BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Encapsulated, shielded, and grounded connectors are often used in power or control
circuit applications requiring a high level of electrical and mechanical integrity.
Such connectors usually provide both mechanical and electrical connection to an electrically
operated device or to a similar connector for purposes of quick disconnect. Known
connectors generally have a _plurality of male terminals that are accepted in complementary
female sockets in a mating connector. The terminals and sockets are generally surrounded
by a metal enclosure which is attached mechanically and electrically to the electrical
shielding and ground wire of a cable. Such known connectors utilize a soldered connection
between terminal case and the grounding wire or metallic sheath of the cable.
[0002] The area between the point of mechanical attachment of the connector to the cable
and the metallic enclosure surrounding the terminals has heretofore been sheathed
in a conductive material, for example, copper or aluminum foil which has been soldered
to both the ground wire and to the metallic enclosure surrounding the terminals. The
individual conductors of the cable are first encapsulated for structural rigidity
and thereafter wrapped with foil to insure proper shielding of the wires from external
electrical disturbance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An encapsulated, shielded, and grounded connector, in accordance with an exemplary
constructed embodiment of the instant invention, features a metal housing that provides
structural support for the terminals of the connector as well as providing for grounding
and shielding of the electrical conductors between the end of the cable and the metallic
enclosure surrounding the terminals of the connector. The housing is encapsulated
in a non-conductive sheath, for example, PVC, Nylon, fluoropolymer, Teflon, etc. The
metal housing provides significant structural integrity that facilitates mounting
of the connector to an electrically operated device or mating connector. The structural
configuration of the metallic housing accommodates various orientations of a crimping
sleeve thereby to orientate the cable at one of several angles relative to the connector
housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004]
Figure 1 is an elevational view of an encapsulated, shielded, and grounded connector
in accordance with the instant invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the connector of Fig. 1, partially broken away for
purposes of explanation.
Figure 3 is a view of a modified housing for the connector of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings, an encapsulated, shielded, and grounded connector
10 comprises an outer sheath 12 of insulating material, for example, PVC, Nylon, fluoropolymer,
etc., having an end portion 14 that surrounds and supports a multi-conductor cable
16. An opposite end portion 18 of the connector 10 is provided with attachment pins
20 and 22 to facilitate attachment of the connector 10 to an electrically energized
device or, alternatively, to a complementary connector (not shown).
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, as best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings,
the connector 10 is provided with a metal inner housing 30 comprising, for example,
a metal stamping. The housing 30 has convergent portions 32 and 34 at one end thereof
terminating in a lateral section 36. The lateral section 36 has an aperture 38 therein
for the acceptance of a crimping sleeve 40. The sleeve 40 has a folded end flange
42 that extends through the aperture 38 and which is mechanically secured thereabout.
The flange 42 is secured within the aperture 38 in a manner that provides an electrical
connection between the crimping sleeve 40 and housing 30 as well as a rigid mechanical
interconnection.
[0007] It is to be noted that the cable 16 is provided with an insulating outer sheath 50
and a braided metallic sheath 52. The sheath 52 functions as a protective enclosure,
a grounding connector, ana as an electrical shield. The sheath 52 is folded over a
metal sleeve 53 of substantially the same inside diameter as the outer sheath 50 of
cable 16. The braided metal sheath 52 and sleeve 53 are crimped to the housing 30
by detents 54 and 56 in the sleeve 40 which provide a mechanical and electrical connection
therewith.
[0008] The housing 30 is provided with laterally outwardly extending flanges 60 and 62 at
the opposite end thereof from the sleeve 40 for the acceptance of the locking pins
20 and 22. In addition to providing for attachment to an electrical device or complementary
connector, the pins 20 and 22 secure a pair of laterally extending flanges 64 and
66 of a metallic terminal enclosure 68 to the flanges 60 and 62 of the housing 30.
Thus, total electrical continuity and shielding is provided by the housing 30 in conjunction
with the terminal enclosure 68. A pair of metallic sleeves 70 and 72 having internally
threaded bores 74 and 76 for the acceptance oi the pins 20 and 22, are welded to flanges
60 and 62 of housing 30 and thereafter molded into the outer sheath 12, as will be
described.
[0009] After the sleeve 40 of the housing 30 is crimped to the cable 16, the entire assembly,
including the pin sleeves 70 and 72, is placed within a mold and the insulating sheath
12 is molded thereabout. In this manner, a structurally integrated assembly that has
a high level of electrical and mechanical integrity is achieved.
[0010] As best seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the crimping sleeve 40 extends from the convergent
wall 34 of the housing 30. Both mechanical and electrical continuity is achieved housing
in the manner discussed hereinbefore. However, the angular orientation of the wall
34 and sleeve 40 provides for angular orientation of the cable 16 relative to the
housing 30. In this manner, a single housing stamping 30 can be utilized for a plurality
of applications by locating the aperture 38 for the sleeve 40 in either the transverse
end wall 36, as illustrated in Fig. 2, or one of the angularly related walls 32 or
34, as illustrated in Fig. 3.
[0011] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it should be
appreciated that the invention is susceptible of modification without departing from
the scope of the following claims.
-1. A shielded and grounded connector comprising
a metal tubular housing,
a crimping sleeve at one end of said housing for mechanically and electrically engaging
the exterior and the grounding conductor of an electrical cable, respectively,
means at the opposite end of said housing from the crimping sleeve -thereon for mechanically
attaching said connector to a complementary connector,
an electrical cable having a portion secured to said housing by said crimping sleeve
and a plurality of conductors extending through said crimping sleeve and into the
interior of said housing,
a plurality of electrical terminals secured to the individual conductors of said cable,
respectively, and
a metal terminal enclosure supporting said terminals and mechanically and electrically
connected to said housing.
2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said housing is encapsulated in a non-conductive
sheath.
3. The connector of claim 1 wherein said housing has a plurality of angularly related
walls for the acceptance of said crimping sleeve, selectively.
4. The connector of claim 1 including a support sleeve internally of said crimping
sleeve, said cable having a conductive shielding portion extending both internally
and exteriorly of said support sleeve.