EP0668632A2 - Elektrische Verbindseranordnung - Google Patents

Elektrische Verbindseranordnung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0668632A2
EP0668632A2 EP95200128A EP95200128A EP0668632A2 EP 0668632 A2 EP0668632 A2 EP 0668632A2 EP 95200128 A EP95200128 A EP 95200128A EP 95200128 A EP95200128 A EP 95200128A EP 0668632 A2 EP0668632 A2 EP 0668632A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
slot
connector body
clip
electrical
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95200128A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0668632A3 (de
Inventor
Kenneth Paul Cope
Edward Martin Bungo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Motors Liquidation Co
Original Assignee
General Motors Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Motors Corp filed Critical General Motors Corp
Publication of EP0668632A2 publication Critical patent/EP0668632A2/de
Publication of EP0668632A3 publication Critical patent/EP0668632A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/76—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
    • H01R13/6277—Snap or like fastening comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2101/00—One pole

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrical assembly for example to a high current carrying capacity electrical connector assembly or arrangement for electrical devices such as an alternator or starting motor for automotive vehicles.
  • Cable assemblies for connection to electrical devices have to have a high current carrying capacity. It has been common to connect terminals of these cable assemblies to terminals on the electrical devices via threaded fasteners. While these connections have been highly satisfactory, this type of connection can cause problems if the connections are not properly made and/or become loose due to vehicle vibrations during usage of the vehicle. In either event, a loss of electrical power can result.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved electrical assembly.
  • a preferred embodiment involves a push-pull electrical connection arrangement or assembly for connection with a high current electrical device, such as an alternator or starting motor of an automotive vehicle. It includes a retention and connector position assurance (CPA) clip for both connecting a connector body of a cable of a cable assembly to the electrical device and for making sure that the cable assembly is properly mated or seated in the electrical device.
  • CPA retention and connector position assurance
  • an electrical device having a heat sink including a projecting post having a stepped opening therein. It has a pair of diametrically spaced facing slots parallel with the opening and two slots in the post which are perpendicular to and intersect the first slots.
  • the cable assembly has a barrel terminal at one end which biasingly and slidably engages the stepped opening along its smaller diameter portion when pushed into the opening to make good electrical contact.
  • the cable assembly is housed within a connector body which is sealingly attached to the cable assembly at one end and which has a forward portion slidably engaged with the opening along its larger diameter portion.
  • the connector body has a radial flange and a pair of diametrically opposite nibs at its forward end which are axially spaced from the flange.
  • the nibs are slidably receivable within the first slots in the post and heat sink. If the connector body and cable assembly are properly mated to the electrical device, the nibs are located behind the second slots in the heat sink and the radial flange abuts the post.
  • a bifurcated U-shaped metal clip has a pair of legs which are inserted through the second slots to snap fittingly connect the connector body to the electrical device if the connector body is properly mated to the heat sink and terminal post. If the connector body is not properly mated to the heat sink and terminal post, the legs engage the nibs on the connector body and the clip cannot be connected.
  • the advantages of such a connector assembly or arrangement is that the clip can be readily attached and detached to enable the cable assembly to be readily connected to and disconnected from the terminal post and heat sink of the electrical device. Additionally, the cable assembly can serve both the function of connecting the cable assembly to the electrical device and as a connector position assurance (CPA) to ensure that the cable assembly has been properly mated to the electrical device.
  • CPA connector position assurance
  • an electrical connector arrangement 10 broadly comprises an electrical device 12 having a heat sink 14 including an integral projecting post 16, a cable assembly 20 having a terminal 22 which is adapted to slidably engage a first diameter portion 24 of a stepped opening 26 in the post 16 and heat sink 14, an insulated conductor body 27 which is slidably received in a second diameter portion 28 of the stepped opening 26 and which abuts the post 16, and a connector clip 30 which serves both to connect the cable assembly 20 to the terminal post 16 and which serves as a connector position assurance (CPA) to make sure that the cable assembly 20 has been properly mated or seated within the electrical device 12.
  • CPA connector position assurance
  • the electrical device 12 could be any electrical device requiring a high current capacity.
  • the electrical device would comprise an alternator or starting motor of an automotive vehicle.
  • the alternator or starting motor 12 could be of any suitable or conventional construction, except that the heat sink 14 shown in Figure 1 is of a somewhat modified construction in that the heat sink has a stepped opening 26 and the post 16 is slotted as hereinafter noted. Since in all other respects the alternator or starting motor 12 would be of a known or conventional construction, only the changes to the heat sink 14 and post 16 will be described herein.
  • the heat sink 14 would comprise a cast metal member, such as aluminium, and would have a pair of ears 40 (only one of which is shown) having openings 42 therethrough so that the heat sink 14 could be attached via bolts to the remainder of the alternator or starting motor 12.
  • the heat sink 14 includes the outwardly projecting post 16.
  • the post 16 is rectangular in shape and projects outwardly from the planar side face 44 of the heat sink 14.
  • the post 16 has a planar outer surface 16A and the post 16 and the heat sink 14 have the stepped opening 26 therein.
  • the large diameter portion 28 of the opening 26 extends from the outer surface 16A of the post to a step 45 at a location spaced inwardly from the side face 44 of the heat sink i.e.
  • the small diameter portion 24 extends from the step 45 of the opening 26 to a bottom (not shown) located inwardly into the heat sink 14 or to the right of the step 45, as viewed in Figure 3.
  • the opening 26 has a central axis 26A and step 45 extends radially and perpendicular to the central axis 26A.
  • a pair of facing slots 48 Co-extensive with the large diameter portion 28 of the stepped opening 26 are a pair of facing slots 48 at diametric opposite sides of the locations of the opening portion 28. That is, the slots 48 extend for the full length of the large diameter portion 28 of the opening 26 so that they extend into the heat sink 14.
  • the slots 48 are parallel with the axis 26A of the opening 26 and are semicircular in shape.
  • the post 16 is also provided with a second pair of slots 50 which extend perpendicular to the axis 26A of the opening 26 and which intersect the slots 48.
  • the slots 50 are located between the face 44 of the heat sink 14 and a rearward surface 52 on the post 16. Both surfaces 44 and 52 are perpendicular to the axis 26A of the opening 26. The slots 50 thus intersect the slots 48 at a location immediately forward of the side face 44 of the heat sink 14.
  • the cable assembly 20 comprises a high current carrying capacity cable 60 having a conductive core 62 and an outer insulated sheath 64.
  • the terminal 22 has a rearward cylindrical portion 66 which is crimped onto the electrically conducted sheath of the conductor cable 60, an intermediate cylindrical portion 68 which is crimped onto the conductive core 62 to make good electrical contact therewith and a forward terminal portion 70 which is adapted to be slidably received within the opening portion 24 of the stepped opening 26.
  • the rearward terminal portion 66 is provided with a radially inwardly extending annular rib 72 which is received within an annular groove 74 in the conductive sheath 64. This greatly aids in axially retaining the rearward end portion of the terminal 22 onto the sheath 64.
  • the terminal 22 at its forward portion 70 is shaped like a barrel.
  • the forward portion 70 has a rearward cylindrical section 76 a forward cylindrical section 78 and an intermediate section 80.
  • the intermediate section 80 is bowed radially outwardly to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced springs 82 which are separated by axially extending slots 84.
  • the forward section 70 is formed to provide the outwardly bowed springs 82 so that when the forward portion 70 is inserted into the small diameter opening portion 24 in the heat sink, the leaf springs 82 will be compressed radially inwardly and biasingly engage the annular wall defining the small diameter opening portion 24 so as to provide for good electrical contact with the heat sink 14.
  • the cable assembly 20 further comprises a generally cylindrically shaped connector body 27 having a stepped through opening 87 defining a large diameter portion 88, a small diameter portion 89 and a radially extending step or shoulder 90.
  • the connector body is made from a suitable memory plastic or elastomeric material which is pliable or semi-rigid, i.e., sufficiently resilient or pliable to enable it to be deformed somewhat.
  • the connector body 27 has a forward cylindrical portion 91 which is adapted to be slidably received within the large diameter opening portion 28 of the opening 26, a pair of radially outwardly extending, generally semi- annular flanges 92 which are adapted to abuttingly engage the outer most end surface 16A of the terminal post 16 when connected thereto and a rearward cylindrical end portion 93 which is adapted to be snap fittingly connected to the outer sheath of the conductor 60.
  • the conductor body 27 has a radially inwardly extending rib or flange 94 which is snap fittingly received within an annular groove 96 in the insulated sheath 64.
  • the rearward portion 93 of the connector body 27 is radially expandable due to the engagement of the rib 94 with the sheath 64 as it is slid thereover, from left to right as viewed in Figures 1 and 3, until the rib 94 is aligned with the groove 96 whereupon it will snap into the groove due to the self-biasing forces of the pliable rearward portion 93 returning toward its normal free state position.
  • the leftmost end of the rear portion 66 of the terminal 22, as viewed in Figure 3 engages the annular shoulder 90 in the connector body 27 to ensure proper positioning of the connector body 27 onto the sheath 64.
  • the connector body 27 has a pair of diametrically opposite, radially outwardly extending nibs 100 which are integral with the forward end of the cylindrical portion 91 of the connector body 27 and which are axially spaced forwardly from the radially outwardly extending flanges 92.
  • the nibs 100 are shaped complimentary with the slots 48 of the opening portion 28 of the stepped opening 26 and are adapted to be slidably received within the slots 48.
  • the cable assembly 20 is connectable to the electrical device 10 or heat sink 14 by inserting the barrel end 70 of the terminal 22 into the opening portion 24 of the stepped opening 26 and the forward portion 91 of the connector body 27 into the enlarged diameter portion 28 of the stepped opening 26.
  • the nibs 100 slide within the slots 48 and the connector body 27 is moved forwardly into the heat sink 14 until the arcuate flanges 92 thereof engage the outer surface 16A of the terminal post 16.
  • the nibs 100 will be located wholly within the heat sink 14 at a location spaced inwardly form the outer surface 44 of the heat sink 14, i.e. to the right of surface 44, as viewed in Figure 3.
  • the connector body 27 due to the close fit between the forward portion 91 and the opening portion 28 of the post 16 and the engagement of the flanges 92 against the post surface 16A also functions as a seal against the ambient environment.
  • the connector assembly 20 is adapted to be secured to the terminal post 16 and heat sink 14 of the electrical device 10 by the clip 30.
  • the clip 30 is generally U-shaped and has a pair of spaced planar legs 110 provided with arcuate notches or cutouts 112 which face one another.
  • the arcuate notches 112 lie on a circumscribed circle whose diameter is the same as or substantially the same as the outer diameter of the forward portion 91 of the connector body 27.
  • the clip 30 also has an upper bight portion 114 which is integral with the legs 110 and integral with a tab 116 which is bent at right angles to the plane of the legs 110 so that the clip 30 can be manually grasped and manipulated.
  • the clip 30 can be made either from metal or a high temperature resistant substantially rigid plastic material.
  • the thickness of the planar legs 110 is slightly less than the width of the slots 50, i.e., the distance between the surfaces 44 and 52 as measured axially of the axis 26A of the opening 26.
  • the legs 110 of the clip 30 are positioned within the slots 50 and moved vertically downward.
  • the legs 110 will engage the outer surface of the forward end 91 of the connector body 27 and cause the same to be compressed or deflected inwardly somewhat until the slots 112 in the legs 110 are located diametrically opposite from the forward portion 91 whereupon the pliable forward portion, due to its self-biasing forces, springs outward to be received within the arcuate slots 112 of the legs 110 so that the clip 30 and connector body 27 are connected with a snap fit.
  • the legs 110 will pass freely in front of the nibs 100 so that it can deflect the forward portion 91 of the connector body 27 to enable it to be snap fittingly connected thereto to retain the entire cable assembly 20 in place.
  • the legs 110 serve to prevent removal of the cable assembly 20 from the electrical device 10, since the nibs 100 will engage the backside of the legs 110.
  • the cable assembly 20 can only be removed by removing the clip 30 from the connector body 27.
  • the legs 110 will engage the nibs 100 and be prevented from being pushed downwardly to connect the connector assembly 20 to the electrical device 10. This informs the operator that the electrical connector assembly 20 has not been properly mated so as to allow him to properly push the connector assembly 20 all the way into the electrical device 10 so that the clip 30 can be mated to the connector assembly 20.
  • the U-shaped clip 30 also functions as a connector position assurance (CPA).
  • the described embodiment can provide a quick, electrical connect and disconnect arrangement in which a simple U-shaped clip functions both (1) to connect an electrical cable assembly to an electrical device and (2) to a connector position assurance (CPA) to ensure that the cable assembly has been properly electrically connected and mated to the electrical device.
  • CPA connector position assurance

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
EP95200128A 1994-02-22 1995-01-19 Elektrische Verbindseranordnung. Withdrawn EP0668632A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19991994A 1994-02-22 1994-02-22
US199919 1994-02-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0668632A2 true EP0668632A2 (de) 1995-08-23
EP0668632A3 EP0668632A3 (de) 1997-07-16

Family

ID=22739566

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95200128A Withdrawn EP0668632A3 (de) 1994-02-22 1995-01-19 Elektrische Verbindseranordnung.

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0668632A3 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2785458A1 (fr) * 1998-11-02 2000-05-05 Gipea Dispositif pour le verrouillage, en position accouplee, de deux elements de connecteur
EP1732177A1 (de) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-13 Harris Corporation Koaxialverbinder für Leiterplatten
CN108886213A (zh) * 2016-03-22 2018-11-23 菲尼克斯电动交通有限公司 包含布置在接触元件上的热容元件的插式连接件
DE102022128013A1 (de) 2022-10-24 2024-04-25 Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Gmbh Lastkontaktbaugruppe mit einem Wärmekapazitätselement
WO2024088742A1 (de) 2022-10-24 2024-05-02 Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Gmbh Lastkontaktbaugruppe mit einem wärmekapazitätselement

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4302066A (en) * 1979-08-07 1981-11-24 Empire Products, Inc. Safety locking means for industrial grade electrical connectors
JPH0515736Y2 (de) * 1987-11-24 1993-04-26
US5236373A (en) * 1992-07-14 1993-08-17 Interlock Corporation Connector position assurance assembly

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2785458A1 (fr) * 1998-11-02 2000-05-05 Gipea Dispositif pour le verrouillage, en position accouplee, de deux elements de connecteur
EP1732177A1 (de) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-13 Harris Corporation Koaxialverbinder für Leiterplatten
CN108886213A (zh) * 2016-03-22 2018-11-23 菲尼克斯电动交通有限公司 包含布置在接触元件上的热容元件的插式连接件
US10535940B2 (en) 2016-03-22 2020-01-14 Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Gmbh Plug-in connector with a heat capacity element arranged on a contact element
EP3433904B1 (de) * 2016-03-22 2021-01-06 Phoenix Contact e-Mobility GmbH Steckverbinderteil mit einem an einem kontaktelement angeordneten wärmekapazitätselement
DE102022128013A1 (de) 2022-10-24 2024-04-25 Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Gmbh Lastkontaktbaugruppe mit einem Wärmekapazitätselement
WO2024088742A1 (de) 2022-10-24 2024-05-02 Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Gmbh Lastkontaktbaugruppe mit einem wärmekapazitätselement
BE1030988A1 (de) 2022-10-24 2024-05-23 Phoenix Contact E Mobility Gmbh Lastkontaktbaugruppe mit einem Wärmekapazitätselement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0668632A3 (de) 1997-07-16

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