|
(11) | EP 0 127 962 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Electrical connector and kit |
| (57) @ A kit for making a connector permitting alternative interconnections between individual
conductors of two parallel, planar arrays of conductors includes an insulating body
(11) with locating means (12a-e) to locate contact parts (33a-f) on opposite faces
(16,17) for alignment with chosen conductors to provide the alternative interconnections.
The contacts are of three basic types each comprising a conductor engaging portion
(33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e, 34f) integrally joined respectively to either a bus portion
(42b, 42c, 42e), a bus gripping portion (33f) or another conductor engaging portion
(34a, 34d). The locating means (12a-e) includes recesses (14a-e, 15a-e) on opposite
faces (16, 17) communicating by contact receiving sockets (19a-e) extending between
the faces (16,17) and bus receiving channels (22, 24, 25) extending between recesses
(14a-e) on the same face (16). |
[0001] The invention relates to a connector for connecting individual conductors of a first planar array of conductors to preselected alternative individual conductors of a second, parallel, planar array, at least some of the individual conductors of the second array being laterally spaced from individual conductors of the first array. In particular, the invention relates to a kit for making such connector.
[0002] As a result of the increasing demand for complex electrical wiring, there is frequently a requirement to interconnect individual conductors of planar arrays of conductors, for example, of two flat cables, which conductors are in parallel planes but displaced laterally from each other. In the interests of minimizing inventories and capital expenditure, it is also desirable to avoid a requirement for a different connector for each different combination of interconnections. At the same time, the connector should desirably be designed to facilitate fabrication by mass production techniques and relatively simple to assemble and use in the field, minimizing applied costs. In addition, the connector should be of relatively small size consistent with a requirement for compact and unobtrusive equipment, particularly in undercarpet cable applications where a low profile is important.
[0003] According to the invention, there is provided a kit for making a connector for connecting individual conductors of a first planar array of conductors to preselected alternative individual conductors of a second, parallel, planar array, at least some of the individual conductors of the second array being laterally spaced from individual conductors of the first array, the kit comprising a plate-like insulating body formed with contact locating means to locate a plurality of first and second contact parts respectively on first and second opposite faces of the body for alignment with respective conductors of the first and second array, predetermined of the contact locating means including through sockets extending between the faces, first and second contact parts for location in respective locating means, the first and second contact parts for location by the predetermined locating means being integrally joined together by body portions receivable in the through sockets, bus receiving channels extending laterally across the body between locating means for the second contact parts and the predetermined locating means, a bus portion adapted for location in preselected alternative channels electrically to connect preselected second contact parts with laterally spaced first contact parts associated with the through sockets whereby on interposing the connector erected from the kit between the first and second array of conductors preselected individual conductors of the second array can be connected to laterally spaced conductors of the first array.
[0005] The connector may constitute an adaptor for use, for example, with a connector of the kind disclosed in European Patent Application No. 83300934.3 filed February 23, 1983, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in which conductor engaging contact elements are located on a cable engaging face of an insulating housing body at the same pitch as the conductors of a flat cable so that clamping the face against the cable effects connection between the aligned contact elements and the cable conductors. In use, the adaptor is inserted between the cable engaging face and the cable with the first and second contact parts aligned with the contact elements and cable conductors, respectively and one or more bus portions located in preselected channels to interconnect individual connecting elements of the flat cable connector with chosen conductors of the cable.
[0006] The contact elements of the flat cable connector comprise tabs having surfaces formed with outstanding knife edges adapted to penetrate conductor insulation of the cable and establish electrical connection with the core. The first contact parts may be tabs with recesses complementary to the knife edges and the second contact parts may comprise tabs having insulation penetrating knife edges.
[0007] In a convenient more specific form, a contact part is integrally formed with means to grip a bus portion which is integrally joined to the contact part by a body portion receivable in a through socket with the bus gripping portion in a bus receiving channel on one face and the contact part on the opposite face.
[0008] This facilitates the provision of a compact and stable structure that can readily be assembled in various combinations.
[0009] The kit may be designed particularly to enable the contact elements of a connector constructed for a single phase wiring array to be connected to preselected, alternative conductors of a three phase wiring array. In such case, there are three laterally spaced first and second aligned contact part locating means each including common through sockets and two further second contact part locating means respectively laterally spaced to opposite sides of the second contact part locating means, the further second contact part locating means including through sockets common to locating means for bus gripping portions on the first face, the bus receiving channels respectively extending between the bus gripping portion locating means and distal and adjacent first contact part locating means, third bus receiving channels also extending between a bus gripping portion locating means and the central first contact part locating means.
[0010] In the interests of simplicity of structure and body strength, the third channel includes a portion common with an adjacent channel.
[0011] Desirably, a first contact part is integrally formed with a bus strip of sufficient length to provide the precursor of any of the bus portions, and the bus gripping portion includes a tab formed to extend transversely of the body portion and provided at a free end with spaced bus gripping fingers returned for receipt in the bus receiving channel.
[0012] Excess lengths of the bus portions may quickly be removed in the field and the bus portion bent to the desired configuration. Each contact part and the bus gripping parts may be stamped and formed from blanks of identical size minimizing capital equipment costs, the small structural differences readily being made by substituting alternative die inserts.
[0013] An example of a kit according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a flat cable connector assembly incorporating a connector adaptor erected from the kit;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective showing, in particular, the adaptor body and base plate;
FIGURES 3A and 3B are perspective views of the connector body partly in cross-section before and after assembly with contacts;
FIGURES 4A to 4F are perspective views of the individual contacts; and
FIGURES 5A to 5E are perspective views of alternative connector and contact combinations to provide alternative interconnections between conductors located for single and three-phase suppliers.
[0014] Referring to Figure 1, the kit comprises a plate-like insulating body 11 formed with laterally spaced contact locating means 12a-3 and a series of contacts 13a-f (Figures 4A to .4F) partly formed for assembly with the body by location in preselected of the locating means.
[0015] The body 11 is molded in one piece of suitable plastic material and the contact locating means 12a-3 comprise first and second pairs of recesses 14a-e and 15a-e Ï„espectiveIy on first and second opposite faces 16 and 17 of the body respectively the recesses of respective pairs intercommunicating by through sockets 19a-e respectively extending between the faces. The three central recesses 14b, c and d on the first face 16 and each of the recesses 15a-e on the second face 17 have flat base walls for reception of contact parts, but the two outer recesses 14a and e communicate at ends remote from the through sockets with bus receiving channels 22 and 24 which extend laterally across the first face 16 and communicate with contact receiving recesses 14d and 14c respectively. A third bus receiving channel 25 extends between recess 14d and the approximate mid-point of channel 24. Locating posts 26a and 26b upstand from diagonally opposite corners of the second face 17 and a series of sockets 28 for the receipt of self-tapping clamping screws 29 (Figure 1) extend in symmetrically spaced relation across the centerline of the body. Locating sockets 30 are formed in the first, upper face 16 adjacent opposite edges of the body on respective opposite sides of the centerline. Two further sockets 31 for the receipt of clamping screws 32 extend through the body on opposite sides of the centerline. Cavities 20, 20' are formed adjacent opposite edges of the body in the interests of economy of material.
[0016] As shown more particularly in Figures 4A to 4F, the kit includes six different stamped and formed contacts 13a-f. The contact 13a comprises first contact part or tab 33a and second contact part or tab 34a joined by a neck 35a from respective opposite sides of which extend locating flanges 36a. The tabs 33a and 34a each constitute conductor engaging contact parts, a pair of locating recesses 37a being stamped in tab 33a on each side of a screw receiving aperture 38a. Insulation penetrating teeth 39a are pushed out of the tab 34a. For the convenience of the user to facilitate assembly with the body, the tab 33a may be bent to extend transversely of the neck 35a and tab 34a and the flange 36a bent out of the plane of the neck as shown.
[0017] Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, the contact 13a is assembled with the body 11 by insertion from the first face 16 of the body 11, second tab 34a leading into the central through socket 19c so that the first tab 33a is received in a recess 14c on the first face of the body and the neck 35a is received as an interference in the through socket 19c. The second tab 34a is then bent to extend transversely of the neck under the first tab so that its inherent resiliency causes it to remain spaced from the body defining an obtuse angle with the neck 35a as shown in Figure 3B. Subsequent engagement with a cable will enable sufficient resilient flexure of the tab towards the body with the teeth 39a remaining proud of the surface 17 to provide a permanent connection to the cable conductor.
[0018] The contact 13d shown in Figure 4D is similar to the contact 13a of Figure 4A except that the aperture 38a is omitted, locating recesses 37d are more closely spaced, and the flanges 36d are bent to extend under the tab 33d. Assembly of contact 13d is similar to that of contact 13a except that tab 34d is bent to extend away from the tab 33d. Contact 13d is intended for location by either contact locating means 12b or 12d (Figure 2). Contacts 4b, c and e (Figures 4B, C and D) have tabs 33b, c and e constituting conductor engaging contact parts joined by short necks 41b, c and e to bus bars 42b, c and e, which are bent, as necessary, to enable receipt in channels 25 and 24 (Figure 5C), channel 24 ((Figure 5D), channel 22 (Figure 5B), or channels 22 and 24 (Figure 5E). It is envisaged that only contacts with straight busses need be supplied, the busses being cut to length and severed in the field.
[0019] As shown in Figures 4F, 3A and 3B, tab 33f is bent to extend transversely of neck 41f and bifurcated at a free end to form bus gripping spring fingers 43 returned towards the tab 34f. Assembly of the contact with the base 11 and a bus bar is by inserting the contact 13f in locating means 12a (or 12e), tab 34f leading, with bus 42e preloaded in channel 22 so that the fingers 43 grip the bus 42e between them. The tab 34f is then bent towards the base 11 to the position shown in Figure 3B.
[0020] As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 2, a stamped and formed base plate 45 particularly adapted for use with the connector adaptor includes flanges 46 bent up from opposite sides to define a central cable receiving portion 47 having downturned entry and exit surfaces 48 for the cable 67. A raised land 49 is pushed out along a centerline in alignment with the connecting parts and formed with clamping screw receiving apertures 50. A recessed portion 51 is formed in the center land for receipt of a grounding contact 52 having locating tangs 53 struck from diametrically opposite corners for receipt in apertures 55 in the recess. Four further raised lands 57 are pushed out at symmetrical locations on the cable receiving portion, two of which are provided with apertures 58 for clamping screws. Two further apertures 59 are formed between the flanges 46 for the receipt of clamping screws 60 for a cover 61 (Figure 1).
[0021] As stated above, the adaptor kit is designed to enable various combinations of connection between cable engaging contacts 63c, d and e of a known single phase duplex outlet 64 connector described in European Patent Application No. 83300934.3, and the individual conductors 66ape of a triple phase flat cable 67. The conductors 66a-e correspond respectively to the secondary, neutral, ground, primary and tertiary lines. When the three phase supply is not connected to the cable, the conductor 66e may be used as an alternative ground.
[0022] Referring again to Figure 1, to assemble the cable 67 with the base plate 45, an upper metal shield 71 of the cable is turned back and secured by U-form clips 72 to the flanges 46 so that an exposed insulated cable portion extends across the cable receiving portion of the base plate. The base 11 assembled with a chosen combination of contacts is covered with fish paper 18 on surface 16 and surface 17 is clamped against the cable 67 which overlies a layer of fish paper 73 by screws 29 so that the contacts establish connection to the individual conductors as required. The duplex outlet 64 is then clamped by screws 32 against the body so that conductors 63c, d and e engage tabs of contacts 12b, c and d. The cover is then clamped to the base plate by screws 60.
[0023] The combinations of interconnections that can be obtained using the kit are illustrated in Figures 5A to 5E.
[0024] In Figure 5A, a standard ground primary phase connection is obtained by using contacts 13d in locating means 12a and 12d and contacts 13a in 12c.
[0025] In Figure 5B, a standard ground secondary phase connection is obtained by the use of contacts 13a in locating means 12c as above, contacts 13d in 12b, spring contact 13f in 12a, and contact 13e in 12d.
[0026] In Figure 5C, a standard ground tertiary connection is obtained by locating contacts 13a and 13d as above, spring contact 13f in 12e, and bus contact 13b in locating means 12d.
[0027] In Figure 5D, an isolated ground primary phase connection is obtained by locating contacts 13d in locating means 12b and 12d, bus contact 13c in 12c, and spring contact 13f in 12e.
[0028] In Figure 5E, an isolated ground secondary phase connection is obtained by locating contact 13d in locating means 12b, respective bus contacts 13c and 13e in 12c and 12d, and spring contacts 13f in 12a and 12e.
[0029] The isolated ground requirement is necessary to prevent a surge (spike) possibility when the usual ground is connected to other equipment and is particularly sought in data applications.
[0030] It should be noted that in some other applications, only three different contacts may be required to obtain all of the above combinations of interconnection, namely contacts 13b, d and e, the apertures 38a, c for grounding screws not being required. Each tab may be of the same size minimizing die alterations when a series of different contacts are to be stamped and enabling the same press to be used.
1. A kit for making a connector for connecting individual conductors of a first planar
array of conductors (63c, d, e) to preselected alternative individual conductors (66a-e)
of a second, parallel, planar array, at least some of the individual conductors (66a-e)
of the second array being laterally spaced from individual conductors of the first
array (63c, d, e), the kit comprising a plate-like insulating body (11) formed with
contact locating means (12a-e) to locate a plurality of first and second contact parts
(33a-f, 34a, d, f) on first and second opposite faces (16, 17) of the body respectively
for alignment with respective conductors of the first and second arrays (63c, d, e,
66a-e) predetermined of the contact locating means (12a-e) including through sockets
(19a-e) extending between the faces (16, 17), first and second contact parts (33a-f,
34a, d, f) for location in respective locating means (12a-e), the first and second
contact parts (33a-f, 34a, d, f) for location by the predetermined locating means
(12a-e) being integrally joined together by necks (35a, d, f) receivable in the through
sockets (19a-f), bus receiving channels (22, 24, 25) extending laterally across the
body (11) between locating means (12a-f) for the second contact parts (34a, d, f)
and at least one of the predetermined locating means (12a-e), a bus portion (42b,
c, e) adapted for location in preselected channels (22, 24, 25) electrically to connect
preselected second contact parts (34a, d, f) with laterally spaced first contact parts
(33a-f) associated with the through sockets (19a-e) whereby, on interposing the connector
erected from the kit between the first and second array of conductors (63c, d, e,
66a-e), preselected individual conductors of the second array (66a-e) can be connected
to laterally spaced conductors of the first array (63c, d, e).
2. A kit according to claim 1 in which a contact part (34f) is integrally formed with
means (43) to grip a bus portion (42b, c, e).
3. A kit according to claim 2 in which the bus gripping means (43) is integrally joined
to the contact part (34f) by a body portion (35f) receivable in a through socket (19a,
f) with the bus gripping means (43) in a bus receiving channel (22, 24, 25) on one
face (16) and the contact part (34f) on the opposite face (17).
4. A kit according to claim 3 in which the through socket (19a, f) for receiving the
body portion (35f) is laterally spaced from the contact locating means (12c, d) on
the first face (16) across which the bus receiving channels (22, 24, 25) extend.
5. A kit according to claim 4 in which there are three laterally spaced, first contact
part locating means (14b, c, d) and second contact part locating means (15b, c, d)
each including common through sockets (19b, c, d) and two further second contact part
locating means (15a, e) laterally spaced to respective opposite sides of the three
second contact part locating means (15b, c, d), the further second contact part locating
means (15a, e) including through sockets (19a, e) common to locating means (14a, e)
for a bus gripping portion (43) on the first face (16), the bus receiving channels
(22, 25) respectively extending between the bus gripping portion locating means (14a,
e) and a distal first contact part locating means (14d) and an adjacent first contact
part locating means (14d) respectively, a third bus receiving channel (24) also extending
between a bus gripping portion locating means (14e) and the central first contact
part locating means (14a).
6. A kit according to claim 5 in which the third channel (24) includes a portion common
with an adjacent channel (25).
7. A kit according to claim 1 in which a first contact part (33e) is integrally formed
with a bus strip (42e) of sufficient length to provide the precursor of any of the
bus portions (42b, 42e).
8. A kit according to claim 3 in which the bus gripping portion includes a tab (33f)
formed to extend transversely of the body portion (35f) and provided at a free end
with spaced bus gripping fingers (43) returned for receipt in the bus receiving channel
(22, 24).
9. A connector for connecting individual conductors of a first planar array of conductors
(63c, d, e) to preselected alternative individual conductors (66a-e) of a second,
parallel, planar array, at least some of the individual conductors (66a-e) of the
second array being laterally spaced from individual conductors of the first array
(63c, d, e), the connector comprising an insulating body (11) formed with contact
locating means (12a-e) to locate a plurality of first and second contact parts (33a-f,
34a, d, f) respectively on first and second opposite faces (16, 17) of the body (11)
for alignment with respective conductors of the first and second arrays (63a, d, e,
66a-e), predetermined of the contact locating means (12a-e) including through sockets
(19a-f) extending between the faces (16a-f), first and second contact parts (33a-f,
34a, d, f) located in respective locating means (12a-e), the first and second contact
parts (33a, d, f, 34a, d, f) located in the predetermined locating means (12a-e) being
integrally joined together by body portions (35a, d, f) received in the through sockets
(19a, d, f), bus receiving channels (22, 24, 25) extending laterally across the body
(11) between locating means (12a-e) for the second contact parts (34a, d, f) and the
predetermined locating means (12a-e), a bus portion (42b, c, e) located in a preselected
channel (22, 24, 25) electrically to connect a preselected second contact part (34a,
d, f) with a laterally spaced first contact part (33a-e) associated with the through
sockets (19a-e) whereby, on interposing the connector erected from the kit between
the first and a second array of conductors (63c, d, e, 66a-e), preselected individual
conductors of the second array (66a-e) can be connected to laterally spaced conductors
(66a-e) of the first array.