GB1317955A - Separable electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

1317955 Inert switches BENDIX CORP 27 May 1970 25560/70 Heading H1N [Also in Division H2] A two-part coupling comprises a tubular plug part 10 and a tubular socket part 11, the respective housings 30 and 12 engaging transversely of the coupling axis such that they cannot move axially relative to one another, an axially sliding resilient contact carrying block 32 in the housing 30 being movable by a lever 86 to engage its contacts 34 with corresponding contacts 17 in a block 16 of the housing 12. This block then prevents transverse, and therefore axial, separation of the housings. The transverse engaging parts of the housings comprise a groove 45 and flange 46 of the housing 30 respectively cooperating with a flange 27 and a groove 26 of the housing 12. Polarising means for axially aligning the housings comprise indents (54, 55, Figs. 3, 2 not shown) in the flanges 27, 46 respectively engaging pins (56, 57) in the flanges 44, 25 respectively. A spring loaded axially slidable spring 60 may be provided in one housing to resiliently retain the housings, in the mated position, until the contacts are engaged, by engaging a surface 64 of the other housing e.g. 30. The contact mating mechanism comprises the contact carrying block 32 mounted on a sleeve 31, which sleeve slides along axially directed ribs (41) received in slots (40) in flange 35, and lever 36 and sleeves 74, 77, pressure on the lever, towards the mating direction, acting through slot 90 on to bosses 75 of sleeve 74, through sleeve 74, spring 79, sleeve 77 and spring 80 on to flange 81 of the sleeve 31, thereby mating the contacts. Opposite movement of the lever restricts the contacts 34 in block 32 by acting through sleeve 74, spring 85, spring clip 84 to sleeve 31. The bosses 75 are guided by slots 40 in the housing walls. A seal 50 in an annular groove 46 in block 31 seals the contacts from the outside before the contacts mate, further resilient seals 20 about the bases of contacts 17 sealing each pair of mating contacts by engaging a respective recess at the mouth of the contact 34. A flange 14 provides panel mounting means for the housing 12.