The present invention relates to anti-vibration coupling for an electrical connector that prevents counter-rotation and loosening of the electrical connector due to vibration when engaged with its mating connector. More specifically, the invention relates to an anti-vibration coupling that incorporates a disengagement feature allowing manual unlocking of the electrical connector and its mating connector.
Electrical connector assemblies generally include mating plug and receptacle connectors. Often a threaded nut or collar is used to mate the plug and receptacle connectors. When an electrical connector assembly is subject to vibration or shock, however, the mating connectors of the assembly, often become loose or even decouple. The loosening or decoupling usually occurs because the coupling nut counter rotates, that is it rotates in a direction opposite the mating or locking direction, thereby compromising the integrity of both the mechanical and electrical connection between the plug and receptacle connectors.
Therefore, a need exists for an anti-vibration coupling that both prevents loosening of the mated plug and receptacle but also provides a mechanism for easily disengaging the plug and receptacle when desired.
Examples of some prior art couplings for electrical connector assemblies include U.S. Pat. No. 7,914,311 to Gallusser et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,741 to Wade et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,595 to Marc et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,563; U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,400 to Fowler; U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,716 to Buckley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,760 to Miklos; U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,096 to Quillet et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,082 to Davies et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,373 to Peterson; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,895 to Quackenbush, the subject matter of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention generally provides a connector coupling that comprises a connector body, a first collar that has opposite first and second ends and that receives the connector body, and a second collar that surrounds the first collar and that is rotatable with respect to the first collar between first and second positions. A movable ratchet ring is supported by the connector body and includes at least one locking member. The movable ratchet ring is axially movable with respect to the first collar between engaged and disengaged positions. A stationary ratchet ring is coupled to the first collar and includes at least one locking member corresponding to the at least one locking member of the movable ratchet ring. When the movable ratchet ring is in the engaged position, the locking members of the movable and stationary ratchet rings are engaged. Rotating the second collar from the first position to the second position with respect to the first collar moves the movable ratchet ring to the disengaged position away from the stationary ratchet ring such that the locking members are disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the first collar with respect to said connector body.
The present invention may also provide a connector coupling that comprises a connector body, a first collar that has opposite first and second ends and that receives the connector body, and a second collar that surrounds the first collar and that is rotatable with respect to the first collar between first and second positions. The second collar includes a disengaging member at an end thereof that defines a receiving area. A movable ratchet ring is supported by the connector body and includes at least one locking member. The movable ratchet ring is axially movable with respect to the first collar between engaged and disengaged positions. The movable ratchet ring is in contact with the disengaging member of the second collar when in the disengaged position. A stationary ratchet ring is coupled to the first collar and includes at least one locking member corresponding to the at least one locking member of the movable ratchet ring. The stationary ratchet ring is received in the receiving area of the second collar when the second collar is in the second position. When the second collar is rotated from the first position to the second position with respect to the first collar moves the movable ratchet ring to the disengaged position via the disengaging member of the second collar pushing the movable ratchet ring away from the stationary ratchet ring such that the locking members are disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the first collar with respect to the connector body.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
a is an perspective view of a first collar of the connector coupling illustrated in
b is a cross-sectional view of the first collar illustrated in
a is an end perspective view of a second collar of the connector coupling illustrated in
b is a cross-sectional view of the second collar illustrated in
a is a perspective view of a first ratchet ring of the connector coupling illustrated in
b is a cross-sectional view of the first ratchet ring illustrated in
c is a side elevational view of the first ratchet ring illustrated in
a is a perspective view of a second ratchet ring of the connector coupling illustrated in
b is a cross-sectional view of the second ratchet ring illustrated in
c is a side elevational view of the second ratchet ring illustrated in
a is a cross-sectional view of the connector coupling illustrated in
b is an enlarged partial view of the assembly of
a is a cross-sectional view of the connector coupling illustrated in
b is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly of
Referring to
The coupling 100 may be disposed on a connector body 112 of one of the components of the connector assembly, as seen in
As best seen in
The outer collar 104 surrounds the inner collar 102 to provide a mechanism for manually unlocking the inner collar 102 from the mating connector. The outer collar 104 is designed to slide axially with respect to the inner collar 102 and the connector body 112 between first and second positions. As seen in
As best seen in
Extending from the inner surface 312 of the main body 300 is an inner engagement member or members 330 that correspond to the outer engagement member or members 210 of the inner collar 102. The inner engagement members 330 are preferably inwardly extending detents, as seen in
As seen in
As seen in
a and 6b illustrate the coupling 100 in an engaged or locked position wherein the inner collar 102 may be rotated with respect to the connector body 112 in only one direction via ratchet rings 106 and 108. That allows the inner collar 102 to be mated with a mating connector via its internal threads 208 while also preventing that threaded engagement from loosening during vibration. In that position, the teeth 410 and 510 of the first and second ratchet rings 106 and 108, respectively, are engaged in a one-way ratchet engagement. The biasing member 110 pushes the first ratchet ring 106 into engagement with the second ratchet ring 108. In that position, the inner detents 330 of the outer collar 104 are disengaged from the corresponding outer channels 210 of the inner collar 102 such that the inner and outer collars 102 and 104 are not interlocked.
In order to un-mate the connectors, the ratchet rings 106 and 108 must be manually disengaged using the outer collar 104, as illustrated in
While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.