Electrical connector for accommodating an electrical conductor and imparting shape

• US 8,678,854 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Kalhoff, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): ZARROLI, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US12/933,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20110045710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,840 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 439/409
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/01 characterised by the form or arrangement of the conductive interconnection between the connecting locations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/035 Plated dielectric material
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2414 conductive elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5025 one or more pieces being of resilient material
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/58 Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip , for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable for flat or ribbon cables H01R12/771
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector for accommodating an electrical conductor or mating connector, having a first plastic section having a first degree of hardness or elasticity, and a second plastic section having a second degree of hardness or elasticity, wherein the first degree of hardness or elasticity and the second degree of hardness or elasticity are different, and the first plastic section cooperates with the second plastic section in order to accommodate the electrical conductor.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for accommodating an electrical conductor or mating connector, having:

a first plastic section having a first degree of hardness or elasticity;

a second plastic section having a second degree of hardness or elasticity; and

a third plastic section having the first degree of hardness or elasticity;

wherein the first degree of hardness or elasticity and the second degree of hardness or elasticity are different, and the second section connects the first section and the third section, and the first section is displaceable or twistable relative to the third section with deformation of the second section,

wherein the second section is provided for accommodating the electrical conductor or mating connector, and the first section imparts shape and at least partially envelops the second section.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the second section is reversibly deformable.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first section or the second section is conductive.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the second section is elastically deformable, and the electrical conductor or mating connecter is accommodated by deforming the second section.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first section may be locked and/or released from a lock, relative to the third section with deformation of the second section, or may be locked and/or released from a lock by displacement or twisting.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first section may be inserted into the second section, and may be locked therein or released from a lock by elastic deformation of the first section or of the second section.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first section may be twisted relative to the second section, or the second section may be twisted relative to the first section, wherein the first section or the second section may be locked or released from a lock by twisting.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the second degree of elasticity is greater than the first degree of elasticity, or the first degree of hardness is greater than the second degree of hardness.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the second section has comb-shaped regions for accommodating the electrical conductor or mating connector.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the second section is designed as an elastic clamping connector.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first section may be clamped in a recess in the third section, and may be released as the result of a restoring force of the second section.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first section and the third section are connected by the second section and form a clamp.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the third plastic section is displaceably supported with respect to the first section.