Interface connector assembly

An interface connector assembly for use in connecting a modular interchangeable test adaptor to a receiver for testing of electronic circuitry connected thereto utilizing a cylindrical cam to drive the interchangeable test adaptor in and out of mating relation with the receiver.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an interface connector assembly and more 
particularly to an interface connector assembly having mechanical means to 
effect interconnecting of a modular interchangeable test adaptor to a 
receiver for testing of electronic circuitry connected to the 
interchangeable test adaptor by test equipment connected to the receiver. 
Over the past several years, electronic components, such as transistors, 
diodes, operational amplifiers, capacitors and inductors, have become 
increasingly smaller. As a result of this miniaturization, it has become 
convenient to arrange circuits on nonconducting circuit boards. Current 
levels of miniaturization have resulted in thousands of components 
existing within a single microchip whereas a circuit board might contain 
several to several dozen microchips. A problem associated with this 
miniaturization is a decline in the ability to individually test 
components for quality control or for suspected failure. 
In the past, a technician might apply test leads to an individual component 
to determine its operational status. However, due to miniaturization, 
individual components are likely unavailable and even if they were 
available would be too small for the application of conventional test 
leads thereto. As a consequence, it became necessary to access components 
through their electrical leads or "runs" on a circuit board. This often 
involved injecting a signal at the proper location on the contacts of a 
circuit board and measuring the output thereof. As miniaturization 
increased, it became increasingly difficult to apply proper test signals 
to proper locations on an extensively equipped circuit board. 
As a consequence, interface receivers have been developed which provide an 
interchangeable test adaptor on which can be mounted a circuit board or 
circuit boards. The interchangeable test adaptor is designed to mate with 
a receiver, the receiver being wired to various pieces of electronic test 
equipment. The interchangeable test adaptor can be wired to provide 
various configurations of signal inputs to the circuit board under test 
and can be custom made for specialized applications and designed to mate 
with a standard receiver. When a circuit board is mounted to an 
interchangeable test adaptor which is in turn mounted to a receiver, 
various options are open to the operator. The operator can input 
diagnostic programs or various levels of electrical pulses or signals 
through either the mounted circuit board connector blocks or through 
jumper wires attached to both the circuit board and to electrical 
connectors in the interchangeable test adaptor. 
Difficulties soon arose when it became necessary to mount interchangeable 
test adaptors into receivers which involved several hundred to several 
thousand connectors. When joining even two electrical connectors, a 
certain amount of force must necessarily be applied to overcome the 
natural resistiveness of the connectors being placed in a mating relation. 
If this force is multiplied by several hundred or several thousand 
connectors, it becomes difficult if not impossible to manually install an 
interchangeable test adaptor into a receiver base to insure proper 
electrical connection of all connectors involved without applying some 
mechanical advantage. 
Mechanical devices have been developed to aid in making the connection of 
an adaptor to a receiver base. In this regard, typical receivers and 
interchangeable test adaptors are rectangular in shape. To provide the 
necessary mating force, it became necessary for those practicing in this 
art to construct elaborate handle operated gear or cam mechanisms wherein 
an operator would pull or push a handle on the end of a lever arm which 
would in turn operate some form of gear or cam drive to force the 
interchangeable test adaptor into mating relation with the receiver. A 
typical example of this prior art approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,213,666 which provides an elaborate hand operated roll cam bar mechanism 
which, with sufficient force applied, will pull an interchangeable test 
adaptor into mating relation with a receiver. Disadvantages with this type 
of mechanism include complicated construction to obtain the mechanical 
advantage necessary to effect connection and in doing so converting 
arcuate movement of an operating lever into linear movement of the 
interchangeable test adaptor. Additionally, the complicated mechanisms 
require a multiplicity of parts with attendant maintenance and repair 
problems. Further, the mechanisms require considerable space in addition 
to the space occupied by the connectors themselves. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an 
interface connector assembly which solves the aforementioned problems. 
More specifically, the present invention provides an interface connector 
assembly which utilizes rotary motion to effect engagement of an 
interchangeable test adaptor with a receiver thereby providing a mechanism 
which is far less mechanically complex, more compact, lighter, and simpler 
unit than has been previously known. 
Briefly summarized, the present invention includes an interface connector 
assembly for use in interconnecting a modular interchangeable test adaptor 
to a receiver for testing of electronic circuitry connected to the 
interchangeable test adaptor by test equipment connected to the receiver. 
The interface connector assembly includes a receiver base having a 
generally flat surface and a plurality of apertures formed in a 
predetermined pattern in the surface and a plurality of electrical 
connectors mounted in the apertures and projecting therefrom. An 
interchangeable test adaptor is included which has generally flat inner 
and outer opposing surfaces and a plurality of apertures formed in the 
interchangeable test adaptor in a predetermined pattern corresponding to 
the predetermined pattern in the receiver base. The apertures have a 
plurality of electrical connectors projecting from the inner surface for 
mating with the electrical connectors in the receiver base and the same 
electrical connectors projecting from the outer surface for electrical 
connecting access. A generally circular sleeve is disposed on the receiver 
base surrounding the predetermined pattern of electrical connectors. The 
sleeve has an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface configured to 
receive the interchangeable test adaptor therein. A guide arrangement is 
provided for retaining the sleeve in axial disposition with respect to the 
receiver base and permitting rotary motion of the sleeve on the base. 
An alignment arrangement is included in the receiver base and the 
interchangeable test adaptor for aligning the receiver base and the 
interchangeable test adaptor for axial alignment of the electrical 
connectors and maintaining the axial alignment while permitting relative 
movement of the interchangeable test adaptor toward the receiver base to 
connect the electrical connectors of the adaptor and base. 
A cam arrangement is provided for effecting axial movement of the 
interchangeable test adaptor within the sleeve in response to rotational 
movement thereof. The cam arrangement comprises a plurality of slots 
formed in one of the inner wall surface of the sleeve and the 
interchangeable test adaptor, and cam followers which are mounted on and 
project from the other of the inner wall surface of the sleeve and the 
interchangeable test adaptor. The cam followers are adapted to be received 
in the cam slots when the interchangeable test adaptor is placed within 
the sleeve. The sleeve is rotatable in one direction to cause the cam 
follower to move along the inclined portion of the cam slots and thereby 
move the interchangeable test adaptor axially toward the receiver base 
causing interconnection of the electrical connectors projecting from the 
receiver base and the interchangeable test adaptor, and rotatable in an 
opposite direction to cause disconnection of the connectors. 
Preferably, the predetermined pattern of electrical connectors has a 
generally circular outer extent so as to be confined within the sleeve 
allowing a maximum number of connectors to be utilized with a minimum 
sleeve diameter. It is further preferred that the alignment arrangement 
includes a plurality of alignment pins mounted on one of the receiver base 
and the interchangeable test adaptor and projecting therefrom. The 
alignment pins are arranged in a predetermined pattern to align the 
receiver base and the interchangeable test adaptor for engagement of the 
electrical connectors, the pattern having the alignment pins 
asymmetrically disposed with respect to the central axis of the sleeve to 
assure proper rotational alignment. A plurality of apertures is formed in 
the other of the receiver base and the interchangeable test adaptor and 
arranged in a predetermined pattern corresponding with the predetermined 
pattern of the alignment pins. The apertures are capable of receiving the 
alignment pins in mating relation therewith, thus maintaining a 
predetermined alignment of the receiver base and the interchangeable test 
adaptor and thereby the electrical connectors mounted thereon. 
It is preferred that the guide arrangement includes an annular groove 
formed in the outer wall surface of the sleeve and a plurality of guide 
rollers mounted to the receiver base surrounding the sleeve for engagement 
in the annular groove, thereby allowing the sleeve to rotate about its 
central axis while retaining the sleeve against axial movement thereof. It 
is further preferred that the guide arrangement includes a releasable 
latching assembly for releasably latching the sleeve in proper position 
for insertion of the interchangeable test adaptor. The latch assembly 
includes a latch pin mounted to the outer wall surface of the sleeve and 
projecting outwardly therefrom and a latch block mounted to the receiver 
base adjacent the outer wall surface of the sleeve. The latch block has a 
slot formed therein for accepting the latch pin in mating relation 
therewith for engagement thereof upon positioning of the sleeve in proper 
position for insertion of the interchangeable test adaptor therein. 
Preferably, the latching arrangement includes a detent assembly mounted on 
the latch block and engagable with the latch pin to releasably retain the 
sleeve in alignment with the interchangeable test adaptor for insertion of 
the interchangeable test adaptor in the sleeve. 
It is further preferred that the cam slots include generally axially 
opening end portions arranged for receiving the followers upon insertion 
of the interchangeable test adaptor in the sleeve. Additionally, the cam 
slots include inner end portions extending generally parallel to the flat 
surface of the receiver base to prevent unintended separation of the 
receiver base and the interchangeable test adaptor. Further, the cam slots 
are formed with an axially outwardly enlarged inner end to releasably 
retain the cam followers and the interchangeable test adaptor in a fully 
mating position. 
The sleeve preferably includes a handle mounted thereto and extending 
therefrom for manual engagement thereof to effect rotation of the sleeve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the accompanying drawings and particularly FIG. 1, an 
interface connector assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention is illustrated and indicated generally at 10 and 
includes a housing 12 containing a cylindrical sleeve 20 having an 
operational handle 16 attached thereto. A cover 14 is included to provide 
RF isolation and dust protection while the unit is in use. The cover 14 
includes a cylindrical ferrule 25 having a circular flat lid 22 attached 
thereto with screws 23. A handle 24 is attached to the lid 22, again with 
screws 23. 
As will be explained in greater detail below, the interface connector 
assembly of the present invention provides an apparatus for mating and 
unmating electrical connectors 51 of an interchangeable test adaptor 18 
(see FIG. 4) with electrical connectors 53 of a receiver base 60 by 
effecting rotational movement of the sleeve 20 utilizing the operational 
handle 16. 
As best seen in FIG. 2, the interface connector assembly 10 includes a 
generally flat, square receiver base 60 to the periphery of which the 
housing 12 is attached by screws 13 and from which the housing projects to 
the height of the top of the sleeve 20. The receiver base 60 has a 
plurality of apertures 52 formed therein, and rectangular opening 15 is 
formed in the center of the receiver base 60 for mounting electrical 
connector blocks 58 therein (see FIG. 5). As will be explained presently, 
the pattern of the aperture 52 arrangement has a generally circular outer 
extent with the apertures 52 having electrical connectors 53 mounted 
therein. For clarity, FIG. 2 only shows a portion of the apertures 52 
containing electrical connectors 53, while it should be understood that 
typically all apertures 54 will have electrical connectors 53 mounted 
therein. 
The generally cylindrical sleeve 20 is disposed axially on the receiver 
base 60 completely surrounding the generally circular predetermined 
pattern of apertures 52 to maximize the number of apertures 52 that can be 
located within the confines of the sleeve 20 and thereby minimize the 
diameter of the sleeve needed to surround a predetermined number of 
apertures. 
The sleeve 20 is rotatably mounted to the receiver base 60 using a guide 
arrangement that includes an annular groove 21 formed in the outer wall of 
the sleeve 20 closely adjacent the receiver base 60. Roller blocks 42 are 
mounted to the receiver base 60 closely adjacent the annular groove 21 of 
the sleeve 20 utilizing screws 43. Cylindrical rollers 44 are mounted to 
the roller block 42 utilizing fasteners 45. The rollers 44 project 
inwardly toward the central axis of the sleeve 20 and fit within the 
confines of the groove 21. It should be noted that a multiplicity of 
rollers 44 may be utilized. However, three rollers 44 are the preferred 
number which can be used to successfully position the sleeve 20 on the 
receiver base 60. A plurality of positioning rollers 54 are mounted to the 
receiver base 60 and positioned directly adjacent the sleeve 20 to allow 
smooth rotation thereof by positioning the sleeve 20 on receiver base 60 
(see FIG. 6). 
Referring now to FIG. 2, the guide arrangement also includes a latching 
assembly having a latch pin 36 mounted to a latch pin plate 34 which is in 
turn mounted to the outer wall of the cylindrical sleeve 20 using screws 
35. The latch pin 36 projects radially outwardly from latch pin plate 34 
mounted to the cylindrical sleeve 20. A latch block 38 is mounted to the 
receiver base 60, closely adjacent the sleeve 20 projecting from the 
receiver base 60. The latch block 38 has a slot formed therein facing said 
latch pin 36 for accepting the latch pin 36 in a mating relation 
therewith. A detent arrangement 40 is mounted on the latch block 38 and 
engagable with the latch pin 36 to releasably retain the latch pin 36 in 
mating relation with the latch block 38, thus maintaining the sleeve 20 in 
alignment with the interchangeable test adaptor 18. The operation of the 
latching arrangement will be explained hereinafter. 
An interchangeable test adaptor 18 is provided for electrically connecting 
a variety of electronic circuit boards to the receiver base 60 for 
testing. The interchangeable test adaptor 18 has generally flat inner and 
outer opposing surfaces and is configured to be received within the 
cylindrical opening of the sleeve 20. A generally rectangular opening 19 
is formed in the center of the interchangeable test adaptor 18 
corresponding to the opening 15 formed in the receiver base 60. As seen in 
FIG. 3, electrical connector blocks 56 are mounted within the opening 19 
for mounting of electronic circuit boards therein for testing. A plurality 
of apertures 50 are formed in the interchangeable test adaptor 18 arranged 
in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern of 
apertures 52 formed in the receiver base 60. As best seen in FIG. 8, 
electrical connectors 51 are mounted in the apertures 50. These connectors 
51 pass through the interchangeable test adaptor 18 to mate with the 
connectors 53 in the receiver base 60 and project upwardly from the 
interchangeable test adaptor 18 to provide electrical connecting access 
thereto. 
As the interchangeable test adaptor 18 is circular and designed to fit 
within the sleeve 20, there are any number of ways that the 
interchangeable test adaptor 18 can be oriented within the sleeve 20. 
However, there is usually only one way to align the interchangeable test 
adaptor 18 within the sleeve 20 to achieve proper connection of the 
electrical connectors 51, 53 associated with the interchangeable test 
adaptor 18 and the receiver base 60. To this end, an alignment arrangement 
is provided. More specifically, as best seen in FIG. 2, the alignment 
arrangement consists of a plurality of vertically upstanding alignment 
pins 46 secured in the apertures 47 formed in the receiver base 60 and 
disposed within the perimeter of the sleeve 20 in an asymmetrical 
predetermined pattern with respect to the central axis of the sleeve 20. 
Apertures 48 are formed in the interchangeable test adaptor in a 
predetermined pattern corresponding to the pattern of the alignment pins 
46. The alignment pins 46 upstanding from the receiver base 60 mate with 
the alignment holes 48 within the interchangeable test adaptor 18 whenever 
the interchangeable test adaptor 18 is placed within the sleeve 20 in 
proper alignment. This operation will be explained in more detail below. 
In order to effect axial movement of the interchangeable test adaptor 
toward and away from the receiver base 60 upon rotation of the sleeve 20, 
a cam arrangement is provided. With reference to FIG. 2, the cam consists 
of three inclined slots 26 formed in the inner wall of the sleeve 20. 
Three cam followers 28 are mounted on the periphery of the interchangeable 
test adaptor 18 using press pins 27 and washers 29. Each cam slot 26 
includes a generally axially opening end portion 30 for receipt of the cam 
followers 28 upon insertion of the interchangeable test adaptor 18 in the 
sleeve 20. Each cam slot 26 also includes an inner end portion 32 
extending generally parallel to the flat surface of the receiver base 60 
to prevent unintended separation of the receiver base 60 and the 
interchangeable test adaptor 18 after full insertion of the 
interchangeable test adaptor 18 in the sleeve 20. Each cam slot 26 is 
formed with an axially outwardly enlarged inner end 33 to releasably 
retain the cam followers 28 and the interchangeable test adaptor 18 in 
fully mating position. As best seen in the development view of FIG. 7, the 
inclined cam slots 26 are oriented so that when the interchangeable test 
adaptor 18 is inserted within the sleeve such that the followers 28 are 
inserted within the slots 26 and the sleeve 20 is rotated on the receiver 
base 60 the inclined portion of the cam slots 26 will move the cam 
followers 28 axially downwardly, thereby driving the interchangeable test 
adaptor 18 axially toward the receiver base 60 thereby driving the 
electrical connectors on the interchangeable test adaptor 18 and the 
receiver base 60 into mating relation. 
Operation of the interface connector assembly 10 is generally as follows. 
With reference to FIG. 4, a plurality of electrical connector blocks 56 
are mounted within the rectangular opening 19 that is within the circular 
periphery of the interchangeable test adaptor 18. Connector pins project 
outwardly from the connector blocks 56. With reference to FIG. 5, similar 
electrical connector blocks 58 are mounted to the receiver base 60 within 
the predetermined pattern of electrical connectors 53 mounted in the 
receiver base 60. The connector blocks 58 in the receiver base 60 are 
configured to accept the pins projecting from the connector blocks 56 in 
the interchangeable test adaptor 18. Similarly, the electrical connectors 
53 mounted in the receiver base 60 are configured to accept the electrical 
connectors 51 mounted in the interchangeable test adaptor 18. 
The interchangeable test adaptor 18 is placed within the sleeve 20 such 
that the alignment pins 46 projecting from the receiver base 60 are mated 
with the alignment apertures 48 in the interchangeable test adaptor 18. 
This will ensure proper alignment of the interchangeable test adaptor 18 
and the receiver base 60 for proper mating of the electrical connectors 
51, 53. With the proper alignment pin 46 orientation, the cam followers 28 
will be received by the open end portions 30 of the inclined cam slots 26 
within the sleeve 20. To further ensure proper alignment, the latch pin 36 
must be mated with the slot in the latch block 38 such that the detent 40 
releasably retains the latching pin 36, thereby locating the sleeve 20 in 
the initial loading position. With the interchangeable test adaptor 18 in 
the initial loading position, the sleeve 20 is rotated clockwise utilizing 
the handle 16. This causes the cam slots 26 to rotate to cause the 
inclined portions to move the cam followers 28 axially downwardly and 
thereby drive the interchangeable test adaptor 18 axially downwardly 
towards the receiver base 60, thus mating the electrical connectors 53 
mounted on the receiver base 60 with the electrical connectors 51 mounted 
on the interchangeable test adaptor 18 as well as the connector blocks 58 
mounted on the receiver base 60 with the connector blocks 56 mounted on 
the interchangeable test adaptor 18. 
When the followers reach the inner portion 32 of the cam slots 26, 
electrical connection will have been made and the followers 28 will rest 
in the inner portions 32 of the slots 26 which are parallel to the 
receiver base 60. The enlarged inner ends 33 will cause the cam followers 
28 to snap into position. The inner ends 33 will releasably retain the cam 
followers 28 and the interchangeable test adaptor 18 in a fully mating 
position. Any resistive force from the electrical connectors trying to 
force the interchangeable test adaptor 18 away from the receiver base 60 
will be countered by a normal force directed downwardly from the parallel 
portions 32 of the slots 26 thereby preventing unintentional opening 
movement of the interchangeable test adaptor 18 which would otherwise 
occur if the cam followers 28 were in the inclined portions of the slots 
26 rather than the parallel portions 32. As such, the parallel portions 32 
of the cam slots 26 mainrain the electrical connectors in mating relation. 
The result of this operation is best il in FIG. 3. 
With to FIG. 8, an electrical circuit board 62 is mounted within a block 56 
on the interchangeable rest adaptor 18. This the connectors on the circuit 
board 62 in electrical contact the electronic test equipment (not shown) 
attached to the boards 58 in the receiver base 60. At the option of the 
technician, various signals can be taken from the electrical connectors 50 
projecting from the interchangeable test adaptor 18 using jumper wires 64. 
By utilizing the interface connector assembly of the present invention, 
electrical circuit boards can be provided with normal operating conditions 
through the connector blocks 56 and various test configurations may be 
arranged utilizing the electrical connectors 50 and jumper wires 64. 
Once testing is complete, the handle 16 is utilized to rotate the sleeve 20 
in the opposite (counterclockwise) direction, causing the inclined slots 
26 to move the cam followers 28 axially outwardly and thereby disconnect 
the electrical connection and ultimately position the interchangeable test 
adaptor 18 for removal from the sleeve 20. 
From the foregoing, it is apparent that the interface connector assembly of 
the present invention provides the mechanical advantage necessary to 
effect connection of the electrical connectors of the interchangeable test 
adaptor and receiver base in a simple, compact arrangement that obviates 
the need for any complicated gear and lever mechanism or other 
multiplicity of moving parts and that does not require significant space 
beyond the space needed for the connectors, which are compactly located in 
a circular pattern that allows the sleeve to occupy a minimum of space. 
It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art 
that the present invention is susceptible of a broad utility and 
application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention 
other than those herein described, as well as many variations, 
modifications and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or 
reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing 
description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the 
present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been 
described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is 
to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary 
of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a 
full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is 
not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or 
otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, 
modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being 
limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.