This invention relates to a splice connector assembly, especially for use in vehicle applications.
In vehicle applications, where weight and space constraints are at a premium, many vehicles utilize specifically designed splice connectors or other forms of connectors to reduce the number of wires and electrical connectors that must be present. The use of such special design connectors, while beneficial to create a more compact solution, often result in higher research and manufacturing costs due to the quantity and complexity of the individual parts needed for each specific splice connector application. In addition, each application generally presents unique sizing and connector requirements which may prevent a more versatile design. Accordingly, there is a need for a splice connector with a compact, versatile shape and which may accommodate a variety of connector requirement combinations.
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a splice connector assembly that includes a generally rectangular housing. The housing includes an opening on opposing end walls. The splice connector assembly also includes a flat, generally H-shaped bus plate disposed within the housing, wherein the bus plate includes a connecting strip and at least two parallel male terminals extending outwardly from the connecting strip. The distal end of the at least two parallel male terminals are configured to receive and electrically connect with respective ones of at least two female terminals. The female terminals extend into the housing to connect to the male terminals through the openings on the opposed end walls. The housing may include an upper portion and a mating lower portion that cumulatively form the generally rectangular housing. The lower portion may include at least one upwardly extending positioning stud that is configured to be received within an aperture in the bus plate to position the bus plate within the housing. The connecting strip of the bus plate may include at least one aperture that is configured to receive the upwardly extending positioning stud. The at least two male terminals of the bus plate are spaced such that each male terminal can receive and electrically connect with one female terminal, or such that two adjacent male terminals can receive and electrically connect with one female terminal together.
In some embodiments, the bus plate is a six-way bus plate, such that bus plate includes six male terminals that are configured to receive and electrically connect with at least two female terminals, wherein the female terminals extend into the housing to connect to the male terminals through the opening on each end wall. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the bus plate is a twelve-way bus plate, such that the bus plate includes six male terminals that are configured to receive and electrically connect with at least two female terminals, wherein the female terminals extend into the housing to connect to the male terminals through the opening on each end wall.
According to another aspect, the invention provides a splice connector assembly which includes a generally rectangular, electrically insulated housing, wherein the housing includes an opening on opposed end walls. The housing further includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The splice connector assembly also includes a flat, electrically conductive bus plate received within a cavity of the housing. The bus plate includes a connecting strip having at least one aperture, and a plurality of axially extending, parallel male terminals extending from each side of the connecting strip. The male terminals are configured to engage with female terminals that enter the housing through the opening on the opposed end walls.
According to another aspect, the invention provides a bus plate that includes a connecting strip extending perpendicular to an axis and at least two parallel male terminals extending outwardly along the axis from each longitudinal side of the connecting strip. The distal end of each male terminal being configured to receive and electrically connect with a female terminal. The bus plate also includes at least one third male terminal that is parallel to and spaced apart from the at least two parallel male terminals, wherein the distal end of the at least one third male terminal being configured to receive and electrically connect with a female terminal of the male terminal at the same time the at least two parallel male terminals receive and electrically connect with female terminals.
Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The housing 20 may have a generally rectangular shape when assembled, which extends along an axis 12. In other words, the housing 20 may include a pair of parallel sidewalls 22 connected by a pair of parallel end walls 21. The end walls 21 may each include an opening 23 that is configured to allow electrical cables 40 to extend into the housing 20. The electrical cables 40 may be configured as output wires and carry current away from the splice connector assembly 10. The electrical cables 40 may electrically connect to the bus plate 30 by way of female terminals 41. The female terminals 41 may be configured to receive and electrically connect to male terminals 33 of the bus plate 30. Beneficially, due to the sizing of the opening 23 of the housing 20 and the flat configuration of the bus plate 30, multiple electrical wires 40 may extend into the housing 20 through one of the other or both of the openings 23 simultaneously, allowing for a plurality of female terminals 41 to electrically connect to the male terminals 33.
The bus plate 30 is disposed within the housing 20. The bus plate 30 is flat and generally H-shaped. The bus plate 30 is configured to receive electrical cables 40 such that current may flow from the splice connector 10 to an output. The bus plate 30 may include a central connecting strip 31 extending perpendicular to the axis 12 such that the connecting strip 31 extends most or all of the way between the two side walls 22. The connecting strip 31 may include a plurality of parallel male terminals 33 extending outwardly parallel to the axis 12 from each longitudinal side of the connecting strip 31, a first set of male terminals extending in a first direction and a second set of male terminals extending in the opposite direction. The distal end of the male terminals 33 are configured to receive and electrically connect with female terminals 41.
The housing 20 may be generally hollow, such that it includes a cavity 24. The cavity 24 is configured to receive the bus plate 30. In addition, the housing 20 includes the opening 23 in each end wall 21.
The housing 20 may include a clip 25 on the upper housing portion 50. The clip 25 may be made of, for example, plastic, and is configured to provide a means of fastening the splice connector assembly 10 to any other structure. For example, the clip 25 may be configured to secure the splice connector assembly 10 in place within a compartment of a vehicle. However, while the clip 25 is shown on the upper housing portion 50, it should be appreciated that any number of clips 25 may be provided at any location or position on the outer surface of the splice connector assembly 10.
The housing 20 may include a first latch member 51 and a second latch member 61. The first latch member 51 and second latch member 61 are configured to matingly engage to secure the upper housing portion 50 to the lower housing portion 60. As shown, the first latch member 51 may be in the form of a downward extending protrusion from the upper housing portion 50 having a window that is configured to engage with the second latch member 61, of the lower housing portion 60. The first latch member 51 may be integrally formed with the upper housing portion 50 and be disposed along the sidewalls 22. Similarly, the second latch member 61 may be in the form of a corresponding protrusion, such as for example a barb, that is integrally formed with the lower housing portion 60 and is configured to be received within the window of the first latch member 51. The housing 20 is shown to include four respective pairs of latches along the sidewalls 22 with each comprising a first latch member 51 and a second latch member 61. However, while four pairs of latches are shown, it should be appreciated that any quantity of pairs of latches may be used. In addition, it should be appreciated that any other configuration of matingly engaging the upper housing portion 50 and lower housing portion 60 may be used, including other configurations of latches, snaps, or buckles.
Referring now to
A depiction of how the female terminals 41a-41c may connect to the bus plate 30′ is best illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.