GB1427631A - Electrical connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

1427631 Two part coupling AKZONA Inc 30 Jan 1974 [1 Feb 1973] 04369/74 Heading H2E To prevent mating of misaligned or inappropriate connector members, each is made hermaphroditic, with shrouded male contacts and protruding female contacts. Annular shells 10, 12 of mating connector members, with 10 fitting into 12, carry identical cylindrical inserts 32, each shell comprising three stacked insulating plates 34, 35, 36 with aligned contact apertures. Rear plate 34 is retained by flange 37 behind shell shoulder 38, and by sleeve 40 gripped in in the shell by rib 41. Sleeve 40 carries an elastomeric body 43 with cable gripping apertures. Male and female contacts 45, 46 are carried in the plate apertures, with retainer members 52 surrounding the necked parts 48 of the contacts and trapped in the apertures of middle plate 35. Male contacts 45 lie behind the face of insert projection 54 while female contacts 46 project beyond projection 54, the set forward and set back parts 54, 56 of the face of plate 36 joining along diametral plane 58. On mating the connector members with correct alignment, female contacts on one member engage male contacts in the other and vice versa. Shell 10 carries loose ring 22, retained by annulus 20 captive in groove 18 in the shell and a groove in ring 22, and on mating ring 22 is rotated to engage in internal helical channels the equispaced pins 24 on shell 12. Rotation of ring 22 until pins 24 slip behind spring detents 31 compresses elastomeric block 60 round the female contacts. Block 60 both retains plate 36 and exerts force after mating to maintain pressure between pins 24 and ring 22. The leading edge of shell 10 makes on full engagement a moisture-tight seal against elastomeric ring 84 in shell 12. Other designs (not shown) employ unequal numbers of male and female contacts in one insert and complementary numbers in the other non-identical insert, the dividing surface on plate 36 being no longer diametral, and optionally a cylindrical surface rather than a plane. Each connector member can then mate only with its complement. Axial keys (62-66, Fig. 2, not shown) on the periphery of shell 10, fitting in keyways (72-76, Fig. 3, not shown) inside shell 12, may be provided. Shell 12 is shown with flange (80) having holes (82) for panel mounting (Fig. 3, not shown).