Abstract:
A connector assembly for fitment to a vehicle. The connector assembly includes a base unit for mounting to a vehicle and an expander unit. The expander unit is configured to attach to and detach from the base unit. The base unit includes a base connector face having at least two opposite edges and having therein a base connector and the expander unit includes an expander connector face having an expander connector. The expander connector is configured to connect with the base connector for communicating a signal therebetween when the expander unit is attached to the base unit. Two pins protrude from the base connector face. Two latch plates are mounted to the expander connector face. The pins and connector have relative positions matching the relative positions of the latch plates and connector so that, with the expander connector connected with the base connector, the pins pass through respective latch plates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     The priority application, United Kingdom Application GB 1308252.4, filed May 8, 2013 including the specification, drawings, claims and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a connector assembly, in particular for fitment to a vehicle such as a land-based vehicle for traversing rough ground. 
     Many forms of connector are known for making connection, such as electrical or optical connection, between two components. These connectors may be designed to be attached to and detached from one another in use. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly which is more robust than previous arrangements and is better able to withstand ongoing vibrations and occasional large mechanical shocks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly for fitment to a vehicle. The connector assembly preferably includes a base unit for mounting to a vehicle and an expander unit. The expander unit is configured to attach to and detach from the base unit. The base unit preferably includes a base connector face having at least two opposite edges and having therein a base connector. Similarly, the expander unit may include an expander connector face having at least two opposite edges and having therein an expander connector. The expander connector is preferably configured to connect with the base connector for communicating a signal therebetween when the expander unit is attached to the base unit. Two pins may be provided protruding from one of either the base connector face or the expander connector face. The two pins preferably have, at their respective distal ends, respective heads with cross sectional areas of increased magnitude. Two latch plates may be mounted to the other of the connector faces. The two latch plates are preferably rotatably mounted about respective axes which are substantially perpendicular to the connector face. Each of the latch plates preferably has a respective inner surface facing the connector face of its unit and a respective outer surface for facing the connector face of the other unit. Each of the latch plates preferably has an arcuate lock opening with a respective first portion of sufficiently large cross section to allow passage of a head of a respective pin and a respective second portion of cross section to receive the respective pin, but prevent passage of the respective head therethrough. The pins and connector preferably have relative positions matching the relative positions of the latch plates and connector so that, with the expander connector connected with the base connector, the pins pass through respective latch plates. Each latch plate is preferably rotatable about its respective axis between an open position in which it protrudes beyond a respective edge of the connector face and a closed position in which it is flush with the respective edge of the connector face. Preferably, with both latch plates in respective open positions, the connector faces may be moved towards one another such that the pins pass through the respective portions of the lock openings of the latch plates and the expander connector connects with the base connector. With subsequent rotation of both latch plates to their respective closed positions, the pins pass through respective second portions of the latch plates and the respective heads of the pins are held towards the inner surfaces of the latch plates beyond the respective second portions such that the base unit is locked to the expander unit with the expander connector connected with the base connector. 
     Such a connector assembly, unlike other connectors, can be constructed to ensure a good connection for signals such as electrical or optical signals, whilst also locking the connector together in a manner which is resistant against ongoing vibrations and very large mechanical shocks. The use of the rotatable latch plates allows easy transition between an unlocked state in which the base unit and expander unit may easily be attached and detached and a locked state in which the base unit and expander unit are securely mounted to one another. There is no requirement for particular dexterity of the user to change between the locked and unlocked states. For example, latches may be constructed easily that are operable in arctic conditions with users wearing thick gloves. Nevertheless, the connector assembly allows, in its locked state, a connection which may withstand very large mechanical shocks, for example conforming to the standard specification MIL-S-901. 
     It will be appreciated that additional pins and respective latch plates may be provided, for instance at other edges of the connector faces. Preferably, so as to provide maximum support for the base connector and expander connector, the pins and respective latches are located diametrically opposed positions relative to the expander connector and base connector. 
     Preferably, the inner surfaces of the latch plates and the facing connector face include complimentary detent features configured to hold rotationally the latch plates in their respective closed positions. 
     In this way, a positive and secure mechanism is provided for retaining the latch plates in their closed positions and in which the expander unit is locked to the base unit. 
     In one embodiment, the detent features include respective indents in the facing connector face and respective detent protrusions on the inner surfaces of each latch plate. With this arrangement, with the latch plates in respective open positions, the detent protrusions may extend beyond the edges of the connector face so as to hold the latch plates in their respective open positions. 
     This provides a desirable feel to the user and a positive means of securing the latches in their open positions. 
     Also, it becomes possible to use latch plates both of which are the same shape and size. In particular, a single design of latch plate may be manufactured. Two such latch plates can then be mounted to the connector face with opposite faces connecting the connector face. Preferably, both faces of a single latch plate are formed with a detent protrusion. 
     Preferably, the connector face receiving the latch plates includes a substantially planar main surface and two recessed surfaces which define respective recesses for receiving the latch plates. The latch plates may be rotatable about their respective axes within the respective recesses. 
     In this way, the connector face including the planar main surface and recessed latch plates can, overall, have a generally planar surface for facing and/or mating with the opposite connector face. 
     Each latch plate preferably includes a respective pivot opening at its respective axis about which the latch plate rotates. Also, each latch plate preferably includes a respective arcuate secondary opening radially outward of the respective latch opening. Each latch plate is preferably mounted to the connector face with a respective first member through the pivot opening and a respective second member through the secondary opening. In this way, movement of each latch plate between open and closed positions is limited by relative travel of the respective second member between ends of the respective secondary opening. 
     For each latch plate, a respective restraining plate may be provided bridging the first and second pins. The restraining plate may thus hold the respective latch plate against the connector face. 
     It will be appreciated that the expander connector and base connector may be provided to connect one or more of a number of electrical and/or optical signals. These may include electrical power, video signals, internet signals etc. The connector may be a multi-pin connector. 
     Preferably, the expander connector and the base connector include a presence pin for providing a connection by which a connection between the expander connector and the base connector can be detected. 
     The present invention also provides a vehicle having a base unit mounted to it. The expander unit may be attached to or formed as part of a device for use with the vehicle, such as a communications unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a connector assembly embodying the present invention with its base unit and expander unit separated; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an alternative view of the base unit and expander unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the base unit and expander unit of  FIG. 1  in an attached state; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the arrangement of  FIG. 1  with the latches of the expander unit in closed positions; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of component parts of an expander unit; 
         FIGS. 6(   a ) to ( f ) illustrate details of a preferred latch plate; 
         FIGS. 7(   a ) to ( c ) illustrate details of a preferred pin; and 
         FIGS. 8(   a ) to ( e ) illustrate details of a preferred restraining plate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention will now be described. It will be appreciated that the embodiment is merely a preferred example and variations are possible. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a base unit  2  and an expander unit  4  in an unlocked, detached and separated state. 
     The base unit  2  is mountable to a main structure, for instance the body or frame of a vehicle, such as a land based vehicle. The illustrated embodiment includes mounting point  6  for securely mounting the base unit  2  to the main structure. Once mounted, it is not intended that the base unit  2  should routinely be removed or detached from the main structure. 
     The base unit  2  includes a connector  8 , described herein as a base connector, for connection with a connector  10  on the expander unit  4 , described herein as an expander connector. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the base connector  8  and expander connector  10  are multi-pin connectors with the base connector  8  illustrated with insertion holes and forming a female connector. Of course, it will be understood that many alternative types of connector could be used. 
     The base unit  2  includes a connector face  12  in which the base connector  8  is provided. As illustrated, the connector face  12  is bounded by edges at top and bottom and left and right sides. Similarly, the expander unit  4  has a connector face  14  in which the expander connector  10  is provided. The connector face  14  is also bounded by edges at top and bottom and left and right sides. In use, the connector faces  12  and  14  of the base unit  2  and expander unit  4  are brought together such that the expander connector  10  connects with the base connector  8  and the base unit  2  and expander unit  4  are positioned relative to one another as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The base unit  2  may include one or more of a variety of additional connectors and the illustrated embodiment is shown with three connectors  16   a ,  16   b  and  16   c . These connectors allow the base unit  2  to be connected with other components in the main structure or vehicle. In some embodiments, such as that illustrated, controls, such as the control knobs  18   a ,  18   b  may also be provided on the base unit  2  for controlling functions or connections within the base unit  2 . 
     The illustrated expander unit  4  is similarly provided with additional switches  20  and connectors (not shown), for example for connecting with an external unit for which the expander unit  4  is mounted. In an alternative embodiment, the expander unit  4  may be formed integrally with an external unit. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the base unit  2  is provided with a pair of pins  22  which extend outwardly away from the connector face  12 . The pins extend in a substantially parallel direction which defines the direction in which the expander unit  4  and base unit  2  may be brought together. Depending on the nature of the connection formed between the base connector  8  and expander connector  10 , this direction corresponds with a direction of connection for those connectors  8 ,  10 . Preferably, the direction is substantially orthogonal to the connector face  12 . 
     Mounted towards left and right edges of the connector face  14  of the expander unit  4  are respective latch plates  24  positioned for cooperation with the pins  22  of the base unit  2 . 
     Each latch plate  24  is rotatable within a plane substantially parallel with the connector face  14  and about a respective axis substantially orthogonal to that connector face  14 . In particular, each latch plate  24  may rotate between an open position as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and a closed position as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of relevant parts of the expander unit  4 . 
     As illustrated, each latch plate  24  has an inner surface facing the connector face  14  of the expander unit  4  and an outer surface facing away from the expander unit  4 . A lock opening  26  is formed through the latch plate  24  between the inner and outer surfaces. The lock opening  26  has an arcuate shape centred upon the axis of rotation of the latch plate  24 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each latch plate  24  has a pivot opening  28  for receiving a shaft  14   d  which is part of the expander unit  4  and extends from the connector face  14   b . The pivot plates  24  thus are pivotable about the respective shafts  14   d  on their respective axes. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each lock opening  26  includes a first portion  26   a  and a second portion  26   b . The first portion  26   a  has a larger radial width and cross sectional area than the second portion  26   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that the pins  22  have enlarged cross sectional areas at their respective distal ends so as to form heads  22   a . In other words, inwardly of the heads  22   a  towards the connector face  12 , the cross sectional area of the pins is reduced. 
     The first portion  26   a  and second portion  26   b  of the lock opening  26  are formed with cross sectional areas or radial widths to cooperate with the heads  22   a  and pins  22  respectively. In particular, the first portions  26   a  are sufficiently large so as to allow the heads  22   a  to pass through them. The second portions  26   b  are too small to allow the heads  22   a  to pass through, but are sufficiently large as to allow the smaller cross sectional area of the pins  22  to pass through. 
     With the latch plates  24  in their open positions as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first portions  26   a  of the lock openings  26  align with the pins  22  such that, when the expander connector face  14  is moved towards the base connector face  12  to connect the expander connector  10  with the base connector  8 , the heads  22   a  pass through the respective first portions  26   a . When the latch plates  24  are then moved to their respective closed positions as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the latch plates  24  and lock openings  26  move relative to the pins  22  such that the heads  22   a  are positioned between the inner surfaces of the latch plates  24  and the connector face  14  of the expander unit  4 . In this state, the expander unit  4  is securely locked to the base unit  2  with the expander connector  10  connected with the base connector  8 . 
     By moving the connector plates  24  back to their open positions as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first portions  26   a  of enlarged cross section again align with the heads  22   a  of the pins  22  and the expander unit  4  may be withdrawn away from the base unit  2 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each of the latch plates  24  additionally defines a secondary opening  32  spaced radially outside the lock opening  26  with respect to the axis of rotation. The secondary openings  32  have an arcuate extent with respect to the axis of rotation of the latch plates  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , additional shafts  14   e  extending from the connector face  14  pass through the respective secondary openings  32 . Preferably, the secondary openings  32  have a radial width corresponding to the diameter of the shafts  14   e  such that the interaction between the secondary openings  32  and the shafts  14   e  help guide accurately the rotational movement of the latch plate  24 . Furthermore, the arcuate extent of the secondary openings  32  and, in particular, the two ends of that arcuate extent, define or limit the travel of the latch plates  24  with respect to the shafts  14   e  and define the maximum open and closed positions. 
     In order to secure the latch plates  24  in position, the illustrated embodiment also includes respective restraining plates  36  extending between the shafts  14   d  and  14   e  for each latch plate  24 . Receiving holes  38  are provided for screws  30 ,  34 , such as countersunk screws. The screws  30 ,  34  thread into respective holes in the shafts  14   d ,  14   e . Furthermore, a central aperture  40  is provided in each restraining plate  36  positioned so as to align with a respective pin  22  and head  22   a . The apertures  40  also assist in guiding the heads  22   a  into alignment with the lock opening  26 . 
     It will be appreciated that, because the apertures  40  must have sufficient cross sectional area to allow passage of the heads  22   a , the cross sectional area of the apertures  40  will be greater than the reduced cross sectional area section of the pins  22 . In a preferred embodiment, a base portion  22   b  of each pin  22  proximal the base connector face  12  may have an enlarged cross sectional area matching the cross sectional area, shape and size of the respective aperture  40 . In this way, when the expander unit  4  is locked in position with the base unit  2 , interaction of the restraining plates  36  with the base portions  22   b  of the pins  22  will help further secure the expander unit  4  to the base unit  2  so as to prevent any relative movement therebetween. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in the preferred embodiment, the expander connector face  14  preferably includes a substantially planar main surface  14   a  and two respective recessed surfaces  14   b  towards either edge of the expander unit  4 . Respective recesses are thus formed in the expander connector face  14  for receiving the respective latch plates  24 . The recesses are shaped and sized so as to receive a latch plate  24  in the closed position. 
     As illustrated, the latch plates  24  include control surfaces  24   a  along each outer peripheral edge of the latch plate  24 . The various features of the expander unit  4  are positioned and orientated such that in the closed position as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the control surfaces  24   a  of the latch plates  24  are substantially flush with the edges of the connector face  14 . In this respect, it is possible for the recesses  14   b  to extend partially around the edges or corners of the control face  14  so as to at least partly receive the portion of the latch plate  24  forming the control surface  24   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the recesses  14   b  may also define additional head recesses  14   c  positioned opposite the apertures  40  of the restraining plate  36  and for receiving the heads  22   a  of the pins  22 . 
     Within the recesses  14   b , there is also illustrated respective indents  42 . On the inner surface of each latch portion  24 , there is preferably formed a respective detent protrusion for interacting with an indent  42 . Actually, according to the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the two latch plates  24  are manufactured as identical components, but merely mounted to the expander unit  4  with opposite orientations. Hence, the outer surfaces of the latch plates  24  as illustrated also include detent protrusions  44 . 
     In the closed position of the latch plates  24 , the detent protrusions  44  of their inner surfaces engage with the indents  42  of the recessed surfaces  14   b  so as to hold the latch plates  24  from relative rotation. Preferably, when the latch plates  24  are in their open positions, the detent protrusions on their inner surfaces are located beyond the edges of the connector face  14  such that they also act so as to hold the latch plates  24  open and restrain them from moving towards their closed positions. 
     In a preferred construction, the control assembly is constructed so as to meet MIL-S-901 specification.  FIGS. 6(   a ) to ( f ),  FIGS. 7(   a ) to ( c ) and  FIGS. 8(   a ) to ( e ) illustrate respectively appropriate shapes and dimensions for a latch plate, pin and restraining plate. Dimensions are shown in mm and tolerances are preferably +/−0.1 mm and +/−1°. The pin and restraining plate are preferably constructed from austenitic stainless steel (BS 970 Grade 316S11) and the latch plate of polyamide (Grilon BG-25 S or equivalent). 
       FIG. 6(   d ) shows the cross-section A-A of  FIG. 6(   a ) and  FIGS. 6(   e ) and ( f ) show details C and D of  FIG. 6(   d ). 
       FIG. 7(   c ) shows detail A of  FIG. 7(   a ). 
       FIG. 8(   d ) shows the cross-section G-G of  FIG. 8(   a ) and  FIG. 8(   e ) shows detail D of  FIG. 8(   c ). 
     The illustrated embodiment shows pins preferably diametrically opposed either side of the connectors. It will be appreciated that other arrangements are also possible. Furthermore, although only two pins are illustrated in the preferred embodiment, additional pins and corresponding latch arrangements are similarly possible. The preferred embodiment is described for an arrangement providing pins on the base unit. However, a reverse arrangement is possible with pins provided on the expander unit. 
     Preferably, the base connector  8  and expander connector  10  incorporate means, such as a pin connection allowing the connection between the expander connector and the base connector to be detected.