Patent Application
20080254665
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed towards connection systems for communicating electrical signals, and more particularly, to systems and apparatuses with stacked arrangements of interconnects that can be easily accessed and repaired.
2. Description of Related Art
With the increasing demand and complexity of modern electronic systems in high reliability applications such as military and aerospace, there is a continuing need to incorporate electronic equipment into a confined space while ensuring reliability in harsh environments. In such applications, connection systems provide a critical communication link between physically separated electronic devices. These connection systems have to satisfy many competing requirements. They should be capable of withstanding a rugged environment that includes vibration, wide temperature swings, moisture, and exposure to hazardous materials and chemical contaminants. Components of the connection systems should also be both compact and easily accessible to permit repair or replacement of damaged components while limiting disruption or removal of other undamaged components.
Such connection systems typically frequently utilize connector devices or interconnects that interface with the leading ends of cables, overbraids, or the like. Such interconnects typically comprise pins or connectors on a first end, as well as a backshell on a second end for interfacing with the overbraids or the like. While such interconnects are designed to withstand rugged environments, some inevitably become damaged or non-functional during operation, and need to repaired or replaced. Design demands of electronics systems often require that the components of a system fit into a compact space. As such, interconnects are frequently placed into close proximity with each other, and are often stacked relative to each other. Such interconnects are frequently modular in design, and frequently are placed into stacked arrangements.
Placing interconnects into a stacked arrangement, however, makes it difficult to access and repair any one of the interconnects, particularly when the damaged interconnect is located in the middle or toward the bottom of the stack. As such, stacked interconnects are typically disassembled in order to access the particular interconnects that require repair or need to be replaced. This increases the number of parts that need to removed from the system, which in turn increases the amount of time needed to reassemble the system, thereby increasing the time and costs associated with repairing such systems.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a connection system with stacked components, such as interconnects or the like, that can be more easily accessed and repaired.
The present invention satisfies the need for an improved connection system by providing interconnects that can be arranged and secured in a stacked arrangement, and that can also be readily accessed and repaired.
In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system with a plurality of interconnects mounted in a stacked arrangement. Each of the interconnects comprises: a connector body; a set of electrical pins extending from the connector body; a shell extending from the connector body and at least partially covering the set of connector pins; and a backshell removably coupled to the connector body, the backshell being configured to receive and retain an overbraid, cable, or the like. With respect to each interconnect of the plurality of interconnects, the backshell can be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement.
In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnects in a stacked arrangement, wherein each of the interconnects comprises: a connector body; and a backshell removably coupled to the connector body, the backshell being configured to receive and retain a overbraid. With respect to at least one interconnect of the plurality of interconnects, the backshell can be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement.
In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system comprising first and second interconnects. The first interconnect comprises a first connector body and a first backshell removably coupled to the first connector body, the first backshell being configured to receive and retain a first overbraid. The second interconnect is in a stacked arrangement with the first interconnect, and comprises a second connector body and a second backshell removably coupled to the second connector body, the second backshell being configured to receive and retain a second overbraid. The first backshell can be uncoupled from the first connector body while retaining the first and second interconnects in the stacked arrangement.
In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system comprising first and second interconnects. The first interconnect comprises a first connector body and a first backshell removably coupled to the first connector body, the first backshell being configured to receive and retain a first overbraid. The second interconnect is connected with the first interconnect, and comprises a second connector body and a second backshell removably coupled to the second connector body, the second backshell being configured to receive and retain a second overbraid. The first backshell can be uncoupled from the first connector body without disconnecting the first and second interconnects.
A more complete understanding of the electrical connector apparatus and system will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.
The invention satisfies the need for an electrical connector system that accommodates system designs where the interconnects or connector modules need to be stacked, yet where the interconnects need to be easily accessed for repair and/or maintenance. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements shown in one or more of the figures.
With reference to the illustrative embodiment of
As shown in
With continued reference to
In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system wherein the respective backshell of each interconnect is removably coupled to the respective connector body. The backshell is configured to receive and retain a overbraid. With respect to each interconnect of the plurality of interconnects, the backshell can be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement. As such, one or a subset of the interconnects can be accessed and repaired without disrupting the entire stacked arrangement of interconnects. For any given interconnect, the backshell can be detached from the connector body so that repairs to the components of the interconnect can be made. For example, the interface between a first overbraid and a first backshell can be made without disrupting the other interconnects of the stacked system. After the repairs are made, the backshell, along with its respective overbraid, can be reattached to its respective connector body. Accordingly, a damaged backshell can be uncoupled from its connector and repaired, while retaining the other interconnects in the stacked arrangement.
In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an electrical connector system with interconnects that are connected to each other. For example, there is provided a first interconnect having a first connector body and a first backshell removably coupled to the first connector body. There is also provided a second interconnect that is connected with the first interconnect, and comprises a second connector body and a second backshell removably coupled to the second connector body, the second backshell being configured to receive and retain a second overbraid. The first backshell can be uncoupled from the first connector body without disconnecting the first and second interconnects.
In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments described herein, the interconnects can be assembled in any number of ways. With reference to
When the top and bottom retainers 118, 120 are clamped together, this action clamps the overbraid 200 onto the braid supports 142, 144. The braid supports 142, 144 protect the individual wires 202 of the overbraid 200 from any clamping done onto the braid 200. The module retainers 118, 120 preferably have an attached elastomer or the like to provide strain relief and vibration dampening of the individual wires 202. Furthermore, the module retainers 118, 120 preferably have insulators 160, 162 or the like to provide a secure seal and thereby protect the inner components of the interconnect 102, as illustrated in
With reference to
It is anticipated that the connection system of the present invention be adapted to use standard military specification contacts and insertion/removal tools. Accordingly, the present connection system would be sufficiently robust for vibration and shock, and meet the harsh environmental requirements of Mil-C-38999 or the like. In one embodiment, each of the interconnects are electrically isolated from the other, further reducing crosstalk between interconnects.
Having thus described the embodiments of an improved system of stacked interconnects, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is solely defined by the following claims.
