Panel mounted electrical connector including means for providing an indication of correct conductor termination

Abstract: Electrical connector (10) which provides visual recognition of the correct termination of plural discrete conductors (21) is disclosed. The connector (10) includes a base (14) which supports plural electrical contacts (18) therein. A conductor support assembly (20) supports individually plural discrete conductors (21) in a one-to-one correspondence with the contacts (18). The conductor support assembly (20) includes thereon color indicative markings (61) which correspond to the color-­ coded insulation of the conductors (21). A cover (12) is supportable over the base (14) which encloses the conductor support assembly (20) to enclose the connection assembly. The cover (12) includes plural apertures (29) therethrough which align with the color indicative markings (61) of the conductor support assembly (20) to permit external visual access to the markings (61) so that a comparison may be made between the markings (61) and the color coding of the insulation.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors of the type which terminate plural insulative electrical conductors. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical connector which terminates plural conductors in the connector and provides a visual indication of correct conductor termination. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: It is known to provide electrical connectors which terminate plural discrete electrical conductors in a connector housing. Connectors of this type may be used in data/communications equipment where it is necessary to connect one component to another. It is also been found useful to employ electrical connectors of the hermaphroditic type where the connector is capable of mating to another identical connector. An example of this type connector is shown and described in U. S. Patent No. 4,682,836 issued July 28, 1987, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Briefly, connectors of this type include an insulative housing supporting plural electrical contacts which individually electrically terminate one of the conductors of a multiconductor cable. Proper useage requires that each conductor of the multiconductor cable be properly terminated to the correct one of the contacts of the connector. Incorrect termination and subsequent connection to data/communications equipment would impede the function of the equipment and could cause damage to one or more of the components. The uncertainty associated with incorrect termination is enhanced where the user does not terminate the multiconductor cable to the connector. Connectors, especially those known as panel mount connectors, where the connector housing is designed to be secured to an electrical panel having plural such connectors disposed thereon, increase the risk of incorrect connection as the conductors are often terminated in the housing at the factory. The user in most cases is relying on factory automation to assure proper conductor termination. In many instances, the user would not know of a factory defect until connection is made and the data/communications components are used. Obviously, at that point, it may be too late to rectify any problems which may have occurred due to incorrect termination of the conductors to the contacts in the housing. It is desirable to provide an electrical connector, especially those designed for panel mounting, which would provide an instant visual indication of correct connection of the individual conductors to the contacts supported in the housing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector housing which provides visual recognition of correct termination of plural discrete conductors. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector having a connector block which supports individual conductors in position for termination to the contacts of the connector and which provides a visual indication of the correct alignment of the conductors with respect to the support block. According to the present invention, there is provided a conductor termination assembly comprising: plural discrete insulated electrical conductors having distinguishing markings thereon; a connector housing; a plurality of electrical contacts supported in said housing each contact having a conductor termination end and an engagement end for making external electrical connection with another conductor; an insulative conductor support block including individual discrete support elements arranged in side-by-side relation each retentively supporting one of said plurality of said conductors, said support block being supported in said housing to dispose said conductors in electrical engagement with said termination ends of said electrical contacts, said support block further including identifying indicia adjacent each of said support elements, said identifying indicia corresponding to said distinguishing markings of said conductors; and a cover supported on said housing over said support block, said cover including visual accessing means for permitting visual inspection of said identifying indicia on said support block to assure correspondence of each of said distinguishing markings of said conductors to said identifying indicia of said support block. This paragraph lists preferred features of the invention, as described by way of a preferred embodiment herein. The housing is an insulative housing which provides for entry of plural electrical conductors. Each of the conductors has color-coded insulation therearound. Ends of the conductors are supported in a support block which is insertably accommodated in the housing in a manner such that the ends of the conductors are terminated to plural electrical contacts also supported by the housing. The support block includes plural channels which individually accommodate different ones of the conductors. Adjacent each channel are color-coded markings which correspond to the color coding of the insulation of the conductors. A cover is supportable over the support block to enclose the connector. The cover includes openings therethrough which permit visual access to the color-coded markings on the support block. Thus, proper orientation of the conductors with respect to the contacts may be assured by visually inspecting the correspondence between the color markings on the support block and the color-coded insulation of the conductors. The preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a metallic member surrounding the contacts. This metallic member shields the connector from electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference. The support block of the present invention may also support conductive shorting elements which place pairs of the contacts of the housing in electrical continuity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an electrical connector and assembly of the present invention including plural conductors supported in a support assembly. Figure 2 is a side elevational showing of the electrical connector of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front plan view of the electrical connector of Figure 1 where the cover is shown raised above the connector housing. Figure 4 is a top plan view of the assembled connector shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the support assembly shown in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: Referring now to the drawings especially Figure 1, an electrical connector 10 and assembly of the present invention is shown. Connector 10 is generally of the hermaphroditic type having male and female interlocking features when the connector may be electrically connected to another connector having substantially similar interlocking features. Connector 10 generally includes an insulative housing having a cover 12 and a base 14. An electrically conductive shield 16 is disposed on the base 14. A conductor support assembly 20 is shown terminating plural discrete conductors 21a through 21d (generally denoted as 21). Conductors 21 are conventional copper wire elements having insulative plastic therearound. In the present invention, conductors 21 include color-coded insulation therearound, where each conductor 21a - 21d is uniquely identified by a different color. For illustrative purposes conductors 21a - 21d are shown as having red, green, orange and black insulation respectively. Base 14 further supports plural electrical contacts 18 which are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the number of conductors 21. Electrical connector 10 is substantially similar to an electrical connector shown and described in U. S. Patent No. 4,682,836 issued on July 28, 1987, and entitled "Electrical Connector and Cable Termination Apparatus Therefor" which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Referring additionally to Figures 2 and 3, cover 12 includes an elongate generally planar first portion 24 and a stepped upper portion 26. Stepped upper portion 26 includes a centrally disposed recessed 28 which provides for removable locking interconnection of another hermaphroditic connector, especially that of the type shown in the above-identified '836 patent where the use and operation of such locking device is more fully described. Stepped upper portion 26 further includes a pair of spaced, depending latches 27 which are positioned to secure cover 12 to base 14. Planar portion 24 further includes a plurality of transversely spaced circular openings 29a through 29d (generally denoted as 29). The function of each of these openings 29 will be described in further detail hereinbelow. Planar portion 24 also includes a centrally located depending rear latch 25 (Fig. 2) which also helps to support and secure cover 12 to base 14. A post 25a, which is accommodated in hole 25b of base 14 also properly positions cover 12 with respect to base 14. Base 14 is generally a rectangularly shaped member having a front face 30 for accommodating another hermaphroditic type electrical connector, a rear face 32 for permitting receipt of conductors 21 through a passage 32a and an open central section 34 for terminating conductors 21. Central section 34 opens to the upper surface 35 of base 14. A horizontal central ledge 36 extends from central section 34 toward the front face 30 of base 14. Horizontal ledge 36 provides support for the side-by-side disposition of electrical contacts 18 in base 14. Contacts 18 are electrically conductive members formed of a suitable material such as a copper alloy. Each contact includes an elongate base portion 19a, an insulation displacement contact (IDC) portion 19b, a folded over tongue portion 19c and a flat portion 19d extending from folded over tongue 19c. As shown in detail in Figure 3, IDC portion 19b is of conventional flat, blade type construction which makes electrical contact with conductor 21 inserted between the tines thereof. Folded over tongue portion 19c is designed to make hermaphroditic electrical connection with similar contacts supported in another hermaphroditic connector. Base 14 also includes a pair of oppositely extending mounting ears 42. As connector 10 is typically mounted to an electrical panel, ears 42 provide a mounting surface for screw mounting of connector 10 thereto. Centrally located screw appertures 42a are included for such purposes. Base 14 further includes a conductive shield 16 positioned adjacent the front face 30 thereof. Shield 16 is formed preferrably from a flat stamping of metal and generally surrounds contacts 18. As is well known in the electrical connection art, shield 16 shields the contacts from radio frequency interferences (RFI) and electromagnetic interferences (EMI). A pair of lower lances 39 which extend from shield 16, secure the shield 16 to base 14. The lances 39 are embedded into the plastic material forming base 14. Shield 16 also includes a pair of outwardly extending shield ears 17 which are positioned adjacent mounting ears 42 of base 14. In many instances, the electrical panel (not shown) to which connector 10 is mounted is a metallic member. In this instance, shield ears 17 are placed in direct contact with the panel thereby placing the shield 16 and the panel at the same electrical potential (usually ground potential). Base 14 further includes a centrally disposed locking element 40 which extends outwardly from the front face 30 thereof. Locking element 40 of one connector 10 is insertable, in locking fashion, into centrally disposed recess 28 of a similar hermaphroditic connector especially those of the type shown in the above-identified '836 patent. As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 5, conductors 21a through 21d are supported in spaced side-by-side fashion in conductor support assembly 20 for disposition over contact 18. Support assembly 20 is an electrically insulative member preferrably formed of transparent molded plastic. Support assembly 20 includes an upper surface 45 and spaced, depending sidewalls 46. Upper surface 45 and depending walls 46 define an interior conductor accommodating region 48 shown more particularly in Figure 5. A plurality of spaced, parallel support channels 49a through 49d (generally denoted as 49) are provided in the interior region 48 to accommodate in frictionally retaining fashion, the ends of conductors 21a through 21d. A pair of keys 50 are included on either side of support assembly 20 adjacent sidewalls 46 for insertion into corresponding key ways 51 on either side of base 14. A detent 51a on each sidewall 46 lockingly secures conductor support assembly in base 14. When properly positioned in base 14, side-by-side channels 49a through 49d will align with each of the IDC portions 19b of contacts 18 to place the ends of conductors 21a through 21d into insulation displacement connection with contacts 18. As illustrated in Figure 1, conductor support assembly 20 supports a pair of shorting bars 55 and 57 retentively therein. The shorting bars 55 and 57 are more fully described in the above-identified '836 patent. Briefly, these shorting bars 55 and 57 serve to contact flat portions 19d of contacts 18 to electrically common certain ones of the contacts when connector 10 is an unmated position. Referring now to Figures 1 and 4, conductor support assembly 20 further includes a plurality of color indicative markings 61a through 61d (generally denoted as 61). Markings 61 are disposed on upper surface 45 of support assembly 20. Each of the markings 61a through 61d are respectively supported above adjacent conductor support channels 49a through 49d. Color indicative markings 61 correspond in direct relation to the color-coded insulation on conductors 21a through 21d. Thus, a visual indication of the correct positioning of conductors 21 in support channels 49 may be seen by comparing the appropriate color indicative markings 61 with the color-coded insulation of conductors 21. Figure 4 shows the assembled connector 10. Cover 12 is disposed over base 14 and encloses conductor support assembly 20. Color indicative markings 61 are aligned with cover openings 29 so that the color indication may be visually accessed through openings 29. It is readily apparent that a user employing connector 10, as shown in Figure 4, can determine that the proper conductor 21 has been terminated with the proper electrical contact 18 by noting the correct alignment between color-coded insulation and the color indicative marking 61. Incorrect termination, such as by terminating green conductor 21b in conductor support channel 49a would be readily apparent as the green conductor 21b would be aligned with the red color indicative marking 61a. It can be appreciated that other color combinations may be employed in a manner consistent with the present invention. Further, coding techniques other than color may be employed to provide proper identification. Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims: A conductor termination assembly comprising: plural discrete insulated electrical conductors (21) having distinguishing markings thereon; a connector housing; a plurality of electrical contacts (18) supported in said housing each contact having a conductor termination end (19b) and an engagement end (19c) for making external electrical connection with another conductor; an insulative conductor support block (20) including individual discrete support elements (49) arranged in side-by-side relation each retentively supporting one of said plurality of said conductors (21), said support block (20) being supported in said housing to dispose said conductors (21) in electrical engagement with said termination ends (19b) of said electrical contacts (18), said support block (20) further including identifying indicia (61) adjacent each of said support elements (49), said identifying indicia (61) corresponding to said distinguishing markings of said conductors; and a cover (12) supported on said housing over said support block (20), said cover (12) including visual accessing means (29) for permitting visual inspection of said identifying indicia (61) on said support block (20) to assure correspondence of each of said distinguishing markings of said conductors to said identifying indicia (61) of said support block (20). A termination assembly of claim 1 wherein said distinguishing markings of said conductors include color coded insulation. A termination assembly of claim 2 wherein said identifying indicia (61) of said support block includes color-coded marks corresponding to said color-coded insulation of said conductors. A termination assembly of claim 3 wherein said visual accessing means (29) includes said cover (12) having a cover surface including at least one opening (29) therethrough for providing visual access to said color-coded marks (61) on said support block (20). A termination assembly of claim 3 wherein said visual accessing means (29) includes said cover (12) having a cover surface including plural discrete openings (29) therethrough for providing individual visual access to said color-coded marks (61) on said support block (20). A termination assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the individual discrete support elements said support block comprise plural side-by-side channels (49) each of which individually supports one of said electrical conductors (21). A termination assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said conductor support block (20) includes an upper surface including said identifying indicia (61) and an opposed lower surface including said side-by-side channels (49), said indicia (61) being in alignment with said channels (49). A termination assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said side-by-side channels (49) are open ended to accommodate ends of said conductors (21). A termination assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said housing has a first end accommodating said conductors (21) and an open second end for cooperative electrical engagement with an electrical connector. A termination assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the conductor termination end of each contact has an insulation displacing portion (19b).

Inventors: NOORILY PETER, NOORILY, PETER
Applicants: THOMAS & BETTS CORP, THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R9, H01R12, H01R13