US3656086A

US3656086A - Modular electrical connector assembly

Info

Publication number: US3656086A
Application number: US866651A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Debaigt
Original assignee: ELECTRIQUE COMP GLE ENTREPRISE
Current assignee: ELECTRIQUE COMP GLE ENTREPRISE
Priority date: 1968-10-18
Filing date: 1969-10-15
Publication date: 1972-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-11
Also published as: BE740096A; GB1248335A; SE386318B; DE1952504B2; DE1952504A1; FR96413E; ES372648A2; DE1952504C3; NL6915557A

Abstract

Modular lead-through connecting elements are assembled of strips or in a matrix and operate in conjunction with plug-in type connectors to prevent all connecting errors. The connectors can be locked in the operating position, and may comprise at least one reference marker for identification purposes.

Description

United States Patent Debaigt [451 Apr. 11, 1972 [54] MODULAR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY [56] References Cited [72] Inventor: Jean Debaigt, Maisons Laffitte, France I UNITED STATES PATENTS [73] Assignee: Compagnie Generale DEntreprises Elec- 1,295,919 3/1919 Muh1hausen.... .20/92 X triques, Levallois-Perret, France 2,463,826 3; 1949 Thacker.. ..339/ 198 2,964,724 12 1960 Fox ....339/184 X [22] 15,1969 3,358,266 12/1967 Chandler et a1. ..339/ 2os [21] Appl. No.: 866,651

Primary Examiner-R1chard E. Moore 12 S ,Rth ll,M' ,Z' &M k Foreign Application Priomy Dam A orney ughrne o we lOn mn v acpea 06:. I8, 1968 France ..l70569 [571 T A Modular lead-through connecting elements are assembled of [LS- CI- M, M, M, strips or in a matrix and operate in conjunction plug in 339/206 P pe connectors to prevent all connecting errors. The conneclllte tor an be locked in the operating position and may com- [58] Field ofSearch...; ..339/92, 186, 184, 91,59,121,

prise at least one reference marker for identification purposes.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEnAPRmsn 3,655,U86

SHEET 1 OF 5 FIG/I 1 MODULAR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION adapted to be associated with each of the aforesaid modular elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The need is sometimes found for permanently assembling together a certain number of male connectors, the said assembly forming a composite plug adapted to be plugged into a matrix according to the Applicants first aforesaid patent, whereby it is possible to establish or interrupt all the electrical connections between connections terminating, on the one hand, at the matrix, and at the other hand, at the composite plug.

F lirthermore, during the operation of plugging in a plug of the kind just'described, it is essential to be able to carry out this plugging in without possible error, that is to say, to be able to locate instantly the exact place where the plug ought to be plugged in and, what is also often necessary, to give to the plug its appropriate orientation.

It is considered desirable to provide an effective means for ensuring good contact between the conducting elements of the matrix and those corresponding to them in the connectors, despite the unfavorable conditions to which the connections may be exposed, and particularly to the vibrations and other stress, to which the conductors terminating at the connecting elements may be accidentally subjected.

With regard to the kind of connections which may be obtained by means of the system according to the invention, it is specified in the parent patent application and shown in FIGS.

- 4 and 5 of that patent application that the conducting central part of each modular element of the matrix may be replaced by a group comprising a number of conducting elements arranged in parallel and insulated from each other.

FIG. 5 of the parent application deals more particularly with the case where four elements of this kind, directed along the diagonals of the square section of a modular element and suitably insulated from each other, have been placed so as to give passage to four separate conducting paths. Such connections are particularly useful in electronics where the necessityfor miniaturizing becomes increasingly pressing.

Finally, it has been found advantageous-to provide a practical means of marking or labelling the different plugs adapted to be associated with the same matrix.

The present invention provides a convenient means of assembling together in a simple and rigid manner the different connectors of such a plug.

The present invention also provides effective means called locators which when incorporated, on the one hand, in the modular elements of the matrix and, on the other hand, in the corresponding elementary connectors permit the aforesaid effect to be obtained.

The invention also provides means for effecting positive locking, satisfying the preoccupations just mentioned.

To avoid all possible confusion between the references used in the following description and in the corresponding figures of the referred to application, these latter references will always be taken from the numbers included between 201 and This invention provides, in this field, an advantageous improvement concerning the embodiment of the female conducting elements intended to be associated with male elements of the kind of those described in FIG. 5 of the parent patent.

The present invention describes a practical means of marking the plugs considered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In all the drawings illustrating the invention, the same parts have been given the same references in every case.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view, in perspective, of an assembly formed by a matrix according to the invention and an associated connector.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of two male connectors to be assembled together and the key ensuring such assembly.

FIG. 3 is in exploded perspectiveview, an assembly of male and female locators associated with the corresponding elements according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of thelocking rod of the assembly, forming a non-losable screw and rod associated with its locking nut.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly effected between a modular element having four crossing conductors,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows the matrix 201 and the associated composite male plugs 202. In this figure, the modular elements, such as 203, forming part of the matrix, and each of which is engaged by one of the male connectors 204 according to the invention,

are shown shaded. The stranded conductors 205 tenninate at the male plugs 202. 1

FIG. 2 shows two contiguous connectors 204 adapted to be assembled against one another. The means provided by the invention comprises a key 206, the cross-section of which is cut to form a double dovetail. The key is placed in position in a manner such that it engages, by its two sides simultaneously, two grooves 207 of a shape conjugate with the profile to be engaged in them. It will be seen that, in the rear part of the key, the head 208 of the latter is connected to the body of the key by means of a narrowed part 209. The head is intended to engage resiliently in the gap 210 provided for the purpose in the body of the male connector 204.

Since the four faces of each of these connectors carry a groove 207, it will be seen that it is possible to assemble very rigidly, by means of keys according to the invention, as many The positioning of the locator elements is shown in FIG. 3,

in which the matrix end of a male connector 204 will be seen at 211.

The means provided by the invention to obviate not only any wrong connection but also any wrong contact between incompatible conducting parts consists in specializing for this purpose one or more assemblies, each formed by a cross-over modular element according to the invention and a male connector associated with it. In each pair of members thus specialized, the respective conducting parts are replaced by insulating elements, adapted to fit one within the other when the grouped assembly plug 202 is presented in the correct position opposite the place intended for it on the matrix 201. Furthermore, the male locator insulating element 212 comprises, at its end pointing towards the matrix, an extension 213, the section of which is substantially that of an angle-iron, and the length of which is such that on abutting against the matrix-it prevents any contact between the conducting parts of the grouped plug 202 and those of the matrix 201 for any position except that in which the extension can enter the gap between the associated female locator 214, placed in the correct position, and the wall of the cross-over modular element 203 according to the invention and containing the female locator 214.

It will be seen in the same FIG. 3 that the two locators comprise, on their common axis, bores 215 and 216 for the passage of the locking rod 217 shown in FIG. 4. This rod, screwthreaded at both ends, is'norrnally forcibly fitted in the axial bore of the female locator 214, such that, once the latter is in position inside the element 203, with which it is assembled by means of the boss 218, the rod 217 becomes non-losable. In FIG. 3, the part stamped in the form of a cross in the boss 218, is situated at the rear end of one of the branches of the modular element 203. This boss is anchored in the depression 219 provided for this purpose in the corresponding wall of the female locator 214. In addition, the latter has, on two of its faces, projections 220 adapted to co-operate with the branches of the modular element 203, between which branches each of the projections concerned is inserted.

A locking nut 221 is fixed by known means, such as a pin (not shown) for example, to the front end of the male connector 204 specialized in the functions of correct connection and locking. That is to say, it comprises precisely the nut 221 instead of the standard conducting parts which form it usually comprises.

The knurled head alone of this nut projects towards the front beyond the male connector 204, so that it is screwable manually from the outside on the screwthreaded rod 217.

The male locator 212 bears by means of four fins 223 against the interior of the hollow section of the rear part 211 of the male connector 204.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section, on a large scale, of the assembly of a four-way cross-over modular element 203, according to the invention. A male connector 204, of which there is seen here only the rear end, is composed of four elementary conduits 224. These are arranged in a square, such that the whole penetrates, with a certain amount of clamping, the interior of cavities provided for this purpose in the front end of the element 203. The four blades 225 form the conducting elements, are secured in the interior of the element 203 and are each centered on one of the aforesaid cavities. The four conducting clips or lyres 226 are in turn associated with the male connector 204. The manner in which each of the blades co-operates with a corresponding lyre 226 is shown in FIG. 6. A resilient lug 235 is depressed when the lyre 226 is inserted, from the front to the rear, in the corresponding connector 204. The lug is then erected, as soon as the lyre is in position, and enters the appropriate recess provided for this purpose in the interior of the connector, thus preventing any unwanted movement of the lyre.

FIG. 7 shows a general marker or identification element 227, the rear part of which is in all respects identical with one of the keys 206. The front part of the connector is the label carrier or actual marker 228. Once the part 227 is in position, instead of one of the keys 206, marker 228 remains projecting on the front face of the composite plug 202 with which the marker element is assembled.

FIG. 8 shows all the parts according to the invention, by means of which parts it is possible to form the bars or matrixes, with their accessories. In particular, there is seen the central conductor part 229, corresponding to the part denoted by the reference numeral 3 in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the parent patent. This part is nonnally assembled with the front halfbody 230 corresponding to the part denoted by the reference numeral 2 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the parent patent. Assembly of the

parts

229 and 230 is effected by means of a projections (not shown), engaging the recess 231 in the part 229. The rear half-body 232 corresponds to the part denoted by reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the parent application. When assembled, the

parts

230 and 232 form a cross-over modular element 203 according to the invention. The element is provided, as desired, with an internal conductor element 229, or again, for example with four conductor elements in parallel and assembled together, elements such as 233, pans corresponding to one of the plates denoted by 33 in FIG. 5 of the parent application.

FIG. 8 also shows a male connector 204, an assembly key 206 and a general marker 227. With regard to the internal equipment of the connector 204, it normally consists of a conducting clip 234, corresponding to the piece, the various pans of which are denoted by the references 2, 4, 6, 8, l0 and 16 of FIG. 1 of the first addition to the parent application. For the case where the element 203 is provided with plates 233, the connector 204 is provided in its turn with lyres such as 226, equal in number to that of the blades 233. The male and female locators, respectively 212 and 214, are also shown in FIG. 8. Finally, the screw 217 and its locking nut 221 are also to be seen.

All these parts are shown in the exact positions which they have to occupy in space, each of them being assumed to be in the operative position.

Thus, the level A is that denoted conventionally by the front of the matrix; this level is that of the height of the part 230. The level B is that denoted conventionally as being the rear of the matrix, this level being that of the rear face of the part 232.

The level C" is the level of penetration of the lower face of the connector 204 in the interior of the matrix, that is to say, in the interior of the part 230. The clip 234, co-operating with the part 229, projects slightly downward beyond the said level C." On the contrary, the part 226 co-operating with the blade 233 remains wholly within the connector 204. The soldered joints 236 of the conductor 205 to the

parts

234 or 226 remains always deep in the connector 204 at the level D.

The male locator 212 wholly penetrates the lower part of the connector 204, until the base of its extension is flush with the level C. The female depression 219 of the said locator is provided with a boss situated opposite of the inner face of the corresponding branch of the part 230. The boss is situated on a level with the boss 237, corresponding in its turn to the boss denoted by numeral 14 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the parent application. The milled part 222 of the locking nut 221 is flush, at level E," with the height of the connector 204, the screw 217 being flush at the level F" with the interior of the screwthreaded bore of the nut 221.

It should be recalled also that the head 208 is situated, at the time of assembly, on a level with groove groove 210 provided for this purpose in connector 204.

Another feature of the assembly fon'ned by the various elements just described resides in the interchangeability of the levels A and B. In fact, in a modification, the assembly formed by the

elements

230, 232, and their accessories may be arranged end about, or if preferred, the said assembly could be represented in the position shown in FIG. 8 and the connector 204 could be plugged in part 232 at the level B in the upward direction.

It is evident that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments which have been described and which are given merely as examples.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for use in forming an electrical connection module comprising: a plurality of elementary male connectors, each male connector being of substantially square crosssection with four lateral faces and carrying on each of its four lateral faces a longitudinal groove, the cross-section of said longitudinal groove being substantially in the form of a dovetail, a longitudinal key whose cross-section is substantially the shape of a double dovetail, said key being slidably engaged within opposed grooves of two connectors to form a composite plug for cooperation with a matrix composed .of modular female elements, a matrix of modular female elements, and at least one set of auxiliary parts, said auxiliary parts comprising male and female locating elements carried respectfully within the interior of at least one modular female element of said matrix and at least one corresponding male connector of said composite plug, said male and female locating elements sewing to prevent contacting engagement between said modular element and said male connector when they are not in predetennined positions relative to each other.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each male connector includes a groove on its periphery and each key has a head at its front end for reception within said peripheral groove to prevent relative movement of the male connectors.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a male or female locating element is fixed to the end of one of said connectors and includes a rearward extension, whose cross-section is substantially that of an angle arm and whose length is such that, with the composite plug abutting the matrix, it is capable of preventing any unwanted contact between conducting parts carried by the matrix and the plug until said one male connector forming a part of said composite plug is placed exactly opposite the element of said matrix receiving the same.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said female locating element is fixed to the front end of a modular element and has a cross-section of a shape that when associated with the wall of the modular element receiving the same, permits the penetration of the angle arm extension of the male locating element when the composite plug is presented to the matrix element in a correct plugging position.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said female locating element comprises two plane faces and has a depression on each of its two plane faces, and wherein said modular element is provided with at least one boss carried by the front the rear end thereof for co-operative coupling with said projection.

locking nut coupled to the front end of said rod, and means for securing the other end of said rod within the interior of the bore provided in the front part of the male connector.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein each modular element includes at least two conducting blades, each blade being anchored in an insulated conduit of substantially half-body of the same for reception within an associated depression.

' 6. The assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said female locating element comprises two end edges and on each of its two end edges is provided with a longitudinal projection, and said modular element has a front half-body with branches at square shape with said conduits forming the complete front end body of said modular element.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the'rear part of the connector associated with said modular element comprises a number of insulating conduits of substantially square section, elongated conducting parts in the form of a lyre contained within respective conduits and adapted to receive the conducting blade carried by the front half-body of the modular element.

11, The assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said conduit defines the rear part of the connector associated with said modular element, and each lyre-shaped conducting part carries at its front end, a resilient lug movable into an associated connector conduit recess when said lyre assumes its final position.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an identification element slidably carried by respective longitudinal grooves in opposed walls of abutting connectors, said identification element including a label carrier in the form of a projection extending away from the front face of the connector and the front face of the composite plug of which the connector forms a portion t hercof

Claims

1. An assembly for use in forming an electrical connection module comprising: a plurality of elementary male connectors, each male connector being of substantially square cross-section with four lateral faces and carrying on each of its four lateral faces a longitudinal groove, the cross-section of said longitudinal groove being substantially in the form of a dovetail, a longitudinal key whose cross-section is substantially the shape of a double dovetail, said key being slidably engaged within opposed grooves of two connectors to form a composite plug for cooperation with a matrix composed of modular female elements, a matrix of modular female elements, and at least one set of auxiliary parts, said auxiliary parts comprising male and female locating elements carried respectfully within the interior of at least one modular female element of said matrix and at least one corresponding male connector of said composite plug, said male and female locating elements serving to prevent contacting engagement between said modular element and said male connector when they are not in predetermined positions relative to each other.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said female locating element comprises two plane faces and has a depression on each of its two plane faces, and wherein said modular element is provided with at least one boss carried by the front half-body of the same for reception within an associated depression.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said female locating element comprises two end edges and on each of its two end edges is provided with a longitudinal projection, and said modular element has a front half-body with branches at the rear end thereof for co-operative coupling with said projection.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said male locating element and said female locating element include an axial bore passing therethrough, and said assembly further includes a locking rod for reception within aligned axial bores.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a locking nut coupled to the front end of said rod, and means for securing the other end of said rod within the interior of the bore provided in the front part of the male connector.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein each modular element includes at least two conducting blades, each blade being anchored in an insulated conduit of substantially square shape with said conduits forming the complete front end body of said modular element.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the rear part of the connector associated with said modular element comprises a number of insulating conduits of substantially square section, elongated conducting parts in the form of a lyre contained within respective conduits and adapted to receive the conducting blade carried by the front half-body of the modular element.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said conduit defines the rear part of the connector associated with said modular element, and each lyre-shaped conducting part carries at its front end, a resilient lug movable into an associated connector conduit recess when said lyre assumes its final position.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an identification element slidably carried by respective longitudinal grooves in opposed walls of abutting connectors, said identification element including a label carrier in the form of a projection extending away from the front face of the connector and the front face of the composite plug of which the connector forms a portion thereof.