Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates to an electrical connector
device and, more particularly, to an electrical connector
device in which the base portions of conductor strips are
bent from a narrow conductor strip (generally referred to as
BUS bar) and are firmly fixed by apertures formed in the
, bottom of a tubular insulating member. More specifically,
the bus bar is immobilized between the bottom surface of the
tubular insulating member. More specifically, the bus bar is
immobilized between the bottom surface of the tubular
insulating member and the surfaae of an insulating base
member so as to prevent the tabs from being deformed or
displaced by an external force.
Japanese Utility Model Examined Publication No. 58-10306
discloses a connector housing used with an electrical
connector device generally of the type mentioned above.
, This known connector housing accommodates a plurality of
female bi-polar terminals which fit at their one end on a
plurality of parallel male terminals. The connector housing
has a frame which opens at its upper and lower ends.
Partition walls extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal
walls of the frames are provided in the ~rame so as to de1ne
a plurality of terminal reaei~ing chambers. Tapered guide
surfaces are formed on the lower ends of the left and right
~ side walls and the partition walls. The lower ends of the
`~ 25 partition walls are positioned out of alignment with the
~ opening at the lower end of the frame.
;. In use, a separately prepared cover plate having a
central bore is fastened by screws to a circuit board in such
a manner that a flange radially extending from a lower
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portion of the frame is pressed by the portion of the cover
i plate around the central bore, whereby the housing is fixed
j to the circuit board.
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s Thus, the known connector housing requires a separate
cover plate, which makes the administration of parts
~ difficult and raised the cost of the connector. Furthermore,
s fastening of the cover plate with screws is quite laborious
' particularly in a dark place or when the space is restricted.
s In addition, it is necessary to use a special tool such as a
screw driver.
f
In this known connector housing, it is impossible to fix
the base portions of strips which are bent upward from BUS
bars by the lower surface of the housing. Namely, the
, arrangement is such that the upper surface of the circuit
t 15 board is pressed at a portion spaced apart from the above-
mentioned base portions of the strips by the lower end of the
tapered inner surface of the flange provided on the housing.
~ Therefore, the strips are liable to be deformed or displaced
,' by an external force.
The present invention provides an electrical connector
device in which the base portions of strips upwardly bent
from BUS bars provided on an insulating base are pressed onto
the surface of the insulating base by means of strip-
receiving apertures formed in the bottom of a tubular
insulating member and also by the lower face of the bottom of
the tubular insulating member, so as to prevent deformation
or displacement of the strips, while re~ilient tabs formed on
the tubular insulating member are inserted into the aperture
formed in the insulating base so as to engage with the lower
` 30 edges of the aperture so that the connector can be fixed
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:~ without requiring a cover plate and screws, thus overcoming
or at least mitigating the above-described problems of the
- prior art.
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. The present invention also provides an electrical
~i 5 connector device in which the base portions of strips
, upwardly bent from BUS bars provided on an insulating base
are pressed onto the surface of the insulating base by means
~ of strip-receiving apertures formed in the bottom of a
;'. tubular insulating member and also by the lower fa¢e of the
bottom of the tubular insulating member, so as to prevent
deformation or displacement of the strips, while resilient
tabs formed on the insulating base engage with retaining
steps formed on the tubular insulating member so that the
~ connector can be fixed without requiring a cover plate and
~ 15 screws, thus overcoming or at least mitigating the above-
:~ described problems of the prior art.
More particularly, the present invention in its first
provides an electrical connector device comprising:
elongated narrow conductor plates provided on one side of an
~ 20 insulating base made of a plastic, the conductor p~ates being
:~ bent upward so as to provide upwardly pro~ecting conductor
strips~ a tubular insulating member having a bottom provided
with apertures for receiving the conductor strips, the
tubular insulating member also having resilient tabs capable
of engaging with lower edges of the insulating base; and a
s male engaging member having female connector members adapted
to fit on the conductor strips; wherein the base portions of
the conductor strips are clamped between the portions of the
lower surface of the bottom of the tubular insulating member
3~ around the apertures and the surfelce of the insulating base.
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The present invention in its second aspect provides an
electrical connector device comprising: elongated narrow
conductor plates provided on one side of an insulating base
made of a plastic, the conductor plates being bent upward so
as to provide upwardly projecting conductor strips; the
. insulating base having resilient tabs projecting upward
therefrom; a tubular insulating member having a bottom
provided with apertures for receiving the conductor strips,
the tubular insulating member also having retaining steps
capable of retaining the resilient tabs of the insulating
base; and a male engaging member having female connector
members adapted to fit on the conductor strips; wherein the
base portions of the conductor strips are clamped between the
portions of the lower surface of the bottom of the tubular
insulating member around the apertures and the surface of the
insulating base.
According to the first aspect of the present invention,
the base portions of the conductor strips upwardly bent from
BUS bars are strongly clamped between the upper surface of
the insulating base and the lower surface of the bottom of
the tubular insulating member around the apertures, as a
` result of the engagement between the resilient tabs of the
tubular insulating member and the edges o the insulating
; base, so that unintentional deformation or displacement of
the conductor strips is prevented despite application of an
external force which is exerted when, for example, the female
connector members are brought into or out of contact with the
conductor strips. In addition, the tubular insulating member
can be fastened by a snap fit without requiring a cover plate
and a tool, by virtue of the engagement between the resilient
tabs and the edges of the insulating base.
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According to the second aspect of the present invention,. the base portions of the conductor strips upwardly bent from
BUS bars are strongly clamped between the upper surface of
the insulating base and the lower surface of the bottom of
the tubular insulating member around the apertures, as a
: result of the engagement between the resilient tabs of the
tubular insulating member and the edges of the insulating
$ base, so that unintentional deformation or displacement of
the conductor strips is prevented despite application of an
external orce which is exerted when, for example, the female
' connector members are brought into or out of contact with the
conductor strips. In addition, the tubular insulating member
can be fastened by a snap fit without requiring a cover plate
. and a tool, by virtue of the engagement between the resilient
tabs on the insulating base and the retaining steps on the
tubular insulating member.
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,~ These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become clear from the following description
when the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. lA and FIG. lB are exploded perspective views of
¢ the first and the seaond embodiments of the invention,
respectively, wherein an insulating base, a tubular
insulating member and a male engaging member are separated
from one another.
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,. FIGS. 2A and 2B are vertical sectional views of the
first and the second embodiments of the invention,
respectively;
~ FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the first and
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the second embodiments of the invention, respectively,
wherein the tubular insulating member is fitted to the
'J insulating base;
:~. FIGS. 4A and 4B are vertical sectional views of the. 5 first and the second embodiments;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are vertical sectional views of the
~irst ànd the second embodiments, respectively, with the male
engaging member inserted into the tubulàr in~ulating member;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views taken along
the lines A-A of FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively;
'
FIGS. 7A and 7B are vertical sectional views of the
.. first and the second embodiments, taken at different planes
from the vertical sectional views in FIGS. 4A and 4B;
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FIGS. 8A and 8B are vertical sectional views of the
first and the second embodiments, taken at different planes
from the vertical sectional views in FIGS. 5A and 5B;
. FIG. 9Ais a cross-sectional view of a different
embodiment; FIG. 9B is a vertical seational view of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 9A;
~ 20 FIGS. 10 and 11 are vertical sectional views taken along
:~ the lines B-B and C-C of FIG. 9A;
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-~ FIG. 12 is horizontal sectional views of a different
. embodiment; and
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FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional views taken along the
line D-D of FIG. 12.
A first embodiment will be described with reference to
the drawings.
~ 5 Referring to FIGS. lA and 2A, the first embodiment of
.i the electrical connector device of the present invention has
electrical connector device of the present invention has the
¦ ollowing parts: elongated narrow metal conductor plates 2
provided by, for example, embedding on one side of an
insulating base 1 made of plastic, the conductor plates 2
being bent upward at, for example, their ends so as provide
upwardly pro~ecting conductor strips 3, a tubular insulating
member 6 made of heat-resistant plastic such as 66 nylon
having a bottom provided with apertures 4 for receiving the
conductor strips 3 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 7A, the tubular
. insulating member 6 sides thereof capable of engaging with,
- for example, lower edges llA of an aperture llB of insulating
base 1 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A: and a heat-resistant male
engaging member 8 having female connector members 7 made of a
resilient metallic sheet and adapted to fit on the conductor
strips 3; wherein the base portions 3A of the conductor
strips 3 are clamped between the portions of the lower
surface of the bottom of the tubular insulating member 6
.~ around the apertures 4 and the surface of the insulating base
1, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 7A and 8A. In these Figures,
numeral llB denotes the aperture formed in the insulating
base so as to provide edges llA for retaining hooks 51A of
the resilient tabs 51. Numeral 7A denotes a retaining claw
for retaining the female connecting member 7 in the male
engaging member 8 in a manner shown in FIG. 7A. Numeral 9
denotes lead lines which are rovered with insulating sheathes
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and electrically connected to the female connecting member 7
at fitting portioned to the female connecting members 7 at
fitting portions 7B as shown in FIGS. 2A and 7A. Numerals 6A
and 8A denote, respectively, a projection and recess which
are formed on the tubular insulating member 6 and the male
engaging member in a manner shown in FIG. 3A, for the purpose
of ensuring insertion of the male engaging member in correct
orientation. The tubular insulating member 6 with the bottom
can have a circular cross-section though it is illustrated to
have a rectangular cross-section in the drawings. The male
engaging member 8 also can have a cylindrical hollow
structure correspondingly. In the illustrated embodiment,
there are two narrow conductor tabs 3. This, however, is
only illustrative and the invention can be carried out with
only one conductor plate 2 and one conductor strip 3, or two,
three or more conductor plates and corresponding number of
conductor strips as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13.
In such cases, the number of the female connector
members 7, as well as the constructions of the male engaging
members 8 and the tubular insulating member 6 are suitably
determined in conformity with the number of the co~ductor
strips. In the arrangements shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, it is
not necessary to form an aperture such as the aperture llB.
' Namely, inwardly facing hooks 51A, 51A of the resilient tabs
~ 25 51, 51 can engage with the side edges llA, llA of the base 1
3 so that the tubular insulating member can be fastened to
protrude upright from the base 1. The assembly procedure is
as follows.
The insulating base 1, the tubular insulating member 6
and the male engaging member 8 are first separated from one
another as shown in FIGS. lA and 2A. Then, the tubular
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insulating member 6 is lowered with its resilient tabs 51
sliding along the wall of the aperture llB in the insulating
base 1 into engagement with the lower edges llA, as shown in
FIGS. 3A and 4A. Thus, the resilient tabs 51 are deflected
inwardly due to the tapered outer surfaces of the hook
portions 51A, 51A thereof and, when the hooks 51A, 51A have
' passed the aperture llB, the resilient tabs 51 are released
to expand outward, thus attaining a snap fit of the hook
portions 51A, 51A on the lower edges llA, llA around the
aperture llB in the insulatlng base 1.
It is thus possible to fasten the tubular insulating
member in a single snapping action. In this state, the base
portions 3A of the conductor strips 3 upwardly bent from BUS
bars 2 are strongly clamped between the upper surface of the
insulating base 1 and the lower surface of the bottom of the
tubular insulating member 6 around the apertures 4, as a
result of the engagement between the resilient tabs 51 of the
tubular insulating member 6 and the edges llA of the
insulating base 1, so that unintentional deformation or
displacement of the conductor strips 3 is prevented despite
~-~. application of an external force which is exerted when, for
example, the female connector members 7 are brought into or
out of contact with the conductor strips. It Will be seen
that, in this state, the narrow conductor plates, i.e., BUS
bars 2, are electrically connected to an external circuit
through the conductor strips 3 integral therewith, the female
connector members 7 and the lead lines 9.
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s A second embodiment of the invention will be described
with reference to the drawings.
f 30 The second embodiment of the electrical connector device
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comprises the following parts, as shown in FIGS. lB and 2B:
elongated narrow metal conductor plates 2 provided by, for
example, embedding on one side of an insulating base 1 made
of plastic, the conductor plates 2 being bent upward at, for
5 example, their ends so as provide upwardly projecting
conductor strips 3, the insulating base having resilient tabs
12A, 12A projecting upward therefrom; a tubular insulating
member 6 having a bottom provided with apertures 4 for
receiving the conductor strip0 3 as shown in FIGS. 2B and 7B,
the tubular insulating member 6 also hàving retaining steps
52, 52 capable of retaining the resilient tabs 12A, 12A of
the insulating base 1 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B: and male
engaging member 8 having female connector members 7 made of
resilient metal sheets and adapted to fit on the conductor
strips as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B; wherein the base portions
-~ 3A of the conductor strips 3 are clamped between the portions
:~ of the lower surface of the bottom of the tubular insulating
. member 6 around the apertures 4 and the surface of the
~;. insulating base 1, as shown in FIGS. 4B, 7B and 8B. In these
Figures, numeral 7A denotes a retaining claw for retaining
the female connecting member 7 in the male engaging member 8
in a manner shown in FIG. 7B.
~` Numeral 9A denotes lead lines which are covered with
~: insulating sheathes and electrically connected to the female
connecting members 7 at fitting portions 7B as shown in FIGS.
2B and 7A. Numerals 6A and 8A denote, respectively, a
projection and recess which are formed on the tubular
. insulating member 6 and the male engaging member in a manner
,. shown in FIG. 3B, for the purpose of ensuring insertion of
-~.. 30 the male engaging member in correct orientation. The tubular
~........... insulating member 6 with the bottom can have a circular
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cross-section though it is illustrated to have a rectangular
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, cross-section in the drawings. The male engaging member 8
also can have a cylindrical hollow structure correspondingly.
In the illustrated embodiment, there are two narrow conductor
plates 2 and, hence, two upwardly projecting conductor tabs
3~ This, however, is only illustrative and the invention can
be carried out with only one conductor plate 2 and one
conductor strip 3, or two, three or more conductor plates and
corresponding number of conductor strips as shown in FIGS.
9B. In such cases, the number of the female connector
members 7, as well as the constructions of the male engagin~
member ~ and the tubular insulating member 6 are suitably
determined in conformity with the number of the conductor
strips, as shown in FIG. 9B.
,
-~ The assembly procedure is as follows.
, 15 ~he insulating base 1, the tubular insulating member 6
and the male engaging member 8 are first separated from one
another as shown in FIGS. lB and 2B. Then, the tubular
insulating member 6 is lowered towards the resilient tabs
12A, 12A from the upper side of the insulating base 1,
s 20 keeping the retaining steps 52, 52 in alignment wi~h the
s resilient tabs 12A, 12A. Thus, the resilient tabs 12A, 12A
,~ are deflected inwardly due to the tapered outer surfaces of
the hook portions thereof and, thereafter, the resilient tabs
12A, 12A are released to expand outward, thus attaining a
snap fit of the hook portions 12B, 12B of the resilient tabs
12A, 12A on the retaining steps 52, 52 on the tubular member
, 6. It is thus possible to fasten the tubular insulating
member 6 in a single snapping action. In this state, the
base portions 3A of the conductor strips 3 upwardly bent from
BUS bars 2 are strongly clamped between the upper surface of
-- the insulating base 1 and the lower surface of the bottom of
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the tubular insulating member 6 around the apertures 4, as a
result of the engagement between the resilient tabs 12A, 12A
and the retaining steps 52, 52 on the tubular insulating
member 6, conductor strips 3 is prevented despite application
; 5 of an external force which is exerted when, for example, the
female connector members 7 are brought into or out of contact
with the conductor strips. It will be seen that, in this
state, the narrow conductor plates, i.e., BUS bars 2, are
electriaally aonnected to an external circuit through the
conduator strips 3 integral therewith, the female aonnector
members 7 and the lead lines 9.
As will be understood from the foregoing description,
the present invention offers the following advantages.
; In the assembly of the electrical connector device of
the first embodiment, the tubular insulating member 6 is
~ lowered with its resilient tabs 51 sliding along the walls of
Y the aperture llB in the insulating base 1 into engagement
with the lower edges llA so that the resilient tabs 51 are
deflected inwardly due to the tapered outer surfaces thereof
i 20 and are then released to expand outward, thus attaining a
snap fit of the hook portions 51A, 51A on the lower edges
; llA, llA of the insulating base 1, whereby the tubular
insulating member 6 can be fastened to the insulating base 1
by a single snapping action. Thus, the fixing of the tubular
insulating member can be conducted without requiring
laborious works such as driving of screws with a screw driver
and without requiring any additional part such as a cover
plate. Thus, the assembly can easily be conducted even in
the dark or a restricted place, thus contributing to a
reduction in the cost. In addition, the base portions 3A of
the conductor strips 3 upwardly bent from BUS bars 2 are
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strongly clamped between the upper surface of the insulating
base 1 and the lower surface of the bottom of the tubular
' insulating member 6 around the apertures 4, as a result of
the engagement between the resilient tabs 51 on the tubular
insulating member 6 and the edges llA of the insulating base
1, so that unintentional deformation or displacement of the
conductor strips 3 is prevented despite application of an
. external force which is exerted when, for example, the femaleconnector members 7 a~e brought into or out of contact w~th
the conductor strips.
Referring now to the second embodiment, in the assembly
of the electrical connector device, the tubular insulating
. member 6 is lowered towards the resilient tabs 12A, 12A from
the upper side of the insulating base 1, keeping the
retaining steps 52, 52 in alignment with the resilient tabs
i 12A, 12A, so that the resilient tabs 12A, 12A are deflected
r, inwardly due to the tapered outer surfaces of the hook
portions thereof and, thereafter, the resilient tabs 12A, 12A
are released to expand outward, thus attaining a snap fit of
the hook portions 12B, 12B of the resilient tabs 12A, 12A on
the retaining steps 52, 52 on the tubular member 6, whereby
' the tubular insulating member can be fastened by a single
snapping action. In this state, the base portions 3A of the
conductor strips 3 upwardly bent from BUS bars 2 are strongly
clamped between the upper surface of the insulating base 1
and the lower surface of the bottom of the tubular insulating
member 6 around the apertures 4, as a result of the
engagement between the resilient tabs 12A, 12A and the
retaining steps 52, 52 on the tubular insulating member 6.
Thus, the second embodiment offers the same advantages as
those produced by the first embodiment.
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