GB2441357A

GB2441357A - Electrical connector with ejector

Info

Publication number: GB2441357A
Application number: GB0616965A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Calvin Ka Wing Leung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-29
Filing date: 2006-08-29
Publication date: 2008-03-05
Also published as: CN201117949Y; HK1103593A2; GB0616965D0

Abstract

An electrical socket, such as a distribution strip, has a push button 19 biased to extend out of the housing. A pair of ejectors 23a, 23b are pivotally connected to the push button and are mounted generally on opposing sides of one of the female contacts in the socket to form a bifurcate or forked ejector assembly. Alternatively, a plug 50 has a spring loaded ejector 56 mounted parallel to its contact pins and positioned centrally between the pins. To remove the plug, the ejector is pressed inwardly while pulling the plug outwardly.

Description

Electrical connector with ejector

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to pin-type electrical plugs and cooperating socket connectors having ejectors to allow the plug to be more easily withdrawn from the socket.

Users of pin plug and socket connectors often have difficulty separating the plug and socket to disconnect an electrical device. A pin plug includes substantially parallel contact pins which are received in the socket and firmly held by female contacts.

Factors such as the strength of the contacts or associated cletents and any * * 1 0 misalignment of the pins can greatly increase the force required to remove the plug.

S S..

international patent application WO 00/44069 describes a socket wherein each S..

contact engages a pair of resilient strips engaged with spnnqs and cooperating with a latch mechanism such that energy stored in the resilient strips and spnngs when the plug is inserted is used to eject the plug when the latch is released. The complexity of this ejector and the large number of parts increases its manufacturing cost as well as the possibility of malfunction The energy and resulting force for ejecting the plug is also relatively small.

International patent application WO 2004/075360 describes a plug to which a pivoted lever is fixed, the lever bearing against an ejector pin extending parallel to the 2 0 contact pins. Accommodating the lever in the plug requires significant modification compared to a conventional plug. When the plug arid socket are connected the lever is either received in a recess in the plug, making access to it difficult for users lacking dexterity, or else it projects outward in a manner which may cause obstruction, especially for example, when used in a distribution strip resting upon the floor.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages arid/or more generally to provide an electrical connector with an improved ejector.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical * ** 10 connectorincluding: * S * **** a housing having an abutment face for substantiafly abutting a plug: * :* ::* an pin-receiving opening in the abutment face for receiving a contact pin fixed to the *.. plug; S..

a female electrical contact in the housing for engaging the pin; a push button mounted in the housing for reciprocation in and out of the housing; biasing means for biasing the push button out of the housing; a pair of ejectors positioned substantially on either side of the female contact, each ejector received in a respective aperture in the abutment face and being moveable between a retracted position wherein the ejector is generally within the housing and an extended position whereIn the ejector protrudec from the abutment face, nd connection means connecting each ejector to the push button such that pressing the push button into the housing moves the ejectors from their retracted positions to their extended positions to assist in ejecting the plug.

Preferably each ejector has a first end for protruding through the abutment face and an opposing second end, and the connection means includes a pivot connecting each second end to the push button.

The housing preferably includes a base opposing the abutment face and sides joining the base and abutment face, wherein in an outermost pDsItion the push- ::: . button extends from one of the sides and including a bearing surface for contacting S...

* 10 the first end of each ejector, the bearing surface being inclined to the abutment face * : ::* for rotating the ejector and directing the first end through the abutment face. * S..

Preferably the biasing means comprises a torsion spring connected between the *.* I push button and each ejector. S. ** * . .

* Preferably the bearing surface is substantially orthogonal Ia the abutment face, the push button is mounted to reciprocate substantially parallel to the abutment face and the first end is radiused about an axis parallel to the pivot axis.

In another aspect the invention provides an electrical connector substantially as described above wherein each ejector is mounted for linear reciprocation in the housing and has a first end for protruding through the abutment face and an opposing second end, the push button is bifurcate, and the connection means includes a first pair of links, each being pivotally connected at one end to one ejector and at another end to a respective bifurcated portion of the push button. Preferably the housing includes a base opposing the abutment face and sides joining the base and abutment face, and wherein in an outermost position the push-button extends from one of the sides.

In stili another aspect the invention provides an electrical connector substantially as described above wherein in an outermost position the push-button extends from the abutment face, each ejector is mounted for linear reciprocation in the housing and has a Iirst end for protruding through the abutment face and an opposing second end, and the connection means includes a first pair and a second pair of links, each link of the first pair being pivotally connected at one end to one ejector and at : *. another end to a respective one of the second pair of links, each link of the second *: :: :* 10 pair being pivotally connected to a respective bifurcated portion of the push button, * : *:: and a roller is mounted at or adjacent the pivot connecting the first pair and second * pair of links, the roller being adapted for rolling contact with an inner face of the * base. The biasing means preferably comprises a compression spring connected *.* I:.. between the housing and the push button.

These three embodiments of the invention provide an electrical connector, such as a distribution strip, with an ejector which is effective and efficient in operational use, and which has an overall simple design which minimizes manufacturing costs. The bifurcate or forked construction allows the ejectors to be mounted either side of a female contact for optimum positioning to spread the ejection loads and effect smooth, even ejection of a plug.

In yet another aspect the invention provides an electrical connector including: a housing; a plurality of parallel male contact pins projecting from the housing, an ejector mounted to reciprocate relative to the housing parallel to the contact pins, the ejector having a button portion by which it may be pressed into the housing and an opposing ejector pin portion for projecting from the housing to bear against a socket, and a spring for biasing the button portrnn outwardly of the housing The electrical connector preferably further includes an annular seal for sealing around the ejector pin portion and the ejector is substantially equidistant from each of the pins. * ** * * *

This last embodiment of the invention provides an electrical connector, such as a * :* ::* 10 plug, with an ejector which is small, simple and low cost, allowing it to be * incorporated into plugs without necessitating large changes in dimensions It is particularly adapted for one-handed plug removal using the technique whereby the ** :::: plug is grasped between two fingers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be descnbed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of an electrical connector according to the present invention with the abutment face removed for clarity; Figure 2 is a pictonal view of an ejector mechanism of the connector of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the ejector mechanism of Fig. 2; Figure 4a-4c are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating consecutive steps in the operation of the ejector mechanism of Fig. 2; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of an electrical connector according to the present invention with the abutment face removed for clarity; Figure 6 is a pictorial view of an ejector mechanism of the connector of Fig. 5; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the ejector mechanism of Fig. 6; Figure 8a-8c are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating consecutive steps in the operation of the ejector mechanism of Fig. 6; S.. * S * i*S

Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of an electrical connector * 10 according to the present invention with the abutment face removed for clarity; 5. a

* Figure 10 is a pictorial view of an ejector mechanism of the connector of Fig. 9; Sa SS : * Figure 11 is an exploded view of the ejector mechanism of Fig 10; Figure 12a-12c are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating consecutive Steps in the operation of the ejector mechanism of Fig. 10; Figure 13a and 13b are front and rear views respectively of a fourth embodiment of an electncal connector according to the present invention; Figure 14 is a pictorial view of an ejector mechanism of the connector of Fig. 13a and 13b; Figure 15 is sri exploded view of the ejector mechanism of Fig. 14; Figure 16a-16c are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating consecutive steps in the operation of the ejector mechanism of Fig. 14.

Descritjori of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figs 1 -3 and 4a-4c. an electrical distribution strip 1 inckides a housing 6 in which are four socket connector portions 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Each connector portion 2 has three female electrical contacts 3, 4, 5 * ** positioned in accordance with a standard configuration generally at the apices of an * * . *.* ** * imaginary isosceles triangle. In use, an abutment face 8 abuts a plug 13 the pins 14, *..

* 10 15, 16 of which engage the contacts 3, 4, 5. The housing 6 is a rectangular prism with * : a base 7 opposing the abutment face 8 and sides 9, 10, 11, 12 joining the base 7 and abutment face 8. Three pin-receiving openings are provided in the abutment S..

5....' face 8 for receiving the pins 14, 15, 16. Fixed to each electrical connector or S. * . . * * connector portion 2 is an ejector mechanism 17.

The ejector mechanism 17 includes a push button 18 that is bifurcate, having two biturcated porlions 20a, 20b on one side of a rectangular prismatic body potion 19.

Coaxial pins 22a, 22b are fixed to the bifurcated portions 20a, 20b respectively.

Each of the ejectors 23a, 23b has opposing flanges 25, 26 at one end having apertures for receiving the pins 22a, 22b to form pivots connecting the push button 18 and ejectors 23a, 23b. A torsion spring 31 is connected between each ejector 23a, 23b arid the push button 18 for applying a torque therebetween about the pivot axis. The distal ends 27a, 27b of the ejectors 23a, 23b are radiused about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the pins 22a, 22b.

The push button 18 is received in the housing 6 to reciprocate in direction 30 parallel to the abutment face 8, the body portion 19 protruding through the side 10 allowing it to be pressed by the user. The bifurcate portions 20a, 20b and the ejectors 23a, 23b extend either side of the contact 5. Openings are provided in the abutment face 8, on either side of the pin-receiving openings, through which each of the distal ends 27a, 27b may extend.

With the plug 13 received in the socket and in contact with the abutment face B (as shown in Fig. 4a), the push button 18 is fully extended and the ejectors 23a, 23b : ** extend obliquely to the push button 18, the distal end of each ejector 27a, 27b

SS

* 10 bearing against a respective bearing plate 33a, 33b. Pressing the push button 18 into the housing 6 (Fig. 4b) presses the distal ends 27a, 27b against the bearing * plates 33, 34 and the plug to assist in ejecting the plug 13. When the push button 18 is released the spring 31 acts to restore the push button 18 to its extended position ***** (Fig. 4c). ** S * S

* 15 An electncal distribution strip 201 incorporating four socket connector portions 202 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in to Figs 5 -7 and 8a-8c As with the first embodiment, a feature of the ejector mechanism 217 is its bifurcate or forked construction, having a pair of ejectors 223a, 223b mounted to extend either side of a contact 5. This second embodiment, however, includes a further pair of links 36a, 36b pivotally connecting the ejectors 223a, 223b to the bifurcated portions 220a, 220b.

Parallel pins 221, 222 at each end of the links 36, 37 are received in apertures in the bifurcated portions 220a, 220b and ejectors 223a, 223b respectively. A Tecess 37 between the bifurcated portions 220a, 220b is provided for receiving an end of a compression spring 231, the other end of which bears against the housing 206 to bias the push button 218 out from the side lOto s extended position.

The ejectors 223a, 223b are received in the housing 206 to reciprocate perpendicular to the abutment face 8. As seen in Fig. 8a, with the plug 13 in contact with the abutment face 8 and the push button 18 fully extended, the axis of the links 36, 37 (extending between the pivots) extends obliquely to the push button 218 and the ejectors 23, 24 Pressing the push button 218 into the housing 06 (Fig. 8b) moves the ejectors 223a, 223b to assist in ejecting the plug 13.

A third embodiment is shown in to Figs 9 -11 and 12a-12c and as with the previous embodiments an ejector mechanism 317 is provided for each socket portion 302 on the distribution strip 301. Each ejector mechanism 317 includes a first pair 38a, 38b and a second pair of links 39a, 39b joining the ejectors 323a, 323b and push button : 318 to form a bifurcate or forked construction extending from the push button 318 to *.

either side of a contact 5. This third embodiment of the socket connector allows the * . *..

push button 318 to project from the abutment face 8. * .. * S * * S.

Each link of the first pair 38a, 38b is pivotally connected at one end to a respective one of the ejectors 323a, 323b and at another end by a link-connecting pivot 41 to a ** ::: respective one of the second pair of links 39a, 39b. Each link of the second pair links 39a, 39b is pivotally connected to a respective portion of the push button 318.

At each link-connecting pivot 41 a roller 40 is mounted coaxially with the pivot for rolling contact with an inner face 42 of the base 7. A roller 40 is received in a slot 42 formed in the end of each of the first pair of links 38a, 38b.

The push button 318 is mounted to reciprocate in and out of the housing in a directionperpendicular to the abutment face 8, with the compression spring 231 biasing it outward therefurm. As shown In Fi 12s, with the push button i18 in this extended position the plug 13 may be inserted into the socket portion 2, as the distal -Jo-end of the ejectors 323a, 323b are at or below the abutment face 8. The axis 43 of the second pair of links 39a, 39b (extending between the pivots) extends obliquely to the inner face 42, such that pressing the push button 18 (Fig. 12b) translates the link-connecting pTvot 41 in direction 45, thereby extending the ejectors 323a, 323b to assist in ejecting the plug 13. When the push button 318 is released the spring 331 acts to restore the push button 318 to its extended position (Fig. 12c) and retract the ejectors 323a, 323b within the housing.

A plug 50 having an ejector mechanism 55 is shown in Figs. 13a, 13b, 14, 15 and 16a- * ** 16c. The ejector mechanism 55 includes an ejector 54, compression spring 53, * . . S...

*..* 1.0 annular seal 51 and retainer 52. The ejector 54 has a square section push button * S S...

* portion 56 separated from an ejector pin portion 57 by a flange 58. The ejector * mechanism 55 is mounted within a plug body such that the ejector pin portion 57 is * slidably received in an aperture centrally positioned between the contact pins 14-16, S..

while the button portion 56 is received in an opposing opening in the plug body, S. : * . 15 retained by the flange 58 The seal 51 and one end of the spnng 53 are received in the retainer 52, the spring biasing the button portion 56 to extend from the housing.

The sea! 51 protects the plug against liquid ingress. As seen in the drawings, in end view the contact pins 14-16 are arranged at the apices of an imaginary triangle and the ejector 54 is positioned substantially equidistant from each pin.

For one-handed plug removal the sides 57, 58 may be clamped between two ringers to grip the plug 50. If unable to withdraw the plug in this manner alone, then further assistance may be obtained by employing the thumb to press the button portion 56 to hold the end of the ejector pin 57 against the abutment face 8, while simultaneously pulling out the plug -11-.

Claims

CLAlM: 1 An electrical connector including: a housing having an

abutment face for substantially abutting a plug; an pin-receiving opening in the abutment face for receiving a contact pin fixed to the plug; a female electrical contact in the housing for engaging the pin; : * a a push button mounted in the housing for reciprocation in and out of the * . housing; as basing means for biasing the push button out of the housing; *.

a pair of ejectors positioned substantially on either side of the female contact, ** * . each ejector recewed in a respective aperture in the abutment face and being *. .* * . I * moveable between a retracted position wherein the ejector is generally within the housing and an extended position wherein the ejector protrudes from the abutment face, and connection means connecting each ejector to the push button such that pressing the push button into the housing moves the ejectors from their retracted positions to their extended positions to assist in ejecting the plug.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein each ejector has a first end for protruding through the abutment face and an opposing second end, and the 12 -connection means includes a pivot connecting each second end to the push button 3 The electrical connector of claim 2 wherein the housing includes a base opposing the abutment face and sides joining the base and abutment face, wherein in an outermost position the push-button extends from one of the sides and including a bearing surface for contacting the first end of each elector, the bearing surface being inckned to the abutment face for rotating : . * the ejector and directing the first end through the abutment face, S.., S... * .

**SS 10 * .* * . . * ..

* 4. The electrical connector of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the biasing means *5* comprises a torsion spring connected between the push button and each *. * .

ejector. * .* * S S * .

5. The electrical connector of claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the bearing surface is substantially orthogonal to the abutment face, the push button is mounted to reciprocate substantially parallel to the abutment face and the first end is radiused about an axis parallel 10 the pivot axis.

6. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein each ejector is mounted for linear reciprocation in the housing and has a first end for protruding through the abutment face and an opposing second end, the push button is bifurcate, and -13-the connection means includes a first pair of links, each being pivotaHy connected at one end to one ejector and at another end to a respective bifurcated portion of the push button.

7. The electrical connector of claim 6 wherein the housing includes a base opposing the abutment face and sides joining the base and abutment face, and wherein in an outermost position the push-button extends from one of the sides. * ** ** * *.I. * S t SSS

* .* 10 8. The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein in an outermost position the push-* * S * ..

button extends from the abutment face, each ejector is mounted for linear reciprocation in the housing and has a first end for protruding through the :::: abutment face and an opposing second end, and the connection means includes a first pair and a second pair of links, each link of the first pair being pivotally connected at one end to one ejector and at another end to a respective one of the second pair of links, each link of the second pair being pivotally connected to a respective bifurcated portion of the push button, and a roller is mounted at or adiacent the pivot connecting the first pair and second pair of links, the roller being adapted for rolling contact with an inner face of the base.

9. The electrical connector of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the biasing means comprises a compression spring connected between the housing and the push button.

An electrical connector including: a housing: a plurality of parallel contact pins projecting from the housing; an ejector mounted to reciprocate relative to the housing parallel to the contact pins, the ejector having a button portion by which it may be pressed * SI * S S into the housing and an opposing ejector pin portion for projecting from the 05S * I * I5S housing to bear against a socket; * . I. * * ** a spring for biasing the button portion outwardly of the housing * .

S * * * .51 *5 S. * S

* * 11. The electrical connector of claim 10 further including an annular seal for sealing around the ejector pin portion.

12. The electrical connector of claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the ejector is substantially equidistant from each of the pins.

13. An electncal connector substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in any of the Figures 1, 5, 9, 1 3a and 1 3b.