Connector assembly

• US 7,077,708 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2006
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Regal-Beloit Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Philip Wayne, Wright, Kamron Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US11/357,387
• Time in Patent Office: 151 Days
• Field of Search: 439/687, 439/696, 439/701, 439/731, 439/660, 439/906, 439/942
• US Class Current: 439/687
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/115 U-shaped sockets having inwardly bent legs, e.g. spade type
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/906 Longitudinally divided

Abstract

A connector assembly configured to engage a motor connector having a plurality of contacts is described. The connector assembly includes a plurality of receptacle terminals and first and second housing portions each having channels formed therein for insertion of the receptacle. The channels include an end further including a slot formed therein where the channels are configured to engage respective sides of the receptacle terminals along their longitudinal axis. The slots define a rectangular opening for insertion of a respective tab terminal into each respective receptacle terminal. Each receptacle terminal includes a wire insulation engaging segment, a wire engaging segment, and a receptacle portion.

Claims

1. A connector assembly configured to engage a motor connector having a plurality of contacts mounted therein, said connector assembly comprising:

a plurality of receptacle terminals each comprising a wire insulation engaging segment, a wire engaging segment extending from said wire insulation engaging segment, and a receptacle portion extending from said wire engaging segment opposite said wire insulation engaging segment and comprising an end, each said receptacle terminal having a longitudinal axis defining a first side and a second side for said receptacle terminals;

a first housing portion comprising a channel formed therein for each of said receptacle terminals, said channels comprising an end comprising a slot formed therein, said channels configured to engage the first side of said receptacle terminals along their longitudinal axis, said end of said channels configured to engage said receptacle portion end; and

a second housing portion comprising a channel formed therein for each of said receptacle terminals, said channels comprising an end comprising a slot formed therein, said channels configured to engage the second side of said receptacle terminals along their longitudinal axis, said end of said channels configured to engage said receptacle portion end, said first and said second housing portions configured for attachment to one another, said slots defining a rectangular opening for insertion of a respective tab terminal into each respective said receptacle terminal.

2. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said housing portions comprise a keying arrangement.

3. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said slots defining a rectangular opening for insertion of a respective tab terminal comprise a beveled surface.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said housing portions comprise a molded plastic.

5. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle portion comprises:

a planar member further comprising two sides and a center portion therebetween; and

two U-shaped members that extend from said sides of said planar member back towards said center portion of said planar member.

6. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said housing portions are configured with one or more sets of mechanical attachment devices, said mechanical attachment devices configured to maintain an engagement between said first and said second housing portions.

7. A connector assembly according to claim 6 wherein said mechanical attachment devices each comprise:

a rectangular protrusion extending from one of said housing portions, said rectangular protrusion comprising a tang on an end thereof; and

a rectangular opening formed in the other of said housing portions, said rectangular protrusion and tang configured to engage said opening when inserted into said opening.

8. A connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first and said housing portions each comprise an insulation engaging area comprising a plurality of semi-circular bores extending from a rear of said housing portions, said semi circular bores configured to engage insulation of a wire attached to one of said receptacles when said first and second housing portions are attached to one another.

9. A connector assembly according to claim 8 wherein said semi circular bores extend between the rear of said housing portions to said channels for respective said receptacle terminals.

10. A housing for a plurality of receptacle terminals comprising:

a first housing component comprising a channel formed therein configured for insertion of a first side of each of the plurality of receptacle terminals, each said channel comprising a first end having a slot formed therein and a second end configured as a semi circular bore; and

a second housing component comprising a channel formed therein configured for insertion of a second side of each of the plurality of receptacle terminals, each said channel comprising a first end having a slot formed therein and a second end comprising a semi circular bore, said first and said second housing components configured for attachment to one another, each said slot defining a rectangular opening for insertion of a respective tab terminal, respective said semi circular bores configured to engage insulation of a wire utilized with a respective receptacle terminal.

11. A housing according to claim 10 wherein said housing components comprise a keying arrangement.

12. A housing according to claim 10 wherein the rectangular opening comprises a beveled surface.

13. A housing according to claim 10 wherein said housing components comprise a molded plastic.

14. A housing according to claim 10 wherein said housing components are configured with one or more sets of mechanical attachment devices, said mechanical attachment devices configured to maintain an engagement between said first and said second housing components.

15. A housing according to claim 14 wherein said mechanical attachment devices each comprise:

a rectangular protrusion extending from one of said housing components, said rectangular protrusion comprising a tang on an end thereof; and

a rectangular opening formed in the other of said housing components, said rectangular protrusion and tang configured to engage the other of said housing components when inserted into said opening.

16. An electrical interconnection system for a motor comprising:

a motor chassis;

a first electrical connector mounted onto said chassis, said first electrical connector comprising a plurality of openings therein and a plurality of tab terminals, said tab terminals mounted in respective said openings and configured to provide operational signals and power to and from the motor; and

a second electrical connector configured to engage said first electrical connector, said second electrical connector configured to provide motor operational signals and power to and from the motor, said second electrical connector comprising;

a plurality of receptacle terminals each comprising a receptacle portion comprising an end, each said receptacle terminal having a longitudinal axis defining a first side and a second side for said receptacle terminals;

a first housing portion comprising a channel formed therein for each of said receptacle terminals, said channels comprising an end comprising a slot formed therein, said channels configured to engage the first side of said receptacle terminals along their longitudinal axis, said end of said channels configured to engage said receptacle portion end; and

a second housing portion comprising a channel formed therein for each of said receptacle terminals, said channels comprising an end comprising a slot formed therein, said channels configured to engage the second side of said receptacle terminals along their longitudinal axis, said end of said channels configured to engage said receptacle portion end, said first and said second housing portions configured for attachment to one another, said slots defining a rectangular opening for insertion of a respective said tab terminal into each respective said receptacle terminal.

17. An electrical interconnection system for a motor according to claim 16 wherein said receptacle portion comprises:

a planar member further comprising two sides and a center portion therebetween; and

two U-shaped members that extend from said sides of said planar member back towards said center portion of said planar member.

18. An electrical interconnection system for a motor according to claim 16 wherein attachment of said first and said second housing portions forms members sized for insertion into said openings of said first electrical connector, said receptacles within a respective member.

19. An electrical interconnection system for a motor according to claim 16 wherein said first and said second housing portions each comprise an insulation engaging area comprising a plurality of semi-circular bores extending from a rear of said housing portions, said semi circular bores configured to engage insulation of a wire attached to one of said receptacles when said first and second housing portions are attached to one another.

20. An electrical interconnection system for a motor according to claim 19 wherein said semi circular bores extend between the rear of said housing portions to said channels for respective said receptacle terminals.