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WO2010010429A1 - Watertight connector - Google Patents

Watertight connector Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010010429A1
WO2010010429A1 PCT/IB2008/054161 IB2008054161W WO2010010429A1 WO 2010010429 A1 WO2010010429 A1 WO 2010010429A1 IB 2008054161 W IB2008054161 W IB 2008054161W WO 2010010429 A1 WO2010010429 A1 WO 2010010429A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
leads
section
bent
lead
embedded
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2008/054161
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert Van Den Heuvel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
FCI SA
Framatome Connectors International SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FCI SA, Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical FCI SA
Priority to PCT/IB2008/054161 priority Critical patent/WO2010010429A1/en
Publication of WO2010010429A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010010429A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/405—Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/521—Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/20—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
    • H01R43/24—Assembling by moulding on contact members

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of connectors, e.g., for data transmission connections with data processing circuitry, particularly to be used in environments where they are subjected to moisture and contacts with liquids.
  • Data processing devices typically comprise terminal blocks or connector parts for allowing connection of the device to a transmission cable, a docking station or another data processing device.
  • data devices are subjected to moisture or liquids.
  • data transmission contact points should be watertight.
  • These devices typically have data transmission contacts to upload the collected data to a computer, e.g., via a docking station.
  • a possible test to examine the degree of watertightness such devices are submerged for one hour at a depth of 1 meter. After one hour, it is examined if any water droplets have entered the tested device. If droplets are observed, the device is rejected.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a watertight connector, e.g., for a data processing device comprising one or more watertight data transmission contact leads. More particular, the device should be able to withstand the above-mentioned test.
  • a connector comprising one or more leads comprising at least one part embedded in a moulded polymeric material wherein the embedded part of the lead is provided with at least one anchoring means.
  • the embedding in the polymeric material encapsulates the leads in a leak-tight manner, thus providing a waterproof sealing of the device at the location of the leads.
  • the polymeric material embeds the fixation means which results in a firm anchoring of the leads into the moulded material.
  • the fixation means can for example be an opening formed into the lead. This way, the polymeric material passes the one or more openings which results in an anchoring of the leads. By virtue of this feature, tightness is also improved since when the polymeric material cools down after molding, it tends to shrink in and around the opening providing more pressure around the leads.
  • the fixation means can also be a broadened part of the lead. If water would still pass the leads via a crack or craze of slight split between the lead and the embedding material, the water will have to pass a longer way before it reaches the interior of the device.
  • the fixation means include at least one opening and at least one broadened part.
  • the opening can for instance be positioned within the broadened part, e.g., in its centre.
  • the broadened part can for example be a rounded part or a polygonal part with rounded corners.
  • the benefit of rounded corner is that it prevents development of stress concentration areas near the opening .
  • the polymeric material embedding the leads can be any suitable mouldable polymeric material, such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , polyethylene (HDPE or LDPE) , polypropylene, polystyrene, POM, PTFE, PEEK, or any other suitable plastic material.
  • the polymeric material can for instance be moulded by injection moulding.
  • one or more of the leads can be bent into a C-shape with a mid-section and two bent arms, wherein the leads are embedded near the one or more openings, leaving the outer ends of the bent arms and one side of the midsection free.
  • bent arms can be bent to be parallel with the C-shapes mid-section.
  • this bent outer end has a bent tip.
  • the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a connector wherein first a carrier strip is made carrying a number of leads each being provided with at least one section having an anchoring means, such as an opening and/or a broadened part or projection, wherein the leads are bent into a C-shape, and wherein of each lead the section having one or more fixation means is embedded by moulding in a polymeric material, and the carrier strip is removed.
  • an anchoring means such as an opening and/or a broadened part or projection
  • two carrier strips are used, carrying the leads between them, and both carrier strips are removed after embedding the lead sections having a fixation means by moulding the polymeric material.
  • Figure 1 shows a connector according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a cross section of the connector of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3A shows in detail the encapsulated section of a lead of the connector of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3B and Figure 3C show a cross-sectional view of the encapsulated section of the lead along line A and B respectively;
  • Figure 4 shows a carrier strip for the manufacturing of leads to be used in the connector of Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 shows a bent set of six leads for a connector according to Figure 1.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show a connector 1 with a front part 2 forming a U-shape with two profiled legs 3, 4 which can be slid into and attached to a housing of a data collecting or processing device, such as a pedometer.
  • the front part 2 is made of a plastic material, such as a polycarbonate, and can for instance be made by injection moulding.
  • the end 9 of leg 8 is bent under right angles with respect to leg 8 to be parallel to the mid-section 6.
  • the outer end 10 of end 9 is bent in a direction pointing away from the mid-section 6.
  • the leads 5 are provided with openings 11, 12.
  • the mid-section 6 is covered by the polycarbonate at one side, but the surface directed away from the legs 7, 8 is not covered by the polycarbonate.
  • Figure 3A shows opening 11, 12 in more detail.
  • the leads are provided with a broadened part 13 around the openings 11, 12.
  • the fixation means of the lead has an eye-of-needle shape, comprising a first proximal main branch which bifurcates into two secondary branches parallel to the main branch and finally these two secondary branches merge to provide a main distal branch.
  • the transition from the broadened section 13 to the rest of the lead is formed by rounded corners 14 which are advantageous in order to lower local stress applied by the contact on the moulded material.
  • Figure 3B corresponds to a cross-section view of the lead along line A, in a region located outside the broadened part 13 of the lead.
  • the lead in this region has a cross- sectional area Sl
  • Figure 4 shows in plan view a ladder-type strip 15 comprising two carrier strips 16, 17 carrying leads 5 to be used for a connector as shown in Figure 1.
  • Two sets of three leads 5 with a gap between the sets are cut off from the strip 15 and bent into a C-shape, as shown in Figure 5.
  • This C-shape is embedded in the front part 2.
  • the remaining parts of the carrier strips 16, 17 are cut-off and the longest leg 8 of the C-shape is bent twice to form the profiled contact lead 5 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is related to a connector comprising a one or more leads (5) comprising at least one part embedded in a moulded polymeric material. The embedded part of the lead (5) is provided with at least one fixation means, such as an opening (11, 12) and/or a broadened part (13), for instance an opening (11, 12) positioned in a broadened part (13) of the lead (5).

Description

WATERTIGHT CONNECTOR
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to the field of connectors, e.g., for data transmission connections with data processing circuitry, particularly to be used in environments where they are subjected to moisture and contacts with liquids.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Data processing devices, including devices for data transmission or data collection, typically comprise terminal blocks or connector parts for allowing connection of the device to a transmission cable, a docking station or another data processing device. In some environments such data devices are subjected to moisture or liquids. For devices like pedometers or stepcounters, or body movement measuring devices which are worn during sporting, e.g. with swimming, data transmission contact points should be watertight. These devices typically have data transmission contacts to upload the collected data to a computer, e.g., via a docking station. In a possible test to examine the degree of watertightness, such devices are submerged for one hour at a depth of 1 meter. After one hour, it is examined if any water droplets have entered the tested device. If droplets are observed, the device is rejected.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
An object of the present invention is to provide a watertight connector, e.g., for a data processing device comprising one or more watertight data transmission contact leads. More particular, the device should be able to withstand the above-mentioned test.
This object is achieved with a connector comprising one or more leads comprising at least one part embedded in a moulded polymeric material wherein the embedded part of the lead is provided with at least one anchoring means. The embedding in the polymeric material encapsulates the leads in a leak-tight manner, thus providing a waterproof sealing of the device at the location of the leads. The polymeric material embeds the fixation means which results in a firm anchoring of the leads into the moulded material.
The fixation means can for example be an opening formed into the lead. This way, the polymeric material passes the one or more openings which results in an anchoring of the leads. By virtue of this feature, tightness is also improved since when the polymeric material cools down after molding, it tends to shrink in and around the opening providing more pressure around the leads.
The fixation means can also be a broadened part of the lead. If water would still pass the leads via a crack or craze of slight split between the lead and the embedding material, the water will have to pass a longer way before it reaches the interior of the device.
In a particular embodiment, the fixation means include at least one opening and at least one broadened part. The opening can for instance be positioned within the broadened part, e.g., in its centre.
In order to prevent local mechanical stresses, the broadened part can for example be a rounded part or a polygonal part with rounded corners. The benefit of rounded corner is that it prevents development of stress concentration areas near the opening .
The polymeric material embedding the leads can be any suitable mouldable polymeric material, such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , polyethylene (HDPE or LDPE) , polypropylene, polystyrene, POM, PTFE, PEEK, or any other suitable plastic material. The polymeric material can for instance be moulded by injection moulding. In a particular embodiment, one or more of the leads can be bent into a C-shape with a mid-section and two bent arms, wherein the leads are embedded near the one or more openings, leaving the outer ends of the bent arms and one side of the midsection free.
The outer end of one of the bent arms can be bent to be parallel with the C-shapes mid-section. Optionally, this bent outer end has a bent tip.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a connector wherein first a carrier strip is made carrying a number of leads each being provided with at least one section having an anchoring means, such as an opening and/or a broadened part or projection, wherein the leads are bent into a C-shape, and wherein of each lead the section having one or more fixation means is embedded by moulding in a polymeric material, and the carrier strip is removed.
Optionally, two carrier strips are used, carrying the leads between them, and both carrier strips are removed after embedding the lead sections having a fixation means by moulding the polymeric material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1: shows a connector according to the invention;
Figure 2: shows a cross section of the connector of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3A: shows in detail the encapsulated section of a lead of the connector of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3B and Figure 3C: show a cross-sectional view of the encapsulated section of the lead along line A and B respectively;
Figure 4 : shows a carrier strip for the manufacturing of leads to be used in the connector of Figure 1;
Figure 5: shows a bent set of six leads for a connector according to Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figures 1 and 2 show a connector 1 with a front part 2 forming a U-shape with two profiled legs 3, 4 which can be slid into and attached to a housing of a data collecting or processing device, such as a pedometer. The front part 2 is made of a plastic material, such as a polycarbonate, and can for instance be made by injection moulding.
Embedded in the polycarbonate are leads 5, bent in a C- shape with a base mid section 6 and two parallel legs 7, 8 bent under right angles with respect to the mid section 6. The end 9 of leg 8 is bent under right angles with respect to leg 8 to be parallel to the mid-section 6. The outer end 10 of end 9 is bent in a direction pointing away from the mid-section 6. Close to mid-section 6 the leads 5 are provided with openings 11, 12. Around these openings 11, 12 the leads are embedded in by the polycarbonate. The mid-section 6 is covered by the polycarbonate at one side, but the surface directed away from the legs 7, 8 is not covered by the polycarbonate.
Figure 3A shows opening 11, 12 in more detail. The leads are provided with a broadened part 13 around the openings 11, 12. The fixation means of the lead has an eye-of-needle shape, comprising a first proximal main branch which bifurcates into two secondary branches parallel to the main branch and finally these two secondary branches merge to provide a main distal branch. The transition from the broadened section 13 to the rest of the lead is formed by rounded corners 14 which are advantageous in order to lower local stress applied by the contact on the moulded material.
Figure 3B corresponds to a cross-section view of the lead along line A, in a region located outside the broadened part 13 of the lead. The lead in this region has a cross- sectional area Sl
In reference of Figure 3C, is shown a cross-sectional view of the lead along line B, situated in the broadened part 13. In this region the lead presents two portions, separated by the opening 11, having respectively cross-sectional area S2 and S3. According to a preferred embodiment, the ratio Sl/(S2+S3)is substantially equal to 1. Indeed, by virtue of this design, the electrical current travelling through the lead is evenly distributed in the broadened region of the lead which is advantageous in term of heat dissipation and of contact resistance .
Figure 4 shows in plan view a ladder-type strip 15 comprising two carrier strips 16, 17 carrying leads 5 to be used for a connector as shown in Figure 1. Two sets of three leads 5 with a gap between the sets are cut off from the strip 15 and bent into a C-shape, as shown in Figure 5. This C-shape is embedded in the front part 2. Then the remaining parts of the carrier strips 16, 17 are cut-off and the longest leg 8 of the C-shape is bent twice to form the profiled contact lead 5 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Claims

1. Connector comprising one or more leads (5), at least one of the leads (5) comprising at least one part embedded in a moulded polymeric material, wherein the embedded part of the lead (5) is provided with at least one fixation means (11, 12, 13) .
2. Connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixation means comprises at least one opening (11, 12) .
3. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixation means comprises at least one broadened part (13) .
4. Connector according to claim 3, wherein the fixation means comprises an opening (11, 12) positioned in the broadened part (13) of the lead (5) .
5. Connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the broadened part (13) is a rounded part or a polygonal part with rounded corners .
6. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the leads (5) is bent into a C- shape with a mid-section (6) and two bent legs (7, 8), wherein the leads (5) are embedded leaving the outer ends of the bent legs (7, 8) and one side of the mid-section (6) free .
7. Connector comprising a one or more leads (5), at least one of the leads (5) comprising at least one part embedded in a moulded polymeric material, wherein the embedded part of the lead (5) is provided with at least one broadened part
(13) comprising an opening (11, 12) wherein at least part of the leads (5) is bent into a C-shape with a mid-section
(6) and two bent legs (7, 8), wherein the leads (5) are embedded leaving the outer ends of the bent legs (7, 8) and one side of the mid-section (6) free and wherein the end of one of the bent legs (8) is bent to be parallel with the C- shapes mid-section (6) .
8. Method of manufacturing a data processing device comprising a terminal block (1) with one or more data transmission leads (5) wherein first a carrier strip (16) is made carrying a number of leads (5) each being provided with at least one section having an opening (11, 12), wherein the leads (5) are bent into a C-shape, and wherein (5) the section of each lead having an opening (11, 12) is embedded by moulding in a polymeric material, and the carrier strip
(16) is removed.
9. Strip (15) comprising a carrier strip (16, 17) carrying a series of parallel leads (5) each lead (5) comprising at least one opening in a broadened section (13) .
PCT/IB2008/054161 2008-07-22 2008-07-22 Watertight connector Ceased WO2010010429A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2008/054161 WO2010010429A1 (en) 2008-07-22 2008-07-22 Watertight connector

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2008/054161 WO2010010429A1 (en) 2008-07-22 2008-07-22 Watertight connector

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010010429A1 true WO2010010429A1 (en) 2010-01-28

Family

ID=40456305

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2008/054161 Ceased WO2010010429A1 (en) 2008-07-22 2008-07-22 Watertight connector

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010010429A1 (en)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0762560A2 (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-03-12 Molex Incorporated Electrical connector with embedded terminals
WO2000008722A1 (en) * 1998-08-05 2000-02-17 Ericsson, Inc. Moisture resistant electrical connector for a cellular telephone
US6203335B1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-03-20 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Mobile phone connector and the art of assembly of contacts and a housing
US6206735B1 (en) * 1998-08-28 2001-03-27 Teka Interconnection Systems, Inc. Press fit print circuit board connector
EP1168514A1 (en) * 2000-06-21 2002-01-02 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Connector excellent in reliability of contact
EP1408587A1 (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-04-14 ELCO Europe GmbH Contact connector

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0762560A2 (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-03-12 Molex Incorporated Electrical connector with embedded terminals
WO2000008722A1 (en) * 1998-08-05 2000-02-17 Ericsson, Inc. Moisture resistant electrical connector for a cellular telephone
US6206735B1 (en) * 1998-08-28 2001-03-27 Teka Interconnection Systems, Inc. Press fit print circuit board connector
US6203335B1 (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-03-20 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Mobile phone connector and the art of assembly of contacts and a housing
EP1168514A1 (en) * 2000-06-21 2002-01-02 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Connector excellent in reliability of contact
EP1408587A1 (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-04-14 ELCO Europe GmbH Contact connector

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