Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means with distinct movement-actuating means to...
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-15
2004-10-19
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means with distinct movement-actuating means to...
C439S312000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06805569
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a unit consisting of a proximity switch and a cable terminal part and a process for its manufacture.
2. Description of the Related Art
The related art discloses different possibilities for joints or terminals of cables which are detachable and undetachable from a proximity switch. Plug connections, therefore, cable joints, which are made using plug connectors which are connected to the terminals of proximity switches, are known from German [patents] Patent Document DE 195 28 678 and German Patent Document DE 44 10 023. Another detachable cable joint, specifically a screw-type terminal, is known from German Patent Document DE 195 29 181. Relating to nondetachable cable terminals on proximity switches, reference is made by way of example to German Patent Document DE 42 25 267 in which a housing termination consisting of hot-melt cement is described, through which the cables which are connected directly to the electronics in the proximity switch are routed out of the proximity switch.
Both the detachable joints of cables on proximity switches which are known from the related art as well as the nondetachable cable terminals for proximity switches which are known from the related art have a series of defects. The detachable joints generally require a relatively large amount of space. Since recently, however, the trend has been to use smaller and smaller proximity switches, only little space is available for one such detachable joint. In designs with plug connectors it is moreover disadvantageous that they are much more expensive to manufacture than proximity switches to which the cables are directly connected.
In the last two decades, especially in inductive proximity switches, it has been possible to further increase the operating distance at the same outside diameter of the coil used for the inductive proximity switch. This means that at a uniform operating distance of the outside diameter of the proximity switch which is essentially dictated by the coil diameter is reduced. This is advantageous to the user, but entails problems in connection mainly in smaller devices, which are made, for example, in thread sizes M 6 to M 12, i.e., cable or plug terminal technology, since the maximum plug diameter in cylindrical proximity switches generally will not be greater than the threaded or smooth sleeve diameter of the proximity switch in order to enable any installation in walls of different thickness.
In proximity switches with a nondetachable cable joint, either the cable is permanently connected to the electronics and the entire unit after adjustment is inserted into the housing of the proximity switch and potted, or the electronics in the housing of the proximity switch is connected via flexible wires to the cable or plug. And only after final testing are the cables and plugs connected undetachably and mechanically permanently to the housing, for example by potting. These types of direct connection enable the shortest overall lengths, due to the long wires however a large amount of space is necessary.
Since the users of proximity switches for one type of a proximity switch at a time ask for cable colors, cable materials and cable sizes which are different from one another, the diversity of types of proximity switches provided with cables is very great; this leads to the fact that the warehousing costs for storage of all conceivable types of proximity switches are considerable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Proceeding from the above explained related art, the object of the present invention is to devise a technically and economically especially favorable unit consisting of a proximity switch and a cable terminal part and a corresponding process for its manufacture.
The unit consisting of a proximity switch and a cable terminal part in which the aforementioned object is achieved is characterized in that the proximity switch has an outside housing and an insulation part, the insulation part is provided on the end face of the outside housing and has a terminal element with terminals which leads to the outside, the terminals of the terminal element which lead to the outside are made as terminal sockets, the cable terminal part has a cable and a connecting part, the cable is attached in the connecting part, and the connecting part is attached to the insulation part and the ends of the wires of the cables are connected in an electrically conductive manner to the terminal sockets of the terminal element.
With the unit in accordance with the present invention including a proximity switch and a cable terminal part, the result is that the proximity switch can be completely finished, can be checked based on the electrical terminals which are present in the form of the terminal sockets, and can then be stored. Connection with the cable required by the user takes place then using the cable terminal part which consists essentially of connecting part which fits the proximity switch and the cable which is wanted by the user and which is attached in it. The proximity switch and the cable terminal part can be quickly joined together, easily and reliably.
Basically, a host of dimensions and forms are possible for the outside housing and the insulation part of the proximity switch and for the cable terminal part.
According to one preferred development of the present invention, it is provided that the maximum diameter of the cable terminal part is less than or equal to the maximum diameter of the insulation part and the maximum diameter of the insulation part is less than or equal to the maximum inside diameter of the outside housing. If the maximum diameters of the cable terminal part, the insulation part and the outside housing are chosen as indicated, the proximity switch can be inserted as far as desired into the hole which is provided for its attachment. Preferably, it is provided for attachment of the proximity switch in the hole that the proximity switch has an outside thread with which it can be screwed into the inside thread which is provided in the hole.
In order to preclude pin confusion or polarity reversal when the proximity switch is joined to the cable terminal part, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the insulation part and the cable terminal part each have codes which correspond to one another and which indicate for the joining of the proximity switch and cable terminal part, the correct alignment of the cable terminal part to the insulation part. Therefore, the alignment of the two components to one another in which the desired contact-making of the wires of the cable which has been attached in the connecting part of the cable terminal part with the terminal sockets of the proximity switch is achieved. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferably provided that the insulation part and the cable terminal part each have a form such that they can be joined exclusively in the correct alignment of the cable terminal part to the insulation part. Before final attachment of the cable terminal part to the insulation part in the manufacture of the unit in accordance with the present invention, twisting of these two components to one another is therefore no longer possible, which further reduces possible problems in connection.
Different techniques are possible for connecting or attaching the ends of the wires of the cable to the terminal sockets of the terminal element. For example, the terminal sockets can be slotted or can be made at least partially elastic so that the stripped ends of the wires of the cable which are then preferably tin-coated and/or bear at least partially conductive sleeves into which the terminal sockets can be inserted. And as a result of the spring action of the terminal sockets, the terminal sockets can be held easily and securely in the sleeves and have good contact to the sleeves. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, it is alternatively provided that the terminal sockets are designed to accommodate connecting means. Pr
Donovan Lincoln
i f m electronic GmbH
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Safran David S.
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