While the above-identified figures set forth several embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the spirit and scope of the principals of this invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers have been used throughout the figures to denote like parts.
The base unit 102 includes an insulated housing 109 with a series of receiving slots 110 sized for receiving portions of the connector unit 104. Lock slots on a rear side of the base unit 102 receive lock projections 122 of the connector unit 104 to lock the connector unit 104 to the base unit 102.
Located within the connector unit 104 are a plurality of electrical elements 300 or 400 (
The connector unit 104 includes an insulated housing 130 and a series of alignment projections 120 for connection into the receiving slots 110 of the base unit 102. The lock projections 122 project outwardly and downwardly from the rear side of the connector unit 104 and lock within the lock slots on the rear side of the base unit 102 (not shown) to lock the connector unit 104 to the base unit 102.
Each cap 106 is independently pivotally mounted onto the connector unit 104, relative to a respective housing 130. Each cap 106 includes a first pivot projection 170 and a second coaxial pivot projection 172 (
Each connector assembly 100 is a self-contained unit, insulated from the next adjacent assembly 100. The connector assembly 100 may include any number of housings 130, base units 102, and caps 106. Each housing 130, base unit 102 and cap 106 form an assembly that is adapted to receive at least one pair of electrical conductors, as explained below. Because the connector assembly 100 may include any number of housings 130 and caps 106, there can be any number of paired electrical conductors entering and exiting the housings 130.
The connector assembly 100 may be constructed, for example, of an engineering plastic such as: a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polymer available under the trade name VALOX 325 from GE Plastics of Pittsfield, Mass.; a polycarbonate resin, flame retardant, 10% glass fiber reinforced grade available under the trade name LEXAN 500R from GE Plastics of Pittsfield, Mass.; a polycarbonate resin, flame retardant, 10% glass fiber reinforced grade available under the trade name MACKROLON 9415 from Bayer Plastics Division of Pittsburgh, Pa.; or a polycarbonate resin, flame retardant, 20% glass fiber reinforced grade available under the trade name MACKROLON 9425 from Bayer Plastics Division of Pittsburgh, Pa. Other suitable engineering plastics are also acceptable.
The caps 106 may be constructed, for example, of an engineering plastic such as: a polyetherimide resin available under the trade name ULTEM 1100 from GE Plastics of Pittsfield, Mass.; a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin flame retardant, 30% glass fiber reinforced available under the trade name VALOX 420 SEO from GE Plastics of Pittsfield, Mass.; a polyacrylamide resin, flame retardant, 30% glass fiber reinforced grade available under the trade name IXEF 1501 from Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC of Alpharetta, Ga.; or a polyacrylamide resin, flame retardant, 50% glass fiber reinforced grade available under the trade name IXEF 1521 from Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC of Alpharetta, Ga. Other suitable engineering plastics are also acceptable.
Each housing 130 includes a front wall 131, a first side wall 132, a second side wall 133, and a base 134. The housing 130 is formed to have a first section 135 and a second section 137. Separating the first section 135 from the second section 137 is an optional test probe slot 152.
Along the front wall 131 is a first wire groove 140 and a second wire groove 142, which allow entry of the electrical conductors (i.e., wires) into the housing 130. Wire retainer projections 144 extend laterally into the grooves 140 and 142 to resiliently hold the electrical conductors within the first wire groove 140 and second wire groove 142, and prevent the electrical conductors from moving out of the open ends of the grooves 140, 142. A latch opening 146 is also disposed on the front wall 131, which is capable of receiving a latch projection 190 (
Along the first side wall 132 is a first hinge slot 148 (
In one embodiment, the base 134 of the housing 130 includes the test probe slot 152 that essentially separates the first section 135 of the housing 130 from the second section 137 of the housing 130. In another embodiment, a test probe slot is provided that is oriented transverse relative to the housing 130 such that the test probe slot bridges between, for example, the first side wall 132 and the second side wall 133. In any regard, the test probe slot 152 may be divided into two portions with the first allowing for testing of the electrical connections within the first section 135 of the housing 130, and the second allowing for testing of the electrical connections within the second section 137 of the housing 130. Test probes as are known in the art can be inserted into the test probe slot 152.
Extending from the base 134 of the first section 135 of the housing 130 is a first IDC element 300, and extending from the base 134 of the second section 137 of the housing 130 is a second similar IDC element 301. Each IDC element 300, 301 is conductive and capable of displacing the insulation from electrical conductors to electrically couple the conductive cores of the electrical conductors to the IDC elements. Choosing appropriate materials and optional plating is well within the skill of the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the IDC elements 300, 301 and/or 400 (
Extending into the pivot portion 166 is a first recess 174 and second recess 176 sized to receive wires/electrical conductors. In one embodiment, the recesses 174, 176 extend through the entire pivot portion 166 of the cap 106. The first recess 174 is aligned with the first section 135 of the housing 130, and the second recess 176 is aligned with the second section 137 of the housing 130. Each recess 174, 176 receives electrical conductors passing through the housing 130. Although the first recess 174 and second recess 176 are shown as parallel recesses through the pivot portion 166, it is within the scope of the present invention that the first recess 174 and second recess 176 may not be parallel to one another.
The cover portion 168 of the cap 106 is moveable from an open position (
When the cap 106 is closed, the underside of the cover portion 168 of the cap 106 engages the electrical conductor. The first wire hugger 178 and first wire stuffer 180 engage an upper exposed surface of the electrical conductor. Upon complete closure of the cap 106, the first wire stuffer 180 (being aligned with a first IDC element 300) follows and pushes the electrical conductor into the first IDC element 300 (
The cap 106 provides a resilient latch 188, which is capable of flexing relative to the cover portion 168. When the cap 106 is closed, the resilient latch 188 flexes so that the latch projection 190 on the resilient latch 188 can enter the latch opening 146 on the front wall 131 of the housing 130. When the latch projection 190 is engaged with the latch opening 146, the cap 106 is secured to the housing 130 and will not open. To open the cap 106, a release lever 192 on the resilient latch 188 is pressed rearward to disengage the latch projection 190 from the latch opening 146. Then, the cap 106 can be pivoted open, as shown in
The first IDC element 300 is located at the base 134 of the first section 135 of the housing 130. A first support 163 with a generally U-shape is provided to support and cradle an electrical conductor when inserted into the housing 130. In particular, when the cap 106 is closed and pressing down on the electrical conductor, the first support 163 supports the electrical conductor within the first section 135 of the housing 130.
The second IDC element 301 is located at the base 134 of the second section 137 of the housing 130. A second support 165 with a generally U-shape is provided to support and cradle an electrical conductor when inserted into the housing 130. In particular, when the cap 106 is closed and pressing down on the electrical conductor, the second support 165 supports the electrical conductor within the second section 137 of the housing 130.
In one embodiment, the first IDC element 300 is arranged linearly relative to the first section 135 of the housing 130, and the second IDC element 301 is arranged linearly relative to the second section 137 of the housing 130. As can be seen, the first wire groove 140, first IDC element 300, first support 163, and first recess 174 in the cap 106 are generally linearly arranged along a first longitudinal axis 136 within the first section 135 of the housing 130. Within the second section 137 of the housing 130, the second wire groove 142, second IDC element 301, second support 165, and second recess 176 in the cap 106 are generally linearly arranged along a second longitudinal axis 138. Relative to the pivot axis 173 of the cap 106, the first IDC element 300 and the second IDC element 301 are off-set (i.e., radially staggered) from one another along their respective longitudinal axes 136, 138.
The second IDC element 301 is closer to the pivot portion 166 of the cap 106 than the first IDC element 300. This staggering of the first IDC element 300 and second IDC element 301 minimizes the force needed to be applied to the cap 106 to properly close the cap 106 and engage all electrical conductors in each IDC element, because the electrical conductors are not being forced into their respective IDC elements at the same time during closure. Instead, the electrical conductor for the IDC element closest to the pivot portion 166 of the cap 106 (second IDC element 301) is pressed into engagement first, and the electrical conductor at the IDC element farthest from the pivot portion 166 of the cap 106 (first IDC element 300) is pressed into engagement last.
Although the first IDC element 300 and the second IDC element 301 are shown staggered relative to the pivot axis 173, the first IDC element 300 and second IDC element 301 may be uniformly arranged within the housing 130. Further, the first IDC element 300 and the second IDC element 301 may have different heights relative to the base 134 of the housing 130 such that electrical conductors will first be inserted into the higher IDC element, and then into the lower IDC element. As mentioned above, the wire stuffers 180, 184 may also have different lengths. Sequencing the insertion of the electrical conductors into the IDC elements distributes the forces needed to close the cap 106 while making the proper connections.
The housing 130 includes a first section 135 and a second section 137 with essentially similar components on each section, although the housing 130 may include a single set of components like the wire groove, recess in the pivot portion, IDC element, support, etc.
In use, an electrical conductor, which includes a conductive core surrounded by an insulation layer, is inserted into the first section 135 of the housing 130 and into the first recess 174. A similar electrical conductor can likewise be inserted into the second section 137 and into the second recess 176. Although it is preferable to insert the electrical conductor into each section of the housing one at a time, electrical conductors may be inserted into each section of the housing 130 at the same time. Once in place, the cap 106 is closed to insert the electrical conductors into the slots of the IDC element.
Electrical conductors 200/206 are typically coupled to the connector assemblies 100 in the field. Accordingly, ease of use and achieving a high probability of effective electrical coupling of the components is important. The conditions of use and installation may be harsh, such as outdoors (i.e., unpredictable weather conditions), in underground cabinets (i.e., tight working quarters), and assembly may include the use of non-highly skilled labor. Thus, it is desired to simplify the process of connecting wires to the IDC element. The present invention achieves this end by providing an arrangement for aligning the wires, and for providing an operator with affirmative feedback that the alignment was correct (and thus a proper electrical coupling has been made) even after the cap has been closed and the alignment of components is no longer visible.
The first wire stuffer 180 and first wire hugger 178 approach an upper exposed surface of the wire 206 and begin to make contact therewith, and the continued force during closing of the cap 106 urges the wire 200 into contact with first support 163.
When the cap 106 entirely closes, the resilient latch 188 (
The electrical conductors 200, 206 include distal portions 200a, 206a, respectively, both of which are electrically connected to the first IDC element 300. The first recess 174 passes entirely through the cap 106, and the distal portions 200a, 206a of the electrical conductors 200, 206a are available for connection to a further portion of the electrical system.
The first and second recesses 174, 176 on the underside of the cap 106, may be generally circular (
When the cap 106 is closed, the cap 106 may entirely seal the housing 130. Additionally, a gel or other sealant material may be added to the housing 130 prior to the closure of the cap 106 to create a moisture seal within the housing 130 when the cap 106 is closed. Sealant materials useful in this invention include greases and gels. One suitable sealant material is a general purpose silicone dielectric gel available under the trade name RTV 6166, from GE Silicones, Wilton, Conn., although other suitable greases and gels are also acceptable.
When the cap 106 is closed, the user cannot visually see if the wires 200, 206 are properly in place within the first IDC element 300. However, the user is able to verify that the proximal portions of the electrical conductors 200, 206 are properly entering through the first wire groove 140, and that the distal ends 200a, 206a also properly extend from the housing 130. With the ability to verify that each end of the electrical conductors 200, 206 has been properly placed, the user can interpolate that the middle of the electrical conductors 200, 206 has been properly aligned and inserted into the IDC element.
The positioning of the height from the base 134 of the housing 130 relative to the first IDC element 300 and the second IDC element 301 all assist in reducing the forces necessary for making the electrical connection between the electrical conductors 200, 206 and the IDC elements 300, 301. The positioning and length of the first wire stuffer 180 and second wire stuffer 184 may also be manipulated to assist in reducing the forces necessary for closing the cap 106 and making the electrical connections. The present invention effectively allows for a distribution of the forces necessary for electrically coupling the electrical conductor to the IDC element through the use of a pivoting cap, without the use of special closure tools by effectively sequencing the alignment and insertion of the electrical conductor into the contacts.
When electrical conductors are positioned in both the first section 135 and the second section 137 of the housing 130, closing of the cap enables the wire stuffers to sequentially stuff the electrical conductors into the first and second contacts of the second IDC element 301, and then stuff the electrical conductors into the first and second contacts of the first IDC element 300. Because of the curved shape of the closing cap and the staggering of the IDC elements, the stuffing of the wires into the IDC elements does not occur all at once, but rather sequentially, further reducing the ultimate closure force. After the electrical conductors are in place, the cap is snapped shut. Because the stuffing and closing of the cap do not occur at the same time, the force required by the user is reduced. Varying the height of the IDC elements with respect to one another or varying the lengths of the wire stuffers with respect to one another will also result in a beneficial sequential insertion of the electrical conductor in the contacts.
Two wires/electrical conductor 200, 206 enter the first section 135 of the housing 130. In this regard, a second electrical conductor 206 (
When the first IDC element 300 is placed in the first section 135 of the housing 130, the tail 305 extends through the base unit 102 and the tail end 306 is brought into contact with a printed circuit, for example. Tail 305 includes solder tails, as best illustrated in
With reference to
The second contact 303 (
At the narrow portion 314 of the first contact 302, the first leg 307 and second leg 309 displace the insulation sheath 202 covering the first electrical conductor 200 so that the conductive core 204 makes electrical contact with the legs 307, 309. At the narrow portion 322 of the second contact 303, the first leg 317 and second leg 319 displace the insulation sheath 208 covering the second electrical conductor 206 so that the conductive core 210 makes electrical contact with the legs 317, 319. Therefore, the first and second electrical conductors 200, 206 are electrically connected to the first IDC element 300, and are electrically connected to one another.
The second IDC element 301 may be configured with first and second contacts having wide portions and narrow portions. The wide portion and narrow portions may be configured in reverse order, relative to the first IDC element 300 described above.
With regard to
With the above orientation of the first contact 402 in mind, the second contact 403 also has a generally U-shape. However, a wide portion of the second insulation displacement slot 421 is oriented to be opposite of the wide portion 412 of the first insulation displacement 411. That is to say, the wide portion 412 of the first contact 402 is aligned with a narrow portion of the second contact 403.
Although the IDC element 300 is shown having a first contact 302 and a second contact 303, it is understood that the IDC element may be an IDC element with just one contact. Also, the IDC element of the present invention may or may not have the wide portion and narrow portion described with respect to the IDC element shown in
Any standard insulated jumper wire, such as a telephone insulated jumper wire, may be used as the electrical conductor. The wires may be, but are not limited to: 22 AWG (round tinned copper wire nominal diameter 0.025 inches (0.65 mm) with nominal insulation thickness of 0.0093 inches (0.023 mm)); 24 AWG (rounded tinned copper wire nominal diameter 0.020 inches (0.5 mm) with nominal insulation thickness of 0.010 inches (0.025 mm); 26 AWG (rounded tinned copper wire nominal diameter 0.016 inches (0.4 mm) with nominal insulation thickness of 0.010 inches (0.025 mm). The insulation can include any suitable electrically insulating material. Examples of suitable insulation materials include polymers in general, including polyolefins, and polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP) in particular.
In one embodiment, multiple IDC elements 300 are aligned with and electrically connected to multiple solder bumps 504 oriented in a desired configuration along the surface 502 of the printed circuit 500. For example, in one embodiment an array of solder bumps 504 printed on the surface 502 are brought into contact with multiple tails 305 extending from IDC elements 300. The solder bumps 504 are heated in a reflow solder process to flow the solder around the tails 305. A subsequent cooling process electrically and mechanically couples the tails 305 to the surface 502 of the printed circuit 500. In another embodiment, an individual tail end 306 is moved into proximity with the surface 502, and an individual solder bump 504 is dispensed (for example by a solder wire/solder gun) to form an electrical contact between the tail end 306 and the surface 502.
In one embodiment, the connector assembly 100 including the IDC element 400 is brought into proximity with the printed circuit 600, and the compliant pin 405 is press fitted into the hole 604. In one embodiment, multiple IDC elements 400 are provided in rows along the connector unit 104, and the compliant pins 405 of the rows of IDC elements 400 are press fitted into a corresponding row of holes 604 formed in the surface 602 of the printed circuit 600. In this manner, electrical connection between the IDC element 400 and the printed circuit 600 is achieved, and the wires 200, 206 (
Embodiments of the present invention provide a housing enclosing one or more IDC elements where the IDC elements are configured for electrical connection to a printed circuit. The housing is configured to enable “4-wires in, 4-wires out” wiring where a pair of wires enters a front of the housing, electrically couples to one of the IDC element(s) and to the printed circuit, and the pair of wires exits a back of the housing. The wires exiting the housing are useful in electrically connecting other devices and other circuits to the printed circuit. The housing includes one or more caps that can be closed onto the housing, with the closing of the caps contributing to pressing the wires into electrical contact with the IDC elements. In this regard, the housing and the caps are configured to distribute the closing forces, thereby minimizing the force employed in snapping the cap shut onto the housing.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/820,187, filed Jul. 24, 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60820187 | Jul 2006 | US |