Positive Stop High Voltage Connector

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a high voltage connector which includes a cylindrical insulator provided with a radial flange having an outer portion in the form of an O-ring molded thereon, the insulator and a mating receptacle providing positive stop means in the movement of the mating elements to prevent undue strain against and breaking of the flange. The disclosure also describes a threaded cap rotatable about the insulator and cooperating with threads on the receptacle for fastening them together, the insulator having a stop member for preventing removal of the cap. There is also provided a washer of low friction material between the cap and a ferrule on the insulator to avoid rotation of the ferrule while threading the cap onto the receptacle.

Description

This invention relates to a high voltage connector and, more specifically, to a high voltage connector having a positive stop between ferrule and receptacle and low coefficient of friction from cap to ferrule to prevent decimation of the O-ring and consequent connector breakdown.

Miniature high voltage connectors are well known in the art and have found great use and acceptability therein. Such connectors, due to their high voltage environment, must be properly sealed to prevent corona discharges and other well known problems associated with high voltage applications. Prior art connectors have performed their function adequately. However, it has been found that many such prior art connectors have failed in the field due to decimation of their O-ring seals and consequent loss of sealing properties within the connector. One major cause of O-ring breakdown has been found to be caused by excessive rotation of the cap onto the receptacle whereby connector elements and the edges on the mating barrel bear against the O-ring, the elements providing a knife-like of scissors action on the O-ring to cause the breakdown thereof. Also, improved sealing properties of the connector are always desired to minimize connector breakdown.

The above problems are overcome in accordance with the present invention. Briefly, the present invention provides a radial flange with an O-ring portion molded integrally with a molded socket retaining member, a ferrule being provided which provides a positive stop with a mating receptacle to prevent excessive compression or cutting of the O-ring. There is also provided a washer between the ferrule and the cap to prevent rotation of the ferrule while abutting the O-ring during mating of the connector havles. The washer acts as an anti-friction member between cap and ferrule. Furthermore, a cap retainer is provided to prevent loss thereof when not in use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a high voltage connector which has a positive stop to prevent decimation of the O-ring portion of the flange.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a high voltage connector having an O-ring integral with the molded socket retaining member.

It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a high voltage electrical connector having a low coefficient of friction between cap and ferrule to prevent ferrule rotation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a high voltage electrical connector to provide a high voltage electrical connector having a cap retainer.

The above objects and still further objects of the invention will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art after consideration of the following preferred embodiment thereof, which is provided by way of example and not by way of limitation, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention prior to mating; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention after mating.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of the connector which is to mate with the receptacle. The receptacle 1 includes a pair of hollow threaded portion 3, one at each end, for receiving the connector, the threaded portion 3 being hollow and having a contact pin (FIGS. 2 and 3) recessed within the hollow region. The connector includes a molded flange portion 7 having an O-ring portion 9 integral therewith, a collar receiving groove 11 and a socket 13 (FIGS. 2 and 3) along its axis for mating with the contact pin 5 as will be explained later. The connector also includes a ferrule 15 having an annular shoulder portion 17 which abuts the O-ring portion 9. A washer 19 is positioned over the ferrule and against the shoulder 17, a threaded cap 21 being positioned over the ferrule for the threading with the threaded portion 3 of the receptable 1. A collar 23 is positioned in the groove 11 to provide a stop against rearward movement of the cap 21.

The molded portion 7 is preferably formed from a fluorosilicon to provide oil resistance. The ferrule 15 is preferably made of a polycarbonate material such as LEXAN which is a rigid insulating material which is easy to mold.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is shown the connector as assembled prior to connection in FIG. 2 and after connection in FIG. 3. As can be seen, the leading edge of the molded member 7 enters into the hollow portion of the receptacle 1 for mating of the socket 13 and the recessed pin 5. After complete insertion, the threaded cap 21 is threaded over the threads 3, thereby forcing the shoulder 25 of the cap 21 against the washer 19, this in turn forcing the washer 19 against the shoulder 17 of the ferrule 15. Continued movement to the left of the cap 21 forces the O-ring portion 9 of the flange into the flared opening 27 of the receptacle 1 to provide a seal both at the O-ring and at the washer. The ferrule 15 is dimensioned so that the forward end of the shoulder 17 abuts the forward end 29 of the receptacle 1 to provide a positive stop before the O-ring portion 9 has completely filled the cavity formed by the flared opening 27 and the ferrule 15 to prevent breaking of the O-ring.

As stated above, the washer 19 provides a sealing function and also is of a material whereby rotation of the cap 21 will not cause rotation of the ferrule 17. The washer 19 is preferably made from polytetrafluoroethylene. In the event the cap 21 is made from a material that has a very low coefficient of friction relative to ferrule 17 and will not cause rotation of the ferrule, the washer may be eliminated.

The collar 23, though shown as a cylinder positioned in the groove 11, can be formed from heat shrinkable material. This would still provide the stop for the cap as well as provide additional strength.

It can be seen that a high voltage electrical connector has been provided having the features above enumerated not found in the prior art.

Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment thereof, many variations and modifications will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A high voltage separable electrical connector including a pair of separable contact members,

a receptacle carrying one of said contacts,

a separate cylindrical insulating member for mating with said receptacle and carrying the other contact,

said insulating member being integrally provided with a substantially radially extending flange thereabout,

the peripheral portion of the flange being outwardly curved to have the shape of the outer periphery of an O-ring,

cooperating means on the insulating member and receptacle for moving them axially into mating relation,

said cooperating means including a ferrule surrounding the insulating member having an outwardly tapering end portion inwardly thereof for receiving the curved flange portion for placing it under compression,

and stop means on the ferrule for limiting its axial movement relative to the insulating to limit compression of the flange to a predetermined maximum.

2. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a funnel shaped portion at one end thereof adjacent said threaded portion for receiving said curved flange portion therewithin.

3. A high voltage connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cooperating means is a threaded portion at one end of said receptacle and a threaded cap for mating with said threaded portion, said threaded cap surrounding said ferrule and flange and having means for forcing said ferrule and flange toward said receptacle upon threading said cap onto said threaded portion.

4. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 3 further including cap stop means on said insulating member positioned rearwardly of said cap, whereby said cap is locked between said flange and said cap stop means.

5. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said receptacle includes a funnel shaped portion at one end thereof adjacent said threaded portion for receiving said O-ring curved flange portion therewithin.

6. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 5 further including cap stop means on said insulating means positioned rearwardly of said cap, whereby said cap is locked between said flange and said cap stop means.

7. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 3 further including a washer of a material having a low coefficient of friction positioned between said cap and said ferrule.

8. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 7 further including cap stop means on said insulating means positioned rearwardly of said cap, whereby said cap is locked between said flange and said cap stop means.

9. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 5 further including a washer positioned between said cap and said ferrule.

10. A high voltage electrical connector as set forth in claim 9 further including cap stop means on said insulating means positioned rearwardly of said cap, whereby said cap is locked between said flange and said cap stop means.