Pressure contact connector

Abstract

To provide a pressure contact connector in which a load is not applied to a print circuit board.SOLUTION: A pressure contact connector 10 may be electrically connected to a trunk line cable Cb arranged along a front surface of a bottom plate 91. The pressure contact connector 10 comprises: a cover housing 1 that can be fixed to the bottom plate 91; a socket housing 2 that can be fitted to the cover housing 1; and a plurality of pressure-welding contacts 3 that are attached to the socket housing. In a state where an engagement arm 2a is temporally engaged to a lance 11r, a position in a length direction of the trunk line cable Cb is specified. In the state where the engagement arm 2a is mainly engaged with a lance 12r, it is connected with a core wire Wc constructing the trunk line cable Cb by a pressure contact terminal 3a with pressure-welding. The pressure contact connector 10 can be detachably connected to a signal device 50 in which a print circuit board exists.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure-displacement connector, and more particularly to a structure of a pressure-displacement connector that can be electrically connected, by pressure-displacement, to a parallel multi-core cable in which a plurality of covered electric wires are arranged in parallel. [Background technology]

[0002] A connection structure for a signaling device that can be electrically connected to a parallel multi-core cable arranged along the bottom surface of a rail with a U-shaped groove has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This signaling device includes a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a plurality of insulation displacement terminals mounted on its ends that can be electrically connected to the parallel multi-core cable by insulation displacement connection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-58459 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The signaling device connection structure of Patent Document 1 is said to make it easy to increase or decrease the number of signaling devices that can be connected to a parallel multi-core cable. However, since the signaling device connection structure of Patent Document 1 has multiple pressure-displacement terminals mounted on the end of the printed circuit board, an excessive load is applied to the printed circuit board when it is pressure-displaced with the parallel multi-core cable, and there is a concern that the copper foil formed on the outer surface of the printed circuit board may peel off.

[0005] In a pressure-displacement connector capable of connecting a parallel multi-core cable arranged along the surface of a flat substrate to a signal device by pressure-displacement, there is a demand for a pressure-displacement connector that does not place a burden on the printed circuit board contained in the signal device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide an insulation displacement connector that can connect a parallel multi-core cable and a signal device by insulation displacement connection, which does not place a burden on the printed circuit board contained in the signal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inventors believed that by forming a pressure-displacement connector using a cover housing that can be fixed to a board on which a parallel multi-core cable is arranged and through which the parallel multi-core cable can be introduced from the outer circumferential direction, a socket housing into which the parallel multi-core cable can be introduced from the outer circumferential direction and that can be mated with the cover housing, and a plurality of pressure-displacement contacts that are attached to the socket housing and have pressure-displacement terminal portions protruding toward the parallel multi-core cable arranged between the cover housing and the socket housing, and by configuring the connector to be switchable between a temporary engagement state in which the parallel multi-core cable is temporarily engaged with the cover housing and a full engagement state in which the parallel multi-core cable is fully engaged with the cover housing, no burden would be placed on the printed circuit board contained within the signal device, and this led to the invention of a new pressure-displacement connector as described below.

[0008] (1) An insulation displacement connector capable of electrically connecting to a parallel multi-core cable arranged along the surface of a flat substrate, comprising: a cover housing that can be fixed to the substrate and into which the parallel multi-core cable can be introduced from one outer circumferential direction; a socket housing that can be fitted with the cover housing and into which the parallel multi-core cable can be introduced from the other outer circumferential direction; and a plurality of insulation displacement contacts that are attached to the socket housing and have insulation displacement terminal portions protruding toward the parallel multi-core cable arranged between the cover housing and the socket housing. the socket housing has a first locking portion arranged in an upper tier and a second locking portion arranged in a lower tier on both widthwise sides, the socket housing has a pair of U-shaped locking arms capable of locking with the first locking portion or the second locking portion, and when the locking arms are provisionally locked to the first locking portion, the insulation displacement terminal portion breaks through the coating that constitutes the parallel multi-core cable to identify a longitudinal position of the parallel multi-core cable, and when the locking arms are fully locked to the second locking portion, the insulation displacement terminal portion is pressure-connected to the core wires that constitute the parallel multi-core cable.

[0009] (2) An insulation displacement connector as described in (1), further comprising a signal device connectable to the insulation displacement connector, the insulation displacement contact having a clamping terminal portion protruding on the opposite side to the insulation displacement terminal portion, the signal device having a plug connector therein, the plug connector having an L-shaped pin contact having one end connectable to the clamping terminal portion, a plug housing holding the pin contact, and a printed circuit board fixed to the plug housing and connected to the pin contact.

[0010] (3) An insulation displacement connector as described in (1) or (2), in which the cover housing has a first wire introduction groove at both longitudinal ends, which is a series of semicircular arc grooves into which the wires of the parallel multi-core cable can be introduced, and the socket housing has a second wire introduction groove at both longitudinal ends, which is a series of semicircular arc grooves into which the wires of the parallel multi-core cable can be introduced, and when the socket housing is fully engaged with the cover housing, the first wire introduction groove and the second wire introduction groove clamp the parallel multi-core cable with the insulation displacement contact disposed therebetween. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the insulation displacement connector according to the present invention, the insulation displacement contacts for insulation displacement connection with the parallel multi-core cable are not mounted on the printed circuit board but on the socket housing, so that no burden is placed on the printed circuit board. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a connector device including a pressure-connecting connector according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connector device including a pressure-displacement connector according to the embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment, illustrating a state in which the socket housing is fully engaged with the cover housing; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A is a front view of the cover housing that constitutes the insulation displacement connector of the embodiment, FIG. 5B is a plan view of the cover housing, FIG. 5C is a right side view of the cover housing, and FIG. 5D is a bottom view of the cover housing. [Figure 6] 3 is a perspective view of a group of insulation displacement contacts constituting the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7]7A and 7B are diagrams of a socket housing constituting the insulation displacement connector of the embodiment, where FIG. 7(A) is a front view of the cover housing, FIG. 7(B) is a plan view of the socket housing, FIG. 7(C) is a right side view of the socket housing, and FIG. 7(D) is a bottom view of the socket housing. [Figure 8] 8(A) and 8(B) are diagrams showing the configuration of the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 8(A) is a front view of the insulation displacement connector, FIG. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the A'-A' arrow in FIG. 8(A), FIG. 8(C) is a right side view of the insulation displacement connector, and FIG. 8(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along the B'-B' arrow in FIG. 8(C), all of which are diagrams showing the state in which the socket housing is provisionally engaged with the cover housing. [Figure 9] 9(A) and 9(B) are a front view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line A'-A' in FIG. 9(A), a right side view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line B'-B' in FIG. 9(C), respectively, showing the state in which the socket housing is fully engaged with the cover housing. [Figure 10] 4 is a front view showing the configuration of a signaling device connected to the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of a signaling device to be connected to the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 4 is a right side view showing the configuration of a signaling device connected to the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of a signaling device to be connected to the insulation displacement connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a plug connector provided inside a signaling device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [Configuration of pressure-displacement connector] (Overall composition) First, the overall configuration of a connector device including an insulation displacement connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an insulation displacement connector 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is disposed inside a housing 9. The housing 9 is composed of a bottom plate 91 which is a flat substrate and a box-shaped lid 92 which covers the bottom plate 91. The bottom plate 91 has a rectangular panel cutout 91h into which the bottom of a cover housing 1 constituting the insulation displacement connector 10 can be inserted (see Figure 1).

[0015] 1 or 2, a parallel multi-core cable (hereinafter referred to as a trunk cable) Cb is arranged along the surface of a bottom plate 91. The trunk cable Cb traverses a housing 9. A signaling device 50 can be connected to the insulation displacement connector 10. An upper portion of the signaling device 50 protrudes from the upper surface of a cover body 92 (see FIG. 2).

[0016] (Configuration of insulation displacement connector) Next, the configuration of the insulation displacement connector 10 according to the embodiment will be described. With reference to Figures 3 to 7, the insulation displacement connector 10 includes a cover housing 1, a socket housing 2, and a plurality of insulation displacement contacts 3. The cover housing 1 can be fixed to a bottom plate 91. The cover housing 1 is formed with a first electric wire introduction groove 11d at both ends in the longitudinal direction, into which the trunk cable Cb can be introduced from one outer circumferential direction (see Figure 5). The first electric wire introduction groove 11d is a series of semicircular arc grooves into which the electric wires of the trunk cable Cb can be introduced (see Figure 5(A)).

[0017] 3 or 4 and 7, the socket housing 2 can be mated with the cover housing 1. The socket housing 2 also has second wire introduction grooves 21d formed at both ends in the length direction, into which the trunk cable Cb can be introduced from the other outer circumferential direction (see FIG. 7).

[0018] 4 or 6, the insulation displacement contact 3 is attached to the socket housing 2 from the bottom side of the socket housing 2. The insulation displacement contact 3 has an insulation displacement terminal portion 3a protruding toward the trunk cable Cb arranged between the cover housing 1 and the socket housing 2.

[0019] (Cover housing configuration) Next, the configuration of the cover housing 1 will be described. With reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6, the cover housing 1 has a pair of lances 11r, 11r arranged on the upper side and serving as a first locking portion, formed on both sides in the width direction. The cover housing 1 also has a lance 12r arranged on the lower side and serving as a second locking portion, formed on both sides in the width direction. The cover housing 1 has a gate 11g that guides a pair of locking arms 2a, 2a (see Fig. 7) formed on both sides in the width direction of the socket housing 2. When the socket housing 2 is inserted toward the cover housing 1, the locking arms 2a are restricted by the gate 11g, and the movement of the socket housing 2 in the length direction relative to the cover housing 1 can be suppressed.

[0020] 3 to 5, the cover housing 1 has a pair of flanges 11f protruding in the width direction. A bolt hole 11h is formed in the flange 11f. The cover housing 1 can be fixed to the bottom plate 91 by inserting the bottom of the cover housing 1 into a panel cutout 91h (see FIG. 1), inserting a bolt member B (see FIG. 9) into the bolt hole 11h, and screwing the bolt member B into female threads formed on both sides of the panel cutout 91h.

[0021] (Socket housing configuration) Next, the configuration of the socket housing 2 will be described. With reference to Fig. 3, 4, and 7, the socket housing 2 has a pair of U-shaped locking arms 2a formed on both sides in the width direction. When the socket housing 2 is inserted toward the cover housing 1, the tip ends of the pair of locking arms 2a climb over the pair of lances 11r and can be provisionally locked to the pair of lances 11r. When the socket housing 2 is further inserted toward the cover housing 1, the tip ends of the pair of locking arms 2a climb over the lance 12r and can be fully locked to the lance 12r.

[0022] 4, 7(B), and 8(B), the socket housing 2 has a rectangular recess 21 formed on the top surface. A plug housing 5h can be inserted into the recess 21 (see FIG. 11). The socket housing 2 also has a plurality of terminal introduction holes 21h that open into the top surface of a base portion that protrudes from the center of the recess 21 (see FIG. 4 or 7(B)). One end of a pin contact 51 can be introduced into the terminal introduction hole 21h (see FIG. 11).

[0023] (Pressure contact configuration) Next, the structure of the insulation displacement contact 3 will be described. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the insulation displacement contact 3 has an insulation displacement terminal portion 3a protruding from one end. Also, the insulation displacement contact 3 has a clamping terminal portion 3b protruding from the other end opposite the insulation displacement terminal portion 3a. Furthermore, the insulation displacement contact 3 is joined in an L-shape by crank pieces 32 and 33 so that the plate thickness surface of the insulation displacement terminal portion 3a and the plate thickness surface of the clamping terminal portion 3b are approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0024] 4 or 5, the insulation displacement terminal portion 3a can connect the covered electric wire of the trunk cable Cb by insulation displacement connection. The clamp terminal portion 3b can be connected to a pin contact 51 provided on a signal device 50 (see FIG. 11).

[0025] The insulation displacement terminal portion 3a has a first slot 31d into which the insulated electric wire of the trunk cable Cb can be inserted. The first slot 31d is cut out between a pair of insulation displacement pieces 31. When the insulation displacement terminal portion 3a is inserted toward the insulated electric wire, the pair of insulation displacement pieces 31 push aside the insulated electric wire's insulation Wi, allowing the core wire Wc to be introduced into the first slot 31d (see FIG. 8(D) or FIG. 9(D)). This allows the trunk cable Cb and the insulation displacement contact 3 to be electrically connected.

[0026] 4 or 5, the clamping terminal portion 3b has a pair of clamping arms 34 extending in a direction opposite to that of the insulation displacement terminal portion 3a. In other words, the insulation displacement contact 3 is arranged such that the extension direction of the insulation displacement terminal portion 3a and the extension direction of the clamping terminal portion 3b are opposite to each other. By introducing a pin contact 51 into a second slot 34d formed between the pair of clamping arms 34, 34, the insulation displacement contact 3 and the pin contact 51 can be electrically connected (see FIG. 11).

[0027] (Configuration of signaling devices) Next, the configuration of the signaling device 50 will be described. Referring to Fig. 1 or Fig. 10 to Fig. 13, the signaling device 50 has a plug connector 5 therein. The plug connector 5 is covered with a box-shaped case 5c except for its bottom surface. The signaling device 50 can be detachably connected to the insulation displacement connector 10.

[0028] (Plug connector configuration) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the plug connector 5. Referring to Figures 11 to 14, the plug connector 5 includes a plurality of L-shaped pin contacts 51 and a plug housing 5h. The plug connector 5 also includes a rectangular printed circuit board 5p.

[0029] 11 to 14, the tip of one end of the pin contact 51 protrudes from a recess formed in the bottom of the plug housing 5h. The base of the one end of the pin contact 51 is held by the plug housing 5h. The tip of the other end of the pin contact 51 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 5p. The base of the printed circuit board 5p is fixed to the plug housing 5h.

[0030] Referring to Figures 11 and 13, when the plug connector 5 is pushed toward the insulation displacement connector 10, the pin contacts 51 connect with the clamping terminal portions 3b of the insulation displacement contacts 3 through the terminal introduction holes 21h, thereby electrically connecting the insulation displacement contacts 3 and the printed circuit board 5p.

[0031] [Function of pressure connectors] Next, the operation and effects of the insulation displacement connector 10 will be described while explaining the operation of the insulation displacement connector 10.

[0032] 1 or 3, the bottom of the cover-housing 1 is inserted into the panel cutout 91h. Next, the trunk cable Cb is placed in the first wire introduction grooves 11d of the cover-housing 1 (see FIG. 4).

[0033] Next, the socket housing 2 is pushed into the cover housing 1, and the multiple insulation displacement connectors 10 are provisionally locked to the trunk cable Cb. In this state, since the insulation displacement terminal portions 3a are biting into the insulation cover Wi of the trunk cable Cb, the position of the insulation displacement connectors 10 can be identified in the longitudinal direction of the trunk cable Cb. In this state, the pair of locking arms 2a are provisionally locked to the pair of lances 11r.

[0034] Next, the insulation displacement connector 10 with the trunk cable Cb is removed from the bottom plate 91. Next, using a insulation displacement tool (not shown), the socket housing 2 is fully locked to the cover housing 1. In this state, the pair of locking arms 2a are fully locked to the pair of lances 12r (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4).

[0035] Next, the multiple insulation displacement connectors 10 that have been fully engaged are returned to the panel cutout 91h, and the pair of flanges 11f-11f are fixed to the bottom plate 91 using bolt members B (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 9(D)), thereby allowing one or more insulation displacement connectors 10 to be disposed in the housing 9. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the signaling device 50 can be easily attached to and detached from the insulation displacement connector 10.

[0036] Whereas the connection structure of conventional signaling devices involves crimping a crimp terminal mounted on the end of a printed circuit board to a trunk cable, the crimping connector of the present invention can be crimped to the trunk cable using a crimping tool, making on-site wiring work easier.

[0037] The insulation displacement connector of the present invention has the advantage that after the insulation displacement operation to the trunk cable is completed, the plug connector 5 mounted on the end of the printed circuit board can be freely connected and detached, thereby not causing excessive load to the printed circuit board.

[0038] The insulation displacement connector of the present invention allows a signaling device to be easily attached to and detached from the insulation displacement connector which is insulation displacement connected to a trunk cable.

[0039] The insulation displacement connector of the present invention can be pressure connected in two separate steps, a step of provisionally retaining the trunk cable and a step of fully retaining the trunk cable, so that the positioning of the trunk cable is easy.

[0040] The insulation displacement connector according to the present invention clamps the trunk cable on both sides of the insulation displacement contacts, and therefore can protect the trunk cable against vibration of the trunk cable.

[0041] By applying the technical concept of the present invention, wiring can be performed on-site for parallel connection to already installed equipment such as DIN rails, lighting, motors, and valves. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Cover housing 2 Socket Housing 2a·2a A pair of locking arms 3 Pressure Contact 3a Pressure-displacement terminal 10 Pressure connector 11r·11r Pair of lances (first engaging portion) 12r Lance (second locking part) 91 Bottom plate (substrate) Cb trunk cable (parallel multi-core cable) Wc core wire Wi-coated

Claims

1. A pressure-displacement connector capable of electrically connecting to a parallel multi-conductor cable arranged along a surface of a flat substrate, comprising: a cover housing that can be fixed to the substrate and into which a parallel multi-core cable can be introduced from one outer circumferential direction; a socket housing into which a parallel multi-core cable can be introduced from the other outer circumferential direction and which can be mated with the cover housing; a plurality of insulation displacement contacts attached to the socket housing and having insulation displacement terminal portions protruding toward a parallel multi-core cable disposed between the cover housing and the socket housing; The cover housing includes: A first locking portion disposed in an upper stage; and a second locking portion disposed at a lower stage on both sides in the width direction, the socket housing has a pair of U-shaped locking arms that can be locked with the first locking portion or the second locking portion, When the locking arm is provisionally locked to the first locking portion, the insulation displacement terminal breaks through the coating constituting the parallel multi-core cable to identify a position in the longitudinal direction of the parallel multi-core cable, When the locking arm is fully locked to the second locking portion, the insulation displacement terminal portion is connected to the core wires constituting the parallel multi-core cable by insulation displacement.

2. A signal device connectable to the insulation displacement connector is further provided. The insulation displacement contact has a clamping terminal portion protruding on an opposite side to the insulation displacement terminal portion, The signal device includes a plug connector therein, The plug connector comprises: an L-shaped pin contact, one end of which is connectable to the clamping terminal portion; a plug housing for holding the pin contacts; 2. The insulation displacement connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a printed circuit board fixed to said plug housing and connected to said pin contacts.

3. the cover housing has a first wire introduction groove at both ends in a longitudinal direction, the first wire introduction groove being a series of semicircular arc grooves into which wires of a parallel multi-core cable can be introduced; the socket housing has second wire introduction grooves at both ends in a longitudinal direction, the second wire introduction grooves being semicircular arc grooves connected together, into which wires of a parallel multi-core cable can be introduced; 3. The insulation displacement connector according to claim 1, wherein when the socket housing is fully engaged with the cover housing, the first wire guiding groove and the second wire guiding groove clamp the parallel multi-core cable with the insulation displacement contact positioned therebetween.

Images