Abstract:
Systems and apparatuses are provided for placing interconnects or connector modules into stacked arrangements, wherein individual interconnects or connector modules can be readily accessed and repaired without disrupting the stacked arrangement. In one embodiment, the electrical connector system has a plurality of interconnects mounted together in a stacked arrangement. Each of the interconnects comprises a connector body and a backshell removably coupled to the connector body, wherein the backshell is configured to receive and retain a overbraid. Each backshell is designed to be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement, thereby making is possible to repair single a interconnect without disrupting the others.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is directed towards connection systems for communicating electrical signals, and more particularly, to systems and apparatuses with stacked arrangements of interconnects that can be easily accessed and repaired. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    With the increasing demand and complexity of modern electronic systems in high reliability applications such as military and aerospace, there is a continuing need to incorporate electronic equipment into a confined space while ensuring reliability in harsh environments. In such applications, connection systems provide a critical communication link between physically separated electronic devices. These connection systems have to satisfy many competing requirements. They should be capable of withstanding a rugged environment that includes vibration, wide temperature swings, moisture, and exposure to hazardous materials and chemical contaminants. Components of the connection systems should also be both compact and easily accessible to permit repair or replacement of damaged components while limiting disruption or removal of other undamaged components. 
         [0005]    Such connection systems typically frequently utilize connector devices or interconnects that interface with the leading ends of cables, overbraids, or the like. Such interconnects typically comprise pins or connectors on a first end, as well as a backshell on a second end for interfacing with the overbraids or the like. While such interconnects are designed to withstand rugged environments, some inevitably become damaged or non-functional during operation, and need to repaired or replaced. Design demands of electronics systems often require that the components of a system fit into a compact space. As such, interconnects are frequently placed into close proximity with each other, and are often stacked relative to each other. Such interconnects are frequently modular in design, and frequently are placed into stacked arrangements. 
         [0006]    Placing interconnects into a stacked arrangement, however, makes it difficult to access and repair any one of the interconnects, particularly when the damaged interconnect is located in the middle or toward the bottom of the stack. As such, stacked interconnects are typically disassembled in order to access the particular interconnects that require repair or need to be replaced. This increases the number of parts that need to removed from the system, which in turn increases the amount of time needed to reassemble the system, thereby increasing the time and costs associated with repairing such systems. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a connection system with stacked components, such as interconnects or the like, that can be more easily accessed and repaired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention satisfies the need for an improved connection system by providing interconnects that can be arranged and secured in a stacked arrangement, and that can also be readily accessed and repaired. 
         [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system with a plurality of interconnects mounted in a stacked arrangement. Each of the interconnects comprises: a connector body; a set of electrical pins extending from the connector body; a shell extending from the connector body and at least partially covering the set of connector pins; and a backshell removably coupled to the connector body, the backshell being configured to receive and retain an overbraid, cable, or the like. With respect to each interconnect of the plurality of interconnects, the backshell can be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnects in a stacked arrangement, wherein each of the interconnects comprises: a connector body; and a backshell removably coupled to the connector body, the backshell being configured to receive and retain a overbraid. With respect to at least one interconnect of the plurality of interconnects, the backshell can be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system comprising first and second interconnects. The first interconnect comprises a first connector body and a first backshell removably coupled to the first connector body, the first backshell being configured to receive and retain a first overbraid. The second interconnect is in a stacked arrangement with the first interconnect, and comprises a second connector body and a second backshell removably coupled to the second connector body, the second backshell being configured to receive and retain a second overbraid. The first backshell can be uncoupled from the first connector body while retaining the first and second interconnects in the stacked arrangement. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system comprising first and second interconnects. The first interconnect comprises a first connector body and a first backshell removably coupled to the first connector body, the first backshell being configured to receive and retain a first overbraid. The second interconnect is connected with the first interconnect, and comprises a second connector body and a second backshell removably coupled to the second connector body, the second backshell being configured to receive and retain a second overbraid. The first backshell can be uncoupled from the first connector body without disconnecting the first and second interconnects. 
         [0013]    A more complete understanding of the electrical connector apparatus and system will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary stacked arrangement of interconnects. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded front perspective view of the exemplary stacked arrangement of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary interconnect and overbraid. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded rear perspective view of components of the exemplary interconnect of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an exploded front perspective view of an embodiment of an interconnect and overbraid. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary interconnect and overbraid of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    The invention satisfies the need for an electrical connector system that accommodates system designs where the interconnects or connector modules need to be stacked, yet where the interconnects need to be easily accessed for repair and/or maintenance. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements shown in one or more of the figures. 
         [0021]    With reference to the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is provided a stacked arrangement  100  of connector modules or interconnects  102   a ,  102   b , and  102   c . Each module  102  has a connector body  110  and a set of connector pins or contacts  112  extending from the connector body  110 . Each of the illustrated modules also has a shell  114  that extends from the connector body  110  and at least partially covers the set of contacts  112 . Each module also has a backshell  116  for receiving and retaining a cable or overbraid  200 . The backshell  116  is removably coupled to the connector body  110 . In one embodiment, the contacts  112  extend from a front or leading portion of the connector body  110 , while the backshell  116  is removably attached to a back or rear portion of the connector body  110 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , each connector body  110  comprises two receiving channels  108  for receiving screws  106 , such as jack screws or the like that can be used to secure the connector body  110  to the connector system or components thereof. It will be understood that any suitable number of interconnects can be provided in a stacked arrangement, depending on the particular application. 
         [0023]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , each interconnect  102  comprises two through-holes  104 . Interconnects  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are arranged relative to each other such that their respective through-holes  104  are aligned. The interconnects  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  can be mounted or fixedly held in this aligned, stacked arrangement by inserting a screw, extension, or the like through the aligned through-holes  104 . The interconnects  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are typically mounted or clamped to a circuit board or other components that are on or interface with the circuit board. For example, a threaded screw  105  can be used to clamp the interconnects  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  together and/or to a circuit board, as shown in  FIG. 2 . It will be understood that the interconnects  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  can be held in the aligned, stacked arrangement by utilizing any suitable apparatus or design known in the art. The illustrated interconnects  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  are modular and identical. However, it will be understood that the interconnects do not necessarily have to be modular or identical. 
         [0024]    In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system wherein the respective backshell of each interconnect is removably coupled to the respective connector body. The backshell is configured to receive and retain a overbraid. With respect to each interconnect of the plurality of interconnects, the backshell can be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement. As such, one or a subset of the interconnects can be accessed and repaired without disrupting the entire stacked arrangement of interconnects. For any given interconnect, the backshell can be detached from the connector body so that repairs to the components of the interconnect can be made. For example, the interface between a first overbraid and a first backshell can be made without disrupting the other interconnects of the stacked system. After the repairs are made, the backshell, along with its respective overbraid, can be reattached to its respective connector body. Accordingly, a damaged backshell can be uncoupled from its connector and repaired, while retaining the other interconnects in the stacked arrangement. 
         [0025]    In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system with interconnects that are connected to each other. For example, there is provided a first interconnect having a first connector body and a first backshell removably coupled to the first connector body. There is also provided a second interconnect that is connected with the first interconnect, and comprises a second connector body and a second backshell removably coupled to the second connector body, the second backshell being configured to receive and retain a second overbraid. The first backshell can be uncoupled from the first connector body without disconnecting the first and second interconnects. 
         [0026]    In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, the interconnects can be assembled in any number of ways. With reference to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the backshell  116  of the interconnect  102  comprises top and bottom module retainers  118 ,  120 . The retainers  118 ,  120  are typically clamped onto an overbraid  200  or the like. The overbraid  200  is wrapped around braid supports  142 ,  144  and set in between the top and bottom retainers  118 ,  120 . The retainers  118 ,  120  have corresponding mating screws  130  and receptacles  132  to clamp the retainers together. In the illustrated embodiment, the screw  130  is captivated inside the bottom module retainer  120  and can be tightened in any suitable way known in the art, such as with a standard hex key wrench or the like. For example, area  136  on a given retainer corresponds to where a wrench or the like can be used to tighten screw  130 . Area  134  on a given retainer corresponds to the location of the receptacle  132  that receives the corresponding screw  130  from the opposite retainer. 
         [0027]    When the top and bottom retainers  118 ,  120  are clamped together, this action clamps the overbraid  200  onto the braid supports  142 ,  144 . The braid supports  142 ,  144  protect the individual wires  202  of the overbraid  200  from any clamping done onto the braid  200 . The module retainers  118 ,  120  preferably have an attached elastomer or the like to provide strain relief and vibration dampening of the individual wires  202 . Furthermore, the module retainers  118 ,  120  preferably have insulators  160 ,  162  or the like to provide a secure seal and thereby protect the inner components of the interconnect  102 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the retainers  118 ,  120  house an insert module  170  that receives the leading ends of the wires  202  on a first, receiving end The insert module  170  comprises a set of contacts  112  on a second, leading end, wherein the contacts  112  correspond to the contacts  112  extending from the connector body  110 , as described above. The leading ends of the retainers  118 ,  120 , along with the insert module  170 , are pushed into the receiving receptacle  180  of the connector body  110 . The retainers  118 ,  120  have module retaining screws  122 ,  126  that mate with the receiving ends  124 ,  128  of the connector body  110 , and thereby secure the backshell  116  to the connector body  110 . When the module retaining screws  122 ,  126  are tightened, the insert module  170  is held securely in the forward position. 
         [0029]    It is anticipated that the connection system of the present invention be adapted to use standard military specification contacts and insertion/removal tools. Accordingly, the present connection system would be sufficiently robust for vibration and shock, and meet the harsh environmental requirements of Mil-C-38999 or the like. In one embodiment, each of the interconnects are electrically isolated from the other, further reducing crosstalk between interconnects. 
         [0030]    Having thus described the embodiments of an improved system of stacked interconnects, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is solely defined by the following claims.