High density connector module

Details High density connector module High density connector module

1999-09-01

2001-05-29

Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)

Electrical connectors

Contact comprising cutter

Insulation cutter

C439S406000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238232

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to modules for electrically interconnecting sets of wires, and more particularly to a high density insulation displacement connector module.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Connecting blocks are often used in telephone central offices, building entrance terminals, and outside plant cabinets for electrical connection between cables and cross-connect wiring. Prior art connecting blocks include rows of insulation displacement contacts mounted within a plastic housing. The housing provides access to the insulation displacement contacts which may include one or two insulation piercing slots. In practice, one set of wires is placed within a separate wire indexing strip to align the cable leads on one side of the connector. The contact module is then placed over the strip to terminate the wires.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,587, issued to Ellis, Jr., et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,171,857 and 4,283,103, both issued to Forberg, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,689 issued to Baggeft, et al., all disclose IDC connector blocks that may be used in connection with the interconnection of cables and cross-connect wiring. In particular, Baggett, et al., disclose a ZIDC connector module having insulation displacement terminals and internal dual normally closed contacts, adapted for access by test cords and/or protector units, on both sides of the module, and on both sides of the cross-connect facility. Often, telephone central offices, building entrances terminals, and outside plant cabinets only require dual normally closed contacts for access by test cords on one side of the connector module. It has been discovered that by eliminating this feature on one side of the connection module, the size and cost can be reduced and/or the termination density can be increased.
There is a need for a high density ZIDC connector module that provides insulation displacing contact terminations, but without a normally closed contact thereby reducing the size of the connector, while also not requiring separate wire strips to align cable leads on one side of the connector. Additionally, this need must be satisfied without a need to retrofit current wire insertion tooling already in the field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present design allows for an increase in termination density for customer cable pairs in electronic cabinets, building terminals, and protectors and switching equipment terminations in central offices. In a preferred embodiment, a connector module is provided having a first insulating housing cap including a row of slots and a row of contact cavities defined within the first housing cap by contact guiding walls. Each slot is adapted for receiving a wire and each cavity is arranged in open communication with one of the slots and has a first orientation relative to the slots. A second insulating housing cap including a row of slots and a row of contact cavities defined within the second housing cap by contact guiding walls. Each slot is adapted for receiving a wire and each cavity being arranged in open communication with one of the slots and has a second orientation relative to the slots. A row of contacts are mounted within the first and second housing caps. Each contact includes a first wire termination portion capable of providing electrical connection to a first wire and being mounted within the first housing cap so as to be positioned within the first housing cap slot, and a second wire termination portion capable of providing electrical connection to a second wire and being mounted within the second housing cap so as to be positioned within the second housing cap slot.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3798587 (1974-03-01), Ellis, Jr. et al.
patent: 4171857 (1979-10-01), Forberg et al.
patent: 4283103 (1981-08-01), Forberg et al.
patent: 4372634 (1983-02-01), Ritchie et al.
patent: 4460229 (1984-07-01), Matthews
patent: 5575689 (1996-11-01), Baggett et al.

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