CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

• US 20150372400A1
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Published: 12/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.), Labinal LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Labinal LLC (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Mills, Patrick Wellington, Benshoff, Richard George, McCormick, James Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,502,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/42 Securing in a demountable manner
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/426 Securing by a separate resilient retaining piece supported by base or case, e.g. collar or metal contact-retention clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5025 one or more pieces being of resilient material
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/56 Means for preventing chafing or fracture of flexible leads at outlet from coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/52 mounted in or to a panel or structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/18 by crimping H01R4/01, H01R4/2495 take precedence; for coaxial cables H01R9/0518
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/30 utilising a screw or nut clamping member H01R4/50 takes precedence; utilising a clamping member acted on by screw or nut H01R4/38; for coaxial cables H01R9/0521
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2491 Terminal blocks structurally associated with plugs or sockets

Abstract

A connector assembly (10) includes a non-conductive block assembly (12) defining a plurality of passages (20) and a resilient wire support (14) defining a plurality of passages (66). The resilient wire support (14) is coupled to the block assembly (12) with each resilient wire support passage (66) aligned with one block assembly passage (20). A conductor unit includes a plurality of conductor assemblies (80). Each conductor assembly (80) includes a first socket (90) and a second socket (94), and each such conductor assembly (80) is disposed partially in a block assembly passage (20).

Claims

1. A connector assembly (10) comprising:

a non-conductive block assembly (12) defining a plurality of passages (20);

a resilient wire support (14) defining a plurality of passages (66);

said resilient wire support (14) coupled to said block assembly (12) with each resilient wire support passage (66) aligned with one block assembly passage (20);

a conductor unit including a plurality of conductor assemblies (80), each conductor assembly (80) including a first socket (90) and a second socket (94); and

each said conductor assembly (80) disposed partially in a block assembly passage (20).

2. The connector assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein:

said wire support (14) includes a base member (65) and a plurality of support elements (62);

said wire support base member (65) defining a plurality of passages (66);

each said support element (62) defining a passage (70); and

each said support element (62) disposed about a wire support base member passage (66) wherein each said support element passage (70) is aligned with a wire support base member passage (66).

3. The connector assembly (10) of claim 2 wherein each support element (62) includes a body (68) shaped as a tapered torus.

4. The connector assembly (10) of claim 3 wherein:

each said conductor assembly (80) includes a socket assembly (82);

each said socket assembly (82) includes a first conductive socket (90), a medial conductor (92), and a second conductive socket (94), each said medial conductor (92) coupled to, and in electrical communication with a first conductive socket (90) and a second conductive socket (94);

each said first conductive socket (90) disposed in a block assembly passage (20); and

each said second conductive socket (94) disposed external to said block assembly (20).

5. The connector assembly (10) of claim 4 wherein:

each said conductor assembly (80) includes a terminal pin (84);

each said terminal pin (84) including a first end (100) and a second end (102);

wherein each said terminal pin first end (100) defines a socket (104);

wherein each said terminal pin second end (102) is a lug (106); and

each said terminal pin second end (102) disposed in, and in electrical communication with, a first conductive socket (104).

6. The connector assembly (10) of claim 5 wherein:

each said terminal pin (84) includes a crimped portion (110);

said block assembly (12) including a plurality of clip passages (50), each said clip passage (50) in communication with a block assembly passage (20);

said block assembly (12) includes a plurality of clips (120);

each clip (120) including an elongated body (122) having a first end (124) and a second end (126);

each clip body second end (126) including a recess (128);

each clip recess (128) sized to correspond to said terminal pin crimped portion (110);

each said clip body second end (126) disposed in a clip passage (50); and

wherein each said clip recess (128) is disposed substantially about a terminal pin crimped portion (110).

7. The connector assembly (10) of claim 6 wherein each clip body first end (124) defines a grip (130).

8. The connector assembly (10) of claim 7 wherein:

each said clip body second end (126) includes two opposed arcuate members (140, 142);

each said clip body second end arcuate member (140, 142) extending over an arc of between about 10 and 15 degrees; and

wherein each said clip recess (128) is the space between said opposed clip body second end arcuate members (140, 142).

9. The connector assembly (10) of claim 8 wherein each said clip body second end arcuate member (140, 142) extends over an arc of about 13 degrees;

or wherein each said clip body (122) is an independent body.

10. The connector assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein said block assembly (12) includes a mounting coupling (150).

11. The connector assembly (10) of claim 1 wherein:

each said conductor assembly (80) includes a socket assembly (82);

each said socket assembly (82) includes a first conductive socket (90), a medial conductor (92), and a second conductive socket (94), each said medial conductor (92) coupled to, and in electrical communication with a first conductive socket (90) and a second conductive socket (94);

each said first conductive socket (90) disposed in a block assembly passage (20); and

each said second conductive socket (94) disposed external to said block assembly (12).

12. The connector assembly (10) of claim 11 wherein:

each said conductor assembly (80) includes a terminal pin (84);

each said terminal pin (84) including a first end (100) and a second end (102);

wherein each said terminal pin first end (100) defines a socket (104);

wherein each said terminal pin second end (102) is a lug (106); and

each said terminal pin second end (102) disposed in, and in electrical communication with, a first conductive socket (90).

13. The connector assembly (10) of claim 12 wherein:

each said terminal pin (84) includes a crimped portion (110);

said block assembly (12) including a plurality of clip passages (50), each said clip passage (50) in communication with a block assembly passage (20);

said block assembly (12) includes a plurality of clips (120);

each clip (120) including an elongated body (122) having a first end (124) and a second end (126);

each clip body second end (126) including a recess (128);

each clip recess (128) sized to correspond to said terminal pin crimped portion (110);

each said clip body second end (126) disposed in a clip passage (50); and

wherein each said clip recess (128) is disposed substantially about a terminal pin crimped portion (110).

14. The connector assembly (10) of claim 13 wherein each clip body first end (124) defines a grip (130).

15. The connector assembly (10) of claim 13 wherein:

each said clip body second end (126) includes two opposed arcuate members (140, 142);

each said clip body second end arcuate member (140, 142) extending over an arc of between about 10 and 15 degrees; and

wherein each said clip recess (128) is the space between said opposed clip body second end arcuate members (140, 142).