阅读说明：本技术 连接器端子及组装该连接器端子的方法 (Connector terminal and method for assembling the same ) 是由 罗伯特·B·鲍德温 于 2017-10-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种具有单元可安装连接器的连接器端子,该单元可安装连接器包括连接器本体,连接器本体具有适配器接合端部和单元接合端部以及安装构件,安装构件位于适配器接合端部与单元接合端部之间,用于将连接器本体安装至单元。插入件延伸穿过连接器本体并具有在线缆连接端部与单元连接端部之间延伸的内孔和在端部之间的连接器本体连接部分。插入件中接纳有一个或更多个双侧接触件。双侧接触件的一个端部是配置成端接至线缆的导体的线缆端接端部,并且双侧接触件的相反端部是配置成端接至单元的导体的单元端接端部。单元可安装连接器适用于与线缆密封适配器配合。线缆密封适配器没有接触件。(A connector terminal having a unit-mountable connector that includes a connector body having an adapter-engaging end and a unit-engaging end and a mounting member between the adapter-engaging end and the unit-engaging end for mounting the connector body to a unit. The insert extends through the connector body and has an internal bore extending between the cable connection end and the unit connection end and a connector body connection portion between the ends. One or more double-sided contacts are received in the insert. One end of the double-sided contact is a cable termination end configured to be terminated to a conductor of a cable, and an opposite end of the double-sided contact is a unit termination end configured to be terminated to a conductor of a unit. The unit mountable connector is adapted to mate with a cable sealing adapter. The cable sealing adapter has no contacts.)

1. A unit mountable connector, comprising:

a connector body having an adapter engagement end and a unit engagement end opposite the adapter engagement end, and a mounting member between the adapter engagement end and the unit engagement end for mounting the connector body to a unit;

an insert extending through the connector body, the insert having an internal bore extending between a cable connection end and a unit connection end opposite the cable connection end, and a connector body connection portion between the cable connection end and the unit connection end; and

at least one double-sided contact received in the bore of the insert, one end of the double-sided contact being a cable termination end configured to be terminated to at least one conductor of a cable, and an opposite end of the double-sided contact being a unit termination end configured to be terminated to at least one conductor of the unit.

2. The unit mountable connector of claim 1,

the cable termination end of the double-sided contact is different from the unit termination end.

3. The unit mountable connector of claim 2,

the cable termination end is a clamp termination and the unit termination end is a crimp termination.

4. The unit mountable connector of claim 3,

the cable connection end of the insert includes at least one hole that receives a clamp fastener, and the clamp fastener engages the clamp termination of the double-sided contact.

5. The unit mountable connector of claim 1,

the mounting member is an outwardly extending flange.

6. The unit mountable connector of claim 5,

the flange includes at least one mounting hole for receiving a fastener.

7. The unit mountable connector of claim 5,

the flange includes a gripping surface to facilitate application of torque to the flange.

8. The unit mountable connector of claim 1,

the mounting member includes a groove in a mounting surface of the mounting member that receives a sealing member, the mounting surface facing the unit engagement end of the connector body.

9. A connector terminal, comprising:

a unit mountable connector, the unit mountable connector comprising:

a connector body having an adapter engagement end and a unit engagement end opposite the adapter engagement end, and a mounting member between the adapter engagement end and the unit engagement end for mounting the connector body to a unit;

an insert extending through the connector body, the insert having an internal bore extending between a cable connection end and a unit connection end opposite the cable connection end, and a connector body connection portion between the cable connection end and the unit connection end; and

at least one double-sided contact received in the bore of the insert; and

a cable sealing adapter mateable with the unit mountable connector, the cable sealing adapter including a housing having a mating end configured to engage the adapter engagement end of the connector body and receive the cable connection end of the insert and a cable securing end opposite the mating end configured to terminate a cable, and the cable sealing adapter being devoid of any contact,

wherein one end of the double-sided contact of the unit-mountable connector is a cable termination end configured to terminate to at least one conductor of the cable supported by the cable sealing adapter, and an opposite end of the double-sided contact is a unit termination end configured to terminate at least one conductor of the unit.

10. A method of assembling a connector terminal to a unit, the connector terminal including a unit mountable connector and a cable sealing adapter, the method comprising the steps of:

terminating at least one conductor of the unit to a unit connection end of a double-sided contact of the unit-mountable connector;

mounting a connector body of the unit-mountable connector to the unit;

mounting a cable by terminating at least one conductor of the cable to a cable connection end of the double-sided contact of the unit-mountable connector opposite the unit connection end of the double-sided contact; and

assembling the cable sealing adapter on the cable after the step of installing the cable, and mating an end of the cable sealing adapter with the connector body of the unit-mountable connector such that the cable connecting end of the unit-mountable connector is received in the cable sealing adapter.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector terminal such as an outdoor gland terminal, and a method of assembling the connector terminal.

Background

Integrating electrical connectors into a product design or unit is often complicated and expensive, particularly for outdoor applications requiring environmental sealing and robustness. The cables of these connectors are typically pre-terminated to the connector components rather than being field installable. This is particularly cumbersome and expensive when dealing with long and heavy cables, which are large and expensive to transport to the site.

Accordingly, there is a need for a connector terminal that can be easily integrated into a unit and that allows field installation of cables at reduced cost while also providing robustness and environmental sealing for outdoor applications.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention may provide a unit mountable connector including a connector body having an adapter engagement end and a unit engagement end opposite the adapter engagement end, and a mounting member between the adapter engagement end and the unit engagement end for mounting the connector body to a unit. The insert extends through the connector body. The insert has an internal bore extending between a cable attachment end and a unit attachment end opposite the cable attachment end. The connector body connection portion is located between the cable connection end and the unit connection end. At least one double-sided contact is received in the internal bore of the insert. One end of the double-sided contact is a cable termination end configured to be terminated to at least one conductor of a cable, and an opposite end of the double-sided contact is a unit termination end configured to be terminated to at least one conductor of a unit. In a preferred embodiment, the cable termination end and the unit termination end are different types of terminations. In a preferred embodiment, the double-sided contact is a one-piece member.

The present invention may also provide a connector terminal including a unit-mountable connector including a connector body having an adapter engagement end and a unit engagement end opposite the adapter engagement end, and a mounting member between the adapter engagement end and the unit engagement end for mounting the connector body to a unit. The insert extends through the connector body. The insert has an internal bore extending between a cable attachment end and a unit attachment end opposite the cable attachment end. The connector body connection portion is located between the cable connection end and the unit connection end. At least one double-sided contact is received in the internal bore of the insert. The cable sealing adapter is capable of mating with the unit mountable connector. The cable sealing adapter includes a housing having a mating end configured to engage the adapter engagement end of the connector body and receive the cable connection end of the insert and a cable securing end opposite the mating end. The cable-securing end is configured to terminate a cable. The cable sealing adapter does not have any contact pieces. One end of the double-sided contact of the unit mountable connector is a cable termination end configured to terminate at least one conductor of a cable supported by the cable sealing adapter, and an opposite end of the double-sided contact is a unit termination end configured to terminate at least one conductor of the unit. In a preferred embodiment, the connector terminal is a power terminal and the cable is a power cable. In a preferred embodiment, the double-sided contact is a one-piece member.

The present invention may also provide a method of assembling a connector terminal to a unit, the connector terminal including a unit mountable connector and a cable sealing adapter, the method including the steps of: terminating at least one conductor of the unit to a unit connection end of a double-sided contact of the unit-mountable connector; mounting a connector body of a unit-mountable connector to a unit; mounting a connector cable by terminating at least one conductor of the connector cable to a cable connection end of the double-sided contact of the unit-mountable connector opposite to the unit connection end of the double-sided contact; and assembling the cable sealing adapter on the connector cable after the connector cable is installed, and mating one end of the cable sealing adapter with the connector body of the unit mountable connector such that the cable connection end of the unit mountable connector is received in the cable sealing adapter.

Drawings

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a connector terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector terminal shown in FIG. 1, showing the unit mountable connector mated with the cable sealing adapter;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the unit mountable connector shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cable sealing adapter shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector terminal assembly shown in fig. 1, showing the connector terminal mounted to the unit; and

fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a unit mountable connector according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1-6, the present invention relates to a connector terminal 10, such as a power terminal, and a method of assembling the connector terminal, particularly to the assembly of the connector terminal on a unit such as a telecommunications radio unit. The connector terminals of the present invention are designed with field-installable capabilities that allow termination of cables, such as power cables, to be completed in the field without the use of preterminated cable assemblies or wire harnesses. This is particularly beneficial when handling long and heavy cables that are large and expensive to transport to the field. The present invention eliminates the workspace and electrical connections required to terminate the cable outside the cell enclosure, allowing for a reduction in size and increased robustness of the connector. The design also allows for termination of the conductors using standard tools rather than specialized tools. Although the connector terminal of the present invention is preferably used for power applications, the connector terminal 10 may also be used for other applications, such as a signal.

The connector terminal 10 includes a unit mountable connector 100 that mates with a cable sealing adapter 200. The unit mountable connector 100 is configured to be mounted to an enclosure or panel 12 (fig. 5) of a unit. The cable sealing adapter 200 terminates and environmentally seals the cable C (fig. 5). When the unit mountable connector 100 and the cable sealing adapter 200 are mated, an electrical and mechanical connection is provided between the unit and the cable C.

As seen in fig. 3, the unit mountable connector 100 generally includes a connector body 102, an insert 104 received in the connector body 102, and one or more double-sided contacts 106 received in the insert 104. The connector body 102 may include an adapter engagement end 110 connected with the cable sealing adapter 200, an opposite unit mountable end 112 connected with the unit connection end, and a mounting member 114 located between the adapter engagement end 110 and the unit mountable end 112. The connector body 102 may be generally cylindrical in shape, except for the mounting member 114. The adapter engaging end 110 preferably includes external threads 116 for engaging the cable sealing adapter 200. Although threads are preferred, the adapter engaging end 110 may include any known attachment type, such as a bayonet engagement.

The mounting member 114 is preferably an outwardly extending flange, as best seen in fig. 1 and 2. One or more mounting holes 118 may be provided in the mounting member 114 for receiving fasteners to mount the connector body 102 to the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit. The mounting member 114 may be any shape, such as generally rectangular, so long as one or more mounting holes 118 are provided. The mounting member 114 includes a mounting surface 120 facing the unit mountable end 112 for abutting the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit when the unit mountable connector 100 is mounted on the mounting surface 120. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting surface 120 of the mounting member 114 includes an annular groove 122, the annular groove 122 receiving a sealing member 124, such as an O-ring or gasket.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative design of a connector body 102' for the unit mountable connector 100. The connector body 102 'is similar to the connector body 102 of the above-described embodiment, except that the connector body 102' is threadably mounted to the unit instead of being bolted to the unit. As with the connector body 102 of the above-described embodiment, the connector body 102' includes an adapter engagement end 110 having external threads for engaging the cable sealing adapter 200. Unlike the connector body 102 of the above-described embodiment, the unit engaging end 102 'of the connector body 102' further includes external threads 600 for threadingly engaging the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit. The connector body 102 ' includes a mounting member 114 ', which mounting member 114 ' is an outwardly extending flange like the mounting member 114 of the above-described embodiment. The mounting member 114 ' preferably includes a plurality of gripping surfaces 602 for facilitating rotation and applying torque to the connector body 102 ' when mounting the connector body 102 ' to the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit via the threads 600.

The insert 104 is received in the connector body 102 and extends through the connector body 102. The insert 104 generally includes a cable attachment end 130, an opposite unit attachment end 132, and a connector body attachment portion 134 between the cable attachment end 130 and the unit attachment end. The cable connection end 130 extends through and beyond the adapter engagement end 110 of the connector body 102, the unit connection end 132 extends through and beyond the unit connection end 112 of the connector body 102, and the connector body connection portion 134 is received inside the connector body 102. The inner bore 136 of the insert 104 extends between these ends and supports the double-sided contact 106. As seen in fig. 2 and 3, the cable connection end 130 of the insert 104 includes one or more holes 138 located outside the connector body 102, allowing access to the double-sided contacts 106. The end face 140 of the cable connection end 130 may include one or more openings 142 (fig. 2) that also provide access to the double-sided contacts 106.

The bore 136 of the insert 104 is preferably generally cylindrical and may include one or more dividers 144 to divide the bore 136 into multiple compartments, wherein each compartment supports a separate double-sided contact 106, as viewed in fig. 5.

Each double-sided contact 106 includes opposite termination ends, one end being a cable termination end 150 and the other end being a unit termination end 152. Each double-sided contact 106 is preferably one-piece or integrally formed. The cable terminating end 150 is configured to electrically and mechanically connect to and terminate the conductor of the cable C, and the unit terminating end 152 is configured to electrically and mechanically connect to and terminate the conductor of the unit. In a preferred embodiment, the cable termination end 150 and the unit termination end 152 are different types of termination mechanisms. For example, the cable termination end 150 may be a clamp termination where the end 150 is clamped to the conductor of the cable C via a spring clamp or clamp fastener such as a screw 160, and the unit termination end 152 may be a crimp termination where the end 152 is crimped to the conductor of the unit. Alternatively, the cable termination end 150 and the unit termination end 152 may be the same type of termination mechanism. Where the cable termination end 150 uses a clamping fastener such as a screw 160, the screw 160 may be easily inserted from the exterior of the unit mountable connector 100 through the hole 138 into the insert's inner bore 136 and through the corresponding hole 158 of the double-sided contact 106 (fig. 5) to clamp the cable termination end 150 of the double-sided contact 106 to the conductor of the cable C.

As seen in fig. 4, the cable sealing adapter 200 generally includes: a housing 202; a primary sealing member 204 such as a wide cable sealing gasket for sealing the cable C; a secondary sealing member 206, such as an O-ring or gasket, received in the housing 202; and a compression nut 208. The cable sealing adapter 200 may also include a cable gasket compression 210, a cable shield ring 212, and a cable reducer 214. The housing 202 may be generally cylindrical with a mating end 220, the mating end 220 configured to engage the adapter engagement end 110 of the connector body 102 and receive the cable connection end 130 of the insert 104. In a preferred embodiment, the internal threads 230 of the mating end 220 engage the external threads 116 of the connector body 102. The opposite mating end 220 is a cable securing end 222 configured to terminate the cable C. The cable securing end 222 may include external threads 224 that engage corresponding threads 226 (fig. 5) of the compression nut 208 to facilitate advancing the compression nut 208 onto the housing 202 for compressing the main sealing member 204 and the cable gasket compressor 210 to terminate the prepared end of the cable C. The nut 208 may be advanced onto the housing 202 using any known attachment means other than threads, such as a bayonet attachment.

The connector terminal 10 may be assembled by first electrically and mechanically connecting the unit-engaging end 112 of the unit-mountable connector 100 to the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit. To this end, one or more conductors of the unit are terminated to the unit connection end 152 of each double-sided contact 106 of the unit-mountable connector 100, such as by clamping. This step preferably takes place inside the cell. The unit engagement end 112 of the connector body 102 is sized to be received in and extend through an opening in a panel or enclosure of a unit, as viewed in fig. 5. Then, the connector body 102 of the unit mountable connector 100 may be mounted to the unit. Fasteners, such as bolts, may extend through the mounting holes 118 in the mounting flange 114 and into the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit to complete the mounting of the unit mountable connector 100. Alternatively, the connector body may be threadably mounted to the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit via threads 600 (fig. 6). When installed, the mounting surface 120 of the mounting member 114, along with the sealing member 124, abuts or nearly abuts the panel or enclosure 12 of the unit.

Once the unit-mountable connector 100 is mounted on the unit, the cable C may be terminated to the unit-mountable connector 100 by terminating each of the conductors of the cable C, such as by clamping to the cable connection end 150 of each double-sided contact 106 of the unit-mountable connector 100 via a screw or spring clamp. Since the unit mountable connector 100 includes double sided contacts 106 for termination, the cable sealing adapter 200 does not require corresponding contacts. Thus, the cable sealing adapter 200 does not have any contacts. The step of installing the cable C preferably takes place outside the unit.

The cable sealing adapter 200 may then be assembled onto the cable C and mated to the cable engagement end 110 of the unit mountable connector 100. The compression nut 208 is advanced onto the housing 202 of the cable sealing adapter 200 to terminate and seal the prepared end of the cable C. And the mating end 220 is connected with the cable engagement portion 110 of the connector body 102 of the unit mountable connector 100 such that the cable connecting end 130 of the insert 104 of the unit mountable connector 100 is received in the mating end 220 to secure the cable sealing adapter 200 to the unit mountable connector 100.

While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, although the connector terminal of the present invention is preferably used for outdoor applications with appropriate environmental sealing, the connector terminal may also be used for indoor applications with or without environmental sealing.