Connector assembly with a conductor assembly partially disposed in a block assembly

• US 9,502,788 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US14/763,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20150372400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 439/660, 439712-717
• 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 includes a non-conductive block assembly defining a plurality of passages and a resilient wire support defining a plurality of passages. The resilient wire support is coupled to the block assembly with each resilient wire support passage aligned with one block assembly passage. A conductor unit includes a plurality of conductor assemblies. Each conductor assembly includes a first socket and a second socket, and each such conductor assembly is disposed partially in a block assembly passage.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising:

a non-conductive block assembly defining a plurality of block assembly passages;

a resilient wire support defining a plurality of resilient wire support passages;

said resilient wire support coupled to said block assembly with each said resilient wire support passage aligned with one of the block assembly passages;

a conductor unit including a plurality of conductor assemblies, each conductor assembly including a first socket and a second socket; and

each said conductor assembly disposed partially in one of the block assembly passages.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein:

said wire support includes a base member and a plurality of support elements;

said wire support base member defining a plurality of wire support base member passages;

each said support element defining a support element passage; and

each said support element disposed about one of the wire support base member passages, wherein each said support element passage is aligned with one of the wire support base member passages.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein each of the support elements include a body shaped as a tapered torus.

4. The connector assembly of claim 3 wherein:

each said conductor assembly includes a socket assembly;

each said socket assembly includes a first conductive socket, a medial conductor, and a second conductive socket, each said medial conductor coupled to, and in electrical communication with one of the first conductive sockets and one of the second conductive sockets;

each said first conductive socket disposed in one of the block assembly passages; and

each said second conductive socket disposed external to said block assembly.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4 wherein:

each said conductor assembly includes a terminal pin;

each said terminal pin including a first end and a second end;

wherein each said terminal pin first end defines a socket;

wherein each said terminal pin second end is a lug; and

each said terminal pin second end disposed in, and in electrical communication with, one of the first conductive sockets.

6. The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein:

each said terminal pin includes a crimped portion;

said block assembly including a plurality of clip passages, each said clip in communication with one of the block assembly passages;

said block assembly includes a plurality of clips;

each said clip including an elongated body having a first end and a second end;

each said clip body second end including a recess;

each said clip recess sized to correspond to said terminal pin crimped portion;

each said clip body second end disposed in one of the clip passages; and

wherein each said clip recess is disposed substantially about one of the terminal pin crimped portions.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6 wherein each said clip body first end defines a grip.

8. The connector assembly of claim 7 wherein:

each said clip body second end includes two opposed arcuate members;

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

wherein each said clip recess is a space between said opposed clip body second end arcuate members.

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

or wherein each said clip body is an independent body.

10. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said block assembly includes a mounting coupling.

11. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein:

each said conductor assembly includes a socket assembly;

each said socket assembly includes a first conductive socket, a medial conductor, and a second conductive socket, each said medial conductor coupled to, and in electrical communication with, one of the first conductive sockets and one of the second conductive sockets;

each said first conductive socket disposed in one of the block assembly passages; and

each said second conductive socket disposed external to said block assembly.

12. The connector assembly of claim 11 wherein:

each said conductor assembly includes a terminal pin;

each said terminal pin including a first end and a second end;

wherein each said terminal pin first end defines a socket;

wherein each said terminal pin second end is a lug; and

each said terminal pin second end disposed in, and in electrical communication with, one of the first conductive sockets.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12 wherein:

each said terminal pin includes a crimped portion;

said block assembly including a plurality of clip passages, each said clip passage in communication with one of the block assembly passages;

said block assembly includes a plurality of clips;

each clip including an elongated body having a first end and a second end;

each said clip body second end including a recess;

each said clip recess sized to correspond to said terminal pin crimped portion;

each said clip body second end disposed in one of said clip passages; and

wherein each said clip recess is disposed substantially about one of the terminal pin crimped portions.

14. The connector assembly of claim 13 wherein each said clip body first end defines a grip.

15. The connector assembly of claim 13 wherein:

each said clip body second end includes two opposed arcuate members;

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

wherein each said clip recess is a space between said opposed clip body second end arcuate members.