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
  • H01R4/4854—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a wire spring
  • H01R4/4863—Coil spring
  • H01R4/4872—Coil spring axially compressed to retain 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
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
• • 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
  • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
  • H01R13/447—Shutter or cover plate
  • H01R13/453—Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
  • H01R13/4534—Laterally sliding shutter
• • 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
  • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
  • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
  • H01R13/6591—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
  • H01R13/65912—Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members for shielded multiconductor cable
  • H01R13/65917—Connection to shield by means of resilient members
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
  • H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections
  • H01R9/05—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections for coaxial cables
  • H01R9/0524—Connection to outer conductor by action of a clamping member, e.g. screw fastening means
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
  • H01R24/60—Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement
  • H01R24/62—Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
  • H01R24/64—Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• • 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
  • H01R4/4854—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a wire spring
  • H01R4/4863—Coil spring
• • 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
  • H01R4/58—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 characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
  • H01R4/64—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
• • 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
  • H01R4/58—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 characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
  • H01R4/66—Connections with the terrestrial mass, e.g. earth plate, earth pin

Definitions

• RJ-type connectors can be provided as wall sockets wherein electronic data cables are terminated and mating electrical plugs can be inserted into the sockets.
• this termination process occurs in the field and at the actual location where the cables to be attached to the connectors are being installed. In such instances, it is often necessary to provide a grounding connection between the cable and its attached connector.
• a connector assembly includes a connector part having a jack cavity and a cable manager part.
• the cable manager part can be configured to be installed within the connector part to form the connector assembly.
• the cable manager part may include a housing assembly having a central aperture through which a cable having an exposed conductive element, such as a metal shield or sheath, can extend.
• the connector assembly may also include a grounding clamp assembly held by the housing assembly, the grounding clamp assembly including a first clamp member and an oppositely arranged second clamp member.
• the first and second clamp members define a clamp opening concentrically aligned with the central aperture.
• a first biasing spring can be provided that is arranged to exert a force on one or both of the clamp members to urge at least one of the ground clamp members against the cable conductive element.
• a second biasing spring may also be provided.
• the housing assembly can be placed in a compressed position in which the clamp portions of the respective first and second grounding clamps are moved against a spring biasing force such that the central aperture is unblocked or less blocked by the clamp portions to allow a cable to be inserted through an opening defined by the clamp portions.
• the housing assembly can also be placed in a grounded position in which the clamp portions of the respective first and second grounding clamps are released and biased to engage against a conductive element of the cable via the spring(s).
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cable connected to a telecommunications connector having a connector part and a cable manager part having features that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 1 shown as being separated from the connector part.
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 2.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 1, separated from the cable and connector part.
• Figure 5 is a front view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 4.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 4.
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cable connected to a second embodiment of a telecommunications connector having a connector part and a cable manager part having features that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 7 shown as being separated from the connector part.
• Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 8.
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 7, separated from the cable and connector part.
• Figure 11 is a front view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 10.
• Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 10.
• Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cable shown in Figures 1 and 7, removed from the telecommunications connector.
• Figure 14 is a perspective view of a connector part usable with the cable manager part and cable shown in Figures 1 and 7.
• Figure 15 is a perspective view of the connector part shown in Figure 14.
• a telecommunications connector 10 for grounded connection with a cable 4 having a conductive element 5 and a plurality of wires 6 is shown.
• a suitable cable 4 is shown at Figure 13.
• term "conductive element” is defined as including any type of conductive element, shield, or sheath disposed over the cable jacket, including metal braids, meshes, foils, drain wires, and combinations thereof.
• the cable 4 includes a plurality of insulated copper wires 6, for example, four sets of twisted wire pairs, while the connectors 10 are modular or RJ-type connectors.
• the telecommunications connector 10 has a connector part 12 which includes a jack cavity 14 for receiving a corresponding plug (not shown).
• the connector part 12 can include a plurality of electrical contact members 16 for which electrical connection to the wires 6 will be made through a termination and connection process.
• the connector part 12 is further provided with cutting edges 18 which are designed to cut the wires 6 of the cable 4 during the termination process.
• the connector part 12 has conductive sidewalls 12a, 12b which are formed from a conductive material, such as a metal material.
• the sidewalls 12a, 12b each define a respective recess portion 12c, 12d.
• the recess portions 12c, 12d receive and connect to the housing assembly 70 first and second sides (e.g.
• the connector part 12 and the cable manager part 20 used in the various embodiments may be configured in a complementary manner, so that the connector part 12 is able to engage with the cable manager part 20 only in one orientation.
• the cable manager part 20 can be further provided with a main body for facilitating connection between the conductors in the wires 6 and the contact members 16.
• FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a connector assembly 10 is shown, which includes the housing assembly 70.
• housing assembly 70 is provided with a first housing part 72 and a second housing part 74 which together define a central aperture 76.
• the cable 4 and associated wires 6 extend through the aperture 76.
• the cable 4 has been stripped to expose the conductive element 5 and eight insulated copper wires 6.
• Figures 1-3 show the cable 4 inserted into the housing assembly 70 such that the conductive element 5 extends through aperture 76 and such that grounding contact between the conductive element 5 and the housing assembly 70 can be accomplished via a grounding clamp assembly 80 held by the housing assembly 70, as explained further below.
• the first housing part 72 defines an opening dimension Dl that is about equal to or slightly greater than a dimension D3 of the cable 4. This configuration allows the cable 4 to enter into the central aperture 76 through the first housing part 72.
• the second housing part 74 also has an opening dimension Dl at a front face 74a that is about equal in size to dimension Dl.
• the second housing part 74 has a reduced opening dimension D2 at a rear face 74b such that the end of the cable 4 abuts against a ledge portion 76d of the second housing part 74. This feature ensures that the cable 4 can be installed fully into the housing assembly 70 with the conductive element 5 being aligned appropriately with the grounding claim assembly 80 of the cable manager part 20.
• the first housing part 72 has a front face 72a from which a first side member 72b and an oppositely positioned second side member 72c extend. As noted previously, the first and second side members 72b, 72c are received by the connector part recess portions 12c, 12d in the sidewalls 12a, 12b.
• the first housing part also includes a third side member 72d and an oppositely positioned fourth side member 72e that extend from the front face 72a.
• the side members 72b - 72d form an interior space into which the second housing part 74 can be received, wherein sidewalls 74c of the second housing part 74 engage with and are retained by the side members 72b - 72d with the front face 74a of the second housing part 74 adjacent the front face 72a of the first housing part 72.
• the first housing part 72 also defines a first opening 72f which extends through a portion of the front face 72a and the third side member 72d.
• the first housing part 72 defines a second opening 72g which extends through a portion of the front face 72a and the fourth side member 72e.
• the housing assembly 70 further includes a grounding clamp assembly 80 which is primarily housed within the first housing part 72 and secured in position by the front face 72a of the first housing part 72 and the front face 74a of the second housing part 74.
• the grounding clamp assembly 80 includes a first clamp member 82 and an identical and oppositely arranged second clamp member 84. It is noted that the first and second clamp members 82, 84 can also be differently shaped and can be non-identical.
• the first clamp member 82 includes a clamp portion 82a, a handle portion 82b, and a support portion 82c extending between the clamp portion 82a and the handle portion 82b.
• the second clamp member 84 includes a clamp portion 84a, a handle portion 84b, and a support portion 84c extending between the clamp portion 84a and the handle portion 84b.
• the clamp portions 82a, 84a are provided with a curved or arced shape to better engage with the outer perimeter of the cable 4 and conductive element 5.
• the first clamp member 82 is arranged within the first housing part 72 such that the clamp portion 82a extends into or across the central opening 76 and the handle portion 82b extends through the first opening 72f of the first housing part 72.
• a first spring 60 is provided within the first housing part 72 and extends from a first end 60a, which is located against a shoulder 82d, of the first clamp member 82, to a second end 60b, which is located against the third side member 72d of the first housing part 72.
• the spring 60 provides a spring biasing force in a direction SI which results in a clamping force against the cable 4, when inserted through the central opening 76.
• the second clamp member 84 is arranged within the first housing part 72 such that the clamp portion 84a extends into or across the central opening 76 and the handle portion 84b extends through the second opening 72g of the first housing part 72.
• a second spring 62 is provided within the first housing part 72 and extends from a first end 62a, which is located against a shoulder 84d of the second clamp member 84, to a second end 62b, which is located against the fourth side member 72e of the first housing part 72.
• the spring 62 provides a spring biasing force in a direction S2 which results in a clamping force against the cable 4, when inserted through the central opening 76.
• the clamp assembly 80 within the housing assembly 70 is configured such that the first clamp portion 82a and the second clamp portion 84a define an opening 88 with a dimension D4 which can be increased by squeezing the handle portions 82b, 84b of the first and second clamp members 82, 84 in a respective direction Fl, F2.
• a dimension D4 which can be increased by squeezing the handle portions 82b, 84b of the first and second clamp members 82, 84 in a respective direction Fl, F2.
• sufficient force must be applied to overcome the spring biasing forces in direction SI, S2, respectively.
• the clamp members 82, 84 are configured such that the handle portions 82b, 84b extend beyond the side members 72d, 72e of the first housing part in a fully extended position (i.e. no cable installed, no force applied by a user) and in which the handle portions 82b, 84b are either flush or recessed with respect to the side members 72d, 72e when in a clamped position around the cable 4.
• the handle portions 82b, 84b are either flush or recessed with respect to the side members 72d, 72e when in a clamped position around the cable 4.
• Other configurations are possible.
• the clamp assembly 80 can be configured such that the first and second clamp members 82, 84 and/or portions 82a, 84a are aligned along the same plane and engage with each other when no force is provided on the handle portions 82b, 84b.
• Such a configuration allows the clamp members 82, 84 themselves to act as a stop against each other wherein each clamp member 82, 84 prevents the other from sliding out of the first housing part through the respective opening 72f, 72g.
• Other configurations are possible as well.
• a stop member could be provided on each clamp member 82, 84 that engages with a corresponding stop member on the first and/or second housing part 72, 74.
• the clamp members 82, 84 can be aligned along different planes such that they can move completely past each other.
• the biasing springs 60, 62 are helical springs formed from a conductive material, such as a metal (e.g. steel, copper, etc.).
• the grounding springs 60, 62 can take the form of other types of springs so long as the springs provide a biasing force to engage the clamp members 82, 84 against the cable conductive element 5 when the cable is inserted through the central aperture 76 of the housing assembly 70, as described above.
• the first housing part 72 is formed from a conductive material, such as a metal material, such that conductive contact exists between the clamp member 82, 84, the springs 60, 62, the first and second housing parts 72,74, and the connector part 12. In this way, the housing assembly 70 is able to provide a grounding pathway between the cable conductive element 5 and the connector part 12.
• FIG. 7-12 a second embodiment of a connector assembly 110 is presented.
• the description for the first embodiment is applicable to and incorporated by reference herein for the second embodiment.
• the same reference numbers will be used where possible (e.g. reference number 170 instead of reference number 70 for the housing assembly).
• the following description for the second embodiment will be limited primarily to the differences between the second embodiment and previously described first embodiment.
• the second embodiment of the connector assembly 110 is similar to the first embodiment in that the same connector part 12 is utilized.
• the second embodiment of the connector assembly 110 is also similar in that a two-part housing assembly 170 is provided including a first housing part 172 and a second housing part 174.
• the second housing part 174 is generally the same as the second housing part 74.
• the second housing part 174 differs in that the first and second side members 72b, 72c that engage with the connector part 12 from the first embodiment are instead located on the second housing part 174 in the second embodiment and are identified as 174c and 174d.
• the primary difference between the second and first embodiments is the configuration of the first housing part 172 and the grounding clamp assembly 180.
• the first housing part 172 is configured with a front wall 172a and a rear wall 172b, each of which has an opening dimension Dl which defines the central aperture 176.
• the first housing part 172 also includes a sidewall 172d and an opposite sidewall 172e which extend across the front and rear walls 172a, 172b and beyond the rear wall 172b to provide an engagement surface for the second housing part 174 sidewalls 174c.
• the housing part additionally defines a first opening 172f and an opposite second opening 172g which extend between the front and rear walls 172a, 172b and between the sidewalls 172d, 172e.
• the clamp assembly 180 includes a first clamp member 182 and an identical and oppositely arranged second clamp member 184. It is noted that the first and second clamp members 182, 184 can also be differently shaped and need not be identical. As shown, the first clamp member 182 includes a clamp portion 182a, a handle portion 182b, and a pair of spring support shoulders 182c. Similarly, the second clamp member 184 includes a clamp portion 184a, a handle portion 84b, and a pair of spring support shoulders 184c. In one aspect, the clamp portions 182a, 184a are provided with a circular opening having a dimension D5, which enables the clamp portions 182a, 184a to better engage with the outer perimeter of the cable 4 and
• the dimension D5 is approximately equal to the dimension Dlof the central opening 176.
• the first clamp member 182 is arranged within the first housing part 172 and between the walls 172a, 172b such that the clamp portion 182a extends into the central opening 176 and the handle portion 182b extends through the first opening 172f of the first housing part 172.
• the second clamp portion 184a is arranged adjacent to the first clamp portion 182a between the walls 172a, 172b such that the clamp portion 184a also extends into the central opening 176 and the handle portion 184b extends through the second opening 172g of the first housing part 172.
• the clamp portions 182a, 184a can be provided with a thickness that is about half of the thickness of the handle portions 182b, 184b from which they extend.
• a first spring 160 is provided within the first housing part 172 and extends from a first end 160a which is located against the shoulder 182c of the first clamp member 182 to a second end 160b which is located against the shoulder 184c of the second clamp member 184.
• a second spring 162 is also provided on the opposite side of the clamp portions 182a, 184a and mounted between shoulders 182c, 184c at a respective first end 162a and second end 162b.
• Each of the shoulders 182c, 184c can be provided with a protrusion 182d, 184d that engages with the end of the springs 160, 162.
• the protrusions 182d, 184d can function to guide the springs 160, 162 appropriately and/or to hold the clamp assembly 180 together.
• the first housing part 172 may also be provided with one or more stop members to prevent the clamp members 182, 184 from undesirably falling out of the openings 172f, 172g.
• the springs 160, 162 urge the first and second clamp portions 182a, 184a away from each other such that the resulting overlapping opening 188 defined by the clamp portions 182a, 184a, which has a dimension D4, is minimized.
• the dimension D4 is increased.
• sufficient force must be applied to overcome the spring biasing forces generated by springs 160, 162.
• the clamp members 182, 184 are configured such that the handle portions 182b, 184b are flush with the side openings 172f, 172g of the first housing part 172 in a fully extended position (i.e. no cable installed, no force applied by a user) and in which the handle portions 182b, 184b are recessed with respect to the side openings 172f, 172g when in a clamped position around the cable 4.
• the handle portions 182b, 184b are flush with respect to the side openings 172f, 172g when in a clamped position around the cable 4.
• Other configurations are possible.
• the biasing springs 160, 162 are helical springs formed from a conductive material, such as a metal (e.g. steel, copper, etc.).
• the grounding springs 160, 162 can take the form of other types of springs so long as the springs provide a biasing force to engage the clamp members 182, 184 against the cable conductive element 5 when the cable is inserted through the central aperture 176 of the housing assembly 170, as described above.
• the first housing part 172 is formed from a conductive material, such as a metal material, such that conductive contact exists between the clamp members 182, 184, the springs 160, 162, the first housing part 172, the second housing part 174, and the connector part 12. In this way, the housing assembly 170 is able to provide a grounding pathway between the cable conductive element 5 and the connector part 12.
• both connector assemblies 10, 110 include two oppositely opposed clamp members 82/84, 182/184, the required distance or space for compressing the clamp assembly 80, 180 into the compressed position is reduced by half, in comparison to clamps having a single acting clamp member. Because of this, the housing assemblies 70, 170 can be produced at a smaller width or height. Additionally, a wide range of cable diameters can be accepted by the clamp assemblies 80, 180, for example cables ranging between 5 millimeters to 9 millimeters can be accepted by the same clamp assembly 80, 180.

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• 2015
  • 2015-08-13 ES ES201531199A patent/ES2600968B1/es not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2016
  • 2016-08-12 WO PCT/EP2016/069310 patent/WO2017025643A1/en active Application Filing

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