GB2300768A

GB2300768A - Plug and socket connector coupling for electrical connectors

Info

Publication number: GB2300768A
Application number: GB9609752A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wolfgang Pfeiffer
Original assignee: Interconnectron GmbH
Current assignee: Interconnectron GmbH
Priority date: 1995-05-11
Filing date: 1996-05-10
Publication date: 1996-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-10
Also published as: GB2300768B; ITMI960915A1; GB9609752D0; ITMI960915A0; IT1282964B1; DE19517221A1; DE19517221B4; FR2734088B1; FR2734088A1

Description

1 2300768 PLUG & SOCIaT CONNECTOR COUPLING FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS The

present invention relates to a plug and socket connector coupling for electrical connectors.

Known designs of connector couplings for electrical connectors comprise two coupling parts wherein one part can be plugged inside the other overlapping coupling part and the latter is provided with tongue-shaped resilient axial extensions, which usually during disconnection of the parts are forced radially outwards against a certain, if small, spring force. The extensions have projections at their free ends that are directed radially inwards. When the two parts of the connector coupling are joined together the projections engage in a radial peripheral groove in the interlocking coupling part and thus form a positive connection between both parts to prevent axial separation. A characteristic feature of known connector couplings of this type is that the resilient sprung tongues of the other coupling part are secured by a sliding sleeve arranged on the coupling part and at least partially enclose it, to hold the projections in the peripheral groove and hence maintain the coupling parts in their interlocked Dosition. The sliding sleeve is loaded by a helical spring supported against an abutment on the second coupling part. A disadvantage of these known types of connector coupling is firstly that a special design of coupling part and sliding sleeve is necessary, in particular having regard to the radial overlapping of both parts, in order to ensure that the sliding sleeve is properly secured to the coupling part. Furthermore, because of the requirement of a loading spring for the sliding sleeve a large number of parts need to be made and assembled 2 individually and also the assembly of such connector couplings is made more difficult. A finiher disadvantage arising in many applications is that the purpose of the sliding sleeve is not only for engaging the extensions of the second coupling part with the groove of the first coupling part but also for locking them into position which leads to problems with frequently used couplings such as possible damage occurring to the extensions. Finally, a flu-ther disadvantage of using a separate helical spring for loading the sliding sleeve is that they can lead to an increase in the length and diameter of the connector couplings and limit them to having a circular cross-section.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a plug and socket connector coupling of the above mentioned type for electrical connectors having the lowest possible manufacturing expense and comprising the minimum number of individual parts as possible in which an automatic locking mechanism of the two coupling halves can be disconnected with a hand grip. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector coupling which permits the use of an existing conventional coupling part wherein the existing coupling part has connecting means for example an external thread, wherein the existing coupling part is connectable to and at least partially received within the second coupling part according to the present invention.

Yet another objective is to provide a connector coupling of the above mentioned type that is not restricted to the conventional round crosssectional shape of known couplings.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector coupling for electrical connectors comprising a first coupling part mounting a first electrical connector t 3 component and a second coupling part mounting a second associated electrical connector component, said parts being adapted so that when the coupling parts are fitted together an overlapping region is formed over at least part of the length of the coupling parts and the parts can be locked together to prevent separation in an axial direction by a locking means in the form of complementary radial projections and recesses in the overlapping region, wherein the radial projections can be secured in the recesses by means of an overlapping securing part which is axially adjustable and the securing part can undergo a change in length and is inherently resilient in the axial direction.

The securing part can be made to be adjustable in length and resiliently sprung in an axial direction by providing at a portion of the length of the securing part a resilient spring element, so axial compression of the securing part is therefore possible. This form of the securing part considerably simpIffies the method of manufacture of the connector coupling and widens the scope of application of the coupling, as the securing part having the spring element for holding and securing it in its locked position can be formed from one integral part. Therefore, the total length of the connector coupling can be considerably reduced. In most cases the on-dssion of an independent loading spring can also ensure a reduction in the diameter of the coupling. A particular advantage is that the securing part permits the coupling parts to have any cross- sectional shapes for example elliptical or polygonal, which is not generally possible in conventional designs that use helical springs to provide spring loading for the securing part.

The securing part may comprise a closed peripheral fastening ring at one end, an overlapping closed and rigid securing ring at the other end and in a region between the 4 two rings a portion forming a resilient spring element that is deformable. Because the present invention permits the use of cross sectional shapes for plug and socket connector couplings other than perfect circles the term "ring" should be understood to include shapes other than circles.

In one possible arrangement the securing part is supported at one of its ends on the first coupling part such that the said end is non displaceable in the axial direction and is equipped at its other end with the rigid securing ring for at least partially enclosing the second coupling part.

In practice the securing part can be designed having a wide variety of different shapes.

In one constructional form of the securing part, the portion forming the 'resilient deformable spring element may comprise a plurality of helical, curved, spaced apart connecting links between the fastening ring and the securing ring. The connecting links can have differing cross sections varying over their length, in particular varying thicknesses.

In another constructional form of the securing part the portion forming the spring element is made of a plurality of axially aligned connecting links extending between the securing ring and fastening ring which are resiliently deformable: in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing part, allowing the rings to move relative to one another in the axial direction.

In a further design of the securing part the portion forming the spring element comprises a thin-walled longitudinal section extending between the fastening ring and securing ring, the section being resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing part, allowing the rings to move relative to one another in the axial direction.

Regardless of which of the above-mentioned features or combinations of features is used for the portion forming the resiliently deformable spring element, the securing part may be composed of one integral component and can be made in a first method of manufacture of a suitable plastics material.

For a securing part produced as one component it is also possible to manufacture its portion forming the deformable spring element from different plastics materials, in a so-called two-component process.

Furthermore, for a securing part made as one component of a plastics material, in order to provide it with the desired properties such as a particular resilience characteristic, a further material may be used, for example, for providing the fastening ring andlor securing ring with a rigid material on their inside.

For the secure fastening of the securing part onto one of the two coupling parts the fastening ring may have profiling on at least part of its inner periphery and corresponding peripheral profiling may be provided on one of the coupling parts. In one implementation the fastening ring is provided on its inner periphery with a peripheral groove corTesponding with a peripheral radial projection on the first coupling part.

The locidng means of a connector coupling according to the present invention can comprise a peripheral groove on the first coupling part and a peripheral bulbous projection on the second coupling part, the projection having a cross section that is 6 complementary to that of the first coupling part whereby the second coupling part is made of a material that is resiliently deformable at least to a certain degree.

Alternatively, the locking means may comprise a peripheral groove on the first coupling part and bulbous protuberances on a)dally aligned resilient tongues of the second coupling part, the protuberances having a cross sectional shape that corresponds to that of the groove on the first coupling part.

Within the region of o verlap of the two coupling parts, one of the parts can have an axially extending radial projection and the other part can have a complementary recess. The two parts can therefore only be brought together when the projection and recess are aligned thus the correct alignment between the electrical plug and socket mounted within the coupling is ensured.

1 In another embodiment of a connector coupling in accordance with the present invention the second coupling part is adapted for use with an existing coupling part of a conventional design, for example, a connector coupling part lockable by means of a sleeve nut or the like. The securing part is assigned to the second coupling part and is supported thereon securely by one of its ends such that the end is non-displaceable in an axial direction. The locking means of the two coupling parts comprises projections on axially aligned resilient tongues of the second coupling part and existing peripheral profiling such as peripheral material projections or threads on the existing conventional coupling part. The projections on the tongues in a closed coupling engage with the existing peripheral profiling of the conventional coupling part once the parts are joined t 7 together. The securing part ensures that the projections of the tongues are maintained in positive engagement with the profiling of the conventional coupling part.

It is possible to refit almost all existing electrical connector couplings to become so-called rapid couplings at relatively little extra expense, as only one coupling part has to be replaced.

One of the coupling parts can be provided at one of its ends remote from the end couplable to the other part with a bearing ring and a snap ring spaced therefrom for securing to a housing part and the said one connector part is made of a material, in particular a plastic material that can be resiliently deformed.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way or examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a connector coupling in accordance with the present invention., Figure 2 is a schematic view of the securing part of the connector coupling shown in Figure 1..

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the first coupling part of the connector coupling shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the second coupling part of the connector coupling shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a connector coupling in accordance with the present invention.

8 Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of securing part for the connector coupling shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of securing part for the connector coupling shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a plug and socket connector coupling for electrical connectors having plug and socket parts. The connector coupling includes a first coupling part 2 and a second coupling part 4. One of the connector parts e.g. the male plug part 1 is mounted in the first coupling part 2 to be non rotatable and non displaceable in the axial direction and the coupling part 2 is connectable with a cable (not shown). The other connector part, e.g. the female socket part 3, is mounted in the second coupling part 4 of the connector coupling to be non rotatable and non displaceable in the axial direction. A portion of the first coupling part 2 for mounting in this case the male plug part 1, is designed essentially as cylindrical sleeve and is provided with a recess at its free end for accommodating an 0-ring seal 5. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4 a longitudinal portion of the second coupling part 4 for mounting in this case the female socket part 3, is also designed essentially as a sleeve and is sealed in a housing 6 by an 0ring seal 7. The second coupling part 4 is locked into place in a recess of the housing 6 by means of a bearing ring 8 and a snap ring 9.

When the first and second coupling parts of the connector are engaged together, the second coupling part 4 partially overlaps the first coupling part 2. Locking means is provided for locking together coupling parts 2 and 4, the first coupling part 2 being illustrated in detail in Figure 3 and comprising a peripheral groove 10 on the outer 9 surface of the longitudinal cylindrical sleeve part. The peripheral groove 10 in the embodiment shown is defined by two radially protruding ribs 11 which are essentially arcuate in cross section. The locking means of the second coupling part 4 in a modification that is not shown in detail but depicted in Figure 1 can comprise a peripheral protuberance 12 projecting radiafly inwards at its free end, the cross sectional profile of which is arcuate and corresponds to that of the groove 10. In this modified embodiment the second coupling part 4 is made of a plastics material and is deformable elastically to a certain degree in a radial direction, at least at its free end, so that the radially inwardly projecting protuberance 12 can be engaged with the peripheral groove 10 of the first coupling part 2 when the second coupling part 4 is fitted onto the first coupling part 2.

To secure the locking of the radial protuberances within the groove an axially deformable resilient securing part 13 is provided which in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a rigid fastening ring 14, an equally rigid securing ring 15 and a longitudinal portion 16 designed as a resiliently deformable spring element whereby the longitudinal portion 16 is formed from a plurality of helical, curved connecting links 17 that are spaced apart from one another. The connecting links 17 in the embodiment shown have varying cross sections over their length, in particular varying thicknesses, so that they are less thick at their connection points with the fastening ring 14 and the securing ring 15. When the securing part 13 is in its locking position, i.e. in its normal position, its securing ring 15 encloses the free end of the second coupling part 4 and thus secures the protuberance 12 in groove 11.

Another form of locking means has the first coupling part 2 with groove 10 as previously described but a second coupling part 4 as shown in Figure 4. Coupling part 4 comprises bulbous projections 18 formed on axially aligned resilient tongues 27 having a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of the groove 10 on the first coupling part 2. When the first and second coupling parts 2,4 are fitted together, the bulbous projections 18 engage with the peripheral groove 10 to lock the connector parts together. Securing part 13 can then be employed such that when it is in its locking position, its securing ring 15 encloses the free ends of the tongues 27 and secure the bulbous projections 18 in groove 10.

In both the above embodiments the securing part 13 is attached to the first coupling part 2 so that one of its ends is non-displaceable and secured in an axial direction, whereby fastening ring 14 has profiling at least partly on its inner periphery in the form of a peripheral groove 19 and the first coupling part 2 has a corresponding radial projection 20 on its outside periphery for engagement with groove 19.

A further embodiment of the connector coupling is shown in Figure 5. A modified form of the second connector coupling part 4a having a securing part 13 according to the present invention is designed for coupling with a conventional, existing coupling part 2a for example a connector coupling that can be locked together by a sleeve nut or the like. In this case, the securing part 13 is assigned to the second coupling part 4a and is supported thereon with one of its ends fixed non-displaceably and securely in an axial direction. The locking means of the two coupling parts 2a and 4a comprise radially inwardly directed projections 21 formed on axially aligned resilient tongues 27a of the 11 second coupling part 4a having a nose or hook-like cross sectional shape, and peripheral profiling such as radially outwardly directed projections 22 or threads 23, of the existing conventional coupling part 2a. When the two parts are connected the projections 21 of the tongues 27a engage with the existing peripheral profiling 22, 23 of the conventional coupling part 2a and are prevented from becoming disengaged by the securing part 13.

Figures 6 and 7 show flirther modified embodiments of a securing part 13. The securing part 13 shown in Figure 6 has a longitudinal portion 16 which fornis a resiliently deformable spring element comprising a thin- walled longitudinal section 25 extending between the fastening ring 14 and the securing ring 15. Section 25 is capable of undergoing deformation in a direction that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis allowing the rings of the securing part to undergo movement relative to one another in the axial direction.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 the longitudinal portion 16a of the securing part 13 forms a resiliently deformable spring element comprising a plurality of essentially axiafly aligned connecting links 24 extending between the fastening ring 14 and securing ring 15. The links 24 are resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing part 13 allowing the rings of the securing part to undergo movement relative to one another in the axial direction. The dashdot lines show in outline the position of the links 24 in a deformed condition and the corresponding position of the securing ring 15.

In the embodiments described above one of the two coupling parts 2 and 4 may be furnished alternately at least over part of their region of overlap with an axially aligned, 12 radially projecting portion 28 and the other part may have complementary recess to form a key, whereby the projecting portion and recess must be aligned in order to bring the two parts together. This ensures correct alignment between the electrical plug and socket mounted within the coupling.

Regardless of which of the above-mentioned preferred design features or combinations of design features is selected to comprise the longitudinal portion, the resiliently deformable spring element of the securing part 13 is designed as one integral part and is made entirely of a suitable plastics material.

13

Claims

1. A connector coupling for electrical connectors comprising a first coupling part mounting a first electrical connector component, and a second coupling part mounting a second associated electrical connector component, said parts being adapted so that when the coupling parts are fitted together an overlapping region is formed over at least part of the length of the coupling parts and the parts can be locked together to prevent separation in an axial direction by a locking means in the form of complementary radial projections and recesses in the overlapping region, wherein the radial prc;jections can be secured in the recesses by means of an overlapping securing part which is axially adjustable and the securing part can undergo a change in length and is inherently resilient in the wdal direction.

2. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 1, wherein a portion of the securing part forms a resilient spring element allowing the securing part to be axially compressed.

3. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 1, wherein the securing part comprises a closed peripheral fastening ring at one end, an overlapping closed and rigid securing ring at the other end and in a region between the two rings a portion forms a resilient spring element which can be deformed allowing a change of axial length of the securing part.

4. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 3, wherein one end of the securing part is supported on the first coupling part such that the said end is non-displaceable in 14 1 an axial direction and the other end is furnished with the rigid securing ring for at least partially enclosing the second coupling part.

5. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 3 or 4, wherein the resilient spring element comprises a plurality of helical, curved connecting links that are spaced apart and extend between the fastening ring and the securing ring.

6. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 3 or 4, wherein the resilient spring element comprises a plurality of axially aligned connecting links extending between the fastening ring and securing ring which are resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing part.

7. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 3 or 4, wherein the resilient spring element comprises a thin-walled longitudinal section extending between the fastening ring and securing ring, the section being resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing part.

8. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the securing part is one integral component and is made entirely of a plastics material.

9. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the securing part is composed of one integral component and is made of more than one plastics material.

10. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the securing part is formed as one component and is made entirely of a plastics material and the fastening ring and/or securing ring is reinforced with a rigid material in particular on their inside.

11. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the fastening ring of the securing part has profiling on at least part of its inner periphery and there is a corresponding peripheral profiling on the first coupling part.

12. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the fastening ring of the securing part is provided on its inner periphery with a peripheral groove and the first coupling part is provided with a peripheral radial projection which corresponds thereto.

13. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the locking means takes the form of a peripheral groove in the first coupling part and a peripheral protuberance on the second coupling part, the protuberance having a crosssection that corresponds to the cross-section of the groove of the first coupling part whereby the second coupling part is made of a material that is resiliently deformable at least to a certain degree.

14. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the locking means takes the form of a peripheral groove in the first coupling part and bulbous protuberances formed on axially aligned resilient tongues of the second coupling part, the protuberances having a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the groove in the first coupling part.

15. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 1, wherein the securing part has radial projections and is supported at one end on the second coupling part such that the said end is non-displaceable in an axial direction.

16 16. A connector coupling in accordance with claim 1 or 15, wherein the locking means comprises projections on axially aligned resilient tongues of the second coupling part having a hooik-like cross section and an existing peripheral profiling such as peripheral material webs or threads on an existing first part of a conventional connector coupling so that when the parts are in a coupled condition the hook-like projections on the resilient tongues engage with the peripheral profiling of the existing coupling part.

17. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least over a part of the overlapping region, one of the coupling parts is equipped with an axially aligned radially projecting portion and the other one of the coupling parts is equipped with a corresponding recess to form a key, whereby the recess and projecting portion must be aligned in order to join the two parts together so that the electrical connector components mounted within the coupling are correctly aligned.

18. A connector coupling in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein one of the coupling parts is provided at one of its ends remote from the end couplable to the other part with a bearing ring and a snap ring spaced therefrom for securing to a housing part and the said one connector part is made of a material, in particular a plastic material that can be resiliently deformed.

19. A connector coupling substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of the figures of the accompanying drawings.