U.S. patent number 3,848,950 [Application Number 05/287,184] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-19 for electrical connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to G & H Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Larry L. McCormick, Ben F. Selk.
United States Patent |
3,848,950 |
McCormick , et al. |
November 19, 1974 |
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
An electrical connector is disclosed herein which employs a
breech lock whereby the two sections of the connector may be
readily mated or unmated by a simple rotation of the breech lock
through a fraction of a turn. In addition, means are also provided
for retracting the electrical contacts into a protected position
until the two sections are fully mated.
Inventors: |
McCormick; Larry L. (Los
Angeles, CA), Selk; Ben F. (Los Angeles, CA) |
Assignee: |
G & H Technology, Inc.
(Santa Monica, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23101809 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/287,184 |
Filed: |
September 7, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/625 (20130101); H01R 13/627 (20130101); H01R
13/533 (20130101); H01R 13/623 (20130101); H01R
13/639 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/625 (20060101); H01R 13/623 (20060101); H01R
13/62 (20060101); H01R 13/533 (20060101); H01R
13/639 (20060101); H01R 13/627 (20060101); H01r
013/54 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/88-90,186,187,45,46,111 ;285/316,361,362,377 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Frazier; Roy D.
Assistant Examiner: Staab; Lawrence J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sadler; Dan R.
Claims
We claim:
1. An electrical connector including the combination of
a plug section,
a first set of electrical contacts on said plug section,
a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section,
a second set of electrical contacts on said receptacle section,
one of said sets of contacts being movable within its section
between a first position wherein the contacts therein mate with the
contacts in the other set when said sections are mated and a second
position wherein the contacts therein do not mate with the contacts
in the other set, and
a set of mating threads on one of said sections to mesh with each
other, said threads having a high pitch to cause the movable set of
contacts to move from the second position into the first position
in response to partial rotation in one direction and to cause the
movable set of contacts to move from the first position into the
second position in response to a partial rotation in an opposite
direction.
2. The connector of claim 1 including a spring effective to coact
with said threads, said spring having a sufficient force and said
threads having a sufficiently high pitch to create a torque tending
to rotate said threads relative to each other and retain said
sections and the contacts in said sets fully mated together.
3. An electrical connector including the combination of
a plug section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said plug section,
a receptacle section,
a sleeve member in one of said sections,
a shell member on said sleeve member, said shell member being
axially movable relative to said sleeve member between a fully
retracted and unmated position and a fully extended and mated
position,
a second set of electrical contacts in said receptacle section
carried with said shell between a retracted position and an
extended position, the contacts in said second set mating with the
contacts in the first set when in the extended position and not
mating with the contacts in the first set when in the retracted
position, and
a set of screw threads on said sleeve member and shell member for
moving said shell member between said mated and unmated positions,
said threads having a high pitch to cause the sleeve member to move
said shell member between said fully retracted position wherein the
contacts in said sets are retracted and said fully extended
position wherein the contacts in said sets are mated in response to
only a partial turn of the sleeve member.
4. The connector of claim 3 including
a spring effective to coact with said threads, said spring having
sufficient force and said threads having a sufficient pitch whereby
one of said members tends to rotate and move said shell member and
the second set of contacts into the extended and fully mated
position.
5. An electrical connector including the combination of
a plug section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said section,
a receptacle section, said receptacle section being effective to
mate with said plug section,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second section,
a breech lock on said sections effective to releasably secure said
sections together when they are mated, and
means operatively interconnected with said breech lock for moving
one of said sets of contacts into and out of engagement with the
other of said sets of contacts when said breech lock secures said
sections together and releases them from each other.
6. An electrical connector including the combination of
a plug section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said plug section,
a receptacle section,
a second set of electrical contacts in said receptacle section,
said receptacle section being adapted to mate with the plug section
whereby the electrical contacts in said first set mate with the
electrical contacts in said second set,
a breech lock on said sections adapted to releasably secure said
sections together when they are mated with each other, and
a set of mating screw threads on one of said sections for moving
one of said sets of electrical contacts into and out of mating
engagement with the other set of contacts.
7. An electrical connector including the combination of
a plug section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said plug section,
a receptacle section,
a second set of electrical contacts in said receptacle section,
said receptacle section being adapted to mate with the plug section
whereby the electrical contacts in said first set mate with the
electrical contacts in said second set,
a breech lock including a member movably mounted on one of said
sections for releasably engaging the other of said sections,
said member being rotatably movable in a first direction into a
first angular position and in a second direction into a second
angular position,
said member when in the first angular position being effective to
securely lock said sections together in the mated position and when
in the second angular position allowing said sections to freely
mate and unmate,
a mating set of screw threads on one of said sections for moving
the set of electrical contacts thereon into electrical mating
engagement with the other set of electrical contacts when rotated
in said first direction and out of engagement when rotated in said
second direction, and
resilient spring means effective to react with said threads to bias
said member toward said first angular position.
8. An electrical connector including the combination of
a plug section,
a first set of electrical contacts on said plug section,
a receptacle section adapted to mate with said plug section,
a second set of electrical contacts on said receptacle section, one
of said sets being movable between a first position wherein said
contacts are electrically mated and a second position wherein they
are electrically unmated,
a breech lock on said sections including a plurality of
circumferentially spaced detent means on one of said sections and a
movable member on the other of said sections,
said movable member being rotatable between a first angular
position wherein it engages the detent means and a second angular
position wherein it does not engage said detent means,
resilient spring means effective to bias said movable member toward
said first angular position, and
means operatively coupled to said breech lock and to said movable
set of contacts for moving said set into the first mated position
when said movable member is in said first angular position and into
the second unmated position when said movable member is in said
second angular position.
9. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first member,
a first set of electrical contacts in said member,
a second member, said members being adapted to mate with each
other,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second member,
a plurality of keys on one of said members and a plurality of
key-ways on the other of said members, said keys and key-ways being
positioned to complement each other when said members are mated
together,
a breech lock having detent means on one of said members and a
keeper on the other of said members,
said keeper being rotatably movable between a first position
wherein it engages the detent means and a second position wherein
it does not engage the detent means, and
means on one of said members for moving the set of contacts on one
of said members into engagement with the set of contacts on the
other of said members when said keeper is rotated into said first
position and for moving it out of engagement when said keeper is
rotated into said second position.
10. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first section,
a first shell in said first section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said shell,
a second section,
a second shell in said second section, said second shell being
movable between an extended position and a retracted position,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second shell, the
electrical contacts in said second set mating with the electrical
contacts in said first set of contacts when said shell is in the
extended position, the electrical contacts in said second set being
separated and electrically isolated from the contacts in the first
set when said shell is in the retracted position,
a sleeve rotatably mounted on the second shell,
a first annular array of shoulders on said sleeve,
a second annular array of shoulders on said first section, the
shoulders in said second array being circumferentially spaced and
positioned to engage the shoulder in said first array and secure
said sections together,
said shoulders being separated by a plurality of openings and
positioned to allow said shoulders to pass therethrough when the
sleeve is rotated into a first angular position and to engage the
shoulders when it is rotated into a second angular position,
and
means for moving said second shell into said retracted position
when said sleeve is rotated into said first angular position and
into the extended position when said sleeve is rotated into the
second angular position.
11. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first section,
a first shell in said first section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said shell,
a second section,
a second shell in said second section and movable between an
extended position and a retracted position,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second shell and
adapted to mate with said first set of contacts when said shell is
in the extended position,
a sleeve being rotatably mounted on the second shell,
a first annular array of shoulders on said sleeve,
a second annular array of shoulders on said first section, the
shoulders in said second array being circumferentially spaced and
positioned to engage the shoulder in said first array and secure
said sections together,
said shoulders being separated by a plurality of openings and
positioned to allow said shoulders to pass therethrough when the
sleeve is rotated into a first angular position and to engage the
shoulders when it is rotated into a second angular position,
means for moving said second shell into said retracted position
when said sleeve is rotated into said first angular position and
into the extended position when said sleeve is rotated into the
second angular position,
an electrical insulating insert in the first shell member,
said first set of electrical contacts being disposed in said
insert,
an electrical insulating insert in the second shell member,
said second set of electrical contacts being disposed in said
second insert,
one of said inserts being movable with said second shell between
said retracted position wherein the contacts in the first and
second sets are separated and an extended position wherein they are
mated, and
means on said sleeve for moving the movable insert between the
retracted and extended positions when said sleeve is rotated
between said angular positions.
12. The connector of claim 11 wherein said last means includes
a high pitch thread for moving said insert between said positions
with less than one turn, and
a spring biasing the insert toward the extended position.
13. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first shell member having a passage therein,
a first set of electrical contacts in said shell member,
a second shell member having a portion adapted to mate with said
first shell member,
a second set of electrical contacts in said shell member,
a plurality of keys on said portion,
a plurality of key-ways in said passage aligned with said keys and
adapted to pass therethrough when said shell members are mated,
a sleeve rotatably mounted on said first shell members for rotation
between a first angular position and a second angular position,
an annular shoulder on said sleeve adapted to engage the keys when
said sleeve is in a second angular position, and
a set of high pitch threads on said sleeve and effective to move
said second set of contacts into a mating position when said sleeve
is rotated into one of said angular positions.
14. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first shell member,
a first set of electrical contacts in said shell member,
a passage extending axially into said first shell member,
a plurality of key-ways circumferentially spaced around the
passage,
a second shell member,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second shell
member,
a barrel on the second shell member adapted to fit into said
passage when said shell members are mated,
a plurality of keys circumferentially spaced around said barrel and
adapted to mate with and fit into said key-ways when said shell
members are mated, said keys forming a plurality of shoulders
circumferentially spaced around said barrel,
a sleeve rotatably mounted on said first shell member for rotation
between a first angular position and a second angular position,
a plurality of keeper means on said sleeve, said keeper means being
positioned to pass between said keys when the sleeve is in the
first angular position and to engage the shoulders formed by the
keys when the sleeve is in the second angular position,
a high pitch set of threads on said sleeve, and
a spring exerting an axial force on said sleeve.
15. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first section,
an electrical insulating insert in said section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said insert,
a second section adapted to mate with said first section,
an electrical insulating insert in said second section,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second insert, the
electrical contacts in said sets being adapted to mate with each
other,
one of said inserts being movable relative to its section between a
fully retracted position wherein said electrical contacts are
completely separated and electrically unmated and a fully extended
position, wherein said electrical contacts are completely engaged
and electrically mated, and
high pitch thread means operatively interconnecting one of said
inserts to its section for moving said one of said inserts relative
to its section
said pitch being sufficiently high to cause, when said sections are
mated, one of said inserts to move from the fully retracted
position to the fully extended position as a result of only a
partial revolution.
16. The connector of claim 15 including
a breech lock.
17. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first section,
a second section,
a breech lock on said sections movable between a lock position and
an unlock position releasably securing said sections together,
a first set of electrical contacts in one of said sections,
a second set of electrical contacts in the other of said sections,
one of said contact sets being movable between a mating position
wherein the contacts therein engage and mate with the contacts in
the other set of contacts and an unmated position wherein the
contacts therein separate from and do not mate with the contacts in
the other set, and
a set of mating screw threads operatively interconnected with said
breech lock for moving said movable set of contacts between the
mated position and the unmated position as said breech lock moves
between locked position and the unlocked position.
18. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first section,
a second section,
a breech lock on said sections for releasably securing said
sections together when one of said sections is rotated in a first
direction and for releasing said sections when it is rotated in a
second direction,
a first set of electrical contacts in one of said sections,
a second set of electrical contacts in the other of said sections,
one of said contact sets being movable between a mating position
wherein it engages the other set of contacts and an unmated
position wherein it does not engage the other set,
a set of mating screw threads for moving said movable set of
contacts into said mating position when said first section is
rotated in said first direction and into said unmating position
when said first section is rotated in said second direction,
and
said threads having a high pitch whereby said set of contacts moves
between said mated and unmated positions when said first section is
rotated less than one revolution.
19. The connector of claim 18 including
a spring producing an axial force which coacts with said set of
threads for biasing said contacts toward the mated position.
20. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first section,
a second section adapted to mate with said first section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said first section,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second section, said
second set of contacts being movable in said second section between
a mating position wherein said contacts mate with the contacts in
the first set when said sections are mated and an unmating position
wherein said contacts are separated from the contacts in the first
set,
an annular array of shoulders on one of said sections,
an annular array of projections on the other of said sections, said
projections being circumferentially spaced and positioned to allow
said projections to pass between said shoulders when one of said
sections is rotated in a first direction into a first angular
position and to engage the shoulders when rotated in a second
direction into a second angular position,
a set of mating threads on one of said sections for moving said
second set of electrical contacts between said mating and unmating
positions when said projections are moved between said first and
second angular positions, and
a spring resiliently biasing said threads toward said mating
position.
21. An electrical connector including the combination of
a first section,
a first shell member in said first section,
a first set of electrical contacts in said first shell member,
a second section adapted to mate with said first section,
a second shell member in said second section adapted to mate with
said first shell member when said sections are mated with each
other,
a second set of electrical contacts in said second shell
member,
a sleeve in one of said sections, said sleeve being rotatably
mounted relative to the shell member in said section,
a set of mating threads on said shell and said sleeve effective to
move said shell between an extended position wherein said shell
members and the electrical contacts in said sets mate when said
sleeve is rotated in one direction and a retracted position wherein
said shell members and the electrical contacts in said sets are
separated when said sleeve is rotated in the opposite
direction,
an annular array of shoulders on one of said sections,
an annular array of projections on the other sections, said
shoulders and said projections being circumferentially spaced
around and positioned to engage each other and secure said sections
together when said sleeve is rotated in said first direction,
and
said projections and annular shoulders being positioned to allow
said projections to pass between said shoulders when the sleeve is
rotated in the second direction.
Description
BACKGROUND
At the present time there is a large variety of different types of
connectors for joining the individual wires in a first cable with
the individual wires in a second cable. Most of these connectors
are satisfactory for the applications they are designed for.
However, many of them have limitations which reduce their
usefulness and prevent or severely restrict their use on other
applications.
One problem which has frequently been encountered is the mating of
the two sections of the connector. The mating operation has
frequently required a considerable amount of manual manipulation
such as screwing the parts together. Such manual manipulation is
both time consuming and difficult particularly when the connector
is located in an inaccessible location which is difficult to reach.
Moreover, in many of the prior connectors the force and loads on
various parts of the connector have been extremely high. This has
been particularly true where there is a large number of contacts
which must be forced together during mating. As a result of these
high loads and forces, some parts of the connector sections such as
the locking mechanisms have failed prematurely.
Another problem which has frequently been encountered is
maintaining the connector sections and particularly the electrical
contacts therein in a fully mated condition. This is an especially
common problem when the connector is used in an environment where
substantial amounts of vibration, etc, are present.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides means for overcoming the foregoing
difficulties. More particularly, means are provided whereby the two
separate sections of the connector can be readily mated and/or
unmated with a minimum amount of manual manipulation. This is
accomplished in one embodiment by providing a breech lock for
securing the sections together.
The lock includes an outer sleeve which can be rotated through a
limited part of a turn to completely mate or completely unmate the
two sections of the connector.
A high pitch thread is provided in all embodiments for completely
retracting or completely extending the electrical contacts when the
outer sleeve lock is rotated through a limited part of a turn. In
addition, a spring is provided which cooperates with the high-pitch
thread to assist in mating the various contacts and keeping them
mated. The combination of the high pitch thread and the forces from
the spring create a torque which maintains the connector and the
contacts therein fully mated at all times.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of an electrical connector embodying one form
of the present invention and showing the two sections thereof in a
fully mated condition;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the receptacle section of the connector
showing said plug section in the unmated condition;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the mating face of the receptacle section
of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the plug section of the connector showing
said recepatcle in the unmated condition;
FIG. 5 is an end view of the mating face of the plug section of
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (on a somewhat enlarged scale) of
the mated connector of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (on the same scale as FIG. 6) of
the receptacle section and the plug section, said sections being
positioned and in condition to mate with each other;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the plug section but
showing a modified form of a biasing spring;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (similar to and on the same scale
of FIG. 6) of a mated connector having another embodiment of the
plug section;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing an
unmated connector with the other embodiment of the plug section;
and
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the connector
shown in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION
The present invention is particularly adapted to be embodied in an
electrical connector 10 for interconnecting the various individual
wires or conductors in a first cable 12 with the corresponding
wires or conductors in a second cable 14. The connector 10 includes
two separate parts which may be readily mated or unmated. The first
part is referred to herein as the receptacle section 16 whereas the
second part is referred to as the plug section 18.
The receptacle section 16 includes a shell 20. The exact shape,
size, configuration, etc., of the shell 20, of course, depends upon
the intended use for the connector 10. In the present instance, by
way of example, the receptacle section 16 is intended to be
permanently mounted in a fixed position for example on a bulkhead
22. Accordingly, the shell 20 includes a mounting flange 21 which
is adapted to be secured by screws, bolts, etc., to the bulkhead 22
whereby the front or barrel 23 of the receptacle section 16 extends
outwardly from the bulkhead 22.
The shell 20 is essentially a cylindrical, hollow member. Although
the shell 20 may be made of any desired material, it is preferably
electrically conductive and fabricated from a light-weight metal
such as aluminum.
A passage 24 extends axially through the shell 20 from one end to
the other. In the present embodiment this passage 24 is
substantially cylindrical with a uniform diameter over its entire
length.
An insulating structure 26 is provided inside of the passage 24 for
retaining the electrical contacts in position. Although this
structure 26 may be a single member, in the present instance it is
formed by two separate inserts 28 and 30. The inserts 28 and 30
include a large number of small openings extending axially
therethrough. When the inserts are secured in position end-to-end,
the passages are aligned with each other and are adapted to retain
the wires in the cable 12 and the suitable electrical contacts 32
in position. Although these contacts 32 may be of any desired
variety, in this particular embodiment of the receptacle section 16
the contacts 32 are of the so-called socket variety adapted to mate
with complementary pin contacts in the plug section 18.
The individual wires or conductors in the cable 12 extend through
the back ends of the passages and are electrically connected to the
respective contacts 32.
It has been highly desirable to provide some form of protection
against dirt, dust, moisture, etc., entering into the connector and
particularly entering in and around the region of the contacts. In
the present instance this is accomplished by means of a seal 34.
The seal 34 includes a resilient material such as silicone rubber,
etc., and is adapted to fit snugly into the passage 24 and against
the rear of the insert 30.
The seal 34 includes a large number of small openings which are
aligned with the openings in the inserts. Accordingly, the
conductors from the cable 12 can pass the seal 34 and be connected
to the contacts 32. This seal 34 is then effective to prevent dirt,
dust, moisture, etc., from entering into the interior of the
connector.
Retaining means are provided for securing the various parts of the
receptacle section 16 in position. Although the retaining means may
be of any desired variety, it includes a collar or nut 36 on the
rear end of the shell 20. In this embodiment the nut 36 is threaded
onto the exterior of the shell 20 whereby it may be tightened down
onto the shell and compress the various elements together.
To assist in this compression and to improve the action of the
seal, a pressure or backing plate 38 is provided. The pressure
plate 38 includes a planar center portion 40 which bears directly
upon the rear of the seal 34. The center portion 40 includes a
plurality of small openings which allow the conductors to pass
therethrough.
The pressure plate also includes a cylindrical rim which slidably
fits into the passage 24 and a radial flange which fits over the
end of the shell. When the nut 36 is tightened onto the shell 20,
it engages the flange and forces the entire pressure plate toward
the end of the shell 20. This action is effective to clamp all of
the parts in position and also to axially compress the seal 34
against the insert 30.
Since the seal 34 is made of a noncompressible material such as a
silicon rubber, when the pressure plate 38 is forced against the
seal 34 it causes the material in the seal to flow radially in all
directions. It flows against the passage 24 and the conductors,
etc. This in turn insures an intimate, high pressure contact
against all of the surfaces whereby a high degree of sealing is
insured.
It is usually highly desirable in this type of connector to provide
some form of electrical grounding or shielding to prevent
electromagnetic interference, etc. The cable 12 normally includes
an electrically conductive outer jacket 42 which acts as the
shielding for the cable 12. It is essential that the shielding on
each of the cables be electrically connected through the connector
10 to the other cable.
In order to accomplish this a back shell 44 is provided on the
connector. The back shell 44 is normally a thin housing of
electrically conductive material. An extension or reduced neck 46
extends along the cable and is interconnected with the electrically
conductive shielding on the cable. A cylindrical portion 48 of the
back shell 44 extends through the nut and has a radial flange which
seats on the flange for the pressure plate 38.
The combination of the electrically conductive back shell 44 and
the electrically conductive shell 20 provides a low resistance
electrical path from the shielding on the cable. This is effective
to provide a high degree of shielding against electromagnetic
interface. However, it has been found that under some circumstances
and particularly at the higher frequencies it may be desirable to
provide a higher or more complete degree of shielding.
To increase the amount of shielding, in the present instance a
sleeve or liner 50 is provided inside of the receptacle section 16.
The liner 50 fits snugly in the passage 24 through the shell 20 and
the inserts 28 and 30 fit snugly inside of the liner 50.
The front end of the liner 50 includes a radially inwardly directed
flange 52. This flange 52 fits over the end of the insert 28 and
forms a stop that prevents the inserts 28 and 30 moving axially
therepast.
A flange on the opposite end of the liner 50 extends over the rear
end of the shell 20. When the nut 36 is tightened onto the shell
20, it clamps all of the flanges on the liner 50, pressure plate 38
and the back shell 44 tightly against each other and the end of the
shell 20. This ensures all of the parts being tightly mechanically
fastened together and electrically interconnected.
The back shell 44, the pressure plate 38 and the inner liner 50 are
all made from a highly electrically conductive material such as
brass. These three highly conductive members completely encase the
conductors from the cable, the contacts, etc., and provide a high
degree of shielding. It is to be noted that the inner surface of
these members are all free from any irregularities which might form
an impedance, wave trap, etc., to high frequency currents.
The barrel 23 of the shell 20 has a generally cylindrical shape
which projects from the bulkhead 22 at substantially right angles
thereto. As will be explained in more detail subsequently, the plug
section 18 of the connector 10 is adapted to be fitted over the
barrel 23 when the two sections 16 and 18 are mated.
The plug section 18 includes an inner shell 54 somewhat similar to
the shell in the receptacle section 16. The shell 54 is a generally
cylindrical member having a passage 56 extending axially
therethrough. Although the passage 56 is generally cylindrical, it
is subdivided into two separate parts by a forwardly facing radial
shoulder 58. The first or outer part 60 of the passage 56 has an
enlarged diameter. The second or inner part 62 has a reduced
diameter. The enlarged portion 60 of the passage 56 is adapted to
snugly fit over the barrel 23 on the shell 20.
An insulating structure 64 is provided in the smaller portion 62 of
the passage 56. The insulating structure 64 may be similar to the
first insulating structure 26 and includes a front insert 66 and a
rear insert 68. Although the contacts 70 may be of any desired
variety, they preferably mate with the contacts 32 in the
receptacle section 16. In the present instance each of the contacts
70 include a long slender pin 71. Each of these pins 71 extends
from the face of the front insert 66 whereby they project into and
mate with the socket contacts 32.
The individual wire or conductors in the second cable 14 extend
through the openings in the rear insert 68 and are connected to the
contacts 70. It can thus be seen that by joining the two sections
16 and 18 all of the individual wires in each of the cables 12 and
14 are electrically interconnected with the respective individual
wires in the other cable.
The rear of the plug section 18 includes a resilient seal 72
similar to the seal 34 in the receptacle section 18. A pressure
plate 74 is also provided for tightly compressing the seal 34
against the wires, etc., to keep out dust, dirt, moisture, etc. A
nut 76 is threaded onto the exterior of the shell 54 and forces the
pressure plate 74 against the seal 34.
It has also been found very desirable to provide some form of
sealing between the two mating faces on the front inserts 28 and
66. In the present instance this includes a thin wafer 78 of an
elastomeric material such as silicone rubber, etc. The wafer 78
includes a large number of small openings which register with the
openings in the inserts 28, 30, 66 and 68 to allow the pins 71 to
extend therethrough. It has been found desirable for the pins 71 to
be a snug fit in these openings whereby the wafer 78 will normally
remain on the face of the plug section 18. When the two sections 16
and 18 are fully mated, the thin wafer 78 is compressed between the
faces of the two inserts 26 and 66. As a result the elastomeric
material in the wafer 78 tends to flow into and against all of the
surfaces and thereby provides a complete and effective sealing
action.
The plug section 18 includes an electrical grounding or shielding
generally similar to that in the receptacle section 16. More
particularly, an inner sleeve or liner 80 is provided in the inner
portion 62 of the passage 56. The liner 80 includes a radial flange
82 which fits over and around the end of the insert 66. The rear of
the liner 80 fits over the end of the shell 54 and is clamped in
position by the nut 76. This prevents the inserts 66 and 68, etc.,
from sliding forwardly through the shell 54.
A back shell 84 is provided on the rear of the shell 54. This may
be identical to the back shell 44 on section 16. However, in this
embodiment it is somewhat different. The back shell 84 includes a
cylindrical housing having its inner end clamped against the end of
the shell 54 by the nut 76. An extension or neck 86 extends at
right angles to the housing. The shielding on the cable 14 is
electrically connected to this neck and the wires from the cable
are bent at right angles and connected to the contacts 70. A cover
88 on the end of the housing may be removed to allow ready access
to the wire, contacts, etc., for inspection and servicing, etc.
It can be seen that when the two sections 16 and 18 are fully mated
all of the wires, contacts, etc., are completely enclosed within a
continuous electrically conductive path from the shielding on one
cable all the way to the shielding on the other cable. This is very
effective to insure a very high degree of shielding against any
stray electromagnetic energy which may be incident upon the
connector 10. However, it has been found under some extreme
circumstances that a certain amount of difficulty may arise
particularly when the incident energy is of extremely high
frequencies.
To avoid this difficulty it is desired for the wafer seal between
the inserts 28 and 66 to be of the type disclosed and claimed in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,724 entitled "CONNECTOR" filed in the name of
John J. Phillips and assigned of record to G & H Technology,
Inc. More particularly, a resilient metal rim or ring 90
encompasses the periphery of the resilient wafer 78. The ring 78 is
a highly conductive metal and has a U-shaped cross section which
fits over the opposite sides of the periphery of the wafer 78. This
tends to clamp the periphery of wafer 78 therebetween.
When the plug section 18 and the receptacle section 16 are mated,
the flanges 52 and 82 on the ends of the two liners 50 and 80
engage the metal rim or ring 90 and compress it therebetween. It
has been found desirable to cut several slots 92 into one or both
sides of the rim 90 and thereby form a plurality of resilient
fingers 94. These fingers 94 permit the rim 90 to be compressed
between the flanges 52 and 82 on the ends of the liner sleeves 50
and 80.
The elastomer in the thin wafer seal 78 is, in reality,
incompressible. As a result when the wafer seal 78 is compressed
between the faces of the inserts 28 and 66, it tends to flow
radially outwardly toward the interior of the rim 90. However,
since the rim 90 fits snugly onto the periphery of the waver 78
this tendency to flow radially outwardly is opposed by the axial
compression of the rim 90. This assists in insuring that the axial
forces compressing the rim and the axial forces compressing the
wafer seal 78 provide a highly effective sealing action and a
highly effective electrical connection.
It can be seen from FIG. 6 that when the two sections 16 and 18 are
fully mated the internal structure of the connector is "trapped"
between the two pressure plates 38 and 74. The compressive loads
from the pressure plates 38 and 74 are applied to the two seals 34
and 72, the insulating structures 26 and 64, the wafer seal 78 and
the ring 90. Since these elements are somewhat free to "float"
inside of the two shells 20 and 54, the forces are distributed
throughout the interior and they are all uniformly loaded and
seated. This in turn insures an optimum sealing action.
In addition this insures a very large compressive force between the
electrically conductive surfaces on the flanges 52 and 82 and the
conductive surfaces on the rim 90. This forms a low resistance path
from the shielding on cable 12, the back shell 44, the inner liner
50, the rim 90 on the gasket seal, the other inner liner 80, the
back shell 84 and the shielding on the cable 14.
When the receptacle section 16 and the plug section 18 are mated,
the barrel 23 extends into the enlarged portion 60 of the passage
56. Preferably, the exterior surface of the barrel 23 is an
extremely close and snug fit with the internal surface of the
enlarged portion 60 of the passage 56.
As a consequence, if there is any axial misalignment between the
plug section 16 and the receptacle section 18 particularly during
their initial portion of their mating or the last portion of the
separation, an extreme and very severe binding may occur. In fact
this may be of such a nature as to cause them to jam or freeze
together.
In order to avoid these difficulties an annular recess 96 may be
cut into the barrel 23 immediately adjacent the end thereof similar
to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,562 entitled "LOW
SEPARATION FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR" filed in the name of Larry L.
McCormick et al and assigned of record to G & H Technology,
Inc. This annular recess 96 provides a clearance space which allows
mating even extremely close fitting parts without any binding
occurring.
The receptacle section 16 and the plug section 18 are preferably
"polarized" whereby they can only mate in one unique angular
orientation. In the present instance, this is accomplished by
providing a plurality of projections or keys 98 on the exterior of
the barrel 23. In addition, a plurality of cutouts or key-ways 100
and 114 are provided on the inside of the mating passage. The keys
98 and key-ways 100 and 114 are preferably asymmetrically
distributed and vary in width to allow their mating in only one
unique position.
The portion of the plug section 18 described so far will mate
properly with receptacle section 16 and provide an effective
electrical interconnection between the two cables 12 and 14.
However, it is preferable to provide additional means to facilitate
the mating of the two sections and/or to insure their remaining
securely locked together.
In the present instance a so-called breech lock 102 is provided for
securing the two sections together. The lock 102 includes a nut or
outer sleeve 104 rotatably disposed around the outside of the shell
54. The end of the sleeve 104 projects beyond the end of the shell
54 and includes a flange 106 that projects radially inwardly. The
flange 106 forms an opening 108 which is just barely large enough
to allow the barrel 23 to pass therethrough. The interior of the
sleeve 104 is undercut immediately behind the flange 106 to form an
annular channel 110 and a radial shoulder 112.
A plurality of key-ways 114 is cut through the flange 106. These
key-ways 114 are aligned with the key-ways 100 cut into the surface
of the passage 56 and/or to register with the keys 98 projecting
from the barrel 23 on the receptacle shell 20.
It can be appreciated that with a breech lock 102 of this nature
the plug section 18 is fitted over the barrel 23 of the receptacle
section 16 and moved axially toward the bulkhead 22. When the plug
section 18 is in position, the flange 106 on the end of the sleeve
104 abuts the mounting flange 21. The sleeve 104 is then rotated
until the shoulder 112 moves behind the ends of the projections or
keys 98. This requires a small fraction of a turn, for example,
approximately 1/3 of a rotation.
When the shoulder 112 is behind and engages backsides of the keys
98, it is effective to lock the two sections 16 and 18 firmly
together.
It should be noted that the shoulder 112 and the ends of the keys
98 are all in a common radial plane. Accordingly, the movement of
the shoulder 112 behind the keys 98 does not produce an axial force
or movement. In other words, the beech lock 102 does not tend to
"screw" the two sections 16 and 18 together. Instead, it merely
locks them together. Conversely, to release or unmate the two
sections the sleeve 104 is merely rotated until the shoulder 112 is
no longer behind the keys 98.
The keys 98 and the key-ways 100 may be arranged such that the
mating surfaces have extended circumferential lengths. Because of
this extended length of the mating surfaces, even a relatively
small height on the shoulder 112 and the keys 98 insures a very
large area of contact for the breech lock. This large contact area
insures a very low stress between the mating surfaces. This in turn
insures a lock which is easy to manually work and which does not
wear, etc.
It can be appreciated that this breech lock 102 provides a very
simple and fast-mating action. It also provides a very large
bearing area to carry the load and reduce the stress into a
workable range. Although the breech lock 102 is effective to allow
the two sections 16 and 18 of the connectors 10 to be easily mated
and unmated, it is also effective to keep the two sections securely
mated during all operating conditions. However, it has frequently
been found desirable to provide additional means for insuring all
of the individual electrical contacts 32 and 70 within the
connector are placed in proper electrical engagement and maintained
in full electrical engagement at all times.
In the present instance this is accomplished by providing means for
retracting the shell 20 into the plug section 18 while it is in the
unmated condition and conversely for extending the shell 20 when it
is in the mated condition. A set of threads 116 on the outside of
the shell 54 engages a set of complementary threads 118 on the
inside of the sleeve 104.
When the sleeve 104 is rotated about the shell 54, the shell 54
will be advanced or retracted axially of the sleeve 104 depending
upon the direction of rotation. The threads 116 and 118 preferably
have a very high pitch; i.e., the amount of axial movement is very
large for a small amount of rotation. By way of example, the pitch
of the threads 116 and 118 should be large enough to move the shell
54 between the fully retracted position and the fully extended
position when the sleeve is rotated through a small fraction of a
turn. Normally this is about the smallest amount of rotation
required to operate the breech lock 102.
When the plug section 18 is unmated as seen in FIG. 8, the shell 54
is fully retracted into the sleeve 104. The pin contacts 70 are
thus withdrawn into the interior of the plug section 18 and
protected from damage.
When the plug section 18 is initially mated with the receptacle
section 16, the pin contacts 70 are retracted and prevented from
hitting the end of the barrel 23, etc. During this initial phase of
the mating, the two sections 16 and 18 are usually skew or
otherwise misaligned. If the pins 70 are engaged under such
conditions, they will be damaged by bending, etc. If the contacts
are kept separated until after the end of the two sections 16 and
18 are sufficiently mated to insure a very accurate axial
alignment, they will not be damaged and will mate properly.
After the two sections 16 and 18 have been axially pushed together
and are fully mated, the sleeve 104 is rotated whereby the breech
lock 102 is fully secured. During this rotation of the sleeve 104
the threads 116 and 118 advance the shell 54 forward toward the
shell 20. The distance of this travel is sufficient to fully mate
the pin contacts 70 with the socket contacts 32 and compress the
wafer seal 78 between the two faces of the inserts 28 and 66.
A spring 120 may be provided inside of the sleeve 104 to assist in
locking the connector and retaining it locked. The spring 120 is
trapped between a collar 122 on the inside of the sleeve 104 and a
shoulder on the shell 54. This spring 120 exerts an axial force on
the shell 54 and biases it toward the shell 20. The combination of
the thrust from the spring 120 and the high pitch of the threads
116 and 118 insures the two sections 16 and 18 and the electrical
contacts 32 and 70 always being completely locked together.
The combination of the high pitch of the threads 116 and 118 and
the axial force from the spring 120 results in a torque being
created. This torque tends to rotate the sleeve 102 about the shell
54. The direction of this torque is selected to assist in rotating
the sleeve 104 in the direction which maintains the breech lock in
the locked condition. The force from the spring 120 also assists in
maintaining all of the contacts fully engaged.
It can be seen several advantages are obtained from the high pitch
threads 116 and 118 and the spring 120. First of all, the resultant
torque tends to assist the operator in mating the two sections 16
and 18. In particular, it assists in twisting the sleeve 104 to
extend the shell 54 and mate the contacts 70 and 71. The amount of
torque produced may be made as high as desired to facilitate the
mating of the sections. However, since this torque assists in the
mating, it opposes turning the sleeve when unmating the sections
and therefore makes that a somewhat more difficult step.
Secondly, even though the connector 10 may be subjected to
vibrations, etc., the torque biases all of the parts together. In
particular, the spring applies a torque that keeps the breech lock
102 in the fully locked position. In fact, it has been found that
an adequate torque can be maintained to eliminate the necessity for
using a keeper wire, etc., for securing the sections together.
In addition, as the various resilient seals, etc., gradually
deteriorate, take on a set, etc., the torque continues to screw the
sections together whereby they are always maintained fully mated.
It has been found desirable for the high pitched threads 116 and
118 to be of the square or acme variety and to have a certain
amount of axial clearance between the mating surfaces. This
clearance allows a limited amount of "float" to be present. As a
consequence, the biasing action is highly effective in maintaining
all of the various seals, and particularly the wafer seal, fully
compressed.
The breech lock 102 is effective to fully secure the two sections
16 and 18 together. Therefore, even though the spring 120 provides
a resilient biasing action and even though there is some "play"
between the threads 116 and 118, there is no mechanical "play,"
etc., in this lock 102. The biasing action of the spring 120 merely
parallels the fastening action of the breech lock 102 and does not
provide any resilience in the locking action. Accordingly, before
an accident can pull the sections 16 and 18 apart, it is necessary
to destroy the lock 102. Therefore, even in the event of any
abnormal forces, i.e., vibration, impact, etc., the sections 16 and
18 and all of the electrical contacts 32 and 70 will be retained
completely locked together.
The foregoing spring 120 exerts an axial load on the threads 116
and 118 whereby a torque is created on the sleeve 104. As an
alternative it has been found a torsion spring may be employed for
creating a torque between the sleeve 104 and the shell 54. This in
turn creates the same type of sealing action, etc., previously
described.
An embodiment employing a torsion spring 122 of this nature is
illustrated in FIG. 8. One end 124 of the torsion spring 122 is
secured to the shell 54 while the other end 126 is secured to the
sleeve 104. It has been found the largest amount of torque is
required when the sleeve 104 occurs during the terminal portion of
the locking operation, i.e., that portion of the twisting of the
sleeve 104 when the contacts 132 and 70 are actually mating with
each other. Moreover, when the connector is locked together it is
only during this terminal increment that it is necessary to insure
retaining the contacts 32 and 70, etc., fully mated.
Accordingly, it has been found desirable to slidably anchor the end
124 of the spring 122 in a recessed cam 128. The initial contour
130 of this cam 128 matches the axial movement of the shell 54 as
it is advanced through the sleeve 104. As a result both ends of the
spring 122 move at essentially the same rate and the torsion on the
spring 122 is essentially constant. However, during the terminal
phase of the locking operation the slope of the cam surface 132
varies. This variation in the slope causes the spring 122 to
produce a much larger torque which biases the shells 20 and 54 and
contacts 32 and 70 together. Moreover, it causes the spring 122 to
continually exert a large torque which retains the two sections of
the connector fully mated.
The combination of the cam surface 132 and torsion spring 122 can
be effective to greatly reduce the amount of travel of the spring
122. This in turn reduces the weight, size, etc., of the spring
122. Also, the forces imposed by the spring 122 may be reduced.
As an alternative the embodiment of the connector 132 shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10 may be used. In the present instance, the receptacle
sections 16 in both embodiments are identical.
More particularly, the receptacle section 16 is mounted upon a
bulkhead 22 whereby the barrel 23 of the shell 54 projects from the
bulkhead 22. A plurality of keys 98 are circumferentially spaced
around the barrel 23 and polarize the mating of the two sections 16
and 18.
The barrel 23 includes an annular channel or recess 96 which
extends around the barrel 23. The recess 96 is formed inside of an
annular ridge 95 at the very end of the barrel 23. The ridge 95 in
turn includes an annular shoulder 97. This shoulder 97 extends
completely around the end of the barrel 23 and defines one side of
the channel or recess 96.
The plug section 134 is generally similar to the plug section 18 in
that it includes a shell 136 having a passage 138 extending axially
therethrough. The passage 138 includes an outer portion 140 having
an enlarged diameter and an inner portion 142 of reduced
diameter.
The enlarged portion 140 is adapted to fit over the end of the
barrel 23. It includes a plurality of key-ways 144 which are
positioned to mate with the keys 98 on the exterior of the barrel
23.
An insulating structure 146 is disposed inside of the smaller
portion 142 of the passage 138 through the shell 136 and includes a
pair of inserts 148 and 150. Pin contacts 152 are mounted in the
two inserts 148 and 150 and positioned to mate with the socket
contacts 32 in the receptacle section 16.
A cylindrical sleeve 154 is rotatably disposed upon the outside of
the shell 136. This sleeve 154 is generally similar and/or
analogous to the sleeve 104 in the first embodiment in that it
controls the axial position of the shell 136 (i.e., fully extended
to mate the contacts and secure the two sections together or fully
retracted to separate the contacts and release the two sections 16
and 134.
The interior of the sleeve 154 includes a set of threads 156 which
mate with a similar set of threads 158 on the exterior of the shell
136. These threads 156 and 158 are preferably "fast threads," i.e.,
they have a high pitch. When the sleeve 154 is rotated through a
small portion of a turn (for example approximately 1/4 or 1/3 of a
turn) the shell 136 advances between its fully extended position as
shown in FIG. 9 and it fully retracted position as shown in FIG.
10.
A lock 160 is provided for securing the two sections 16 and 134
together. In this embodiment the lock 160 includes a retainer 162.
The retainer 162 has a generally cylindrical section 164 which is
slidably disposed upon the exterior of the shell 136. A plurality
of resilient fingers 166 are formed on the retainer 162 and project
axially along the shell 136. The end of each finger 166 includes an
enlargement 168.
Each of the enlargements 168 is tapered to mate with the ridge 95.
When the two sections 16 and 134 are initially mated, the end of
the shell 136 slides axially along the exterior of the shell 20. As
this movement progresses the keys 98 pass through the key-ways 144
and the enlargements 168 ride up and over the ridge 95. When the
two sections 16 and 134 are fully mated, the enlargements 160 have
passed over the ridge 95 and have dropped down into the annular
channel or recess 96 and engage the annular shoulder 97 on the
inside of the ridge 95.
A collet ring 170 is slidably disposed on the outside of the shell
136. It includes an annular shoulder 172 on the inside thereof.
When the shell 136 is fully retracted, it engages the shoulder 172
and retains the collet ring 170 retracted.
When the shell 136 is extended, the collet ring 170 is also allowed
to move into the extended position. As it moves toward the extended
position, it passes over the outside of the enlargements 168 and
completely surrounds them. The inside of the collet ring 170 is a
snug fit on the outside of the enlargements 168.
Eventually the shoulder 172 engages the enlargements 168 whereby
the collet ring 170 cannot move any further. At this point the
enlargements 168 are prevented from moving radially outwardly by
the snug fitting collet ring 170. As a consequence, the
enlargements 168 are retained locked onto the shoulder 97 formed by
the ridge 95. This is effective to securely lock the two sections
16 and 134 together.
In order to use this embodiment of the connector, the plug section
134 is first brought into the axially aligned position shown in
FIG. 10. The key-ways 144 on the plug section 134 are then aligned
with the keys 98 on the receptacle section 16. The plug section 134
is then forced axially onto the receptacle section 16. During this
axial movement, the end of the shell 136 slides over the barrel 23
and the enlargements 168 on the ends of the fingers 166 ride up and
over the ridge 95 and down into the annular channel or recess
96.
The sleeve 154 is then rotated whereby the shell 136 is advanced
axially through the sleeve 154. This motion causes the contacts 32
and 152 to mate, etc. It also causes the collet ring 170 to slide
over the outside of the enlargements 168 on the ends of the fingers
166. Since the collet ring 170 fits snugly around the fingers 166,
the enlargements 168 cannot expand outwardly and are securely
locked onto the end of the barrel 23.
A spring 174 is trapped between the retainer 162 and the collet
ring 170. It then produces an axial thrust which tends to advance
the shell 136 into the extended position. As a result it assists
the operator in turning the sleeve 154 and locks the two sections
together.
In order to release the two sections 16 and 134, the sleeve 154 may
be rotated in the opposite direction. This moves the shell 136 into
the fully retracted position and separates the contacts 32 and 154.
It also moves the collet ring 170 into the retracted position
whereby the fingers 166 and the enlargements 168 thereon become
free to move radially outwardly. The plug section 134 is thus freed
to be pulled axially off the receptacle section 16.
Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to rapidly separate
the two sections 16 and 134 and/or to separate them by remote
control. In this event a device such as a lanyard 176 may be
secured to the collet ring 170. By pulling on the lanyard 176 the
collet ring 170 is moved to its retracted position. The
enlargements 168 are thus freed whereby they can ride over the
ridge 95. As a consequence, the two sections 16 and 134 can be
separated without ever rotating the sleeve 154.
* * * * *