GB2522397A

GB2522397A - Self aligning connector

Info

Publication number: GB2522397A
Application number: GB1316033.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Crossan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-09
Filing date: 2013-09-09
Publication date: 2015-07-29
Also published as: GB201316033D0

Abstract

A Connector has two parts each having sleeves retained within an outer case (5, 6, figure 1) and, in at least one part relative rotation is possible. In a first part the sleeve protrudes from its outer case, in a second part the case protrudes over the sleeve. The connector parts may be approximately latterly aligned by inserting the protruding sleeve 90, 110 of the first part into the protruding case of the second part. The connector parts are rotationally aligned when convexly curved formations of opposing sleeves are abutted and axial effort translates into relative rotation until rotational alignment is achieved. Further axial effort brings the sleeves into proximity and connectivity. There is also provided for means of mutually engaging both connector parts in co-operation to achieve locking in position. The connector is suitable for connecting optical and/or electrical conductors.

Description

SELF ALIGNING CONNECTOR

The present invention relates to a connector for optical and/or electrical conductors.

Connectors for optical and electrical conductors are known in many and various forms. The connector of the present invention is primarily useful for connecting data transmission devices.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector for optical and/or electrical conductors.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a connector for optical and/or electrical conductors, the connector comprising two parts and each part having: * a sleeve adapted for aligned interconnection with the sleeve of the other part; * a insert member adapted for three dimensional alignment with the insert member of the other part and having terminations for conductors, the insert member being canied by the sleeve, whereby when the sleeves of the two parts are interconnected, the insert members abut in alignment; and * an outer case at least partially containing the sleeve carrying the insert member: wherein: * the outer case and the sleeve of one part are provided with formations retaining them together whilst allowing theft-relative rotation for rotational engagement with the other part' s contained sleeve, with the two insert members being brought into alignment and abutment with each other, * the outer case and the sleeve of the other part being provided with retainment formations allowing little or no relative rotation whilst retaining them together for holding the sleeve during rotational engagement, and * there are provided: * means acting between the outer case and sleeve of one, the other or both parts for resiliently urging the outer cases towards each other on rotational engagement and * rotational disengagement inhibiting means on the two cases, the arrangement being such that disconnection is inhibited unless the two cases are separated against the resilient means.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a connector part of the connector of the first aspect of the invention.

At least one of the outer cases will normally be a manually-grippable, substantially circularly-cylindrical "grip ring". The other can also be such a gnp ring or it can be a bulkhead plug.

Whilst the retainment formations in one or the other part can restrict completely relative axial displacement of it sleeve and outer case with the sleeve and outer case of the opposite part being axially displaceable; in the prefelTed embodiments, both outer cases are so displaceable with respect to their sleeves. In this case, the purpose of the displacement is both to allow for the withdrawal for disconnection and to provide a feeling of increased tightness as the connector is finally tightened.

The resilient means can be conventional coil springs but preferably are wave springs. The springs will normally abut against a collar machined in one of the outer cases and sleeves and a member screwed or clipped to the other of them on assembly of the connector part. The sleeves can be two component sleeves with their front-conductor-alignment-canying end screwed to their rear resiliently urged ends.

Whilst it can be envisaged the adaptation for rotational engagement can be a bayonet fitting arrangement for instance; it will normally be a screw thread anangement, preferably a multi-start screw thread.

Normally the rotational engagement inhibiting means will be provided at the end of one outercase such as to contain its insert member within the case prior to connection. It will not normally be possible to arrange for both insert members to be so contained.

Iii the preferred embodiment, the insert members are carried in their sleeves irrotationally but with slight resilient plunge.

In accordance with an important preferred feature of the invention, the sleeves are so formed as to align on axial insertion of the one protruding from its case into the other case and twisting as for rotational engagement, whereby the insert members are angularly and rotationally aligned before being axially abutted. This has particular advantage where the conductors are, or inc'ude, electncal conductors having pin and socket terminals in the insert members.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a connector for optical and/or electncal conductors, the connector comprising two parts and each part having: * a sleeve adapted for aligned interconnection with the sleeve of the other part; * a insert member adapted for three dimensional alignment with the insert member of the other part and having terminations for conductors, the insert member being carried by the sleeve, whereby when the sleeves of the two parts are interconnected, the insert members abut in alignment; and * an outer case at least partially containing the sleeve carrying the insert member: wherein: * the outer case and the sleeve of one part are provided with formations retaining them together whilst allowing their relative rotation for rotational engagement with the other part's contained sleeve, with the two insert members being brought into alignment and abutment with each other, * the outer case and the sleeve of the other part being provided with retainment formations allowing litde or no rdative rotation whilst retaining them together for holding the sleeve during rotational engagement, and there are provided: complementary formations at the ends of the sleeves for their alignment on axial insertion of one protruding from its case into the other case and twisting as for rotational engagement, whereby the insert members are angularly aligned before being axially abutted.

This has particular advantage where the conductors are, or include. electncal conductors having pin and socket terminals in the insert members.

According to fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a connector part of the connector of the third aspect of the invention.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying is drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a connector according to the invention having two grip ring parts; Figure 2 is a centraL longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the connector of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar cross-sectional view of a longer outer case of the connector of the Figure I; Figure 4 is a similar cross-sectional view of a shorter outer case of the connector of the Figure 1; Figure 5 is similar cross-sectional view of a rear component of a sleeve within the longer outer case; Figure 6 is similar cross-sectional view of a front component of a sleeve within the longer outer case; Figure 7 is similar cross-sectional view of a front component of a sleeve within the shorter outer case; Figure 8 is similar cross-sectional view of a rear component of a sleeve within the shorter outer case; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the front component of Figure 6; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an insert carried by the front component of Figure 6; Figure 11 is a similar perspective view of the insert of Figure 10 from its opposite end; and S Figure 12 is a perspective end view of a bulkhead connector part.

Refering to Figures 1 to 11 of the drawings, the connector I there shown has a longer grip ring part 2 and a shorter one 3. The parts end distally in cable boots 4, which can be of metal or of elastomeric material. They are essentially conventional in their function and will not be described in detail. They have cables C extending from them. The grip ring parts 2,3 have outer cases 5,6 essentially tubular and of generally circular cross-section. They are much longer than their diameter and as such wou'd not normally be described as "grip rings". However, this terminology dates from times when similar parts gripped for tightening connectors were indeed rings and the term "grip ring" has been carried over.

Externally the grip rings are unremarkable, having flutes 7 for their manual gripping and significantly saw tooth ratchet formations 8 at their abutting proximal ends. Internally, the longer outer case is circulady bored with: * a short counter bore 51 inwards of its ratchet teeth 52; * multi-start, female screw thread 53; * short and long plain bores. 54,5; * two 0-ring grooves 56,57; * a rear counter bore 58; and * a circlip groove 59.

Similarly internally the shorter outer case has an essentially similar configuration, with three marked difference. It has: * a short counter bore 61 inwards of its ratchet teeth 62; * a plurality of dog clutch recesses 63, as shown three but there may be any number, instead of a screw thread; * short and long plain bores 64,65; * a plurality of 0-ring grooves 66,67, as shown two but again there may be any number; and * a plain rear counter bore 68, with no circlip groove.

The long outer case of the long grip ring accommodates, mainly in its bores 54,55. a two component sleeve 9 comprised of a short front component 90 and a rear component 100. Its features are: * a plain outside 91 of the front component 90 which sealingly engages with an 0-ring 561 in the groove 56; * an off-set D, cut-away front end 92, with radiused corners 93; * a plain front bore 94; * a rear counter bore 95, with three, non-equi-angularly-spaced dog recesses 96 extending partially into the plain bore 94; * a real' female screw thread 97; * a complementary front male screw thread 101 at the front of the rear component 100; * lightening/access apertures 102 in an otherwise plain, slight reduced diameter mid-portion 103; * a plain circular cylindrical 0-ring portion 104 for sealing engagement with an 0-ring 571 in the groove 57; * an external coflar 105 and an external male thread 106; * au internal apertured divider 107 with a hexagonal recess 108 in its rear face; and * intema female screw thread 109, The short outer case of the short grip ring accommodates mainly in its bores 64,65 a two component sleeve 11 comprised of a partially projecting short front component 110 and a rear component 120. Its features are: * a multi-start, male screw thread outside 111 of the front component 110 which is engageable with the multi-start, female screw thread 53 of the long outer case; * an off-set D, cut-away front end 112, with radiused corners 113. The extent of the cutaway is complementary with cut-away of the front end 92, whereby the sleeves 9,11 mate in the manner of a single position dog clutch; * a plain front bore 114; * a rear counter bore 115, with three, non-equl-angularly-spaced dog recesses 116 extending partially into the plain bore 114; * a rear female screw thread 117; * a plurality of 0-ring grooves 1181,1182, as shown two but there may be any number, for 0-nngs 1183,1184, respectively sealingly engageable with the front counter bores 51,6i of the long and short outer cases; * a plurality of dog clutch teeth 119, as shown three but again there maybe any number, for engaging with the recesses 63 in the outer case 6 for their irrotational engagement; * a front male screw thread 121 at the front of the rear component 120, the thread being complementary to the rear female screw thread 117; * lightening/access apertures 122 in an otherwise plain, slight reduced diameter rear-portion 123 of a diameter to sealingly engage with an 0-ring 671 in the groove 67 of the short outer case; * a plain circular cylindrical 0-ring portion 124 between the rear portion 123 and the screw thread 121 for sealing engagement with an 0-ring 661 in the groove 66; * an internal apertured divider 127 with a hexagonal recess 128 in its rear face; and * internal and external rear, female and male screw threads 129 1,1292.

The sleeves 9,11 cariy complementary insert members 12 for having terminations of both electrical and optical conductors in cables C. The two inserts are identical and as such are not separately described. Each has: * a front face 1201 having vestigial rim pieces 1202 and complementary steps 1203 cut below the front face. This arrangement allows the inserts to mate precisely coaxiafly; * a single bore 1204 have counterbores 12041 for lenses terminating optical conductors OC. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement can be connected at one orientation or another 180° turned onentation, which may not always be desired; * an 0-ring groove 1205 for an 0-ring sealingly engageable with the front bores 94,114 of the sleeves; * a plurality of non-equi-angularly-spaced dog teeth 1206. as shown three teeth but there may be any number, for irrotationally engaging the inserts with the sleeves 9,11 via the dog recesses 96,116. It will be appreciated that with the sleeves engageable at a unique angle due to the off-set from the diameter of the off-set D, cut-away front end 92,112, the inserts will be uniquely angularly abutted on interconnection of the sleeves; * a wave spring 1207 abutting its back face and held by a respective coflar 1208 captivated by the rear female screw thread 97,117 and the complementary front male screw thread 101,121 of the two component sleeves 9,11. Thus the inserts are urged forwards of their sleeves, but restricted in their possible movement by the dog teeth 1206 bottoming in the dog recesses 96.116.

The abutment of the inserts 12 just described is achieved on attachment together of the two connector parts 2,3. This is achieved with self-orientation of the sleeves due their radiused off-set D front ends. Self-orientation is also refelTed to as blind-mating, referring to the fact the connector parts can be interconnected without the need for any angular alignment by sight of the connector parts. The interconnection is achieved by relative rotation of the connector parts, i.e. relative rotation of the outer cases 5,6. It will be appreciated that due to the dogging together of the inserts with their sleeves and of the shorter sleeve with the short outer case, the only piece which rotates with respect to all the other pieces is the long outer case.

This rotation is accompanied by forwards movement oflong outer case with respect to its s'eeve. after manual forwards movements of the outer cases to engage the sleeves. Manual forwards movement is possible until the multi-start screw threads engage, whereupon further forwards movement results from screw action. During the early part of this the insers abut and then move with respect to the sleeves with compression of the wave springs behind them. It is the final part of the screwing movement which causes the relative axial movement of the outer case and its sleeve.

This movement is against compression in a wave spring 14. This acts against the rear face of the collar 105 on the long sleeve and a washer 141 carried inwards of the male thread 106. The washer is limited in its movement by a circlip 591 in the groove 59 in the rear of the outer case. The compression of the wave spring provides the operator of a sensation of increasing tightening of the connector which he is screwing together.

On tightening, the ratchet formations 8 nde over each other, preventing unscrewing, as from vibration, without axial separation of the outer cases. Another wave spring 15 is provided in the shorter part of the connector. It is contained in the counter bore 68 acting on its end step 681. A threaded boot carrier 151 is screwed onto the sleeve 11 at its rear, male threads 1292. When the connector is to be undone, the outer cases are pulled axially apart. This disengages the ratchet formations 8, no longer inhibit unscrewing.

It will be noted that essentially conventional cable securements 16 are provided in the sleeves inwards of their dividers 107,127. Gland bushes 17 with hexagonal heads 171 engaging in the hexagonal recess 108,128 are secured outwards of the dividers by gland nuts engaging in the internal thread 109.

Turning now to Figure 12, there is shown a recessed bulkhead connector part 203, which is essentially similar to the shorter grip ring connector part 3 described above. It is connected by offering up the longer grip ring connector part, engaging the blind mating D formations and engaging the three start screw threads with the ratchet teeth riding over each other. It is disconnected by pulling the long grip ring away from the bulkhead connector and unscrewing. As such and in view of its similarity, it is described below in outline only.

The bulkhead connector part 203 has an outer case 205 similar to the outer case 5, but having a bulkhead flange 251 with a tubular extension 252 attached to the case 205 at a collar by a nut. lnternaly the case 205 is the same as the case 5, including three dog clutch recesses. As before while three dog clutch recesses are shown, there may be any number. The end of the case within the tubular extension 252 has ratchet teeth 262.

The outer case 205 of bulkhead connector part accommodates a two component sleeve comprised of a short front component and a rear component. Its features include: * a multi-start, male screw thread outside the front component which is engageable with the multi-start, female screw thread 53 of the long outer case; * an off-set D. cut-away front end 2112, with radiused corners. The extent of the cutaway is complementary with cut-away of the front end 92; * a rear counter bore, with a plurality of non-equi-angularly-spaced dog recesses, as shown three, but there may be any number; * a plurality of dog clutch teeth, as shown three but again there may be any number, for engaging with the recesses in the outer case 205 for their irrotational engagement.

The sleeve carries an insert 212 including: * a plurality of non-equi-angularly-spaced dog teeth for irrotationally engaging with the plurabty of dog recesses; as shown there are three teeth and three recesses but any number can be used; * a wave spring abutting its back face and held by a respective collar.

The abutment of the inserts 12, 212 is achieved on attachment together of the two connector parts 2,203. This is achieved with self-orientation of the sleeves due their radiused off-set D front ends. The interconnection is achieved by rotation of the connector part 2, the bulkhead part being fixed.

Screwing connection of a tong connector part to the bulkhead connector part involves final movement against compression in the wave spring 14 which provides the operator of the sensation of increasing tightening of the connector.

On tightening, the ratchet formations 52,262 ride over each other, preventing unscrewing without axial separation of the outer cases. Another wave spring is provided in the shorter part of the bulkhead connector part. When the connector is to be undone, the cases are pulled axially apart. This disengages the ratchet formations 8, no longer inhibit unscrewing.

Claims

Claims 1. A connector comprising two parts, each part having a sleeve retained in an outer case with relative rotation possible in at least one part) the sleeve of the first part protruding from its outer case, the outer case of the second part obtruding past its sleeve by a comparable amount, lateral alignment is provided by the insertion of the protruding sleeve of the first part into the protruding outer case of the second part, each sleeve being substantially cylindrical at one end and semi-cylindrical at the other end, the semi-cylindrical ends having convexly curved foremost corners whereby axial abutment of said corners of the first part to said corners of second part causes relative rotation of the first part to the second part until rotationally aligned and subsequent axial effort causes both sleeves to advance axially until in mutual proximity thereby forming a cylindrical tubing and providing consequential angular alignment.
2. The connector as claimed in claim 1 where one sleeve has an outward engagement member adapted to receive and engage with a co-operable inward member of an outer case.
3. The connector as claimed in 2 wherein relative rotation of the engagement members causes a relative axial movement of the sleeves of both parts.
4. The connector as claimed in 3 where the engagement members are co-operable multi-start threads.

S The connector as claimed in 3 where the engagement members are co-operable cam and pin. r

6 The connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each sleeve is adapted to retain an insert member for optical and/or electrical terminations.LO