GB2148614A

GB2148614A - A cable plug and socket connector

Info

Publication number: GB2148614A
Application number: GB08420965A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Hehl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-08-30
Filing date: 1984-08-17
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: DE3331218C2; IT8404856A1; DE3331218A1; GB2148614B; ATA261084A; IT8404856A0; AT388470B; CH663691A5; FR2551271A1; GB8420965D0; IT1180284B; FR2551271B1; NL8402460A

Abstract

Either of two mounting members providing an axial (12) or angled cable mounting respectively can be axially secured to a rotatable connecting sleeve (11) and locked by means of an axial connecting movement with the coupling units (13d, 13d') of a coupling member (13) which can be connected to a contact member (e.g. 18) bearing contact pins (20) or contact sleeves. By this means assembly of plug and socket connectors with an axial or angled cable mounting can be satisfied using a restricted set of components with lower overall manufacturing costs and less work. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cable plug and socket connector The invention relates to a cable plug and socket connector, for example, for industrial machinery, comprising substantially cylindrical contact members within a sleeve mounting and carrying electrical contact pins or contact sleeves together with a rotatable connecting sleeve for axial interengagement, and at least one mounting member for axial or angled mounting of the cable.

Conventional plug and socket connectors of this type with an axial cable lead-in are in principle and on the whole constructed in a different manner to conventional cable plug and socket connections in which the cable lead-in is angled.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cable plug and socket connector such that in construction or assembly work, practical requirements for different variants, in particular for plug and socket connectors with axial or angled cable positions, can be satisfied using a relatively limited range of components with low overall manufacturing costs and little assembly work.

According to the present invention there is provided a cable plug and socket connector comprising interengageable connecting sleeves having located therein substantially cylindrical contact members carrying electrical contact pins or electrical contact sleeves, and wherein one said connecting sleeve is rotatable and co-operable with the other sleeve for axial interengagement of the connecting sleeves of the plug and socket connector; and mounting members which are optionally locatable at one end of said rotatable connecting sleeve to permit an axial or angled connection of said cable and which mounting members together with a coupling member permit the securing of the rotatable connecting sleeve against axial displacement; said mounting members having identical cylindrical connecting sections (e-e) and being capable of being locked or interengaged with coupling portions at one end of the coupling member effected by way of an axial coupling movement, the coupling member being connectable at its other end with the contact member.

With this manner of construction it is only necessary to provide two differently shaped mounting members in the range of components which can be inserted axially into the connecting member of the plug and socket connector in order to provide a cable plug and socket connector with an axial or an angled cable mounting in accordance with user requirements or as required.

A particularly simple assembly of the coupling member comprises a rear gripping profile (H) which can be coupled in a form-locked manner with the corresponding profile (K) of the contact member by means of a relative radial movement which can be restricted by the connecting sleeve. In accordance with this arrangement the connecting member which is axially secured by the inserted mounting member and prevents radial movement for release of the connection between the connecting member and the mounting member.

Preferably the profile or shaping portion of the contact member bearing contact pins which engagingly co-operates with the coupling member is identical with the profile or shaping portion of the contact member bearing contact sleeves which engagingly co-operates with the coupling member. This arrangement is a prerequisite for changing the spatial arrangement of the contact members as required in such a way that the pin contacts in contact with the sleeve contacts point right and left as necessary. It is thus possible to take account of the fact that the current in the cable plug and socket connector "flows" to the right in one situation and to the left in another.

A particularly simple and play-free assembly is achieved by means of the features forming the subject of claims 5 and 6.

By construction of the example of the embodiment in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2 a particularly simple snap connection is made between the supporting partition wall of a machine or other structure mounting sleeve by means of the features claimed in claims 9-11. A "fast connection" in which the options for the cable arrangement characteristic of the example in Figs. 1 and 2 can be constructed for both ends of the plug and socket connector using the same components, namely using a connecting member and a mounting member plugged together in the appropriate way, can be obtained in accordance with the features claimed in claims 1 3 to 15.

The example of an embodiment according to Fig. 31 constructed in accordance with the features claimed in claims 1 6 and 1 7 is preferably used when it is a matter of protecting a highly sensitive component, e.g. an electronic amplifier component, immediately behind the wall of the equipment from water, oil and the like which can come into contact with the wall on the coupling side.

Further features of the invention are specified in the remaining subsidiary claims.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a part elevation and part longitudinal cross-section of an assembled cable plug and socket connector with an axially mounted cable and with one arrangement of electrical contact members.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of half of the plug and socket connector of the embodiment of Fig. 1 but after changing over the spatial arrangement of the electrical contact members; Figure 3 is an end elevation of a supporting or mounting sleeve viewed in direction B of Figs. 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an elevation of the mounting sleeve of Fig. 3 viewed in direction E; Figure 5 is a section along the line V of Fig.

7; Figure 6 is a section along the line VI of Fig. 7.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the mounting sleeve of Fig. 4 rotated through 90'; Figure 8 is an elevation of the mounting sleeve according to Figs. 1-7 viewed in direction D in Fig. 2.

Figure 9 is a section along line IX-IX of Fig. 8; Figure 10 is a section through the connecting sleeve of the plug and socket connector taken along line X-X of Fig. 12; Figure 11 is a section through the connecting sleeve taken along line Xl of Fig. 12; Figures 12, 13 are end elevations of the connecting sleeve in directions D and B in Fig. 2; Figure 14 is a section taken along the line XIV-XIV in Fig. 1 5 of the coupling member of the plug and socket connector.

Figures 15-1 7 are views from beneath, from the rear and from the side of the coupling member; Figure 18 is an elevation of the coupling member according to Fig. 1 5 in natural size; Figure 19 is an elevation of the coupling member according to Fig. 1 5 rotated through 180 ; Figure 20 is a section taken along the line XX of Fig. 21 of the contact member bearing pin contacts; Figure 21 is an elevation of the contact member according to Fig. 20 viewed in direction B in Fig. 2.

Figure 22 is a section taken along the line XXII of Fig. 23 of the contact member bearing sleeve contacts.

Figure 23 is an elevation of the contact member according to Fig. 22 viewed in direction D of Fig. 2; Figure 24 is a section taken along the line XXIV-XXIV in Fig. 25 of the mounting member for an angled cable mounting; Figure 25 is a front elevation of the mounting member according to Fig. 24; Figure 26 is a section taken along the line XXVI-XXVI of Fig. 27 of the contact member bearing pin contacts in the example of an embodment in Fig. 31; Figure 27 is an elevation of the contact member according to Fig. 26 viewed in direction R; Figure 28 is a side elevation of the contact member according to Figs. 26 and 27; Figure 29 is an elevation of the contact member according to Fig. 27 rotated through 180 ; Figure 30 is a side elevation of the mounting member for an angled cable mounting;; Figure 31 is a part elevation and part longitudinal section of a variant of the plug and socket connector; Figure 32 is a section taken along the line XXXII-XXXII of Fig. 34 of a mounting sleeve according to the example of an alternative embodment of Fig. 36; Figure 33 is an unsectioned elevation of the mounting sleeve according to Fig. 33; Figures 34, 35 are a front view and rear view respectively of the mounting sleeve according to Fig. 33; and Figure 36 is a partial longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment of the plug and socket connector.

The following description relates to all the arrangements and embodiments illustrated in the drawings and constructed with either an axial or an angled mounting for a cable 25.

The different embodiments are shown in full in Figs. 1, 2, 31 and 36.

There are provided in all the embodiments a coupling member 1 3 and two possible mounting members 12 or 22 which can be selected at will for an axial or angled mounting of cable 25 respectively. The mounting members 12, 22 each enable the rotatable connecting sleeve 11 to be secured against axial displacement relative thereto and by means of identical cylindrical locking sections e-e can be interlocked with connecting members 13d, 13d' of coupling member 13 by an axial movement of coupling member 1 3 onto mounting member 1 2 or 22. The connecting sleeve 11 is mounted on coupling member 1 3 and surrounds such exteriorally and partially rotatable with respect thereto when in the mounted position.Coupling member 1 3 can be coupled at the other end with an electrical interconnection contact member 1 8 or 1 9. It is to be appreciated that either electrical interconnection contact member 1 8 with contact pin contacts 20 or contact member 1 9 with sleeve contacts 21 may be connected to member 1 3 and the other member 1 8 or 19 not so connected will be mounted on another component socket for interconnection therewith.

The dish-like or part cylindrical coupling member 1 3 has diametrically arranged resilient locking pins 13d. The inclined surfaces of projections 13d' of locking catches 1 3d correspond to inclined surfaces 12e, 22e of mounting members 12, 22 so that they rapidly spring radially outwards in order to engage locking holes 1 2i or 22i in locking section e-e of corresponding mounting member 1 2 or 22 in the locked position when mounting member 1 2 or 22 is connected axially.

Profile K of contact member 18 carrying pin contacts 20 is identical with profile K of bearing contact member 19 carrying sleeve contacts 21. Coupling member 13 is provided with a rear, gripping profile H which can be coupled in a form-locked manner with a corresponding profile K of contact member 1 8 or 1 9 by means of a relative radial movement between coupling member 1 3 and contact member 18 or 1 9. In the assembled condition with connecting sleeve 11 surrounding member 1 3 and member 1 8 or 1 9 this relative movement is restricted by the connecting sleeve 11 of the fitting plug and socket cable connector to prevent undesired separation of coupling member 1 3 and contact member 18 or 19.

Profile K engages a radial profiled flange 1 8a or 1 9a with parallel projections 18e, 18e', 18e" or 19elf 19e', 19e" of rear gripping profile H of coupling member 1 3. Radial projections 1 8e or 1 9e project into hole 1 3h and the further projections 18e', 18e" or 19e', 19e" which are arranged symmetrically to radial projections 18e or 1 9e project into a recess 1 3m in coupling segment 13a.At the front, profiled flange 1 8a or 1 9a lies against an annular shoulder 1 3e of the coupling member which is partly formed by the upwardly extended side walls of the coupling member as can be seen from Figs. 1 7 and 19.

Connecting sleeve 11 which is provided with axial ribs 11 a for a non-slip finger grip and a socket section 11 b having a centering shoulder 11 b can be locked or interengaged with supporting or mounting sleeve 10 (in Figs. 1 and 2) or 26 (in Fig. 36) by means of a bayonet-type coupling. During the interlocking movement an internal locking pin 11 c of connecting sleeve 11 is guided in a locking groove lOb or 26b of mounting sleeve 10 or 26 (Fig. 7 or 33). In this interlocking operation mounting sleeve 10 or 26 and connecting sleeve 11 are brought into opposing juxtaposition with the deformation of an O-ring by means of inclined tightening surfaces 1 Ob' or 26b' of locking groove 10b or 26b.In the interengaged position, the bayonet mounting is secured by means of a locking bead 10c or 26c which is overridden during the locking movement by overcoming frictional resistance.

Rotary movement of connecting sleeve 11 is restricted by means of rotation stops 11 d at an angle to the centre corresponding to the bayonet mounting and these act in association with stop edges 1 3f of coupling member 1 3.

Connecting sleeve 11 thus lies axially and slidably against a corresponding annular shoulder 131 of coupling member 13 by means of an annular shoulder 1 If. A rear flange 11 e of lesser wall thickness is gripped by flange 1 2g or 22g of mounting member 1 2 or 22 and lies axially and slidably against an annular ring 1 2b or 22b of mounting member 12 or 22. Mounting piece 22 guides cable 25 in a right angle over a support 22a.

Contact pins 20 are moulded into contact member 1 8 in the region of supporting block 18b. Contact sleeves 21 are secured axially in channels 1 9G of contact member 1 9 so that their ends are supported axially and lie against opposing retaining stops 1 9b by means of arched tongues. Ends 20a are used for the connection of cable 25.

The central space 1 3b of coupling member 1 3 serves as a cable space in which the cores of cable 25 are led to the contact pins or contact sleeves; and plug and socket connection for multicore cable 25 having up to seven contacts.

The embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 2 illustrates in interconnected condition a nonrotating plug and socket connection with the mounted component being in a partition wall 27, for example, at the foot of a machine.

Sleeve mounting or mounting sleeve 10 which partially engages in a circular opening in partition wall 27 lies against wall 27 and is retained against rotation by resilient fins 10g which extend tangentially from mounting sleeve 10 and can be deflected radially inwards. These fins 10g are symmetrically arranged on two of locating ribs 10f located diametrically on mounting sleeve 10 and extend axially from the front edge of sleeve mounting 10 to radial flange 1 Oa abutting wall 27. Locating ribs 10f have a bevel lOd" at the front, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 7. Fins 10g are provided with inclined guide edges 10g' which end at a distance 1 Od' from the front edge of sleeve mounting 10 as can be seen in Fig. 4.Guide edges 10g' act in such a way that they run along the edges bounding the opening when the mounting sleeve 10 is pushed, from what might be considered the "front side", into the circular opening in partition wall 27 and are thus resiliently deflected inwards to the radius of the sleeve mounting until they reach behind the opening in the partition wall as the mounting sleeve 10 is moved axially whereupon they are released so that radial flange 10a comes to rest against the wall and the fins 10g spring back into their initial positions. The likewise inclined rear edges of fins 1 0g thus lie firmly against the edges of partition wall 27 which bound the opening. The inclination makes it possible for the unit to be secured in partition walls of different thicknesses, inasmuch as the edges of fins 10g lie against the edge of partition wall 27 at a different distance from locating ribs 10f depending on the thickness of partition wall 27.

Contact member 1 8 or 1 9 which is axially inserted into mounting sleeve 10 is secured radially between the front edges of projections 1 0e which spring radially outwards and an inner annular shoulder 1 Oh, against which there rests a shoulder 1 8f or 19f.

in the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 36, the plug and socket connection is a free plug and socket connection, i.e. one which is not secured to a partition wall. In this connector, two coupling members 1 3 are placed coaxially and symmetrically as mirror images of each other, and to the rear of each of these is connected a mounting member 1 2 for an axially mounted cable or a mounting member 22 for an angle mounted cable.

Supporting sleeve 26 (which can be considered as equivalent in connecting function to the "mounting sleeve "referred to elsewhere) which is capable of restricted rotation is identical in section b-b to the corresponding section c-c of connecting sleeve 11 so that the connector can be constructed symmetrically on both sides with respect to the axial direction. A further coupling member 1 3 is enclosed by section b-b of supporting sleeve 26. In section d-d supporting sleeve 26 is identical with section f-f of the mounting sleeve 10 in the example of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 which has a locking groove lOb for the bayonet mounting.As coupling member 13, connecting sleeve 11, mounting member 1 2 and coupling members 18, 1 9 are identical with the corresponding components in the example in Figs. 1 and 2, it is thus possible to choose between an axial or an angled cable mounting using the same connecting and coupling members and to exchange contact members 18, 1 9. The rotational movement of supporting sleeve 26 is restricted by rotation stops 26d which are the functional equivalents of rotation stops 11 d in connecting sleeve 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 31, contact member 23 bearing contact pins 20 is integral with the mounting sleeve. Supporting flange 23c which is square in plan is secured to wall 29 by means of screws 31 and centered in a circular opening 30 in partition wall 29 by means of a centering ring 23e.

Contact member 23 with guide ribs 23k is identical in section g-g with the corresponding section f-f of mounting sleeve 10 of the example of an embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2 and with section d-d of locking sleeve 26 in the example of an embodiment in Fig. 36. As a consequence, locking groove 23g with locking bead 23i and inclined tightening surface 23k is equivalent in design to locking groove 10b in the example in Figs. 1-9.

The plug and socket connector described is preferably used, for example, when highly sensitive electronic components are located immediately behind partition wall 29 and must be protected against the ingress of water, oil and the like. The tight seal required for protection is provided by means of a sealing ring 28 which is placed in annular groove 23d of supporting flange 23c. Contact pins 20 are moulded into supporting block 23b and project into contact space 23a.

As the cable anchoring device is located in coupling member 1 3 this is of the same form in all the variants.

The anchoring device includes a clamping collar 1 3c which extends between the cable space and the rear end of the coupling member. The clamping collar is provided with transverse ribs 13n. The cable placed in clamping collar 1 3c is pressed by means of an anchoring segment 1 6 onto clamping collar 1 3c so that transverse ribs 1 3n can press into the sheath of the cable in order to secure it axially. The anchoring segment is screwed to the coupling member by self-tapping screws 17, the heads of which rest against supporting surface 139.

The cable projecting from mounting piece 1 2 or 22 is enclosed at the point of emergence in each case by a sleeve 14 of a material such as silicone rubber, for example, which is secured by securing pins 14a in diametral holes 1 2d and 22d in mounting member 12 or 22.

In order to aid axial connection or disconnection, mounting member 12 or 22, which is provided with a reinforcing rib 1 2f or 22f, is provided with a radial flange 12h, 22h. For centering, mounting member 1 2f or 22f lies against supporting surfaces 1 3i of coupling member 1 3 and the radial centering surfaces 13the latter being formed by the sides of projections 13d'.

The variants according to Figs. 1 and 2 and according to Figs. 31 and 36 can be plugged together with an axial or angled cable mounting from a set of shaped parts manufactured by the injection moulding of highly polymerised materials. This range includes contact members 18, 19, 23, mounting sleeves 10, 26, coupling member 13, mounting members 1 2 and 22, connecting sleeve 11 and sleeve 14.

With the exception of connecting sleeve 11 and mounting sleeve 26 all the components are locked together without the possibility of rotation through their shape, while another axially inserted contact member 1 9 with an axial guide slot 1 9d (Fig. 23) which is engaged by an axial rib 1 8d of protective sleeve section 1 8c is provided in a protective sleeve section of contact member 18.

Claims

1. A cable plug and socket connector comprising interengageable connecting sleeves (10, 11 or 23) having located therein substantially cylindrical contact members (18, 1 9 or 23) carrying electrical contact pins (20) or electrical contact sleeves (21), and wherein one said connecting sleeve (11) is rotatable and co-operable with the other sleeve (10 or 23) for axial interengagement of the connecting sleeves (10, 11 or 23) of the plug and socket connector; and mounting members (12 or 22) which are optionally locatable at one end of said rotatable connecting sleeve (11) to permit an axial or angled connection of said cable and which mounting members (12, 22) together with a coupling member (13) permit the securing of the rotatable connecting sleeve (11) against axial displacement; said mounting members (12, 22) having identical cylindrical connecting sections (e-e) and being capable of being locked or interengaged with coupling portions (13d, 13d') at one end of the coupling member (13) effected by way of an axial coupling movement, the coupling member (13) being connectable at its other end with the contact member (18 or 19).

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the coupling member (13) is dish-like or part cylindrical and provided with a device for anchoring the cable and has diametrically disposed and axially extending radially resilient locking or interengaging pins (13d) which can be inserted into locking holes (12i or 22i) in the connecting section (e-e) of the mounting member (12, 22).

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the coupling member (13) has a rear gripping profile (H) which can be coupled in a form-locked manner with the corresponding profile (K) of the contact member (18 or 19) by means of a relative radial movement which can be restricted by the connecting sleeve (11).

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3, in which the profile (K) of the contact member (18) carrying contact pins (20) is identical with the profile (K) of the contact member (19) carrying contact sleeves.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the profile (K) of the coupling member (18, 19) resting against an annular shoulder (13e) of the coupling member (13) by means of a shoulder (18f, 19f) of a radial profiled flange (18a, 19a) engages the rear gripping profile (H) of the coupling member (13) by means of parallel projections (18e, 18e', 18e", 19e, 19e', 19e") of the profiled flange (18a, 19a).

6. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the rotatable connecting sleeve (11) can be interengaged with the mounting sleeve (10 or 23) by means of a bayonet connection wherein in a locking groove (10b) of the mounting sleeve (10 in Figs. 1, 2, 26 in Fig. 36) an inclined straining surface (10b, 26b') bringing about an opposing axial approximation between the mounting sleeve (10, 26) and the connecting sleeve (11) in a locking or interengaging rotational movement with the deformation of an O-ring (15), and a locking bead (10c, 26c) are provided to secure them in the locked position.

7. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the rotational movement of the connecting sleeve (11) is limited to an angle at the centre corresponding to the bayonet mounting by means of rotation stops (11 d) which act in association with stop edges (13f) of the coupling member (13), the said connecting sleeve (11) lying axially and slidably by means of an annular shoulder (ill) against a corresponding annular shoulder (131) in the coupling member (13).

8. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the contact pins (20) in the contact member (18, 19) are moulded in as inserts and the contact sleeves (21) are secured axially in channels (19c) in the contact member (19) by means of arched tongues lying against retaining stops (19b) in the contact member (19).

9. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which in that the mounting sleeve (10) which partly engages a circular opening in a partition wall (27) rests by means of a radial flange against the wall (27) which is gripped from behind by means of deformable fins (10g) which spring out tangentially from the mounting sleeve (10) and can be deflected inwards to their radius.

10. A connector as claimed in claim 9, in which the mounting sleeve (10) has two locating ribs (10f) with a forward bevel (1 or") extending axially between the front edge of the mounting sleeve (10) and the radial flange (10a) in a diametral arrangement.

11. A connector as claimed in claim 10, in which two fins (10g), of which the inclined guide edges (10g') end at a distance (10d' in Fig. 4) from the front edge of the mounting sleeve (10) and of which the rear edges are inclined, are formed in a symmetrical arrangement on the locating ribs (10f).

1 2. A connector as claimed in claim 10 or 11, in which the contact member (18, 19) inserted axially into the mounting sleeve (10) is axially secured between the front edges of radially sprung projections (1 Oe) and opposing supporting surfaces (1 Oh).

1 3. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which the supporting or mounting sleeve (26) which is capable of limited rotation is identical in section (b-b in Fig. 36) with the corresponding section (c-c) of the connecting sleeve (11 in Fig. 36 example).

14. A connector as claimed in claim 13, in which a further coupling member is enclosed by section (b-b), one end of this coupling member being connected to the contact member (18 or 1 9) and the other end to a further mounting member (12 or 22).

1 5. A connector as claimed in claim 1 3 or 14, in which the mounting sleeve (26) is identical in section (d-d) with the section (f-f) of the mounting sleeve (12) bearing the locking groove (1 Ob) for the bayonet coupling.

1 6. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8. in which a contact member (23) bearing contact pins (20) forming an integral component with the mounting sleeve is centered by means of a supporting flange (23c) in a circular opening (30) in a partition wall (29) by means of a centering ring (23e) (example in Fig. 31).

17. A connector as claimed in claim 16, in which the contact member (23) is identical in section (g-g) with the section (f-f) of the mounting sleeve (10) or the section (d-d) of the interengaging supporting sleeve (26).

1 8. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which all of the variants required in practice (Figs. 1, 2, 36 and 31) with an axial or an angled cable (25) mounting can be assembled from a set of parts manufactured from highly polymerised materials by injection moulding, the said set including contact members (18, 19, 23), mounting sleeves (10, 26), a coupling member (13), mounting members (12, 22) and a connecting sleeve (11).

19. A connector as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, in which with the exception of the connecting sleeve (1 1) and the mounting sleeve (26) of a non-stationary plug and socket connector, all the components are locked or interengaged together by their shape to prevent rotation, and in which the other contact member (19) axially inserted into a protective sleeve section (18c) of the contact member (18) is provided with a guide slot (19d in Fig. 23) which is engaged by an axial rib (18d) of the protective sleeve section (18c).

20. A cable plug and socket connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and Figs. 3 to 30 or as modified in Figs. 31 to 35 or 36.