Insulation connector

Abstract

We provide an Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC) that enables robust electrical and physical connections between components. [Solution] A press-fit connector (IDC) (100) is disclosed, comprising at least one through terminal (110) for penetrating a wire insulator and electrically contacting each insulated wire of a wire holder (200), and a closable housing (300). The closable housing includes a cavity (150) for holding the wire holder (200) and at least one through terminal (110), and an internal latching mechanism. The cavity (150) is configured for inserting the wire holder (200) along the insertion direction (199).

Description

Background Art

[0001] Electrical connectors are in many cases designed to make electrical contact with insulated electrical wires that have a conductive core and an outer insulating layer. Insulation displacement connectors (IDC) or insulation displacement contacts can be used to quickly make electrical connections. An IDC can make electrical contact in one quick action by piercing the insulating layer and making electrical contact with the core. The IDC can allow for prior additional steps of stripping, removing, and / or discarding the insulator before making the electrical connection between the conductive wire and the terminal.

[0002] Handling of connectors both during and after the assembly process of electrical devices can benefit from strong physical connections between components that can help stabilize electrical connections. A stable physical connection can also help reduce electrical noise, such as when sensitive signals are transmitted over wires. Electrical connections between components are often susceptible to damage upon impact and / or vibration. It is desirable to have a connector that enables strong electrical and physical connections between components.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] Described herein are insulation displacement connectors (IDCs), particularly IDCs that enable strong electrical and physical connections. The IDCs herein are suitable for use with wire pairs, such as wire pairs for differential signal transmission along twisted wire pairs. A stable electrical connection helps reduce electrical issues such as circuit breakage or short circuits.

[0004] Disclosed herein is an IDC comprising at least one through-terminal for penetrating a wire insulator and electrically contacting each insulated wire of a wire holder, and a closable housing. The closable housing includes a cavity for holding the wire holder and at least one through-terminal. The IDC includes an internal latching mechanism. The cavity is configured for inserting the wire holder along the insertion direction.

[0005] The above invention can be further improved by adding one or more of the features described below, each of which is advantageous in itself and can be combined with any of the other features described below independently and / or in any desired manner.

[0006] The latch mechanism may extend along the insertion direction within the cavity. The latch mechanism may be configured to be inserted into the wire holder within the cavity. The cavity may be configured to insert the wire holder into it along the insertion direction.

[0007] The latch mechanism may be configured to pass through the wire holder in the cavity, and the latch mechanism may be inserted into the wire holder while the wire holder is being introduced into the cavity.

[0008] A closable housing may include a cover and a base. The cover may be latched to the base of the closable housing. A latching mechanism may latch the housing cover to a wire holder and / or the housing base to a wire holder.

[0009] The internal latch mechanism may include at least one arm. When the IDC is in a closed configuration, the arm may extend from the inner wall of the closable housing along the insertion direction. At least one arm is configured to perform at least one of the following: passing through a wire holder in the cavity, passing next to at least one pass-through terminal, or being inserted into a receptacle of the closable housing. For example, the arm may pass through a wire holder to a receptacle of the closable housing and next to a pass-through terminal.

[0010] At least one arm is configured to pass through a wire holder and may be configured to latch to at least one of the following in the cavity: the outer surface of the wire holder, the closable housing, the inner surface of the closable housing, another arm, or the surface of the cavity.

[0011] At least one arm may be inserted into a receptacle of a closable housing, where the housing cover includes the receptacle, the housing base includes the receptacle, or the receptacle is on the surface of the cavity.

[0012] Each end of at least one arm may include its own latching element. Each latching element can latch into a wire holder in the cavity and / or latch the base and cover of a closable housing to each other.

[0013] The latch mechanism may include at least one second arm oriented along the insertion direction, configured to extend from opposing inner walls of the closable housing into or through the wire holder.

[0014] At least one arm and at least one second arm can latch onto each other.

[0015] The arms of the housing cover can latch to the base end of the opposing arm of the latch on the housing base. The arms may be configured to extend into / through the wire holder. The arms extend, for example, along the insertion direction, for example, from the housing base to the housing cover, to the opposing wall of the cavity.

[0016] The latching mechanism may include opposing arms oriented along the insertion direction, configured to extend from opposing inner walls of a closable housing into / through the wire holder.

[0017] The arm may have a hook / opening for securing the closable housing in a closed position.

[0018] The latch of the housing cover may be configured to pass through a wire holder, for example, a window in the wire holder.

[0019] In a closed configuration, the cover and base may be fixed together, possibly irreversibly, by a latch mechanism. An irreversible mechanism can enhance stability.

[0020] In the closed configuration of the IDC, the arms of the latch mechanism may extend from the cavity wall toward the cover, and the wall from which the arms of the latch mechanism extend may be the inner wall of the housing base.

[0021] At least one through terminal of the IDC may include a through end that extends along the insertion direction.

[0022] At least one through-hole of the IDC may include a blade, for example, at the cavity boundary (bottom). The blade may extend parallel to the insertion axis. The blade may extend into the cavity. The blade may extend from the base of the housing.

[0023] The closable housing may be configured to secure the wire holder internally.

[0024] The housing base can hold insulation-piercing terminals such as blades. The insulation-piercing terminals may be configured to be inserted into the wire holder.

[0025] The IDC can include a wire holder.

[0026] The wire holder can include at least one hole for allowing access to the wire pair of the wire holder. Alternatively or additionally, the wire holder can include a wire holder cover with a window and / or a wire holder base.

[0027] The wire holder can have inclined side surfaces, which may be configured to contact the inner wall of the closeable housing. The inclined side surfaces can contact the inner wall of the cavity to center the wire holder in the housing.

[0028] The wire holder can include a holder base and a holder cover. In the assembled state of the wire holder, the holder base and the holder cover can form at least one hole, for example, at the position where the holder base and the holder cover are joined. The hole may be for passing at least one wire, for example at the seam. The hole can clamp the wire. The hole can control the pitch between the wires. The opening may be circular. The opening can pass through the face of the wire holder. The opening can include a curved boundary formed by the surface of at least one of the holder base and the holder cover. Providing such an opening can help stabilize the position of the wire.

[0029] The holder base and the holder cover may be configured to clamp the ends of a pair of wires. The wire holder base and the wire holder cover may be reversibly attachable. The reversibility can be convenient for the user.

[0030] The inner side of the holder base may include a pressing member for pressing the wire pair against a piercing terminal, such as a blade, so as to bring the wires of the wire pair into electrical contact through the insulator of the wire pair, and the pressing surface may be located in the installation region of the window perpendicular to the insertion direction. The pressing surface can assist in establishing / maintaining electrical contact. The position of the pressing member may be between the blades of the piercing terminal when projected along the insertion direction, and the blades of the terminal are displaced relative to each other along the long axis of the wire.

[0031] The IDC may include a ridge between the piercing terminals in the cavity. This can improve insulation and / or mechanical stability.

[0032] A wire holder is disclosed in the present specification. The wire holder may be provided with at least one window. The at least one window may be configured to allow passage of a latch mechanism of the closable housing. The wire holder may be configured to be inserted into the cavity of the closable housing along the insertion direction. The wire holder may be configured to allow at least one piercing terminal held in the cavity to penetrate the wire insulator and make electrical contact with each insulated wire held by the wire holder when the wire holder is inserted into the cavity.

[0033] The wire holder may include a holder base and a holder cover. The holder base and the holder cover can, for example, be reversibly latched to each other. The end of at least one wire may be held by the wire holder, for example, before and / or after the wire holder is inserted into the cavity.

[0034] The wire holder may be configured to be sandwiched by the base and the cover of the closable housing of the IDC. The wire holder may be latched to the closable housing, for example, to at least one of the base or the cover of the housing.

[0035] The wire holder may be configured such that, for example, when the wire holder is inserted into the cavity of the IDC, the internal latch mechanism of the IDC can be inserted through the wire holder. The wire holder may be configured to allow the internal latch mechanism to pass through. For example, the internal latch mechanism can pass through the wire holder and latch onto the outer surface of the wire holder.

[0036] The wire holder may be configured such that a latching mechanism can latch the housing base into the wire holder.

[0037] The wire holder may have at least one window through which, for example, a latch mechanism and / or its components can pass. For example, when the wire holder is in a cavity, the arm of the latch mechanism can pass through the window of the wire holder.

[0038] At least one window may be for passing through a latch mechanism and / or a pass-through terminal. At least one window may allow at least one arm of the latch mechanism to pass through. For example, a first window may allow an arm from the housing cover and an arm from the housing base. A second window of the wire holder may allow a second arm from the cover and a second arm from the base to pass through.

[0039] The windows can accept insertions along the insertion direction of each arm, thereby stabilizing the assembled IDC. The arms of the latch mechanism passing through the wire holder 200 can stabilize the electrical connection between the conductive portion of the wire 160 and the through terminal.

[0040] One or more of the windows may be slots.

[0041] Wire holders can latch onto each other to clamp each end of a wire, for example. A wire holder may include a latching mechanism for latching multiple components of the wire holder, such as the base and cover of the wire holder, onto each other.

[0042] The wire holder is configured to be inserted into the cavity of the IDC's closable housing, for example, along the insertion direction. A window in the wire holder can guide the insertion, for example, allowing the insertion to be aligned along the insertion direction. The wire holder may be configured such that an internal latch mechanism extends in the cavity along the insertion direction. An internal latch mechanism, such as an arm of the latch mechanism, can extend through the wire holder and / or extend to be coplanar with the outer surface of the wire holder.

[0043] A wire holder may have at least one hole that allows each wire to enter the wire holder. Optional wire holder bases and holder covers may have holes formed in the assembled state. For example, holes may be formed in the joint where the surface of the wire holder is formed from the base and cover when joined. The holes can control the wire pitch. The holes may be circular and may match the size of the wire. The holes may be formed by the curved surface of at least one of the holder base and holder cover when assembled together (e.g., latched). The radius of curvature of the curved surface of the holder base and / or cover may be designed to match the radius of curvature of the wire intended for connection to the IDC.

[0044] At least one side of the holder, holder base, or holder cover may have respective notches through which the respective wires can pass, for example, a first notch and a second notch for a first wire and a second wire. Alternatively / additionally, for example, when the holder base and cover are assembled together, the notches may form respective holes.

[0045] A wire holder, for example, its wire holder base, may include at least one pressing member for pressing the wire toward the through terminal. The pressing member can help ensure electrical contact between the wire and the through terminal. The pressing member may extend from the inner wall of the wire holder and / or holder base. The pressing member can press each wire perpendicular to its longitudinal axis while the wire holder is inserted into the cavity.

[0046] The wire holder may include an inclined contact surface configured to at least partially contact the inner wall of the housing and / or cavity. The inclined surface can help guide the wire holder into the cavity.

[0047] A wire holder can hold the end of a wire.

[0048] The present invention will be described in more detail below, with reference to the drawings, according to several embodiments. Different features of the present invention can be combined with each other as desired, in accordance with the general description above. Furthermore, if the technical effect of a certain feature is not required in a particular application, that feature can be omitted from the embodiments below. Similarly, features mentioned above but not present in the embodiments described below may be added if their technical effect is not essential in a particular application.

[0049] In the following, the same reference numeral is used for elements that correspond to each other with respect to at least one of their structure and function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] [Figure 1] This is an exploded view of an IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows a closable housing for an IDC according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an IDC according to one embodiment. [Figure 4]This figure shows an IDC with a closed configuration according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an IDC according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a wire holder according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows a wire holder or wire holder base according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows a partially assembled IDC according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the assembled IDC. [Figure 10] This figure shows a through-terminal according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0051] The IDC and its components in several possible embodiments will be described below with reference to illustrative drawings. The embodiments are not limited to those shown.

[0052] Figure 1 is an exploded view of an IDC according to one embodiment. The IDC 100 may comprise a through terminal 110 and a closable housing 300, for example, the housing 300 including a base 320 and a cover 340. The through terminal 110, which may include one or more blades, penetrates the wire insulator and can make electrical contact with an insulated wire, such as the wire of a wire holder 200. The housing 300 may include a cavity 150 that holds the wire holder 200 and the through terminal 110. The wire holder 200 may be inserted into the cavity 150 along the insertion direction 199.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1, the wire holder 200 may include a holder base 220 and a holder cover 240. The holder base 220 and the holder cover 240 can, for example, reversibly latch to each other. For example, at least one end of a wire may be held by the wire holder 200 before the wire holder 200 is inserted into the cavity 150.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a closable housing of an IDC according to one embodiment. As shown, the housing 300 may include a base 320 and a cover 340. The housing 300 described herein with respect to Figure 2 can be combined with any embodiment of the IDC 100 described herein.

[0055] The housing 300 may include an internal latch mechanism 310, for example, a latch mechanism 310 extending along the insertion direction 199 in the cavity 150. When the wire holder 200 is inserted into the cavity 150, the internal latch mechanism 310 may be inserted into the wire holder 200. The internal latch mechanism 310 can pass through the wire holder 200 at least partially. For example, the internal latch mechanism 310 can pass through the wire holder 200 and latch onto the outer surface of the wire holder 200.

[0056] A closable housing 300, which may include a cover 340 and a base 320, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, may include a latch mechanism 310 that latches the base 320 to the cover 340. The latch mechanism 310 may pass through a wire holder 200. Alternatively / additionally, the latch mechanism 310 may latch the housing base 320 to the wire holder 200.

[0057] The latch mechanism 310 may include at least one arm 350. The arm 350 may extend along the insertion direction 199. The arm 350 may include arms 351, 352, 361, 362, for example, an arm 351 extending along the insertion direction 199 from the inner wall 330 of the housing 300. The arm 351 may extend into the wire holder 200 in the cavity 150, for example, in the closed configuration of the IDC 100. When the housing 300 is closed, the arm 351 may extend from the inner wall 330 toward the opposing inner wall 331 of the housing 300. The arm 351 may extend from the inner wall 330 and reach the opposing inner wall 331.

[0058] For example, arms 351 and 352 extend from the inner wall 330 of the cover 340 to the opposing inner wall 331 of the base 320. Arm 351, which extends from the cover 340 to the base 320, can be attached to the base 320 by a latch.

[0059] The latch mechanism 310 may include complementary latch elements 355 to form a slam latch, for example. For example, the arm 351 and / or the second arm 352 may have a latch element 355a, such as a notch. Opposing inner walls 330 may have complementary latch elements 355b, such as projections. The latch elements 355 may be paired to latch, for example, parts of the housing 300 (e.g., the base 320 and the cover 340) and / or the housing 300 and the wire holder 200 to each other.

[0060] A latch element 355b complementary to latch element 355a (for example, latch element 355a of arm 352) may be located at the root end of an opposing arm 361 (for example, a second opposing arm 361). The opposing arm 361 may extend from opposing inner walls 331 of the housing 300, for example, from the base 320.

[0061] For example, the latch mechanism 300 may include complementary latch elements 355 that latch to each other, such as at least one pair of latches, such as a latch tooth or projection 355b and a complementary notch 355a. At least one of the latch pairs may be located on the arm 351, for example, at the end of the arm 351.

[0062] The latch mechanism 310 may include opposing arms 361 oriented along the insertion direction 199. The opposing arms 361 may extend into / through the wire holder 200. The opposing arms 361 may extend from opposing inner walls 331 toward inner wall 330 of the closable housing 300.

[0063] The arms 351, 352, 361, and 362 of the latch mechanism 310 may each have at least one latch element 355a, 355b at their ends, for example. For example, the second arm 352 includes a latch element 355a at its end.

[0064] Alternatively / additionally, the arms 351, 352, 361, and 362 may serve as guides to assist in the precise positioning of the wire holder 200 in the cavity 150, and / or in the alignment of the base 320, the cover 340, and / or the wire holder 200, respectively. For example, the cover 340 may include a receptacle 370 for receiving the ends of the opposing arms 361 and 362 of the base 320. The receptacles 371 and 372 may be slots that can complement the shape of the ends of the opposing arms 361 and 362, for example, if the opposing arms 361 and 362 are tabs. The opposing arms 361 and 362 can pass through the wire holder 200 in the cavity 150. When the housing 300 is closed, the ends of the opposing arms 361 and 362 can be fitted into the receptacles 371 and 372, so that, for example, the end faces of the opposing arms 361 and 362 become coplanar with the outer surface of the housing 300, such as the upper part 335 of the cover 330.

[0065] The wire holder 200 may include at least one window 270 (see Figure 1) through which the latch mechanism 310 and / or its components can pass. For example, when the wire holder 200 is in the cavity 150, the arms 361, 362 (see Figure 2) of the latch mechanism 310 can pass through the window 270 of the wire holder 200.

[0066] Figure 3 shows an IDC according to one embodiment. The features of the IDC 100 described with respect to Figure 3 can be combined with any other embodiment of the IDC 100 described herein. The IDC 100 may include a closable housing 300 including a cavity 150 and a through terminal 110. The cavity 150 can hold a wire holder 200 and a through terminal 110.

[0067] The wire holder 200 may be inserted into the cavity 150 of the closable housing 300 of the IDC 100, for example, along the insertion direction 199. An internal latching mechanism 310 of the housing 300 can latch onto the wire holder 200. The internal latching mechanism 310 may extend along the insertion direction 199 in the cavity 150. The internal latching mechanism 310, such as the arm 350 of the latching mechanism 310, may extend through the wire holder 200 and / or may extend to be coplanar with the outer surface of the wire holder 200.

[0068] For example, arms 361, 362 of the internal latch mechanism 310 of the closable housing 300 can latch onto the wire holder 200. The housing 300 of the IDC 100 may be closed by inserting the wire holder 200 into the cavity 150, which may optionally include latching the wire holder 200 and the housing 300 together. Complementary latch elements 355 of the housing 300 and the wire holder 200 can, for example, reversibly latch onto each other.

[0069] The wire holder 200 may have at least one hole 250 for passing the wire through. The wire holder 200 may hold the ends of each wire 160, for example, wire pair 161, 162. The wire holder 200 may hold the wire 160 such that its longitudinal axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 199.

[0070] The wire holder 200 may have at least one window 270 for passing through the latch mechanism 310. The at least one window 270 may allow at least one arm 351, 352, 361, 362 extending from the closable housing 300, for example, its base 320 or cover 340, to pass through. For example, a first window 271 may allow the arm 351 from the cover 340 and the arm 361 from the base 320 to pass through. A second window 272 may allow the second arm 352 from the cover 340 and the second arm 361 from the base 320 to pass through. The windows 271 and 272 can accept insertion along the insertion direction 199 of their respective arms 351 and 361, thereby stabilizing the assembled IDC 100. The arms 351 and 361 of the latch mechanism 310, which pass through the wire holder 200, can stabilize the electrical connection between the conductive portion of the wire 160 and the through terminal 110.

[0071] Windows 271 and 272 may be slots.

[0072] Arms 351, 352, 361, and 362 may be tabs having a major axis and a minor axis perpendicular to the insertion direction 199, respectively. The tabs may be oriented along the insertion direction 199 and may extend, for example, from the inner surface of the closable housing 300. The tabs or arms 351, 352, 361, and 362 may pass through corresponding slots in the wire holder 200. Alternatively / additionally, the tabs may be inserted into complementary slots (which may be through holes or blind holes) in the closable housing 300. The tabs may act as guides. Arms 351, 352, 361, 362 and / or tabs can help stabilize the IDC100, for example, when the IDC100 is in a closed configuration, and / or help maintain electrical contact between the wire 160 and the through terminal 110.

[0073] Figure 4 shows an IDC according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the closable housing 300 may include a cover 340. The cover 340 can close the closable housing 300 by latching, for example, to a base 320 and / or a wire holder 200. Figure 4 shows the closing configuration of the IDC 100.

[0074] Figure 5 shows an IDC according to one embodiment. The closable housing 300 of the IDC 100 may be closed by inserting a wire holder 200. The wire holder 200 may be separated from the housing 300, for example. The wire holder 200 may be reversibly inserted into the cavity 150 of the housing 300. Optional latches between the wire holder 200 and the housing 300 may be released.

[0075] The wire holder 200 may include a holder base 220 and a holder cover 240. The latch structure 210 can latch the base 220 and the cover 240 to each other. The latch structure 210 of the wire holder 200 may include at least one arm 211. Alternatively / additionally, the latch structure 210 of the wire holder may include complementary latch elements 215, for example, projections 215a and notches 215b. When latched together, the wire holder 200 can hold, for example, a wire, clamp it. For example, the wire 160 may be held by the wire holder 200 while the wire holder 200 is inserted into the cavity 150 and / or while the insulator of the wire 160 is passed through the insulator through terminal 110. Alternatively / additionally, the wire holder 200 can hold the wire 160 in the cavity 150 of the assembled IDC 100.

[0076] The closable housing 300 may be configured to secure the wire holder 200 inside.

[0077] The internal latch mechanism 310 of the closureable housing 300 described herein works synergistically with the latch structure 210 of the wire holder 200 described herein to provide an IDC 100 that maintains a robust electrical connection even when subjected to shock or vibration, for example.

[0078] Figure 6 shows a wire holder according to one embodiment. The wire holder 200 may include at least one hole 250, for example two holes 251, 252, that allow at least one wire 160, for example, each end of the wire 160, to enter the wire holder 200. The holes 250 may be circular, for example, so that each wire passes through the respective holes 251, 252. The holes 250 may be formed by an assembly of the wire holder 200 which may include a holder base 220 and a holder cover 240.

[0079] The wire holders 200 can latch onto each other to clamp each end of the wire 160, for example. The wire holders 200 may include a latch structure 210 as shown in Figure 5.

[0080] The holder base 220 and the holder cover 240 can, in their assembled state, form at least one hole 250 for passing at least one wire 160 through. The hole 250 may be formed, for example, at the joint where the surface of the wire holder 200 is formed from the base 220 and the cover 240. The hole 250 can control the pitch of the wires 160. The hole 250 may be circular and may match the size of the wires 160. The hole 250 may be formed by the curved surface of at least one of the holder base 220 and the holder cover 240 when assembled together (e.g., latched). The radius of curvature of the curved surface of the base 220 and / or cover 240 of the holder 200 may be designed to match the radius of curvature of the wire 160 intended for connection with the IDC 100.

[0081] Figure 7 shows a wire holder or wire holder base according to an embodiment. At least one side of the holder 200, holder base 220, or holder cover 240 may have respective notches 255 through which the respective wires can pass, for example, a first notch 256 and a second notch 257 for a first wire 161 and a second wire 162. Alternatively / additionally, for example, when the holder base 220 and the cover 240 are assembled together, the notches 255 form the respective holes 220.

[0082] The wire holder 200, cover 240, and / or wire holder base 220 may include at least one pressing member 280 for pressing the wire 160 toward the through terminal 110. The pressing member 280 can help ensure electrical contact between the wire 160 and the through terminal 110. The pressing member 280 may extend from the inner wall of the wire holder 200 and / or holder base 220. The pressing member 280 can, for example, press each wire 160 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while inserting the wire holder 200 into the cavity 150. The pressing member 280 may be on the side of the wire 160 opposite to the through terminal 110. When the wire holder 200 is inserted into the cavity 150, the pressing member 280 can help penetrate the insulation of the wire 160. Alternatively / additionally, the pressing member (2) 280 can help make / maintain electrical contact between the wire 160 and the through terminal 110. The pressing member 280 can press the wire 160 on the side opposite to the through terminal 110. The pressing member 280 can help maintain a firm electrical contact.

[0083] The pressing member 280 may have a concave surface, for example, to complement the cylindrical shape of the wire and / or to press each wire 160. The radius of curvature of the curved surface may be designed to match the radius of curvature of the wire 160 intended for connection with the IDC 100.

[0084] The through terminal 110 penetrates the wire insulator and makes electrical contact with the insulated wire of the wire holder 200 when the wire holder 200 is inserted into the cavity 150. The wire holder 200 is inserted into the cavity 150 along the insertion direction 199. Insertion can be completed when the wire holder 200 is latched into the closable housing 300. A complementary latch element 355 latches the wire holder 200 into the housing 300, allowing the closable housing 300 to be closed, for example. Alternatively / additionally, after the wire holder 200 is inserted into the cavity 150 and the housing cover 340 is latched to the housing base 320, the closable housing 300 may be closed by complementary latching elements 355 of the housing cover 340 and housing base 320 and / or the wire holder 200.

[0085] The through terminal 110 may be located at the boundary of the cavity 150 and / or may be considered as part of the cavity 150. The wire holder 200, when inserted into the cavity 150, can allow the through terminal 110 to enter the wire holder 200. The through terminal 110 may extend parallel to the insertion axis 199. For example, the through-terminal 110 is located at the bottom of the cavity 150 and / or extends from the base 320 of the closable housing 300. The through-terminal 110 may include a blade, which may be configured to cut the insulation of the wire 160 and make electrical contact with the internal metal wire. The closable housing 300 and / or its base 320 can hold the insulated through-terminal 110. This increases stability and provides a robust electrical contact even when the IDC 100 is subjected to shock and vibration.

[0086] The IDC 100, including the closable housing 300, can be made more shock and vibration resistant. Protection from shock and vibration can be further enhanced when the housing 300 includes a base 320 and a cover 340 that latch together, for example, surrounding a wire holder 200 in the cavity 150 of the housing 300. Alternatively / additionally, the wire holder 200 acting to hold the insulated through-terminal 110 can be made more stable, and such stability can be further enhanced by using a pressing member 280 that can stabilize the position of the wire 160 relative to the through-terminal 110.

[0087] The through terminal 110 may be located between the arms 361 and 362 of the latch mechanism 310. Arm 361 can help hold the through terminal 110 in place. Alternatively / additionally, each ridge 380, as shown in Figure 2, may be located between the through terminals 110. The ridges 380 can help hold the through terminal 110 and / or help prevent short circuits or electrical crosstalk of the wires.

[0088] Figure 8 shows a partially assembled IDC according to one embodiment. The wire holder 200 may include inclined sides and / or inclined contact surfaces 291, 292 that at least partially contact the inner wall 330 of the housing 300 and / or the cavity 150. The inclined surfaces can help guide the wire holder 200 into the cavity 150. The closable housing 300 may include complementary inclined contact surfaces 391, 392. The complementary inclined contact surfaces 391, 392 can contact the inclined contact surfaces 291, 292. The complementary inclined contact surfaces 391, 392 can enhance the stability of the IDC 100 and maintain a robust electrical connection even in environments subject to vibration and shock.

[0089] Figure 9 shows an assembled IDC according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the IDC 100 may optionally include a housing cover 340 that can latch onto a housing base 320.

[0090] The internal latch mechanism 310 can pass through the wire holder 200, and for example, the internal latch mechanism 310 may include arms 361, 362 that pass through the wire holder 200 and latch onto the outer surface 225 of the wire holder 200. The outer surface 225 may be within the cavity 150 of the closable housing 300. The arms 361, 362 may be received by receptacles 371, 372 of the housing cover 340. The receptacles 371, 372 may be, for example, slots through the cover 340.

[0091] The internal latch mechanism 310 may include at least one arm 361, 362. The arms 361, 362 pass through the wire holder 200, latch onto the outer surface 225 of the wire holder 200 in the cavity 150, pass next to the through terminals 110a, 110b, and are inserted into the receptacle 370 of the closable housing 300, for example, the receptacle 371, 372 of the cover 340 of the housing 300, and each latch element 365a of a pair of complementary latch elements 365a, 365b may be included at the ends of the arms 361, 362 to latch onto the wire holder 200, for example. Alternatively / additionally, the arms 361, 362 may include, for example, latch element 355b of a pair of complementary latch elements 355a, 355b at the opposite ends of the arms 361, 362 (the opposite ends being closer to the inner wall 330 of the closeable housing 300 from which the arms 361, 362 extend), or any combination thereof, to latch the base 320 and cover 340 of the closeable housing 300 to each other. Further latch element pairs 365a, 365b;355a, 355b may help provide a stable connector that is vibration-resistant or shock-resistant.

[0092] Alternatively / additionally, the internal latch mechanism 310 may include at least one arm 351, 352. The arms 351, 352 can pass through the wire holder 200 and / or latch to the closable housing 300 on, for example, the inner surface, another arm 361, 362, and / or the surface of the cavity 150. Alternatively / additionally, the arms 351, 352 can pass alongside the through terminals 110a, 110b and / or the arms 351 / 352 can be inserted into receptacles 396, 397 of the closable housing 300, for example, receptacles 396, 397 on the base 320 of the housing 300 and / or the surface of the cavity 150. Alternatively / additionally, the arms 351, 352 may include latch element 355a of a pair of complementary latch elements 355a, 355b at their ends for latching, for example, to the base 320 of a closable housing 300 and / or to latching to another arm 361, 362.

[0093] To enhance safety and protect electrical connections from vibration and / or shock, it may be advantageous for the latch mechanism 310 to have two or more pairs of complementary latch elements 355a, 355b.

[0094] The internal latch mechanism 310 described herein may include at least one pair (e.g., one set) of complementary latch elements 355 between (a) the closureable housing 300 and the wire holder 200, (b) the base 320 of the closureable housing 300 and the wire holder 200, and (c) the cover 340 of the closureable housing 300 and the base 320 of the closureable housing 300. Alternatively / additionally, complementary latch elements 355a, 355b may be located between the cover 340 of the closureable housing 300 and the base 320 of the closureable housing 300 to latch the closureable housing 300 into a closed configuration.

[0095] The various forms of latches described herein are each optional and can be used to securely fasten any combination of the wire holder 200, the wire 160, and / or the closable housing 300.

[0096] For example, as shown in Figure 9, there may be a complementary pair of latches 365a, 365b that latch the wire holder 200 to a closable housing 300, for example, its cover 340. The latch element 365a of the wire holder 200 may be on the surface of the wire holder 200, for example, the outer surface 225. The respective ends of the arms 361, 362 of the latch mechanism 310 can latch to the surface of the wire holder 200, for example, the outer surface 225. The arms 361, 362 may extend from the inner wall of the closable housing 300, the cavity 150, and / or the base 320 of the closable housing 300.

[0097] Alternatively / additionally, the IDC100 may include complementary latch pairs 355a, 355b that latch the cover 340 of the closeable housing 300 to the base 320 of the closeable housing 300. The latch element 355a of the housing cover 340 may be at the respective ends of the arms 351, 352 of the latch mechanism 310. The arms 351, 352 may extend from the inner wall of the closeable housing 300, for example, from the inner wall of the cover 340 of the closeable housing 300.

[0098] Arms 350 of the latch mechanism 310, such as arms 351, 352, 361, and 362, can extend through the wire holder 200, for example in a closed configuration, such as the configuration shown in Figure 9. The wire holder 200 may include at least one window 270 and / or passage through which the arms 350 and / or the latch mechanism 310 can pass. The arms 350 and / or the latch mechanism 310 can extend along the insertion direction 199.

[0099] Alternatively / additionally, in the closing configuration of IDC100, the arms 350 of the latch mechanism 310 can extend from the wall of the cavity 150 toward the opposing wall. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the arms 361 and 362 can extend toward the wall of the cover 340 of the closeable housing 300, and the arms 361 and 362 can extend toward the inner wall of the base 320 of the closeable housing 300. Alternatively / additionally, the arms 351 and 352 can extend toward the base 320 of the closeable housing 300 toward the inner wall of the cover 340.

[0100] In a closed configuration, the cover 340 and base 320 of the housing 300 may be irreversibly latched to each other. This can help provide stability.

[0101] As described above, in the closed configuration of the closable housing 300, the latch mechanism 310 can pass through the wire holder 200. For example, when the IDC 100 is in the closed configuration, at least one arm 350 passes through the wire holder 200 in the cavity 150. The wire holder 200 may have at least one window that allows at least one arm 350 of the latch mechanism 310 to pass through the wire holder 200. The same window or an additional window of the wire holder 200 may allow the through terminal 110 to be inserted into the wire 160.

[0102] The through terminal 110 described herein may be held by a housing base 320. The through terminal 110 described herein may be inserted into a wire holder 200.

[0103] Figure 10 shows a through terminal according to one embodiment, which can be combined with any embodiment described herein. The through terminal 110 described herein may have a through end 1100 at a first end. The through terminal 110 may have a second end 1200, such as a non-through end. The through terminal 110 described herein may include blades 1101, 1102 for penetrating an insulator and for electrically contacting the wire 160, particularly at the through end 1100.

[0104] For example, the through terminal 110 includes a pair of blades 1101 and a second pair of blades 1102 separated by a certain distance. There may be walls 1400, 1402 of the through terminal 110 between the pairs of blades 1101, 1102. The walls 1400 may extend along the direction separating the pairs of blades 1101, 1102. The walls 1400, 1402 may form channels 1500 into which each wire 160 is placed, so that each wire 160 is fitted into the channel 1500 and passed through by the blades 1101, 1102 for electrical contact. The channel 1500 may be located in the cavity 150 of the housing 300. The channel 1500 may be oriented so as to be able to hold the longitudinal axis of the wire 160 internally. Alternatively / additionally, the channel 1500 may be oriented so as to open toward the hole 250 of the wire holder 200 when the wire holder 200 is located in the cavity 150. When the wire holder 200 is held in the cavity 150, the wire 160 held by the wire holder 200 may be located in each channel 1500.

[0105] The second end 1200 of the through terminal 110 may include a second terminal end, such as a female terminal end or a male terminal end, for further connecting the IDC 100 to other electrical components. A conductive intermediate member 1300 can electrically connect the first end 1100 and the second end 1200.

[0106] The IDC 100 described herein is particularly conceivable to be used with a wire pair, for example, when connecting a twisted wire pair to a terminal. The stability of the IDC described herein can provide severe noise immunity, which can make it suitable for low-noise signal transmission. For example, the latch mechanism 310 passing through the wire holder 200 enhances the stability of the electrical contact between the wires 161, 162 and the through terminal 110, thereby reducing the effects of vibration-induced electrical noise and / or providing a robust electrical connection that is shock-resistant and vibration-resistant. For example, the latch mechanism arm 350, alongside the through terminal 110, can pass through the cavity 150 and / or wire holder 200 to enhance mechanical stability. The arm 350 can act synergistically with complementary openings, such as the window 270 of the wire holder 200 and / or the receptacle 370 of the closable housing 300, for example, by passing through them. The window 270 and / or receptacle 370 can stabilize the position of the arm 350. The window 270 and / or receptacle 370 can act to guide the position of the arm 350.

[0107] As shown in Figure 4, the cover 340 of the closable housing 300 may include a first receptacle 371 and a second receptacle 372 that receive the respective ends of the arms 361 and 362. The receptacle 370 may be a slot or a groove and may be a complementary shape to the ends of the receptive arms 361 and 362. For example, the arm 351 may be a tab and the complementary receptacle 370 of the housing 300 may be a slot.

[0108] In this specification, “housing” may be used synonymously with “closeable housing 300”. In this specification, “internal latch mechanism” may be a latch mechanism extending to a cavity in the IDC, such as a cavity in the housing, where a wire holder can be placed. In this specification, “internal latch mechanism” and “latch mechanism” may be used synonymously.

[0109] In this specification, the first end of a through terminal may be referred to as the through end. In this specification, the wire may be an insulated wire.

[0110] In this specification, opposing inner walls of a housing can face each other. A cavity (of a closable housing) for holding a wire holder may be located between one inner wall and the opposing inner wall.

[0111] In this specification, the arm may be a tab. The tab may extend along an extending direction parallel to the insertion direction. The tab may have a major axis and a minor axis perpendicular to the extending direction, and therefore, for example, the tab may have a rectangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the extending / inserting direction.

[0112] In this specification, for example, the term "inclined side surface" of a wire holder can be used synonymously with "inclined contact surface."

[0113] In this specification, trailing (s) is used to indicate one or more. For example, "arm(s)" means one or more arms. In this specification, a slash can indicate "and / or". "and / or" means "and" or "or". For example, "x / y" means "x only", "y only", or "x and y". [Explanation of Symbols]

[0114] 100 IDC 110, 110a, 110b feed-through terminal 150 Cavity 160 wire 161 Wire 1 162 Wire 2 199 Insertion direction 200 Wire Holder 210 Wire holder latch structure 211 Latch mechanism arm of wire holder 215 Complementary latching elements (latch pair) of wire holders 215a Latch element of wire holder (e.g., projection) 215b Latch element of wire holder, e.g., notch 220 Holder Base 225 Wire holder outer surface 240 Holder Cover Holes for wires 250, 251, and 252. 256, 257, 258 Notches for wire holes in wire holders 270 Wire holder window 271 Window 1 272 Second Window 280, 281, 282 Pressing members 291 Inclined contact surface 292 Inclined contact surface 300 closable housings 310 Latch mechanism 320 Housing Base 330 Interior walls of housing 331 Opposing interior walls 335 Top of the cover 340 Housing Cover 350 At least one arm of the latch mechanism 351 Latch mechanism arm 352 Second Arm 355 Complementary latch elements (latch pairs) 355a Latch element, e.g., notch 355b Latch element, e.g., projection 361 Opposing arms 362 Second opposing arm 365a Latching element of a wire holder for latching to a closable housing (e.g., its cover) 365b Latch element for a closure housing (e.g., cover) for a wire holder 370 Receptacle (Slot) 371, 372 Cover Receptacle 396, 397 base receptacles 380 Ridge 391 Complementary inclined contact surfaces 392 Complementary inclined contact surfaces 1100 Through end 1200 2nd end 1101, 1102 blades 1400, 1402 Wall 1300 Conductive intermediate member 1500 channels

Claims

1. A press-fit connector (IDC) (100), At least one through terminal (110) that penetrates the wire insulator and electrically contacts each of the insulated wires (160) of the wire holder (200), It is a closable housing (300), The wire holder (200) and the cavity (150) for holding the at least one through terminal (110), and Internal latch mechanism (310) A closable housing (300) including Equipped with, The cavity (150) is configured for inserting the wire holder (200) along the insertion direction (199) of the crimp connector (100).

2. The IDC (100) according to claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism (310) extends in the cavity (150) along the insertion direction (199).

3. The aforementioned closable housing (300) includes a cover (340) and a base (320), The IDC (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (340) is configured to latch onto the base (320) of the closable housing (300).

4. The internal latch mechanism (310) is The housing cover (340) is latched to the housing base (320), The housing base (320) is latched to the wire holder (200). The IDC according to claim 3, configured to perform at least one of the following.

5. The internal latch mechanism (310) includes at least one arm (351, 352, 361, 362), When in the closed configuration, the at least one arm (351, 352, 361, 362) extends from the inner wall (330) of the closable housing (300) along the insertion direction (199), The aforementioned at least one arm (351, 352, 361, 362) The cavity (150) is configured to allow the wire to pass through the wire holder (200). It is configured to pass next to at least one of the through terminals (110a, 110b), Insertable into the receptacles (391, 392) of the aforementioned closable housing (300) IDC (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is at least one of the following.

6. The at least one arm (351, 352, 361, 362) is configured to pass through the wire holder (200), and The outer surface (225) of the wire holder (200) in the cavity (150), The aforementioned closable housing (300), The inner surface of the aforementioned closable housing (300), Another arm (361, 362), or The surface of the cavity (150) The IDC (100) according to claim 5, configured to latch to at least one of the following.

7. The at least one arm (351, 352, 361, 362) is insertable into the receptacle (391, 392, 396, 397) of the closable housing (300), The cover (340) of the housing includes the receptacles (391, 392), The base (320) of the housing includes the receptacles (396, 397), or The receptacles (391, 392, 396, 397) are located on the surface of the cavity (150). IDC(100) according to claim 5 or 6, which is at least one of the following.

8. Each end of the at least one arm (351, 352, 361, 362) includes its respective latch element (355a, 355b, 365a, 365b), Each of the aforementioned latch elements (355a, 355b, 365a, 365b) The cavity (150) latches to the wire holder (200), or The base (320) and the cover (340) of the closureable housing (300) are latched to each other. IDC (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, configured to perform at least one of the following.

9. The IDC (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the latch mechanism (310) includes at least one second arm (351, 352, 361, 362) oriented along the insertion direction (199), configured to extend from opposing inner walls (330, 331) of the closable housing (300) into or through the wire holder (200).

10. The IDC (100) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one arm (351, 352, 361, 362) and the at least one second arm (351, 352, 361, 362) are configured to latch onto each other.

11. The IDC according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one through terminal (110) includes a through end (1100) extending along the insertion direction (199).

12. The wire holder (200) further comprises at least one window (270) to allow at least one through terminal (110) to access each of the insulated wires (160) of the wire holder (200), The IDC (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, optionally comprising a wire holder (200) for pressing each of the insulating wires (160) against the at least one through terminal (110) in order to electrically contact the at least one through terminal (110) with the insulating wire (160) through the insulator of each of the insulating wires (160).

13. The IDC (100) according to claim 12, wherein the wire holder (200) has inclined sides (291, 292) and the inclined sides are configured to contact the inner walls (391, 392) of the closable housing (300).

14. The wire holder (200) includes a holder base (220) and a holder cover (240). In the assembled state (300) of the wire holder (200), the holder base (220) and the holder cover (240) have at least one hole (250) formed at the location where the holder base (220) and the holder cover (240) are joined, according to claim 12 or 13.

15. A wire holder (200), It comprises at least one window (270), the at least one window (270) configured to allow passage through a latch mechanism (310) of a closable housing (300), The wire holder (200) is configured to be inserted into the cavity (150) of the closable housing (300) along the insertion direction (199), The wire holder (200) is configured such that when the wire holder (200) is inserted into the cavity (150), at least one through terminal (110) held in the cavity (150) penetrates the wire insulator and makes electrical contact with each of the insulated wires (160) held in the wire holder (200).

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