part (B) through the opening (Bc) of the parallelepiped form. Subsequently said second part (B) of the new clamp, housing the electric wire, is applied and fastened to said first part (A) of the new clamp: the coupling edges (A2, A3) of the first element hook and/or connect to the holes or openings (Ba) or hooks (Bb) of the second part (B), retaining said second part (B) on said first part (A). The cable terminal made of conducting material which is housed in said second part (B) is pressed by said tang (B4) of said second part (B) onto the upper surface of said first part (A), making the electrical contact.
The new clamp as described above has considerable advantages. Given the simplicity of the construction, the new clamp can be produced in a simple inexpensive manner by means of widely-used low cost processes such as shearing.
The development of the product does not require the creation of any machine for assembly.
The product, and in particular its first part (A), can be mounted on the printed circuit both by surface mount welding, SMT, and by through hole welding, THT.
The new clamp can be closed simply by hand, and is opened using any simple tool such as a screwdriver.
Therefore with reference to the preceding description and illustrations, the following claims are made.

Claims

1. Clamp for connecting electric wires or cables on a printed circuit, characterized in that it comprises a first element (A) that can be fixed to the printed circuit and serves as a mounting base, and a second element (B) that can be coupled to said first element (A) and has the function of locking and electrically connecting the cable terminal, and wherein:
• said first element (A) is suited to be electrically connected to the track of the printed circuit to which the cable must be electrically connected,
• said first element (A) is provided with one or more raised and folded opposite edges (A2, A3) suited to ensure the connection of the second element (B),
• said second element (B) has the generical shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box without bottom, having on its vertical sides (Bl, B2) holes, openings (Ba) and/or hooks (Bb) suited to be coupled with and released from the corresponding coupling edges (A2, A3) of said first element (A),
• said second element (B) is provided on one of its two side walls (B2) with an opening (Bc) suited to allow the cable terminal to be inserted and accommodated therein, • said second element (B) has a flexible tang (B4) cut in its upper wall
(B3) and suited to ensure constant pressure between the cable and said first element (A).
2. Clamp for connecting electrical wires or cables on a printed circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element (A) is suited to be welded directly on the printed circuit track through a surface assembly process commonly called SMD.
3. Clamp for connecting electrical wires or cables on a printed circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element (A) is provided with one or more projections (A4) for connection and fixing to the printed circuit by assembly through holes provided in the printed circuit, said assembly process being commonly called Through Hole.
4. Clamp for connecting electrical wires or cables on a printed circuit according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterized in that said first element (A) is provided with one or more raised edges (A6) in such a way as to contain the cable terminal.
5. Clamp for connecting electrical wires or cables on a printed circuit according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterized in that said first element (A) is provided, in a generically central position, with raised cuts or edges (A5).
6. Clamp for connecting electrical wires or cables on a printed circuit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first element (A) and said second element (B) are both obtained from a single metallic element that is sheared and deformed or stamped.
PCT/IB2010/052645 2009-06-15 2010-06-14 Low cost clamp for connection of electric wires or cables on printed circuits WO2010146525A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITPD2009A000173 2009-06-15
ITPD2009A000173A IT1398659B1 (en) 2009-06-15 2009-06-15 LOW COST CLAMP FOR ELECTRICAL / ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS ON PRINTED CIRCUIT

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010146525A1 true WO2010146525A1 (en) 2010-12-23

Family

ID=41396479

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2010/052645 WO2010146525A1 (en) 2009-06-15 2010-06-14 Low cost clamp for connection of electric wires or cables on printed circuits

Country Status (2)

Country Link
IT (1) IT1398659B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2010146525A1 (en)

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WO2013016105A1 (en) * 2011-07-25 2013-01-31 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having poke-in wire contact
US8882533B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2014-11-11 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having poke-in wire contact
US8968022B2 (en) 2013-02-25 2015-03-03 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having poke-in wire contact
EP2854226A1 (en) * 2013-09-25 2015-04-01 Iriso Electronics Co., Ltd. Linear conductor connection terminal
EP3007276A1 (en) * 2014-10-06 2016-04-13 AVX Corporation Caged poke home contact
EP3182518A1 (en) * 2015-12-15 2017-06-21 TE Connectivity Germany GmbH Electrical connector
JP2018106888A (en) * 2016-12-26 2018-07-05 株式会社ヨコオ connector
US10116067B2 (en) 2012-11-01 2018-10-30 Avx Corporation Single element wire to board connector
US10320096B2 (en) 2017-06-01 2019-06-11 Avx Corporation Flexing poke home contact

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US8550838B2 (en) 2011-07-25 2013-10-08 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having poke-in wire contact
WO2013016105A1 (en) * 2011-07-25 2013-01-31 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having poke-in wire contact
US8882533B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2014-11-11 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having poke-in wire contact
US10116067B2 (en) 2012-11-01 2018-10-30 Avx Corporation Single element wire to board connector
US8968022B2 (en) 2013-02-25 2015-03-03 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector having poke-in wire contact
EP2854226A1 (en) * 2013-09-25 2015-04-01 Iriso Electronics Co., Ltd. Linear conductor connection terminal
US9466921B2 (en) 2013-09-25 2016-10-11 Iriso Electronics Co., Ltd. Linear conductor connection terminal
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US9774122B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2017-09-26 Avx Corporation Caged poke home contact
EP3007276A1 (en) * 2014-10-06 2016-04-13 AVX Corporation Caged poke home contact
US10218107B2 (en) 2014-10-06 2019-02-26 Avx Corporation Caged poke home contact
EP3182518A1 (en) * 2015-12-15 2017-06-21 TE Connectivity Germany GmbH Electrical connector
JP2018106888A (en) * 2016-12-26 2018-07-05 株式会社ヨコオ connector
EP3561959A4 (en) * 2016-12-26 2020-07-29 Yokowo Co., Ltd Connector
US11145999B2 (en) 2016-12-26 2021-10-12 Yokowo Co., Ltd. Electrical connector
US10320096B2 (en) 2017-06-01 2019-06-11 Avx Corporation Flexing poke home contact
US10566711B2 (en) 2017-06-01 2020-02-18 Avx Corporation Flexing poke home contact

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Publication number Publication date
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ITPD20090173A1 (en) 2010-12-16

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