Cable connector with filler cap
An improved connector for an electrical cable and method therefor employs a filler cap that provides a seal for protecting the connector against intrusion of unwanted materials. The filler cap may be a planar filler cap in some embodiments, or the filler cap may be a right-angle filler cap in some embodiments suitable for low-profile right-angle connectors. In some embodiments, shaped protrusions are provided on the underside of the filler cap that fit into openings or holes in the connector where the lead terminations appear. In some embodiments, troughs may be formed between the filler cap and the connector for receiving a sealant material, such as an epoxy or resin material, to further seal off the connector. The above arrangement helps prevent or at least minimize unwanted materials from entering the interior of the connector.
1 . A filler cap for an electrical cable connector, the filler cap comprising:
a first side; and
at least one trough on the first side of the filler cap extending substantially parallel to an edge of the first side;
wherein the filler cap has a size and shape selected to fit within a size and shape of an underside of the electrical cable connector and between two rows of terminations of the electrical cable connector.
2 . The filler cap of claim 1 , further comprising a notch on the filler cap, the notch having a size and shape selected to fit a size and shape of an alignment pin on the electrical cable connector.
3 . The filler cap of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shaped protrusions on the filler cap, each shaped protrusion having a size and shape selected to fit a size and shape of a socket passageway in the electrical cable connector.
4 . The filler cap of claim 1 , wherein electrical cable connector is a low-profile right-angle connector and the filler cap is a low-profile right-angle cap.
5 . The filler cap of claim 4 , wherein the low-profile right-angle cap has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the horizontal portion comprising a plurality of planar partitions extending perpendicularly to the vertical portion.
6 . The filler cap of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of planar partitions are arranged on the filler cap such that adjacent partitions define a gap therebetween, each gap having a size selected to receive a lead termination therein.
7 . The filler cap of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of planar partitions are arranged on the filler cap such that adjacent partitions define a groove therebetween, each groove having a size selected to receive a lead termination therein.
8 . A connector for an electrical cable, the connector comprising:
a generally rectangular connector base;
a generally rectangular hood extending from the connector base; a plurality of socket passageways arranged in rows within the hood;
a plurality of sockets disposed within the plurality of socket passageways, each socket configured to receive a connector lead therein; and
a filler cap mounted on an underside of the connector base, the filler cap covering the plurality of socket passageways and the plurality of sockets disposed therein;
wherein the filler cap comprises troughs extending substantially parallel to edges of the filler cap, and
each of the troughs covers one of the rows of the plurality of socket passageways.
9 . The connector of claim 8 , wherein the filler cap further comprises a notch thereon, the notch having a size and shape selected to fit a size and shape of an alignment pin on the connector.
10 . The connector of claim 8 , wherein the filler cap further comprises a plurality of shaped protrusions thereon, each shaped protrusion having a size and shape selected to fit a size and shape of a socket passageway in the connector.
11 . The connector of claim 8 , wherein the connector is a low-profile right-angle connector and the filler cap is a low-profile right-angle filler cap.
12 . The connector of claim 11 , wherein the low-profile right-angle filler cap has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the horizontal portion comprising a plurality of planar partitions extending perpendicularly to the vertical portion.
13 . The connector of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of planar partitions are arranged on the filler cap such that adjacent partitions define a gap therebetween, each gap having a size selected to receive a lead termination of a socket therein.
14 . The connector of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of planar partitions are arranged on the filler cap such that adjacent partitions define a groove therebetween, each groove having a size selected to receive a lead termination of a socket therein.
15 . A method of assembling a connector for an electrical cable, the method comprising:
providing a generally rectangular connector base having a generally rectangular hood extending from the connector base;
arranging a plurality of socket passageways in rows within the hood;
disposing a plurality of sockets within the plurality of socket passageways, each socket configured to receive a connector lead therein; and
mounting a filler cap on an underside of the connector base, the filler cap covering the plurality of socket passageways and the plurality of sockets disposed therein;
wherein the filler cap comprises troughs extending substantially parallel to edges of the filler cap, and
each of the troughs covers one of the rows of the plurality of socket passageways.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising providing a notch on the filler cap, the notch having a size and shape selected to fit a size and shape of an alignment pin on the connector.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising providing a plurality of shaped protrusions on the filler cap, each shaped protrusion having a size and shape selected to fit a size and shape of a socket passageway in the connector.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the connector is a low-profile right-angle connector and the filler cap is a low-profile right-angle filler cap.
19 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the low-profile right-angle filler cap has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the horizontal portion comprising a plurality of planar partitions extending perpendicularly to the vertical portion.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising arranging the plurality of planar partitions on the filler cap such that adjacent partitions define a gap therebetween, each gap having a size selected to receive a lead termination of a socket therein.