Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
Utility Patent
1998-08-28
2001-01-02
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
C439S404000, C439S872000, C439S854000
Utility Patent
active
06168478
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an insulation displacement connector terminal which facilitates the installation of the terminal within a cooperative housing and securely retains it in the housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC) terminals are widely used in different types of application for connecting wires; particularly in the telecommunication industry. An IDC terminal eliminates the need to strip the insulation from a wire prior to making connection by providing a pair of tapered beams which pierce the insulation upon seating the wire between the beams of the IDC terminal. Hence, connection of an insulated wire can be accomplished in one step, which is both efficient and cost-effective.
There are two general types of IDC terminals, double-ended or single-ended. A double-ended IDC terminal has a pair of beams on each end; whereas a single-ended IDC terminal has a pair of beams on one end and a post on the opposite end for wire wrapped connections.
IDC terminals are fitted in channels or slots within a dielectric housing, such as plastic, to provide safe and secure connections between wires. For proper function of an IDC terminal, it is essential that IDC terminals are safely secured within such housing. Good retention of IDC terminals in the housing is necessary to sustain the force exerted upon the IDC terminals when wires are seated and snubbed between beams of the IDC terminals. Otherwise, IDC terminals may be displaced from the housing when compressive force of the wires are exerted upon the terminals without properly piercing the insulation and connecting the wires, causing performance failure.
A prior art single-ended IDC terminal is held in entry slot of a cooperative housing with a pair of small barbs protruding on each side of the IDC terminal. During the insertion process of such an IDC terminal into its housing, the plastic housing where such barbs pass through is compressed due to the inflexibility of the barbs. Deformation of the plastic housing is permanent and may be excessive, resulting in a larger opening in the slot. The deformation of the plastic housing provides an avenue for the IDC terminal to move backward against the direction of insertion when force is exerted on the IDC terminal during the wire seating process. The disadvantage of such a prior art IDC terminal cannot be overcome by having larger sized barbs because deformation of the housing increased proportionally to the increase in the barb size, which would not improve the retention of the IDC terminal within the housing. To properly secure such prior art IDC terminal in its housing, a cooperative base is necessary to prevent the displacement of the IDC terminal from its housing.
Therefore, there is a need for an IDC terminal that can be inserted into a dielectric housing with little or no deformation of the housing, be securely fitted within such a housing to sustain the force exerted by the seating of wires without a cooperative unit and be inserted into its housing efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a device that securely fits, in an efficient and cost-effective manner, in its cooperative housing to ensure proper inter-connection between wires.
The invention provides an insulation displacement connector (IDC) terminal that is securely retained within a cooperative housing by merely inserting the terminal into an entry slot of the housing, and which can sustain compressive force exerted on the terminal during seating of wires on the terminal without its displacement.
The IDC terminal of the present invention has a snap type retention system which comprises a plurality of flexible protrusions or tabs on one or both surfaces of the terminal. During insertion of the IDC terminal into an entry slot of the cooperative housing, the protruded tabs deflect and flex towards the surface of the terminal. Each tab exerts an opposing force upon the surface of the terminal, causing the terminal to arch. Upon full insertion of the terminal, the tabs snap back to its original position, allowing the terminal to return to a flattened state. The tabs are now wedged against the entry slots of the housing, which securely maintain the terminal in the housing. Hence, a separate cooperative base is not necessary to prevent displacement of the terminal from its housing during the wire seating process.
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Bradley Paula
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Miskin Howard C.
Nguyen Truc
Tsui-Yip Gloria
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