Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Combined
Patent
1994-07-07
1995-10-24
Nimmo, Morris H.
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Combined
29872, 174 84R, 174DIG8, H01R 402, H01R 422, H01R 4302
Patent
active
054611989
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to electrical connectors, and especially to connectors for forming solder joints between conductors in such articles as automotive harnesses and the like.
Electrical harnesses, for example as manufactured in the automotive industry, are often quite complex. In some instances they are manufactured by forming two or more sub-assemblies of wires, terminals, connectors and any other components, and then forming electrical connection(s) between the sub-assemblies. In such a case the assembly of the harness may be controlled by computer permitting, with the aid of a monitor, the assembly operator to see schematically the lay up and to check correct build-up of the assembly at each stage of the harness manufacture. In order to enable this control process to operate the ends of the conductors of the sub-assemblies are connected, e.g. by means of spring contacts, and an electrical current or signal is passed through the assembly in order to obtain verification that the harness is correct. It is only after such verification is obtained that the clips are removed and a permanent electrical connection is formed.
A device for forming temporary and a permanent electrical connection that is suitable in such a circumstance is described in our co-pending international application No. PCT/GB91/01016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. According to the present invention such a device is modified in order to enable electrical conductors to be connected to an intermediate part of an elongate conductor. Thus, according to one aspect, the present invention provides a device for forming an electrical connection between part of an elongate electrical conductor between its ends and one or more other electrical conductors, which comprises an electrically insulating sleeve, a metallic connecting element located within the sleeve, and a quantity of solder for forming a permanent electrical connection between the conductors, the electrically insulating sleeve and the connecting element having two open ends to allow the elongate electrical conductor to extend therethrough, and the connecting element having a tapering internal surface which has a screw thread to enable the other electrical conductor or conductors to be held in contact with the elongate electrical conductor by twisting the connection element about the conductors.
The device according to the invention may be employed to form an electrical connection in a very quick and simple manner. Thus, according to another aspect, the invention provides a method of forming a connection between part of an elongate electrical conductor between its ends and one or more other electrical conductors, which comprises: metallic connecting element located within the sleeve along the elongate electrical conductor, the insulating sleeve and the connecting element having open ends to allow the elongate electrical conductor to extend therethrough and the connecting element having a tapering internal surface which has a screw thread; sleeve and connecting element; element holds the other conductor or conductors in contact with the elongate electrical conductor; and conductors.
The device according to the invention has the advantage that the conductors can be electrically joined to form a temporary joint which is disconnectable but is able to have a high degree of dependability, in order, for example to test the connected conductors, and can then be permanently joined with no further manipulation of the joint but simply by heating the sleeve in order to melt the solder. In addition, the tapering interior of the connecting element enables bundles formed from a range of conductor sizes to be handled by the device.
In the broadest aspect of the invention the device includes a connecting element having a single tapering internal surface so that a connection can be formed with conductors having a range of sizes. However, it is possible for devices according to the invention to include connecting elements having more than one tapering internal surface. Thus,
REFERENCES:
patent: 2656204 (1953-10-01), Blomstrand
patent: 3440334 (1969-04-01), Blomstrand
patent: 3676574 (1972-07-01), Johansson et al.
patent: 4271330 (1981-06-01), Watine et al.
patent: 4288657 (1981-09-01), Swanson
patent: 4454376 (1984-06-01), Holder et al.
patent: 4910179 (1990-07-01), Soni
patent: 5015512 (1991-05-01), Matsumoto
patent: 5331113 (1994-07-01), Soni et al.
patent: 5347090 (1994-09-01), Cerda
patent: 5378855 (1995-01-01), Delalle
patent: 5393932 (1995-02-01), Young et al.
patent: 5397858 (1995-03-01), Delalle
Burkard Herbert G.
Nimmo Morris H.
Novack Sheri M.
Raychem SA
LandOfFree
Electrical connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrical connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1888078