FR2477787A1 - Multi-wire cables electrical connector - has pronged male part with female receptacle formed by coil spring - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector comprises a male connector part and a female connector part. The male connector part comprises a number of prongs. The male prongs are adapted for effortless insertion with substantially no force required for insertion into the female receptacle with the connector parts, after insertion being lockable into an electrically tight condition. The male prong construction may be in the form of a cylindrical rod or any other shape as a ribbed configuration. The female receptacle is formed by a coil spring having each coil of the spring adapted to squeeze the male probe providing, as the connector parts are locked, self-wiping action during the quick locking procedure. The self-wiping action cleans the mating parts of the electrical connector.

Description

 The invention relates to electrical coupling devices commonly referred to as electrical connectors.

The connector is commonly used to interconnect wires, cables, or other conductors. In accordance with the present invention, the connector essentially provides a frictionless insertion between a male member and a female member.

 In many connector constructions, especially those used with multi-conductor cables, considerable force is usually required to couple the two connector parts. According to the invention, the pins or male projections are capable of being engaged in the female receiving housings, without notable physical resistance on the part of the housings during the insertion operation.

 An automatic rubbing action between the individual housings and the beehives occurs, ensuring cleaning of the parts to be assembled, for example films of undesirable impurities which may be on the parts.

This ensures an absolutely perfect electrical connection.

This cleaning action occurs during the quick coupling process between the male connector and the female connector.

 since, according to the invention, the insertion of the male connector element into the housings does not require any significant force, and, since the locking process also requires practically no force, the connector of the invention can then be constituted with a large number of pins and housings without posing any problem as regards the coupling of the male and female elements.

 The invention therefore aims to achieve a reliable coupling between two objects which are in particular parts of a connector, one being a female connector provided with receiving housings and the other part being a male connector provided with pins or protrusions, further ensuring rapid engagement and disengagement means between the coupled parts.

The invention also provides an individual housing which is actually composed of several receiving windings for radially tightening the male pin in question independently of the others, and however forming an integral housing made of a piece of integral material which according to the invention , preferably consists of a spring winding.

The connector of the invention must be constructed so as to be able to use a large number of contacts between the housing and the inserted element.

 The completely frictionless connector allows frictionless insertion of the pins into the housings.

 The connector and in particular the female housing is constructed so as to allow the use of several housing portions which, in all the devices are individual windings comprising the winding spring.

 The electrical connector of the invention is easily adaptable to miniaturization and is able to withstand severe mechanical stresses, vibrations and shocks from all directions without degrading effect on the coupling performance of the connector.

The electrical connector of the invention in which the electrical parts to be coupled form, when engaged and blocked, a continuous electrical connection as well as a favorable mechanical seal over a large area, with a positive individual radial pressure exerted by each part housing (spring wound) to firmly hold the two parts together.

 The connector has a uniform coating plating on the inside diameter of the housing.

The connector is directly adapted to the use of more than one pin to be inserted at the same time in the same housing.

It is suitable for withstanding large current intensities in comparison with its dimensions and weight.

 The male connector, once unlocked, can be removed from the female connector without requiring significant force.

The invention provides a female connector, comprising a coil spring.

In the connector of the invention, the pressure of each individual winding of the female housing is provided for a uniform distribution of the pressure between the elements of the connector all along the male connector pin.

 According to the invention, the electrical connector is explosion proof.

 The connector according to the invention can maintain a stable current flow through the connector even when the latter is subjected to vibrations, severe shocks coming from all directions.

According to the invention, all of the connectors include locking means to ensure extremely intimate contact between the housing and the inserted element after their easy insertion.

 The connector pin has the shape of a screw.

 This spindle is provided with associated locking means.

The contact in the electrical connector is gas tight.

 The connector is able to withstand a very large number of insertions and extracts without degrading effect on its performance.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an electrical connector comprising a male element and a female element. The male element of the connector comprises several projections each of which, in a device, comprises an elongated cylindrical projection or pin. The female element of the connector comprises a casing made of electrically insulating material having a number of holes corresponding to the number of pins of the male element of the connector. Each of these holes is intended to receive a female receiving housing, in a device comprising a helical compression spring. The compression spring is open at one end and its other end terminating the female element allows the connection of electrical wires. In one embodiment the female element of the connector also includes a retaining plate actuated by a movable shell of the connector so as to compress and allow expansion of the compression spring wound housing. This retaining plate keeps the receptacle in its compressed position in which the internal diameter of the receptacle is at its maximum value so as to allow easy insertion of the male pins into the female receptacle. Once the insertion has been made, the retaining plate can be moved to allow the compression helical spring to expand, so that this spring can be applied intimately around the male connector pin. During this tightening action , there is also a wiping action between the spindle and the receptacle so that the latter is applied in a sealed manner around its associated spindle.

 In another embodiment of the invention, the female receptacle is composed of a torsion spring, one end of which is engaged by a locking ring so that when this ring is tightened, the torsion spring has its internal diameter reduced so as to firmly grasp the previously inserted spindle. In other embodiments of the invention the female receptacle can be constituted by a helical compression spring adapted to receive male connector pins inserted in its opposite ends. The male pins can also be of different constructions, such as a rib pin or a pin associated with locking means.

The description below relates to exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector according to the invention which may be of round construction,
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view through a second embodiment of the invention of a female connector element also assembled in a round shape,
FIG. 3 is a view of an uncompressed receptacle in which one of the two connector pins can be engaged from each end to make a positive connection,
- Figure 4 shows a restricted female receptacle which can also receive two connection pins engaged from each end, this receptacle. may be of the type used in FIG. 1,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rectangular connector applying the same dtinter-connection principles as those of FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIGS. 6 and 7 show different embodiments of a male connector pin in the form of a screw,
FIG. 8 shows a male connector pin provided with associated locking means,
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view through another embodiment of the invention using a female connector assembly of round shape,
FIG. 40 is a side elevation view of a portion of the connector of FIG. 9,
FIG. 11 is a partially cut away perspective view showing a rectangular connector block using the principles represented in FIG. 9,
FIG. 12 is another perspective view of a rectangular connector block which can use the connector of FIG. 9 but with a different blocking principle,
FIG. 13 shows a male connector pin with separate grooves,
- Figure 14 shows another embodiment of a male connector pin with axial grooves and a threaded end.

Referring to FIG. 1, it represents an electrical connector according to the invention which comprises a male connector element 18 and a female connector element 21.

The male element comprises several pins 17 extending from its body. It is not shown in cross section, however, the female element is shown in cross section. This female connector element 21 comprises a casing 1, preferably made of electrically insulating material which is provided with one or more holes 5 each terminating at one end by a bottom wall 4.

A bore 3 also extends from the bore 5 to receive one end 2 of the complete receptacle 6. In the example of FIG. 1, this receptacle 6 comprises a helical compression spring.

The shell 9 has a groove 8 intended to receive a key 7 which opposes: the rotation between the shell and the envelope. The other portion of the key 7 is housed in a groove in the casing 1 and also in a groove provided in the retaining plate 12. The casing 1 as well as the retaining plate 12 are enclosed in the shell 9 and are held by a shoulder 22 and a shoulder 19 of a threaded ring 10 provided with threads 11-. The retaining plate 12 is also made of an electrically insulating material and has one or more holes 13 and also, extensions of holes 14.

 The holes 13 end in a bottom wall 15. The male pin 16 is shown in Figure 1 easily inserted into the receptacle 6. In order to receive the shoulder 19, the retaining plate may be provided with a shoulder 18 The receptacles 6 can also terminate at their outer end in the form of a compression, extension or torsion spring 23, 24, so as to receive connections outside the connector.

 In a slightly different embodiment of the invention, instead of using a locking ring 10, an electrically controlled retaining plate can be provided, the release of which allows the locking spring to in turn relax and eject the male pins. This form of security can be used primarily in high power devices.

In FIG. 1, the retaining plate has been unscrewed so as to compress the receptacle 6 so that the internal diameter of the compression springs is at its maximum. In this position the female element is released.

Now, the male pins can be inserted into the receptacles 6 without any friction because the outside diameter of the pins is less than the smaller diameter of the receptacles in this position thereof. Then, the ring 10 is unscrewed and the compression springs can relax by performing a wiping action on the pins 16 and at the same time surrounding it intimately with a positive holding action.

The female connector is now unlocked.

 The pin 20 in the threaded retaining ring is designed to prevent this ring from leaving the casing 9. As mentioned above, the correct axial alignment is ensured by the key 7.

The connector of FIG. 2 is substantially similar to that of FIG. 2. It comprises a casing 1 also made of electrically insulating material, having one or more holes 5 ending in a counterbore 16.

The male pins 17 penetrate into the receptacles 6.

In Figure 2 the shell 9 has a groove 8 in which is placed a portion of the key 7 the other portion of the key 7 is housed in a groove provided in the envelope 1 and a groove provided in the retaining plate 12 , both being enclosed in a shell 9 and immobilized by the shoulder 22 and the retaining ring 14
The retaining plate 12 is preferably also made of electrically insulating material, with one or more openings 15 to receive the pins 17. The ring 10 has threads 11 and a shoulder 20 which engages in the smallest diameter of the male connector element.

 In the example of Figure 2 the receptacle 6 is formed partly by a compression spring and partly by an extension spring. In Figure 2, the compression spring is the part of the winding which is shown with a smaller diameter. The receptacle 6 is enclosed in the bore 5 in an unrestricted condition and it is prevented from leaving the bore by the bottom end wall 4 which serves as a stop when an axial force is applied. The receptacle 6 is also immobilized in place by the retaining disc 12 which has openings 15 of inside diameter to the outside diameter of the receptacle portion formed by the extension spring. The disc 12 is held by a ring 13 engaged in grooves in the casing 9.

 The pins of the male connector are engaged in the receptacle 6 with little or no friction. The inside diameter of the receptacle 6 is greater than the outside diameter of the male pins. By screwing the threaded ring 10 into the casing 9, the tips of the male pins exert an axial pressure on the end of the compression spring of smaller diameter of the receptacle 6, by tending to compress this portion of this receptacle and at the same time causing the expansion of the receptacle extension spring, thus achieving a diameter less than the inside diameter which crushes the male pin to blog the whole. We see in Figure 2 that the male pin does not penetrate into section 6A of the spring so that when the pin is inserted further the tendency is to expand section 6B thereby reducing this diameter and gripping the male pin.

FIG. 9 shows yet another example of the invention similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. It represents an assembled connector 45 which comprises a casing 31 preferably made of electrically insulating material, - provided with openings 32 provided for the passage of a receptacle portion 33 which is housed in a bore 37 having a bottom wall 34 which maintains it in position.

the casing also has a groove 35 for receiving a retaining ring 36 for holding the shell 43 by means of a flange 42. The casing 31 also has a threaded pipe 38 which allows the ring 39, during its diameter gradually decreasing, to crush a portion of the torsion spring 41 which comprises the receptacle. The other end 44 of the shell 43 can end in a circular or rectangular flange or the like.

In FIG. 9, the principle of interconnection between the receptacles and the pins is essentially the same as in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2. The receptacles are formed by compression, extension, or torsion springs and are adapted to radially crush the inserted spindle, by their winding turns. However, in the case of receptacles constituted by compression and extension springs, the wiping action and the crushing action is produced by a reduction in the internal diameter of the springs which results indirectly from the axial displacement of these springs . On the other hand, when the springs are torsion springs, they crush and wipe the inserted object radially but directly without any axial displacement of the torsion spring.

 Thus, as regards the example of FIG. 9, there is provided a threaded locking ring 39, preferably made of electrically insulating material, and which can be encapsulated in an envelope not shown in FIG. 9. This ring 39 is provided with threads 38 having a smaller diameter, 40 and at the other end a larger diameter 46. The end 41 of the receptacle winding is reformed by a torsion spring whose extended end is housed in grooves threads 38. When the pins of a male connector element (not shown), with a body with an outside diameter slightly smaller than the opening 40, are inserted, there is no friction occurring inside the receptacle 33, because the inside diameter of this receptacle, in this position, is greater than the outside diameter of the inserted pin. In this position, the locking ring 38 is only slightly engaged in the threads of the female connector casing 31.

By screwing the locking ring 9, these threads exert a gradual pressure on the ends 41 of the receptacles by reducing their internal diameter, these receptacles being constituted by the torsion springs. In this movement, the pins are wiped and compressed ensuring a reliable connection between the male and female elements of the connector.

The above blocking action of the female and male elements refers to receptacles which are in the non-constricted position before the blocking process begins. The compression of the spindle then occurs by an axial displacement of the spring.

However, in other ways, by keeping the springs in the constricted condition and only then by inserting the pins, a force is produced which causes the springs to wind up so that their diameter decreases and they compress the inserted object.

FIG. 3 shows a receptacle with double ends which can be used in an envelope such as those represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, with this device, the envelope would be adapted to receive one or two pins simultaneously, each by one end extension springs 51.

In the example of Figure 3, the ends 52 of the spring can be fixed to a stationary object. The pins to be inserted are smaller than the inside diameter of the spring section 51, but have a larger diameter than the spring section 53. In this way when the pins are inserted, the section of compression spring 53 is pushed in an axial direction towards its middle by axially compressing the spring section 53 and at the same time extending the extension springs 51 to reduce their diameter and achieve radial wiping and compression and to crush the pins inserted.

FIG. 6 shows a receptacle 56 with a compression compression spring which can also accept one or two elements or pins simultaneously, by each end. When the spring 56 is allowed to relax, the compression spring returns to its non-constricted position by wiping and pressing the inserted pin at the same time.

FIG. 7 shows a rectangular connector block 58 having a locking cover 61 which functions essentially in the same way as the locking rings of FIGS. 1 and 2, and which can be actuated and blocked by staples not shown in FIG. 5. The round openings 62 shown in Figure 5 are for round pins to be inserted. The or grooves 63, on the other hand, have the shape of a keyhole and suitable for receiving pins such as the pin 64 shown in FIG. 8. When the pin is inserted, it can be turned slightly so that it is then blocked in the envelope.

Figures 6 and 7 show other embodiments of the male connector pins. The pin 68 shown in Figure 6 has a groove 67 in the form of a spiral, while the pin 68 shown in Figure 7 has a series of grooves 69, each of circular shape. The grooves 67 and 69 of Figures 6 and 7 can be used as a bearing surface for the separate windings of a receptacle so as to ensure an automatic locking action after the spindle has been inserted. The pins of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be used with a spring receptacle of FIGS. 4 or 1 and 2.

 FIG. 11 shows a rectangular connector block 70 which uses the concept of receptacle torsion and is associated with a sliding blocking cover 72. FIG. 11 also shows the ends 73 of the torsion springs such as the ends 41 previously described with reference. in Figure 9. The ends 73 function as levers to reduce the inside diameter of the receptacles by wiping and pressing the inserted pins. By removing the locking cover 72, the pins are released and the connector assembly is essentially released. The cover 72 includes a channel 74 to receive the ends 73 and cause them to act to block the receptacles.

Figure 12 shows yet another rectangular connector block 77 which uses the receptacle twist concept of the invention. However, in this arrangement the wiping and compression process is accomplished individually by separate covers 79, each of which individually engages the ends 80 of the spring coil receptacle.

FIG. 13 shows yet another example of a male connector pin 82 having grooves 83 which serve as a bearing surface for the separate windings of a spring constituting the receptacle. The pin 82 shown in FIG. 13 can be cylindrical in shape with grooves extending circularly around it.

 FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a male connector with several wires in which one or more bare wires can be inserted in the opening 91. These wires, once inserted, are curved and arranged along the longitudinal grooves 92. These wires can be above or below or at the level of the ridges between grooves 93. The grooves 92 are provided to keep the wires or other conductor in position and during the blocking process. Thus, the stripped wires can extend through the openings 91 and be bent inside the grooves 92. The entire pin can then be inserted into the envelope which contains the female receptacle. The opening 91 may have different internal diameters and the ends 94 of the spindle are preferably threaded so as to ensure good grip. The threads 94 can also cover the entire spindle and, when screwed into a metal casing, they can form indentations in the inserted objects, thereby achieving a more reliable connection.

Claims (23)

REVENDI CAT IONS 10) Electrical connector comprising a female element (21) having a casing (1) with at least one bore (5), and a receptacle (6), comprising a helical spring (23, 24), disposed in the bore of the envelope and intended to receive a male element (18) having an external dimension comparable to the internal dimension of the spring, means being provided to allow the spring to change its state, so that the internal diameter of the receptacle decreases towards a smaller diameter blocking, constriction means at one end of the casing opposite the bore which can be pushed towards the spring to compress it axially and thus increase its diameter to receive the male element, 20) Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring engagement means comprise a constriction plate positioned at one end of the envelope opposite the bore, and a locking ring coupled to the plate for pushing that -this against the helical spring.  30) Electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring is constricted and compressed by the plate when the connector is released.  40) Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring comprises two sections of different diameters.  50) Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring has an extended end and the means for engaging comprise a locking ring having threads for receiving this extended end. 60) An electrical connector comprising a female element having at least one bore extending through one of its faces, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a conductive receptacle comprising a helical spring whose diameter outside the uncompressed state is spaced from the wall of the bore, means being provided for compressing this spring, positioned above this face, and having an opening in alignment with the bore, these compression means being adapted to be moved relative to the casing for compressing the spring, so that its outside diameter is applied against the wall, connector also comprising a small conductive pin having a diameter at least equal to the inside diameter of the spring when it is uncompressed, and less than this inside diameter of the compressed spring, the pin can be freely inserted into the compressed helical spring, t and is held securely in electrical contact o when the spring is no longer compressed. 70) electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the compression means move axially relative to the axis of the spring.  80) Electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the compression means cause an axial displacement of the helical spring. 90) An electrical connector according to claim 8; characterized in that the helical spring has one end disposed inside the bore of the female element and another end extending towards the outside of the bore from the face of the female element to be engaged by the compression means. 100) An electrical connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the compression member comprises a bore corresponding to each bore of the female element. 110) Electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the msle pin is provided with grooves. 120) Electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the male pin in the form of a screw.  130) Electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized by means for locking between them the male pin and the female element. 140) Electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the compression means comprise a member adapting to the female element and provided with internal threads for receiving one end of the helical spring which extends towards the outside of the bore. of the female element from the face of this element. 150) Electrical connector according to claim 14, characterized in that the member is provided with conical threads.  160) Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized by means for engaging a counter section of the spring and changing its state, these means comprising the end of the mile pin.  170) Electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the spring receptacle section comprises an extension spring section and the control section comprises a compression spring section. 180) Electrical connector according to claim 17, characterized in that the receptacle section has an inside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the control section.  190) An electrical connector according to claim 18, characterized in that the male pin engages at its end the control section of smaller diameter, causing the elongation of the receptacle section and at the same time a reduction in the diameter of this section. to intimately press the male pin. 200) An electrical connector according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises means for shrinking on the face of its envelope and at least one opening in alignment with the opening of the envelope. 210) Electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it comprises a female element provided with at least one bore extending from one of its faces, a conductive receptacle comprising a spring helical outer diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the female element, this helical spring having a rest position in which its inner diameter is at its maximum and a constricted position, a male conductive pin having a diameter of the order of diameter inside of this spring in its rest position, and greater than this diameter in its constricted position, so that the pin can be freely inserted into the helical spring when the latter is in the rest position, and immobilized in optimal electrical contact when the spring is moved to its constricted position, means being provided for positively engaging this spring, these means being positioned on the face of the envelope and having a opening in alignment with the bore of the female element, these means comprising a member for rotating a free end of the spring after having freely inserted the malt spindle, to cause the helical spring to tighten tightly around the male spindle. 220) Electrical connector according to claim 21, characterized in that the engagement means comprise a member adapting to the female element and provided with internal threads to receive one end of the helical spring and allow it to rotate. 230) Electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the engagement member and the female element have conical mesh threads.