Connector with sliding tap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9954296-B2
Application number	US-201615204471-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 7, 2016
Priority date	Jul 7, 2016
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to a modular connector for a multi-conductor ribbon cable provided for power and data transmission to a network of devices. The modular connector is coupled to the conductors in the ribbon cable by insulation displacement members. The connector contains both fixed and movable conductor punches used to configure a network interface.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A connector for a multi-conductor power and data transmission network ribbon cable for use with a network, the network including a plurality of devices configured to be coupled to one another via the cable, the connector comprising: a lower body enclosing a cavity containing a plurality of connectors, each connector corresponding and electrically connected to two insulation displacement members of a plurality of insulation displacement members forming first and second rows; an upper body having a fixed severing device positioned within the upper body in alignment with a conductor of the multi-conductor ribbon cable, a plurality of configuration channels supporting and horizontally constraining one or more moveable severing devices where each configuration channel is aligned with some of the conductors of the multi-conductor cable, wherein all severing devices are movable from an initial uncrimped state to a final crimped state, the upper body adapted to engage the multi-conductor ribbon cable between the upper body and lower body.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the upper body and the lower body have at least one orientation key, the orientation keys defining a space configured to receive the multi-conductor ribbon cable in corresponding keyed orientation.

3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein a multi-conductor cable is adapted to receive at least one orientation key on opposing sides.

4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein each conductor of the multi-conductor ribbon cable is brought into electrical contact with conductor engaging portions of two opposing insulation displacement members.

5. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the insulating jacket of the multi-conductor ribbon cable is sufficiently resilient to permit piercing by insulation displacement members.

6. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the insulating jacket of the multi-conductor ribbon cable has a first thickness surrounding conductors, a second thickness between adjacent conductors, and a third thickness for receiving orientation keys.

7. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the conductors of the multi-conductor ribbon cable are disposed parallel to one another in a common plane with signal conductors at a first distance and power conductors at a second distance.

8. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the conductors of the multi-conductor ribbon cable are disposed parallel to one another in a common plane ordered such that power conductors do not electrically couple with signal conductors.

9. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured to receive an edge connector on a printed circuit board.

10. A connector for a power and data transmission network cable, a network including a plurality of nodes configured to be coupled to one another via the cable, the connector comprising:
an upper body and a lower body each having at least one orientation key adapted to receive a multi-conductor ribbon cable, the lower body having a receiving cavity;
a multi-conductor ribbon cable adapted to receive orientation keys transversely positioned between the upper body and the lower body whose conductors are electrically coupled to insulation displacement members on the lower body;
a plurality of configuration channels in the upper body aligned in correspondence with some of the conductors of the multi-conductor ribbon cable, supporting and horizontally constraining one or more moveable severing devices;
at least one severing device positioned within the upper body aligned with one conductor of the multi-conductor ribbon cable;
wherein all severing devices are movable from an initial uncrimped state to a final crimped state.

11. The connector of claim 10 , wherein conductors may have additional electrical power injected.

12. The connector of claim 10 , wherein conductors may be altered or suspended.

13. The connector of claim 10 , wherein conductors may be passed unaltered.

14. The connector of claim 10 , wherein the connector is configured to receive an edge connector on a printed circuit board.

15. The connector of claim 11 , wherein the printed circuit board contains one or more connectors for electrical power.

16. An industrial control network connector system comprising:
an upper body having at least one orientation key adapted to receive a multi-conductor cable, a severing device within the upper body in alignment with a conductor of the multi-conductor cable, a plurality of configuration channels supporting and horizontally constraining one or more moveable severing devices where each configuration channel is aligned with some of the conductors of the multi-conductor cable, wherein all severing devices are movable from an initial uncrimped state to a final crimped state, and a lower body having at least one orientation key adapted to receive the multi-conductor cable, the lower body having a receiving cavity adapted to receive an interface circuit board;
a plurality of connectors arrayed in opposing pairs in the receiving cavity each electrically connected to one of a plurality of insulation displacement members;
a multi-conductor cable adapted to receive orientation keys transversely positioned between the upper body and the lower body whose conductors are electrically coupled to insulation displacement members on lower body when upper body and lower body are operatively engaged;
an interface circuit board having conductive traces on opposing sides in corresponding relation to connectors wherein upon coupling with lower body opposing connectors are placed in contact with conductive traces;
a network interface coupled to an industrial control device having a surface adapted to receive the network device in operative engagement.

17. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein the industrial control device is selected from the group consisting of push-button switches, motor starters, proximity sensors, flow sensors, speed sensors, actuating solenoids, electrical relays, and electrical contactors.

18. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein network interface and industrial control device are mechanically coupled for operative engagement.

19. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein the network interface controls the state of the industrial control device by network signals.

20. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein the network interface obtains network power and system power from the multi-conductor cable.

Assignees

• Rockwell Automation Tech Inc

Inventors

• Haensgen Steven T
• Caspers John P
• Wang Yutao
• Kilburn Jeffrey A
• Whitley Darryl E

Classifications

• H01R13/502

  composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R4/2454

  forming a U-shape with slotted branches · CPC title

• H01R12/79 Primary

  connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures · CPC title

• H01R4/2433

  one part of the base being movable to push the cable into the slot · CPC title