CA1262760A - Connector system with modular socket assembly - Google Patents
Connector system with modular socket assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1262760A CA1262760A CA000511643A CA511643A CA1262760A CA 1262760 A CA1262760 A CA 1262760A CA 000511643 A CA000511643 A CA 000511643A CA 511643 A CA511643 A CA 511643A CA 1262760 A CA1262760 A CA 1262760A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- socket
- insulators
- connector
- insulator
- modules
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/15—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure
- H01R13/187—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure with spring member in the socket
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/523—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases for use under water
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/533—Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure
Abstract
CONNECTOR SYSTEM WITH MODULAR SOCKET INSERT ASSEMBLY
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A modular socket insert assembly is described, which can fit into the male ends of two substantially identical connectors to connect them, wherein the socket insert assembly can be easily taken apart in the field for cleaning or replacement of a damaged socket.
The socket insert assembly includes a pair of insulators having inner ends that substantially abut one another and having aligned holes for holding a group of separate socket modules. The hole in each insulator is wide at the inner end of the insulators where they abut one another, and is narrowed at the outer ends of the insulators, to trap a socket module in place.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A modular socket insert assembly is described, which can fit into the male ends of two substantially identical connectors to connect them, wherein the socket insert assembly can be easily taken apart in the field for cleaning or replacement of a damaged socket.
The socket insert assembly includes a pair of insulators having inner ends that substantially abut one another and having aligned holes for holding a group of separate socket modules. The hole in each insulator is wide at the inner end of the insulators where they abut one another, and is narrowed at the outer ends of the insulators, to trap a socket module in place.
Description
~r~
In connector systems used in a hostile environment, such as deep within an oil well, the female or socket ends of contacts are damaged much more often that the male or pin contact ends. Also, cleaning of the deep recess of a socket contact end is much more difEicult than of a pin con-tact end which may have no recesses. A socke-t device with socket contact ends at both ends of the connector could be used to connect two male or pin ends to avoid-the need to reconnect multiple wires to a new connector whenever it is damaged.
However, if the module with the sockets at either ends is to be disposed of every time a socket becomes damaged or very dirty, then the cost would be high. A socket insert assembly which enabled cleaning and replacement of its sockets modules in the field, would facilltate the maintenance of connector systems in the field.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a connector system comprising:
(a) a pair of receptacle connectors and a separate plug assembly for mounting with and between said receptacle connectors; (b) each said receptacle connector having a shell with a hollow end portion, said shell holding an insulation member containing a plurality oE spaced pin contacts extending into said hollow end portionl with the pin contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern; (c) said plug assembly comprising: (i) a housing, other than said shells, containing Eirst and second insulators, each said insulator having an inner end that substantially abuts the inner end of the other insulator, and each having an outer end, said insulators forming a plurality of through holes arranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of said pins; ~ii) a plurality of elongated socket modules each mounted in a respective one of said through holes each said socket module having a pair of opposi-te ends with ~, d 7 ~ ~
-la-holes for receiving the pin con-tacts of said receptacle connectors; (iii) each said through hole having a wide diameter portion e~tending Erom the inner end of the insulator for receiving a socket module, and each said through hole having a narrow portion near its outer end that is too narrow to pass the socket module therethrough, said wide diameter portions being long enough to receive said socket modules, with opposite ends of each socket module lying in diferent ends o:E said insulators; (iv) means for releasably holding said first and second insulators together in said housing with said socket modules in the insulators to form a self-contained assembly, said holding means permitting intentional removal of the insulators from said housing to remove and replace the socket modules therein; and (d) each end of said plug assembl~ being slldably insertable into a different one of said connector hollow ends with the pins of said receptacle connectors received in the ends of said socket modules said plug assembly being withdrawable from said receptacle connectors by sliding the plug assembly out of said connector hollow ends.
The novel features of the inven-tion are set , ~..~, i2~6~
.
orth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIOM OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure l is an exploded partially sectional view of a connector system constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a partial perspective and exploded view of a socket module of the socket insert assembly of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the socket module of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of Figuxe 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illustrates a connector system 10 which can be used in a hostile environment such as deep within an oil well where part or all of the system is subjected to dirt under considerable heat and pressure.
The system includes a pair o~ connectors 12, 14 having male connector ends 16, 18 that must be interconnected under hostile conditions. In this connnector system, the connector 12 has an opposite end 20 which is also a male end and which connects to a socket connector 22 at the end of a cable, where the connections between the ends 20, ~2 are under less than hostile conditions, in as much as a seal applied around the outside 24 of the connector isolates its opposite ends to protect the end 20 from the extreme hostile environment.
The two male connector ends 16, 18 are interconnected by a socket insert assembly or apparatus 26. The socket insert assembly includes two insulators 23, 30 that have inner ends 32, 34 that abut one another, and outer ends 36, 38. Each insulator has a plurality of through holes ~0, 42 that extend between its opposite ends. A plurality of soc~et modules 44 lie in the holes. Each socket module has a pair of ~ .
opposite socket ends 46, 48 for receiving pin contacts, to interconnect a pair of pin contac~s received in its opposite ends. Each hole 40, 42 of the insulators includes a wide diameter portion S0, 52 extending from the inner end of the respective insulator, for recei~ing the socket module. Each hole also includes a narxow portion 54, 56 near its outer end, which is too naxrow to pass a socket module 44, to thereby retain the socket module i~ place~ However, each narrow portion 54, 56 is wide enough to pass a pin contact, so that a pin contact can enter an end of a socket module~ A socket insert assembly shell 60 surrounds the two insulators to hold them in, although Lt is possible to provide other locking means to hold the lS insulators together.
Each connector includes a group of pin contacts 62, 64 that have middle portions 66 trapped within an insulation member 68 within the connector and are preferably sealed thereto. Each pin contact also has an end 70 that projects from the insulation member into a hollow connector end 72. The contact end is surrounded by a largely cylindrical hollow connector end 74 formed by a shell 76 of the connector. The socket insert assembly 26 is designed to it into the hollow shell end 74 of either male connector end 16, 18 to receive the pin contact ends 70 therein. The depth ! D of each hollow connector end is less than the length L of the soc~et insert assembly. As a result, when one end of the socket insert assembly is fully inserted into a male connector end such as 16, the opposite end ¦ o the socket insert assembly projects therefrom and can be inserted into the other male connector end 18 to contact its pin contacts 64. The length L is less than 2D, so the ex-treme end of the shells can abut one another.
Each socke~ module 44 has a construction such as is shown in Figure 5. The socket module includes a body 80 extending along axis 81/ with a middle portion } 82 and with arcuate opposite end portions 84. A napkin spring 86 fits around each end portion to press a pin contact portion 70 against the inside surface of a body end portion 84. A hood 88 surrounds the end portion 84 7~ ~3 , of the body and the spring 86 to retain them in place.
The hood has an open outer end 90 which is large enough to pass a pin contact but small enough to prevent loss of the spring 86.
Most of the socket modules carry noncritical signals, and have napkin springs which can be deflected by moderate insertion forces. A minority of the socket modules carry critical signals, and low contact resistance then must be assured even when the system is subjected to severe vibrations, shocks, and other disturbances. Where critical signals are carried by a socket module, its napkin spring is stiffer so it applies at least a 50% greater force against a con~act, than does a spring of a module carrying noncritical signals. only a minority of socket modules with stiffer napkin springs are present in a socket insertion assembly, to avoid an excessive connector mating force.
The socket insert assembly 26 (Fig. 1) is designed to facilitate the clean out and replacement of a socket module 44 or insulator in the ~ield. To disassemble the assembly, a snap ring 94 is removed rom a slot near one end of the shell 60, which can be easily accomplished with a screw driver blade or knife. The assembly is then turned so that the'end 38 is lowermost, so that the two insulators may be removed from the shell 60. The two insulators are then turned upside down so that the end 36 is lowermost. The top insulator 30 can then be lifted off of the other one 28 so that ends of a socket modules 44 project from the inner end 32 of the insulator 28. If one of the socket modules 44 is damaged or a few of them require cleaning, they can be lifted out, cleaned, and then replaced. Altexnately, all of the socket modules can be placed in a container and cleaned, and the insulators alld their holes can also be cleaned.
One of the insulators 28 is longer, along the axis 96, than the other 30. Reassembly of the socket assembly is accomplished by orienting the longer insulator 28 with its inner end 32 uppermost, and then inserting the numerous socket modules in the holes 50 of the larger insulator. When the socket madules are ~ J
.
dropped into the longer holes 50 of the longer insulator, their projecting ends are held sufficiently close in position so that the shorter insulatox 30 can fit over them. That is, the module axes are sufficiently parallel to the axes of the insulator holes. The shorter insulator 30 can be lowered into position so that lts inner end 34 abuts the inner end 32 of the longer insulator. Thereafter, the projecting upper ends of the socket modules hold the two insulators 28, 30 in alignment. It may be noted that it would be much harder to assemble the socket module by first inserting the socket modules into the shorter insulator 30, because then the projecting ends of the socket modules would not be closely aligned wi~h the insulator holes; then, it would be difficult to drop the longer module over them.
The diameter of the hole 50, 52 of the insulators is at least about 3% greater than the outer diameter of the socket module 44, to permit slight movement of the socket modules to accomodate the precise spacing of the pin contacts that ~hey receive.
In prior connector systems wherein each half is hermeticall~ sealed, only very slight misali.gnment of mating contacts can be tolerated. However, in the present socket modules both ends of a module are free and the modules can "float" within the insulator, and the spring which engages an inserted pin contact allows more than prior socket deflection. This allows a much greater degree of contact misalignment without degrading the contact arrangement, and provides an automatic cleanin~ action on both the pin and socket contacts during mating and unmating, and even by reason of axial float while the contacts are mated.
After assémbling the two insulators with the socket modules therein, the two insulators as a unit are dropped into the shell 60. The longer insulator 28 has two different outside portions 100, 102 of different diameters, the portion 102 nearest the inner end 32 of the insulator being of larger diameter. This forms a ledge 104 at the intersection of these di~ferent diameter portions. The shell has two different outside diameters to form an inside shoulder --5~
I
I
106 on which the ledge 104 rests. The insulators are freely slidable into the shell, until the ledge 104 rests on the shoulder 106, ~o prevent the insulators from moving further towards a first end 108 of the shell. The snap ring 94 is then installed around a cut away portion 110 at the outer end of the short insulator and into a groove 112, ~o prevent the insulators from moving towards a second end 113 of the shell. The assembly and reassembly o the socket insert assembly is relatively easy and, as mentioned above, can be performed rapidly in the field without any tools except for a screwdriver, knife, or tha like.
Thus, the invention provides a connector system which includes a socket insert assembly that can connect the male ends of a pair of connectors. The socket insert assembly includes individual socket modules that can be easily removed for replacement or cleaning in the field.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art and conse~uently, it is intended that the claims he interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.
In connector systems used in a hostile environment, such as deep within an oil well, the female or socket ends of contacts are damaged much more often that the male or pin contact ends. Also, cleaning of the deep recess of a socket contact end is much more difEicult than of a pin con-tact end which may have no recesses. A socke-t device with socket contact ends at both ends of the connector could be used to connect two male or pin ends to avoid-the need to reconnect multiple wires to a new connector whenever it is damaged.
However, if the module with the sockets at either ends is to be disposed of every time a socket becomes damaged or very dirty, then the cost would be high. A socket insert assembly which enabled cleaning and replacement of its sockets modules in the field, would facilltate the maintenance of connector systems in the field.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a connector system comprising:
(a) a pair of receptacle connectors and a separate plug assembly for mounting with and between said receptacle connectors; (b) each said receptacle connector having a shell with a hollow end portion, said shell holding an insulation member containing a plurality oE spaced pin contacts extending into said hollow end portionl with the pin contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern; (c) said plug assembly comprising: (i) a housing, other than said shells, containing Eirst and second insulators, each said insulator having an inner end that substantially abuts the inner end of the other insulator, and each having an outer end, said insulators forming a plurality of through holes arranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of said pins; ~ii) a plurality of elongated socket modules each mounted in a respective one of said through holes each said socket module having a pair of opposi-te ends with ~, d 7 ~ ~
-la-holes for receiving the pin con-tacts of said receptacle connectors; (iii) each said through hole having a wide diameter portion e~tending Erom the inner end of the insulator for receiving a socket module, and each said through hole having a narrow portion near its outer end that is too narrow to pass the socket module therethrough, said wide diameter portions being long enough to receive said socket modules, with opposite ends of each socket module lying in diferent ends o:E said insulators; (iv) means for releasably holding said first and second insulators together in said housing with said socket modules in the insulators to form a self-contained assembly, said holding means permitting intentional removal of the insulators from said housing to remove and replace the socket modules therein; and (d) each end of said plug assembl~ being slldably insertable into a different one of said connector hollow ends with the pins of said receptacle connectors received in the ends of said socket modules said plug assembly being withdrawable from said receptacle connectors by sliding the plug assembly out of said connector hollow ends.
The novel features of the inven-tion are set , ~..~, i2~6~
.
orth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIOM OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure l is an exploded partially sectional view of a connector system constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a partial perspective and exploded view of a socket module of the socket insert assembly of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the socket module of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of Figuxe 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illustrates a connector system 10 which can be used in a hostile environment such as deep within an oil well where part or all of the system is subjected to dirt under considerable heat and pressure.
The system includes a pair o~ connectors 12, 14 having male connector ends 16, 18 that must be interconnected under hostile conditions. In this connnector system, the connector 12 has an opposite end 20 which is also a male end and which connects to a socket connector 22 at the end of a cable, where the connections between the ends 20, ~2 are under less than hostile conditions, in as much as a seal applied around the outside 24 of the connector isolates its opposite ends to protect the end 20 from the extreme hostile environment.
The two male connector ends 16, 18 are interconnected by a socket insert assembly or apparatus 26. The socket insert assembly includes two insulators 23, 30 that have inner ends 32, 34 that abut one another, and outer ends 36, 38. Each insulator has a plurality of through holes ~0, 42 that extend between its opposite ends. A plurality of soc~et modules 44 lie in the holes. Each socket module has a pair of ~ .
opposite socket ends 46, 48 for receiving pin contacts, to interconnect a pair of pin contac~s received in its opposite ends. Each hole 40, 42 of the insulators includes a wide diameter portion S0, 52 extending from the inner end of the respective insulator, for recei~ing the socket module. Each hole also includes a narxow portion 54, 56 near its outer end, which is too naxrow to pass a socket module 44, to thereby retain the socket module i~ place~ However, each narrow portion 54, 56 is wide enough to pass a pin contact, so that a pin contact can enter an end of a socket module~ A socket insert assembly shell 60 surrounds the two insulators to hold them in, although Lt is possible to provide other locking means to hold the lS insulators together.
Each connector includes a group of pin contacts 62, 64 that have middle portions 66 trapped within an insulation member 68 within the connector and are preferably sealed thereto. Each pin contact also has an end 70 that projects from the insulation member into a hollow connector end 72. The contact end is surrounded by a largely cylindrical hollow connector end 74 formed by a shell 76 of the connector. The socket insert assembly 26 is designed to it into the hollow shell end 74 of either male connector end 16, 18 to receive the pin contact ends 70 therein. The depth ! D of each hollow connector end is less than the length L of the soc~et insert assembly. As a result, when one end of the socket insert assembly is fully inserted into a male connector end such as 16, the opposite end ¦ o the socket insert assembly projects therefrom and can be inserted into the other male connector end 18 to contact its pin contacts 64. The length L is less than 2D, so the ex-treme end of the shells can abut one another.
Each socke~ module 44 has a construction such as is shown in Figure 5. The socket module includes a body 80 extending along axis 81/ with a middle portion } 82 and with arcuate opposite end portions 84. A napkin spring 86 fits around each end portion to press a pin contact portion 70 against the inside surface of a body end portion 84. A hood 88 surrounds the end portion 84 7~ ~3 , of the body and the spring 86 to retain them in place.
The hood has an open outer end 90 which is large enough to pass a pin contact but small enough to prevent loss of the spring 86.
Most of the socket modules carry noncritical signals, and have napkin springs which can be deflected by moderate insertion forces. A minority of the socket modules carry critical signals, and low contact resistance then must be assured even when the system is subjected to severe vibrations, shocks, and other disturbances. Where critical signals are carried by a socket module, its napkin spring is stiffer so it applies at least a 50% greater force against a con~act, than does a spring of a module carrying noncritical signals. only a minority of socket modules with stiffer napkin springs are present in a socket insertion assembly, to avoid an excessive connector mating force.
The socket insert assembly 26 (Fig. 1) is designed to facilitate the clean out and replacement of a socket module 44 or insulator in the ~ield. To disassemble the assembly, a snap ring 94 is removed rom a slot near one end of the shell 60, which can be easily accomplished with a screw driver blade or knife. The assembly is then turned so that the'end 38 is lowermost, so that the two insulators may be removed from the shell 60. The two insulators are then turned upside down so that the end 36 is lowermost. The top insulator 30 can then be lifted off of the other one 28 so that ends of a socket modules 44 project from the inner end 32 of the insulator 28. If one of the socket modules 44 is damaged or a few of them require cleaning, they can be lifted out, cleaned, and then replaced. Altexnately, all of the socket modules can be placed in a container and cleaned, and the insulators alld their holes can also be cleaned.
One of the insulators 28 is longer, along the axis 96, than the other 30. Reassembly of the socket assembly is accomplished by orienting the longer insulator 28 with its inner end 32 uppermost, and then inserting the numerous socket modules in the holes 50 of the larger insulator. When the socket madules are ~ J
.
dropped into the longer holes 50 of the longer insulator, their projecting ends are held sufficiently close in position so that the shorter insulatox 30 can fit over them. That is, the module axes are sufficiently parallel to the axes of the insulator holes. The shorter insulator 30 can be lowered into position so that lts inner end 34 abuts the inner end 32 of the longer insulator. Thereafter, the projecting upper ends of the socket modules hold the two insulators 28, 30 in alignment. It may be noted that it would be much harder to assemble the socket module by first inserting the socket modules into the shorter insulator 30, because then the projecting ends of the socket modules would not be closely aligned wi~h the insulator holes; then, it would be difficult to drop the longer module over them.
The diameter of the hole 50, 52 of the insulators is at least about 3% greater than the outer diameter of the socket module 44, to permit slight movement of the socket modules to accomodate the precise spacing of the pin contacts that ~hey receive.
In prior connector systems wherein each half is hermeticall~ sealed, only very slight misali.gnment of mating contacts can be tolerated. However, in the present socket modules both ends of a module are free and the modules can "float" within the insulator, and the spring which engages an inserted pin contact allows more than prior socket deflection. This allows a much greater degree of contact misalignment without degrading the contact arrangement, and provides an automatic cleanin~ action on both the pin and socket contacts during mating and unmating, and even by reason of axial float while the contacts are mated.
After assémbling the two insulators with the socket modules therein, the two insulators as a unit are dropped into the shell 60. The longer insulator 28 has two different outside portions 100, 102 of different diameters, the portion 102 nearest the inner end 32 of the insulator being of larger diameter. This forms a ledge 104 at the intersection of these di~ferent diameter portions. The shell has two different outside diameters to form an inside shoulder --5~
I
I
106 on which the ledge 104 rests. The insulators are freely slidable into the shell, until the ledge 104 rests on the shoulder 106, ~o prevent the insulators from moving further towards a first end 108 of the shell. The snap ring 94 is then installed around a cut away portion 110 at the outer end of the short insulator and into a groove 112, ~o prevent the insulators from moving towards a second end 113 of the shell. The assembly and reassembly o the socket insert assembly is relatively easy and, as mentioned above, can be performed rapidly in the field without any tools except for a screwdriver, knife, or tha like.
Thus, the invention provides a connector system which includes a socket insert assembly that can connect the male ends of a pair of connectors. The socket insert assembly includes individual socket modules that can be easily removed for replacement or cleaning in the field.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art and conse~uently, it is intended that the claims he interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.
Claims
1. A connector system comprising:
(a) a pair of receptacle connectors and a separate plug assembly for mounting with and between said receptacle connectors;
(b) each said receptacle connector having a shell with a hollow end portion, said shell holding an insulation member containing a plurality of spaced pin contacts extending into said hollow end portion, with the pin contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern:
(c) said plug assembly comprising:
(i) a housing, other than said shells, containing first and second insulators, each said insulator having an inner end that substantially abuts the inner end of the other insulator, and each having an outer end, said insulators forming a plurality of through holes arranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of said pins:
(ii) a plurality of elongated socket modules each mounted in a respective one of said through holes, each said socket module having a pair of opposite ends with holes for receiving the pin contacts of said receptacle connectors (iii) each said through hole having a wide diameter portion extending from the inner end of the insulator for receiving a socket module, and each said through hole having a narrow portion near its outer end that is too narrow to pass the socket module therethrough, said wide diameter portions being long enough to receive said socket modules, with opposite ends of each socket module lying in different ends of said insulators:
(iv) means for releasably holding said first and second insulators together in said housing with said socket modules in the insulators to form a self-contained assembly, said holding means permitting intentional removal of the insulators from said housing to remove and replace the socket modules therein; and (d) each end of said plug assembly being slidably insertable into a different one of said connector hollow ends with the pins of said receptacle connectors received in the ends of said socket modules, said plug assembly being withdrawable from said receptacle connectors by sliding the plug assembly out of said connector hollow ends.
(a) a pair of receptacle connectors and a separate plug assembly for mounting with and between said receptacle connectors;
(b) each said receptacle connector having a shell with a hollow end portion, said shell holding an insulation member containing a plurality of spaced pin contacts extending into said hollow end portion, with the pin contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern:
(c) said plug assembly comprising:
(i) a housing, other than said shells, containing first and second insulators, each said insulator having an inner end that substantially abuts the inner end of the other insulator, and each having an outer end, said insulators forming a plurality of through holes arranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of said pins:
(ii) a plurality of elongated socket modules each mounted in a respective one of said through holes, each said socket module having a pair of opposite ends with holes for receiving the pin contacts of said receptacle connectors (iii) each said through hole having a wide diameter portion extending from the inner end of the insulator for receiving a socket module, and each said through hole having a narrow portion near its outer end that is too narrow to pass the socket module therethrough, said wide diameter portions being long enough to receive said socket modules, with opposite ends of each socket module lying in different ends of said insulators:
(iv) means for releasably holding said first and second insulators together in said housing with said socket modules in the insulators to form a self-contained assembly, said holding means permitting intentional removal of the insulators from said housing to remove and replace the socket modules therein; and (d) each end of said plug assembly being slidably insertable into a different one of said connector hollow ends with the pins of said receptacle connectors received in the ends of said socket modules, said plug assembly being withdrawable from said receptacle connectors by sliding the plug assembly out of said connector hollow ends.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US74811185A | 1985-06-24 | 1985-06-24 | |
| US748,111 | 1991-08-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1262760A true CA1262760A (en) | 1989-11-07 |
Family
ID=25008068
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000511643A Expired CA1262760A (en) | 1985-06-24 | 1986-06-16 | Connector system with modular socket assembly |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0209255A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS61296672A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1262760A (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4758175A (en) * | 1986-09-26 | 1988-07-19 | Biw Cable Systems, Inc. | Aircraft ground power cable |
| JP2567687B2 (en) * | 1988-12-23 | 1996-12-25 | 株式会社 茂治 | Cylindrical adapter-socket for relaying small multi-pole plugs |
| DE4120038A1 (en) * | 1991-06-18 | 1992-12-24 | Broadcast Television Syst | CONNECTOR FOR LIGHTWAVE GUIDE |
| US5890930A (en) * | 1993-11-24 | 1999-04-06 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Replaceable contact connector |
| US5542856A (en) * | 1994-04-11 | 1996-08-06 | Tescorp Seismic Products, Inc. | Field repairable electrical connector |
| FR2719710B1 (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 1996-08-02 | Jps Connectic | Electrical interconnection device for at least two elements, in particular a robot arm. |
| CN1210380A (en) * | 1997-08-28 | 1999-03-10 | 徐晓鹰 | Three-pin power cable plug |
| FR2783099B1 (en) | 1998-09-09 | 2000-10-27 | Framatome Connectors France | HERMETIC CONNECTION ASSEMBLY |
| CN106961048B (en) * | 2017-04-10 | 2023-05-23 | 沈阳兴华航空电器有限责任公司 | Switchable socket |
| CN108063356B (en) * | 2017-12-31 | 2023-10-31 | 中国电子科技集团公司第四十研究所 | Auxiliary device for testing multipath radio frequency contact pins |
| KR102550440B1 (en) * | 2021-04-26 | 2023-07-03 | 한국단자공업 주식회사 | Connector for washing machine |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1285608A (en) * | 1968-10-25 | 1972-08-16 | Arthur Ivar Appleton | Electrical connectors |
| GB1594183A (en) * | 1978-01-17 | 1981-07-30 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Underwater electrical connector |
| DE2923876A1 (en) * | 1978-06-16 | 1980-01-03 | Itt Ind Gmbh Deutsche | CONNECTOR |
| DE3041337A1 (en) * | 1980-11-03 | 1982-09-09 | Felten & Guilleaume Energietechnik GmbH, 5000 Köln | HV cable connector for mining equipment - has identical components for each cable end and interfacing adaptor |
-
1986
- 1986-06-16 EP EP86304633A patent/EP0209255A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1986-06-16 CA CA000511643A patent/CA1262760A/en not_active Expired
- 1986-06-23 JP JP61146775A patent/JPS61296672A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0156507B2 (en) | 1989-11-30 |
| EP0209255A1 (en) | 1987-01-21 |
| JPS61296672A (en) | 1986-12-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |