Electronics assemblies and devices often comprise electrical connectors for connecting electronic devices together, such as for power and/or data transfer. Such electrical connectors typically comprise a set of male electrical contacts or female electrical contacts that mate with opposing male or female contacts. Oftentimes, one or more of such contacts are inadvertently displaced within their connector structure (e.g., pushed down) due to the axial force exerted on the contact when being mated to an opposing contact. They can also become displaced if the opposing male and female contacts are slightly misaligned relative to each other, such that one contact pushes the opposing contact back into the supporting connector structure.
If a particular contact becomes displaced for whatever reason, it may not appropriately mate with its opposing contact when the opposing connector structures are coupled together, and thereby the electronics devices electrically coupled to the contacts may not work properly. Thus, it is critical that any displaced contacts be reset to their desired, original position so that they work as intended. However, resetting a displaced contact from a wiring side of the contact is not always feasible or possible without disassembling the electronics assembly to gain access to the wiring side to push the contact back into place. In some cases, disassembling the electronics assembly can void a warranty associated with the electronics assembly.
Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures or elements, Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent” may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context.
An initial overview of the inventive concepts is provided below and then specific examples are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the examples more quickly, but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the examples, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Based on the issues described above, it is desirable to reset displaced electrical contacts from the mating side of the connectors from which they are supported and extend from to avoid damaging the electrical contacts during the resetting process. The present disclosure sets forth a resetting tool for resetting a position of a female electrical contact of a connector from a mating side of the connector in support of one or more female electrical contact. The resetting tool comprises an elongate housing comprising an opening about a first end, and a longitudinal channel extending from the opening at least part way through the elongate housing. At least one slot is formed in the elongate housing, and extends from the opening so as to define opposing flex members formed on an inward taper with respect to the elongate housing, such that the opposing flex members fit within a female electrical contact. A movable rod is supported within the elongate housing, and is slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel. The moveable rod can have an end portion operable to slide about the opposing flex members to cause the opposing flex members to transition from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein, in the extended position, the opposing flex members are operable to apply a compression force on a female electrical contact to facilitate resetting of the female electrical contact. During application of the compression force, the elongate housing is operable to be moved away from the connector structure to reset a position of the female electrical contact when transitioning to the extended position.
The present disclosure sets forth a resetting tool for resetting a position of a male electrical contact of a connector from a mating side of the connector in support of the male electrical contact. The resetting tool comprises an elongate housing comprising an opening about a first end, and defines a longitudinal channel extending from the opening. The longitudinal channel comprises a tapered portion about the first end. A movable rod is supported within the elongate housing, is slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel of the elongate housing, and comprises an opening and a flex channel extending from the opening. The movable rod further comprises at least one slot formed in the movable rod about the flex channel, and extends from the opening of the movable rod so as to define opposing flex members operable to transition from an extended position to a retracted position. The movable rod is slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel, such that the opposing flex members slide through the tapered portion to cause the opposing flex members to transition from an extended position to a retracted position to apply a compression force to a male electrical contact. During application of the compression force, the movable rod is operable to be moved away from the connector structure to reset a position of the male electrical contact when transitioning to the retracted position.
The present disclosure sets forth a resetting tool operable to reset a male electrical contact of a connector structure, and a female electrical contact of a mating connector structure, the resetting tool comprising an elongate housing comprising a first end and a second end, and defines a longitudinal channel extending between the first and second ends. The first end comprises first opposing flex members formed on an inward taper and configured to fit within a female electrical contact. The longitudinal channel comprises a tapered portion about the second end. A movable rod can be supported within the elongate housing, and is slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel. The moveable rod has a first end portion operable to cause the first opposing flex members to transition from a retracted position to an extended position to facilitate application of an outward compression force to a female electrical contact, and resetting of a position of the female electrical contact. The movable rod has a second end portion comprising second opposing flex members operable to slide through the tapered portion of the longitudinal channel of the elongate housing to cause the second opposing flex members to transition from an extended position to a retracted position to facilitate application of an inward compression force to a male electrical contact, and resetting of a position of the male electrical contact. The resetting tool is operable to reset the positions of the female and male electrical contacts from a mating side of each of the respective connectors in support of the female and male electrical contacts.
The present disclosure sets forth a method of making a resetting tool operable to reset a position of a female electrical contact of a connector structure from a mating side of the connector in support of the female electrical contact. The method comprises forming an elongate housing comprising a longitudinal channel, and a first end having first opposing flex members formed on an inward taper with respect to the elongate housing, such that the first opposing flex members fit within a female electrical contact. The method can comprise forming a movable rod having an end portion. The method can comprise positioning the movable rod within the longitudinal channel of the elongate housing, such that the movable rod is slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel. The end portion of the moveable rod is operable to slide about the first opposing flex members to cause them to transition from a retracted position to an extended position to apply a compression force to the female electrical contact and to reset a position of the female electrical contact.
The present disclosure sets forth a method of making a resetting tool operable to reset a position of a male electrical contact of a connector structure from a mating side of the connector in support of the male electrical contact. The method can comprise forming an elongate housing comprising a longitudinal channel comprising a tapered portion about a first end of the elongate housing. The method can comprise forming a movable rod comprising an opening and a flex channel extending from the opening, and forming at least one slot along the flex channel so as to define opposing flex members. The method can comprise positioning the movable rod within the longitudinal channel of the elongate housing, such that the movable rod is slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel. The opposing flex members are operable to slide about the tapered portion to cause the opposing flex members to transition from between extended and retracted positions to apply a compression force to the male electrical contact and to reset a position of the male electrical contact.
The present disclosure sets forth a method of resetting a position of a female electrical contact comprising providing a resetting tool comprising an elongate housing defining a longitudinal channel and having a first end having opposing flex members. The resetting tool can comprise a movable rod slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel and having an end portion. The method can comprise positioning the end portion of the movable rod axially away from the opposing flex members, such that the opposing flex members are in a retracted position. The method can comprise inserting at least a portion of the opposing flex members into a female electrical contact, the female electrical contact being supported by a connector structure and in a displaced position. The method can comprise sliding the moveable rod and the elongate housing axially relative to one another to slide the movable rod axially through the longitudinal channel, such that the end portion of the movable rod slides along the opposing flex members to cause them to transition from the retracted position to apply a compression force to the female electrical contact. The method can comprise moving the elongate housing and the movable rod axially away from the connector structure to pull the female electrical contact to reset the female electrical contact from the displaced position to a reset position in the connector structure.
The present disclosure sets forth a method of resetting a position of a male electrical contact comprising providing a resetting tool comprising an elongate housing having a longitudinal channel. The longitudinal channel comprises a tapered portion about a first end of the elongate housing, and the resetting tool comprises a movable rod slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel and having opposing flex members at a first end. The method can comprise positioning the opposing flex members in an extended position and through the tapered portion of the longitudinal channel. The method can comprise positioning the opposing flex members around a male electrical contact (the male electrical contact can be supported by a connector structure and in a displaced position. The method can comprise sliding the moveable rod and the elongate housing axially relative to one another to slide the moveable rod axially through the longitudinal channel, such that the opposing flex members slide along the tapered portion to at least a partially retracted position to apply a compression force around the male electrical contact and to reset the male electrical contact from the displaced position to a reset position about the connector structure.
To further describe the present technology, examples are now provided with reference to the figures,
For example,
Further to the concept of resetting electrical contacts,
Note that the first connector 102 can also be mounted to a structure (e.g., 114) of an electronics assembly or device in some examples the same or similar to those discussed above. Because the first and/or second connectors 102 and 108 can be mounted to an electronics assembly of a larger system (e.g., a missile, vehicle, sensor, etc.), when the electrical contacts become displaced, it is often unfeasible or undesirable to access the electrical contacts from the wiring side (e.g., W1, W2) because it can be difficult to gain access to such wiring side, and/or it can void the warranty of the device or system if the larger device/system is disassembled and accessed from the wiring side. Accordingly, it is desirable (and required in some cases) to be able to reset male and/or female electrical contacts from the mating side (e.g., M1, M2). It is also desirable to reset the positions of such contacts without damaging (scratching, crushing, bending, etc.) the contacts, because otherwise they may not make appropriate electrical and mechanical contact between each other when mated in the male/female coupling Such potential damage can also negatively affect operation of the electronics assembly.
Accordingly, the resetting tool 100 is provided to reset male and female electrical contacts (e.g., 106a and 112a) from the mating side (e.g., M1, M2), and while eliminating or reducing the likelihood of damaging the contacts when being reset. More specifically, as shown in
The resetting tool 100 can comprise an elongate housing 118 comprising a first end 122a and a second end 122b. An opening 120 can be formed at the first end 122a. The elongate housing 118 can define a longitudinal channel 124 extending from the opening 120 through some or all of the length of the elongate housing 118. The first end 122a can have first and second slots 126a and 126b formed axially through the elongate housing 118, and that extend from the opening 120 a distance so as to define a first pair of opposing flex members 128a and 128b. The first pair of opposing flex members 128a and 128b can be formed on an inward taper with respect to a longitudinal axis X1 of the elongate housing 118, such that the first pair of opposing flex members 128a and 128b can fit within a female electrical contact (see e.g.,
The resetting tool 100 can further comprise a movable rod 130 supported within the elongate housing 118. The movable rod 130 can be slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel 124. The movable rod 130 can comprise a middle portion 132a that extends along a majority of the length of the movable rod 130. A first end portion 132b of the movable rod 130 can extend from the middle portion 132a toward the opening 120, and can have a smaller diameter than the middle portion 132a. Accordingly, the longitudinal channel 124 can have a middle channel section 134a that slidably receives the middle portion 132a of the movable rod 130, and an end channel section 134b that slidably receives the first end portion 132b of the movable rod 130. Alternatively, the longitudinal channel and the movable rod can each have a constant or uniform cross sectional area along their lengths.
A handle 136 can be supported by or coupled to the movable rod 130 for translating the movable rod 130 bi-directionally within the elongate housing 118. Opposing handle slots 138 can be formed axially through the elongate housing 118 for facilitating (and limiting) movement of the handle 138 (and therefore the movable rod 130) along the elongate housing 118 when moved bi-directionally.
In operation of the first side 116a, and with particular reference to
In one example, the elongate housing 118 can be comprised of a metallic material, and the inward taper of the first opposing flex members 128a and 128b can be formed by heat treating them when held in an inward tapered manner, so that when cooled, the first opposing flex members 128a and 128b are set to the inward taper configuration so that they can bend or flex outwardly when slidably engaged by the end portion 132b of the movable rod 130 as discussed herein. In another example, the elongate housing 118 can be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid composite, plastic, polymer, etc., through injection molding, 3D printing, and other suitable methods of manufacture. In this way, the first opposing flex members 128a and 128b can be molded or formed to comprise an inward taper, such as illustrated in
The second connector 108 can comprise an upper plate 109 (
After the female electrical contact 112a has been reset to its proper position, the movable rod 130 can be retracted back into the elongate housing 118 by moving the handle 136 relative to the elongate housing 118 in an opposing direction, thereby placing the first side 116a in the retracted position R1 (see
Notably, because of the curved or radial profile of the outer radial surfaces 144a and 144b of the first opposing flex members 128a and 128b, and because the first opposing flex members 128a and 128b oppose each other, a substantially uniform outward compression force can be applied to the inner radial surface 142 of the female electrical contact 112a. This allows the female electrical contact 112a to be aligned and pulled in an axial manner into a reset position P4, which better resets the female electrical contact 112a into its proper, re-set position because it reduces the likelihood of inadvertently rotating or twisting the female electrical contact 112a while being reset, which can cause damage or misalignment of the female electrical contact 112a. Such configuration also reduces or eliminates the likelihood of damaging or scratching the female electrical contact 112a, because the surface-to-surface contact is maximized in a radial direction between the female electrical contact 112a and the first opposing flex members 128a and 128b.
Notably, the first side 116a of the resetting tool 100 has a relatively low profile, so that it can be inserted into relatively small openings to gain access to female electrical contacts. Specifically, the outermost surfaces or profile of the first side 116a of the resetting tool 100 is the outer radial surfaces 144a and 144b of the first opposing flex members 128a and 128b, so that the first side 116a can fit past or through the apertures 111 of the second connector 108 and into the female electrical contact for resetting. This allows a user of the resetting tool 100 to gain access to tight areas or access openings (e.g., apertures 111), and from a mating side of the connector, to access and reset female electrical contacts. It is contemplated that the size and configuration of the various portions of the resetting tool 100 can vary depending upon the type, size and configuration of the connector to provide mating side resetting of electrical contacts.
With reference to
With continued reference to
Upon moving the movable rod 130 axially in a direction relative to the elongate housing 118 (via the handle 136) and toward the male electrical contact 106a, the second opposing flex members 156a and 156b are moved to the extended position E2 of
As illustrated in
It is noted herein, that the manner of operation described above is not intended to be limited in any way. For example, the resetting tool 100 can be configured, such that once the second opposing flex members 156a and 156 be are disposed over the male electrical connector, rather than simultaneously pushing the elongate housing toward the connector while moving the movable rod away from the connector, an alternative manner of operation could be pushing the elongate housing toward the connector until a sufficient compression force is generated and applied to the male electrical contact, and then pulling up on the entire resetting tool 100 to reset the male electrical connector.
Note that first or second “opposing flex members” can each be defined by one or more slots (see e.g.,
After the male electrical contact 106a has been reset, the movable rod 130 and the elongate housing 118 can be caused to again move relative to one another (e.g., the movable rod 130 can be pushed back out of the elongate housing 118 by moving the handle 136 relative to the elongate housing 118) in a manner so as to position the second opposing flex members 158a and 158b of the second end 116b in the extended position E2 (
Notably, because of the curved or radial shapes of the inner radial surfaces 163a and 163b of the second opposing flex members 158a and 158b, and because the second opposing flex members 158a and 158b oppose each other, a substantially uniform compression force can be applied to the outer radial surface 159 of the male electrical contact 106a. This allows the male electrical contact 106a to be aligned and pulled in an axial manner into the reset position P2, which better resets the male electrical contact 106a into its proper position because it reduces the likelihood of rotating or twisting the male electrical contact 106a while being reset. Such configuration also reduces the likelihood of damaging or scratching the male electrical contact 106a, because the surface-to-surface contact is maximized in a radial direction between the male electrical contact 106a and the second opposing flex members 158a and 158b.
Notably, the second end 116b of the resetting tool 100 has a relatively low profile, so that it can be inserted into relatively small openings to gain access to the male electrical contact 106a, such as to fit between the male electrical contact to be reset and any adjacent male electrical contacts, or between the male electrical contact to be reset and the inner walls of the connector (see
Upon moving the movable rod 130 axially in a direction relative to the elongate housing 118 (via the handle 136) and toward the male electrical contact 106a, the second opposing flex members 156a and 156b are moved to the extended position E3 of
The resetting tool 200 can comprise an elongate housing 218 comprising an opening 220 about a first end 222 of the elongate housing 218, The elongate housing 218 can define a longitudinal channel 224 extending from the opening 220 through the length of the elongate housing 218. A movable rod 230 is supported within the elongate housing 218, and is slidable bi-directionally within the longitudinal channel 224. The movable rod 230 can comprise a middle portion 232a, a first end portion 232b, and a second end portion 232c, Proximate the first end 222, the elongate housing 218 can have a one or more slots (e.g., see slots 226a-d (three of four being labeled)) formed through the elongate housing 218 axially so as to define first opposing flex members 228a-d (two of four labeled). The first end portion 232b of the movable rod 230 can have an outward tapered portion 231 that slides bi-directionally through a flex channel of the first opposing flex members 228a-d, as further detailed below.
A handle 236 can be coupled to the movable rod 230 for collectively translating the movable rod 230 and the handle 230 bi-directionally relative to the elongate housing 218, The handle 236 can be formed of a variety of shapes and sizes, such as a cylindrical disk having a tubular extension as shown, that extends or transitions into a tapered portion 250 for operation of the second side 216b of the resetting tool 200, which is further detailed below. A pin 251 can extend laterally through the handle 236 and through the second end portion 232c of the movable rod 230 for coupling the handle 236 to the movable rod 230. A pair of opposing limit slots 253 (one shown) can be formed on either side of the elongate housing 218 for facilitating and limiting the bi-directional movement of the movable rod 230 relative to the elongate housing 218.
In operation, and with reference also to the similar example of
With a female electrical contact in a displaced position (e.g., D1 of
After the female electrical contact has been reset, tapered portion 231 of the movable rod 230 can be extended back out of the elongate housing 218 by moving the handle 236 relative to the elongate housing 118, thereby placing the first side 216a in the extended position. This disengages the tapered portion 231 of the movable rod 230 from the first opposing flex members 228a-d. As a result, because of their compliant configuration, the first opposing flex members 228a-d automatically return to their normal or default or retracted positions. In this way, the first opposing flex members 228a-d can then be removed from the socket area of the female electrical contact, and then the resetting tool 200 is ready for another operation to reset another female electrical contact.
Notably, because of the curved or radial shapes of the outer radial surfaces 244a-d of the first opposing flex members 228a-d, a substantially uniform compression force can be applied to the inner radial surface of the female electrical contact. This assists to align and pull the female electrical contact in an axial manner into a reset position, which better resets the female electrical contact into its proper position because it reduces the likelihood of rotating or twisting the female electrical contact while being reset. Such configuration also reduces the likelihood of damaging or scratching the female electrical contact, because the surface-to-surface contact is maximized in a radial direction between the female electrical contact and the first opposing flex members 228a-d.
It is further noted that the first side 216a of the resetting tool 200 has a relatively low profile, so that it can be inserted into relatively small openings to gain access to the female electrical contact (see e.g.,
As mentioned above, the second side 216b is operable to reset a male electrical contact (e.g., 106a of
The elongate housing 218 can comprise second opposing flex members 256a and 256b operable to slide through the tapered flex channel 254 of the tapered portion 250 of the handle 236 to cause the second opposing flex members 256a and 256b to transition from an extended position (
This configuration provides second opposing flex members 256a and 256b that are compliant, such that moving or sliding the second opposing flex members 256a and 256b down onto the male electrical contact causes the second opposing flex members 256a and 256b to outwardly flex and slide down and around an outer surface of the male electrical contact, similarly as those of the resetting tool 100 shown in the example of
Notably, because of the curved or radial shapes of the inner radial surfaces of the second opposing flex members 258a and 258b, and because the second opposing flex members 258a and 258b oppose each other, a substantially uniform compression force can be applied to the outer radial surface of the male electrical contact. This assists to align and pull the female electrical contact in an axial manner into the reset position, which better resets the male electrical contact into its proper position because it reduces the likelihood of rotating or twisting the male electrical contact while being reset. Such configuration also reduces the likelihood of damaging or scratching the male electrical contact, because the surface-to-surface contact is maximized in a radial direction between the male electrical contact and the second opposing flex members. Further, the second end 216b of the resetting tool 200 has a relatively low profile, so that it can be inserted into relatively small openings or spaces to gain access to male electrical contacts, similarly as described above with respect to the resetting tool 100.
Note that the resetting tools exemplified herein (i.e., resetting tools 100 and 200) are double-sided operationally, meaning that one side is used to reset female electrical contacts, and the other side is used to reset male electrical contacts with the handle being operational to actuate each side. However, it is contemplated herein, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that other example resetting tools can comprise a single-sided operational tool, meaning that they are only configured and operational to reset female or male electrical contacts, but not both, as the case may be. Thus, the present disclosure can include a first resetting tool for resetting female electrical contacts, wherein the first resetting tool comprises an operational end that can be similar to the first side 116a of resetting tool 100 or the first side 216a of resetting tool 200, with the resetting tool comprising a handle operable to actuate the operational end. The present disclosure further contemplates a second resetting tool for resetting male electrical contacts, wherein the second resetting tool comprises an operational end that can be similar to the second side 116b of resetting tool 100 or the second side 216b of resetting tool 200, with the resetting tool comprising a handle operable to actuate the operational end.
The handles exemplified herein can alternatively be a trigger type handle that is more ergonomically friendly, which may require linkage(s) to the respective components to effectively pull the trigger to move the movable rod 130, for instance. The second opposing flex members exemplified herein can be defined by a single slot, so that the second opposing flex members may have opposing portions or members that bend or flex toward and away from each other during the operations discussed above. The same holds true for the first opposing flex members, meaning that they can be defined by a single slot. The various slots exemplified herein can be of any suitable length and size to provide some amount of compliant flex members. The components discussed herein can be comprised of rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as steel, aluminum, composite, polymer, etc., and can be formed by 3D printing, machining, and other suitable means.
Reference was made to the examples illustrated in the drawings and specific language was used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the technology is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the features illustrated herein and additional applications of the examples as illustrated herein are to be considered within the scope of the description.
Although the disclosure may not expressly disclose that some embodiments or features described herein may be combined with other embodiments or features described herein, this disclosure should be read to describe any such combinations that would be practicable by one of ordinary skill in the art. The use of “or” in this disclosure should be understood to mean non-exclusive or, i.e., “and/or,” unless otherwise indicated herein.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples. In the preceding description, numerous specific details were provided, such as examples of various configurations to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the described technology. It will be recognized, however, that the technology may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, devices, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the technology.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features and operations described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the described technology.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200194953 A1 | Jun 2020 | US |