DE2232311C2 - Solderless wire connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a solderless wire connector according to the preamble of the patent claim 1. Such connectors can be used for the electrical connection of insulated metal wire conductors, which is usually the case with telephone and other switching calls be used.

Many known solderless wire connectors consist of a first part with the wire receiving channels and a second part mounted for movement relative to the first part and a conductive metal contact element wearing. The second part has an open pitch relative to the first part, in which the contact element is arranged at a distance from the channels receiving the wire, in a closed position movable, in the spaced apart

Legs of the contact element are transverse to the channel and in contact with the electrical wires bi the channels, so that electrical contact is made therebetween. Pawls that cooperate with the parts are also provided to control the position

jo of the parts set and the parts in their closed Secure position.

Since such connectors are very tightly and permanently closed need to stay, the closure itself requires considerable force, which can only be achieved with pliers or a similar tool can be applied. This then does not cause any additional problems, when the ends of the conductors to be connected are accessible and, consequently, into tubular channels of the one Connector part can be inserted (cf.

this DE-AS 12 12 180 and DE-OS 1? 59 131). Not applicable this requirement, d. H. If conductors are to be connected to one another, the ends of which are not accessible (US-PS 35 76 518), the wires must be brought into their desired position by hand and held there with one hand while the locking tool is operated with the other hand.

This assembly is cumbersome, difficult and requires a certain skill. In addition, there is the danger that the wires move out of their desired position during the closing process, so that permanent Errors occur that cannot be observed.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a specify a two-piece solderless wire connector that is easy to assemble and does not require any practice, because the wires to be connected are held firmly in their desired position before they are finally closed will. This object is achieved by the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the lines after their insertion into the one connector part there are not held by hand, but by other measures in their target position and that this is achieved in the simplest way by the second connector part, provided that this is from the open steles ment not directly in its end position, but can be brought via an intermediate position that can be reached without tools. So for this purpose are specially shaped Latches in both connections crlordcr-

borrowed, which snap into place with light finger pressure and are also detachable again, and wire mounts on both sides of the Konlaktelement. which is the set position of the wires in the intermediate position so that this target position can also be visually checked can. With a suitable design of the wire holders, these can also be used for support thin wires are used when the Kontaktelemeni when the connector parts are pressed together in their end position cuts through the wire insulation.

A continuous wire with a tap wire can also be used with a connector of the present invention get connected. The slotted wire mounts contain a dielectric feit all around the contact element to make the electrical connections between the contact element and a wire Protect, and the connector yeasts novel mating walls to get in the fully closed position to form a completely enclosed contact part and the erosion of the dielectric grease upon exposure to limit moisture.

According to the present invention, a solderless wire connector is proposed which is suitable for connecting at least two electrical wires to one another, each of which has an insulating coating. The connector consists of an insulating, resilient first part with parallel wire receiving channels which have a groove extending perpendicular to the channels, and with a first set of protruding locking lugs. An insulating, resilient second; Part is built on the first part for relative movement from an open to a closed position and has a second set of protruding detents which cooperate with the first set to define the open and closed positions and the first and second parts in the secure closed position. A metal contact element is attached to the second part and has spaced apart legs which define parallel, wire-receiving recesses therebetween. The contact element is spaced from the wire-receiving channels when the first and second parts are in the open position and is positioned with the legs across the channels in the slot. when the parts are in the closed position, un? an electrical connection between the electrical wires in the wire receiving ducts. In the connector according to the present invention operate the first and second set of locking lugs together, to provide a locking and to keep the parts in a partially closed position between de ^r open and closed position, and the connector includes holding parts to the Attack insulation on the wires in the ducts when the parts are in the partially closed position to keep the electrical wires in the ducts. The interaction of the locking lugs and the operation of the holding parts enable the parts to be moved from the open to the partially closed position due to finger pressure.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description which refers to the drawings refers, in which like reference numerals identify like parts in all figures. In the drawings is

Fig. 1 is a detail view of a preferred embodiment of a connector according to the present invention, wherein the first part is turned over to the to show internal / working parts of the connector.

F i g. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the connector of Figure 2. I.
3 shows a partial sectional view along the line 3-3 in FIG. Z showing the parts in the open position,

F i g. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 showing the parts of the connector in the partially closed Position shows.

F i g. 5 is a partial sectional view along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, showing the parts of the connector in the completely closed Position shows

Fig. 6 is a sectional view corresponding approximately to FIG Line 6-6 in FIG. 5 runs, with some parts in plan view,

7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG F i g. 6 and

8 shows a sectional view along the line 8-8 in FIG. 6.

In the drawings there is shown a solderless connector in accordance with the present invention for electrically connecting a continuous wire 22 to a termination or tap wire 23 (see Figure 2). The connector consists of an insulative, resilient first part or body 10 with a wire receiving channel 48 for receiving the continuous wire 22 and a wire receiving channel 49 for receiving the tap wire 23, and it has a first set of protruding detents 11, 62 and 63. An insulating, resilient second part or cap 12 is mounted on the body 10 for relative Movement from an open position (Fig. 3) to a closed position (Fig. 5) and has a second set of inwardly protruding locking lugs 40 and 41 which cooperate with the locking lugs 11, 62 and 63 on the body 10, to determine the open and closed positions of the body and cap 10 and 12, respectively, and the body 10 with the cap 12 in secure the closed position. A plate-like metal contact element 26 is attached to the cap 12 and has legs 29 which define wire receiving recesses 31 therebetween. The contact element 'ca is spaced from the wire receiving channels 48 and 49 when the cap 12 and body 10 are in the open position, and the legs 29 of the contact element lie transversely to the channels 48 and 49 in a groove in the body 10 when see body 10 and cap 12 in the closed position to make electrical contact between electrical wires 22 and 23 in channels 48 and 49.

The body 10 and cap 12 of the novel connector according to the present invention can moved by finger pressure from its open position (Fig. 3) to a closed position (Fig. 4) are, during this movement a number of holding fingers 37 tn of the cap 12, the Dra'a'e 22 and 23 in the correct position for contact by the legs 29 of the contact element 26 during movement hold the body 10 and the cap 12 in the closed position. In the partially closed Position the holding fingers 37 and the legs 29 of the contact element 26 touch the wires 22 and? 3 to to hold the wires 22 and 23 in a fixed longitudinal direction in the wire receiving channels 48 and 49. Of the first and second sets of locking lugs 11,62,63,40 and 41 work together so that the body 10 and the cap 12 can be releasably held in their partially closed position (FIG. 4). whereby the electrical

Wires 22 and 23 are held in channels 48 and 49 before the body 10 and cap 12 under Use an auxiliary tool (not shown) to be brought into their closed position.

To aid in understanding the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8 is assumed that the solderless electrical wire connector is assembled by pressing the body 10 vertically downward into the cap 12 as shown in dashed lines and with arrows in FIG. 1 is shown. In the following description and in the claims, this vertical arrangement z. B. by the Words "top", "bottom" or the like are referred to, and with regard to the ends and sides, the designations correspond to the normal description of a long length stretched, box-like object. It goes without saying that these details, such as "top, bottom, side, bottom, etc." are not intended to restrict the assembly or the usability of the connector; they were merely provided to improve understanding of the Description chosen.

The in F i g. The cap 12 shown in FIG. 1 consists of a resilient, insulated material and has two side walls 14, two end walls 16 and 17 and a base plate 18. The end walls 16 and 17 have openings 19 and 20, respectively, for the continuous wire 22 and the tap wire 23 (not shown in Fig. 1). Attacks 24 (see F i g. 3, 4, 5 and 8) exist with the side walls 14 and the base plate 18 in one piece. Each stop 24 has a vertical groove, the width of which is approximately equal to jo the thickness of the metal contact element 26 is relative to the contact element 26 in a vertical position take on the cap 12 and hold. The distance between the corresponding grooves is approximately equal to the width of the element 26. When the contact element 26 is pressed vertically into the grooves, lateral knobs 27 deform the material of the stops, which wraps around the knobs and secures the element 26 in the cap 12 (see FIG. 8). The contact element 26 consists of a thin, flat metal segment ment, preferably made of a copper alloy such as spring brass, o. Ä, the lower edge of which is a number has upwardly extending legs 29 which extend parallel to one another over the main part of their length and are arranged at a distance from one another. in order to define elongated recesses 31 receiving the wire. The distal ends of the legs 29 strive apart and form openings 32 for the recesses 31 in order to guide the wires 22 and 23 in the Drahtaufnah.nekanäle 48 and 49 in the recess 31 to support. The opposite parallel edges of the legs 29 are spaced a distance from one another which is slightly less than the diameter of the smallest wire conductor to which a connection is to be made the connector cap 12 is in the partially closed position as shown in FIG. 4 shown the diverging ends of the legs 29 come into contact with the wires 22 and 23 and lead them into the recesses 31. When closing further ω, the wires 22 and 23 are pressed into the recesses 31, and the opposite edges of the legs 29, which define each recess 31, cut into and through the insulation of wires 22 and 23 and lie against conductors 33 of wires 22 and ö5 23. The head 33 press the resilient legs 29 apart, so that the legs when trying to return to assume their original position, apply continuous pressure against conductors 33 and maintain spring-biased electrical contact therebetween. The total width of the Kontaktelernentes 26 near the legs 29 is less than that internal spacing between the side walls (see Fig. 8) 14 so that the legs can be resiliently urged apart without interference from the side walls 14 and to prevent the legs being pushed apart from cutting into or through the walls 14 and thus the electrical insulation properties of the connector. Connections made in this way have been tested and it has been found that there is an unusually low resistance, which is maintained even with mechanical tension or with terr "-eratur- or pressure changes.

At a distance from and on opposite sides of the contact element 26 there is a pair of slotted wire holsters 34 (FIG. Fig. 3). The slots 35 are defined by upwardly extending fingers 37, the opposite edges of which diverge at the ends to form openings 38. The inclined edges defining the openings 38 guide the wires 22 and 23 in the wire receiving channels 49 and 49 into the recesses 31 and slots 35 when the connector is closed (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). The opposite edges of fingers 37 defining slots 35 are spaced a distance slightly less than the outer diameter of the thinnest wire to be connected. As the wires are pressed into the slots 35, the resilient fingers 37 bend due to the pressure of the wires 22 and 23 against the edges of the fingers 37. The insulation is thereby resiliently held in place (FIG. 6). to keep wires 22 and 23 in the wire receptacle 48 and 49 when parts 10 and 12 of the connector are in the partially closed position and to minimize the stress in conductors 33 on contact element 26 after the connector is closed . There is a gap between the protruding portion of the fingers 37 and the side walls 14 to allow the fingers 37 to flex.

From the inner surface of the side walls 14 stands close A first set of locking lugs, which consists of four upper projections 40 and four lower projections 41, emerges from the corners of the cap 12. The protrusions 40 and 41 are vertically spaced from each other in order to use a .m second set of latches on the body to work together and the open, the partially closed and the set the closed position of body 10 and cap 12, as will now be described in more detail will.

The body 10 is preferably made of a relatively clear, insulating material and has a square, block-like shape with a base plate 44 and two end walls 46 and 47. The channel 48 extends through the end walls 46 and 47 to receive the wire passing through. The channel 49 / ur extends through the wall 47 and partially through the wall 46 Receiving the tap wire 23. The bottom wall 46 includes an inner stop surface 50 and a baffle 51 (Fig.2) in the channel 49. to prevent that the tap wire 23 extends beyond the end of the body 10. The baffle 51 directs the end of wire 23 vertically towards the surface

30 and thereby binds the end of the wire 23 in the Wall 46. Two plate-like supports 52 extend between the end walls and from the base plate. Leather support 52 is at a distance from the adjacent end wall 46 and 47 to define an elongated cavity therebetween and to Receiving a different one of the slotted brackets 34 leather carrier 52 has a width that is a little less than the distance between the element 26 and the brackets 34 on the cap 12 to be therebetween to match (Fig. 6). The two beams 52 are spaced from each other to form a groove that is transverse to the wire receiving channels 48 and 49 and the contact element 26 receives. Semicircular seats 53, which define part of the channels 48 and 49, carry the wires 22 and 23 when these are in the recesses

31 and the slots 35 are pressed. In the zero there are two push rods 55 in a line with »Jon recesses 31 (Fig. 8). and their width is less than the distance between the legs 29 µm to easily fit into the recesses 31 and to press the wires 22 and 23 into these recesses 31 in the contact element 26. In each cavity between a beam and the end wall, there are two posts 57 near that end wall and in line with the Slots (Figs. 3-5) 35 to push wires 22 and 23 into slots 35 of wire holders 34. the Push rods 55 and the posts extend down to define a lower surface that is with aerobic area of each channel 48 and 49 coincides.

The end walls 46 and 47 of the body 10 carry a wide set of detents with an upper set of four Projections II and a second or lower set of projections consisting of four pairs of lugs 62 and 63 exist. The projections 11, 62 and 63 of the / wide locking lugs set work with the projections 40 and 4t of the first Rastnasensat / cs together to form a lock that the open (Fig.3) and defines the partially closed position (Fig. 4) of the connector and forms a fuse to secure the connector in the closed position (Fig. 5). In in the open position (FIG. 3), the lugs 62 and 63 on the body 10 are in the space between the projections 40 and 41 on the cap 12. With enough pressure on the body 10 and the cap 12 to Moving the lugs 62 and 63 past the projections 41 move the cap and body inward the partially closed position (FIG. 4), with the projections 40 and 41 on the cap 12 in the space between the lugs 63 and the projections 11. In the partially closed Position abut the upper lugs 63 against the lower projections 41 and the upper projections 40 against the beveled surfaces 58. so that the reaction forces against the upper lugs 63 and the surfaces 58 the body 10 and the cap 12 in the hold partially closed position. As in Fig. 4, the wires 22 and 23 are partially inserted into FIG Recesses 31 and slots 35 are wedged in and held in the connector. The finger pressure one handyman is sufficient to move the body 10 and cap 12 from the open to the partially closed Squeeze position. With the wires thus held in the connector, the craftsman can release finger pressure on the connector without the wires easily separating from the connector, and he can use a pliers-like tool instead, to move the body and cap 10 and 12 of the connector to the fully closed position, the in Fig. 5 is shown and in which the legs 29 of the contact element 26 cut through the insulation and Make electrical connection to conductors 33 of wires 22 and 23. With this movement of the body 10 and cap 12, the resilient walls 14 of the cap 12 bend outward, while the projections 40 slide along the inclined surfaces 58 of the projections 11 o, and in the fully closed position of the parts, the projections 40 sit due to the resilient walls 14 over the projection 11 in the recesses 59 in the body 10 in order to allow the connector in the completely secure closed position. A semicircular plate extends from end wall 47 at channel 49 64. which forms an additional holder for the tap wire 23 and the channel for the craftsman indicates who is to receive the tap wire 23.

The body has a squeeze shape 60 that goes with the channel 48 in communication and allows a length of the continuous wire 22 laterally in the channel is inserted with the body 10 and cap 12 in the open position (Fig. 3). the inclined surfaces 58 on the locking lugs 11 support the guidance of the wire 23 in FIG the channel 48. As shown in FIG. 5 can be seen, the side opening 60 for the wire 22 passing through is over covered the entire length of the adjacent wall 14 when the body 10 and cap 12 are in the closed position.

Before assembling the connector, apply a lot of relatively clear dielectric grease (not shown) in the cap 12 around the contact element 26. When body 10 and cap 12 in In the fully closed position, the dielectric grease is encased by the wire mounts 34, the bottom plate 18 and the walls 14 the cap 12 and the base plate 44 of the body 10 created, thus preventing the erosion of the dielectric grease prevents when the connector is exposed to moisture.

An example of a preferred embodiment of the connector suitable for connecting insulated copper wires is constructed as follows: The Body is molded from clear polycarbonate and has a total length of 1.11 cm. a total width of 0.64 cm and a total height of 056 cm. The longitudinal channels 48 and 49 have a diameter of 0.13 cm. The cap 12., which is also made of polycarbonate, has a total length of 055 cm. a total width of 030 cm and a total height of 0.60 cm. The plates. slotted brackets 34 are each 0.066 cm thick and have Finger 37. define the slots 35 of 036 cm width with a 40 ° inclination of the side fingers and radii of 0.06 cm on the middle finger. The metal contact element consists of a copper alloy and has a total height of 038 cm. a total width of 0.52 cm, one Μ Thickness of 0.04 cm, with the legs 29 defining recesses 31 of 0.024 cm between them, the one Have an inclination of 50 ° at the front edge of the opening 32.

It will be apparent from the description that the illustrated vertical orientation of body 10 and cap 12 allows the craftsman to look down through the clear body 10 into the connector to check that the wires and notches are

before the connector is compressed. However, it can also be the cap 12 in addition or can only be made transparent if so desired. see through the cap before this down is pressed over the body 10.

For this purpose 2 sheets of drawings

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15th 20th 25th JO

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Claims (6)

Patent claims: 1. Solderless wire connector for electrical connection of at least two isolated individual conductors, consisting of two parts made of elastically resilient Insulating material coming from an initial open position can be brought into a firmly closed end position with the aid of a tool, wherein the first part contains receiving channels that are open in the longitudinal direction, into which the individual conductors are inserted will, wherein the second part contains a metallic contact element which is provided with so many slots, how individual conductors are present, and that of two partitions formed in one piece on the second part is included, and being in the closed end position of the two Connector parts, the contact element establishes the electrical connection of the individual conductors in that it is arranged across the single conductor and this with overlaps its slots, whereby the insulation of the individual conductors is cut through and the contact element comes into intimate contact with the conductor souls, characterized in that that known locking noses («1,62,63) in the first Connector part (10) and locking lugs (40, 41) in the second Connector part (12). are shaped so that the parts (10) and (12) can be removed from the open angular position by light pressure can be brought into a detachable intermediate position and held together in this position be, and that the partitions are used as wire holders (34) are formed, which the single egg; r (22, 23) at Establishing the intermediate position in the required position required for the firmly closed end position bring and hold on there. 2. Wire connector according to claim 1, characterized in that that the wire holders (34) are arranged on both sides of the contact element (26) and in free-standing Fingers (37) run out and that the slots (35) delimited by the fingers (37) with the slots (31) of the contact element (26) cursing. 3. Wire connector according to claim 2, characterized in that that the slots (35) of the wire holders (34) widen towards the end of the fingers (27) (38). 4. Wire connector according to claim 1, characterized in that that the receiving channels (48,49) in the first part (10) in the open initial position of the parts (10) and (12) are accessible and allow the insertion of the individual conductors (22,23) and that in the closed end position both the receiving channels (48, 49) and those associated with them Sides of the first part (10) completely enclosed by the walls (14) of the second part (12) will. 5. Wire connector according to claim 4, characterized by integrally formed on the first part (10) Rods (55) which are arranged above the slots (31) of the contact element (26), the thickness of which is smaller than the width of the slots (31) and that of the individual conductors (22, 23) within the receiving channels (48, 49) where they fit into the slots (31) of the Kontaktelemcnts (26) are pushed. 6. Wire connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the second part (12) in the vicinity of the contact element (26) is filled with dielectric grease before the parts (10) and (12) in the closed end position are brought.