CONNECTOR APPARATUS

Abstract: Connector apparatus, suitable for use as a telephone socket, includes a connector module of leadframe construction. A basic leadframe (20) has parts forming IDC contacts (12) and sockets (18) such as for mastering components. The leadframe (20) is partially overmoulded with a plastics material to provide a module structure (22, 24). Supporting framework (28) of the leadframe (20) is then broken away and the construction completed by appropriate bending of leadframe conductors and attaching a moulded plastics cover. The IDC contacts (12) preferably have a closed oval wire insertion aperture, with a narrower substantially parallel insulation displacement slot extending from the aperture.

Description: CONNECTOR APPARATUS The present invention relates to connector apparatus, for example for use in telecommunications applications, such as telephone sockets. In the present applicants' published UK Patent Application GB-A-2 282 273, there is described connector apparatus, for use with telecommunications equipment, having a modular construction such that different modules can be incorporated in a common housing structure to provide connectors having different functionality, for example single or double sockets, and/or primary or secondary telephone connectors. The modules are based around printed circuit boards such that the necessary components (for example, mastering components) require soldering to the boards, and also the various connectors have to be mounted on the boards and soldered in place. Assembly of the printed circuit boards requires at least some manual operator intervention since it is not readily fully automatable. There are other types of electrical connectors, such as those in use for telecommunications purposes, in which assembly is likewise complicated by the need for several separate manufacturing steps. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided connector apparatus comprising a connector module fitting within a housing structure, the connector module being of leadframe construction in which connecting conductors form part of the leadframe, and in which any components necessary for the connector module are attached to conductors formed by the leadframe. In a preferred type of connector module, wiring connections are made by means of insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) and these also form part of the leadframe. Another aspect of the invention provides an effective IDC construction in which each IDC conductor is provided with an aperture for cable insertion, the aperture being preferabl e of oval shape, and an insulation displacement slot opening from an end of the aperture, the slot preferably having parallel sides. Since the cable insertion aperture is not open at the as with existing designs, there is greater structural integrity to the connector and the sides of the connector on each side of the insulation displacement slot are significantly less susceptible to splaying apart when a cable is pushed down into the slot. In addition, the closed nature of the cable entry eyelet provides cable capture during wiring. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a connector module. Particular embodiments of the invention provide a modular design line jack unit system incorporating a single module of integral metal leadframe design, with IDC connectors and a telecom socket, fully enclosed in a high temperature industrial plastics structure. This module includes appropriate sockets to accommodate mastering component plug-in assemblies, and can be snap fitted into a flush mounting backbox, such as a 67 mm x 67 mm backbox or a 85 mm x 85 mm backbox. The backbox is designed to eliminate moisture ingress, and to include an improved cable management system, also offering the user the choice of rear or side cable entry access. The use of a low profile spacing frame with this backbox allows the unit to be converted simply from flush mounting to surface mounting, without the need for any conversion tools. Modules are provided for both right-hand and left-hand latch sockets. For wall fixing, two standard screws can be used in four possible fixing positions having an integral alignment facility. With the metal leadframe module situated within a closed chamber of the backbox, the module could, if necessary, be encapsulated in a protective material for use in adverse environmental locations. The module can be used in both voice and data socket connection systems. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which like parts are referred to by like references, and in which: Figure 1 shows a connection module which forms part of a telephone socket assembly; Figure 2 shows the initial assembly steps in a manufacturing process for the module of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows further assembly steps in the manufacturing process of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the preferred IDC wiring system for use in the module of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 shows the module of Figure 1 ready for connection to a telephone mastering module; Figure 6 shows the initial assembly steps in a manufacturing process for the mastering module of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows further assembly steps in the process of Figure 6; Figure 8 shows plan and side views of the completed connection module with mastering components module; Figure 9 shows a socket assembly incorporating the connection module; Figures 10 and 11 show socket assemblies larger than that of Figure 9; Figures 12 to 14 show different ways of attaching the socket assemblies to wall surfaces; Figure 15 shows a facia mounting assembly; Figures 16 to 18 show further facia mounting assemblies which can snap-fit directly to front covers; and Figure 19 shows a terminal box including a self-locking leadframe connection module. Figure 1 shows a connection module 10 which, as will be described below, forms part of a telephone socket assembly. As can be seen from Figure 1 , the module 10 includes IDC contacts 12 for connection to a telephone cable (not shown), a telecom socket 14, and an area 16 provided for a mastering component module (not shown), with sockets 18 in that area 16 for receiving terminals of the mastering component module. The connection module 10 is formed of an encapsulated leadframe structure, the assembly being further described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in the top part (2A) of Figure 2, a basic leadframe 20 is provided for the interconnections of the module 10. Parts of the leadframe 20 define the IDC contacts 12 and the sockets 18 for the mastering components. The lower part (2B) of Figure 2 shows the leadframe 20 after plastics overmoulding 22 to provide the module structure. It will be seen that parts 24 of the overmoulding provide the mastering component module area, as well as the IDC base structure. Attachment points 26 are provided for the telecom socket contacts. Figure 3 shows three further steps in the assembly process. In part 3A of Figure 3, the supporting framework (28; see Figure 2) of the leadframe structure 20 has been broken away, separating the individual modules 10, and with the provision of a telecom socket contacts support arm 30. In part 3B of Figure 3, the telecom socket contacts 32 are positioned over the contacts support arm 30, and the IDC contacts 12 are bent upwards; in part 3C, a moulded plastics cover 36 forming the housing for both the telecom socket 14 and the IDC assembly is attached to the module 10. Figure 4 (made up of parts 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E) shows the IDC wiring system in more detail. Each IDC contact 12 includes a cable entry eyelet 40 in the form of an oval aperture, with an insulation displacement slot 42 opening from an end of the eyelet, the slot 42 preferably having parallel sides. The cable insertion aperture is not open at the end, as is the case with existing designs, and this provides greater structural integrity to the contact since the tines do not spread, even after repeated use. Also the closed nature of the cable entry eyelet provides cable capture during wiring. The connector housing 44 includes slots 46 aligned with the insulation displacement slots 42 of the contacts 12, and the housing slots 46 act as grips for the wire insulation, keeping the cables 48 in place. Part 4D of Figure 4 shows an IDC insertion tool 49, such as a standard BT wiring tool 2A (or its plastics equivalent) aligned with the module 10 for cable insertion. Figure 5 shows the connection module 10 ready for connection to a telephone mastering module 50. The master ig module 50 has terminals 52 for connecting with the sockets provided in the connection module. The mastering module 50 is provided as a separate structure since it will only need to be attached if the socket housing is to be a master socket. The preferred structure of the mastering module 50 is, again, based on a leadframe construction encapsulated in plastics, with an integral plastics protective cover, as will be described. Figures 6 and 7 show assembly of the mastering module 50, the assembly being similar to that of the connection module 10. In Figure 6, the basic leadframe 60 is shown at the top (6A), with plastics overmoulding 62 shown in the lower part (6B) of the drawing. Plug-in connection terminals 64 can be seen near the corners of the overmouldings 62. Component termination points 66 form part of the leadframe 60. Figure 7 shows (7A) the moulded leadframe assembly 70 remaining after the supporting framework of the leadframe has been broken away, (7B) with the contacts and connectors 66 bent as required, (7C) with mastering components (such as a capacitor 72, resistor 74 and GDT 76) assembled in place, such as by soldering, and (7D) with a plastics moulded cover 78 over the assembly 70 and mastering components. Figure 8 shows plan and side views of the completed connection module 10 with mastering components module 50. Various type of mastering module 50 are available, including a telex mastering version. Figure 9 shows, in exploded form, a socket assembly in which the connection module 10 and mastering module 50 are retained between front and rear housing cover parts 80,82. The socket assembly as shown is for a single socket. Some aspects of the socket assembly are similar to those disclosed in the above-mentioned GB-A-2 282 273. The front housing cover part 80 is retained by means of captive fixing screws 81. The rear housing cover part 82 includes: wall fixing holes 83 with integral alignment facility; rear stand-off ribs 84 to eliminate moisture entrapment; front cover screw fixings 85 for accepting the captive fixing screws 81 ; side cable entry knockouts 86; a rear access cable entry 87; a cable management channel 88; and a moisture resistant cavity 89 for receiving the connection module 10. The rear housing cover part 82 provides a low profile surface mount back box. It will be apparent that socket assembly is very simple in that the connection module 10 (if appropriate, with a mastering module 50) is inserted within the cavity 89 and retained in position by the front cover part 80. Figures 10 and 11 show larger socket assemblies, capable of incorporating two sockets. In Figure 10, only one socket is provided whereas Figure 11 includes two sockets by virtue of two connection modules 10 being included within the rear cover cavity 89'. In Figures 10 and 11 , the rear part of the housing is in the form of a low profile flush mount back box 92 with (optional) low profile frame 94 for surface mounting. Rear stand-off ribs 96 to eliminate moisture entrapment are provided on the frame 94 which also has cable entry knockouts 98, alignment location posts 102 and wall fixing holes 104 with integral alignment facility, these also being provided in the back box 92. The back box 92 also includes a cable management channel 106, a rear access cable entry 108, a surface access cable entry 110, metal back-box screw fixing holes 112, front cover screw fittings 114 and a moisture resistant cavity 89' for the module(s) 10. Figures 12 to 14 show different ways of attaching the socket assemblies of Figures 9 to 11 , either by flush mounting or surface mounting, and also shows the telephone cable management within the assembly and the attachment to the IDC connector. In Figure 12, the assembly of Figure 9 is shown surface mounted to a wall 120. The cable management channel 88 accepts two cable 122 diameters either side. This is only one wiring example; the rear access cable entry 87 can alternatively be utilised. Figures 13 and 14 respectively show the assemblies of Figures 10 and 11 in both surface mounted and flush mounted form. For flush mounting, the wall 120 includes a metal back-box 124 and the frame 94 is omitted. The general arrangements are similar to that of Figure 12 and again two cable 122 diameters can be accepted either side in the cable management channel 106. Figure 15 shows a facia mounting assembly 130 provided with a simplified connection module 10' not including mastering components. In other respects, the connection module is similar to that previously described in that leadframe construction is provided for the IDC connector and connecting conductors within the module 10'. The assembly 130 includes a cover plate 132 and a snap-fit facia assembly 134. The connection module 10' is fitted in an aperture 136 of the cover plate 132 and retained in position when the facia assembly 134 is snap-fitted into place. Figures 16 to 18 show further facia mounting assemblies broadly similar to that of Figure 15 but having the further advantage that the connection module 10" can snap-fit directly to the facia front cover 140, no other housing parts being required, since snap-fitting projections 142 on the cover 140 fit into corresponding cut-outs 144 on the module 10". Also, the connection module 10" has provision for a mastering components module 50 so that the resulting socket assembly can be used as a master socket. Figures 16 and 18 are for single sockets (Figure 16 having a 85 mm x 85 mm front cover, and Figure 18 having a 67 mm x 67 mm front cover) and Figure 17 provides a double socket (85 mm x 85 mm front cover). Figure 19 shows a terminal box 150 including a self-locking leadframe connection module 152 provided with IDC connectors 12. The connection module is made in a similar manner to that described above, namely by overmoulding a basic leadframe, breaking away the supporting structure, and attaching a housing support structure for completing the IDC housing which is similar to that of Figure 4 and has similar advantages. As shown in Figure 19, the connection module 152 is retained between a surface mount back-box 154 and a front cover 156 provided with cover retaining catches 158. The back- box 154 includes corresponding cover retaining parts 160, a cable restraint tie 162, connection module retaining clips 164, a cable entry 166 and a wall fixing hole 168. Various embodiments of the invention have been described but it will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications and alterations can be made to the embodiments as described without departing from the inventive concept set out in the claims herewith.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Connector apparatus comprising a housing structure, a connector module fitting within the housing structure, the connector module being of leadframe construction in which connecting conductors form part of the leadframe, and in which components necessary for the connector module are attached to conductors formed by the leadframe. 2. Connector apparatus according to claim 1 , for use as a telephone socket, wherein the connector module includes a telecom socket attached to the conductors of the leadframe. 3. Connector apparatus according to claim 2, including a mastering module attached to the connector module, the mastering module also being of leadframe construction in which connecting conductors form part of the leadframe. 4. Connector apparatus according to claim 3, including mastering components attached to the connecting conductors of the leadframe of the mastering module. 5. Connector apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector module includes insulation displacement contacts formed from the leadframe. 6. Connector apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each insulation displacement contact includes a conductor provided with a closed aperture for cable insertion. 7. Connector apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the closed aperture is of oval shape. 8. Connector apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the conductor includes an insulation displacement slot opening from an end of the aperture. 9. Connector apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the insulation displacement slot has substantially parallel sides. 10. A method of manufacturing a connector module, the method comprising: providing a leadframe structure carrying conductors of the module and insulation displacement contacts; overmoulding part of the leadframe structure with a plastics material to form a module structure; breaking away a supporting framework from the leadframe structure; bending remaining parts of the leadframe structure including the insulation displacement contacts; and attaching a housing cover to the module structure. 11. An insulation displacement contact comprising a conductor having a closed aperture for cable insertion. 12. An insulation displacement contact according to claim 11 , wherein the closed aperture is of oval shape. 13. An insulation displacement contact according to claim 12, wherein the conductor includes an insulation displacement slot opening from an end of the aperture. 14. An insulation displacement contact according to claim 13, wherein the insulation displacement slot has substantially parallel sides. 15. A connector including a plurality of insulation displacement contacts according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

Inventors: CURRY JOHN JAMES, EARL GEOFFREY JAMES, CURRY, JOHN, JAMES, EARL, GEOFFREY, JAMES
Applicants: ASTRALUX DYNAMICS LTD, CURRY JOHN JAMES, EARL GEOFFREY JAMES, ASTRALUX DYNAMICS LIMITED, CURRY, JOHN, JAMES, EARL, GEOFFREY, JAMES
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H01R23
IPC codes: H01R4, H01R13, H01R43