Electrical Connector

Abstract

 The present invention relates to an electrical connector (10). The electrical connector (10) comprises: a male part (12) and a female part (14); and a connector coupling operative to engage the male part and the female part with each other, the connector coupling being brought into engagement by relative rotation of the male and female parts. A spring biased pin (45) projects from one of the male and female parts and a recess (42) is defined in the other of the male and female parts, the pin being received in the recess when the connector coupling is engaged to thereby limit relative rotation of the male and female parts and prevent disengagement of the connector coupling. The electrical connector also comprises a disengaging device (80), the electrical connector being configured such that upon relative rotation of the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts, the disengaging device advances along the said one part and in so doing depresses the pin against its bias to thereby allow for disengagement of the connector coupling.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, in particular but not exclusively a connector for high current applications, such as with three phase apparatus.

Background to the invention

[0002] The terminals of high current electrical connectors present a risk of electrocution. On account of the requirement to carry high current such terminals are typically of large dimensions making live contacts accessible to the inadvertent or deliberate insertion of an object, such as a user's finger.

[0003] US 6 309 231 describes an electrical connector, in which the male and female connector parts present only insulating surfaces to a user when the male and female connector parts are engaged. In addition, the electrical connector of US 6 309 231 comprises a spring biased locking pin, which is operative to prevent disengagement of the male and female connector parts. According to US 6 309 231 a release tool is used to depress the locking pin and thereby permit disengagement of the male and female connector parts. The release tool of US 6 309 231 is not attached to either of the male and female connector parts. Thus, the release tool has a tendency to be misplaced.

[0004] WO 2005/083848 describes an improved electrical connector, in which the release tool is formed as a sleeve surrounding one of the male and female connector parts. According to WO 2005/083848, the locking pin is depressed by advancing the sleeve along the connector part to which the sleeve is attached.

[0005] The present inventor has appreciated certain disadvantages of the electrical connector of WO 2005/083848.

[0006] It is therefore an object for the present invention to provide an improved electrical connector.

Statement of invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising:

a male part and a female part;

a connector coupling operative to engage (i.e.

interlock) the male part and the female part with each other, the connector coupling being brought into engagement by relative rotation of the male and female parts;
a spring biased pin projecting from one of the male and female parts and a recess defined in the other of the male and female parts, the pin being received in the recess when the connector coupling is engaged to thereby limit relative rotation of the male and female parts and prevent disengagement of the connector coupling;
and a disengaging device, the electrical connector being configured such that upon relative rotation of the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts, the disengaging device advances along the said one part and in so doing depresses the pin against its bias to thereby allow for disengagement of the connector coupling.

[0008] Rotation of the disengaging device in relation to one of the male and female parts provides for greater ease of use compared, for example, with the electrical connector of WO 2005/083848. More specifically, disengagement of the male and female parts of WO 2005/083848 involves moving a sleeve along one of the male and female parts such that the pin is depressed against its spring bias and then disengaging the male and female parts by rotating the male and female parts in relation to each other. This operation can be difficult to carry out with two hands because it involves holding the sleeve against the spring bias of the pin by exerting a force along the male or female part whilst the male and female parts are rotated in relation to each other. In contrast, according to the present invention, holding the disengaging device against the spring bias involves exerting a rotational force whilst the male and female parts are rotated in relation to each other. This operation is more readily accomplished with two hands.

[0009] More specifically, the electrical connector may be configured such that a rotation of the disengaging device that advances the disengaging device along the said part and depresses the pin is in a same direction as rotation of the male and female parts to disengage the male and female parts from each other.

[0010] More specifically, the male and female parts may be disengaged by their relative rotation in an anti-clockwise direction.

[0011] Alternatively or in addition, the connector coupling may comprise a bayonet coupling. Thus, the connector coupling may be brought into engagement by pushing the male and female parts together as well as rotating the male and female parts in relation to each other.

[0012] The disengaging device and one of the male and female parts may define respective, cooperating profiles that engage with each other such that relative rotation of the disengaging device and the said one part causes the disengaging device to advance along the said one part. Thus, alternatively or in addition, the electrical connector may comprise a threaded coupling between the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts. Hence, as the disengaging device is rotated the threaded coupling may cause the disengaging device to move along one of the male and female parts.

[0013] More specifically, the threaded coupling may comprise at least one groove defined in one of the disengaging device and the male and female parts and at least one tab received in a respective groove, the at least one tab protruding from the other of the disengaging device and the male and female parts.

[0014] More specifically, the groove may be defined in the one of the male and female parts.

[0015] Alternatively or in addition, the at least one groove may describe a path around and along the one of the male and female parts. Thus, the at least one groove may describe a spiral or diagonal path.

[0016] Alternatively or in addition, at least one groove may define a path that extends part way around one of the male and female parts.

[0017] Alternatively or in addition, the threaded coupling may comprise a plurality of cooperating grooves and tabs, the grooves being spaced apart from each other around the one of the male and female parts.

[0018] Alternatively or in addition, the disengaging device may comprise a sleeve extending around the one of the male and female parts.

[0019] More specifically, the sleeve may define a gripping surface configured to provide for ease of gripping of the disengaging device by a user's hand when the disengaging device is being rotated to depress the spring biased pin. For example, the gripping surface may comprise corrugations on a surface of the sleeve.

[0020] Alternatively or in addition, the disengaging device may comprise a rotatable member, e.g. a sleeve, which is rotatable by a user, and an actuator member mechanically coupled to the rotatable member, the actuator member being operative to depress the spring biased pin.

[0021] More specifically, the rotatable member and the actuator member may be mechanically coupled for their relative rotation.

[0022] Alternatively or in addition, the rotatable member and the actuator member may be mechanically coupled such that the actuator member moves along the one of the male and female parts as the rotatable member moves along the one of the male and female parts.

[0023] Alternatively or in addition, the rotatable member and the actuator member may be directly coupled to each other, i.e. such that there are no intermediate components.

[0024] More specifically, the rotatable member may bear against the actuator member as the rotatable member moves along the one of the male and female parts.

[0025] Alternatively or in addition, the actuator member may comprise an actuator tab received in a recess defined in the other of the male and female parts.

[0026] Alternatively or in addition, the actuator member may comprise a substrate member (e.g. from which an actuator tab protrudes), the substrate member being mechanically coupled to the rotatable member to provide for freedom of their relative rotational movement whilst providing for movement of the substrate member along the one of the male and female parts as the rotatable member rotates around and moves along the one of the male and female parts. Where the actuator member comprises an actuator tab, the substrate member and the actuator tab may be integrally formed with each other.

[0027] More specifically, the rotatable member may define a groove in which the substrate member is received.

[0028] More specifically, the groove may extend substantially orthogonally to the recess.

[0029] Alternatively or in addition, the substrate member may be substantially c-shaped such that the substrate member extends at least part way around the one of the male and female parts.

[0030] Alternatively or in addition, the substrate member may be disposed on and move along an outer surface of the one of the male and female parts.

[0031] Alternatively or in addition, the disengaging device may be removably attached to the one of the male and female parts.

[0032] More specifically, the disengaging device may comprise at least one release member, which is user operable to permit removal of the disengaging device from the one of the male and female parts.

[0033] More specifically, the release member may interlock, e.g. be in threaded engagement, with the one of the male and female parts. For example, the release member may be a screw.

[0034] Alternatively or in addition, the release member may define a tab of a threaded coupling between the one of the male and female parts and the disengaging device.

[0035] Alternatively or in addition, the electrical connector may comprise a catch operable to selectively allow or prevent the advance of the disengaging device along the said one part.

[0036] More specifically, the catch may form part of the said one part.

[0037] Alternatively or in addition, the catch may comprise a recess and a catch member receivable in the recess, the catch preventing the advance of the disengaging device along the said one part when the catch member is received in the recess.

[0038] More specifically, the recess may be formed in a groove of a threaded coupling of the electrical connector.

[0039] More specifically, the recess may be deeper than the groove.

[0040] Alternatively or in addition, the catch member may threadedly engage one of the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts. Thus, where the catch comprises a recess, threading the catch member selects between allowing and preventing the advance of the disengaging device along the said one part.

[0041] More specifically, the catch member may be a screw of a threaded coupling between the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts.

[0042] Alternatively or in addition, the electrical connector may be configured such that upon a relative rotation of the disengaging device and the one of the male and female parts of between substantially 15° and substantially 60°, the disengaging device moves along the one of the male and female parts a distance at least sufficient to depress the pin.

[0043] More specifically, the electrical connector may be configured for relative rotation of the disengaging device and the one of the male and female parts by substantially 30°.

[0044] Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the male and female parts may be of generally cylindrical shape.

[0045] More specifically, the male and female parts may be coupled to each other towards respective distal portions.

[0046] Alternatively or in addition, the male part may comprise a connection portion comprising an outer insulating sleeve and an inner conducting sleeve, and a spring biased insulating cover mounted within the inner sleeve, the spring biased insulating cover being biased by a spring to substantially block an open end of the outer sleeve.

[0047] More specifically, the inner sleeve may define an electrical connector contact of the male part.

[0048] Alternatively or in addition, the female part may comprise a second outer insulating sleeve and a connector pin within the second outer insulating sleeve.

[0049] More specifically, an end of the connector pin proximate an open end of the second outer insulating sleeve is formed from an insulator.

[0050] Alternatively or in addition, the connector pin may comprise a contact surface which is spring biased in a radially outward direction.

[0051] Alternatively or in addition, the male part may comprise the pin and the female part may comprise the recess.

[0052] Alternatively or in addition, the electrical connector may be configured such that only insulating parts are presented to a user when the connector coupling is engaged.

[0053] Alternatively or in addition, the electrical connector may be configured such that a live component of the male and female parts is recessed from an edge of the electrical connector.

[0054] Alternatively or in addition, the electrical connector may be configured for use in three-phase applications.

[0055] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided electrical apparatus, such as an electrical generator, operable on a three-phase power supply, the electrical apparatus comprising at least one electrical connector according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Brief description of drawings

[0056] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specific description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a known electrical connector in a disconnected condition;

Figure 2 shows an end view of a female part of the connector of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the connector of Figure 1 in a connected condition;

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the disengaging device according to the present invention; and

Figures 5A and 5B respectively show the disengaging device of Figure 4 when in engaged and disengaged conditions.

Specific description

[0057] Figure 1 shows an electrical connector 10 of known construction and operation as described in each of US 6 309 231 and WO 2005/083848. The electrical connector 10 is configured for use in making a connection in a line of a three phase power system.

[0058] The electrical connector 10 of Figure 1 has a male part 12 and a female part 14. The male part 12 has a body 16 formed from an electrically insulating material, such as a plastics material. The male part has a cylindrical male portion 18, a flange 20 and a rear part 22. The male part is configured for connection to a high voltage source by means of a conventional threaded connector 24. The male part 12 has an end face 26 and an insulating pin 28 projects slightly beyond the end face. The male portion 18 has two slots 30, which define a bayonet type coupling with the female part 14.

[0059] The female part 14 has a cylindrical electrically nonconductive body 40 having a recess 42 extending inwardly from an end face of the housing 40. The female part 14 is also connected to a source or sink of electrical power.

[0060] A spring biased pin 45 projects from a face towards an end of the male portion 18. As will be described below, the pin 45 forms part of a locking mechanism.

[0061] Figure 2 shows an end view of the female part 14 of the connector of Figure 1. An insulating end piece ensures that all exposed parts of the female part are insulating. The inner surface of the body 40 defines two protrusions 57, which are spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the inner surface by less than 180 degrees. This ensures that there is only one relative angular orientation in which male and female parts can be joined. In use, the protrusions 57 are received in the slots 30 formed on male portion 18 to form a bayonet type coupling. In other un-illustrated forms, the relative dispositions of the two protrusions 57 around the inner circumference differ, e.g. 60 degrees instead of 170 degrees. Thus, male and female parts having different dispositions of protrusions can be used to provide a connection in different three-phase power lines, such as a neutral line and a live line, without any risk of a male neutral part being connected to a female live part.

[0062] Figure 3 shows the male 12 and female parts 14 when they are connected to each other. The component parts of connector 10 shown in Figure 3 are the same as described above with reference to Figure 1, with the following exceptions. The female part 14 comprises a pin 52, which is used in accordance with well-known practice to pin a contact assembly (not shown) to the body 40. This prevents relative movement of the contact assembly and the housing. Likewise the male part 12 comprises a pin 60, which prevents relative movement of the male part contact assembly (not shown) and the housing 22. As will be familiar to the skilled person the male 12 and female parts 14 are brought into engagement by pushing the male and female parts together. This action depresses the pin 45 against its spring bias. Then the male and female parts are rotated so that the protrusions 57 on the female part engage with the slots 30 of the male part. When the bayonet coupling is fully engaged, the spring biased pin projects into the recess 42, thereby preventing further relative rotation of the male and female parts.

[0063] Disengagement of the bayonet coupling and subsequent separation of the male 12 and female 14 parts requires the pin 45 to be depressed to the extent that relative rotation of the male and female parts is possible. Location of the pin 45 in the recess 42 makes accidental depression of the pin less likely.

[0064] The reader is directed to US 6 309 231 and WO 2005/083848 for a fuller description of further known features of the electrical connector shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0065] Figure 4 shows the disengaging device 80 of the present invention. The disengaging device 80 comprises a sleeve 82 (which constitutes a rotatable member) and an actuator member 84. The actuator member 84 comprises a c-shaped substrate member 86 which is integrally formed with an actuator tab 88. The sleeve 82 and the actuator member 84 are formed of a plastics material. Although not shown in Figure 4, the sleeve may be provided with corrugations on its outer surface to provide an improved grip for a user. Figure 4 also shows the housing 40 of the female part 14 with the recess 42 formed towards its leading edge. As described above the pin 45 of the male part 12 is received in the recess 42 when the male and female parts are fully engaged with each other. In use, the actuator tab 88 is received in the recess 42 and such that an inner surface 90 of the actuator member 84 rests against the outer surface of the housing 40. The sleeve 82 is placed over the actuator member 84 and such that the sleeve and actuator mechanically couple with each other as will be described below. Two Nylon® tipped grub screws 92 (which constitute tabs of a threaded coupling) are screwed into apertures formed in opposing sides of the sleeve 82 to the extent that the Nylon® tips extend beyond an inner surface of the sleeve and into a respective spiral groove 94 formed in the outer surface of the housing 40. Reception of the ends of the Nylon® tipped grub screws in the grooves constrains the sleeve to move along a path determined by the length and direction of the grooves 94. Thus, rotating the sleeve 92 in relation to the housing 40 of the female part 14 causes the sleeve 82 to move to or fro along the housing depending on the direction of rotation.

[0066] Figures 5A and 5B provide respective cross-sectional views of the disengaging device 80 when in the engaged and disengaged conditions. As can be seen from Figures 5A and 5B the sleeve 82 defines a groove 96 on its inner surface that receives the substrate member 86 of the actuator member 84. Thus, the substrate member 86 is free to rotate in relation to the sleeve 82 but is constrained to move to and fro along the housing 40 as the sleeve moves to and fro along the housing.

[0067] Before the disengaging device 80 is used it is in the disposition shown in Figure 5A, in which the Nylon® tipped grub screws 92 are at a location in the grooves furthest away from the end of the housing. Thus, the actuator tab 88 is at a location in the recess 42 furthest from the end of the housing and such that the actuator tab 88 allows the pin (not shown) to be fully extended in the recess 42. When a user wishes to disengage the male and female parts he rotates the sleeve 82 anti-clockwise. As the sleeve 82 rotates it moves along the housing 40 towards the edge of the housing. As the sleeve 82 rotates the sleeve pushes the actuator member 86, 88 along the housing, which causes the actuator tab 88 to move along the recess and to bear against the pin (not shown). As the actuator tab 88 bears against the pin, the pin is progressively depressed until it no longer extends into the recess to thereby provide for rotation of the male and female parts in relation to each other and provide for the disengagement of the male and female parts from each other. Figure 5B shows the disposition of the disengaging device 80 when actuator tab 88 has been advanced in the recess to the extent that the pin (not shown) has been depressed such that it is no longer received in the recess. Figure 5B also shows a catch 98 provided towards an end of the groove 96 furthest from the connector end of the disengaging device 80. More specifically, the catch 98 is a cylindrical recess formed in the housing 40 to a greater depth than the groove 96. Thus, when the disengaging device 80 is in the disposition shown in Figure 5A the grub screw 92 can be threaded through the aperture formed in the sleeve 82 such that the end of the screw 92 is received in the catch 98 to thereby retain the sleeve 82 in the engaged condition shown in Figure 5A. The catch 98 provides a means to reduce the likelihood that the sleeve 82 is moved accidentally and the male and female parts disengaged from each other.

Claims

1. An electrical connector (10) comprising:

a male part (12) and a female part (14);

a connector coupling operative to engage the male part and the female part with each other, the connector coupling being brought into engagement by relative rotation of the male and female parts;

a spring biased pin (45) projecting from one of the male and female parts and a recess (42) defined in the other of the male and female parts, the pin being received in the recess when the connector coupling is engaged to thereby limit relative rotation of the male and female parts and prevent disengagement of the connector coupling;

and a disengaging device (80), the electrical connector being configured such that upon relative rotation of the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts, the disengaging device advances along the said one part and in so doing depresses the pin against its bias to thereby allow for disengagement of the connector coupling.

2. A connector according to claim 1, in which the electrical connector is configured such that a rotation of the disengaging device that advances the disengaging device along the said part and depresses the pin is in a same direction as rotation of the male and female parts to disengage the male and female parts from each other.

3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, in which the connector coupling comprises at least one of a bayonet coupling, whereby the connector coupling is brought into engagement by pushing the male and female parts together as well as rotating the male and female parts in relation to each other.

4. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts define respective, cooperating profiles that engage with each other such that relative rotation of the disengaging device and the said one part causes the disengaging device to advance along the said one part.

5. A connector according to claim 4, in which the electrical connector comprises a threaded coupling between the disengaging device and one of the male and female parts, the threaded coupling comprising at least one groove defined in one of the disengaging device and the male and female parts and at least one tab received in a respective groove, the at least one tab protruding from the other of the disengaging device and the male and female parts.

6. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the disengaging device comprises a rotatable member, which is rotatable by a user, and an actuator member mechanically coupled to the rotatable member, the actuator member being operative upon rotation of the rotatable member to depress the spring biased pin.

7. A connector according to claim 6, in which the rotatable member and the actuator member are mechanically coupled for their relative rotation and such that the actuator member moves along the one of the male and female parts as the rotatable member moves along the one of the male and female parts.

8. A connector according to claim 6 or 7, in which the rotatable member and the actuator member are directly coupled to each other and such that the rotatable member bears against the actuator member as the rotatable member moves along the one of the male and female parts.

9. A connector according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the actuator member comprises an actuator tab received in a recess defined in the other of the male and female parts, the actuator member comprising a substrate member from which the actuator tab protrudes, the substrate member being mechanically coupled to the rotatable member to provide for freedom of their relative rotational movement whilst providing for movement of the substrate member along the one of the male and female parts as the rotatable member rotates around and moves along the one of the male and female parts.

10. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the disengaging device comprises at least one release member, which is user operable to permit removal of the disengaging device from the one of the male and female parts.

11. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the electrical connector comprises a catch operable to selectively allow or prevent the advance of the disengaging device along the said one part, the catch comprising a recess and a catch member receivable in the recess, the catch preventing the advance of the disengaging device along the said one part when the catch member is received in the recess.

12. A connector according to claim 11, in which the recess is formed in a groove of a threaded coupling of the electrical connector.

13. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the electrical connector is configured such that upon a relative rotation of the disengaging device and the one of the male and female parts of between substantially 15° and substantially 60°, the disengaging device moves along the one of the male and female parts a distance at least sufficient to depress the pin.

14. A connector according to any preceding claim, in which the electrical connector is configured for use in three-phase applications.

15. Electrical apparatus operable on a three-phase power supply, the electrical apparatus comprising at least one electrical connector according to any preceding claim.

Drawing