Connector assembly and method of making same
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDennis C. Mackey, John J. Driscoll, Barbara J. Byczkiewicz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical connector, electrical connection assembly implementing at least one such electrical connector, and method of making such an electrical connector are disclosed. The method includes attaching a wire to a conductive component that includes at least one of a pin and a socket, positioning the conductive component into a supporting structure, and positioning a retaining component in relation to the supporting structure, where the retaining component serves to substantially prevent relative movement of the conductive component relative to the supporting structure. The method further includes overmolding at least portions of the supporting structure and the wire.
Claims22
An electrical connector capable of being coupled to another connection device, the electrical connector comprising:
- an insert having a first end and a second end, wherein the insert is configured to interface the other connection device at the first end;
- a conductive component that is at least partly supported by the insert, wherein the conductive component includes a portion that is exposed proximate the first end such that the portion is capable of being coupled to another portion of the other connection device, and wherein the conductive component extends outward out of and away from the second end of the insert;
- a retaining component that extends entirely and continuously around a perimeter of the insert and around the conductive component and substantially prevents relative movement of the insert and at least a part of the conductive component;
- and
- overmolding material that encapsulates at least portions of the conductive component and the insert, so as to further substantially prevent relative movement of the insert and the part of the conductive component.
A connection assembly comprising:
- a first connector, wherein the first connector includes a support portion, a conductive portion supported by the support portion, and means for substantially preventing relative movement of the support portion and the conductive portion, wherein the means for substantially preventing relative movement extends entirely and continuously around a perimeter of the support portion;
- and
- a second connector coupled to the first connector, wherein one of the first and second connectors is a male connector and the other of the first and second connectors is a female connector;
- wherein overmolding material at least partially surrounds at least a portion of at least one of the first connector and the second connector.
A method of making a connector, the method comprising:
- attaching a wire to a conductive component that includes at least one of a pin and a socket;
- positioning the conductive component into a supporting structure;
- positioning a retaining component in relation to the supporting structure, wherein the retaining component serves to substantially prevent relative movement of the conductive component relative to the supporting structure, and wherein the retaining component extends entirely and continuously around a perimeter of the support structure;
- and
- overmolding at least portions of the supporting structure and the wire.
An electrical connector capable of being coupled to another connection device, the electrical connector comprising:
- an insert having a first end and a second end, wherein the insert is configured to interface the other connection device at the first end;
- a conductive component that includes one of a pin and a socket and that is supported by the insert, wherein the conductive component includes a first portion that is exposed proximate the first end and a second portion proximate the second end;
- a retaining component that extends around the conductive component and entirely and continuously around a perimeter of the insert, wherein the retaining component is coupled to the insert and applies pressure to the conductive component so that the conductive component is retained in relation to the insert and continues to be supported by the insert;
- and
- overmolding material that encapsulates at least portions of the conductive component and the insert, so as to further assist in retaining the conductive component in relation to the insert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.