U.S. patent number RE31,995 [Application Number 06/571,918] was granted by the patent office on 1985-10-01 for enhanced detent guide track with dog-leg.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Automation Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to David J. Ball.
United States Patent |
RE31,995 |
Ball |
October 1, 1985 |
Enhanced detent guide track with dog-leg
Abstract
An electrical connector having a receptacle including a
receptacle shell and a plug including a plug housing, a coupling
nut threaded on the plug housing and engaged with a coupling ring,
the coupling nut having threaded engagement with the plug housing
and the coupling ring having locking flanges engageable with
cooperable locking lands on the receptacle shell, the plug and
receptacle being adapted to be fully electrically mated and locked
by rotation of the coupling ring through about 90 degrees. An
arcuate detent member subtending an angle of about 180 degrees is
keyed to the plug housing for relative axial movement of the plug
housing, and is received within an annular groove in the coupling
ring for resilient forcible selective engagement of opposite
radially outwardly enlarged ends of the arcuate detent member with
two sets of radially outwardly formed recesses in the coupling
ring. When the coupling ring is rotated to the fully locked
position of the plug and receptacle means, the ends of the arcuate
member are forcibly snapped into one set of recesses to indicate
attainment of the locked and fully mated position by sound and by
feel. Rotation of the coupling ring in the opposite direction
unlocks the plug and receptacle and the enlarged ends of the detent
member are released from the first set of recesses to engage a
second set of recesses in the coupling ring to audibly and
tactilely indicate attainment of the unlocked position. The
resilient arcuate member comprises an enlarged center portion
forming a key which is designated to mate with and ride in a keyway
on the plug housing with an enlarged portion of the keyway defining
a dog-leg in the path of the axial travel of the plug housing. The
key .[.makes audible contact with a terminal wall of the dog leg.].
.Iadd.momentarily moves out of contact with the plug housing on the
key entering the dog-leg .Iaddend.producing an intensified audible
snap .Iadd.of the arcuate detent member into the coupling ring
recesses .Iaddend.when the fully mated and locked position of the
connector is attained.
Inventors: |
Ball; David J. (Pacific
Palisades, CA) |
Assignee: |
Automation Industries, Inc.
(Greenwich, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
26736112 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/571,918 |
Filed: |
January 19, 1984 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
057134 |
Jul 12, 1979 |
04277125 |
Jul 7, 1981 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/488;
439/313 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/622 (20130101); H01R 13/187 (20130101); H01R
13/641 (20130101); H01R 13/64 (20130101); H01R
13/631 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/622 (20060101); H01R 13/62 (20060101); H01R
13/187 (20060101); H01R 13/15 (20060101); H01R
13/64 (20060101); H01R 13/641 (20060101); H01R
13/631 (20060101); H01R 013/639 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/88R,89R,89C,89M,9R,9C,184R,184M,185R,186R,186M,113R,113B
;285/85,86,315,316 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Desmond; Eugene F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Flattery; Thomas L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an electrical connector having receptacle means including a
receptacle shell; a plug means including a plug housing; a coupling
nut threaded onto said plug housing, a coupling ring keyed to said
coupling nut; electrical contact elements carried within said
receptacle shell and said plug housing for electrical mating and
unmating; lock means on said coupling ring and said receptacle
shell for releasably holding said contact elements in mating
relation; means for audibly indicating fully mated and locked
relationship of said receptacle means and plug means, said
indicating means including an annular groove in said coupling ring,
a keyway on said plug housing, and an arcuate spring detent in said
annular groove and having a key engaged in said keyway, said detent
having radially outwardly directed end portions carried by
resilient arcuate arms which are bent when the end portions thereof
are between spaced sets of radially outwardly directed recesses in
said annular groove during turning of said coupling housing,
whereby said end portions snap into a set of recesses to produce an
audible sound to indicate fully locked or unlocked position of the
receptacle means and plug means, the improvement comprising: an
enlarged portion defining a dog-leg in said keyway in the path of
axial travel of said plug housing whereby said key .[.makes audible
contact with a terminating wall of said dog-leg.]. .Iadd.is
released from contact with the plug housing .Iaddend.so as to
produce an intensified audible snap .Iadd.of the detent end
portions .Iaddend.indicating attainment of the fully mated and
locked position of the connector.
2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said detent
subtends an angle of about 180 degrees, and said recesses in each
of said spaced sets of recesses are angularly displaced from one
another in said annular groove by about 180 degrees.
3. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said spaced sets
of recesses are angularly displaced from one another by about 90
degrees.
4. The improvement according to claim 3, wherein said annular
groove subtends an angle of about 270 degrees.
5. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said coupling ring
and said receptacle shell include locking means operative, when
engaged, to secure said plug means and said receptacle means
against relative axial movement, said plug housing being axially
advanced to mate said electrical contact elements after initial
engagement of said locking means, and being fully axially withdrawn
to unmate said electrical contact elements before complete
disengagement of said locking means.
6. The improvement according to claim 5, wherein the threaded
connection between said coupling nut and said plug housing is by
means of a fast thread adapted to axially advance the plug housing
to fully mate said electrical contact elements by turning said
coupling ring through about 90 degrees.
7. The improvement according to claim 8, wherein said fast thread
is a four-lead stub thread.
8. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said key is
accelerated from one side of the keyway across the enlarged keyway
to .Iadd.a point spaced from .Iaddend.said terminal wall of said
dogleg by the engagement of said detent end portions with said
second set of recesses, thereby producing an intensified audible
indication of attainment of the fully mated and locked condition of
the connector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors for coupling cables having a bundle of wires
are required to be operable under many adverse environmental
conditions which include continual vibration, extreme changes in
temperature and pressure, minimal space availability, and shock
stresses. Various prior constructions of electrical connectors have
been proposed utilizing various types of detent means for
releasably locking or holding lock means in locked engagement to
retain the plug and receptacle means in assembly in full mated
electrical and mechanically locked condition.
Some of such prior detent devices have included indicators adapted
to be seen, heard and/or felt. U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,632 shows a
releasable electrical connector having a lock indicator in the form
of a button forced outwardly of an outer shell so that it can be
seen and felt. U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,764 shows a locking means for an
electrical connector in which visual, audible and tacile
indications are given when a locked condition is achieved. Such
prior constructions were relatively structurally complex and were
adapted to the construction of the particular electrical
connector.
In some installations, available space is very limited for
manipulation of a connector into coupled and uncoupled relation.
Often whether or not the coupling is fully electrically mated and
mechanically locked cannot be determined visually but can be
determined best by an audible and/or tactile indicator. Awareness
that a coupling is in full electrical and mechanically locked
relation is obviously desirable to assure proper operation of an
electrical system. It is also highly desirable to be aware of a
fully unlocked and unmated condition of the coupling because if
partially unlocked coupling parts are separated, damage to the
parts may be caused by applying excessive force or overstressing of
the parts may occur.
In an electrical connector in which mating rapidly occurs upon only
a part turn of a coupling ring, audible and tactile indicating
means must be immediately operable, must be reliable, and should be
protected in operation from possible interference by adjacent parts
of the connector.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,315 an electrical connector construction
which includes a novel means for audibly and tactilely indicating
fully coupled (electrically and mechanically) and uncoupled
conditions of the connector is disclosed. The invention therein
particularly relates to an arctuate detent member carried by one of
the shells of the connector and moveable relative to a coupling
ring which is turned to bring plug and receptacle means into
electrically mated and mechanically locked condition. Although this
connector has proven to be extremely successful in its application,
and has in fact proved to be a superior connector which visibly,
audibly and tactilely reliably indicates a fully locked and mated
position or an unlocked and unmated position after fairly
substantial and extended use, it has been found that the audible
indication, i.e., the snap generated by the connector upon
attainment of the locked position, is found somewhat to
diminish.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel electrical connector
construction which includes a novel means for audibly and
.[.tacilely.]. .Iadd.tactilely .Iaddend.indicating fully coupled
(electrically and mechanically) and uncoupled conditions of the
connector. The invention particularly relates to an arcuate detent
member carried by one of the shells of the connector and movable
relative to a coupling ring which is turned to bring plug and
receptacle means into electrically mated and mechanically locked
condition.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and
improved electrical connector having a fully locked condition at
which electrical coupling is complete and having an unlocked
condition in which electrical mating is broken, these conditions
.Iadd.produce .Iaddend.a signal which is both indicated by being
felt and heard even after substantial use.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an arcuate
detent member having a resilient construction and adapted to be
cooperably engaged with an angular groove in a rotatable coupling
ring on the connector which has been modified so as to intensify
the audible indication of attainment of the fully locked and mated
position.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an arcuate
detent member having a resilient construction which is provided
with a large central portion forming a key, and tapered spring arms
having radially outwardly extending projections adapted to
forceably engage spaced sets of radially outwardly formed recesses
of a coupling member of the connector which also includes a
modified keyway .[.for audibly engaging.]. .Iadd.that releases
.Iaddend.the key of the arcuate detent member .Iadd.from contact
with the plug.Iaddend..
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an arcuate
detent member readily oriented with respect to the plug and
receptacle of an electrical connector whereby full electrical
mating and mechanical locking of the plug and receptacle is quickly
and effectively accomplished and may be audibly perceived.
Another object of this invention is to provide an arcuate detent
member having spring arms with enlarged end portions diametrically
spaced apart a distance equal to the space between a set of
recesses formed in angularly spaced relation in an annular groove
which contains said detent member whereby forceful radially
outwardly directed camming engagement of enlarged ends of said arm
portions into said set of recesses causes angular motion of the
arcuate detent member .[.and the consequent impact of its key with
the edge of the keyway in the plug housing.]., which may be heard
and felt during a coupling or uncoupling operation. This audible
report is intensified by providing a modified keyway which
.[.forceably, audibly engages the key of the arcuate detent
member.]. .Iadd.disengages the detent member key from the sound
deadening contact with the plug.Iaddend..
These and other objects of the instant invention are achieved by
providing an arcuate detent member having an enlarged central
portion forming a key, and having extending on either side thereof
spring arms with enlarged end portions provided with radially
outwardly extending projections adapted to forcibly engage spaced
sets of radially outwardly formed recesses in a coupling member of
the connector wherein the keyway which engages the key of the
arcuate spring member is modified so as to define a dog leg in the
path of axial travel of the plug housing .[.so that key makes
forcible intensified audible contact with the terminating wall of
the dog leg,.]. .Iadd.which releases the key from the keyway
thereby .Iaddend.producing an intensified audible snap indicating
the fully mated and locked position of the connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partly in section, of a plug and a
receptacle of an electrical connector embodying this invention.
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken in the planes indicated
by line II--II of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane indicated
by line III--III of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the plug and
receptacle of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 in a
partially telescoped relation with the pin and socket electrical
contacts aligned but in axial spaced relation.
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of FIG. 4 taken in the plane
indicated by line V--V of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the electrical
connector shown in FIG. 1 with the plug and the receptacle further
advanced axially toward each other but with the pin and socket
electrical contacts still out of electrical engagement, and with
the coupling ring fully advanced axially.
FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated
by line VII--VII of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an arcuate detent member of this
invention.
FIG. 8A is an illustration of the plug housing axial keyway having
a dog leg formed therein engaging the key of the arcuate detent
member.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane as
FIG. 7 and illustrating the position of the arcuate detent member
at an intermediate rotated position of the coupling ring.
FIG. 10 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the
electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 and showing the plug and
receptacle in full electrical and mechanically locked mating
relation.
FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated
by line XI--XI of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing RFI
shielding between the plug housing and receptacle shell of the
electrical connector shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the RFI shielding shown
in FIG. 12 out of engagement with the receptacle shell.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a metal blank from which the
RFI shielding shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are formed.
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of one step in forming the RFI
shielding from the blank shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated
by line XVII--XVII of FIG. 10 illustrating a lock for retaining the
coupling nut and spring associated therewith in assembly with the
coupling ring.
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane as
FIG. 16 and showing the lock rotated to an unlocking position.
FIG. 18 is an exploded fragmentary sectional view of one of the
shells and an insert retainer ring for securing an insert member
within said shell.
FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded view of the thread
configuration on the shell and on the retainer ring in
juxtaposition.
FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic view showing points of interengagement of
the threads of the retainer ring with the threads of the shell.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1 is shown a receptacle 30 coaxially aligned with and
separated from a plug 31, both receptacle and plug providing an
electrical connector generally indicated at 32 (FIG. 4). The
electrical connector 32 serves to couple and electrically connect a
plurality of cables or wires, the ends of which are secured to the
receptacle and plug at electrical contact elements in known manner.
Five cables are shown for coupling by the connector 32, it being
understood that the bundle of cables may vary in number and can
include as many as 20 cables or more. The plug 31 is adapted to be
advanced along the axis of receptacle 30 to move the plug 31 into
desired full electrical and mechanical mating of the plug and
receptacle.
Receptacle 30
In this embodiment of the invention, receptacle 30 includes a
receptacle shell 36 comprising a cylindrical wall having a radially
outwardly directed annular flange 37 which may be placed against
the front face of wall 33 and secured thereto by screw bolts 34.
Receptacle shell 36 extends through an opening 38 in wall 33 and
may include a back cylindrical shell wall 39 which extends beyond
the back face of wall 33.
Receptacle shell 36 receives and holds a composite insert member 40
of cylindrical form. The external cylindrical surface of insert
member 40 may be provided with a plurality of axially spaced
radially inwardly stepped shoulders 41, 42 (FIG. 6) for cooperable
seating engagement with correspondingly axially spaced and radially
inwardly formed shoulders 41a and 42a on the internal cylindrical
surface of shell 36. Insert member 40 is restricted against axial
movement in one direction by the abutment of said shoulders. Axial
movement of insert member 40 in the opposite direction, that is
backwardly of the back shell 39, is restrained by an insert sleeve
retainer in a novel manner as later described in connection with
FIGS. 18-20 inclusive.
The front portion of insert member 40 may be made of a resilient
dielectric material and the back portion made of a relatively hard
dielectric material. Contact pins 45 project from conical bosses 44
of the resilient material, the bosses providing circular sealing
contact with hard dielectric material surrounding corresponding
socket contacts in the plug means. The axial position of insert
member 40 in receptacle shell 36 is such that contact pins 45
carried thereby have their pin ends spaced a predetermined distance
inwardly from the edge face 46 of receptacle shell 36. Contact pins
45 are thereby exposed for mating contact with the plug means
relatively deeply within the chamber formed by receptacle shell 36
and are protectively enclosed by receptacle shell 36.
Receptacle shell 36 is provided with an external cylindrical
surface 47 provided with two sets of circumferentially spaced
external radially outwardly directed shell locking lands 48, 49 to
provide respective locking faces 49a, 48a spaced uniformly from the
opposed annular face 51 of flange 37. The overall circumferential
dimension of L (FIG. 5) of each set of lands 48, 49, may remain
unchanged for receptacle shells of the same diameter. The arcuate
length of each land 48, 49 of each set of lands may be varied to
provide a specific different set of lands for receptacles having
selected pin contact arrangements or other differing
characteristics to avoid mismatching of receptacle and plug
means.
A master key 50 is provided on receptacle shell surface 47 between
the two sets of locking lands and in the same transverse
.[.planer.]. .Iadd.planar .Iaddend.zone as lands 48, 49. Key 50 has
a face 50a spaced from flange face 51 the same distance as land
faces 48a, 49a. Key 50 may be varied in width or .[.acruate.].
.Iadd.arcuate .Iaddend.length to be compatible with a selected plug
means and serves to angularly orient the plug and the
receptacle.
The interconnection at the insert member between the cables, insert
member 40 and contact pins 45 may be made in suitable well-known
manner. It is understood that insert member 40 firmly holds the
contact pins 45 against relative .[.aixal.]. .Iadd.axial
.Iaddend.movement and that electrical continuity is preserved
through insert member 40 without electrical leakage loss.
Plug 31
Plug 31 comprises a plug shell 60 having a particularly configured
cylindrical wall 61 having an internal diameter slightly greater
than the outer diameter of receptacle shell 36 so that shell 36 may
be axially and telescopically received therewithin. The plug
housing 60 also includes an internal annular flange 62 defining an
opening 63 and a shoulder 64 serving to index axially a plug insert
member 66 with respect to the plug housing. Flange 62 includes a
keyway 62a which receives a plastic key 62b on insert member 66 to
angularly index member 66 also with respect to the plug housing 60.
Annular shoulder 65 spaced from shoulder 64 serves as a seat for
one end of an insert retainer ring member as later described. A
cylindrical plug insert member 66 of suitable hard dielectric
material receives ends of cables which are electrically connected
within insert member 66 to electrical socket contacts 67 spaced and
arranged about the axis of the plug insert member to correspond
with the spacing and arangement of the contact pins 45 on the
receptacle insert member 41. The cylindrical portion 68 of plug
insert member 66 has an outer diameter which is slightly less than
the inner diameter of receptacle shell 36. The outer cylindrical
surface of insert member portion 68 defines with the internal
cylindrical surface of cylindrical wall 61 of plug housing 60 an
annular space 69 for reception of receptacle shell 36 during mating
of the plug and receptacle.
Plug 31 also includes means for coupling or connecting the plug and
receptacle whereby the pin and socket contacts 45 and 67
respectively are properly aligned for electrical mating contact
when the receptacle and plug shells 36 and 60 respectively are
coaxially drawn together into full electrical mating and mechanical
locking engagement. In this example, the coupling means generally
indicated at 70 includes a coupling ring housing 71 and a coupling
nut 72 within coupling ring 71 and provided with threaded
engagement at 73 with external threads provided on cylindrical wall
61 of plug housing 60. Coupling ring housing 71, FIG. 3, is
provided on an intermediate portion of its internal surface with a
plurality of circumferentially spaced radially inwardly directed
lands 75 and grooves 76 for cooperation with complementary lands 77
and grooves 78 on coupling nut 72. Certain of the interengaging
lands and grooves may be of different width to angularly orient and
position the coupling ring and nut with respect to each other.
Coupling ring 71, when turned about the axis of the connector, will
transmit such turning forces through coupling nut 72 to the
interleaved lands and grooves of the plug housing while preventing
relative longitudinal or axial movement between coupling ring and
coupling nut.
Coupling ring 71 is provided with a coupling end portion 80 having
a radially inwardly directed breech flange 81 provided with
circumferentially spaced radially inwardly directed breech lugs 82
and 83 and a keyway 84. The inner diameter of flange 81 with spaced
lugs 82 and 83 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of
receptacle shell 36 so that the shell 36 may be inserted, after
proper orientation of receptacle shell lands and breech lugs,
through the breech flange opening for reception between the plug
shell and the plug insert member.
Coupling ring 71 also includes between breech flange 81 and an
interior radially inwardly directed annular rib 88 a part circular
(about 270 degrees) groove 86 to receive a arcuate detent member 87
to audibly and tactilely signal attainment of the full locked or
unlocked condition of the plug and receptacle as later
described.
Coupling ring 71 also encloses an annular spring 91 which imparts
an axially directed spring force against coupling nut 72. One end
of nut 72 abuts face 89 of rib 88, the other end of nut 72
providing an annular seating face 90 for one end of spring 91 which
is seated at its opposite end against an annular retaining member
92 breech interlocked with coupling ring 71 as more particularly
described hereafter.
The threaded engagement at 73 between plug housing 60 and coupling
nut 72 comprises a four lead fast thread adapted to rapidly axially
advance plug shell 60 into full mated relationship with receptacle
shell 36 upon rotation of coupling ring housing 71. An example of a
suitable thread is an Acme stub thread.
Electrical continuity with respect to grounding and radio frequency
interference shielding 95 may be carried within plug shell 60 for
engagement with receptacle shell 36, the shielding 95 being
particularly described hereafter. In this example, the RFI shield
95 is positioned and located on an annular rib 96 provided on the
interior surface of plug shell 60 and cooperable with a particular
mounting configuration of the shield to securely position shield
95. RFI shield means 95 comprises a plurality of resilient fingers
97 which are adapted to be compressed by the forward portion of the
receptacle shell 36 to provide electrical contact therewith as
hereinafter described in detail.
The construction of receptacle 30, plug means 31, and coupling
means 70 embody novel features of construction and operation which
will be further described in detail in connection with a coupling
and uncoupling operation of the plug and receptacle. In this
example, receptacle means 30 is fixedly mounted on a wall 33 and is
non-rotatable and is non-axially movable. It will be understood
that the plug and receptacle may be moved relative to each other in
order to accomplish the coupling and uncoupling functions and that
the present example contemplates such an operation.
In FIG. 1, receptacle 30 and plug means 31 are in spaced relation
and positioned along aligned axes of the plug and receptacle. Plug
housing 60 is in retracted axial relation with respect to coupling
means 70. Further, in this retracted position, keyway 84 on
coupling ring housing 71 is in alignment with an internal keyway
100 on the plug shell. Plug 31 is then angularly or rotatably
aligned by suitable reference marks on the coupling ring and
receptacle shell so that the keyway 84 is in linear alignment with
master key 50 on the receptacle shell.
If keyway 84 and key 50 are compatible, which determines whether
the plug and receptacle are designed for mating, plug 31 may then
be advanced along the axis of the connector to permit entry of
master key 50 into keyway 84 of the coupling ring, FIG. 4. It will
be apparent that the ends of contact pins 45 are spaced from socket
contact 67 of the plug insert member 66 and that the end portion of
receptacle shell 36 has entered the annular space 69 between insert
member 66 and cylindrical wall 61 of the plug housing. In such
position (FIG. 4) the pin contact and the plug and receptacle
shells are interengaged over a sufficient axial distance to
minimize or effectively restrict cocking or axial misalignment of
one shell with respect to the other shell. The relative
relationship of coupling means 70 with respect to plug housing 60
is unchanged.
Plug 31, after having been properly aligned and oriented with
receptacle 30 as illustrated in FIG. 4, may be still further
advanced axially until the front face of the coupling ring breech
flange 81 moves against upstanding annular flange 37 on the
receptacle means 30. During this relative axial movement of the
plug and receptacle, the coupling ring housing and associated
coupling nut and plug housing are turned only to the extent of
matching key 50 with keyway 84 and matching the receptacle shell
lands 48 and 49 with the openings provided in the inner
.[.cirdumference.]. .Iadd.circumference .Iaddend.of housing flange
81. At the position shown in FIG. 6, the pin contacts 45 are at the
openings of the socket contacts on the plug insert member but have
not entered the openings.
It should be noted that the breech flange 81 includes keys 85
spaced about 120 degrees from keyway 84, said keys 85 being
alignable with and passing through keyways 85a formed between
locking lands 48 and 49 on receptacle shell 36. The correct
orientation of keys 85 and keyways 85a permits axial advancement of
the plug towards the receptacle so that the shells can be properly
mated. As later described, keys 85 and the keyways 85a serve to
prevent mating of plug and receptacle which are not designed or
intended to be mated because of different numbers of pin and socket
contacts carried by each of the plug and receptacle.
Advancement of the plug into full electrical contact of the contact
pins and contact sockets is accomplished by turning the coupling
ring in one direction through about 90 degrees. Turning of coupling
ring housing 71 drives the coupling nut 72 which moves plug housing
60 axially without rotation towards the receptacle. Plug housing 60
is held against rotation by interlocking of key 50 on the
receptacle shell and the keyway 100 on the plug shell, master key
50 having entered keyway 100 upon the last axial movement of the
plug and is disengaged with the keyway 84 on coupling ring housing
71. Thus, in position shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the coupling ring 71
may be turned relative to the shells; however, plug and receptacle
shells are held against relative rotation by the key and keyway 50
and 100. Since the pin and socket contacts have been aligned, the
ends of the pins enter the sockets for electrical engagement. Upon
completion of turning the coupling ring through 90 degrees (FIG.
10) the breech locking lugs 82 and 83 on the coupling ring are
located axially behind the locking lands 48 and 49 on the
receptacle shell and the annular flange formed thereon. Relative
axial movement of the coupling ring with respect to the plug
housing is thereby prevented.
Arcuate Spring Detent 87
Means for audibly and tactilely indicating that the plug and
receptacle means are in full mated and locked condition both
electrically and mechanically and to hold them in locked condition
is provided by the arcuate spring detent 87. Detent 87 is carried
in part-circumferential groove 86 formed in the internal surface of
the coupling ring housing 71. As shown in FIG. 8, spring detent 87
is of arcuate configuration and has an internal key 110 midway
between ends of the detent spring, the key 110 being axially
slidably loosely engagable in a keyway 111 provided on the outer
surface of the end portion 61 of the plug housing 60. Arcuate
spring detent 87 is operable within groove 86 in the coupling ring
housing but does not rotate or turn with the coupling ring.
Arcuate spring detent 87 includes arcuate arms 112 with radially
outwardly extending projections 114 having convex surfaces 115. The
arcuate arms 112 are progressively reduced in cross-sectional area
towards ends 114. The unrestrained normal configuration of arms 112
provides a space between end portions 114 greater than the distance
between a first set of detent recesses 116 provided in diametrical
relation in the internal groove 86 provided in coupling ring 71.
The restrained length must subtend an angle of about 180 degrees
and there is a tradeoff made between unrestricted length and the
tightness of the fit in the recesses and the tightness in the
groove. Detent recesses 116 may be provided with an arcuate
internal surface formed about radii generally greater than the
radii of convex surfaces 115 at ends of arms 112. A second set of
detent recesses 116a is provided in coupling ring 71 and spaced
approximately 90 degrees from the first set of detent recesses 116.
As best seen in FIG. 7 the annular groove 86 subtends approximately
270 degrees and terminates in the adjacent recesses 116 and 116A of
the two sets of recesses, the material of coupling ring 71 between
recesses providing stops at 118 and 118a to limit rotation of the
coupling ring by contact or projections 114 therewith.
When detent 87 is assembled within the coupling ring, the arcuate
arms 112 are forcibly bent inwardly so that a radially outwardly
spring biasing force is exerted against coupling ring 71. When
coupling ring 71 is rotated, detent 87 being non-rotatable because
of keying to the plug shell, sufficient force must be applied to
the coupling ring to cause arcuate arms 112 to radially inwardly
compress and projections 114 to disengage recesses 116. As the
coupling ring reaches the end of its 90 degree turn, spring arms
112 snap outwardly as projections 114 are biased into detent
recesses 116a. When this occurs, a very distinct relatively loud
snap or click is heard and felt.
When such an audible and tactile signal is given by rotation of the
coupling ring 71, such signal clearly indicates that coupling ring
71 has completed locking engagement with receptacle shell 36 and
that coupling nut 72 has driven axially forwardly plug housing 30
and insert member therein so that the pin contacts 45 are in full
electrical engagement with the contact sockets carried by the
plug.
When the plug and receptacle means are uncoupled, the coupling ring
is rotated in the opposite direction, the spring detent arms 112
are radially inwardly compressed upon leaving recesses 116a. The
coupling ring 71 drives coupling nut 72 in the opposite direction
so that the plug shell 60 and its insert body member with socket
contacts is axially withdrawn without rotation. The spring detent
87 again audibly indicates that plug 31 has become disengaged
electrically from the receptacle 30 by the audible and tactile
force of the spring detent snapping against the coupling ring as
the projections 114 enter recesses 116. The coupling ring is then
.[.position.]. .Iadd.positioned .Iaddend.with the keys and keyways
on the breech locking flange and shell locking lands aligned so
that the plug can be withdrawn from the receptacle in an axial
direction without rotation.
It should be noted that the coupling nut 72 is biased axially
forwardly toward the receptacle by springs 91. Springs 91 not only
facilitate turning of the coupling ring housing 71, which drives
coupling nut 72, into full mated and locked relationship desired
between the plug and receptacle, but also after such full mating
engagement, the spring 91 may serve to bias and hold the plug and
receptacle in assembled relation.
Detent spring 87 may vary in curvature, such curvature is always
sufficient to cause forceful snapping of the projections 114 into
recesses 116, 116a to be heard and felt. Such forceful snapping of
detent projections into the detent recesses is facilitated by the
loose clearance key 110 has with keyway 111, such loose clearance
allowing the detent member to quickly shift position to help
produce the loud snapping sound. The loose clearance of key 110 and
keyway 111 is correlated to the curvature of the detent projections
114 and recesses 116 so that the detent member does not bind in its
contacts with the coupling ring and plug housing and is free to
quickly respond as the projections 114 move into the recesses 116.
The convex faces 115 and concave recesses 116,116a and the
difference in curvature thereof facilitates the snapping effect and
also is one of the factors which tends to maintain assembly because
coupling ring 71 cannot be turned until sufficient torque force is
applied thereto to release the projections 114 from .[.receses.].
.Iadd.recesses .Iaddend.116, 116a. The amount of force required is
predetermined and the arrangement of curved surfaces on projections
114 and recesses 116, 116a may be varied to provide a desired
release and snap-in. The construction and bending characteristics
of arms 112 may also be varied to obtain a desired force.
A dog leg is provided in the keyway 111 to enhance the
.[.acceleration.]. .Iadd.resonance of .Iaddend.the outwardly
extending projections in order to exaggerate or intensify the
audible snap .[.when the key 110 is made to impact with a terminal
wall 111a of the dog leg.]. .Iadd.produced when the projections
move into the recesses 116, 116a.Iaddend.. It is seen that the
coupling ring 71 is rotating about the key 110 and that the plug
housing 60 carrying the keyway 111 having the dog leg is moving
axially along the key 110. The keyway 111 is made to define a dog
leg.[., a terminating wall 111a of which comes into abrupt and
sudden audible contact with the key 110.]. .Iadd.of larger
transverse dimension than that of the keyway to release the key 110
from contact with the plug housing .Iaddend.when the connector
achieves the locked or mated position. The dog leg must be
asymmetric in only the direction of the rotation of key 110 which
occurs when the connector achieves the locked position so as to
avoid rotational over travel of the coupling ring 71. Whenever over
travel of the coupling ring 71 occurs the 50,85 are misaligned with
respect to the keyways 84,85a resulting in hang up of the coupling
ring 71. If the dog-leg is not provided in such an asymmetric
.[.configration.]. .Iadd.configuration .Iaddend.the coupling ring
71 will hang up or jam as a result of over travel when the
connector achieves the unlocked position. The dog leg provided must
be of sufficient size to .[.provide a substantial sound or snap
when the key 110 accelerates and comes into abrupt contact with the
terminating wall 71a thereof.]. .Iadd.insure that physical contact
between the key 110 and plug housing is broken.Iaddend.. However,
it must not be of such a size as to result in over travel of the
coupling ring 71 when rotated to the unmated position, thereby to
result in misalignment of the lock mechanism and detrimental
binding.
In FIG. 8A is seen an illustration of the keyway 111 having a
terminal wall 2a and the detent spring key 110 traversing the
keyway 111 on the plug housing 60. The key 110 as it axially
traverses the keyway 111 experiences a momentary acceleration
caused by the radially outwardly enlarged ends 114 of the arcuate
detent spring 87 engaging the radially outwardly formed recesses
116 in the coupling ring 71. .[.When the dtent spring key 110 comes
contact with the terminal wall 111a of the dog leg an intensified
audible snap results indicating achievement of the fully mated and
locked position of the connector.]. .Iadd.This acceleration moves
the key 110 away from contact with one or both of the keyway walls
and into the dog leg space which allows the detent to resonate as a
result of the projections snapping into the recesses.Iaddend..
RFI Shield 95
Means for grounding and shielding electrical connector 32 against
frequency interference in the range from 100 MHz to 10 GHz
comprises shield 95 shown in detail in FIGS. 12-15 inclusive.
Shielding integrity is provided by a 360 degree continuous low
resistance path from one cable shield to the other cable shield
through the electrical connector. In this example, the cable
shields are electrically connected to the plug and receptacle
shells in well-known manner. The shielding 95 is in shielding
contact relationship with the forward end portion of receptacle
shell 36 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. As noted in FIG. 6, shielding
engagement with receptacle shell 36 occurs prior to electrical
contact of contact pins 45 which contact sockets 67.
As previously briefly described, shield 95 is mounted on an
internal annular rib 96 of plug shell 60 and includes a plurality
of circularly arranged resilient folded fingers 97 adapted to
slidably and electrically contact the external cylindrical surface
of receptacle shell 36. Shielding 95 is so constructed and formed
that when installed on the interior of plug shell 60, the spaces or
windows between adjacent edges of fingers 97 are minimized and will
be in the order of a few thousandths of an inch, for example 0.004
inches.
In the method of forming such an RFI shield 95 a rectangular blank
120 of suitable metal stock material such as beryllium copper of
about 0.004 inches thick of selected length and width is provided,
FIG. 14. On one face of blank 120 is printed or inscribed a
preselected pattern of securement tabs 121 and spring fingers 122
extending from an intermediate longitudinally extending band 123.
The configuration of fingers 122 is trapezoidal and tapers from
band 123 to the end distal therefrom. Securement tabs 121 and
fingers 122 are connected to band 123 by narrow neck portions 124.
Material of the blank 120 between the inscribed tabs, fingers and
band is then chemically etched away so that a precise dimensional
configuration of tabs and fingers results.
While the etched blank 120 is in flat form, the material is
subjected to a forming operation wherein the securement tabs 121
are bent into generally U-shaped as shown in FIG. 13 wherein outer
leg 121a of the securement tab is initially formed slightly
inclined toward the opposed leg of the tab. The inclination of leg
121a facilitates tight frictional grasping .[.or.]. .Iadd.of
.Iaddend.rib 96 when the shielding is mounted on plug housing
60.
Fingers 122 are formed as by bending each finger about an
intermediate portion which forms an arcuate nose 125 joining a base
of first cantilever portion 126 angularly disposed and connected to
band 123 and to a second cantilever portion 127 which terminates in
an inwardly bent or return end portion 128. As shown in FIG. 14, in
flat form, adjacent edges of fingers 122 continuously diverge from
their base portion adjacent band 123 to the return end portion
128.
The etched and formed blank is still in linear form as shown in
FIG. 14. The formed blank may then be turned and shaped about a
selected radius into an annulus in which the radially outwardly
directed surface of band 123 has a diameter approximately
corresponding to the inner diameter of plug shell 60 adjacent to
annular rib 96. When the annulus is formed about such radius, the
diverging edges of adjacent fingers 122 (FIG. 15) are drawn into
close uniform spaced relation. The spaces therebetween are each
approximately 0.004 inches. Such extremely close spacing of a
plurality of resilient fingers throughout 360 degrees is achieved
by the precise correlation of the dimensions of the etched
trapezoidal shaped fingers 122 and their relation to the radius of
the resulting annulus of the shielding 95.
The shielding 95 may be secured as by suitable electrically
conductive bonding or soldering to annular rib 96. The annulus may
be formed while the securement tabs 121 are being inserted over rib
96. Tab and rib contacting surfaces are preferably made
electrically conductive and soldered. Band 123 has an end extension
130 which may overlap the opposite end of the band and be secured
thereto in suitable manner as by electrically conductive brazing,
soldering or bonding.
It will be understood that the resilient fingers 122 may be plated
with noble metal such as gold, and the surfaces contacted by the
fingers on the receptacle shell 36 and plug shell 60 may also be
plated or coated with a noble metal such as gold or silver. In FIG.
12, band 123 may be provided with a contact surface of noble metal.
In fully mated position, the plug shell 60 and receptacle shell 36
are provided with a substantially continuous 360 degree
electrically conductive path of low resistance between the metal
shells 60 and 36 through the shielding 95. The precise
configuration of resilient fingers 122 provides minimal window area
for transmission of stray frequencies and radio frequency leakage
attenuation is maximized.
It should also be noted that the forward edge of the receptacle
shell 36 may be chamfered or beveled at 133 so that during relative
axial movement of the plug and receptacle means for mating the
bevel edge 133 will first contact the radially inwardly biased
cantilever portion 127. Surfaces of the shell and fingers will be
effectively pressure wiped to remove surface oxidation thereon
because of spring biasing forces provided by bending of cantilever
portion 127 about nose 125 and by bending of cantilever portion 126
at band 123. Entry of shell 36 into the opening defined by portion
127 of the fingers 122 causes the resilient folded fingers to
uniformly move radially outwardly or expand until finger portions
126 are in pressure contact with plug shell 60. The fulcruming of
each finger portion 126 about its connection to band 123 enhances
the resilient biasing forces available for pressure contact with
the shells 36, 60 (FIGS. 6, 10). The precise shape of the fingers
in relation to the formed radius of the shielding member permits
radially outward flexing of the fingers with virtually little
change in the size of the window openings or spaces between
fingers. Shielding effectiveness is substantially unchanged. The
angular and bent configurations of finger portions 127 and 128
permit relative axial movement to the two shells 36 and 60 without
interference. As noted in FIG. 6, contact of shielding means 95
occurs before the pin contacts 45 enter the socket contacts 67 in
the plug means.
Coupling Assembly Retaining Mechanism
Coupling ring housing 71 with enclosed coupling nut 72 and springs
91 bearing against one end of the coupling nut are retained in
assembly by annular retainer member 92. With particular reference
to FIGS. 1, 16 and 17, annular retainer member 92 has an inner
diameter approximately the same as the inner diameter of coupling
nut 72 and provides an inner annular surface 135 against which one
end of springs 91 may seat in assembly. The outer circumference of
member 92 is provided with arcuate circumferential breech lands or
lugs 136 in spaced relation and defining therebetween openings 137.
As shown in FIG. 17, breech lugs 136 may be aligned with internal
through openings 138 provided in end portion 139, internally of the
edge face of the coupling ring is provided with a plurality of
circularly spaced recesses 140 having end walls 141, recesses 140
being adapted to receive and to hold therewithin breech lugs 136.
Annular retainer member 92 may be provided with three angularly
spaced detent indentations or impressions 143 in the outer annular
face of member 92.
The coupling assembly breech retainer member 92 may be sleeved over
plug housing 60 with breech lugs 136 aligned with the through
openings 138 provided in end portion 139 of the coupling ring 71.
By using a tool having three prongs corresponding to the spacing of
indentations 143, annular member 92 may be pressed uniformly
axially toward coupling nut 72 and against the spring forces of
springs 91. After retainer member 92 has been axially advanced into
contact with the inward shoulder 144 formed by the annular recess
140, the member 92 may be rotated in either direction so as to move
the locking breech lugs 136 into the back space of the recesses
140. Upon release of installing pressure, retainer member 92 is
urged axially outwardly by springs 91 to position the breech lugs
136 in recesses 140. In such position it will be apparent from FIG.
16 that turning or rotational movement of member 92 is restricted
by the engagement of ends of breech lugs 136 with the end walls 141
of the recesses 140.
.[.Dissassembly.]. .Iadd.Disassembly .Iaddend.of the retainer
member 92 from the coupling ring housing 71 is accomplished by a
reversal of the installation steps described above. The three
pronged tool is again employed to exert an axial pressure on the
retainer member 92 to force it axially inwardly against the spring
pressure and to then rotate the ring through the necessary angle to
align breech lugs 136 with through openings 138 in the end portion
of the coupling ring housing. Upon release of pressure from the
tool, the retainer member 92 is withdrawn from the end portion of a
coupling ring housing. Springs 91 and the coupling ring housing and
associated coupling ring nut may then be removed for
disassembly.
Insert Retaining Mechanism
Insert members 40 and 66 must be precisely axially positioned and
angularly accurately oriented with respect to their respective
shells so that proper alignment and mating of the pin and socket
contacts may be accomplished. Insert members have been axially
located within a shell by seating an insert member against a
reference shoulder on the shell to restrain movement in one
direction and then by bonding or using a threaded ring or lock
washer to restrict movement of the insert member in the opposite
direction. .[.Used.]. .Iadd.Use .Iaddend.of such prior devices
introduced unwanted tolerances which detracted from such precise
positioning. Under some operating conditions, a slightest relative
axial movement of the insert member with the shell was
objectionable because of its effect upon multiple pin and socket
connections and upon securement of the contacts in the insert
member. The present electrical connector 32 embodies means for
retaining and positively positioning an insert member against a
shoulder or other fixed reference without adjustments and without
bonding to the shell.
In FIGS. 4 and 18-20 inclusive, an insert retainer means 158 is
applied to insert member 40 of receptacle means 30. Back shell 39
of receptacle shell 36 is provided with an outer cylindrical
portion 150 of relatively thin cross section. Inwardly from portion
150 the back shell is provided with a relatively thicker
cylindrical portion 151 provided on its inner surface with a
particularly shaped buttress type thread 152. In this example,
threads 152 are formed with a single lead, right hand pitch, and
include 50 threads per inch. Cross sectional configuration of
threads 152 include a flat crest 153 and a relatively wider flat
root 154. Inwardly directed face 155 of the thread is normal to the
flat crest and root 153,154 respectively. Outwardly directed face
156 of the thread is slightly inclined from the root 154 to the
crest 153. Spacing between crests 154 of adjacent threads is
indicated at B and in this example may be approximately 0.020
inches. The length of the back shell provided with threads 152 may
be any suitable length depending upon the axial dimensions of the
insert member to be carried by receptacle shell 36. In this
example, depth of threads 152; that is, from flat crest 153 to flat
root 154, may be approximately 0.005 to 0.006 inches. As noted in
the above description, insert member 40 has shoulders 41 seated
against reference positioning shoulder 41a provided in the
.[.receptable.]. .Iadd.receptacle .Iaddend.shell.
An insert retaining ring 158 may be made of a suitable compressible
thermoplastic material, such as Torlon or Nylon. Ring 158 includes
a cylindrical smooth inner surface 159 through which may be
received, as by a clearance fit (a few thousandths of an inch), the
back end portion of insert member 40. The outer cylindrical surface
of ring 158 is provided with a thread 160 which has two leads, a
left hand pitch and includes 25 turns per inch. The thread
configuration, also .[.or.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.buttress type,
includes a generally triangular cross section having a width
approximately one-third or one-quarter of the space between
adjacent crests 161 as identified by the letter A, and an outwardly
directed face 163 normal to flat root 162. The crest spacing A in
this example may be about 0.020. The outer diameter of the insert
retaining ring 158 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of
the shell, the sharp corners 161 reaching into the root areas 154
of threads 152.
As shown in FIG. 20, the unique configuration of the threads 152
and 160; that is, one being a single lead right hand pitch of 50
threads per inch and the other being a left hand pitch two leads at
25 turns per inch, together with the specific cross sectional
configuration of the two threads provides a unique thread
interengagement in which mating or meshing thereof will occur at
three points spaced approximately 120 degrees apart as indicated in
FIG. 20 at 165, 166 and 167. The manner of such interengagement is
now described.
In assembly, after the insert member 40 has been angularly oriented
and axially positioned against reference shoulder 41a within
receptacle shell 36, insert retaining ring 158 is sleeved over the
end of the insert member 40 and moved axially toward back shell 39.
When the sleeve member begins to enter intermediate portion 151
with threads 152, a cylindrical drive tool is employed to forcibly
press the insert ring into the receptacle back shell 39 and axially
along the shell threads 152. Because the threads are pitched in an
opposite direction and are of non-threading non-mating
characteristics, the forcing of the threads of the plastic ring
along the threads of the metal back shell 39 places the insert ring
under radial compression and causes the threads 160 to successively
interengage and forcibly interfit with the threads 152 at three
angularly spaced areas indicated in FIG. 20. Such radial pressure
interfitting of the threads 152 and 160 during relative axial
movement is facilitated by inclined faces 156 and 164. Restraint
against opposite relative axial movement is positively restricted
by the interabutment of faces 155 and 163 which are normal to the
axis of the ring and shell. Such interengagement of compressible
thermoplastic threads 160 with metal threads 152 successively and
angularly progressively occurs at three angularly spaced places
around back shell 39, the thermoplastic retainer ring 158 being
deformed under radial compression into somewhat triangularly
related locked or interfitting abutment areas 165, 166 and 167
provided by the opposed normal faces 155, 163 of the two different
thread configurations.
The tapered configuration of the leading end 169 of ring 158
facilitates entry of the ring end 169 into the shell. The end face
of the leading end 169 may be driven against a thrust shoulder 170
on the insert member or against a thrust ring provided on the back
portion of an insert member so that the insert member is immovably
locked between positioning shoulder 41a on the receptacle shell and
the insert retainer ring pressed against shoulder 170 and
threadably interlocked with the back shell. The compressible
retainer ring is linearly pressure driven into engagement with and
between the back shell and insert member. The insert retainer ring
locks and meshes with the threaded shell to precisely position the
insert member in the shell against reference shoulder 41a
regardless of .[.course.]. .Iadd.coarse .Iaddend.or loose
tolerances between shoulder 41a and shoulder 170.
While the example describes the insert retaining member in relation
to the receptacle shell, it will be understood that a similar
insert retaining ring may be employed at the back portion of plug
housing 60 to retain the plug insert member in fixed axial position
relative to the plug housing in the same manner as above
described.
While a present example of an insert retaining ring has been
described with respect to an electrical connector having a
cylindrical metal shell and a cylindrical dielectric insert member
received within said shell and fixedly holding the insert member in
immovable position with respect to the shell, it will be understood
that such a compressible insert retaining ring may be employed to
restrict to a minimum axial movement between two concentric members
utilized in different environment.
It will be understood that when the terms "thread means", "thread
configuration" and "threaded interengagement" are used therein,
that "threads" include the usual helical type thread shown as well
as non-helical annular rings pitched at a desired angle to the axis
of the shell and retainer ring. Either or both cooperable threads
may be helical or non-helical. The selected pitch of each thread
should provide for crossing of the interengaging threads at at
least three abutment areas with the insert ring under radial
compression.
It will be noted that use of insert retainer ring 158 and such a
cooperable back shell 39 provides quick fullproof assembly of the
insert member within the receptacle shell and no additional
adjustments are required to positively seat and hold insert member
40 against positioning shoulder 41a.
Breech Holdoff Merchanism
In some prior electrical connectors relative axial movement of plug
and receptacle sections were permitted under desirable conditions
which could result in damage to the connector and failure to
properly mate electrical contacts. Such undesirable conditions
include relative axial movement with a bent contact pin, attempting
to mate connector sections in which both sections include
protruding contact pins, jamming or cross-starting of the coupling
means, and permitting relative axial movement under axial
misalignment conditions.
The present construction embodies features which obviate the
undesirable conditions mentioned above. It should be noted that
breech flange 81 on the coupling housing ring includes two radially
inwardly projecting keys 85 located about 120 degrees apart and
approximately the same angular distance with respect to keyway 84.
Keyway 84, as mentioned above, receives master key 50 on the
receptacle shell for orienting the two shells with respect to
polarization or axial alignment of mating pin and socket electrical
contacts. In the present electrical connector, visible reference
indicia are provided on the coupling housing and on the shell in
linear alignment with the key 50 and keyway 84 so that the coupling
ring plug housing and receptacle shell are properly angularly
oriented for mating of the pin and socket contacts. Before the plug
means can be advanced axially with respect to the receptacle shell
in such visually aided alignment, it will be apparent that the keys
85 must be oriented with the keyways 85a on the receptacle shell to
permit further axial movement.
In the event proper visual orientation of master key 50 and keyway
84 is made, but the receptacle shell and plug shell are not
compatible for mating as by a difference in number of pin contacts,
the orientation of the keys 85 and keyways 85a on such
noncompatible shells will cause keys 85 to bear against the front
faces 48b and 49b of the locking lands 48, 49 on a noncompatible
shell. Such spaced bearing at faces 48b and 49b provide balanced
holding off of the plug means; that is, any axial misalignment of
the plug and receptacle means is resisted and minimized so that
damage to pin contacts will not occur. Further axial advance of the
coupling ring and of a mismatched plug housing and insert member is
prevented. As noted in FIG. 4, the tips of the pin contacts 45 are
in spaced relation to the socket contacts in the plug insert
member. Damage to pin contacts is thereby prevented in the event
noncompatible plug and receptacle means are attempted to be coupled
together.
It should be noted that the two keys 85 provide such holding off
function at two spaced points approximately 120 degrees apart.
Cocking or attempting to mate noncompatible plug and receptacle
means by manipulation of the plug means in three dimensions is
prevented. The use of at least two spaced keys in spaced relation
to a master keyway 84 on the coupling ring provides variation in
key and keyway patterns so that a wide range of different keying
may be made for connectors of the same shell size but with
different members of electrical contacts and arrangements
thereof.
The electrical connector 32 described above provides many
advantages of construction and operation of which some have been
particularly emphasized. In the general concept of the electrical
connector, it is important to note that the coupling ring serves as
a single component part which is constructed to perform a number of
important functions. First, the coupling ring 71 has a breech
flange 81 which locks the plug and receptacle against axial
movement by interlocking abutment with the locking lands, 48, 49 on
the receptacle shell. Such locking lands provide a substantial
abutment area so that the loading per square inch is reduced.
Second, the coupling ring 71 provides in breech flange 81, keys 85
which perform the holdoff function described above to prevent
mating of noncompatible plug and receptacle means. Thus, the
locking flange 81 provides a key means in which the keys 85 may be
varied in spacing so that positive means is provided for preventing
attempted coupling of noncompatible plug and receptacle; and such
mating prevention occurs without damage to pin and socket contact
members. Third, the coupling ring housing with its locking flange
81 provides a visual and a nonchangeable orientation of the plug
with the receptacle by the alignment of the keyway 84 with the key
50 on a receptacle shell. Thus, positive orientation or
polarization of the contact element of compatible mating plug and
receptacle is assured. Fourth, the coupling ring housing provides
an annular partcircular internal channel or groove for housing the
detent spring 87, the detent spring being positively oriented with
the plug housing and coupling ring through the central key 110
which is movable in an axial direction in the keyway 111 on the
plug housing. Fifth, the coupling ring housing provides an annular
shoulder 89 for abutment of one end of the coupling nut 72 and also
provides the full lock breech recess 140 which secures the annular
lock ring 92, which serves as a seat for the springs 91 which bias
the coupling nut against the shoulder 89. It will thus be apparent
that the specific construction of the coupling ring housing of the
electrical connector 32 combines many features which provide an
electrical connector which is reliable and in which there are
safeguards against damage to connector parts in the event
mismatching or attempted coupling of noncompatible connector parts
is attempted.
Various changes and modifications may be made in the above
described electrical connector and all such changes and
modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are
embraced thereby.
* * * * *