Bayonet-type electrical connector assembly

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6666701
  • Patent Number
    6,666,701
  • Date Filed
    Monday, July 22, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 23, 2003
    20 years ago
Abstract
A bayonet-type connector assembly for releasably securing a first connector half to a second connector half along a connection axis by simple rotation of a bayonet nut. Each connector half includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The bayonet nut encircles the second connector half. Rotation of the nut to a closed position causes a thread segment on the nut to engage corresponding grooved segments formed in the first connector half, to mate the connector halves, enabling electrical contact between the connector halves. Rotation of the bayonet nut also slides a slidable portion, i.e., a nut cam, beneath a cam of the second connector half to prevent axial separation of the two connector halves. The connector assembly further includes a detent positioned to engage a securement on one of the cams to releasably lock the nut in the closed position.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to bayonet-type electrical connectors assemblies.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The need to provide electrical contact between detachable components is well known. Electrical connectors employed for such a purpose commonly include two connector halves held by a connector nut. Such connectors have been used in many applications, such as providing a contact between a detachable sensor and an electronics housing. Detachable sensor assemblies are used in a variety of industrial applications, many exposing the sensor assembly to harsh environments, e.g., substantial vibrations, fluids and excessive contact force.




Such industrial applications have proven to induce malfunctions in prior connector assemblies. For example, excessive vibrations can dislodge the connector halves from one another, i.e., axial separation, causing a break in electrical contact. Also, repeated coupling and uncoupling of electrical connector halves, such as those using pin-type connectors, can cause damage to the connectors, particularly, where inadequate care is taken by maintenance personnel. Thus, it is beneficial to provide an electrical connection that not only establishes a reliable electrical connection but also establishes a sturdy mechanical connection of the connector halves.




It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need for a bayonet-type connector assembly that provides a rugged and reliable mechanism for releasably securing a first connector half to a second connector half, useable in a variety of applications such as securing a detachable sensor to an electronic housing. The present invention fulfills this need as well as others.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention provides a bayonet-type connector assembly for releasably securing a first connector half to a second connector half along a connection axis by simple rotation of a bayonet nut. Each connector half includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The bayonet nut encircles the second connector half. Rotation of the nut to a closed position causes a thread segment on the nut to engage a corresponding grooved segment of the first connector half, to mate the connector halves, enabling electrical contact between the connector halves. Rotation of the bayonet nut also slides a slidable portion, i.e., a nut cam, beneath a cam of the second connector half to prevent axial separation of the two connector halves. The connector assembly further includes a detent positioned to engage a securement on one of the cams to releasably lock the nut in the closed position. The connector assembly is particularly effective in applications where a risk of inadvertent axial separation of connector halves exists. Moreover, all of the parts can be manufactured by simple, relatively inexpensive injection molding techniques.




In a detailed aspect of preferred embodiments of the invention, the second connector half further includes a second cam disposed adjacent to the opening of the cavity. The second cam is oriented generally perpendicular to the connection axis and is spaced apart from the first cam of the second connector half. The nut further includes a second cam configured to cooperate with the second cam of the second connector half, to prevent axial separation of the connector halves. The nut further has an open position within 70 degrees of rotation from the closed position for receiving the first connector half. Thus, the nut inhibits connecting the electrical contacts of the first and second connector halves without rotating the nut from the open position to the closed position.




In another detailed aspect of preferred embodiments of the invention, the electrical contacts of the second connector half are pogo-style pin contacts and the electrical contacts of the first connector are planar contacts oriented perpendicular to the contacts of the second connector. The spring forces of the pogo-style pins aid in maintaining a positive connection between the contacts.




In yet another detailed aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent is a deflectable finger positioned adjacent to a trailing edge of the cam of the second connector half and the securement is a depression defined by the cam of the nut adjacent to a trailing edge thereof.




In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first connector half includes an O-ring mounted to contact the second connector half within the cavity and to provide a fluid-resistant seal.











Other features and advantages of the invention should become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bayonet-type connector assembly in accordance with the invention, the connector assembly including a first connector half, a second connector half, and a bayonet nut;





FIG. 2

is an elevational view of an electrical housing and detachable sensor incorporating the connector assembly of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the first connector half of the connector assembly of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of the second connector half of the connector assembly of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a plan view of the bayonet nut of the connector assembly of

FIG. 1

; and





FIG. 6

is a perspective view of the bayonet nut of the connector assembly of FIG.


1


.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




With reference to the illustrative drawings, and particularly to

FIG. 1

, there is shown a bayonet-type connector assembly


10


having a first connector half


12


, a second connector half


14


, and a bayonet nut


16


. The first and second connector halves include electrical contacts


18


(FIG.


3


),


20


, respectively. The bayonet nut encircles the second connector half. Rotation of the nut to a closed position causes two short thread segments


22


on the nut to engage corresponding grooved segments


24


formed in the first connector half, to mate the connector halves along a connection axis (A—A), enabling electrical contact between the connector halves. Rotation of the bayonet nut also slides two slidable portions, i.e., nut cams


26


, beneath a corresponding pair of cams


28


of the second connector half. This prevents axial separation of the two connector halves. The connector assembly further includes detents, i.e., deflectable fingers


30


, each positioned to engage a corresponding depression


32


(

FIG. 5

) formed by the nut cams. Once engaged, the detents releasably lock the nut in its closed position. The connector assembly is particularly effective in applications where a risk of inadvertent axial separation of connector halves exists. Moreover, all of the parts can be manufactured by simple, relatively inexpensive injection molding techniques, and the connector assembly provides additional safety-related and economic benefits, as will be described below.




With reference to

FIG. 2

, the connector assembly


10


is shown beneficially employed in securing a detachable sensor


34


to an electronics housing


36


. In this embodiment, the second connector half


14


is positioned at a bottom portion of the electronics housing and the first connector half


12


is positioned at an upper portion of the sensor (not shown). The connector assembly provides a sturdy mechanical connection of the connector halves, thereby minimizing the risk that excessive vibrations will dislodge the connector halves from one another, causing a break in electrical contact. Moreover, the connector assembly provides a smooth mating action of the connector halves, minimizing the risk of damage to the contacts


18


,


20


, even where appropriate care is not taken by maintenance personnel. The first connector half includes an O-ring


38


(

FIG. 3

) positioned to form a fluid-resistant seal with the second connector half, thereby reducing a risk of fluid exposure at the interface of the connector halves. Thus, the connector assembly provides reliable electrical and mechanical connections, even in harsh environments.




With reference to

FIG. 3

, the first connector half


12


is generally cylindrical and has six electrical contacts


18


. Each contact is positioned within a contact recess


40


and terminates in a relatively small circular plate positioned atop a post


42


within the corresponding contract recess. The contact recesses are configured cooperate with the second connector half


14


to allow contact between the electrical contacts


18


,


20


. The O-ring


38


is positioned within a channel


44


encircling an upper portion


46


of the first connector half. It provides a fluid-resistant seal within the cavity of the second connector half, once mated. The grooved segments


24


are positioned below the O-ring with respect to the six contacts.




With reference now to

FIG. 4

, the second connector half


14


is generally cylindrical and defines a cavity


48


having an opening


50


. The cavity is configured to receive the upper portion


46


(

FIG. 3

) of the first connector half


12


. The cams


28


of the second connector half are generally arc-shaped, outwardly cantilevered ledges extending from upstanding portions


52


and are positioned on opposite sides of the cavity opening, generally perpendicular to the connection axis (A—A). The cams of the second connector half and an upper surface


54


define recesses


56


for receiving the nut cams


30


. When the nut


16


is rotated to its closed position, the nut cams slide into the recesses


56


, clamping the nut to the second connector half. In the closed position, the cams inhibit axial separation of the connector halves. Although in this embodiment the cams are configured as cantilevered ledges, it will be appreciated that they can have alternate configurations without departing from the invention, so long as the cams cooperate to prevent axial separation of the connector halves.




The deflectable fingers


30


are adjacent to the cams


28


of the second connector half Each deflectable finger extends from the upper surface


54


and defines a lower curved portion


58


. The curved portions are configured to be securely received by the corresponding depressions


32


(

FIG. 5

) of the nut


16


. Once the nut has been rotated to the closed position, the curved portions are disposed within the depressions, securing the nut in the closed position. The fingers and the depressions are configured to maintain the nut in the closed position in the face of various forces, e.g., equipment vibration and incidental contact.




The electrical contacts


20


of second connector half


14


are configured as six spring-loaded connector pins, i.e., pogo-style pins, and are each located within a protective support


60


disposed within the cavity


48


. The protective supports are cylindrical, each encircling a corresponding pogo-style pin and extending above the height of the pin. The protective supports are sized and aligned to be received within contact recesses


40


(

FIG. 3

) defined in the first connector half


12


. The spring forces of the pogo-style pins aid in providing positive contact pressure between the electrical contacts


18


,


20


of the connector halves, ensuring electrical contact.




With continued reference to

FIG. 4

, the second connector half


14


further includes a circular rib


62


extended around its outer periphery. The rib enables a snap fit with the bayonet nut


16


as described further below. The second connector half also includes a stepped portion


64


positioned below the rib with respect to the opening


50


. The stepped portion provides a smooth and aesthetic transition between the second connector half and the bayonet nut, as shown in FIG.


2


.




With reference now to

FIGS. 5 and 6

, the bayonet nut


16


includes an inner cylinder


66


and an outer grip


68


encircling the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is configured to allow the first connector half to extend through and mate with the second connector half, once the nut is in its closed position. The thread segments


22


are positioned on the inner surface of the cylinder to engage the grooved segment


24


of the first connector half. The thread segments and the grooved segments cooperatively provide about 70 degrees of rotation from an open position for receiving the first connector half to the closed position.




The nut cams


26


are positioned between the inner cylinder


66


and the outer grip


68


and are oriented generally parallel to the cams


28


of the second connector half


14


. The nut cams cooperate with the cams of the second connector half to prevent axial separation of the connector halves when the nut is in its closed position. The nut cams are configured as arc-shaped ledges inwardly cantilevered from the outer grip. In the open position, the nut cams sit next to the cams of the second connector half. In use, the operator rotates the nut from the open to the closed position, causing the nut cams to slide beneath the cams of the second connector half, interlocking the two sets of cams. Once the closed position is reached, the detents


30


are releasably locked within the depressions


32


and the cams of the second connector half sit next to walls


70


. Each depression is located on a slidable surface


72


adjacent to a leading edge


74


of its respective nut cam.




With continued reference to

FIGS. 5 and 6

, the bayonet nut


16


includes a circular recess


76


configured to cooperate with the circular rib


62


of second connector half


12


for attaching the nut to the second connector half. The circular recess receives the rib by axially snapping the nut onto the first connector half. This snap fit allows rotation of the nut between its open and closed positions, while maintaining the nut's axial relationship with the housing. When snapping the nut to the housing, the nut cams


26


and the cams


28


of the second connector half must be properly aligned. The nut cams are sufficiently spaced within the region between the cylinder


66


the outer grip


68


to allow the cams of the second connector half to extend therein.




It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a connector assembly with a rugged and reliable mechanism for releasably securing a first connector half to a second connector half, by rotation of a bayonet nut. The connector assembly is particularly effective in applications where a risk of inadvertent axial separation of connector halves exists. Moreover, the connector assembly is cost-effective to manufacture, operate and maintain.




The foregoing detailed description of the present invention is provided for the purposes of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A bayonet-type connector assembly configured to mate with a first connector half having a generally cylindrical shape and including a plurality of electrical contacts and a grooved segment defined in a side wall, comprising:a second connector half defining a cavity for receiving the first connector half along a connection axis defined between the first and second connector halves, the second connector half including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the cavity and configured to provide electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contacts of the first connector half, an arc-shaped cam disposed adjacent to an opening of the cavity and oriented generally perpendicular to the connection axis; and a bayonet nut positioned about the second connector half, rotatable to a closed position for mating the connector halves, the bayonet nut including an inner cylinder having an inner surface configured to allow the first connector half to extend therethrough, an outer grip encircling the inner cylinder, a thread segment positioned on the inner surface of the inner cylinder to engage the grooved segment of the first connector half, to drive the first connector half toward the second connector half, and an arc-shaped cam positioned between the inner cylinder and the outer grip, oriented generally parallel to and configured to cooperate with the arc-shaped cam of the second connector half to prevent axial separation of the first and second connector halves when the nut is in the closed position; and a detent configured to engage a securement on one of the cams to releasably lock the nut in the closed position.
  • 2. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts of the second connector are pogo-style pin contacts and the electrical contacts of the first connector are planar contacts oriented perpendicular to the contacts of the first connector.
  • 3. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the bayonet nut further has an open position within 70 degrees of rotation from the closed position for receiving the first connector half, wherein further the bayonet nut inhibits contact between the electrical contacts of the first and second connector halves without rotating the nut from the open position to the closed position.
  • 4. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein:the second connector half further includes a second arc-shaped cam disposed adjacent to the opening of the cavity, oriented generally perpendicular to the connection axis, and spaced apart from the first cam of the second connector half, and the nut further includes a second arc-shaped cam configured to cooperate with the second cam of the second connector half, to prevent axial separation of the first and second connector halves.
  • 5. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the detent is a deflectable finger positioned adjacent to a trailing edge of the cam of the second connector half and the securement is a depression defined by the cam of the nut adjacent to a leading edge thereof.
  • 6. A connector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the cavity of the second connector half is configured to provide a fluid-resistant seal with the first connector half, the first connector half having an O-ring mounted to contact the second connector half within the cavity.
  • 7. A bayonet-type connector assembly comprising:a first connector half having a generally cylindrical shape and including a plurality of electrical contacts and a grooved segment defined in a side wall; a second connector half defining a cavity for receiving the second connector half along a connection axis defined between the first and second connector halves, the second connector half including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the cavity and configured to provide electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contacts of the first connector half, a plurality of arc-shaped cams disposed adjacent to and spaced about an opening of the cavity and oriented generally perpendicular to the connection axis; and a bayonet nut positioned about the second connector half, rotatable to a closed position for mating the connector halves, including an inner cylinder, having an inner surface, configured to allow the first connector half to extend therethrough, an outer grip encircling the inner cylinder, a thread segment positioned on the inner surface of the inner cylinder to engage the grooved segment of the first connector half, to drive the first connector half toward the second connector half, and a plurality of arc-shaped cams positioned between the inner cylinder and the outer grip, oriented generally parallel to and configured to cooperate with the plurality of arc-shaped cams of the second connector half to prevent axial separation of the first and second connector halves when the nut is in the closed position; and a detent configured to engage a securement on one of the cams to releasably lock the nut in the closed position.
  • 8. A connector assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the electrical contacts of the second connector are pogo-style pin contacts and the electrical contacts of the first connector are planar contacts oriented perpendicular to the contacts of the second connector.
  • 9. A connector assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the bayonet nut further has an open position within 70 degrees of rotation from the closed position for receiving the first connector half, wherein further the bayonet nut inhibits contact between the electrical contacts of the first and second connector halves without rotating the nut from the open position to the closed position.
  • 10. A connector assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the detent is a deflectable finger positioned adjacent to a trailing edge of the cam of the first connector half and the securement is a depression defined by the cam of the nut adjacent to a trailing edge thereof.
  • 11. A connector assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the cavity of the second connector half is configured to provide a fluid-resistant seal with the first connector half, the first connector half having an O-ring mounted to contact the second connector half within the cavity.
  • 12. A bayonet-type connector assembly for use with an electrical housing and a detachable sensor, comprising:a sensor connector half having a generally cylindrical shape, including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at a first end and a grooved segment defined in a side wall, a housing connector half defining a cavity for receiving a sensor connector half, the housing connector half including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the cavity and configured to provide electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contacts of the sensor connector half, an arc-shaped cam disposed adjacent to an opening of the cavity and oriented generally perpendicular to a connection axis defined between the sensor and the housing connector halves; and a bayonet nut positioned about the housing half, rotatable to a closed position for mating the connector halves, including an inner cylinder, having an inner surface, configured to allow the sensor half to extend therethrough, an outer grip encircling the inner cylinder, a thread segment positioned on the inner surface of the inner cylinder to engage the grooved segment of the sensor half, to drive the sensor half toward the housing half, and an arc-shaped cam positioned between the inner cylinder and the outer grip, oriented generally parallel to and configured to cooperate with the arc-shaped cam of the housing half to prevent axial separation of the sensor and housing connector halves when the nut is in the closed position; and a detent configured to engage a securement on one of the cams to releasably lock the nut in the closed position.
  • 13. A connector assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the electrical contacts of the housing connector are pogo-style pin contacts and the electrical contacts of the sensor connector are planar contacts oriented perpendicular to the contacts of the housing connector.
  • 14. A connector assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the bayonet nut further has an open position within 70 degrees of rotation from the closed position for receiving the sensor connector half, wherein further the bayonet nut inhibits contact between the electrical contacts of the housing and sensor connector halves without rotating the nut from the open position to the closed position.
  • 15. A connector assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein:the housing connector half further includes a sensor arc-shaped cam disposed adjacent to an opening of the cavity, oriented generally perpendicular to the connection axis, and spaced apart from the first cam of the housing half; and the nut further includes a sensor arc-shaped cam configured to cooperate with the sensor cam of the housing half, to prevent axial separation of the housing and sensor connector halves.
  • 16. A connector assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the detent is a deflectable finger positioned adjacent to a trailing edge of the cam of the housing connector half and the securement is a depression defined by the cam of the nut adjacent to a trailing edge thereof.
  • 17. A connector assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the cavity of the housing connector half is configured to provide a fluid-resistant seal with the sensor half, the sensor half having an O-ring mounted to contact the housing half within the cavity.
  • 18. A connector assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the bayonet nut is snap-fit to the housing connector half to prevent axial separation the nut and the housing connector half while allowing the nut to rotate between the open position and the closed position.
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