GB2327155A - Lever-operated connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector 2 has a housing 60 of rectangular section with two opposite wide faces 75 joined by shorter faces 76. Two cam plates 71 and 72 are pivotally mounted on the wide faces 75, each plate having a curved slot 81 open at one end 82 on an edge of the plate. The two plates 71 and 72 are linked across one of the shorter faces 76 by a bar 73. The connector 2 makes connection with a mating connector 1 having two projecting pins 31 on opposite faces located in shallow curved recesses 30 shaped to receive the cam plates 71 and 72. The pins 31 are introduced to the slot 83 and the bar 73 is pushed forwardly in an arc to rotate the cam plates 71 and 72 and pull the two connectors 1 and 2 together. The connector may have one or more contact-carrying inserts (12, figure 4 and 5, not shown) and may have one or more rotatable polarising pins (41 to 44, figures 5 and 6, not shown).

Description

CONNECTORS This invention relates to connectors.

In some applications, such as in aircraft, it may be necessary to make a large number of electrical interconnections in a very confined space. Each connector often has many different contacts and it may be necessary to mount several connectors close to one another. It is, however, also often important to ensure that the connectors are securely retained and can be easily mated with cooperating connectors.

Rectangular connectors are known including a bail latch mechanism for drawing the connector together with a mating connector, retaining it in a mating position and for separating the connectors. These mechanisms have two cam plates, one on each of the smaller sides of the connector, which are shaped to engage surface formations on the cooperating connector. The cam plates are linked together by a handle extending along one of the longer sides of the connector so that, by gripping and moving the handle, the cam plates can be rotated to draw the two connectors together, or to separate them. The problem with this mechanism is that, where two or more connectors are mounted side-by-side, the connectors have to be spaced by a distance sufficient to enable the user's fingers to grip the bail handle.

This does not enable very close spacing between the connectors.

Other mechanisms for drawing two connectors also suffer from disadvantages. For example, the connector could have a central jackscrew, such as of the kind described in GB2206748, but this occupies space within the connector shell, thereby reducing the space available for contacts. Alternatively, the connector could have two screws at opposite ends of the connector shell, but these are not convenient because they have to be tightened in stages, alternately, to ensure that the connectors are drawn together square. There are various other problems and difficulties associated with connectors having a large number of contacts in a small space, such as those associated with access. It is also difficult to ensure that connectors are not connected with an incorrect connector, without special modification to the connector shell.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector having a generally rectangular outer housing with a pair of opposite wide faces and a pair of opposite shorter faces, the connector having a latching mechanism including two cam members pivotally mounted on respective ones of the wide faces, the cam members being arranged to engage respective surface formations on a cooperating connector, and the latching mechanism including an actuating member connecting both the cam members and extending across one of the shorter faces such that the cam members can be rotated to latch onto the surface formations by displacing the actuating member.

Each cam member is preferably in the form of a plate with an arcuate slot opening at an edge of the plate. The shorter face is preferably curved to follow the arc of movement of the actuating member.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector assembly including a connector according to the above one aspect of the invention and the cooperating connector.

The surface formations on the cooperating connector may be projecting pins and the cooperating connector may have a shallow, curved recess on opposite sides arranged to receive the cam members. One of the connectors may include at least one resiliently-mounted polarisation member that is rotatable to a plurality of different positions, the other of the connectors having at least one cooperating recess arranged to receive the or each polarisation member. The one connector may include a polarisation member at each corner of the connector. The or each polarisation member preferably has a forward end of semicircular section. One of the connectors may have an outer housing and at least one insert block within the housing supporting a plurality of contact elements, the or each insert block having a surface formation adapted to align with a cooperating surface formation on an inside surface of the housing. The surface formation on the or each insert block is preferably provided by a snap-off lug.

A connector system according to the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the system with parts removed; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear of a chassis frame to which connector receptacles are mounted; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of insert blocks for a connector; Figure 5 is a view of the forward end of a connector in the system; and Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation view showing cooperating polarisation members on the connectors.

The connector system comprises several pairs of connectors 1 and 2. One connector, the receptacle connector 1, is mounted on the rear of a chassis frame 3, side-by-side with other connectors, not shown. The other connector, the plug connector 2, is removably mated with the fixed connector 1, on the front of the frame 3.

The receptacle connector 1 is of generally rectangular shape with an outer housing 10 containing a contact block assembly 11 (shown most clearly in Figure 4) comprising four insulative, plastic blocks 12 each housing a number of electrical contacts 13. The blocks 12 each have two snap-off lugs 14 projecting outwardly along opposite sides of the assembly.

One block 12 has two lugs in position, another has both lugs removed and the other two blocks each have one lug remaining in different positions. The lugs 14 are arranged to locate in corresponding recesses 15 on the inside of the housing 10, so that the blocks can be appropriately coded, with one of four different codes, to ensure they are inserted in the correct position within the connector.

The forward part 16 of the housing 10 projects through an opening 17 in the chassis frame 3, the housing having two outwardly-projecting flanges 18 at locations set back from the forward end of the connector by about one third its length. The flanges 18 abut the rear of the frame 3 are secured to it by screws, bolts or rivets. To the rear of the flanges 18 there is a short intermediate portion 19 and a longer rear portion 20 or backshell. The intermediate portion 19 is a complete rectangular sleeve, but the backshell 20 is split into two halves along a plane parallel to the wider side of the connector 1 (as shown in Figure 2). One half 21 is integral with the remainder of the housing; the other half 22 is a removable cover plate with lugs 23 around its edge that snap onto the first half and the intermediate portion 19. At their rear end, the two halves 21 and 22 have three semicylindrical portions, which together form an axial, lateral and angled cable outlet 24, 25 and 26 respectively. Electrical wires, not shown, are connected to the contacts 13 on the rear face of the contact block assembly 11 and extend through the backshell 20 out of the connector 1 via one of the cable outlets 24 to 26.

The removable cover plate 22 enables ready access to the wires and their interconnection with the contacts 13.

Externally, the forward end 16 ofthe housing 10 has two shallow recesses 30 of curved shape on the wider sides ofthe housing. A short latch pin 31 projects outwardly from each recess 30, midway across the width of the connector. Internally, the forward end of the housing 10 is shaped asymmetrically to ensure that the mating connector 2 can only be inserted in one orientation.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the forward end 16 of the connector 1 also contains four polarization posts 41 to 44 located in recesses 50 at opposite corners on a shelf 45 within the housing 10. Each post 41 to 44 consists of a forward portion 46 of semicircular section, an intermediate portion 47 of square section and a rear portion 48 of circular section with an enlarged head 48'. The diameter of the main part of the rear portion 48 is equal to the width of the square section. The rear end of each post 41 to 44 has a slot 49 in its head 48' to receive a screwdriver. The forward end 51 of each recess 50 is square in section and the same size as that of the intermediate portion 47 of the post. The rear end 52 of each recess 50 is of circular section, with a diameter larger than the width of the forward end 51, so that a shelf 53 is formed at the junction between the forward and rear ends. Each post 41 to 44 is located with its square section 47 in the square end 51 of the recess 50, so that it is prevented from rotation. The rear portion 48 of each post 41 to 44 is encircled by a helical spring 54, which engages the forward side of the head 48' and, at its forward end, engages the shelf 53. The length of the rear portion 48 of each post 41 to 44 is such that, when it is pushed fully forwards against the resilience of the spring 54, the square portion 47 of the post is pushed completely out of the recess 50. Thus, by engaging the rear end of any post with a screw driver, it can be pushed forwards and rotated to any one of four different angular orientations.

An annular retention clip 55 in each recess 50 limits the rearward displacement of each post to an extent that at least a part of the square portion 47 of the post remains in the square end of the recess 50. Cooperating polarisation means are provided on each plug connector 2, which are described below.

The plug connector 2 has an outer housing 60, the forward part 61 of which shaped to mate within the open forward end 16 of the receptacle connector 1. The plug connector 2 contains four contact blocks, not shown, similar to those in the receptacle connector 1, which support electrical contacts arranged to mate with the contacts 13 in the other connector. The rear part or backshell 62 of the connector 2 is of a generally quadrant shape and is formed in two parts, namely a fixed plate 63 integral with the forward part 61 of the housing 60, and a removable cover plate 64. The cover plate 64 may be attached to the fixed plate 63 by means of a screw 65 or in the same fashion as the cover plate 22. The cover plate 64 and fixed plate 63 are each formed with two semicylindrical portions, together forming an axial and a lateral cable port 66 and 67. Wires, not shown, are interconnected with the contacts in the connector 2 and lead out through the backshell 62 via one of the ports 66 or 67.

Each plug connector 2 also includes a latching mechanism in the form of a bail or cam lever 70 by which the-two connectors are drawn together and retained together. The lever 70 consists of two flat plates 71 and 72 linked together at one end by a short bar or handle 73.

The plates 71 and 72 are pivotally mounted on pins 74 projecting from opposite ones of the wider faces 75 of the backshell 62, with the bar 73 extending between the plates across one of the shorter sides 76 of the backshell. The plates 71 and 72 both have a cam portion 77 and an arm portion 78. The cam portion 77 is of sector shape with a pivot point 79 in one corner, journalled on the pivot pin 74, and a convex, curved forward edge 80. A cam slot 81 has a forward entrance portion 82 extending radially towards the pivot point 79 and opening at one end of the forward edge 80. The slot 81 continues as a curved main portion 83 parallel with the front edge 80, the radial distance of the slot from the pivot point 79 decreasing gradually along its length to its rear, closed end 84. The closed end 84 is slightly enlarged to form a detent. The width of the slot 81 in each plate 71 and 72 is sufficient to receive a respective one of the latch pins 31 on the receptacle connector 1 as a sliding fit.

When the bar 73 on the cam lever 70 is in its rearmost position, as shown in Figure 1, the entrances 82 of the slots 81 are aligned with the pins 31. The cam lever 70 and pin 31 are located so that the pins 31 do not start to enter the slot 81 until the forward end of the plug connector 2 has started to enter the forward end of the receptacle connector 1, ensuring correct alignment. Once the pins 31 have fully entered the entrance 82 of the slots 81, the cam lever 70 is rotated by pushing the bar 73 forwardly in an arc, thereby drawing the two connectors together. The side 76 of the connector 2 along which the bar 73 moves, is curved about the pivot pins 74 of the lever 70 so that the lever can be rotated freely.

When the lever 70 is displaced to a position where the arm 78 extends laterally, the latch pins 31 have been drawn along the full length of the slots 81 and are located in the enlarged rear ends 84 of the slots, where they are retained by the detent action. With the lever 70 in this position, the two connectors 1 and 2 are fully drawn together. The shallow recesses 30 on the wider sides of the receptacle connector 1 are shaped to accommodate the forward end of the cam lever 70 as it is rotated. The cam lever 70 has a mechanical advantage of about 7:1 allowing mating of the connectors to be achieved by only finger tip pressure and ensuring that the two connectors 1 and 2 are retained securely together until the lever is rotated back to its rear position. When this is done, the action of the cam slot 81 is to apply a separation force to the two connectors 1 and 2. It can be seen that the arrangement of the cam lever 70, where the actuating bar or handle 73 linking the two cam plates 71 and 72 extends across the shorter face 76 of the connector housing 60, enables the connectors 1 and 2 to be arranged side-byside, close together, since the cam lever does not need to be engaged by the user between adjacent connectors. This enables a closer packing of connectors than previously, leading to a more efficient use of space. The cam lever need not have a plate with a slot but could, for example, have a rail with a cam profile arranged to engage a surface formation on the other connector.

Referring back to Figure 6, each plug connector 2 has polarisation means that cooperates with the polarisation posts 41 to 44 on the receptacle connector 1. The polarisation means on the plug connector 2 consists of four recesses 91 to 94 in the housing 60 aligned with respective polarisation posts 41 to 44. Each recess 91 to 94 has a flared entrance 95 opening into a forward portion 96 of circular section, which in turn opens into an intermediate portion 97 of square section, the diagonal width of which is equal to the diameter of the circular portion. The intermediate portion 97 opens into a rear portion 98 of circular section having a diameter larger than the width of the square section, forming a shoulder 99 at the junction between the two portions. Within each recess 91 to 94 is located a polarisation pin 100 having a forward portion 101 of semicircular section, with a diameter equal to that of the forward portion 96 of the recess. Each pin 100 has an intermediate portion 102 of square section, with the same width as that of the intermediate portion 97 of the recess, and a rear portion 103 of circular section with an enlarged head 103'. The diameter of the main part of the rear portion 103 is the same as the forward portion 101 of the pin and less than that of the rear portion 98 of the recess. The polarisation pin 100 is located in the recess 91 to 94 with its forward portion 101 in the forward circular portion 96 of the recess and with its tip set back a short distance from the entrance 95 to the recess. The square, intermediate portion 102 of the pin 100 is located in the square portion 92 of the recess 91 to 94 so that rotation of the pin is prevented. The rear portion 103 of the pin 100 is located in the rear portion 98 of the recess and is embraced by a helical spring 105 the rear end of which abuts the forward side of the head 103' and the forward end of which locates on the shoulder 99. The pin 100 can be rotated to any one of four different orientations by engaging its rear end with a screwdriver, pushing it forwardly against the resilience of the spring 105 until the rear, circular portion 103 is pushed into the square portion 97 of the recess, and the square portion 102 of the pin is pushed into the forward, circular portion 96 of the recess. In this position, the pin 100 can be rotated through any multiple of 90" so that, when released, the square portion 102 of the pin locates again in the square, intermediate portion 97 of the recess. An annular retention clip 106 towards the rear of the recess 91 to 94 restricts rearward movement of the pin 100 sufficiently to ensure that the square portion 102 of the pin cannot be displaced rearwardly out of the square portion 97 of the recess.

When the two connectors 1 and 2 are brought together, the posts 41 to 44 on the receptacle plug 1 will initially enter the forward end of the respective recess 91 to 94 until they meet the polarisation pin 100 in the recess. If these are complementarily oriented, the posts 41 to 44 will be able to be inserted to their full extent in the recesses. If a pin 100 in any recess 91 to 94 is not correctly oriented, it will prevent further movement together of the two connectors 1 and 2. Because the tip of the posts 41 to 44 are located in the recesses 91 to 94 before engagement with the cooperating pin, the recesses will prevent lateral displacement of the posts. Each post and pin can be oriented in any one of four different positions, so there are a total of 44 or 256 different polarisation codes available.

The dimensions of the various components in the connectors are arranged such that, when the two connectors are brought together, the housing 60 of the plug connector 2 first locates within the housing 10 of the receptacle connector 1 to align the two connectors, then the polarisation means 41 to 44 and 91 to 94 engage one another, to ensure that the correct connectors are being mated. Subsequently, the cam lever 70 engages the latch pins 31 and the two sets of contacts in the connectors engage one another.

Claims (14)

1. A connector having a generally rectangular outer housing with a pair of opposite wide faces and a pair of opposite shorter faces, wherein the connector has a latching mechanism including two cam members pivotally mounted on respective ones of said wide faces, wherein said cam members are arranged to engage respective surface formations on a cooperating connector, and wherein said latching mechanism includes an actuating member connecting both said cam members and extending across one of said shorter faces such that the cam members can be rotated to latch onto the surface formations by displacing the actuating member.

2. A connector according to Claim 1, wherein each said cam member is in the form of a plate with an arcuate slot opening at an edge of the plate.

3. A connector according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the said one shorter face is curved to follow the arc of movement of the actuating member.

4. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A connector assembly including a connector according to any one of the preceding claims and said cooperating connector.

6. A connector assembly according to Claim 5, wherein said surface formations on said cooperating connector are projecting pins.

7. A connector assembly according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein said cooperating connector has a shallow, curved recess on opposite sides arranged to receive said cam members.

8. A connector assembly according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein one of said connectors includes at least one resiliently-mounted polarisation member that is rotatable to a plurality of different positions, and wherein the other of said connectors has at least one cooperating recess arranged to receive the or each said polarisation member.

9. A connector assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the said one connector includes a polarisation member at each corner of the connector.

10. A connector assembly according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the or each said polarisation member has a forward end of semicircular section.

11. A connector assembly according to any one of Claims 5 to 10, wherein one of said connectors has an outer housing and at least one insert block within said housing supporting a plurality of contact elements, and wherein the or each insert block has a surface formation adapted to align with a cooperating surface formation on an inside surface of the housing.

12. A connector assembly according to Claim 11, wherein the surface formation on the or each insert block is provided by a snap-off lug.

13. A connector assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Any novel and inventive feature as hereinbefore described.