Electrical connectors – With contact preventer or retractable cover part – Movably mounted
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-11
2002-05-07
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With contact preventer or retractable cover part
Movably mounted
C439S142000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06382990
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electrical connection socket, particularly for an explosive or explodable atmosphere, for example in the form of a power connector socket or a mobile extension cable socket, and its manufacturing process.
2. Discussion of Background Information
It is already known how to manufacture an electrical connection socket provided with electrical contacts installed in contact housings of an insulating block, and which are designed to cooperate with the corresponding contact pins of a plug.
An “explosion proof” enclosure needs to be provided for each connection area in order to make a socket particularly suitable for an explosive atmosphere.
In the past, this type of explosion proof confinement was obtained using intermediate mobile contacts, for example in the form of pistons moving in translation as described in European patent 0 112 258.
However one of the difficulties with this type of device is the reliability of the disconnection time between the contact pistons and the electrical contacts between the plug and socket to prevent breaking outside the explosion proof area, particularly when the plug is extracted suddenly.
Known practice also includes a connection socket like that described in document GB 2 125 234 A that is provided with a safety disk with a peripheral opening for each peripheral contact housing in the insulating block of the socket, and that it is installed free to rotate on the insulating block through a central opening in the block, and in which the inside surface cooperates with a lateral surface of a central protuberance from the insulating block forming a rotation hub, such that the peripheral openings in the disk may be moved at will by rotating this disk with respect to the corresponding housings on the insulating block.
Furthermore, if this type of device is to be used in an explosive atmosphere, an explosion proof joint surface is created between the inside surface of the casing of the plug that is inserted in the socket, and the outside surface of an element fixed to the insulating block of the said socket.
It can then be understood that the body of the plug must fit precisely while being plugged in, to form the above-mentioned explosion proof joint surface. It is usually difficult to make a large diameter explosion proof joint and requires the use of metal parts as described here for precision reasons.
Furthermore, this part is vulnerable and the slightest damage can reduce the efficiency of the explosion proof joint surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides for an electrical connection socket comprising an insulating block comprising a central protuberance. A plurality of peripheral contact housings are arranged in the insulating block. Each peripheral contact housing includes an electrical contact. Each peripheral contact is adapted to mate with a corresponding pin when the electrical connection socket is coupled to an electrical connection plug. A safety disk is provided having a central opening and at least a same number of peripheral through openings as there are electrical contacts. The central opening of the safety disk is adapted to receive at least a portion of the central protuberance of the insulating block.. The safety disk is rotatably mounted to the insulating block so as to form an explosive proof joint between at least two surfaces.
The safety disk may be rotatably mounted to the insulating block so as to be movable between at least a first position wherein the peripheral openings of the safety disk are aligned with the electrical contacts, and at least a second position wherein the peripheral openings of the safety disk are not aligned with the electrical contacts.
Each electrical contact may be mounted in a corresponding peripheral contact housing in the insulating block. The central opening of the safety disk may be arranged to be rotatably disposed adjacent the central protuberance of the insulating block, such that the safety disk is free to rotate on the central protuberance of the insulating block. Each of the safety disk and insulating block may comprise an engaging surface, such that contact between at least two engaging surfaces may be adapted to form an explosion proof joint. The socket may be adapted to operate in an explosive atmosphere. The central protuberance of the insulating block may comprise a central opening adapted to receive a central pin disposed in the electrical connection plug, when the electrical connection plug is coupled to the socket.
The socket may further comprise an electrical contact disposed in the central opening of the insulating block. Each of the safety disk and the insulating block may have planar front engaging surfaces that contact each other such that at least part of these front engaging surfaces are adapted to form an explosion proof joint.
The socket may further comprise an explosion proof joint formed between at least two contact surfaces of the safety disk and the insulating block. The at least two contact surfaces may be formed between the central opening of the safety disk and a cylindrical surface of the central protuberance of the insulating block. The central protuberance of the insulating block may be integrally formed with the insulating block. The central protuberance of the insulating block may comprise an insulating material. The safety disk may comprise a peripheral annular extension which is adapted to one of cover and overlap at least a portion of the insulating block. The peripheral annular extension may rotatably engage the insulating block via at least two contact surfaces, the at least two contact surfaces forming an explosion proof joint. Each of the safety disk and insulating block may comprise at least three corresponding contact surfaces, an explosion proof joint being formed via contact between at least one surface of the safety disk and at least one surface of the insulating block.
The socket may further comprise an explosion proof joint being formed via contact between at least two surfaces of the safety disk and at least two surfaces of the insulating block, one of the at least two surfaces being movable with respect to the other. The socket may further comprise a plurality of elements, wherein each element is adapted to close a peripheral contact housing. Each element may be disposed in the insulating block and arranged adjacent an end of a corresponding electrical contact which is opposite an end which is disposed adjacent the safety disk.
The central protuberance may comprise a hub which includes at least one cylindrical surface. The hub may comprise at least one of a flared external surface and recessed inner surface. The central opening of the safety disk may comprise a surface which corresponds to the at least flared external surface of the hub. At least one of the electrical contacts may comprise an end to end pressure contact. The at least one end to end pressure contact may comprise a contact head, a braid, and a helical spring.
The insulating block may be rotatably connected to the safety disk via insert molding, the safety disk being rotatably fixed to the insulating block after the insert molding.
The invention next provides for an electrical connection socket comprising an insulating block comprising an insulating central cylindrical hub. A plurality of peripheral contact housings are arranged in the insulating housing. Each peripheral contact housing includes an electrical contact. Each peripheral contact is adapted to mate with a corresponding pin when the socket is coupled to an electrical connection plug. A safety disk is provided which comprises a central opening and at least a same number of peripheral through openings as there are electrical contacts. The central opening of the safety disk is adapted to receive at least a portion of the cylindrical hub of the insulating block. The safety disk is rotatably mounted to the insulating block such that the safety disk engages the insulating block via at least one contact area.
The at least one contact are
Marechal Gilles
Vallet Jean-Michel
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Prasad Chandrika
Sircus Brian
Societe d'Exploitation des Procedes Marechal (SEPM)
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