JPS5851481A - Connector and its utility - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to connectors and uses thereof, and more particularly to electrical connectors suitable for electrically connecting long conductors to termination posts, particularly comprising resilient sleeves. The present invention relates to a connector and a method of forming an electrical connection using the connector.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a connector for electrically connecting at least one generally elongated conductor to a termination post, the connector comprising a pre-oriented resilient sleeve and a resilient sleeve disposed within the sleeve. an electrically conductive contact member, the contact member having a non-deformable male end serving as a stem and a deformable male end having two spaced legs having a crotch portion therebetween; The contact member and sleeve, in use, contain at least one conductor within the sleeve to the side of the male end of the contact member, and a termination post is positioned between the two legs for insertion of the post. The recovery of the male distal end with the crotch portion of the contact member defining the stop at least once
A connector is provided that allows the conductors of the book and the T to converge to contact each other and the legs to contact a termination post inserted therebetween.

Although the connector of the present invention is suitable for connecting one or more conductors to a termination post, the contact member of the connector may also be adapted to accommodate other types of conductive material within its male end. Are suitable.

In the connector of the invention, the pre-oriented recoverable sleeve may be a heat recoverable polymer sleeve, preferably a heat shrinkable polymer sleeve.

A heat recoverable article is an article whose dimensional shape is substantially changed when heat treated.

Typically, when such articles are heated, they tend to return to their original shape before being deformed. However, as used herein,
The term "thermally recoverable" also includes articles that assume a new shape when heated, even if they have not been previously deformed.

In its most common form, such articles consist of heat-shrinkable sleeves made from polymeric materials exhibiting elastic or plastic memory properties (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 2,027,
No. 962, No. 8,086,242 and No. 3,957
, No. 872). For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,027,9
As disclosed in No. 62, a single dimensionally stable shape may be a temporary shape, for example in a continuous process in which an extruded tube is expanded while hot into a dimensionally thermostable shape. However, in other cases, the preformed dimensionally heat-stable article is transformed into a dimensionally heat-stable shape in a separate step.

In the manufacture of heat recoverable articles, the polymeric material may be crosslinked at any step of the manufacture, with crosslinking enhancing the desired dimensional recovery ability. One method of manufacturing a heat recoverable article is to
forming the polymeric material into the desired thermostable shape, subsequently crosslinking the polymer, heating the article to a temperature above the crystalline melting point or softening point (if amorphous, depending on the type of polymer) and deforming the article; It consists of cooling the article while in the deformed state so that the deformed shape is retained. when in use.

Since the deformed state of the article is thermally unstable, the application of heat tends to return the article to its initial thermally stable shape.

In other articles, such as those described in British Patent No. 1,440,524, the elastic member, such as the outer tubular member,
In the stretched state, it is held by a second member, such as an inner tubular member, which weakens upon heating to allow recovery of the elastic member.

When using a connector, one or more generally elongated conductors, such as lead wires, can be inserted into one end of the unrecovered sleeve adjacent the male end of the contact member. The other end of the sleeve and the contact member are arranged to accommodate a termination post, such as a box-mounted termination pin. The termination pin can be pushed into intimate contact with the deformable male end of the contact member. The lead wire can be pushed into an abutting relationship with the contact member, while the termination pin can be pushed into a tight fit with the deformable male end of the contact member. Then,
Sleeves can be restored.

As a result of the pre-oriented nature of the recoverable sleeve, such as that described with reference to the heat recoverable polymer sleeve described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,086,242, the sleeve conforms to the shape of the article disposed therein. Adapt to. In this manner, the leads and posts are snugly attached to the male and male ends of the contact member, respectively, forming a good electrical connection.

The connector may include solder or other fusible material. For example, embodiments include a connector that enhances the electrical connection between the conductor and the male end of the contact member. The connecting member of the connector may have a nozzle preform covering the leg and the crotch portion. But if the connector does not have solder or other fusible substances.

Connectors have the advantage of being easily reusable while achieving a good electrical connection. The properties of the recoverable material are such that the recovered sleeve retains its shape after recovery and the deformable contact member exerts a constant force on the article inserted between its legs but does not collapse after removal of the article. It is a name.

Therefore, unless solder or other fusible substances are used.

The article can be easily removed. moreover.

Since the sleeve retains its restored shape after removal of the inserted article, other articles of approximately the same dimensions can be reinserted into the contact member.

For example, if the post and/or conductor is removed from the sleeve (
If pulled out (with some force), the sleeve retains its recovered shape. Therefore.

Posts or leads of substantially the same size can be inserted into the sleeve. Of course, strands of substantially the same size must be deformed to some extent to allow reinsertion.

Preferably, the free end of the leg of the contact member of the connector includes gripping means including inwardly opposed flanges for retaining the surface of the termination post to enhance electrical contact between the male end of the connector and the post. have

In one embodiment, a tuning fork type contact member is used.

It has a long non-deformable male end and a pair of legs forming a U-shaped socket and connected at the crotch of the U. The post is typically inserted into the male end. It will be appreciated that after recovery the leg converges and exerts a force on the post due to the force of the recovered sleeve.

According to the invention, at least one
A method is provided for tram-wise connecting a long conductor to a termination post.

Each aspect of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the connector after sleeve recovery;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the connector after sleeve recovery;

3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 2 after removal of an article inserted into the connector, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the connector.

FIG. 1 shows a connector IO used to connect two leads 25 (partially stripped) to a box-mount termination connection post 30.

The connector includes a partially deformable conductive contact member 12. The contact member 12 has a non-deformable male end 14 and a deformable male end 16. The male end has two spaced legs 18 connected at a crotch portion 20, with male ends 14 and 16 also connected at a crotch portion 20.

Connector IO also includes a pre-oriented heat recoverable sleeve 22. The sleeve has a single character and is homogeneous.

The legs 19 of the connecting member 12 are generally parallel and U-shaped and together with the male end 14 make the connecting member 12 shaped like a tuning fork. Each leg 18 has a free end 26 having inwardly opposed flanges. The flange defines gripping means for removably retaining the post 30 and enhancing electrical contact. The gripping means 28 are arranged away from the free end 26 and towards the crotch portion 20 of the contact member.

Sleeve 22 includes an annular soldering insert 24 . In applications where easily releasable connection of lead wire 25 to contact member 12 is not important, solder insert 24 may be used to enhance the electrical connection.

As the sleeve recovers, the solder insert 24 flows and permanently connects the lead wire 25 to the male end 14. In this case, when it is desired to break the connection made in order to reuse the connector, heat must be applied to melt the solder flowing out of the solder ring 24.
It is in a restored state. A connector 10 that does not use solder is shown. This connector is.

Since no solder is used and therefore no heating is required to break the connections formed, they can be easily reused. The sleeve generally follows the shape of the article disposed within the sleeve, depending on the nature of the heat recoverable article.

The sleeve portion 32 adjacent the male end 14 of the contact member is 1
Since it conforms to the shape of the partially stripped lead wire 25, one partially stripped lead end 34 is brought into contact with the male end 14 to form a good electrical connection. Contact member 12
The portion 36 of the sleeve adjacent the leg 18 of the female end 16 of the sleeve conforms to the shape of the leg 18, thereby ensuring that a continuous force is exerted on the leg 18 to bring the legs closer together.

In particular, the gripping means 28 of one leg 18 are approached together.

When a post such as that shown at 30 is inserted into the female end 16 of the contact member, the post is pressed against the crotch portion 20 of the contact member 12, which crotch portion serves as a stop for insertion of the post 30. .

FIG. 3 shows the recovered connector of FIG. 2 in condition for reuse. The sleeve 22 maintains its shape after one recovery. Accordingly, the lead wire 25 can be removed from the male end 14 of the contact means 12.

In addition, post 30 also connects connector 10. the female end 1 of the contact means 12 without damaging the legs 18 or the post 30.
It can be removed from 6. After removal, a lead wire or post of substantially the same size is easily inserted and the necessary electrical connections are made as the sleeve retains its restored shape.

If the connector lO1 shown in FIG. 1, ie, the connector that includes the connector insert 24, is used, only the post 30 can be removed without heating. As can be seen, the leg 18 is kept deformed and taut by the restored sleeve. Therefore, if the user wishes to move the connector 10 from one location to another, as is usually the case with single box mount terminators, as long as the posts 30 are of substantially the same dimensions, further reheating or without going through any other process.

Can be moved.

FIG. 4 shows a connector with a semi-permanent boss connection. In this embodiment, the free end 26 of the leg 18 includes opposed gripping means 28 having a coating of reflowed tin 40. Of course, the reflowed tin is not necessarily limited to the area indicated by 40, but can also cover part or all of the contact means 12.

During heat recovery of the sleeve, the reflowed tin 40 melts.

The leg 18 is moved by the recovering sleeve 22 and the post 3
As it approaches 0, it touches the post. After recovery, the connector is cooled and the reflowed tin 40 solidifies to form a semi-permanent contact. The contact means 12 may also include a preform 41 of solder or other meltable material, which may likewise include a preform 41 of solder or other meltable material.

It flows during the heat recovery process of the sleeve 22 and is cooled and solidified. It is understood that the semi-permanent connectors described above can be removed from the posts by reheating. In this case, with the connector removed, the free ends 26 of the legs 18 are brought closer together as the sleeve continues to recover by reheating. and,
The semi-permanent connector is ready to accommodate other posts. However, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the force required for reinsertion is greater because the free ends 26 of the legs 18 are brought closer together as a result of the recovery of the sleeve by reheating.

Post 30 has a radially outwardly projecting ring 42 . The heat recoverable sleeve adapts to the shape of the article placed therein during recovery. Therefore, the portion 44 of the sleeve adjacent to the two wheels 42 will be displaced. The misalignment, together with the ring 42, prevents the post 30 from becoming dislodged from the connector 10 and at least attracts visitors.

Of course, any or all of the features described for the particular embodiments above may be embodied in one connector of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the connector before sleeve recovery; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the connector after sleeve recovery; 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 2 after removal of the article inserted into the connector, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the connector. . 10... Connector, 12... Contact member, 14...
Male end, 16... Male end, 18... Leg, 20...
Crotch part. 22...Sleeve, 24...Solder insert, 25.
...Lead wire, 26...Free end, 28...Gripping means. 30...Termination post. Patent applicant Raychem Corporation Agent
Patent attorney Maeda Ao (3 others) F1a-3 FIG 4 Procedural amendment type (self-interest 1, indication of case 1982 Patent Application No. 131062 2, name of invention connector and its use 3, person making amendment case) Relationship with Patent Applicant Address: 300 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, California, USA 94,025 Name: Raychem Corporation 4, Agent Address: Inside Honmachi Building, 2-10 Honmachi, Higashi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Name: Patent Attorney (6214) Aoyama Ao (5 people, 3 others)
, Date of amendment order: (voluntary) 6. Drawing 2 subject to amendment 7. Contents of amendment as attached (submit a clearly drawn drawing using III).

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A connector for electrically connecting at least one generally long conductor to a termination post, the connector comprising:
The contact member comprises a pre-oriented resilient sleeve and a conductive contact member disposed within the sleeve, the contact member having a non-deformable male end serving as a stem and a crotch portion therebetween. having a deformable female end with spaced legs, the contact member and sleeve having, in use, at least one conductor received within the sleeve to the side of the male end of the contact member; A connector capable of converging to receive an end post within a male end having a crotch portion of the contact member between two legs and defining a stop for insertion of the post. 2. The free ends of the legs of the contact member have gripping means including inwardly opposed flanges for retaining the surface of the termination post to enhance electrical contact between the female end of the connector and the post. Connectors listed in section. 8. The connector of claim 2, wherein the legs are substantially equal in length and the flange is located a substantially equal amount inwardly from the free end of one leg. 4. A connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the opposing flange of the gripping means comprises reflowable tin designed to flow upon heating into contact with the post and the legs of the contact member in use. 5. The contact member is approximately tuning fork-shaped, has a long male end and a general U-shaped female end, each leg extending approximately parallel to each other and separated by a crotch portion connecting the legs and the male end. 5. The connector according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. Any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the connector has solder in the sleeve adjacent the male end of the contact member, thereby enhancing electrical contact between the conductor and the male end of the contact member. Connectors listed in. 7. 7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the solder has an annular ring shape and is embedded in the inner surface of the sleeve. 8. The connector according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the contact member has a preformed body that covers the legs and the crotch portion. 9. Nos. 1 to 8 in which the sleeve is made of a heat-recoverable polymer material
A connector described in any of the paragraphs. 10. A method of electrically connecting at least one generally long conductor to a termination post using a connector according to any of clauses 1-9.