EP0159115B1 - Electrical connector for flat cable or wire bundles - Google Patents
Electrical connector for flat cable or wire bundles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0159115B1 EP0159115B1 EP85301232A EP85301232A EP0159115B1 EP 0159115 B1 EP0159115 B1 EP 0159115B1 EP 85301232 A EP85301232 A EP 85301232A EP 85301232 A EP85301232 A EP 85301232A EP 0159115 B1 EP0159115 B1 EP 0159115B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- conductor
- receiving
- locating
- faces
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
Images
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
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/516—Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing, hoods
-
- 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
- H01R13/58—Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip, for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable
- H01R13/585—Grip increasing with strain force
-
- 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
- H01R12/77—Coupling devices for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
-
- 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
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/533—Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure
Definitions
- the invention relates to an electrical connector including a housing adapted to accomodate elongate conductors grouped either as a flat cable or in bundles.
- the connector housing should be adapted for application to either the flat cable if the wire bundle with only minimal strain relief as necessary in the particular environment of intended use.
- U.S. Patent Specification 4,108,527 discloses an electrical connector for receiving, alternatively, conductors in groups of different sizes comprising an insulating housing including two shells, each having a mating face and a conductor receiving face, first and second conductor locating members, each having first and second conductor locating faces of different shapes, the first conductor locating face each being formed with a conductor engaging rib and the second conductor locating faces each being formed with a conductor receiving opening, the conductor locating members being receivable between the housing shells when the shells are assembled together, in either of two positions according to the size of the conductor group, with the first faces adjacent in a first cable locating condition of the connector or with the second faces adjacent with the openings together defining a bundle receiving aperature in a bundle receiving condition of the connector, in both positions the first and second conductor locating faces extending transversely of, and in locating engagement with, alternative groups of conductors extending through the conductor receiving face into the housing and terminated by terminals
- a disadvantage of the prior connector is that the conductor locating members are each of different size, requiring an increased inventory of parts, while the conductor engaging ribs are at corresponding locations on each locating member engaging opposite sides of the conductors at precisely aligned locations.
- the conductor locating members are each of different size, requiring an increased inventory of parts, while the conductor engaging ribs are at corresponding locations on each locating member engaging opposite sides of the conductors at precisely aligned locations.
- a connector according to the invention is for receiving conductors grouped either as flat cable or a bundle, and the second conductor locating member is identical to the first, the cable engaging rib extending along only a first edge thereof such that,- in the first position, the conductor locating members are locatable in the housing with the first edges remote from each other so that the ribs are offset from each other, spaced longitudinally of a flat cable located between the conductor locating members to clamp the flat cable in non-rectiliner condition.
- the longitudinal stagger of the ribs in the assembly enables the provision of a nonlinear path for the flat cable even though the conductor locating members are identical. Any tension causing straightening of the cable will tend, initially, to increase the engaging force between the cable and the locating members thereby increasing any strain relief.
- the ribs may also be hooked to improve such strain relief.
- a step is formed along a second edge of the second face spaced, longitudinally of the cable, from the rib, and a pair receiving either a step or a rib in the flat cable clamping or bundle receiving condition, respectively.
- the housing may comprise guides which locate the members for limited sliding movement toward and away from the flat cable whereby the flat cable is easily located between the members prior to final attachment of the housing shells together. This facilitates assembly of the connector housing shells together about the cable.
- the structure is particularly suitable for use in an environment subject to vibration.
- the guides comprise posts received in sockets formed in the locating members.
- the connector comprises a pair of identical half-shells 12,12' molded of plastics material and adapted to be secured together to provide a housing enclosing a terminal block 13 at a mating face and elongate conductors 15 or 16 ( Figure 2) terminated by terminal block and extending through a conductor receiving face 17 of the housing with a pair of identical conductor locating members 18,18' between the mating and conductor receiving faces in a locating engagement with the conductors.
- each half-shell 12 comprises a base wall 20, side walls 21 and 21' upstanding from opposite edges of the base wall and rear wall 22 joining the side walls at the wire receiving face 17.
- Two pairs of fastening eyes 23 and 23' upstand from the base of its junction with the respective side walls, the eyes of one pair 23 being longitudinally staggered from the eyes 23' of the other pair and joined by a strengthening rib 24whichextend in parallel relation across the base wall adjacent the rear wall and a pair of locating posts 26 and 26' upstand in spaced apart relation from the base wall between the channels 25 and 25'.
- the rear wall is formed with spaced-apart knock-outs 27 and 27' removable to provide bundle receiving aperatures when the housing shells are assembled together.
- the base wall is formed at the mating face with a series of polarising teeth 28 which can be selectively broken away to polarise the connector.
- the conductor locating member 18 comprises first and second, opposite, flat cable and conductor bundle locating faces 31, 32.
- the first face is formed with a rib 33 along a first edge having a canted edge to define a hook.
- the second face is formed with a pair of spaced bundle receiving openings 34,34" and a step 35 extending between the openings along a second edge of the second face spaced longitudinally (in the direction of the cable) from the rib 33.
- a pair of through sockets 36, 36' extend in spaced relation through the members.
- the terminal block In assembling the connector to the flat cable 15, the terminal block is located in a half-shell adjacent the mating face 14 and the cable extending over a first face of cable locating member located in the half-shell by the posts 26,26' being freely received in the sockets 36, 36'.
- the other half-shell is then assembled to the firstwith the other cable locating member similarly mounted on the posts, and the half-shells assembled together, eye pairs 23 of one shell interdigitating with eye pairs 23' of the other half-shell to that jackscrews 38, 38' can be threaded in locking engagement through both pairs on each side of the housing and secured by circlips as shown in Figure 3.
- the steps 35,35' are received in respective channels and the post 26, 26' received in respective sockets.
- the connector is particularly adapted to mate with an upstanding printed circuit board post header formed with an elongated keyway for receiving a polarising key in a preselected longitudinal position corresponding with the location of a removed tooth.
Landscapes
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to an electrical connector including a housing adapted to accomodate elongate conductors grouped either as a flat cable or in bundles.
- In the interests of economy, it is desirable that a requirement to house either a flat cable or a bundle of elongate conductors should be met in a single housing structure while avoiding a need to manufacture or store an inventory of different parts. At the same time, the connector housing should be adapted for application to either the flat cable if the wire bundle with only minimal strain relief as necessary in the particular environment of intended use.
- U.S. Patent Specification 4,108,527 discloses an electrical connector for receiving, alternatively, conductors in groups of different sizes comprising an insulating housing including two shells, each having a mating face and a conductor receiving face, first and second conductor locating members, each having first and second conductor locating faces of different shapes, the first conductor locating face each being formed with a conductor engaging rib and the second conductor locating faces each being formed with a conductor receiving opening, the conductor locating members being receivable between the housing shells when the shells are assembled together, in either of two positions according to the size of the conductor group, with the first faces adjacent in a first cable locating condition of the connector or with the second faces adjacent with the openings together defining a bundle receiving aperature in a bundle receiving condition of the connector, in both positions the first and second conductor locating faces extending transversely of, and in locating engagement with, alternative groups of conductors extending through the conductor receiving face into the housing and terminated by terminals at the mating face.
- However, a disadvantage of the prior connector is that the conductor locating members are each of different size, requiring an increased inventory of parts, while the conductor engaging ribs are at corresponding locations on each locating member engaging opposite sides of the conductors at precisely aligned locations. In view of the rib aligment, it is not possible to provide a nonliner path for the clamped flat cable, which would provide effective strain relief even when the provision to adjust the normal clamping force (e.g. by clamping screws) is not made in the interests of a connector housing design that permits rapid assembly in the field.
- A connector according to the invention is for receiving conductors grouped either as flat cable or a bundle, and the second conductor locating member is identical to the first, the cable engaging rib extending along only a first edge thereof such that,- in the first position, the conductor locating members are locatable in the housing with the first edges remote from each other so that the ribs are offset from each other, spaced longitudinally of a flat cable located between the conductor locating members to clamp the flat cable in non-rectiliner condition.
- The longitudinal stagger of the ribs in the assembly enables the provision of a nonlinear path for the flat cable even though the conductor locating members are identical. Any tension causing straightening of the cable will tend, initially, to increase the engaging force between the cable and the locating members thereby increasing any strain relief. The ribs may also be hooked to improve such strain relief.
- Preferably, a step is formed along a second edge of the second face spaced, longitudinally of the cable, from the rib, and a pair receiving either a step or a rib in the flat cable clamping or bundle receiving condition, respectively.
- The housing may comprise guides which locate the members for limited sliding movement toward and away from the flat cable whereby the flat cable is easily located between the members prior to final attachment of the housing shells together. This facilitates assembly of the connector housing shells together about the cable. The structure is particularly suitable for use in an environment subject to vibration.
- In a particular example, the guides comprise posts received in sockets formed in the locating members.
- An example of an electrical connector according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
- FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector with conductor locating members aligned for locating engagement with a flat cable;
- FIGURE 2 is a similar view but with the conductor locating members aligned for engagement with a bundle of conductors;
- FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector in the flat cable locating condition;
- FIGURE 4 is a similar view of Figure 3 but with the connector in the bundle locating condition; and
- FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary rear view of the connector in the bundle locating condition.
- The connector comprises a pair of identical half-
shells 12,12' molded of plastics material and adapted to be secured together to provide a housing enclosing aterminal block 13 at a mating face andelongate conductors 15 or 16 (Figure 2) terminated by terminal block and extending through aconductor receiving face 17 of the housing with a pair of identicalconductor locating members 18,18' between the mating and conductor receiving faces in a locating engagement with the conductors. - More specifically, each half-
shell 12 comprises abase wall 20,side walls 21 and 21' upstanding from opposite edges of the base wall andrear wall 22 joining the side walls at thewire receving face 17. Two pairs of fasteningeyes 23 and 23' upstand from the base of its junction with the respective side walls, the eyes of onepair 23 being longitudinally staggered from the eyes 23' of the other pair and joined by a strengthening rib 24whichextend in parallel relation across the base wall adjacent the rear wall and a pair of locatingposts 26 and 26' upstand in spaced apart relation from the base wall between thechannels 25 and 25'. The rear wall is formed with spaced-apart knock-outs 27 and 27' removable to provide bundle receiving aperatures when the housing shells are assembled together. - The base wall is formed at the mating face with a series of polarising
teeth 28 which can be selectively broken away to polarise the connector. - The
conductor locating member 18 comprises first and second, opposite, flat cable and conductor bundle locatingfaces rib 33 along a first edge having a canted edge to define a hook. The second face is formed with a pair of spacedbundle receiving openings step 35 extending between the openings along a second edge of the second face spaced longitudinally (in the direction of the cable) from therib 33. A pair of throughsockets 36, 36' extend in spaced relation through the members. - In assembling the connector to the
flat cable 15, the terminal block is located in a half-shell adjacent themating face 14 and the cable extending over a first face of cable locating member located in the half-shell by theposts 26,26' being freely received in thesockets 36, 36'. The other half-shell is then assembled to the firstwith the other cable locating member similarly mounted on the posts, and the half-shells assembled together,eye pairs 23 of one shell interdigitating with eye pairs 23' of the other half-shell to thatjackscrews 38, 38' can be threaded in locking engagement through both pairs on each side of the housing and secured by circlips as shown in Figure 3. Thesteps 35,35' are received in respective channels and thepost 26, 26' received in respective sockets. - In this condition, the flat cable is clamped between the conductor locating members and, when in slack condition, the longitudinal offset of the hooked ribs and steps causes the cable to be non-linear. On imposing tension on the cable tending to straighten the cable e.g., as a result of the vibration, initially, the cable is forced further against the hooked ribs increasing the clamping action.
- In assembling the connector to wire bundles, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the knock-
outs 27,27' are removed and the second faces of the conductor locating members arranged vertically adjacent about thebundles 16 which are clamped in boots and received in the cable receiving openings. In this condition, the hooked ribs engage the rearward edge ofrecess 25. - It will be apparentthatthe connector can rapidly be applied to either flat cable or wire bundles and that the essential parts are identical.
- The connector is particularly adapted to mate with an upstanding printed circuit board post header formed with an elongated keyway for receiving a polarising key in a preselected longitudinal position corresponding with the location of a removed tooth.
Claims (5)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US59135284A | 1984-03-19 | 1984-03-19 | |
US591352 | 1984-03-19 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0159115A1 EP0159115A1 (en) | 1985-10-23 |
EP0159115B1 true EP0159115B1 (en) | 1988-06-01 |
Family
ID=24366153
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85301232A Expired EP0159115B1 (en) | 1984-03-19 | 1985-02-25 | Electrical connector for flat cable or wire bundles |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0159115B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH0746620B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR8501157A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3563155D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES8702744A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES2066301T3 (en) * | 1991-09-06 | 1995-03-01 | Siemens Ag | TRANSFORMER, ESPECIALLY SUM SUM CURRENT TRANSFORMER. |
FR2683683B1 (en) * | 1991-11-13 | 1995-10-27 | Legrand Sa | CABLE CLAMP AND ELECTRIC APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A CABLE CLAMP. |
AU675528B2 (en) * | 1994-06-06 | 1997-02-06 | Krone Gmbh | Test plug |
FR2765037B1 (en) * | 1997-06-24 | 1999-08-06 | Cinch Connecteurs Sa | HOUSING ELEMENT OF AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
JP2020192951A (en) | 2019-05-30 | 2020-12-03 | ヤマハ発動機株式会社 | In-wheel motor unit and electric vehicle |
JP2020192952A (en) | 2019-05-30 | 2020-12-03 | ヤマハ発動機株式会社 | In-wheel motor unit and electric vehicle |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1127429B (en) * | 1960-02-04 | 1962-04-12 | Siemens Ag | Arrangement for strain relief for flexible connection lines introduced into the housing of electrical devices |
US3856376A (en) * | 1970-04-20 | 1974-12-24 | Leviton Manufacturing Co | Electrical connector |
DE2146976A1 (en) * | 1971-09-21 | 1973-03-22 | Werner Kunert | CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC CABLES |
JPS5431674Y2 (en) * | 1974-03-04 | 1979-10-03 | ||
US4108527A (en) * | 1977-06-23 | 1978-08-22 | Amp Incorporated | Strain relief assembly |
DE3046062A1 (en) * | 1980-12-06 | 1982-06-09 | Rafi Gmbh & Co Elektrotechnische Spezialfabrik, 7981 Berg | Plug holder containing plug - has internal prestressed L=shaped grips to receive strain on cables |
CA1164543A (en) * | 1981-03-02 | 1984-03-27 | Timothy L. Kocher | Two way cover assembly |
EP0080295A1 (en) * | 1981-11-20 | 1983-06-01 | AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) | Shielded ribbon coax cable assembly |
FR2520945B1 (en) * | 1982-01-29 | 1985-07-05 | Essilor Int | DEVICE FOR FIXING SUPPLY OR OUTPUT CABLE |
-
1985
- 1985-02-25 DE DE8585301232T patent/DE3563155D1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-02-25 EP EP85301232A patent/EP0159115B1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-03-15 BR BR8501157A patent/BR8501157A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1985-03-18 ES ES541355A patent/ES8702744A1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-03-19 JP JP60055637A patent/JPH0746620B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0159115A1 (en) | 1985-10-23 |
DE3563155D1 (en) | 1988-07-07 |
ES541355A0 (en) | 1986-12-16 |
JPH0746620B2 (en) | 1995-05-17 |
BR8501157A (en) | 1985-11-12 |
JPS60212981A (en) | 1985-10-25 |
ES8702744A1 (en) | 1986-12-16 |
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