U.S. patent number 3,905,672 [Application Number 05/473,586] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-16 for sealed electrical connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. Invention is credited to John W. Anhalt, Edgar Burns, David S. Goodman.
United States Patent |
3,905,672 |
Anhalt , et al. |
September 16, 1975 |
Sealed electrical connector
Abstract
A sealed electrical connector including a connector body
containing a plurality of contacts and a cable boot mounted over a
tapered projection on one end of the body. The projection is formed
with channels aligned with the contact passages. The conductors of
the cable lie in these channels. Keyways are formed in the
projection which receive keys formed on the inner wall of the boot
to restrain the boot from rotation relative to the connector body,
and hence prevent twisting of the cable conductors. Integral
sealing ribs are formed on the front and rear portions of the
boot.
Inventors: |
Anhalt; John W. (Orange,
CA), Goodman; David S. (Orange, CA), Burns; Edgar
(Los Angeles, CA) |
Assignee: |
International Telephone and
Telegraph Corporation (New York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23880174 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/473,586 |
Filed: |
May 28, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/281; 439/447;
439/461; 439/589; 439/599 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/5205 (20130101); H01R 13/5202 (20130101); B60T
8/171 (20130101); G01P 3/488 (20130101); G01P
1/026 (20130101); H01R 2201/26 (20130101); H01R
13/622 (20130101); H01R 2105/00 (20130101); H01R
13/64 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01P
3/42 (20060101); B60T 8/17 (20060101); G01P
1/00 (20060101); G01P 3/488 (20060101); B60T
8/171 (20060101); H01R 13/52 (20060101); G01P
1/02 (20060101); H01R 13/00 (20060101); H01R
9/00 (20060101); H01R 013/58 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/59R,59M,63R,63M,6C,6R,6L,6M,196R,196A,196M,26R,26C,26P
;24/115M,115R ;403/334,342,356,358 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
204,390 |
|
Dec 1955 |
|
AU |
|
365,898 |
|
Dec 1922 |
|
DD |
|
Primary Examiner: McGlynn; Joseph H.
Assistant Examiner: Davie; James W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Peterson; Thomas L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector member comprising:
an elongated insulator body having a front face and rear face;
a plurality of contact passages in said body extending from said
front face to said rear face, said passages being spaced from the
outer periphery of said body;
a projection on said body extending rearwardly from said rear face,
said projection having a circular cross-section less than the
cross-section of said body defining on said rear face a rearwardly
facing annular surface;
a plurality of longitudinally extending channels in the outer
surface of said projection each aligned with a respective one of
said passages;
at least one longitudinally extending groove in the outer surface
of said projection;
a boot of elastic pliant material at the rear of said body having a
passageway extending therethrough terminating in an enlarged cavity
at one end receiving said projection, the wall of said cavity
engaging the outer surface of said projection, said boot having a
forward edge engaging said annular surface; and
a longitudinally extending rib extending inwardly from said wall of
said cavity, said rib slidably engaging with said groove to
restrain said boot from rotation to said body.
2. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein there
are provided:
a plurality of said grooves circumferentially spaced about the
outer surface of said projection and a plurality of said ribs
aligned and slidably engaged with said grooves.
3. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein:
said grooves are alternately disposed with respect to said
channels.
4. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
said projection tapers rearwardly to define a frustoconical outer
surface; and
the wall of said cavity in said boot has a configuration
complementary to that of said surface.
5. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 including:
a plurality of integral longitudinally spaced, continuous annular
sealing ribs formed on the outer surface of said boot adjacent to
the forward end thereof surrounding said projection.
6. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 including:
an electrical contact in each of said passages;
a cable mounted in said passageway in said boot, said cable having
a plurality of insulated conductors therein extending forwardly
into said cavity; and
the end portion of each said insulated conductor lying in a
respective one of said channels and being electrically connected to
the contact in the passage aligned with said channel.
7. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 6 including:
integral retention means in each said passage engaging with the
contact therein to restrict said contact against longitudinal
movement in said passage.
8. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 6 including:
a plurality of integral longitudinally spaced annular sealing ribs
formed on the wall of said passageway adjacent the rear of said
boot, said ribs sealingly engaging the outer surface of said
cable.
9. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
the wall of said cavity sealingly engages the outer surface of said
projection except at said channels and groove.
10. An electrical connector member as set forth in claim 1 in
combination with a mounting member including an externally threaded
boss having a bore extending therethrough wherein:
said connector member is mounted in said bore;
cooperating surface means are formed in said bore and on the outer
surface of said body restraining said body against rotation in said
bore;
a rearwardly facing shoulder on said boot; and a coupling nut
threaded on said boss having an inwardly extending rear flange
which acts upon said shoulder to force said boot axially into said
bore against said body upon rotation of said nut.
11. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 10 including:
a plurality of integral longitudinally spaced annular sealing ribs
formed on the outer surface of said boot forward of said shoulder
sealingly engaging the wall of said bore.
12. An electrical connector member comprising:
an elongaged insulator body having a front face and a rear
face;
a plurality of contact passages in said body extending from said
front face to said rear face and disposed adjacent to but spaced
from the outer periphery of said body;
a central projection on said body extending rearwardly from said
rear face, said projection tapering rearwardly to define a
frustoconical outer surface, said projection having a cross-section
less than that of said body defining on said rear face a rearwardly
facing annular surface;
a plurality of longitudinally extending channels in the outer
surface of said projection each aligned with a respective one of
said passages;
a plurality of longitudinally extending keyways in the outer
surface of said projection disposed alternately between said
channels;
a boot of elastic pliant material at the rear of said body having a
passageway extending therethrough terminating in an enlarged cavity
at one end receiving said projection, the wall of said cavity
having a frustoconical configuration complementary to the outer
surface of said projection whereby said wall sealingly engages the
outer surface of said projection, said boot having a forward edge
engaging said annular surface; and
a plurality of longitudinally extending keys extending inwardly
from said wall of said cavity and aligned with said grooves, said
keys slidably engaging with said keyways to restrict said boot from
rotation relative to said body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an electrical connector and,
more particularly, to a sealed electrical connector suitable for
use, for example, in automotive vehicles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
With the advent of legislation requiring the use of anti-skid
control systems for brakes on trucks, the need has arisen for low
cost seated electrical connectors for making electrical connection
between the wheel speed sensor and the computer housing of the
anti-skid control system. Such connectors must prevent the
intrusion of moisture and other contaminates into the area of the
connector containing the electrical contacts in order that the
electrical system of the anti-skid control will not be adversely
affected. Co-pending application of Goodman et al., Ser. No.
381,267, filed July 20, 1973, entitled, "Low Cost Sealed
Connector," discloses a connector assembly including mating plug
and receptacle connector members which meet the required standards
for anti-skid systems.
In these systems it is also necessary to connect a single connector
member into the housing of the control system computer. We have
found it necessary to include in the connector assembly an elastic
boot which provides a seal between the main connector body
containing the contacts and the cable which carries the conductors
from the wheel sensor to the connector contacts. The use of rubber
boots for electrical connectors, of course, is well known in the
art. However, for this application the boot presents a problem in
that a coupling nut is utilized on the housing for securing the
connector body and boot thereto. Rotation of the coupling nut
causes rotation of the boot, which in turn may cause the conductors
in the cable to twist. This may result in the electrical connection
between the conductors and the contacts being broken. Also, we have
found that by utilizing a boot with a connector body in a
conventional manner, a relatively large open cavity is provided at
the rear of the connector body where the boot engages the body.
When the connector is utilized on a vehicle which is operated at
high altitudes, such as on mountain roads, the air trapped within
this cavity will expand due to decreased atmospheric pressure,
which may result in separation between the boot and the connector
body, breaking the seal therebetween. This may permit the intrusion
of moisture or other contaminates into the connector and ultimately
into the contact passages thereof. It is the object of the present
invention to overcome these problems. It is of course understood
that while the connector of the present invention has been referred
to as being suited for use in an anti-skid system for vehicles, it
would be useful for any application wherein an environmentally
sealed connection is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the principal aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a sealed electrical connector including a connector
body and a boot of elastic pliant material mounted on one end of
the body. The body has a plurality of contact passages extending
therethrough and rearwardly extending projection which extends into
an enlarged cavity in the end of the boot. A plurality of
longitudinally extending channels are formed in the outer surface
of the projection. Each channel is aligned with one of the contact
passages. The insulated conductors of the cable which extends into
the boot lie in these channels and are connected to the contacts in
the contact passages. In addition, one or more longitudinally
extending grooves are formed in the outer surface of the
projection. Longitudinally extending ribs extend inwardly from the
wall of the cavity in the boot and slidably engage in the grooves
to restrain the boot from rotation relative to the connector body.
As a consequence, when a coupling nut is rotated about the boot to
secure the connector and boot assembly into a mounting member, the
boot will be prevented from rotating relative to the connector
body, thereby preventing twisting of the conductors connected to
the contacts in the body. Furthermore, the enlarged cavity normally
found between the end of the connector and the boot is essentially
eliminated by the present invention due to the fact that the
projection on the rear of the connector body extends into the
cavity in the boot to substantially fill the cavity, thereby
minimizing any entrapped air within the boot.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more
readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts
throughout the various views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view through a mounting
member containing the connector member of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial vertical longitudinal sectional view of the
connector body of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the rear of the connector
body;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the front of the connector
body;
FIG. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the boot
employed in the connector of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the front of the boot;
and
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the connector body and
the boot, with the boot being shown in partial section to
illustrate the details of the interior structure thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1 in detail, there is illustrated a cover
plate 10 for a housing, not shown, containing the computer of a
anti-skid control system. The housing contains a printed circuit
board 12 on which there is mounted a header 14 which has a
plurality of outwardly extending pin contacts 16 on the exposed end
thereof. In the example shown, three of such contacts are employed,
only one being visible in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated however
that a larger or fewer number of contacts may be utilized.
Typically, three or four contacts are used. An externally threaded
cylindrical boss 18 is formed on the plate 10 coaxial with the
header 14. A cylindrical bore 20 extends through the boss. The end
of the header extends into one end of the bore. The electrical
connector member of the present invention, generally designated 22,
extends into the other end of the bore. The connector is retained
in the bore by means of a coupling nut 24. This nut is formed with
a radially inwardly extending annular flange 26 which engages a
thrust washer 27 abutting a sealing bushing 28 that engages a
rearwardly facing shoulder 30 on the connector. Threading of the
nut 24 on the boss 18 urges the sealing bushing 28 into engagement
with end of the boss, and urges the connector into the bore toward
the header 14.
Referring now to FIGS. 2--7 of the drawings, the connector member
22 comprises an elongaged generally cylindrical insulator body 32
and a cable boot 34. Except for the contacts mounted in the body,
the body and the boot each consist of a unitary mass of molded
elastic pliant material which is chemically resistant to hostile
environments and varying temperature conditions. Any thermoplastic
elastomer, such as polyurethane polyether, for example, could be
utilized as the material for the connector parts. It will be
appreciated, however, that other elastomers could be utilized if
they possess the required characteristics of resiliency,
flexibility, and softness to produce effective seals when
configured in accordance with the present invention.
The diameter of the body 32 is slightly less than the diameter of
the bore 20 to allow the body to be slidably mounted within the
bore. The lower portion of the body is cut out to provide a
downwardly facing flat surface 36 which extends from a forwardly
facing shoulder 38 to the front face 40 of the body. The surface 36
cooperates with a flat raised section 42 on the bottom of the bore
20 in the plate 10 to provide polarization of the connector with
respect to the header 14 and also nonrotatably mount the connector
in the plate. The raised section 42 also forms a shoulder 44 which
provides a stop engageable by the shoulder 38 on the body 32
thereby limiting movement of the connector 22 into the bore 20.
The connector body 32 is provided with a plurality of axially
aligned longitudinally extending contact passages 50, which extend
from the front face 40 of the body to the rear face 52 thereof.
Three of such passages are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, corresponding in
number to the pin contacts 16 in the header 14. A socket contact 54
is positioned in each passage 50 which is mateable with a pin
contact 16 when the connector member 22 is fully mounted within the
bore 20 in plate 10. Each contact terminates an insulated wire 56
of a cable 58 which extends through a passageway 60 in the boot 34.
In FIG. 2, the contact is shown as being of the closed barrel type,
the barrel being crimped onto the wire. Other termination
techniques may obviously be utilized.
Means are integrally formed on the connector body 32 for retaining
the contacts 54 therein. Such means comprises an annular flange 60
which extends radially inwardly from the wall of each contact
passage 50. The flange is sufficiently resilient and pliant to
allow the contact to pass therethrough when it is inserted into the
rear of the contact passage. Each contact is formed with an annular
recess 62. The depth of the recess and the radial dimension of each
flange 60 are such that the flange will have a snug fit in the
recess to hold the contact against appreciable longitudinal
movement relative to the connector body.
A central relatively rigid projection 64 extends from the rear face
52 of the connector body 32. This projection is tapered to provide
a frustoconical outer surface 66. It is noted that the contact
passages 50 are circumferentially spaced about the body 32 adjacent
to the outer periphery of the body. A plurality of channels 68 are
formed in the outer surface of the projection 64. Each channel is
aligned with a respective contact passage 50. Each channel 68 is
sufficiently deep to receive an insulated wire 56 therein, without
the wire extending above the outer surface 66 of the projection. It
is noted that the bottoms of the channels 68 are curved to
accommodate the insulated wires.
A plurality of grooves or keyways 70 are also formed in the outer
surface of the projection 64. These grooves are disposed
alternately with respect to the channels 68. The grooves have a
rectangular cross section. The bottom of each groove is parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the body 32. The channels 68 and grooves
70 extend to the end of the projection 64.
The passageway 60 in the boot 34 terminates in an enlarged cavity
72 which has a frustoconical wall complementary to the
frustoconical outer surface 66 of the projection 64. A plurality of
longitudinally extending ribs or keys 74 extend inwardly from the
wall of the cavity 72. These ribs are aligned with the groove 70
and have a configuration complementary to the grooves so that when
the boot 34 is mounted over the projection 64 on the body 32 the
ribs 74 will be slidably engaged within the grooves. The depth of
the grooves 70 and the radial distance of the ribs 74 are
sufficiently great to prevent relative rotation between the cable
boot and the body 32 when the rotational force imparted by the
coupling nut 24 is imposed upon the boot in the assembly
illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, by this arrangement the insulated
wires 56 will not be twisted when the coupling nut is rotated to
fixedly mount the connector 22 in the plate 10. It is further noted
that the projection 64 on the body 32 substantially completely
fills the cavity 72 in the boot 34, thus minimizing any entrapped
air within the boot. Furthermore, the mating frustoconical surfaces
66 and 72 on the body 32 and the boot 34, respectively, sealingly
engage each other when the coupling nut 24 is tightened upon the
boss 18, and also the forward edge 76 of the boot engages the rear
face 52 of the body 32, thereby providing a seal for the contacts.
This latter seal is in effect a secondary seal for the contacts.
The primary seal for the contacts is provided by means of a
plurality of integral longitudinally spaced annular sealing ribs 78
formed on the forward portion of the boot 34 which surrounds the
projection 64. These ribs are deformable and are dimensioned so as
to have an interference fit with the wall of the bore 20, thereby
producing an intimate mechanical contact and labyrinth seal between
the boot and the wall of the bore 20. It is further noted that the
tapered projection 64 junctions as a wedge urging the ribs 78
outwardly into tight sealing engagement with the wall of the bore
20 when the forward end of the boot is forced into the bore by the
coupling nut.
A plurality of annular longitudinally spaced integral ribs 80 are
formed on the wall of the passage 60 adjacent to the rear portion
of the boot 34. These ribs have an interference fit with the
insulation on the cable 58, thereby providing a rear seal between
the boot and the cable. Thus, the total assembly is completely
sealed when the coupling nut is tightened on the boss 18.
To assembly the connector parts, and then mount the connector in
the plate 10, the receptacle contacts 54 are crimped to the exposed
ends of the wires 56. The boot 34 is then forced over the cable 58
leaving the contacts and the ends of the wires 56 exposed. The
contacts are then forced into the contact passages 50 in the
connector body 32 by pressing them into the passages from the rear
of the body. The conductors will then lie in the channel 68. The
forward end of the boot 34 is then pushed over the projection 64 on
the body 32. The connector member thus formed is then inserted into
the bore 20 with the flat surface 36 aligned with the flat raised
section 42 of the bore, thereby properly polarizing the connector.
The connector member is pushed into the bore until the shoulder 38
thereon engages the shoulder 44 in the bore. With the connector so
mounted, the pin contacts 16 on the header will be slidably engaged
into the receptacle contacts 54 in the connector. Next the sealing
bushing 28, thrust washer 27, and coupling nut 24 are mounted over
the other end of the cable and the nut is tightened on the boss 18
which exerts a forward axially extending force upon the rearwardly
facing shoulder 30 on the boot 34 thereby tightly retaining the
connector in the bore. This mounting operation also forces the
frustoconical wall of the cavity 72 into sealing engagement with
the outer surface 66 of the projection 64, and the front edge 76 of
the boot into sealing engagement with the rear face 52 of the body
32. In addition, the forcing of the boot into the bore causes the
ribs 78 to sealing engage the wall of the bore 20. Since the
sealing ribs 78 surround the projection 64, the projection provides
a relatively rigid support for the ribs, assuring that the ribs
remain in interference fit with the wall of the bore 20. Thus, a
completely sealed assembly is provided, with a minimum of entrapped
air within the boot 34, and relative rotation between the cable and
the connector body 32 is prevented during rotation of the coupling
nut due to the inter-engagement between the ribs 74 and the grooves
70 on the boot and connector body, respectively.
* * * * *