Patent GB-1504004-A (GB)
Title: Two-part electrical connector
IPC: H01R24/28
Filed: 1975-06-25
Abstract: 1504004 Two-part electrical couplings G & H TECHNOLOGY Inc 25 June 1975 [10 July 1974] 26960/75 Heading H2E A two-part electrical coupling comprises a plug section and a socket section and a lock for securing the sections, wherein each section has a set of mating electrical contacts, one of the sets comprising elongate contacts, the effective length of one of the elongate contacts being less than the others so that the one contact does not make electrical contact until the sections are fully mated. The one contact can be short or of the same length as the others but with an insulated tip. In an embodiment the socket section 24 has an aluminium housing 28 surrounding an insulating structure 58 made of two parts 64, 66 and secured in place by a breech lock 60. Conductors 12 pass through a resilient seal 70 of silicone rubber and are joined to sockets 62 secured in structure 58 by collets 68. A backing or pressure plate may be provided at the rear of seal 70. A mounting collar 32 together with a locking nut 52 is provided to secure the socket section to a bulkhead. The sleeve 44 has an internal flange 126 which is castellated so that together with a corresponding castellated flange 114, a breech lock 108 is formed which can secure the socket section 24 to the plug section 26. An RF screening shield 82 having resilient fingers 86 is used to make contact to a gold or silver coating 88 on the plug section, a layer of sealant 84 being provided at the root of shield 82. The plug section 26 comprises a conductive housing 72 having an insulating insert 92 made of two parts 94, 96, the insert being sealed off by resilient seal 104 through which conductors 16 pass to elongate connectors 100 secured in place by collets. The elongate connector of short effective length 150 has an insulating tip 152 (Fig. 4) and is adjustable by means of the threads 155. Seals 106 and 90 (Fig. 4) are provided to seal off the two sections from one another. A coupling nut 110 bearing the castellated flange 114 is set about housing 72 on fast threads 128, 130 which have clearance spaces 132 to provide lost motion. A Belleville spring washer 134 is provided between the nut 110 and housing 72, being secured in place by collars 142, 146. One or both edges of the washer 134 is provided with lost motion so that over-centre movement is rapid. In use, keys 78 and keyways 80 align the sections 24, 26 whilst the Belleville washer 134 holds the threads 128 of housing 72 back against the threads 130 of nut 110 (Figs. 1 and 4). After partial insertion of the connectors 100, the breech lock 108 is secured by rotation of the nut 110 which simultaneously moves the housing 72 forward (Fig. 2, not shown) and the washer 134 over-centre. When the washer 134 has passed over-centre the housing 72 is suddenly thrust forward thereby, taking up the lost motion 132 to bring the threads 128 against the threads 130 (Fig. 3, also Fig. 5, not shown) and forcing the connectors 100 fully into the sockets 62. On partial insertion (Figs. 1 and 4) the connector of short effective length is not in electrical contact with its socket but on full insertion contact is established and a test circuit connected to the "short" contact can be energized thereby indicating complete mating of the sections. To unmate the sections the reverse procedure is followed but the strength of the spring washer 134 initially resists uncoupling. The sudden movement of housing 72 is said to be heard and felt on coupling and uncoupling the sections. Specification 1,448,002 (Division H2) is referred to.