Patent Application
20140199879
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a user configurable connector, or more particularly, to a connector that can be (i) assembled and/or customized by a user and/or (ii) connected to and/or disconnected from a corresponding connector without the need for special equipment.
2. Description of Related Art
Connectors are used in many applications, including commercial, consumer and military applications. Connectors are typically used to transmit information (e.g., a voltage, current, etc.) from a first device to a second device. For example, a connector may be used to provide power from a power supply to a circuit. By way of another example, a connector may be used to provide analog and/or digital information from a first circuit to a second circuit.
Connectors are generally customized for a particular application. By way of example, assume that a device needs to be connected to two different wire harnesses; a first wire harness that transmits power, and a second wire harness that communicates digital signals. In order to prevent the first wire harness (transmitting power) from being plugged into the logic I/O of the device, and the second wire harness (communicating digital signals) from being plugged into the power supply of the device, different connectors must be used. In other words, the plug used to transmit power to the device must be different from the plug used to communicate digital signals to/from the device. Further, each pin in each plug must be connected to a particular wire. For example, assume that a first receptacle is connected to the power supply of the device. If a first socket in the first receptacle requires a first voltage (e.g., VDD) and a second socket in the first receptacle requires a second voltage (e.g., ground), then a wire carrying the first voltage must be connected to a first pin in a first plug, and a wire carrying the second voltage must be connected to a second pin in the first plug.
A drawback of the foregoing, is that certain equipment is generally required to replace (or swap out) such a connector. For example, if a connector needs to be replaced (e.g., a pin gets corroded or breaks, a wire breaks, etc.), a custom connector (i.e., a duplicate of the one being replaced) must be acquired, and each contact in the new connector must be connected (e.g., crimped, soldered, etc.) to a corresponding wire. Thus, not only does a user need to source a new connector, but he may need certain tools to (i) disconnect the faulty connector (e.g., faulty plug) from a corresponding connector (e.g., receptacle), (ii) disconnect the wire harness from the faulty connector, (iii) connect each contact in the new connector to a corresponding wire, (iv) attach a backshell to the new connector, and (v) connect the new connector (e.g., new plug) to the corresponding connector (e.g., receptacle). Not only is this a waste of time, but it is also a waste of money. This is especially true if the only reason the connector is being replaced is because of a single faulty contact.
Thus, it would be advantageous to manufacture a user configurable connector that can be connected to and disconnected from a corresponding connector without the need for special tools. It would also be advantageous to manufacture a connector that a user can customize (or key) so that it only mates with a corresponding connector. This would allow a user to purchase a common connector and customize (or key) it so that it only works in a particular application (i.e., an application that includes a corresponding, or complimentary-keyed connector). It would further be advantageous to manufacture a connector that includes removable contacts, thereby allowing a user to remove and/or replace a single contact if that contact is deemed to be faulty or damaged.
The present invention provides a user-configurable connector, or a connector that can be (i) assembled and/or customized by a user and/or connected to and/or (ii) disconnected from a corresponding connector without the need for special equipment. Preferred embodiments of the present invention operate in accordance with a connector that includes a plurality of removable contacts, and a connector body that can be customized (or keyed) to mate with a corresponding, and similarly configured connector.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes a connector body, a retainer, a plurality of contacts, and a backshell, wherein each one of the contacts is configured to be connected to a corresponding wire, and inserted into a corresponding aperture in the retainer. After each contact is connected to a wire and inserted into the retainer, the retainer is then inserted into a proximal end of the connector body. In one embodiment of the present invention, the proximal end of the connector body includes a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the retainer. A backshell is then connected to the connector body.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the cavity in the connector body is slightly smaller than the outer surface of the retainer. By configuring the cavity and the retainer in this fashion, pressure (or increased friction) can be applied to the plurality of contacts when the retainer is place (or pressed) in the cavity of the connector body. In another embodiment of the present invention, the backshell is configured so that when it is connected to the connector body, pressure (or increased friction) is applied to the plurality of contacts. In other words, regardless of the embodiment used, the user-configurable connector is designed so that when the retainer is removed from the connector body, each contact is relatively easy to insert into and remove from the retainer. However, when the retainer is inserted into the connector body, and/or the backshell is attached to the connector body, each contact is securely retained. In fact, it becomes difficult (if not impossible) to insert a contact into, or remove a contact from the retainer when the retainer is inserted into the connector body and/or when the backshell is attached to the connector body. This difficulty, or impossibility is based on an application of pressure on the retainer (from the cavity and/or the backshell), which results in increased friction between the retainer and the plurality of contacts.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the retainer further includes a plurality of “fingers” extending inward toward each contact. By including a plurality of “fingers” in each aperture in the retainer, it may be easier to convert the pressure applied to the retainer (by the cavity and//or the backshell) into increased friction on the plurality of contacts.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the backshell includes first and second portions, wherein the first portion includes a set of latches and a first post, and the second portion includes a first set of slots and a second post. In this embodiment, the backshell is connected to the connector body by placing the first post into a first hole in the connector body, and by placing the second post into a second hole in the connector body. The first and second portions of the backshell are then connected together by snap-fitting the set of latches into the set of slots. In one embodiment of the present invention, this may result in the application (or further application) of pressure on the retainer, thereby securing the plurality of contacts in place.
Once the user-configured connector is assembled, it can then be connected to a corresponding connector. In one embodiment of the present invention, a latching mechanism (e.g., a T-shaped latch) is used to secure a first connector to a second connector. Specifically, a first end of the latch includes a pivot for pivotally connecting the latch to the first connector, and a second end of the latch includes at least one dentent. Once the first connector is mated with the second connector, the latch can be pivoted until the dentent is secured in a pair of deflectable fingers. In particular, the pair of deflectable fingers includes an indented inner portion adapted to receive the dentent(s). By applying pressure on the latch toward the second connector, the deflectable fingers will temporarily spread apart, allowing the detent to move into the indented inner portion. With the dentent in place, the deflectable fingers will spring back to their initial position, thereby preventing the latch from moving away from the second connector, such as in the case of high vibration.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a lanyard mechanism is used to secure a first connector to a second connector. Specifically, the first connector includes a first dovetail, the second connector includes a second dovetail, and the lanyard mechanism includes a slot and a latch, wherein the slot is configured to mate with the first dovetail, and the latch is configured to hook over the second dovetail. In other words, the lanyard mechanism can be affixed to the first connector by mating the first slot with the first dovetail. By pressing the first and second connectors together, the latch of the second connector hooks (or snap-fits) over the second dovetail on the second connector. In order to disconnect the first connector from the second connector, the latch must first be removed (or separated) from the second dovetail. This can be done, for example, by pulling on a handle portion (i.e., the lanyard) of the lanyard mechanism, thereby moving the latch away from the second connector, and away from the second dovetail.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second dovetails are similarly shaped and sized, allowing the lanyard mechanism to be affixed to either the first or second connector. In other words, the slot in the lanyard is configured to mate with both the first and second dovetails. By doing this, the lanyard becomes reversible, and can be affixed to ether the first connector or the second connector, as desired by the user, or required by the application.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the connector can be customized by the user so that it only mates with a similarly configured connector. In this embodiment, the connector body includes a plurality of keyways, wherein each keyway is configured to receive a key. If the user wants to configure a connector so that it only mates with a similarly configured connector, the user can do this by inserting at least one key in at least one keyway on the connector, and remove the key (or ensure that there is no key) in the corresponding keyway on the corresponding connector. By allowing a user to customize (or key) a connector, the user can configure the connector so that it only mates with a corresponding, and similarly configured connector. This is advantageous in that the user does not have to purchase a custom connector, in order to have a custom (or semi-unique) connector.
The present invention further provides a method for assembling and customizing a connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. First, a plurality of contacts (e.g., pins, sockets, etc.) are connected to corresponding wires. Each contact is then inserted into an aperture in a retainer. The retainer is then inserted into a connector body, and a backshell is attached to the connector body. In one embodiment, the insertion of the retainer into the connector body results in increased friction between the elastomeric retainer and the contacts included therein. In another embodiment, the attachment of the backshell to the connector body results in an application of pressure on the elastomeric retainer, which further results in increased friction between the elastomeric retainer and the contacts included therein. At least one key is placed in at least one keyway on a distal end of the connector body, resulting in a user-programmable connector. The connector is then mated with a corresponding connector that is similarly configured. The connector is then secured to the corresponding connector by either snap-fitting a latch into a corresponding indented inner portion, or snap-fitting a lanyard latch over a corresponding dovetail.
A more complete understanding of a system and method for manufacturing and assembling a connector 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, which will first be described briefly.
The present invention provides a connector that can be (i) assembled and/or customized by a user and/or (ii) connected to and/or disconnected from a corresponding connector without the need for special equipment. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated in one or more figures.
A user-configurable connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector 10 is configured so that the step of placing (or pressing) the retainer 110 into the connector body 100 results in an application of pressure on the retainer 110, thereby resulting in increased friction between the retainer and the plurality of contacts. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the connector 10 is configured so that the step of connecting the backshell 120 to the connector body 100 results in an application of pressure on the retainer 110, thereby resulting in increased friction between the retainer and the plurality of contacts. In either embodiment, the user-configurable connector is designed so that when the retainer is removed from the connector body, each contact is relatively easy to insert into and remove from the retainer (e.g., a relatively low amount of friction exists between each contact and a corresponding aperture in the retainer). However, when the retainer is inserted into the connector body and/or the backshell is attached to the connector body, each connector becomes securely retained in the retainer.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, it becomes difficult (if not impossible) to insert a contact into, or remove a contact from the retainer when the retainer is inserted into the connector body. In the second embodiment of the present invention, it become difficult (if not impossible) to insert a contact into, or remove a contact from the retainer when the backshell is attached to the connector body. In either embodiment, or in a third embodiment, which is a combination of the two, assembling the connector results in a relatively high amount of friction between each contact and a corresponding aperture in the retainer.
By designing the user-configurable connector in this fashion, individual contacts can be removed and replaced without having to replace the actual connector. This can be accomplished, for example, by removing the backshell from the connector body, removing the retainer from the connector body, removing the faulty contact from the retainer, inserting a new contact into the retainer, inserting the retainer into the connector body, and connecting the backshell to the connector body. As stated above, by “sandwiching” the retainer into the connector body and/or between the backshell and the connector body, the increased pressure on the retainer results in closure (or attempted closure) of the apertures in the retainer. It is this closure (or attempted closure) that limits (or prevents) movement of the contacts within the retainer.
It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the connector illustrated in
In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
This can also be seen in
Once the user-configured connector is assembled, it can then be connected to a corresponding connector (e.g., a corresponding plug, a corresponding receptacle, etc.). While screws are generally used to hold (or secure) connectors together, there are drawbacks to using screws. For example, it takes tools (e.g., a screwdriver, etc.) and a certain amount of time to insert and remove a screw. By way of another example, screws can be dropped during installation/removal, which can result in damage to the connectors (e.g., when they are being connected together). Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a latching mechanism (e.g., a T-shaped latch) that does not require screws is used to secure first and second connectors together. This can be seen, for example, in
In an alternate embodiment, a lanyard mechanism that does not include any screws can be used to secure first and second connectors together.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second dovetails are similar in shape and size, allowing the lanyard to be affixed to either the first or second connector. In other words, the slot 630 in the lanyard mechanism 600 is configured to mate with both the first and second dovetails (610, 620). By doing this, the lanyard becomes reversible, and can be affixed to ether the first connector 10 or the second connector 40, as desired by the user, or required by the application. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of lanyard mechanism, or to the lanyard mechanism shown in
In another embodiment of the present invention, the connector can be customized by the user so that it only mates with a similarly configured connector. Such a connector can be seen, for example, in
By way of example, the connector in
Having thus described several embodiments of a connector that can be assembled and/or customized by a user, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the system and method 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.
