EP0430483A1 - Connecteur électrique - Google Patents

Connecteur électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0430483A1
EP0430483A1 EP90312345A EP90312345A EP0430483A1 EP 0430483 A1 EP0430483 A1 EP 0430483A1 EP 90312345 A EP90312345 A EP 90312345A EP 90312345 A EP90312345 A EP 90312345A EP 0430483 A1 EP0430483 A1 EP 0430483A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
socket
pin
electrical connector
contact
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP90312345A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Jamie Mark Whitehead
Philip Jeffrey Limbrick
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Original Assignee
Jaguar Cars Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jaguar Cars Ltd filed Critical Jaguar Cars Ltd
Publication of EP0430483A1 publication Critical patent/EP0430483A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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
    • H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular to electrical connectors for use in industrial robots employed to carry out resistance welding operations.
  • the welding guns used with these robot welding machines typically require a 415V three phase electrical supply and also supplies of water for cooling, and compressed air to control movement of the electrodes to clamp the workpiece therebetween. Connectors are consequently required for these services, so that one gun can be removed from the robot and replaced automatically by another.
  • the components of the gun ciiange system are of necessity in close proximity to the electrical connections.
  • water can leak from the connector and find its way to the electrical connections causing shorting between the contacts thereof. Shorting of the electrical connections may result in fusing of the equipment, so that the assembly line must be shut down until the fuses are replaced.
  • arcing may occur between the electrical connections causing spark erosion of the contacts and insulation therebetween, thus severely reducing the life of the electrical connectors and ultimately requiring extended shut down periods whilst the detail parts within the gun change system are replaced.
  • the present invention provides an electrical connector for a robot welding machine in which the electrical contacts are effectively sealed from one another, so that shorting due to water leakage will be avoided.
  • an electrical connector for a robot welding machine with automatically interchangeable welding guns comprises a pair of electrical contacts, one of said contacts defining a tubular socket and the other contact defining a pin which is an interference fit within the socket, each contact has connection means by which it may be connected to a conductor, characterised in that the portion of each of the contacts defining the connection means and a portion of the conductor connected thereto is sealed within a respective housing made of insulative material, the pin and socket protruding from their respective housings, the portion of the socket protruding from its housing being sheathed by a sleeve of insulative material, the portion of the pin extending from its housing being surrounded by a tubular formation of insulative material, the internal diameter of the tubular formation being greater than the external diameter of the sleeve, and means being provided to produce a seal between the sleeve and tubular formation when the pin engages in the socket.
  • the connector comprises a plurality of pairs of interengaging contacts, one contact of each pair being located in spaced relationship in a common housing and complementary contacts being located in the same spaced relationship in another common housing.
  • the connector assembly illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a robot assembly 10, as illustrated in Figure 1, which is mounted on a robot arm; and a gun assembly 20, as illustrated in Figure 2, which forms part of a welding gun.
  • the robot assembly 10 comprises a generally cylindrical housing 11.
  • a series of conical nozzles 15 extend from the end face 12 of the housing 11 which is remote from the robot arm.
  • the nozzles 15 are connected to ports 16 by which they may be connected, via flexible hoses, to external services.
  • the nozzles 15 include spring loaded valve means which are opened when the robot assembly 10 and gun assembly 20 are brought into engagement and closed when the assemblies 10 and 20 are separated.
  • the gun assembly 20 which is again of generally cylindrical configuration, has a series of ports 22 corresponding to the conical nozzles 15, in the end face 21 opposed to face 11 of the robot assembly 10.
  • the ports 22 have seals for engagement with the nozzles 15 to provide a seal therebetween and also a valve means similar to those of the nozzles 15 to open and close the ports 22.
  • the nozzles 15 and complimentary ports 22 provide; connections for compressed air to control the orientation and clamping of the welding electrodes; and for supplying water to and draining water from the welding electrodes and a transformer which forms part of the welding gun, for cooling purposes.
  • Three angularly spaced conical pins 17 on the robot assembly 11 are arranged for engagement in corresponding conical bores 23 on the gun assembly 20, to provide alignment of the two assemblies 10 and 20, as they are brought together.
  • the robot assembly 10 is also provided with three similarly spaced pneumatically operated dogs 15, which are adapted to engage in corresponding lugs 25 on the gun assembly 20, when the assemblies 10 and 20 are engaged, to clamp the assemblies 10 and 20 together.
  • the robot assembly 10 and gun assembly 20 are also provided with interengaging low voltage electrical connectors 19 and 26 by which control signals may be transmitted to the welding gun.
  • a welding current typically 12,000 amps at 40 volts, is supplied by a transformer which forms part of the welding gun.
  • This transformer is powered by a 415 volt three phase supply at 70 amps, which is connected to the welding gun by means of a three pin electrical connector 30, illustrated In greater detail in Figure 3.
  • the electrical connector 30 comprises a socket assembly 31 which is mounted centrally of the robot assembly 10 and a plug assembly 32 which is mounted in a corresponding position on the gun assembly 20.
  • the socket assembly 31 comprises three electrical contacts 35 which are located in spaced relationship in a housing 36 made of insulative material, for example an Acetal Hesin such as "Delrin” (registered trade mark).
  • the contacts 35 have a tubular socket portion 37 which extends partially from the housing 36, and a base portion 38 which spreads the axial loads applied to the socket portion 37, as the plug and socket assemblies 32 and 31 are engaged and separated.
  • a bore 39 transverse to the socket portion 37, is also provided on the base portion 38, in which a conductor 40 may engage, the conductor 40 being clamped in the bore 39 by a grub screw 41 which engages in a threaded cross bore 42.
  • the conductor 40 has an insulated sheath and emerges from the housing 36 through the side wall thereof.
  • each of the contacts 35 is sheathed by a tubular sleeve 45 mode of insulative material similar to the housing 36.
  • a flange portion 46 at one end of the sheath 45 abuts the base portion 38 while the other end of sleeve 45 extends beyond the end of socket portion 37, thereby preventing accidental contact with the live contacts 35.
  • Sleeve 45 is located through an aperture 47 in the housing 36, the inner end of this aperture 47 being counterbored to accommodate the flange portion 46.
  • partitions 48 are provided in the housing 36 to separate the contacts 35 and conductors 40 from one another.
  • a cover member 50 is fastened to the housing 36 by means of a series of screws 51 to close the housing 36.
  • Sealing means 52 are provided between the cover member 50 and housing 36 and the voids left between contacts 35, conductors 40 and the partitions 48 are filled with an insulative sealant, in order to ensure that the contacts 35 and conductors 40 are insulated from one another and fluid can not penetrate the connector.
  • Suitable insulating sealants include silicone compounds; silicone rubbers, pastes or compounds; two part room temperature vulcanising compounds; acrylic sealants; polyurethane compounds; or epoxy potting compounds.
  • the socket assembly 31 is secured to a recess portion 54 of the face 11 of the robot assembly 10, by means of screws 55.
  • the plug portion 32 of the electrical connector 30 has three contacts 60 which are located in a housing 61 made of insulating material similar to housing 36.
  • the contacts 60 are located in the housing 61 in the same spaced relationship as the contacts 35.
  • Each contact 60 has a pin portion 62, an intermediate portion 63 of enlarged diameter and a base portion 64 of even greater diameter.
  • the pin portion 62 is located externally of the housing 60.
  • the intermediate portion 63 which is located in the housing 60 provides a connector by which the conductor 65 may be connected to the contact 60.
  • a transverse bore 66 is provided in the intermediate portion 63 of the contact 60, so that the conductor 65 may engage in the bore 66, a grub screw 67 being located in a threaded axial bore 68, by means of which the conductor 65 may be clamped in the bore 66.
  • the base portion 64 serves to spread axial loads which are applied to the pin portion 62 of contact 60, when the plug and socket assemblies 32 and 31 are engaged and separated.
  • Each contact 60 is surrounded by tubular formation 70 made of insulative material.
  • the formation 70 engages the base and intermediate portions 64 and 63 of contact 60, within the housing 61 and a portion 75 extends externally of the housing 61 part way along the pin portion 62 but is spaced radially of the pin portion 62.
  • the tubular formation 70 extends through an aperture 72 in the housing 61, a flange formation 73 locating in a counterbore 74 at the inner end of the aperture 72.
  • the conductor 65 has an insulating sheath which emerges from the housing 61 through the side wall thereof.
  • the housing 61 is partitioned to separate the contacts 60 and conductors 65 from one another.
  • a cover member 76 is a screw fit within the housing 61 and sealing means 77 are provided therebetween.
  • the voids within the housing 61 may be filled with a sealant such as silicone, to prevent ingress of fluids, in similar manner to the socket assembly 31.
  • the portion 75 of the tubular formation 70 has an internal diameter greater than that of the sleeves 45, so that when the plug and socket assemblies 32 and 31 are brought together, the pin portions 62 of contacts 60 will engage the socket portions 37 of contacts 35 to make the electrical connection, the sleeves 45 extend into the tubular formations 70.
  • a circumferential groove 80 is provided on the internal diameter of each of the tubular formations 70 and elastomeric O-rings 81 are located in the grooves 80 so that when the connection is made, the sleeves 45 will engage the O-rings 81 to provide a fluid tight seal between each of the sleeves 45 and tubular formations 70, thus preventing fluid from reaching the contacts 35 and 60.
  • a tubular spring element 83 is provided in each of the socket portions 37 of contacts 35, in order to ensure a good electrical contact with the pin portions 62 of contacts 60.
  • the pin portions 62 of contact 60 may be split axially and sprung apart.
  • the plug assembly 32 is located in a recessed portion in face 21 of the gun assembly 20 by means of shouldered fixing screws 84, which extend through oversize elongate holes 85 in the housing 61, so as to permit a small amount of transverse movement, in order to accommodate small misalignments of the socket and plug assemblies 31 and 32.
  • the sleeves 45 and tubular formations 70 are formed separately of the respective housings 31 and 61, these may be moulded as an integral part of the housing.
  • the respective housings may be of monolithic construction, being moulded directly about the contacts 35 and 60 and associated conductors 40 and 65. The number and disposition of contacts 35 and 60 may also be varied as desired.
  • the electrical contacts 35 and 60 may be made of any suitable conductive material, for example silver plated brass. While in the above embodiment the conductors 40,65 are connected to the contacts 35 and 60 by screw clamping means, other releasable or permanent fixing means may be used, for example riveting, staking, crimping, cold soldering, hot soldering or brazing may be employed.
  • the connector may be used in other applications, particularly where there is a danger that a conductive fluid may come into contact with the connector, for example in multi or press welders with quick change devices.
  • the connector may however be used where leakage of conductive fluid is not a significant problem, for example in the electrical connection between a robot and stud welding equipment.
  • the connector of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in high voltage applications, the connector may also be used for low voltage applications, for example to transmit electrical control signals, where shorting between contacts may result in malfunctioning of the equipment.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Resistance Welding (AREA)
EP90312345A 1989-11-22 1990-11-13 Connecteur électrique Withdrawn EP0430483A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8926353 1989-11-22
GB898926353A GB8926353D0 (en) 1989-11-22 1989-11-22 Electrical connectors

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0430483A1 true EP0430483A1 (fr) 1991-06-05

Family

ID=10666696

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90312345A Withdrawn EP0430483A1 (fr) 1989-11-22 1990-11-13 Connecteur électrique

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0430483A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH03210973A (fr)
GB (1) GB8926353D0 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0570650A1 (fr) * 1992-05-22 1993-11-24 Multi-Contact Ag Connecteur électrique
US5360355A (en) * 1992-05-08 1994-11-01 Multi-Contact Ag Contact apparatus
FR2870049A1 (fr) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-11 Yazaki Corp Element boitier avec partie connecteur

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9683132B2 (en) * 2015-09-11 2017-06-20 Advanced Consulting Technologies, Inc. Process for protecting an electronic device by selective deposition of polymer coatings

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2575337A1 (fr) * 1984-12-21 1986-06-27 Jay Electronique Sa Connecteur electrique
DE3609405A1 (de) * 1986-03-20 1987-09-24 Daimler Benz Ag Elektro-pneumatische steckverbindung
US4871328A (en) * 1988-09-14 1989-10-03 Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. Hermetically sealing connector and method of use thereof

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2575337A1 (fr) * 1984-12-21 1986-06-27 Jay Electronique Sa Connecteur electrique
DE3609405A1 (de) * 1986-03-20 1987-09-24 Daimler Benz Ag Elektro-pneumatische steckverbindung
US4871328A (en) * 1988-09-14 1989-10-03 Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. Hermetically sealing connector and method of use thereof

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5360355A (en) * 1992-05-08 1994-11-01 Multi-Contact Ag Contact apparatus
EP0570650A1 (fr) * 1992-05-22 1993-11-24 Multi-Contact Ag Connecteur électrique
FR2870049A1 (fr) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-11 Yazaki Corp Element boitier avec partie connecteur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8926353D0 (en) 1990-01-10
JPH03210973A (ja) 1991-09-13

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