Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
113~881
This invention relates to electrical connectors. Particularly the
invention relates to circular, umbilical electrical connectors having rapid
mating/unmating, locking/unlocking characteristics, especially to such con-
nectors capable of lanyard release.
Some uses of electrical connectors require rapid disengagement of
the plug portion from the receptacle portion, or the activation of such dis-
engagement by remote control, such as, in weapon stores ejection and missile
staging requirements. A typical quick release trigger is provided by a wire
loop, referred to as a lanyard. It is desirable to provide both lockup
means to ensure maintenance of electrical mating and quick release (dis-
engagement) means for separation of the plug portion from the receptacle
;, portion. Illustrative of prior art answers to lanyard release connectors
are United States patents number 3,119,645; 3,848,950; and 4,083,619.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention herein is directed to a lanyard release umbilical
electrical connector possessing lockup means to ensure maintenance of elect-
rical circuit mating and a quick release means for both lockup and mated
conditions, preferably by a lanyard trigger means. The invention applies
to circular electrical connectors having mating/unmating capability of the
sets of electrical contacts.
The receptacle means section of the connector of the instant invent-
ion includes a receptacle shell provided with a receptacle barrel, having
a nose portion, and a set of electrical contacts. The barrel is provided
with a plurality of keys, positioned circumferentially on the exterior
surface of the barrel. Each of the keys is squared at the end farthest
from the nose of the barrel; each of the squared ends is located on a common
circumference around the barrel.
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The plug means section of the connector of the instant ;nvention
includes a set of electrical contacts, and a plug shell comprising (a) a
collet, (b) a coupling ring means, and (c~ a detent shell.
The receptacle contacts and the plug contacts are capable of
mating/unmating to complete/to break and this mating/unmating is accomplished
by a to and fro (back and forth) movement of the plug means on an axis common
- to the receptacle axis.
The mating/unmating action is carried out by an axial movement
imparted by cammed rotational movement of the plug shell. Desirably such
cammed rotational movement is imparted by a high pitch thread element in-
cluded in the plug section. Such rotational movement involves substantially
less than one rotation. The axial movement not only mates the two sets of
electrical contacts but also locks the p]ug section to the receptacle sect-
ion. This lockup takes place through cooperation of the receptacle barrel
keys and the collet member of the plug means.
The collet has a ring member with a flange-lip extending radially
inward (toward the center of the ring member); the ring member terminates in
a base. The flange-lip has an internal diameter closely smaller than the
outside diameter of the keys. The collet is mounted in the plug section so
that the flange-lip faces the keys on the receptacle barrel. Keyways are
cut into the end of the f]ange-lip to match the keys on the barrel. The
collet is divided (cut) into a plurality of circumferential length (arc
lengths) these circumferential lengths are completely separate from one
another. Herein "plurality" includes two arc lengths. Desirably at least
three circumferential lengths are present.
The coupling ring means has a ring opening portion large enough in
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diameter to closely enclose the collet base. The coupling ring means in-
cludes a resilient means permitting pull back of the coupling ring means.
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Desirably the resilient means is a spring and a rod member support therefor.
The detent shell has an element for contacting the resilient means
of the coupling ring means. Also the detent shell has a nose portion, desir-
ably of a substantially conical shape, for cooperating in decreasing tlle
diameter of the flange-lip as the coupling ring is advanced axially against
the ring member of the collet during the mating/locking action.
The connector of this invention includes a quick release trigger
means for activating the unlocking/unmating action by pulling the coupling
ring means backward, away from the receptacle.
The separate circumferential lengths of the collet move in rocker
motion under the influence of the coupling ring means and the detent shell
nose. As the axial mating movement proceeds, the collet keyways engage the
keys of the receptacle barrel and the flange-lip advances to a plane even
with squared ends of the keys. Continuation of the axial and rotational
: movement causes the flange-lip to rotate far enough to permit each of the
, lands between the keyways to move into contiguous relation with one of the
squared ends of the keys. The forces acting on the collet ring member
impart a rocker motion to each circumferential length of the collet. This
rocker motion lifts the base and causes an appreciable decrease in diameter
of the flange-lip, thereby the flange-lip is brought into a friction-locked,
; abutted relation with the squared ends of the keys.
The quick release means, desirably a lanyard, causes an axial move-
ment of the plug section away from the receptacle section. The coupling ring
is forcefully separated from its contact with the side of the ring member
of the collet; rocker motion is imparted to the collet circumferential
lengths, causing the flange-lip to assume a diameter larger than that of the
keys, thereby unlocking the plug section from the receptacle section. Axial
movement continues causing the plug section to unmate from the receptacle
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section. Trigger means, other than a lanyard, may be used, for example,
a stripper plate.
- The invention will further be described, by way oE example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figures 1-6 show an exploded view of one embodiment of the elect-
rical connector of the invention.
Figures 2-4 show the members of this embodiment which comprise the
improvement made over the prior art of this class of connectors.
Figures 7-9 show, with each figure in section on two planes, stop-
motion views of a connector of the invention, namely, locked/mated; unlocked/
mated; and unmated. This embodiment is somewhat different in details from
the embodiment of Figures 1-6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
Figures 1-2 show one form of receptacle means ~section) 20 which
is suitable for mounting on a surface, such as an aircraft skin. In Figure
2, receptacle means 20 includes a receptacle shell 22 which receptacle shell
22 is provided with a mounting flange 24; a threaded portion 26 to which a
back shell, not shown, can be mounted and admit into receptacle means 20 an
electrical cable, not shown, whose wires are joined to retainers witl-in
receptacle means 20; a barrel 28 which projects outwardly from mounting
flange 24 and terminates in nose 29.
Receptacle means 20 and plug means 60 (Figure 3~ are desirably
polarized so that they can mate in only one unique orientation. In this
embodiment, polarization is obtained by the circumferential exterior surface
of receptacle barrel 28 with a plurality of keys 30, 32, et seq. (Herein-
after the use of the plural indicates that 'et seq' is to be understood~.
Each of keys 30 has the end farthest from the nose 2g of barrel 28 squared
and each of the squared ends 36 is located on a common circumference around
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barrel 28, that is, for each of keys 30 the distance from the squared end 36
to the nose 29 is the same as any other key. The height of each key above
the exterior surface of barrel 28 need not be exactly the same; however, it
is desirable that all keys 30 have the same height, that is, the upper surf-
ace of each key lies on the same diameter, taken from the long axis of
receptacle shell 22. The keys 30 vary in width and are desirably asymmetric-
ally distributed on the exterior surface of barrel 28 to all the mating of
receptacle shell 22 and plug means 60 (Figure 3) in one unique position.
Figure 1 shows one manner in which electrical contact pins are
placed and secured in receptacle shell 22. Front pin insert 40 and rear
pin socket insert 42 receive electrical contact pin 44 and contact pin re-
tainer 46 respectively. These inserts 40 and 42 are made, typically, from
rigid plastic insulator ~dielectric) material, such, thermoset phenolic
resin. A grommet seal 48 prevents dirt, dust, water, etc., from entering
the interior of the connector by way of the receptacle rear end. Grommet
' seal 48 is typically made from an elastomer, such as a silicone rubber. A
conductive metal insert retaining ring 50 helps hold these members together
when assembled. A plastic plug 52 closes and seals channel 54 in grommet 48.
An elastomeric interface seal 56 is positioned on the outside face of pin
; 20 insert 40; this seal 56 grips the pins very tightly to ensure a seal. The
channels in the aforesaid inserts demonstrate that more than one contact pin
is to be used in this connector. Individual electrical wires are brought
into receptacle shell 22 from its rear end and are squeezed fitted into the
sockets 42 by a conventual procedure. A detailed presentation of the funct-
ion and material of construction of each of the aforesaid members shown in
Figure 1 is presented in McCormick and Selk, United States Patent nunlber
3,848,950.
Figures 3-6 show the plug means 60 (plug section) of the electrical
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connector of the invention.
Figure 3 shows three members which are primarily directed to the
quick release (unlocking) of the locked/mated electrical connector. Collet
64 has a flange-lip 66 extending radially inward. Flange-lip 66 has a
number of keyways 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78, respectively. These keyways 70
correspond to keys 30 on receptacle barrel 28 ~Figure 2). Lands 80, 82, 84,
86, and 88 are located between aforesaid keys 70. Flange-lip 66, when in one
piece, has an internal diameter, measured across two opposing lands, closely
smaller than the outside diameter of aforesaid keys 30. Desirably the diam-
eter is about the same as the outside diameter of barrel 28 ~Figure 2).
Collet 64 contains three slots 90, 90', and 90 " , intersecting flange-lip 66
and collet ring member 92. Ring member 92 terminates in base 94. Cut into
base 94 and up into side 98 of ring member 92 three notch-slots 96, 96', and
i 96". Ring member 92 is shaped to move in rocker motion in response to force
applied to side 98 and/or base 94. }lerein the rocker motion is enhanced by
having side 98 shaped roughly like one-half of an expanded offset U-turn, or
a numeral '2' with a roughly flat top. The height of collet 64, measured
vertically from base 94 to flange-lip 66, is such that the lands 80 overlap
the squared ends 36.
Collet 6~ is divided ~cut) into a plurality of circumferential
lengths (arc lengths). At least three arc lengths 102, 102', and 102 " are
desirable. Each circumferential length 102 is designed to move in rocker
motion under the influence of force applied to or removed from ring member 92
especially to side 98. This rocker motion permits the diameter of the flange-
lip, as measured at the lands thereon, to range from the outside diameter of
barrel 28 (Figure 2) to appreciably larger than the outside diameter of
; keys 30.
Pin, not shown, may optionally be placed in detent shell 134, as
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113~881
shown in Figures 7-9, to be loosely enclosed by collet slots 90, et seq.,
when more stability of collet arc lengths 102 is desired
Continuing in Figure 3, a coupling ring means 110 is provided with
a ring opening portion 114 closely larger in diameter than collet base 94
but not large enough to enclose side 98. Collet base 94 fits loosely in
annular groove 116 cut in the interior side of coupling ring shell 118.
Coupling ring opening 114 affords a truncated outwardly directed conical
element 115 at the end of the coupling ring which faces receptacle means 20.
Coupling ring 110 includes resilient means 120; herein resilient
means 120 comprises a helical spring 122, a rod member support and guide
therefor 124, which rod member 124 is fixed at one end to annular member
126 positioned inside of ring shell 118 and slidably fitted into a channel
in detent shell 134. A sufficient number of resilient means is provided to
have one or more for each collet circumferential length 102.
Continuing in Figure 3, a circular detent shell 134 is provided with
elements 138, 138', 138" whose purpose is to contact resilient means 120.
Here the other end of rod members 124 enter into channels 140 where the cor-
responding end of helical springs 122 is restrained by the walls 139 surround-
ing channels 140. As detent shell 134 moves toward coupling ring 110 and
collet 64, helical springs 122 are compressed between wall 139, surrounding
channel 140, and annular member 126. A nut, not shown here but see Fig-
ures 7-9, terminates rod 124 at wall 139 end.
Detent shell 134 has a nose portion 144 projecting toward coupling
ring 110. This nose portion 144 cooperates with ring opening 114 and port-
ion 115 to impart rocker motion to collet arc lengths 102 as the coupling
ring 110 is advanced against side 98 of collet 64 along with nose portion
144, contacting the back side of flange-lip 66. Here nose portion 144 term-
inates in a substantially conical shape 146. The imparted rocker motion
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decreases the diameter of the flange-lip 66 as the coupling ring 110 moves
toward receptacle shell 22 (Figure 2) during mating/locking action of the
connector, causing flange-lip 66 to lock against squared ends 36 of keys 30
in abutting relation.
Detent shell 134 is provided with a plurality of keys 148, 148' et
seq., on the inside wall thereof, and an annular groove 149.
Continuing in Figure 3, coupling ring 110 is provided wïth a quick
release trigger means 150 comprising support ring 152 located near end 153
of ring shell 118 and a member 154 rotatably positioned in an annular groove
156 cut into the outer surface of coupling ring 110 near end 153. Attached
to member 154 is a strong, flexible wire, lanyard 158; on]y two portions of
the lanyard cable are shown. A pull of lanyard 158 in the direction away
from the receptacle section of the locked-up connector moves coupling ring
110 back from receptacle section as helical springs 122 are compressed. The
forceful pull of the coupling ring causes the outwardly directed conical
element 155 to withdraw from contact with collet side 98 and with the help
of detent nose 144, imparts rocker motion to the collet circumferential
lengths 102, which rocker motion enlarges the diameter of the flange-lip 66
enough to permit the flange-lip to pass over keys 30, unlocking the recept-
acle section 20 from plug section 60 and an instant later causing unmating
as the axial withdrawal movement continues.
Figures 4-6 show conventional parts of electrical connectors usable
with the inventive contribution of the instant application. A pair of spring
detent means 160, each of which is of arcuate configuration and has an
internal key 162 midway the ends of the detent spring means 160. Key 162 is
loosely engagable and slidable in a keyway 174 on the outer surface 172 of a
plug housing 170. Detent spring means 160 in combination with a groove in
the detent shell 134 surface, first and second sets of detent spring recesses,
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113C881
not shown to eliminate clutter, emit a distinct snap or click
when the electrical connections of the receptacle and the plug
are fully mated and the two shells are locked. For a detailed
presentation of the assembly of such detent springs into an elec-
trical connector and the function thereof, see Arneson United
States patent number 4,066,315, issued January 3, 1978.
Still in Figure 4, plug housing 170 has an outer surface
172, one end having a ~eyway 174 and the other end 176, shown
herein as threaded to receive a cover shell, not shown, for elec-
trical cable, not shown. On inner surface 178 there is positioned
an electromagnetic interference shield 180. Shield 180 is mounted
on an inner annular rib 184 of plug housing 170 and includes a
plurality of circularly arranged resilient folded fingers 182
adapted to slidably and electrically contact the outer surface of
receptacle barrel 28 (Figure 2). Shield 180 is so constructed and
formed that when installed in the interior of plug housing 170 the
spaces or windows between adjacent edges of fingers 182 are
minimal in width. The shield 180 may be secured as by suitable
electrically conductive bonding to annular rib 184. In fully
mated position, metal plug housing 170 and metal receptacle shell
22 are provided with a substantially continuous 360 electrically
conducting path of low resistance.
For a detailed presentation of the production of and
installation of such an EMI shield, see Cooper and Howett, United
States patent number 4,056,298 issued November 1, 1977.
Still in Figure 4, the interior surface 178 of plug
housing 170 includes an elastomeric O-ring 186 positioned in
annular groove 188. O-ring 186 is suitably made of silicone
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rubber. The O-ring helps prevent water and the like undesirables
from getting into the interior of plug housing 170.
Axial movement for mating/unmating and locking said
two sets of
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electrical contacts is imparted by cammed rotational movement of said plug
shell, desirably of substantially less than one rotation. Still in Figure 4,
a set of threads 190 is positioned on the outer surface 17Z of plug housing
170. These threads have a high pitch, that is, the length of axial movement
is very large for a small amount of rotation. The pitch of these threads is
large enough to move the plug means 60 between the fully retracted position
and the fully extended position when the plug housing 170 is rotated through
substantially less than one rotation. Desirably this rotation is only a
small fraction of a turn, such as, one-third of a turn. It is desirable
for these threads to be of the square or acme variety. There should be an
axial clearance between the thread mating surfaces to allow a limited degree
of "float" in the connector, which "float" aids in maintaining the fully
compressed state of the various seals in the connector.
Still in Figure 4, coupling nut 200 is provided on its interior
surface with a set of threads 202, complementary to threads 190. On its
outer surface, coupling nut 200 is provided with a plurality of keys 204,
et seq., which keys are complementary to keys 148, et seq., on the interior
of detent housing 134 ~Figure 3). One end of each of these keys 204, et seq.,
is flush with forward end of coupling nut 200. The engaged complementary
keys transmit turning forces between coupling nut 200 and detent housing 134,
simultaneously permitting axial movement between the coupling nut 200 and
plug housing 170. Coupling nut 200 terminates in a T-shaped member 208.
Figure 5 shows the plug means electrical system equivalent of the
receptacle means electrical system of Figure 1. Contact socket 220 with its
retainer 222 and hood 224 are one representative of the plurality which are
provided for by the inserts. A front socket insert 230 and rear socket in-
sert 236 maintain the sockets securely. These inserts are dielectric mater-
ials. Grommet seal 242 seals the rear of this assemblyi Seal 242 is typ-
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ically an elastomeric material, such as si]icone rubber. Grommet plug 246
(Figure 6) seals channel 244 in grommet seal 242. Ring 250 (Pigure 6) re-
tains the inserts and grommet in position within plug housing 170 (Figllre 4).
For further detail on this assembly see aforementioned McCormick and Se:lk,
United States patent number 3,848,950.
Coupling nut 200 (Figure 4) and plug housing 170 (Figure 4) slip
inside detent housing 134 (Figure 3). Spring means 256, Figure 6 in this
instance, a wave washer, is inserted abutting against T-shaped end member
208 (Figure 4) in an assembled connector. A cover ring rear, 262 (Figure 6)
presses against spring means 256 and retaining ring 268 holds the various
shells inside detent housing 134 (Figure 3) in cooperation with annular
groove 149 (Figure 3).
UNLOCKING/UNMATING ACTION
Figures 7-9 show an embodiment of the electrical connector of the
invention which is somewhat different from the embodiment of Figures 1-6.
In Figures 7-9, receptacle means 20' includes the electrical sockets 220 and
accessories and the plug means 60' includes the electrical pins 44 and
accessories. This is the reverse of the arrangement shown in Figures 1-6.
These electrical arrangements are recognized alternates. In order to have a
stronger lockup, in Figures 7-9 the receptacle barrel 28' is provided with
a plurality of keys 30', each of keys 30' having at the end farthest from the
barrel nose, a lip 31 having a squared end 36', which squared end 36' per-
forms like squared end 36 of Figures 1-6.
Because this connector of Figures 7-9 is fundamentally that des-
cribed in connection with Figures 1-6, and to obtain less clutter in the fig-
ures, only those elements of direct concern to the condition, the action,
being described, or needed for clarity, have been assigned numerals in Fig-
ures 7-9. Elemen~s in Figures 7-9 identical with elements in Figures 1-6,
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such as, arcuate detents 160, carry the same numeral. Elements in Figures
7-9 which differ in some detail but have the same function as complementary
members in Figures ]-6 carry the same numeral with the addit;on of a 'prime'.
Where no corresponding element is present in Figures 1-6, a new numeral has
been assigned.
Figure 7 shows a locked/mated connector of the invention. Recept-
acle 20' has a flange 24 and a barrel 28'. Shown on the upper half of the
view, barrel 28' has on its outer surface key 30', provided with lip 31,
at the end farthest from the nose of barrel 28'. The end 36' of lip 31 near-
est flange 24 is squared. Otherwise barrel 28' is constructed like barrel 28
(Figure 2). See Figure 9 for a clearer view of elements 30', 31, and 36'.
Positioned inside barrel 28' are dielectric inserts, such as 230,
seals, and electrical contact sockets 220 and accessories. This construct-
ion is identical to that shown in Figure 5 and insert 250 of Figure 6, as
part of plug means 60, and in the description thereof.
Continuing in Figure 7, plug means 60' includes inside of plug
housing 170, the dielectric inserts, such as 40, seals, and electrical pin 44
and accessories. Because of its importance, elastomeric interface seal 56,
positioned on insert 40, has been numbered. The detail of these electrical
elements is shown in and described in connection with Figure 1. Pin 44 is
disposed well into socket 220 in this fully mated position.
Continuing in Figure 7, coupling nut 200 threads are fully engaged
with plug housing 170 threads in the fully advanced position. Detent shell
134 encloses coupling nut 200. Spring means 256, cover ring rear 262; and
retaining ring 268 appear in the assembled condition. Detent shell nose
146 contacts the inside of collet flange-lip 66. Collet side 98, base 94,
notch-slot 96, and slot 90 are shown. Ring coupling 110 on the exterior of
plug means 6Q' pushes its ring opening means 115 against collet side 98 while
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detent shell nose 146 constrains from underneath. Rod member lZ4, surround-
ed by helical spring 122, extends beyond detent shell 134 and is held at the
desired length by nut 125. It is evident that the collet circumferential
lengths have been rocked bringing the end of flange-lip 66 into frictional
locking contact with the squared end 36' of keylip 31. Collet base 94 is
as far from the outer surface of detent shell 134 as the undercut in the
inner surface of coupling ring 110 allows, causing the locking contact of
collet flange-lip 66 and squared end 36' of keylip 31.
In the embodiment of Figures 7-9, detent shell nose 146 is provided
with a stud 147 whose protruding end fits loosely in collet slot 190.
In the unlocked, unmated and cocked condition of the connector,
the sloped portion 115 of coupling ring 110 contacts (sits against) the
collet side 98 and base 94, as shown in Figures 8-9, rocking the collet cir-
cumferential lengths and opening the diameter of the flange-lips 66 far
enough to allow the keylips 31 to pass underneath. The threads are in the
withdrawn, cocked, position--not shown. It is readily seen that turning
coupling ring 110 causes the plug means simultaneously to rotate to move
axially forward. Slope 115 imparts rocker motion to the collet circumfer-
ential by pushing against side 98 and detent nose 146 rocks the flange-lip
to a square condition for abutting relation with the keylip 31 squared end
36' and frictionally locking is attained as the flange-lip completes its
rotational movement when coupling ring 110 reaches its farthest axial move-
ment. The electrical elements 44 and 220 have fully mated an instant before
lockup is complete.
Figure 8 shows the connector in the unlocked but mated condition.
Pin 44 is still inserted the same length into socket 220. A lanyard, such
as that of Figure 3, not shown here to avoid clutter, has pulled coupling ring
110 backward, that is, away from receptacle means 20' as shown by the short-
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ening of spring 122 and the extension of rod 124 and nut 125 beyond the end
of detent shell 134. The slope 115 on coupling ring 110 breaks contact
with collet side 98 and simultaneously moves side 98 and base 94 in rockcr
motion downward. Detent shell nose 146 cooperates to rocker move flange-lip
66 out of the locked, abutted position relative to keylip 31 and together
slope 115 and nose 146 open the diameter of flange-lip 66 so that the flange-
lip can pass above the keylip 31, thereby unlocking the receptacle means 20'
from the plug means 60'.
In Figure 9, the connector is shown in the unmated condition.
Nothing has happened to the relationship in space of coupling ring 110,
detent shell 134, collet 64, coupling nut 200, and plug housing 170 as set
forth in Figure 8. The axial backward pull of the lanyard sets the coupling
ring 110 in backward motion. After the unlocking operation has been com-
pleted, the backward motion continues until the pins 44 emerge from the
socket 220 and the unmated condition, as shown, is attained.
It is pointed out that the lanyard unlock/unmated activated action
does not place the plug means in a cocked condition, ready for mating/locking
with another receptacle. The advanced threads of coupling nut 200 and plug
housing 170 must be rotated backward manually to have the cocked position.
To mate, the two shells are aligned by the defined keys and keyways, and
the pins and sockets partially mated. Then rotation of the coupling ring
110 advances the pins into mated position. Further rotation completes mating
and locks up the flange-lip and keylips to reach the locked condition.
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