EP2941799A1 - Electrical connector with anti-arcing feature - Google Patents

Electrical connector with anti-arcing feature

Info

Publication number
EP2941799A1
EP2941799A1 EP13870163.6A EP13870163A EP2941799A1 EP 2941799 A1 EP2941799 A1 EP 2941799A1 EP 13870163 A EP13870163 A EP 13870163A EP 2941799 A1 EP2941799 A1 EP 2941799A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrical
contact
connector
connector pair
electrical 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.)
Granted
Application number
EP13870163.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2941799B1 (en
EP2941799A4 (en
Inventor
Charles L. York
Brian F. Davies
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.)
Anderson Power Products Inc
Original Assignee
Anderson Power Products Inc
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 Anderson Power Products Inc filed Critical Anderson Power Products Inc
Publication of EP2941799A1 publication Critical patent/EP2941799A1/en
Publication of EP2941799A4 publication Critical patent/EP2941799A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2941799B1 publication Critical patent/EP2941799B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/53—Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases for high voltage with means for preventing corona or arcing
    • 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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • 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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/6485—Electrostatic discharge protection
    • 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
    • H01R13/03—Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
    • 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
    • H01R13/193—Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction

Definitions

  • the invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to an electrical connector that suppresses arcing if connected or disconnected while current is flowing.
  • Electrical connectors generally should not be connected or disconnected while the electrical load is turned on. Electrical arcing between the separated contacts of a live electrical connector present a hazard of fire and of burns to the user, and any such arcing tends to reduce the useful life of the connector.
  • One approach is to provide a separate, shorter set of contacts within the connector, and configure the connector so that the shorter contacts are engaged after and disengaged before the primary electrical connections. The lack of current across the shorter connection is then used to trigger a separate switching device placed in the primary electrical circuit that shuts off the current in the circuit before the separation of the primary electrical connections.
  • adding an additional contact and switching device increases both the bulk and the cost of the system.
  • Another approach is to include an insulating barrier that covers the leading end of one of the electrical contacts and blocks the direct through-air path between the contacts as the connectors are mated and un-mated.
  • arcing can still occur through an indirect path that by-passes the insulating barrier.
  • a novel connector pair suppresses electrical arcing between separated contacts during mating and un-mating of the connectors, without including an additional connection or switching device.
  • One general aspect of the invention includes an insulating barrier that suppresses arcing between separated contacts during connection and disconnection of the electrical contacts.
  • the insulation barrier of the present invention thereby protects users from electrical burns and extends the useful life of the connector.
  • the insulating barrier includes both a male and a female barrier, at least one of which is configured so that it extends beyond at least one of the contacts and covers the leading edge of the contact.
  • the male and female barriers engage with each other when the contacts are separated, thereby closing off all through- air paths between the contacts and suppressing arcing.
  • arcing between separated contacts is further suppressed by constructing the leading edge of at least one of the electrical contacts from a metal having low electrical conductivity, so that the electrical resistance of the connection is significantly increased immediately before the contacts are separated, thereby lowering the electrical current and the energy available for electrical arcing, without adding an additional connection or any special switching circuitry.
  • At least one of the electrical contacts in at least one of the connectors is a bi-metal contact having a metallic composition that is configured to create within the contact an operating segment that has low resistance and a transitional segment that has high
  • transitional segment makes exclusive initial and final contact during mating and un-mating of the connectors, and the operating segment conducts current when the connectors are fully mated.
  • the transitional segment is located at the leading end of the electrical contact.
  • Figure 1 A is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a prior art male and female connector pair in a connected configuration
  • Figure I B is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the prior art connector pair of Figure 1A showing arcing during disconnection;
  • Figure 2A is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a male and female connector pair in a connected configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2B is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the connector pair of Figure 2A, showing suppression of arcing by the insulating barrier during disconnection;
  • Figure 3A is a top view of a male and female connector pair shown in a connected configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the connector pair of Figure 3A;
  • Figure 4A is a top view of the male and female connector pair of Figure 3A shown in a partially disconnected configuration.
  • Figure 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the connector pair of Figure 4A;
  • Figure 5A is a partial cross-sectional side view of a connector pair similar to Figure 2A, but including a contact having a leading segment made from a high resistance metal;
  • Figure 5B is a cross-sectional side view of the connector pair of Figure 5A, shown in a partially disconnected configuration.
  • a typical male and female connector pair of the prior art includes a male contact 100 and a female contact 102.
  • One of the contacts (here the female contact 102) is flexible and is placed under tension by a spring 1 12 so that a shaped region of the contact 102 will ride over the leading end of the male contact 100 and press against a connecting surface of the male contact 100 when the connectors are mated.
  • Insulated housings 104, 106 surround the male and female contacts, and shield the contacts from environmental hazards, as well as providing some protection to a user in case arcing occurs when the user is handling the connector pair.
  • additional insulating structures 108, 1 10 are provided proximal to the outer faces of the contacts 100, 102 to support the contacts 100, 102, and to provide receiving channels for the two insulating housings 104, 106 to mate.
  • a spring 1 12 is also included to provide a pressing tension between the flexible female contact 102 and the fixed male electrical contact 100.
  • Figure IB shows the connector pair of Figure 1A having been partially disconnected while a voltage is still being applied.
  • the leading ends of the two contacts 100, 102 are separated by a short gap, and through-air electrical arcing 1 14 is taking place between them.
  • Figure 2A is a partial cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in a connected configuration.
  • the embodiment is similar to the prior art design of Figure 1A, except that the insulating support structures 108, 1 10 have been replaced by insulating barrier structures 200, 202.
  • the male insulating barrier structure 200 extends beyond the male contact 100, and covers the leading end of the male contact 100.
  • the female insulating barrier 202 extends beyond the female contact 102.
  • the female barrier 202 is in front of the leading end of the female contact. In similar embodiments it covers or nearly covers the end of the female contact.
  • Figure 2B is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the embodiment of Figure 2A shown in a partially disconnected configuration.
  • the male insulating barrier 200 is very near to or physically in contact with the femail insulating barrier 202, thereby blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths between the contacts 100, 102.
  • Some embodiments include a spring or other tensioning mechanism that presses the male and female insulating barriers against each other when the connectors are partially disconnected.
  • Figure 3A is a top view of the complete connector pair of which Figures 2A and 2B are partial cross sections, shown in a connected configuration.
  • Figure 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the complete connector of Figure 3 A.
  • Figure 4A is a top view of the complete connector pair of which Figures 2A and 2B are partial cross sections, shown in a partially disconnected configuration.
  • Figure 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the complete connector of Figure 4A.
  • FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment similar to Figure 2A, except that the leading end 500 of the male contact 100 is made from high resistance metal.
  • the figure shows the connector in a connected configuration, where the female contact 102 physically engages with a part of the male contact 100 that is low resistance, for example copper.
  • Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 5 A shown in a partially disconnected configuration, where the female contact 102 is engaged with the high resistance end 500 of the male contact 100. It can be seen from the figure that during disengagement, the end of the female contact 102 slides from the low resistance portion of the male contact 100 onto the high resistance portion 500 of the male contact 100, and then onto the male insulating barrier 202 which blocks any tendency of the current to arc from the female contact 102 to the end 500 of the male contact 100. The resistance of the circuit is thereby increased during disconnection in two steps, rather than transitioning suddenly from low resistance to near-infinite resistance.
  • the insulating barriers 200, 202 are omitted, and arcing is suppressed primarily by manufacturing the leading end of at least one of the contacts 100 from a metal such as nickel-chrome or stainless steel that has a high electrical resistance 500.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

A novel connector pair suppresses arcing during connection and disconnection. In one general aspect of the invention, first and second insulating barriers are configured to extend beyond corresponding first and second contacts, the barriers being arranged to cover a leading end of at least one of the contacts, and to engage with each other when the contacts are separated by a small gap, thereby closing off substantially all through-air arcing paths between them. In another general aspect of the invention, at least one electrical contact in a connector pair is a bimetal contact having a transitional segment made from high resistivity metal. The transitional segment is configured to make first and last contact during the initial phases of mating and un-mating, thereby increasing electrical resistance and significantly lowering the electrical current and the energy available for electrical arcing.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH ANTI-ARCING FEATURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly, to an electrical connector that suppresses arcing if connected or disconnected while current is flowing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electrical connectors generally should not be connected or disconnected while the electrical load is turned on. Electrical arcing between the separated contacts of a live electrical connector present a hazard of fire and of burns to the user, and any such arcing tends to reduce the useful life of the connector.
[0003] Nevertheless, due to the fallibility of human nature, it remains true that electrical connectors may at times be inadvertently connected or disconnected while the electrical load is turned on. When the electricity is alternating current, arcing is less of a problem, because the sinusoidal nature of the alternating current will cause the voltage to be zero at some point during the electrical contact separation, and any arcing will tend to self-extinguish. However, when the electricity is direct current, the voltage is constant and never zero, and electrical arcing between the separating contacts will be maintained over a substantial range of contact separations, creating a burn hazard for the user and reducing the useful life of the connector.
[0004] One approach is to provide a separate, shorter set of contacts within the connector, and configure the connector so that the shorter contacts are engaged after and disengaged before the primary electrical connections. The lack of current across the shorter connection is then used to trigger a separate switching device placed in the primary electrical circuit that shuts off the current in the circuit before the separation of the primary electrical connections. However, adding an additional contact and switching device increases both the bulk and the cost of the system.
[0005] Another approach is to include an insulating barrier that covers the leading end of one of the electrical contacts and blocks the direct through-air path between the contacts as the connectors are mated and un-mated. However, in this approach arcing can still occur through an indirect path that by-passes the insulating barrier.
[0006] What is needed, therefore, is an electrical connector that suppresses electrical arcing between separated contacts during connection and disconnection, without adding an additional connection and switching device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A novel connector pair suppresses electrical arcing between separated contacts during mating and un-mating of the connectors, without including an additional connection or switching device. One general aspect of the invention includes an insulating barrier that suppresses arcing between separated contacts during connection and disconnection of the electrical contacts. The insulation barrier of the present invention thereby protects users from electrical burns and extends the useful life of the connector.
[0008] The insulating barrier includes both a male and a female barrier, at least one of which is configured so that it extends beyond at least one of the contacts and covers the leading edge of the contact. The male and female barriers engage with each other when the contacts are separated, thereby closing off all through- air paths between the contacts and suppressing arcing.
[0009] In embodiments, arcing between separated contacts is further suppressed by constructing the leading edge of at least one of the electrical contacts from a metal having low electrical conductivity, so that the electrical resistance of the connection is significantly increased immediately before the contacts are separated, thereby lowering the electrical current and the energy available for electrical arcing, without adding an additional connection or any special switching circuitry.
[0010] In another general aspect of the present invention, at least one of the electrical contacts in at least one of the connectors is a bi-metal contact having a metallic composition that is configured to create within the contact an operating segment that has low resistance and a transitional segment that has high
resistance, where the transitional segment makes exclusive initial and final contact during mating and un-mating of the connectors, and the operating segment conducts current when the connectors are fully mated. In embodiments, the transitional segment is located at the leading end of the electrical contact.
[0011] The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims.
Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Figure 1 A is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a prior art male and female connector pair in a connected configuration;
[0013] Figure I B is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the prior art connector pair of Figure 1A showing arcing during disconnection;
[0014] Figure 2A is a partial cross-sectional diagram of a male and female connector pair in a connected configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] Figure 2B is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the connector pair of Figure 2A, showing suppression of arcing by the insulating barrier during disconnection;
[0016] Figure 3A is a top view of a male and female connector pair shown in a connected configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the connector pair of Figure 3A;
[0018] Figure 4A is a top view of the male and female connector pair of Figure 3A shown in a partially disconnected configuration.
[0019] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the connector pair of Figure 4A;
[0020] Figure 5A is a partial cross-sectional side view of a connector pair similar to Figure 2A, but including a contact having a leading segment made from a high resistance metal; and
[0021] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional side view of the connector pair of Figure 5A, shown in a partially disconnected configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] With reference to Figure 1A, a typical male and female connector pair of the prior art includes a male contact 100 and a female contact 102. One of the contacts (here the female contact 102) is flexible and is placed under tension by a spring 1 12 so that a shaped region of the contact 102 will ride over the leading end of the male contact 100 and press against a connecting surface of the male contact 100 when the connectors are mated. Insulated housings 104, 106 surround the male and female contacts, and shield the contacts from environmental hazards, as well as providing some protection to a user in case arcing occurs when the user is handling the connector pair. In the prior art example of Figure 1A, additional insulating structures 108, 1 10 are provided proximal to the outer faces of the contacts 100, 102 to support the contacts 100, 102, and to provide receiving channels for the two insulating housings 104, 106 to mate. A spring 1 12 is also included to provide a pressing tension between the flexible female contact 102 and the fixed male electrical contact 100.
[0023] Figure IB shows the connector pair of Figure 1A having been partially disconnected while a voltage is still being applied. The leading ends of the two contacts 100, 102 are separated by a short gap, and through-air electrical arcing 1 14 is taking place between them.
[0024] Figure 2A is a partial cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in a connected configuration. The embodiment is similar to the prior art design of Figure 1A, except that the insulating support structures 108, 1 10 have been replaced by insulating barrier structures 200, 202. The male insulating barrier structure 200 extends beyond the male contact 100, and covers the leading end of the male contact 100. The female insulating barrier 202 extends beyond the female contact 102. In this embodiment, the female barrier 202 is in front of the leading end of the female contact. In similar embodiments it covers or nearly covers the end of the female contact.
[0025] Figure 2B is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the embodiment of Figure 2A shown in a partially disconnected configuration. Although the ends of the two contacts 100, 102 are not separated by a large distance, the male insulating barrier 200 is very near to or physically in contact with the femail insulating barrier 202, thereby blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths between the contacts 100, 102. Some embodiments include a spring or other tensioning mechanism that presses the male and female insulating barriers against each other when the connectors are partially disconnected.
[0026] Figure 3A is a top view of the complete connector pair of which Figures 2A and 2B are partial cross sections, shown in a connected configuration. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the complete connector of Figure 3 A. Figure 4A is a top view of the complete connector pair of which Figures 2A and 2B are partial cross sections, shown in a partially disconnected configuration. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the complete connector of Figure 4A.
[0027] With reference to Figures 5A and 5B, the suppression of arcing of the present invention is enhanced in some embodiments by manufacturing the leading end of at least one of the contacts 100 from a metal such as nickel-chrome or stainless steel that has a high electrical resistance 500. Figure 5A is a partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment similar to Figure 2A, except that the leading end 500 of the male contact 100 is made from high resistance metal. The figure shows the connector in a connected configuration, where the female contact 102 physically engages with a part of the male contact 100 that is low resistance, for example copper.
[0028] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 5 A shown in a partially disconnected configuration, where the female contact 102 is engaged with the high resistance end 500 of the male contact 100. It can be seen from the figure that during disengagement, the end of the female contact 102 slides from the low resistance portion of the male contact 100 onto the high resistance portion 500 of the male contact 100, and then onto the male insulating barrier 202 which blocks any tendency of the current to arc from the female contact 102 to the end 500 of the male contact 100. The resistance of the circuit is thereby increased during disconnection in two steps, rather than transitioning suddenly from low resistance to near-infinite resistance.
[0029] In another general aspect of the present invention, the insulating barriers 200, 202 are omitted, and arcing is suppressed primarily by manufacturing the leading end of at least one of the contacts 100 from a metal such as nickel-chrome or stainless steel that has a high electrical resistance 500.
[0030] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector pair, comprising:
a first connector having a first insulating housing;
a first electrical contact supported within the first insulating housing, the first electrical contact having a connecting surface that is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the insulating housing and terminates in a leading end of the first electrical contact, the connecting surface including a transitional section at the leading end and an operating section adjacent to the transitional section, the transitional section having a higher resistance than the operating section;
a second connector having a second insulating housing;
a second electrical contact supported within the second insulating housing, the second electrical contact being configured to laterally engage with the operating section of the connecting surface of the first electrical contact when the first connector is fully mated with the second connector, the second electrical contact being configured to engage exclusively with the transitional section of the connecting surface of the first electrical contact during an initial phase of mating and a final stage of un-mating of the connectors,
a first insulating barrier within the first connector extending beyond and covering the leading end of the first electrical contact; and
a second insulating barrier extending beyond the second electrical contact within the second connector, the second insulating barrier being configured so as to be in close proximity with the first insulating barrier when the first and second connectors are partially disconnected and the first and second electrical contacts are separated by a short distance, thereby blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths between the first and second electrical contacts.
2. The connector pair of claim 1 , further comprising a contact tensioning mechanism that presses the second electrical contact against the engaging surface of the first electrical contact when the first and second connectors are connected.
3. The connector pair of claim 3, wherein the contact tensioning mechanism includes a spring.
4. The connector pair of claim 1 , further comprising a barrier tensioning mechanism that presses the first and second insulating barriers against each other when the first and second connectors are partially disconnected and the first and second electrical contacts are separated by a short distance.
5. The connector pair of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical contact is a bi- metal contact, and the transitional section is made from a metal having a higher resistance than a metal from which the operating section is made.
6. The connector pair of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrical contacts includes a terminal for crimping to a wire. 7, The connector pair of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrical contacts includes a terminal for soldering to a printed circuit or wiring board. 8. The connector pair of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrical contacts includes a terminal for soldering a wire or and electrical component to the contact. 9. The connector pair of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrical contacts includes a terminal using insulation displacement for attaching a wire to the contact. 10. The connector pair of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrical contacts includes a screw terminal for attaching a wire to the contact. 1 1. The connector pair of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second electrical contact is configured with a terminal using a spring mechanism for attaching at least one wire to the contact. 12. An electrical connector pair, comprising: a first connector having a first insulating housing;
a first electrical contact supported within the first insulating housing;
a second connector having a second insulating housing; and
a second electrical contact supported within the second insulating housing, the second electrical contact being a bi-metal contact having an operating segment through which current flows when the connectors are fully mated, and a
transitional segment through which electrical current flows exclusively during an initial phase of mating and a final stage of un-mating of the connectors, the transitional segment having a metallic composition causing it to be higher in resistivity than the operating segment. 13. The connector pair of claim 12, wherein the transitional segment is at a leading end of one of the electrical contacts. 14. The connector pair of claim 12, further comprising a contact tensioning mechanism that presses one of the electrical contacts against the other electrical contact when the first and second connectors are connected. 15. The connector pair of claim 14, wherein the contact tensioning mechanism includes a spring. 16. The connector pair of claim 12, further comprising:
a first insulating barrier extending beyond the first electrical contact within the first connector; and
a second insulating barrier extending beyond and covering the leading end of the second electrical contact, the second insulating barrier being configured so as to be in close proximity with the first insulating barrier when the first and second connectors are partially disconnected and the first and second electrical contacts are separated by a short distance, thereby blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths between the first and second electrical connectors. 17. The connector pair of claim 16, further comprising a barrier tensioning mechanism that presses the first and second insulating barriers against each other when the first and second connectors are partially disconnected and the first and second electrical contacts are separated by a short distance.
EP13870163.6A 2013-01-04 2013-01-04 Electrical connector with anti-arcing feature Active EP2941799B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2013/020208 WO2014107156A1 (en) 2013-01-04 2013-01-04 Electrical connector with anti-arcing feature

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2941799A1 true EP2941799A1 (en) 2015-11-11
EP2941799A4 EP2941799A4 (en) 2016-10-12
EP2941799B1 EP2941799B1 (en) 2018-04-18

Family

ID=51062393

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13870163.6A Active EP2941799B1 (en) 2013-01-04 2013-01-04 Electrical connector with anti-arcing feature

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2941799B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6282286B2 (en)
CN (1) CN104904073B (en)
WO (1) WO2014107156A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9728880B2 (en) * 2015-09-30 2017-08-08 Smk Corporation Hotline contacting structure
JP6344415B2 (en) * 2015-09-30 2018-06-20 Smk株式会社 Contact structure
JP6623853B2 (en) * 2016-03-10 2019-12-25 Smk株式会社 Contact structure
LU93125B1 (en) * 2016-06-28 2018-01-24 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co Kg Intellectual Property Licenses & Standards Connector having a contact portion for discharging an arc
CN107658595A (en) * 2017-08-30 2018-02-02 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 It is segmented safety socket and plug
CN107369977B (en) * 2017-09-04 2023-04-18 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Direct current plug, direct current socket and consumer
US10505312B2 (en) * 2018-02-07 2019-12-10 Smiths Interconnect Americas, Inc. Hot mate contact system
KR20200026583A (en) * 2018-09-03 2020-03-11 삼성전자주식회사 In and out port and electronic device including the same
WO2023051957A1 (en) * 2021-09-30 2023-04-06 Eaton Intelligent Power Limited Electrical connection arrangement for reducing arc energy and erosion in a contact system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0354074A1 (en) * 1988-08-01 1990-02-07 Société anonyme dite: LABINAL Electrical connectors
US5213517A (en) * 1992-02-10 1993-05-25 G & H Technology, Inc. Separable electrodes with electric arc quenching means
KR20010078101A (en) * 2000-01-28 2001-08-20 루이스 에이. 헥트 Electric connector with spring contact terminal
DE10149201C1 (en) * 2001-10-05 2003-06-18 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Electrical connector for motor vehicle has elastically-deformable element which deforms when electrical connection is made, and separates contacts when securing device is released
US7946871B1 (en) * 2010-03-11 2011-05-24 Alltop Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly having structures for preventing arc-discharge

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5333826Y2 (en) * 1973-09-04 1978-08-19
US5641308A (en) * 1995-04-28 1997-06-24 Molex Incorporated Electrical connector
JP3196018B2 (en) * 1997-03-31 2001-08-06 日本航空電子工業株式会社 Relay connector with shield mechanism
US6537091B2 (en) * 2000-11-28 2003-03-25 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Arc discharge suppressive terminal, method for producing such terminal, and arc discharge suppressive connector
US7163753B2 (en) * 2002-04-15 2007-01-16 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Arc-resistant terminal, arc-resistant terminal couple and connector or the like for automobile
JP3980463B2 (en) * 2002-11-05 2007-09-26 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 Arc-resistant terminals, arc-proof terminal pairs, and automotive connectors
JP2011113805A (en) * 2009-11-26 2011-06-09 Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd Receptacle

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0354074A1 (en) * 1988-08-01 1990-02-07 Société anonyme dite: LABINAL Electrical connectors
US5213517A (en) * 1992-02-10 1993-05-25 G & H Technology, Inc. Separable electrodes with electric arc quenching means
KR20010078101A (en) * 2000-01-28 2001-08-20 루이스 에이. 헥트 Electric connector with spring contact terminal
DE10149201C1 (en) * 2001-10-05 2003-06-18 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Electrical connector for motor vehicle has elastically-deformable element which deforms when electrical connection is made, and separates contacts when securing device is released
US7946871B1 (en) * 2010-03-11 2011-05-24 Alltop Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly having structures for preventing arc-discharge

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2014107156A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP6282286B2 (en) 2018-02-21
CN104904073A (en) 2015-09-09
CN104904073B (en) 2018-05-29
EP2941799B1 (en) 2018-04-18
EP2941799A4 (en) 2016-10-12
WO2014107156A1 (en) 2014-07-10
JP2016502256A (en) 2016-01-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2941799B1 (en) Electrical connector with anti-arcing feature
US8808017B2 (en) Electrical connector with anti-arcing feature
JP6096303B2 (en) connector
US8847712B2 (en) Receptacle type ground fault circuit interrupter with reverse wire protection
NZ583989A (en) Stirrup-type power utility electrical connector assembly with conductors captured between channel portions and corresponding nested wedge portions
WO2008102276A3 (en) Contact for electrical connector
JP2015518237A5 (en)
MX2009013441A (en) Switching pole for a high-voltage network.
US20150171538A1 (en) Connection terminal
JP5770547B2 (en) connector
NZ595956A (en) A circuit breaker with a differential current protection device, an auxiliary contact and a disconnection actuator powered from line voltage
EP3358594B1 (en) Single-stage circuit breaker
US7588451B2 (en) Plug with a spark meltdown-proof structure
US7588469B2 (en) Safely separating electrical connecting system
EP1284526A3 (en) Electrical connector with shunt for hot mating and unmating
CN104409292A (en) Residual current circuit breaker
RU2635356C2 (en) Circuit breaker adapter for circuit breaker plug-in panel
JP6585762B2 (en) Electrical connector assembly
CN102832045A (en) Electric appliance element pin with bushing limiting structure and electric appliance element
TWI541851B (en) Circuit breaker
JP6296037B2 (en) Contact structure
KR200473205Y1 (en) Flexible shunt in current carrying part of vacuum circuit breaker
TWM479544U (en) Power socket extension cord
WO2009122076A3 (en) Device for preventing the establishment of an electric arc between two conductive elements
KR20120057232A (en) Connector assembly for switch

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20150731

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20160912

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H01R 13/648 20060101ALI20160906BHEP

Ipc: H01R 13/193 20060101ALN20160906BHEP

Ipc: H01R 13/53 20060101AFI20160906BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H01R 13/648 20060101ALI20171011BHEP

Ipc: H01R 13/53 20060101AFI20171011BHEP

Ipc: H01R 13/193 20060101ALN20171011BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20171110

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602013036276

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 991419

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180515

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: TR-IP CONSULTING LLC, CH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20180418

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180718

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180718

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180719

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 991419

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180820

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602013036276

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20190121

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20190131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PCAR

Free format text: NEW ADDRESS: ROUTE DU COUTSET 18, 1485 NUVILLY (CH)

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180818

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20130104

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180418

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230601

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20240125

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240129

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20240201

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240129

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20240127

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240122

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240125

Year of fee payment: 12