Abstract:
An electrical connector system including a connector having a terminal cavity within. The cavity has a rigid floor with a lock nib extending into the cavity, a first flexible beam extending into a rearward portion of the cavity and a second flexible beam extending into a forward portion. The first and second beams both overlie the floor. The system further includes a terminal having a top surface and a bottom surface defining a rigid lock edge. The terminal is received in the cavity such that the first beam engages a rearward portion of the top surface of the terminal and the second beam engages a forward portion of the top surface, thereby biasing the terminal towards the floor. The lock edge engages the lock nib, thereby preventing the terminal from being inadvertently withdrawn from the terminal receiving cavity. The connector may be formed by an additive manufacturing process.
Abstract:
A right angled coaxial electrical connector is provided and includes a housing having a first and second opening and a first terminal disposed within the internal cavity that is configured to be connected to a center conductor of a coaxial cable inserted in the first opening. The connector also includes a center contact disposed within the internal cavity, accessible through the second opening, and defining a corresponding second terminal configured to receive a tip of the first terminal. The connector additionally includes a conductive shield surrounding the center contact and disposed within the internal cavity and an insulator intermediate the shield and the center contact. The insulator defines a portal extending from the second opening to the location of the tip of the first terminal when fully seated within the second terminal. Methods of verifying proper assembly of the right angled coaxial electrical connector are also provided.
Abstract:
A coaxial connector assembly includes an inner contact terminating a center conductor of a coaxial cable, an insulator holding the inner contact, and an outer contact, which surrounds the insulator and the inner contact, terminating a shield braid of the cable. The outer contact is formed into a barrel shape and includes a seam extending along an entire length of the outer contact. The coaxial connector assembly further includes an outer ferrule and a seamless inner ferrule. The seamless inner ferrule has a first ferrule portion with a first diameter and a second ferrule portion with a second diameter that is different from the first diameter. The first ferrule portion surrounds at least a portion of the outer contact. The shield braid is sandwiched between the second ferrule portion and the outer ferrule. A method of manufacturing the coaxial connector assembly is also provided.
Abstract:
An electrical connector including a connector body that defines a terminal cavity within the connector body and an electrical terminal at least partially disposed within the terminal cavity. A first cavity wall within the terminal cavity defines a longitudinally oriented wedge feature. A biasing feature within the terminal cavity is configured to urge the wedge feature into intimate contact with surfaces of the terminal, such as those defined by a longitudinally oriented slot, thereby limiting a freedom of motion of the terminal within the terminal cavity. The wedge feature may be defined by the biasing feature or it may be defined by another cavity wall opposite the biasing feature within the terminal cavity.
Abstract:
A right angled coaxial electrical connector is provided and includes a housing having a first and second opening and a first terminal disposed within the internal cavity that is configured to be connected to a center conductor of a coaxial cable inserted in the first opening. The connector also includes a center contact disposed within the internal cavity, accessible through the second opening, and defining a corresponding second terminal configured to receive a tip of the first terminal. The connector additionally includes a conductive shield surrounding the center contact and disposed within the internal cavity and an insulator intermediate the shield and the center contact. The insulator defines a portal extending from the second opening to the location of the tip of the first terminal when fully seated within the second terminal. Methods of verifying proper assembly of the right angled coaxial electrical connector are also provided.
Abstract:
A coaxial connector assembly is described herein. The coaxial connector assembly includes an inner contact that is configured to terminate a center conductor of a coaxial cable, an insulative inner sleeve holding the inner contact, a tubular outer contact surrounding the inner sleeve and the inner contact, said outer contact configured to terminate a shield braid of the coaxial cable and an insulative cylindrical outer sleeve defining a central cavity extending longitudinally therethrough in which said outer contact is disposed. The cavity has an opening configured to receive a corresponding coaxial connector. A lip on a forward end of the outer sleeve extends into the opening such that a forward edge of the outer contact is not exposed within the opening. The coaxial connector assembly may be configured to meet the FAKRA connector standards.
Abstract:
An electrical connector system including a first connector having a lock nib extending from a floor into a terminal cavity and a flexible member overlying the floor. The beam has two terminal hold down bumps extending into the terminal receiving cavity. The electrical connector system also includes a terminal having a lock edge. The terminal is received in the terminal cavity such that the hold down bumps engage a top surface of the terminal, applying a force that biases the terminal towards the rigid floor. The lock nib engages the lock edge, thereby preventing the terminal from being inadvertently withdrawn from the terminal cavity. A second connector defines a shroud into which a portion of the first connector is inserted, wherein the beam compressively contacts an inner surface of the second connector further increasing the force applied to the terminal. The connectors may be formed by an additive manufacturing process.
Abstract:
A coaxial connector assembly is described herein. The coaxial connector assembly includes an inner contact that is configured to terminate a center conductor of a coaxial cable, an insulative inner sleeve holding the inner contact, a tubular outer contact surrounding the inner sleeve and the inner contact, said outer contact configured to terminate a shield braid of the coaxial cable and an insulative cylindrical outer sleeve defining a central cavity extending longitudinally therethrough in which said outer contact is disposed. The cavity has an opening configured to receive a corresponding coaxial connector. A lip on a forward end of the outer sleeve extends into the opening such that a forward edge of the outer contact is not exposed within the opening. The coaxial connector assembly may be configured to meet the FAKRA connector standards.
Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly comprising a wire attached to a terminal and a connector body. The terminal defines a pair of terminal wings protruding from opposite side surfaces of the terminal. A cavity within the connector body is configured to receive the terminal. Side walls of the cavity define terminal guides that have guide rails and a guide slots beneath the guide rails. As the terminal is pushed into the cavity, the guide rails urge the terminal wings toward a top wall of the cavity until the terminal wings reach an end of the guide rails. The terminal wings then enter open ends of the guide slots as the wire is pulled cavity and the terminal wings traverse the guide slots until the terminal wings engage closed ends of the guide slots and/or a terminal lock tab engages a lock surface within the cavity, thereby preventing the terminal from being inadvertently withdrawn from the cavity.
Abstract:
A connector that is configured to be inserted within a cavity of a shroud defined by a mating connector along a longitudinal axis, including a connector body which defines a first resilient member and a first wedge member that is configured to urge the first resilient member into compressive contact with the shroud of the mating connector along a vertical or longitudinal axis. The connector may include a plurality of pairs of resilient members and wedge members to provide compressive contact along more than one axis. The wedge members may be incorporated into a connector position assurance device (CPA).