EP0089223A1 - Elektrischer Zusammenbau und Verfahren für die Anordnung von mehreren elektrischen Leitern in einem Muster - Google Patents

Elektrischer Zusammenbau und Verfahren für die Anordnung von mehreren elektrischen Leitern in einem Muster Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0089223A1
EP0089223A1 EP83301410A EP83301410A EP0089223A1 EP 0089223 A1 EP0089223 A1 EP 0089223A1 EP 83301410 A EP83301410 A EP 83301410A EP 83301410 A EP83301410 A EP 83301410A EP 0089223 A1 EP0089223 A1 EP 0089223A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conductors
housing
conductor
paths
cable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83301410A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Donald S. Rich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ABB Installation Products Inc
Original Assignee
Thomas and Betts Corp
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 Thomas and Betts Corp filed Critical Thomas and Betts Corp
Publication of EP0089223A1 publication Critical patent/EP0089223A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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
    • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
    • H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
    • H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat 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
    • 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
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
    • H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type
    • H01R4/242—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type the contact members being plates having a single slot

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for retentively arranging electrical conductors in desired patterns for the making of electric connections.thereto and pertains more particularly to pitch change electrical connectors.
  • the cable may have a pitch of 0.050 inch (fifty mils between adjacent conductors) while the pitch of pins of a terminating connector may be 0.0545 inch (fifty-four and one half mils).
  • each cable conductor to a corresponding pin in a separate practice, a technique referred to as discrete wire termination.
  • discrete wire termination a technique referred to as discrete wire termination.
  • each individual conductor of the flat cable is pulled apart from mutually adjacent conductors, insulation is stripped therefrom and the bared conductor is soldered, wire wrapped or otherwise individually connected to the corresponding one. of the pins of the termination device.
  • transition interconnect member adjunctive to the cable and termination device and being a permanent link in the connection, e.g., a flexible printed circuit (PC) whose conductive traces extend from a first pitch arrangement through a fanned out transition to a second pitch arrangement.
  • PC flexible printed circuit
  • a fourth approach in the prior art is that of providing a connector having contacts of spread pitch type. This is seen, for example, in Narozny U.S. Patent No. 3,990,767 wherein a family of identical contacts is selectively bent in assembly of the connector to yield the desired pitch transition. It is seen also in Key U.S. Patent No. 3,731,254, wherein a family of contacts is stamped prior to assembly with an offset providing the desired pitch transition.
  • Nickerson et al. U.S. Patent No. 3,777,299 introduces an adaptor having channels therethrough defining the required pitch change from contact pin to cable. The tail of each pin is selectively bent to conform to the channel configuration whereby it registers with a cable conductor on exiting the channel.
  • any practice which collectively places in registry the conductors of first pitch and contacts of second pitch provides the necessary preparation for mass termination.
  • the flexible printed circuit transition, the multipitch cable or Huber end spread cable, the Norozny bendable contacts and the Key stamped offset contacts thus may be called mass termination capable devices.
  • specialized cable adjunct means are needed, e.g., bendable or offset contacts or flexible PC, the cable need be specially fabricated or the cable need be strain relieved by means separate from the pitch changing housing. The labor non-intensive convenience of mass-termination is thus made available generally at substantial cost beyond that of standard contacts and a customary single pitch cable.
  • the present invention has as an objective the provision of a labor non-intensive and cost effective approach to preparing a flat multiconductor cable for mass-termination.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an expeditious method for retentively arranging a plurality of conductors in a given pattern.
  • a more particular object of the invention is to provide methods and apparatus for pitch change mass termination of flat multiconductor cable without need for specialized multi-pitch cable, adjunct devices forming a permanent link in the termination, specialized contacts of bendable or stamped variety or adjunct strain relief devices.
  • the invention provides a practice in which a plurality of conductors in one pattern, e.g., aligned in preselected pitch, are collectively displaced into a different pattern, e.g., non-aligned and in different pitch, by application of a common force collectively thereto.
  • the conductors extend from such preselected pitch through a transition pitch into such different pitch and are preferably thereby strain-relieved and retentively positioned in preparation for mass-termination, e.g., by insulation displacement or insulation piercing techniques.
  • Apparatus for use in preparing flat multiconductor cable for mass termination in accordance with the invention includes, preferably as part of the permanent connection, a housing defining the requisite pitch transition through conductor retention channels.
  • a housing defining the requisite pitch transition through conductor retention channels.
  • such apparatus includes as a housing a single piece article of manufacture adapted by reason of its own structure to effect pitch change and attendant strain relief.
  • An installation tool or a cover for the housing is adapted to apply the aforesaid common force thereto.
  • housing 10 typically a rigid body of electrically insulative material, has outer surface 12, sidewalls 14 and 16 defining surfaces 18 and 20 and recessed surface 22 in which are formed conductor residence channels 24 through 38.
  • the channels have origin openings 40 communicating with compartment 42 leftwardly in Fig. 1 and exit openings 44 at the rightward Fig. 1 housing side.
  • a transverse channel 46 extends into communication with each of channels 24 through 38 and has depth in housing 10 exceeding the depth of such conductor directing channels.
  • Sidewalls 14 and 16 have notches 48 and 50 and terminate short of the housing 10 left side in uprights 52 and 54 whereby housing 10 is adapted for receipt of cover 56 of Fig. 4.
  • the cover has projections 58 and 60 for seating in notches 48 and 50 and side margin steps 62 and 64 cooperative with uprights 52 and 54.
  • Cover 56 further includes openings 66 and 68 which register with openings 70 and 72 of housing 10 to provide for mounting, as discussed below in connection with Fig. 10.
  • Transverse cover opening 74 likewise registers with housing channel 46 for electrical interconnect purposes, also discussed below.
  • Channels 24-38 are arranged to define such residence paths and include leftward end portions extending mutually parallel at interchannel spacing indicated as Sl, rightward end portions extending mutually parallel at interchannel spacing indicated as S2 and acutely angled intermediate portions connecting such end portions.
  • the residence paths are partly bounded with a capture surface adapted to retentively engage a conductor contiguous therewith, e.g., to provide a frictional, interference type fit therewith.
  • capture surfaces are the channel sidewalls, shown as 24a and 24b for channel 24. These sidewalls have transverse spacing S3, chosen as somewhat less than the transverse, cross-sectional expanse of the conductor to be resident therein. Such capture surfaces define an opening for insertion of the conductor. Thus each of channels 24-38 opens into surface 22.
  • flat multiconductor cable 76 typically has a conductive body 78 and protective jacketing 80 and in the illustrated embodiment eight conductors 82 through 96. Each conductor has insulation extruded thereon and body 78 is extruded collectively on the insulated conductors.
  • Body 78 may be electrically conductive polyvinylchloride (PVC) and jacketing 80 may be an electrically insulative material such as a polyester, for example, MYLAR, commercially available from E.I. duPont.
  • Cable 76 is prepared as indicated, i.e., with conductors 82-96 being of sufficient length outwardly of body 78 to extend beyond transverse channel 46 of housing 10.
  • Body 78 with jacketing 80 is nested in compartment 42.
  • Conductors 82-96 each register with a distinct one of channel origin openings 40 (Fig. 1) and exteriorly overlie (Fig. 6) channels 24-38, extending longitudinally therewith parallel to the above discussed parallel end portions of the channels.
  • Such preassembly of cable 76 and housing 10 is worked further in a manner now discussed with reference to Fig. 7.
  • Assembly tool 98 includes base 100 having a floor 102 for supporting housing 10 in abutting relation to stop 104 and with sidewalls 14 and 16 disposed below tracks 106 and 108 of tool sidewalls 110 and 112.
  • Assembly ram 114 has side tongues 116 and 118 adapted to be received in tracks 106 and 108, whereby ram 114 may be slidably driven strokewise into base 100.
  • platen 120 Depending downwardly below tongues 116 and 118 is platen 120, having a depth Dl preferably equal to or slightly greater than the height Hl of housing sidewalls 14 and 16 above surface 22, such that a light interference fit exists between the platen 120 and the transverse housing surfaces 22 and 25-39 (Fig. 8).
  • platen depth Dl may also be slightly less than the housing sidewall height Hl and at least less than the conductor cross-sectional dimension.
  • Platen 120 has transverse extent between tongues 116 and 118 somewhat less than the transverse spacing of sidewalls 14 and 16.
  • conductors 82-96 commonly overlie transverse channel 46 and conform in pattern to that defined by housing 10. As is shown in Fig. 9, each conductor is seated deeply in its residence channel. The degree of strain relief lengthwise of cable 76 and of retentive capture of conductors 82-96 individually corresponds to the selection of channel dimension S3 (Fig. 1) in relation to the cross-sectional dimension of the conductors. Thus, while some measure of strain relief is afforded by angled channel portions, i.e., channel portions in acute angle relation to the channel parallel end portions, heightened longitudinal strain relief and retentive capture of individual conductors against movement transversely outwardly of the housing is achieved as dimension S3 is provided to be less than the conductor cross-sectional dimension.
  • housing 10 is thus a single piece article of manufacture adapted in and of its own structure for combined strain relief and pitch change retention of multiconductor cable. As noted strain relief is effected longitudinally and transversely of the housing. Cover 56 (Fig. 4) contributes cable retention force only by engaging body 78 and not the individual cable conductors.
  • FIG. 9(a) and 9(b) A particularly preferred embodiment of apparatus is shown in Figs. 9(a) and 9(b), wherein upstanding elongate housing 11 is in partial assembly with cover 57.
  • Housing 11 corresponds generally in configuration with housing 10 of Fig. 1 but has its sidewalls 15 and 17 structured to define tracks 107 and 109, running longitudinally therethrough upwardly of transverse surface 23 and conductor retention channels formed therein.
  • Cover 57 corresponds generally in configuration with cover 56 of Fig.4, but has its margins 59 and 61 rectlinear throughout their length and spaced apart transversely such that they can register in housing tracks 107 and 109.
  • the cable is placed in housing 11 as above discussed for cable placement in housing 10, i.e., with cable body 78 in compartment 42 and with conductors in path origins and overlying surface 23.
  • cover 57 is entered atop the cable body into the left side (Fig. 9(a)) of tracks 107 and 109 into light interference fit with surface 23 and pushed fully into residence in the tracks, functioning as in the case of platen 120 (Fig. 7) to apply force collectively to and thereby seat the cable conductors fully in the channels of housing 11.
  • the cover is restrained now from upward movement by such seating thereof in tracks 107 and 109 and the unit is readied for assembly with a terminating contact set as in Fig. 10.
  • PC board 124 includes a plurality of aligned contact members, one being shown at 126 and having an insulation-piercing contact 128 and a terminal pin 130 extending through board 124 and electrically connected to conductive trace 132.
  • board 124 has an end portion on which is secured mounting post 134.
  • the assembly is effected, for example, by tightening of nut 136 on post 134 and counterpart tightening of the nut and post (not shown) associated with housing opening 72 and cover opening 68 (Figs. 1 and 4).
  • the insulation piecing contact portions 128 of each contact 126 penetrate the outer insulation and engage the conductive portion of the respective conductors 82-96. While assembly has been shown herein by use of nut 136 tightened on post 134, it should be understood that other assembly techniques, such as crimping with suitable tooling, may also be used.
  • the cable conductors are prepared for insertion into the channels of housing 10 by removing body 78 therefrom.
  • the conductors are not webbed to one another, or otherwise mutually fixedly positioned, as they are spread into the desired configuration.
  • the invention is otherwise applicable to apply pattern arrangement to webbed conductor cable.
  • commercial ribbon multiconductor cable of one type is fabricated by extruding electrical insulation directly upon bare conductors spaced mutually at desired pitch in the extruder.
  • the opposed exterior surfaces of the cable typically are undulated, diminishing in the thickness to thin webs between adjacent conductors.
  • Such cable can be placed in the described housing embodiment in which event the webbing is broken in the course of ram stroking in the assembly tool.
  • transverse housing surfaces 25-39 may be configured to define an upward cusp or the like providing a more expeditious web cutting action during the ram stroke.
  • any suitable line contact surface to the preassembly of Figs. 5 and 6, e.g., surface 138 of cover 56 (Fig. 4).
  • surface 138 may be applied to surface 22 of the Fig. 5 preassembly and advanced thereacross in the manner of platen 120 surface 122 in one or more strokes to effect the forced lodging of conductors in channels 24-38.
  • the line contact surface may be arcuate as in the case of surface 122, rectilinear as in the case of surface 138, tapered transversely, peaked centrally, etc., as the user or specific given pattern may require.

Landscapes

  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
EP83301410A 1982-03-17 1983-03-15 Elektrischer Zusammenbau und Verfahren für die Anordnung von mehreren elektrischen Leitern in einem Muster Withdrawn EP0089223A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US35914382A 1982-03-17 1982-03-17
US359143 1982-03-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0089223A1 true EP0089223A1 (de) 1983-09-21

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ID=23412497

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83301410A Withdrawn EP0089223A1 (de) 1982-03-17 1983-03-15 Elektrischer Zusammenbau und Verfahren für die Anordnung von mehreren elektrischen Leitern in einem Muster

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0089223A1 (de)
JP (1) JPS58169884A (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2156604A (en) * 1984-03-22 1985-10-09 Porta Systems Corp Telephone connector block
EP0194052A1 (de) * 1985-03-05 1986-09-10 Molex Incorporated Elektrische Anschlussklemme zum Verbinden von einer Vielzahl von auf einer gedruckten Schaltungsplatte montierten Stiften mit einem mehradrigen Flachkabel
US4655520A (en) * 1986-02-11 1987-04-07 Luma Lighting Industries, Inc. Electrical distribution system and connector therefor
EP0271753A2 (de) * 1986-12-19 1988-06-22 International Business Machines Corporation Automatische Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Verdrahtungsnetzes
GB2214730A (en) * 1988-01-29 1989-09-06 Plessey Telecomm Terminal distribution block for receiving protection modules
DE19520027A1 (de) * 1994-10-26 1996-05-02 Siemens Ag Flachleitungs-Anschlußvorrichtung

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3777299A (en) * 1972-10-06 1973-12-04 Thomas & Betts Corp Wiring adapter
US4076365A (en) * 1976-11-22 1978-02-28 Amp Incorporated Electrical connector having conductor spreading means
EP0018160A1 (de) * 1979-04-11 1980-10-29 Amp Incorporated Elektrischer Verbinder für den Anschluss eines mehradrigen Flachkabels

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4062615A (en) * 1976-12-06 1977-12-13 Thomas & Betts Corporation Electrical contact
US4094566A (en) * 1977-02-18 1978-06-13 Amp Incorporated Connector having wire locating means
JPS5611755U (de) * 1979-07-04 1981-01-31

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3777299A (en) * 1972-10-06 1973-12-04 Thomas & Betts Corp Wiring adapter
US4076365A (en) * 1976-11-22 1978-02-28 Amp Incorporated Electrical connector having conductor spreading means
EP0018160A1 (de) * 1979-04-11 1980-10-29 Amp Incorporated Elektrischer Verbinder für den Anschluss eines mehradrigen Flachkabels

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2156604A (en) * 1984-03-22 1985-10-09 Porta Systems Corp Telephone connector block
EP0194052A1 (de) * 1985-03-05 1986-09-10 Molex Incorporated Elektrische Anschlussklemme zum Verbinden von einer Vielzahl von auf einer gedruckten Schaltungsplatte montierten Stiften mit einem mehradrigen Flachkabel
US4655520A (en) * 1986-02-11 1987-04-07 Luma Lighting Industries, Inc. Electrical distribution system and connector therefor
EP0271753A2 (de) * 1986-12-19 1988-06-22 International Business Machines Corporation Automatische Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Verdrahtungsnetzes
EP0271753A3 (de) * 1986-12-19 1989-06-07 International Business Machines Corporation Automatische Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Verdrahtungsnetzes
GB2214730A (en) * 1988-01-29 1989-09-06 Plessey Telecomm Terminal distribution block for receiving protection modules
DE19520027A1 (de) * 1994-10-26 1996-05-02 Siemens Ag Flachleitungs-Anschlußvorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS58169884A (ja) 1983-10-06

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Effective date: 19840227

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18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19851002

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: RICH, DONALD S.