U.S. patent number 3,842,393 [Application Number 05/390,811] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-15 for microminiature multi-pin connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AMP Incorporated. Invention is credited to Ralph Larry Geib, Douglas Wade Glover, Kenneth Oscar Kopenhaver.
United States Patent |
3,842,393 |
Glover , et al. |
October 15, 1974 |
MICROMINIATURE MULTI-PIN CONNECTOR
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a microminiature multi-pin connector
wherein plural high voltage terminals are closely spaced, yet
electrically isolated. This is accomplished by use of a triple
O-ring formed integral member into which a mating member is forced
which has a diameter larger than the O-ring and smaller than the
valleys between the O-rings in order to essentially flatten the
O-rings and remove substantially all entrapped air. The fit with
the triple O-ring avoids the use of pressure closing devices and
therefore minimizes space requirements.
Inventors: |
Glover; Douglas Wade
(Harrisburg, PA), Kopenhaver; Kenneth Oscar (Hershey,
PA), Geib; Ralph Larry (Elizabethtown, PA) |
Assignee: |
AMP Incorporated (Harrisburg,
PA)
|
Family
ID: |
23544036 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/390,811 |
Filed: |
August 23, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/281 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/53 (20130101); H01R 13/64 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/53 (20060101); H01R 13/64 (20060101); H01r
013/52 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/59-63,94 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGlynn; Joseph H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kita; Gerald K.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A microminiature mutli-pin high voltage connector which
comprises,
a. a receptacle, said receptacle including plural electrical
connecting terminals, each of said terminals being encased in a
rigid material of substantially circular cross-section, and
b. a socket, said socket including a rigid outer body with a
resilient insert bonded therein, said insert including plural
apertures and an electrical terminal in each said aperture for
mating with the terminals of said receptacle, said apertures being
defined by an undulating surface having ridges and valleys, the
diameter of said rigid material of circular cross-section being
intermediate the cross-section through said ridges and said
valleys.
2. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ridges and
valleys define plural O-rings.
3. A connector as set forth in claim 2 having at least three of
said O-rings.
4. A connector as set forth in claim 1 further including means in
said socket and receptacle to aline said terminals in said socket
with said terminals in said receptacle.
5. A connector as set forth in claim 2 further including means in
said socket and receptacle to aline said terminals in said socket
with said terminals in said receptacle.
6. A connector as set forth in claim 3 further including means in
said socket and receptacle to aline said terminals in said socket
with said terminals in said receptacle.
7. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rigid material
in said receptacle is forced into said aperture, said undulating
surface being substantially flat over said rigid material.
8. A connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rigid material
in said receptacle is forced into said aperture, said undulating
surface being substantially flat over said rigid material.
9. A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said rigid material
in said receptacle is forced into said aperture, said undulating
surface being substantially flat over said rigid material.
10. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein said rigid material
in said receptacle is forced into said aperture, said undulating
surface being substantially flat over said rigid material.
11. A connector as set forth in claim 5 wherein said rigid material
in said receptacle is forced into said aperture, said undulating
surface being substantially flat over said rigid material.
12. A connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein said rigid material
in said receptacle is forced into said aperture, said undulating
surfaces being substantially flat over said rigid material.
Description
This invention relates to a microminiature multi-pin connector and,
more specifically, to a high voltage multi-pin connector having
small pin spacing, yet retaining electrical isolation between
pins.
Multi-pin high voltage connectors have had the problems of
corona-discharge between pins, thereby requiring that pins be
separated by a substantial distance. This prevented the possibility
of providing a compact multi-pin connector for use in high voltage
applications.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
multi-pin connector capable of carrying as high as about 10 KV
test, wherein as many as six lines can be assembled in a package
about 1/2 inch by 1 inch. Briefly, the above is accomplished by
providing socket and receptacle, each of the rectangular rack and
panel type, which are mounted in a cabinet, the cabinets being
moved together for connection. The connector includes a male
connector formed by a hard plastic molded around a female
connector, the male connector passing into a female connector
formed with a pin surrounded by a molding, preferably of silicon
rubber, the molding having plural O-rings formed thereon and
integral therewith. The male connector has an outer diameter which
is intermediate the outer diameters of the O-rings and the valleys
between the O-rings so that the O-rings deform into the empty
spaces to form an essentially flat and continuous member with the
male connector. This causes evacuation of substantially all of the
air, provides a good electrical sealing function and provides a
long distance between adjacent terminals when travelling along the
O-rings to provide less chance for current flow between adjacent
pins.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a high
voltage multi-pin connector which has relatively short spacing
between pins.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a high voltage
multi-pin connector which is compact in size relative to prior art
high voltage multi-pin connectors.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a
multi-pin high voltage connector having a rigid member engaging
plural O-rings formed of semi-rigid material.
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 a view in elevation of receptacle and socket members in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the receptacle portion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the socket portion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in section, of the socket and
receptacle in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the receptacle and
socket of FIG. 4 in the connected condition.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a receptacle assembly 1 and
a socket assembly 3. The socket assembly 3, as shown in FIG. 2,
includes a hard plastic body 5 which performs a support function
for the resilient plastic insert 7 which can be formed of silicon
rubber or the like. The plastic body 5 includes grooves 9 in which
mounting flanges 11 can be secured for mounting the socket assembly
3. Wires 13 are connected to contact pins 15. The insert 7 includes
apertures 17 for receiving connectors from a mating element. The
body 5 has a bevelled edge 19 to aid in alinement of the mating
parts and a lengthwise bevel 21 to provide for polarization.
Referring now to the right hand portion of FIG. 4, there is shown a
partial cross-section of the socket assembly 3. The hard plastic
body 5 is bonded to the insert 7 by means of a bonding material 23
placed therebetween. The insert 7 includes a plurality of apertures
17, the apertures being defined by an undulating interior in the
form of three O-rings 25. The pin 15 extends into the apertures and
is secured in the insert 7.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the receptacle assembly 1
of FIG. 1. The receptacle assembly includes a hard plastic body 27
having an outer shroud 29 and an inner cylindrical portion 31
having an aperture 43 therein. The shroud 29 has an open end for
receiving the body 5, the forward end of the shroud 5 having a
bevel 35 for alinement with the mating member and an angular
portion 37 for polarization. A rear member 39 of hard plastic
retains wires 41 to which are connected female socket members 33. A
groove 45 is formed in the shroud 29 for receiving a flange is in
the member 5.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a partial cross-section of
the receptacle assembly. The shroud 29 is bonded to the rear member
and the socket members 33 a portion 31 so that the hollow interiors
of the socket members 33 surround the apertures 43. The wires 41
extend through the rear member 39, the socket members 33 being
positioned in the cylindrical portions 31.
The cross-sectional diameters of the member 31 is intermediate the
cross-sectional diameter of the O-rings 25 and the valleys between
the O-rings.
The socket 3 and receptacle 1 are connected by bringing these
members together as shown in FIG. 5. The socket 3 and receptacle 1
become alined and enter each other due to the bevels 35 and 19, the
rigid members 31 entering the apertures 17 and flattening the
resilient O-rings 25 to essentially remove all air therein. The pin
15 and socket 33 mate to provide electrical connection.
The insert 7 and shroud 29 form a substantially continuous
insulator, corona or conduction between adjacent terminals only
being possible around the O-rings, thereby providing an extended
path. This provides a good electrical sealing function. This allows
for a compact connector which requires no axial pressure to
maintain its seal integrity. Engagement must be accurate but the
parts need not be forced together. The members also provide good
mechanical protection for the electrical connection and prevents
contamination from dirt as well as providing protection from impact
damage. The members 27 and 5 are formed of a rigid plastic such as
thermoplastic polyester.
The provision of the triple O-ring array avoids the use of pressure
closing mechanisms such as caps, jack screws and the like which
require space, thereby permitting a very compact high voltage
multi-pin connector.
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.
* * * * *