Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-03-08

2001-03-06

Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With contact preventer or retractable cover part

Movably mounted

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196854

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular, though not exclusively, to underwater electrical connectors designed for releasable mating engagement.
Known underwater electrical connectors commonly comprise a male part having at least one contact pin and a female part having at least one contact socket for reception of the contact pin when the male and female parts are brought together.
Usually, the engagement of the contacts is effected in a non-conductive fluid such as oil which isolates the contacts from the surrounding water. Typically, the contact socket is arranged in a chamber containing the fluid and the contact pin extends through and seals an opening into the chamber to prevent escape of the fluid from the chamber and/or penetration of the surrounding water into the chamber in the mated condition of the connector.
In one arrangement, the opening is self-closing to seal the chamber in the unmated condition of the connector. A relatively low force is sufficient to insert the contact pin and engage the contact socket with the result that there is no tendency for the connector to de-mate. However, insertion of the contact pin distorts the opening with the result that sealing efficiency may be reduced on removal of the contact pin. Sealing efficiency may also be adversely affected with temperature, pressure changes in the surrounding water.
In another arrangement, the opening is closed to seal the chamber in the unmated condition of the connector by a slidable, spring loaded piston that is pushed back when the contact pin is inserted to engage the contact socket. A relatively high force is required to overcome the biasing of the shuttle pin when the contact pin is inserted to engage the contact socket with the result that there is a tendency for the connector to de-mate. Furthermore, although there is less distortion of the opening, wear and abrasion from sliding movement of the shuttle pin can result in a reduction in sealing efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is intended to provide an electrical connector of simple construction in which the problems and disadvantages aforementioned are mitigated.
According to the present invention we provide an electrical connector comprising first and second parts, a contact of the first part extending through an opening in the second part when the first and second parts are brought together to engage a contact of the second part in a mated condition of the connector, the opening being closed in an unmated condition of the connector by a resiliently biased member arranged so that, when the first and second parts are brought together, the member is engaged by the contact of the first part during insertion thereof through the opening and is displaced transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the first part to engage the contact of the second part, and non-conductive fluid within the second part.
By this invention, the resilient biasing of the member acts transverse to the direction of movement of the contact pin in the mated condition of the connector. As a result, there is no tendency for the connector to de-mate.
Preferably, the member comprises a ball engageable with a part-spherical seating to close the opening in the unmated condition of the connector. In this way, the opening is not subject to wear and abrasion from displacement of the ball towards and away from the seating.
Advantageously, the ball is biased to close the opening by a spring, preferably a torsion spring. As a result, the ball automatically closes the opening when the contact pin is withdrawn in the unmated condition of the connector.
In a preferred arrangement, the opening is provided in a chamber containing the non-conductive fluid and is closed in the mated condition of the connector by the contact pin to prevent escape of the fluid.
Preferably, two chambers are provided each containing non-conductive fluid and having axially aligned openings closed by respective resiliently biased members that are displaced transversely by the contact pin when the first and second parts are brought together.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3892456 (1975-07-01), Westmoreland
patent: 5171158 (1992-12-01), Cairns
patent: 5716224 (1998-02-01), Masuda et al.
patent: 5899765 (1999-05-01), Niekrasz et al.
patent: 6017227 (2000-01-01), Cairns et al.
patent: 0 048 601A2 (1982-03-01), None
patent: 0 124 987A2 (1984-11-01), None
patent: 0 251 655A1 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 2 264 201A (1993-08-01), None

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