Electric connector with screw terminal contact

Abstract

An exemplary electrical connector has a contact, an inner housing, a terminal, and a screw. The contact has a plate portion defining a contact aperture and a contact portion extending from the plate portion. The inner housing has a slot shaped to receive the plate portion and hold the contact in a substantially fixed position. The terminal is movably positioned within the inner housing and has a contact surface and a threaded hole. The screw is dimensioned to be received by the contact bore and engaged with the threaded bore. Rotation of the screw will move the terminal relative to the plate portion of the contact and compress the wire between the plate portion of the contact and the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to electrical connectors, including electrical connectors that utilize screws to secure wires in place. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0003] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0004] Figure 3 There is no inner shell Figure 1 A front view of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0005] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector housing of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0006] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A top view of an exemplary electrical connector plug is shown.

[0007] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A left side view of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0008] Figure 7A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an upper clamp of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0009] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A Top view of the upper fixture.

[0010] Figure 7C yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a lower fixture of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0011] Figure 8 is a front perspective view of an inner housing of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0012] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A perspective view of the inner housing of the , without terminals, contacts and screws.

[0013] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 Front view of the inner shell.

[0014] Figure 11 It is along Figure 10 Intercepted from the center line 11-11 Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the inner shell.

[0015] Figure 12 yes Figure 8 Front view of the inner housing without terminals, contacts and screws.

[0016] Figure 13 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of contacts of an exemplary electrical connector plug.

[0017] Figure 14 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of an exemplary electrical connector plug is shown.

[0018] Figure 15 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of assembling a connector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] A novel electrical connector according to the present disclosure secures wires or cables within the connector using screws, eliminating the need for bending or overmolding. This not only reduces the risk of damage to the inserted wires or cables, but also allows users to couple cables to the connector without specialized equipment. Consequently, users can freely replace connectors (or cables coupled to the connector) while out in the field and on the job site. Furthermore, these screw-based fastening mechanisms enable a wider range of cables and / or wires to be compatible with the connector.

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent the same or similar features throughout the several views, Figure 1-6An exemplary electrical connector plug 10 is shown. The connector plug 10 may include a housing 100, a clamp 105, and a plug portion 130. The housing 100 is structured to surround and protect an inner housing 200, which will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 7-14. The housing 100 may be removably secured to the inner housing 200 by a first housing screw 108 and a second housing screw 109. The clamp 105 may be positioned near a rear opening of the housing 110 (e.g., relative to an orientation in which the connector plug 10 may be mated with another connector) and include an upper clamp portion 110 and a lower clamp portion 120, as well as first and second gaskets 102, 103 of the housing 100. The first and second gaskets 102, 103 may collectively define an aperture 104. The plug portion 130 may extend in a forward direction away from the housing 100 and be configured to mate with another connector. In operation, one or more wires or cables can be extended through aperture 104 to inner housing 200, and each wire or cable can be electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical contact of inner housing 200. Once the wire or cable is inserted into aperture 104, clamp 105 can be tightened around the wire or cable by tightening first and second clamping screws 113, 114 located on either side of aperture 104. The wire or cable connected to the corresponding electrical contact in inner housing 200 can be further extended beyond connector plug 10 to connect to an electrical signal source or destination (e.g., via plug portion 130 mating with a corresponding receptacle). Although first and second clamping screws 113, 114 (as well as other screws in this disclosure) are referred to as screws, each can be any suitable threaded member (e.g., a bolt), and thus this disclosure should not be construed as being limited to screws.

[0021] As shown in the perspective view of the housing 100 Figure 4 As shown, housing 100 may include a body 101, and a first gasket 102 and a second gasket 103 may extend from body 101 in opposite rearward directions. First gasket 102 and second gasket 103 may be positioned on either lateral side of aperture 104, such that the inner sides of first gasket 102 and second gasket 103 each define a portion of aperture 104. In other embodiments, first gasket 102 and second gasket 103 may be positioned on either vertical side of aperture 104. First gasket 102 may include a first gasket channel 106 sized to receive a first clamping screw 113. Similarly, second gasket 103 may include a second gasket channel 106 sized to receive a second clamping screw. Each of first gasket 102 and second gasket 103 may be integrally formed with body 101, such that housing 100 comprises a single, continuous structure that may be molded (e.g., injection molded) as a single component.

[0022] Now refer to Figure 7A-C, the figure shows the upper clamp portion 110 and the lower clamp portion 120 separately. The upper clamp portion 110 may include a first upper clamp channel 111 and a second upper clamp channel 112, each of which is sized to accommodate a first clamp screw 113 and a second clamp screw 114. In some embodiments, the upper clamp channel 111 and the second upper clamp channel 112 may be threaded to directly engage the first clamp screw 113 and the second clamp screw 114; while in other embodiments, the upper clamp channel 111 and the second upper clamp channel 112 may be relatively smooth to allow the first clamp screw 113 and the second clamp screw 114 to pass through without directly engaging. In some embodiments, the upper clamp channel 111 and the second upper clamp channel 112 can each include a first lip 115 and a second lip 116, respectively, that can each engage with the head of the first clamp screw 113 or the second clamp screw 114 such that the threaded portion of the first clamp screw 113 and the second clamp screw 114 can pass completely through the upper clamp channel 111 and the second upper clamp channel 112, but the relatively larger head will abut the first lip 115 or the second lip 116. The first lip 115 and the second lip 116 can be a separate portion of material, such that the upper clamp channel 111 and the second upper clamp channel 112 have a relatively small diameter relative to the length of the separate portion, or the first lip 115 and the second lip 116 can be formed as a transition from a first larger diameter to a second smaller diameter within the upper clamp channel 111 and the second upper clamp channel 112. The lips 115 , 116 may be or include an annular surface that projects inwardly from the sidewalls of the upper clamp channels 111 , 112 and is generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the clamping screws 113 , 114 into and out of the upper clamp channels 111 , 112 .

[0023] Similarly, the lower clamp portion 120 can include a first lower clamp channel 121 and a second lower clamp channel 122, each sized to accommodate the first clamp screw 113 and the second clamp screw 114. In some embodiments, the lower clamp channel 121 and the second lower clamp channel 122 can be threaded to directly engage and couple with the threads of the first clamp screw 113 and the second clamp screw 114.

[0024] In use, the upper clamp portion 110 can be positioned on the opposite tops of the first and second shims 102, 103 such that the first upper clamp channel 111 is aligned with the first shim channel 106, and the second upper clamp channel 112 is aligned with the second shim channel 107. The lower clamp portion 120 can be positioned on the opposite bottoms of the first and second shims 102, 103 such that the first lower clamp channel 121 is aligned with the first shim channel 106, and the second lower clamp channel 122 is aligned with the second shim channel 107. When both the upper clamp portion 110 and the lower clamp portion 120 are positioned on either side of the first and second shims 102, 103, the first upper channel 111, the first shim channel 106, and the first lower channel 121 can collectively form a first channel, and the second upper channel 112, the second shim channel 107, and the second lower channel 123 can collectively form a second channel.

[0025] A first clamping screw 113 can be inserted into the commonly formed first channel, and a second clamping screw 114 can be inserted into the commonly formed second channel. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, first clamping screw 113 and second clamping screw 114 are initially inserted through upper clamp portion 110, such that the heads of first clamping screw 113 and second clamping screw 114 are exposed from upper clamp portion 110. By rotating at least one of first clamping screw 113 or second clamping screw 114 in a tightening direction, upper clamp portion 110 and lower clamp portion 120 can be pulled toward each other to reduce the effective size (e.g., diameter and / or circumference) of aperture 104. For example, due to threaded engagement with at least first lower passage 121, rotating first clamping screw 113 causes first clamping screw 113 to move longitudinally along an axis defined by the length of first clamping screw 113. Rotating first clamping screw 113 in the tightening direction (e.g., clockwise) causes first clamping screw 113 to move downward relative to itself, which in turn may cause the head of first clamping screw 113 to abut first lip 115 of first upper passage 111. Further downward movement of the first clamping screw 113 can be transmitted to the upper clamp portion 110 via the abutment of the head, which may cause the upper clamp portion 110 to similarly move downward (e.g., toward the first and second washers 102, 103). If the upper clamp portion 110 is unable to move further downward (e.g., due to the abutment of the upper clamp portion 110 against the first and second washers 102, 103, due to the abutment of the upper clamp portion 110 against the inserted wire, etc.), engagement of the first clamping screw 113 may instead cause the lower clamp portion 120 to relatively move upward (e.g., toward the first and second washers 102, 103, toward the inserted wire, etc.). Because the size of the aperture 104 can be adjusted by the upper and lower clamp portions 110, 120, the exemplary electrical connector plug 10 can be configured to receive cables (or wires) of different sizes. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the aperture 104 may be sized to accommodate wires ranging from 18 gauge (eg, approximately 1.024 mm in diameter) to 10 gauge (eg, approximately 2.588 mm in diameter).

[0026] Now refer to Figure 8-13, the inner housing 200 may include a first chamber 210, a second chamber 220, and a third chamber 230. Each chamber is structured to accommodate wires (e.g., wires from a plug-in cable, or individually plugged-in wires). For example, a live wire (e.g., a wire carrying a signal from a source) may be inserted into the first chamber 210, and a ground wire may be inserted into the second chamber 220. The structure of the inner housing 200 may also be designed to establish and maintain a minimum distance between wire contacts (e.g., to avoid arcing between the contacts). In the exemplary embodiment shown, the minimum distance between each wire contact (e.g., a wire contact in the first chamber 210, a wire contact in the second chamber 220, etc.) may be 7 mm. In other embodiments, the minimum distance between each wire contact may be 6 mm. Although the inner housing 200 shown includes only three chambers, inner housings 200 having fewer or more chambers are within the scope of this disclosure, and thus this disclosure should not be construed as being limited to a three-chamber inner housing 200. In contrast, an inner housing according to the present disclosure may have two chambers, four chambers, or any other number of chambers suitable for a given application. Inner housing 200 may also include first housing aperture 201 and second housing aperture 202 sized to accommodate first housing screw 108 and second housing screw 109 to couple outer housing 100 to inner housing 200.

[0027] The first chamber 210 may include a first slot 211, a first contact 212, a first chamber screw 214, and a first terminal 216. The first slot 211 may be shaped to accommodate the first contact 212 and maintain the first contact 212 in a substantially fixed position relative to an axis defined by the length of the first chamber screw 214. The first contact 212 may include a hole (e.g., a hole similar to the contact hole 229 described below) shaped to accommodate the first chamber screw 214. After passing through the first contact 212, the first chamber screw 214 may engage with a hole in the first terminal plate 216. The hole may be threaded so that the first chamber screw 214 can directly engage with the first terminal plate 216. In operation, the wire can be inserted into the space between the first terminal 216 and the first contact 212. Once the wire is in place, the first chamber screw 212 can be turned in a tightening direction (e.g., clockwise), which causes the first chamber screw 212 to move in an upward direction (relative to the wire). Figure 8 Since the first contact 212 is in a substantially fixed position (relative to the movement of the first chamber screw 214), the first contact 212 can prevent the first chamber screw 214 from further longitudinal movement, which causes the rotational force to be transmitted to the first terminal 216 through the engagement of the hole of the first terminal 216 with the thread of the first chamber screw 214. Figure 10As shown, the shape and size of the first chamber 210 can make the first terminal plate 216 close to or almost close to the wall of the first chamber 210, thereby preventing the first terminal plate 216 from rotating in the first chamber 210. Therefore, when the rotational force of the first chamber screw 214 is transmitted to the first terminal plate 216, since the first terminal plate 216 cannot rotate, the first terminal plate 216 moves longitudinally in the first chamber 210. Due to the threading, when the first chamber screw 214 is rotated in the tightening direction, the first terminal plate 216 can move longitudinally downward (relative to the vertical direction). Figure 10 ), so that the first terminal plate 216 can be pulled toward the first contact 212, thereby compressing the inserted wire.

[0028] The size (e.g., diameter, length, threads, etc.) of first chamber screw 214 may depend on the gauge of the wires to be inserted, with larger wires requiring larger screw sizes. Since hole 104 can accommodate up to a size 10 cable, first chamber screw 214 may be large enough to hold the wires contained within a size 10 cable. Therefore, the structure of inner housing 200 is designed to accommodate screws of sufficient size (e.g., first chamber screw 214).

[0029] Second chamber 220 and third chamber 230 can be substantially identical to first chamber 210, such that each chamber includes similar components and functions in a substantially identical manner. As shown, second chamber 220 can include a second slot 221 similar to first slot 211, a second contact 222 similar to the first contact, a second chamber screw 224 similar to first chamber screw 214, and a second terminal 226 similar to first terminal 216. Similarly, third chamber 230 can include a third slot 231 similar to first slot 211, a third contact 232 similar to the first contact, a third chamber screw 234 similar to first chamber screw 214, and a third terminal 236 similar to first terminal 216.

[0030] As described above, the inner housing 200 can include any number of chambers, and any configuration of the chambers. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inner housing 200 has three chambers (e.g., 210, 220, and 230) and can accommodate three wires—two hot wires and one ground wire. For example, the first hot wire can be inserted into the first chamber 210, the second hot wire can be inserted into the third chamber 230, and the ground wire can be inserted into the second chamber 220.

[0031] Now refer to Figure 13, the second contact 222 is shown separately. The second contact 222 may include a contact plate 227, a contact extension 228, and a contact hole 229. The contact plate 227 can be configured to receive current or signals from an exposed wire (e.g., a live wire or a ground wire inserted into the second chamber 220). In some embodiments, the contact plate 227 can be textured (e.g., ribbed) to increase the amount of surface area of ​​the contact plate 227, thereby improving the quality of contact with the exposed wire (e.g., consistency of connection, lack of signal loss, etc.). The contact extension 228 can be integrally formed with the contact plate 227 and extend away from the contact plate 227, so that the contact extension 228 can be configured to further transmit the current flowing from the exposed wire to the contact plate 227 to a point away from the exposed wire. As shown along Figure 10 A cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 Figure 11 As shown, the contact extension 228 can extend from the second chamber 220 of the inner housing 200 into the plug portion 130, wherein the contact extension 228 can be exposed to and electrically coupled with corresponding contacts of a receptacle mated with the connector plug 10. As described above with reference to the first contact 212, the contact hole 229 can be sized to accommodate the second chamber screw 224. In some embodiments, the contact hole 229 can be unthreaded to allow the second chamber screw 224 to rotate freely within the contact hole, while in other embodiments, the contact hole 229 can be threaded to facilitate rotation of the second chamber screw 224.

[0032] As shown, the second contact 222 can have a curved portion so that the contact extension 228 can be positioned on a different horizontal plane than the contact plate 227. While the structure of the inner housing 200 can be designed to maintain a minimum distance between contacts (e.g., contacts 212, 222, 232), the mating surface of the connector plug 10 may require relatively close contact points (e.g., based on the configuration of the mating surface). The curved portion of the second contact 222 can maintain this minimum distance at one end of the connector plug 10 without hindering or limiting the available mating surface configurations. Consequently, the rear portion of the connector plug 10 (e.g., relative to the direction in which the connector plug 10 can mate with another connector) can be larger than the front portion of the connector plug 10. For example, the rear portion of the connector plug 10 can have a larger surface area than the mating front portion of the connector plug, and the diameter of the rear portion (e.g., perpendicular to the central axis defined by the mating direction) can be larger than the diameter of the mating front portion. The transition from the larger rear portion to the smaller front portion can be a vertical surface, a curve, or a similar intermediate transition. The bent portion of the second contact 222 may be contained within the transition portion such that the bent portion of the second contact 222 may define a portion of the transition portion.

[0033] Now refer to Figure 14, which shows an exploded view of the connector plug 10, the first and third contacts 212, 232 may have shapes that are different from the second contacts 222. Regardless of the specific configuration of the components, each of the first and third contacts 212, 232 may include components similar to the contact surface 227, contact extension 228, and contact hole 229 of the second contact.

[0034] Figure 15 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 1500 for assembling a connector assembly. In some embodiments, the method 1500, or one or more portions of the method 1500, can include the plug assembly 10 (eg, creating an assembly that includes the plug assembly 10).

[0035] Method 1500 may include, at block 1510, providing a connector. The connector may be a plug assembly 10 and may include any or all of the components of the plug assembly 10 described above. For example, providing the connector may involve providing contacts (e.g., second contacts 222), an inner housing (e.g., inner housing 200), and a terminal plate (e.g., second terminals 226). The contacts may include a plate portion (e.g., contact plate 227) having a contact hole (e.g., contact hole 229) and a contact portion (e.g., contact extension 228) extending from the plate portion. The inner housing may define a slot (e.g., second slot 221) shaped to accommodate the plate portion and to hold the contact in a substantially fixed position. The terminal plate may be movably positioned within the inner housing and may include a terminal surface and a threaded hole.

[0036] The method 1500 may also include, at block 1520 , inserting a threaded member through the contact hole to engage with the threaded hole of the terminal block, and, at block 1530 , inserting a wire into the inner housing between the block portion and the terminal surface.

[0037] The method 1500 may also include, at block 1540, rotating the exposed end of the threaded member, which may cause the terminal surface to press the inserted wire against the board portion.

[0038] The connector plug 10 of the present disclosure has many advantages over existing electrical connectors. First, because the wires and cables inserted into the connector plug 10 can be fixed in place by screws, there is no need for bending or overmolding. This not only reduces the risk of damage to the inserted wires and cables, but also allows users to connect cables to the connector plug 10 without specialized equipment. Therefore, when users are out in the field and at work sites, they can freely replace the connector plug 10 (or the cables connected to the connector plug 10). Second, the screw-based fastening mechanism (such as the fastening mechanism within the clamp 105 and the inner housing 200) enables a wider range of cables and / or wires to be compatible with the connector plug 10.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrical connector may include a contact, an inner housing, a terminal, and a screw. The contact may include a plate portion defining a contact hole; and a contact portion extending from the plate portion. The inner housing may include a slot shaped to accommodate the plate portion and maintain the contact in a substantially fixed position. The terminal may be movably positioned within the inner housing and may include a contact surface; and a threaded hole. The screw may be sized to be accommodated by the contact hole and to engage with the threaded hole. Rotating the screw causes the terminal to move relative to the plate portion of the contact and compress the wire between the plate portion of the contact and the terminal.

[0040] In some of these embodiments, the inner housing can be shaped to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the terminal relative to the axis defined by the screw.

[0041] In some of these embodiments, the inner housing may further include a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end may be configured to receive an electrical wire, and the second end may be configured to receive a second electrical connector. In some of these embodiments, the electrical connector may include a connector housing shaped to fit around the first end and prevent contact with the exposed end of the screw. In some of these embodiments, the connector housing may be coupled to the inner housing via a second screw.

[0042] In other embodiments of these embodiments, the connector housing may further include an opening defined by the housing and configured to receive the wires; and a clamp disposed about the opening. In some of these embodiments, the clamp may include: an upper clamp portion defining a first upper channel and a second upper channel; a lower clamp portion defining a first lower channel and a second lower channel; a first gasket body positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the first gasket body defining a first gasket channel aligned with the first upper channel and the first lower channel; a second gasket body positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the second gasket body defining a second gasket channel aligned with the second upper channel and the second lower channel; a first clamping screw received by the first gasket channel, the first upper channel, and the first lower channel; and a second clamping screw received by the second gasket channel, the second upper channel, and the second lower channel. Rotating each of the first and second clamping screws may cause the upper and lower clamp portions to move toward the first and second gasket bodies and compress the wires.

[0043] In some of these embodiments, the first gasket body and the second gasket body are integrally formed with the connector housing.

[0044] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an inner housing that may include a first end having a first cavity and a second cavity; and a second end configured to receive a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector may also include: a first contact having a first plate portion positioned in the first cavity and a first contact extension positioned in the second end of the inner housing; a second contact having a second plate portion positioned in the second cavity and a second contact extension positioned in the second end of the inner housing; a first terminal plate positioned in the first cavity; a second terminal plate positioned in the second cavity; a first screw configured to be received by the first cavity and the first plate portion and to engage the first terminal plate; a second screw configured to be received by the second cavity and the second plate portion and to engage the second terminal plate; and a cable inserted into the first end of the inner housing, the cable including a live wire positioned in the first cavity and a ground wire positioned in the second cavity. Turning the first screw causes the first terminal plate to compress the live wire into the first plate portion, and turning the second screw causes the second terminal plate to compress the ground wire into the second plate portion.

[0045] In some of these embodiments, the shape of the first chamber may be designed to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the first terminal plate relative to a first axis defined by the first screw, and the shape of the second chamber may be designed to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the second terminal plate relative to a second axis defined by the second screw.

[0046] In some of these embodiments, the electrical connector may further include a connector housing shaped to fit around the first end and prevent contact with the first screw and the second screw. In some of these embodiments, the connector housing may further include an opening configured to receive the cable; and a clamp disposed around the opening.

[0047] In some of these embodiments, the clamp may include: an upper clamp portion having a first upper channel and a second upper channel; a lower clamp portion having a first lower channel and a second lower channel; a first shim positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the first shim having a first shim channel aligned with the first upper channel and the first lower channel; a second shim positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the second shim having a second shim channel aligned with the second upper channel and the second lower channel; a first clamping screw received by the first shim channel, the first upper channel, and the first lower channel; and a second clamping screw received by the second shim channel, the second upper channel, and the second lower channel. Turning each of the first and second clamping screws can move the upper and lower clamp portions toward the first and second shims and compress the cable.

[0048] In some of these embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket are integrally formed with the connector housing.

[0049] In some embodiments, a method for assembling a connector assembly includes providing a connector that may include a contact, an inner housing, and a terminal block. The contact may include: a plate portion including a contact hole; and a contact portion extending from the plate portion. The inner housing may define a slot shaped to accommodate the plate portion and to maintain the contact in a substantially fixed position. The terminal block may be movably positioned within the inner housing and may include a terminal surface; and a threaded hole. The method may also include: inserting a threaded member through the contact hole to engage with the threaded hole; inserting a wire into the inner housing between the plate portion and the terminal surface; and rotating the exposed end of the threaded member so that the terminal surface presses the wire against the plate portion.

[0050] In some of these embodiments, the connector may further include a connector housing shaped to fit around the inner housing and prevent contact with the threaded member.

[0051] In some of these embodiments, the method further includes coupling the connector housing to the inner housing using a second threaded member.

[0052] In some of these embodiments, the connector may further include a clamp, the clamp including: an opening shaped to provide access for the wire to enter the inner housing; an upper clamp portion defining an upper side of the opening; a lower clamp portion defining a lower side of the opening; a first gasket positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the first gasket defining a left side of the opening; and a second gasket positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the second gasket defining a right side of the opening. In these embodiments, the method may further include: inserting a first clamping thread member into the upper clamp portion, the first gasket, and the lower clamp portion; inserting a second clamping thread member into the upper clamp portion, the second gasket, and the lower clamp portion; and causing the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion to compress the wire by rotating each of the first clamping thread member and the second clamping thread member.

[0053] In some of these embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket are integrally formed with the connector housing.

[0054] In some of these embodiments, the inner housing may be further shaped to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the terminal block relative to an axis defined by the threaded member.

[0055] Although this disclosure has described certain embodiments, it should be understood that unless expressly stated in the claims, the claims are not intended to be limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, this disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. In addition, in the detailed description of this disclosure, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that systems and methods consistent with this disclosure may be practiced even without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: A contact comprising: a plate portion defining a contact hole; and a contact portion extending from the plate portion; an inner housing including slots shaped to receive the plate portion and retain the contacts in a substantially fixed position; a terminal movably positioned within the inner housing, the terminal comprising a contact surface and a threaded hole; and a screw sized to be received by the contact hole and to engage with the threaded hole, Here, turning the screw moves the terminal relative to the plate portion of the contact and compresses the wire between the plate portion of the contact and the terminal.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein The inner housing is shaped to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the terminal relative to an axis defined by the screw.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein The inner housing further includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is configured to receive an electrical wire, and The second end is configured to receive a second electrical connector.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3, further comprising a connector housing shaped to fit around the first end and prevent contact with the exposed end of the screw.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein: The connector housing is coupled to the inner housing by a second screw.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein: The connector housing further comprises: an opening defined by the housing, the opening configured to receive the electrical wires; and A clamp is disposed about the opening.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein: The fixture comprises: an upper clamp portion defining a first upper channel and a second upper channel; a lower clamp portion defining a first lower channel and a second lower channel; a first gasket body positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the first gasket body defining a first gasket channel aligned with the first upper channel and the first lower channel; a second gasket body positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the second gasket body defining a second gasket channel aligned with the second upper channel and the second lower channel; a first clamping screw received by the first gasket channel, the first upper channel, and the first lower channel; and a second clamping screw received by the second gasket channel, the second upper channel, and the second lower channel, wherein rotating each of the first clamping screw and the second clamping screw causes the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion to move toward the first gasket body and the second gasket body and compress the electric wires.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein: The first gasket body and the second gasket body are integrally formed with the connector housing.

9. An electrical connector, comprising: an inner housing comprising: a first end having a first cavity and a second cavity; and a second end configured to receive a mating electrical connector; a first contact having a first plate portion positioned in the first cavity and a first contact extension positioned in the second end of the inner housing; a second contact having a second plate portion positioned in the second cavity and a second contact extension positioned in the second end of the inner housing; a first terminal plate positioned in the first chamber; a second terminal plate positioned in the second chamber; a first screw configured to be received by the first cavity and the first plate portion and to engage the first terminal plate; a second screw configured to be received by the second cavity and the second plate portion and to engage the second terminal plate; and a cable inserted into the first end of the inner housing, the cable including a live wire located in the first chamber and a ground wire located in the second chamber, in: Turning the first screw causes the first terminal plate to compress the live wire into the first plate portion, and Turning the second screw causes the second terminal plate to compress the ground wire into the second plate portion.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein: The first cavity is shaped to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the first terminal plate relative to a first axis defined by the first screw, and The second cavity is shaped to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the second terminal plate relative to a second axis defined by the second screw.

11. The electrical connector of claim 9, further comprising a connector housing shaped to fit around the first end and prevent contact with the first screw and the second screw.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein The connector housing further comprises: an opening configured to receive a cable; and A clamp is disposed about the opening.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein: The fixture comprises: an upper clamp portion having a first upper channel and a second upper channel; a lower clamp portion having a first lower channel and a second lower channel; a first shim positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the first shim having a first shim channel aligned with the first upper channel and the first lower channel; a second shim positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the second shim including a second shim channel aligned with the second upper channel and the second lower channel; a first clamping screw received by the first gasket channel, the first upper channel, and the first lower channel; and a second clamping screw received by the second gasket channel, the second upper channel, and the second lower channel, Therein, turning each of the first clamping screw and the second clamping screw causes the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion to move toward the first and second washers and compress the cable.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein: The first gasket and the second gasket are integrally formed with the connector housing.

15. A method for assembling a connector assembly, the method comprising: A connector is provided, comprising: A contact comprising: a plate portion including a contact hole; and a contact portion extending from the plate portion; an inner housing defining a slot shaped to receive the plate portion and retain the contact in a substantially fixed position; and a terminal plate movably positioned within the inner housing, the terminal plate comprising: a terminal surface and a threaded hole; and inserting a threaded member through the contact hole to engage with the threaded hole; inserting the wire into the inner housing between the plate portion and the terminal surface; and Turn the exposed end of the threaded member so that the terminal surface presses the wire against the plate portion.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The connector also includes a connector housing shaped to fit around the inner housing and prevent contact with the threaded member.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling the connector housing to the inner housing using a second threaded member.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein The connector further comprises a clamp, the clamp comprising: an opening shaped and designed to provide a passage for the wires to enter the inner housing; an upper clamp portion defining an upper side of the opening; a lower clamp portion defining a lower side of the opening; a first gasket positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the first gasket defining a left side of the opening; and a second spacer positioned between the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion, the second spacer defining a right side of the opening, The method further comprises: inserting a first clamping thread member into the upper clamp portion, the first washer, and the lower clamp portion; inserting a second clamping thread member into the upper clamp portion, the second washer, and the lower clamp portion; and By rotating each of the first clamping thread member and the second clamping thread member, the upper clamp portion and the lower clamp portion are pressed against the electric wire.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The first gasket and the second gasket are integrally formed with the connector housing.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein The inner housing is further shaped to prevent lateral and rotational movement of the terminal block relative to an axis defined by the threaded member.

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