IL111677A

IL111677A - Electrical connector having a conductor holding block

Info

Publication number: IL111677A
Application number: IL111677A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Thomas & Betts Corp
Priority date: 1993-11-17
Filing date: 1994-11-17
Publication date: 1998-04-05
Also published as: EP0653804A1; DE69415645T2; DE69415645D1; IL111677A0; JPH07230833A; CA2135578A1; SG48313A1; ES2126716T3; JP3009831B2; EP0653804B1; BR9404491A

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING A CONDUCTOR HOLDING BLOCK Referring additionally to Figures 4 and 5, each holding block SO !■ includes plural . elongate contact slots 82 which are designed for !j accommodating insulation displacing contact portions 52 of ij contacts 44 upon attachment of holding block 80 to support ji member 42 :. Each holding block SO includes individual slots 82 I for uniquely accommodating each insulation displacing contact I portion 52. Holding block 80 further includes plural elongate j conductor passageways 8 which are in individual communication ! with slots 82. Each passageway 84 accommodates one conductor 18 of cable 12. In order to support conductor 18 for accurate alignment adjacent insulation displacing contact portion 52 for proper insulation displacing connection therewith, holding block 80 includes plural alignment fingers 86 extending into passageway 84. Fingers 86 help support conductors 18 adjacent an upper extent of passageway 84. The walls of holding block 80 defining passageway 84 include an upper V-shaped flattened surface 88.

Fingers 86 extend toward the apex 88a of V-shaped surface 88 so as to permit the location of conductor 18 within the apex S8a of V-shaped surface 88.

As shown particularly with respect to Figure 4, the arrangement of fingers 86 and V-shaped surface 88 serves to locate conductor 18 at a position off-centered with respect to passageway 84. The fingers 86 engage the insulation of conductor 18. As the insulation of conductor 18 is deformable, the fingers 86 hold conductor 18 securely in . passageway 84. Fingers 86 may also be resiliently deformable to further frictionally secure the conductor 18 in position for electrical termination with IDC portions 52 of contacts 44. The interaction between fingers 86 and conductor 18 permits proper location of conductor 18 and also accommodates various sizes of conductors.

Additionally, in order to facilitate entry of the individual conductors- 18—nto- the individual passageways 8 holding block 80 includes a tapered funnel entry surface 85 surrounding two adjacent passageways 84. Funnel entry surface 85 is generally .oval and tapers inwardly toward passageway 84 to provide a smooth jinwardly directed surface against which conductors 18 may be 'inserted. Funnel entry surface 85 serves to lead conductors 18 In order to properly position holding block SO with respect to support member 42, a ratcheting inter-lock system is employed. Holding block 80 includes a projecting detent element 90 on each longitudinal side thereof. Support member 42 includes inwardly directed ladder-type detent receiving elements 92. Detent receiving elements 92 are positioned on opposed internal side surfaces 42a of support member 42 within recesses 61 and 63. Each detent receiving element 92 includes a tapered lead-in surface 94 and plural positioning elements 96 which permit the holding block 80 to be supported in multiple positions within support member 42. Initially, holding block 80 is supported below lead-in surface 94. In this position, conductors 18 may be inserted into passageways 84 to align the conductors over insulation displacing contact portions 52. The holding block 80 may be snapped down to either of the next two positions to secure the conductors 18 against, but not in electrical connection with, IDC portions 52. Two intermediate positions are provided, so as to properly position various sizes of conductors which are contemplated to be terminated by the connector of the present invention. Holding block 80 may be snapped down to a final position forcing IDC portions 52 fully through slots 82 and past passageway 84 to make insulation displacing connection with conductors 18. In this final position holding block 80 securely supports conductors 18 . in insulation displacing electrical connection with contacts 44.

It is contemplated that both holding blocks 80 may be simultaneously moved from an initial position to a final terminated position under the actuation of a suitable tool such as pliers (not shown) . Movement in this manner will provide for the mass termination of all eight conductors 18 with the associated insulation displacing contact portions 52.

While projecting detent element 90 effectively cooperates with detent receiving elements 92 to provide ultiposition retention •of-—holding block- 80 with respect—-to -support member 42, the intermediate positions provided thereby are limited to supporting conductors of the two sizes which are most typically employed with the connector of the present invention. However, it is contemplated that there may be need to terminate other various sized conductors with the connector of the present invention.

Referring now to Figures 10-12, a further embodiment of the .. holding block of the present invention is shown. With respect to ■; the description of the embodiments shown in Figures 10-12, ;! similar reference numerals will be used to denote similar ■·; components. Holding block 80' is substantially similar to !; holding block SO shown and described above. One holding block ;! 80' is designed for slidable receipt over upper and lower rows of ;!. contacts 44. Each holding- block 80' (one of which is shown in j Figure 10) includes plural elongate contact slots 82' which are ;j designed for accommodating insulation displacing contact '! portions 52 of contacts 44. Each holding block SO' includes j jj plural elongate conductor passageways 84' which are in individual jj communication with slots 82'. Each end 83' of holding block 80' Ij includes a longitudinal vertically disposed channel 85' having a jl projecting detent element 90' at the lower end thereof. In a jj manner similar to that described above with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, channel 85' and detent element 90' cooperate with inwardly directed ladder-type detent receiving elements 92 of support member 42 so as to permit support of holding block 80' at multiple discrete positions within support member 42. As above described, this permits two intermediate positions to be provided so that holding block 80' may temporarily accommodate two sizes of cable adjacent to the insulation displacing portions 52 of contact 44 prior to final termination. However, it. is desirable to support holding block 80' through a range of positions within support member 42 so as to permit temporary accommodation and support of conductors of numerous sizes. The embodiment shown in Figures 10-12 contemplates providing cooperating frictional attachment between holding block 80' and support member 42 continuously between a j osition where the conductors 18 (Fig. 1) may be inserted in passageways 84' in an unimpeded manner and a final position where the conductors are terminated on IDC portions 52 of contacts 44. As used herein throughout, the terms "continuously supported" or i "continuously positioned" refer to the fact that holding block •-■80--'--may- -be supported within recess 6JL_of support member 42 at any 1 j position therealong. Whereas with the embodiment shown in Figure 3, plural positioning elements 96 of each detent receiving element 92 provide plural finite distinct support positions for holding block 80 with respect to support member 42, the present invention provides for "infinite adjustment" of the holding block support member 42, holding block SO' has been modified to include a pair of opposed inwardly directed ribs 99' extending along either side of each of channels S5' . ji Referring more particularly to Figures 11 and 12, ribs 99' are jj generally wedge-shaped each having a facing apex 97'. While i: channel 85' has a width extent which is wider than the width of ji ladder-type detent receiving elements 92 (Fig. 10) ribs 99' ij extend inwardly therefrom so as to provide an interference fit i; between ribs 99' and the. sidewalls 92a of detent receiving 'j element 92. As shown particularly in Figure 12, upon insertion ji |j of holding block 80' into support member 42, the apices 97' of j: ribs 99' contact and engage the sidewalls 92a of detent receiving ;j element 92. This frictional engagement is sufficient to hold ji holding block 80' at a fixed position with respect to support ji member 42. While detent element 90' still cooperates with detent receiving element 92 to permit the discrete multiple positioning of holding block 80' with respect to support member 42, the continuous frictional engagement between ribs 99' and the sidewalls 92a allows continuous positioning of holding block 80' with respect to support member 42. Thus, the position of holding block 80' with respect to support member 42 may be fixed at any ij location within recess 61.

With reference to Figure 10, the operation of the embodiment shown therein may be described. Holding block 80' is initially supported at an upper location within recess 61 of support member 42 so that each detent element 90' engages lead-in surface 94 of support member 42'. In order to facilitate slidable insertion of the holding block 80' into recess 61 of support member 42, the lower end 95' of each channel 85' is outwardly tapered. In this position, conductors 18 (Fig. 1) may be inserted in an unimpeded manner into passageways 84' to align the conductors over the insulation displacing contact portions 52 of contacts 44. The holding block 80' may then be urged down under manual finger J pressure until ..the conductors 18 -i-nserted therein engage the i upper extents of' IDC portions 52. This engagement is sufficient to frictionaliy retain the conductors against the IDC portions 52 without piercing the insulation and placing the conductors in jj electrical connection with the IDC portions 52. This |i intermediate position temporarily holds and secures the ' The cable receiving end 32 of housing 20 includes a two-component '. strain relief device 100.. which helps secure cable 12 in Strain relief device 100 operates in the following manner. Strain relief component 102- is fixedly positioned within base 22 of housing 20. Strain relief component 104 is inserted into the slot in. cover 24. Cover 24 is then positioned over and snap fitted on to base 22. In this position legs 102b, 104b and 102c and 104c are only in initial engagement. In order to provide strain relief for cable 12 within connector 10, strain relief component 104 is manually pushed down into housing 10 through i! cover 24 to provide for ratchet engagement of the respective teeth of legs 102b, 104b and 102c, 104c. Component 104 is pushed downward toward component 102 until the cable is secured within opening 108 which is' continually decreasing in size by the movement of component 104 with respect to component 102. If cable 12 is of relatively small diameter, cap 112 may be attached to component 104 and be used as a pressing surface. With such relatively small cables, cap 112 will also function as a stop preventing over-insertion of component 104 and the possible of crushing of cable 12. In terminating larger cables, cap 112 may extend above the surface of cover 24 as component 104 need not be inserted as deeply into base 20. In this situation in order to maintain a flat profile of cover 24, cap 112 may be frangibly removed from component 104 and discarded.

Prior to installation of cable 12, cable shield 16 is folded back over an extent of jacket 1 . Thus the cable shield will also be secured betv/een strain relief components 102 and 104. As the connector 10 is metallized, conductive continuity may be established between cable shield 16 and housing 20. Additionally, as contact shield 66 is in electrical engagement with metallized housing 20 through extending bumps 74 thereon, conductive continuity is maintained between cable shield 16 and contact shield 66 through metallized housing 20. However, in order to provide further redundant direct conductive continuity between cable shield 16 and contact shield 66, a ground clip 120 is employed.

Ground clip 120 which is shown in more detail in Figure 7 is positioned adjacent strain relief device 100 for engagement with cable shield 16 upon strain relief termination of cable 12 in housing 20. Ground clip 120 is an elongate member formed of j| conductive metal such as plated copper. Ground clip 120 includes extent 122 includes a transversely arcuate cable engaging surface 12S for positioning of cable 12 thereon. Shield engagement extent 124 includes a deflectable cantilevered arm 130 for engagement with extending ground element 76 of contact shield 66. Ground clip 120 is positioned within housing base 22 so that cable engagement extent 122 overlies fixed strain relief component 102. Ground clip 120 is secured within base 22 employing a pair of inwardly directed deflectable ' locking barbs 132 at central mounting surface 126. An appropriate post (not shown) extends from a wall of base 22 to be received between locking barbs 132 to secure ground clip 120 thereat. Shield engagement extent 124 extends toward connection end 30 of housing 20 for engagement with ground element 76 of contact ! shield 66 upon insertion of contact shield 66. into base 22. Cantilevered arm 130 is deflectable so as to resiliently engage • an end 76a (Fig. 2) of contact shield 66 upon termination of cable 12 in housing 20. Ground clip 120 establishes electrical continuity between cable shield 16 and contact shield 66 directly without, need to employ the metallic plating of housing 20 to establish such, continuity.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9 the latching of connector 10 to a mating connector is shown. Connector 10, which as above mentioned is a plug connector, may be mechanically and electrically mated with a complementary jack connector shown schematically as jack connector 150. Connector 10 is designed for repeated connection and disconnection with jack connector 150. In order to provide for such repeated connections and disconnections, connector 10 includes a deflectable latch 140 extending therefrom. Connector 10 which -is shown in a position rotated 180° from that shown in Figure 1, includes latch 140 extending from a side wall of housing base 22. Latch 140 is generally a deflectable cantilevered member having a distal latching surface 142, a proximal manual actuating surface 144 and a central transition surface 146. Latching surface 142 and manual actuating surface 144 extend generally longitudinal to connector housing 20. Latching surface 142 and manual actuation surface 144 are vertically spaced apart being connected by transversely extending transition surface 146. The particular shape of latch 140 provides for a low profile configuration of the latch. .Connector 10 generally has a rectangular body profile

Claims

111677/2 CLAIMS ;

1. An electrical connector (10) for terminating discrete insulated electrical conductors- "(18) of a multi-conductor cable (12) comprising: an electrically insulative connector housing (20); plural electrical contacts (44) supported in said housing, said contacts having insulation displacing contact portions for effecting insulation displacing electrical connection with said conductors; a conductor holding block (80;80*) having plural conductor receiving passages (84;84') for individually accommodating said conductors and plural contact slots (82; 82') in individual communication with said conductor receiving passages for accommodating said insulation displacing contact portions; said holding block (80;80') being movably supported by said housing (20) for movement from a conductor receiving position permitting unrestricted insertion of said conductors (18) into said passages to a termination position wherein said insulation displacing electrical connection is effected; and said holding block (80; 80') and said housing (20) including cooperative securement elements (90,92;90,92 ' ,99) for supporting said holding block with respect to said housing in a plurality of intermediate positions between said conductor receiving position- and said termination position, each intermediate position defining a temporary conductor support position for retentively supporting said conductors of a corresponding size against said insulation displacing contact portions without effecting said insulation displacing connection.

2. An electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said cooperative securement elements (90, 92;90 * , 92) define multiple discrete positions in which said holding block (80;80') is supported with respect to said housing including said conductor receiving position and said termination position- 111677/2 17

3. • 3. An electrical connector of claim 2, wherein said cooperative securement elements (90,92;90'/92') further support said holding block (80; 80*) with respect to said housing in plural intermediate positions including: a first intermediate position for accommodating conductors of a given size; and a second intermediate position for accommodating conductors of a size different from said given size. —

4. An electrical connector of claim 3 , wherein said cooperative securement elements (90 , 2 ;90 ' , 92 ' ) include: said holding block (80;80') including a detent member (90; 90') extending therefrom; and said housing including plural spaced detent receiving elements (92; 92') each engageable with said detent member of said holding block for captively supporting said holding block in said plural, discrete positions.

5. An electrical connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said cooperative securement elements (92 ',99') frictionally support said holding block (80') with respect to said housing at continuous positions between said conductor receiving position and said termination position, said continuous positions defining said temporary conductor support positions.

6. An electrical connector of claim 5, wherein said cooperative securement elements (92', 99') comprise: said connecter housing including an extending member (92') and said holding block including a channel (85') for frictional receipt of said extending member.

7. An electrical connector of claim 6, wherein said extending member (92') includes opposed sidewalls (92a) and wherein said channel (35') includes channel walls having opposed inwardly directed ribs (99'), said ribs being dimensioned for frictional engagement with said sidewalls (92a) of said extending member. 111677/2 18

8. An electrical connector of claim 7, wherein said frictional engagement between said ribs (99·) and said sidewalls (92a) permits positioning of said holding block (80 ') at any position between said conductor receiving position and said termination position.

9. An electrical connector of claim 7 , wherein each said channel (85') includes an outwardly tapered end to facilitate insertion of said extending members thereinto.

10. An electrical connector of any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein said holding block (80;80') further includes one or more conductor engaging fingers (86; 86') extending into each said passage (34;84')' for frictionally supporting said insulated conductors in non-movable disposition within said passages.