ALIGNABLE ELECTRIC CONNECTOR, AN ELECTRIC CONNECTOR SYSTEM, AND A METHOD FOR CONNECTING AN ALIGNABLE ELECTRIC CONNECTOR WITH A SECOND ELECTRIC CONNECTOR

• US 20110045690A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norgren Co., Ltd. (IMI PLC)
• Original Assignee: Norgren Incorporated (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Sims, Dennis, Pevoteaux, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,556,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/527
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7005 Guiding, mounting, polarizing or locking means; Extractors for printed circuit boards H05K
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/716 Coupling device provided on the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/724 containing contact members forming a right angle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/743 integral with the housing

Abstract

The present invention relates to an alignable electric connector (5), an electrical connector system, and a method for connecting an alignable electric connector (5) with a second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) is configured mount to a support structure (201) and connect with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be provided with one or more orienting structures (59, 60, 61) that mate with one or more other orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (105) is oriented to mate with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be rotatably mounted to the support structure (201) and rotated to orient the alignable electric connector (5).

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method for connecting an alignable electric connector (5) and a second electric connector (105), comprising the steps of:

rotating the alignable electric connector (5) in a support structure (201) to orient the alignable electric connector (5); and

connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105).

22. The method for connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) according to claim 21, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) include sockets (43) and pins (44) that mate when the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) are connected.

23. The method for connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) according to claim 21, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) and further comprising the step of mating the at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) with another orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented.

24. The method for connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) according to claim 21, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes first, second, and third orienting structures (59, 60, 61) and further comprising the steps of mating the first, second, and third orienting structures (59, 60, 61) with fourth, fifth, and sixth orienting structures (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented.

25. The method for connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) according to claim 22, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) and sockets (43) or pins (44) that mate with pins or sockets on the second electric connector (105) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented and further comprising the steps of:

mating the at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) with another orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented; and

mating the sockets (43) and pins (44) after the at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) mates with the another orienting structure (203, 110, 100).

26-37. -37. (canceled)

38. An electric connector system, comprising:

a support structure (201);

an alignable electric connector (5) mounted in the support structure (201) and including at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) that mates with another orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented; and

a second electric connector (105) that mates with the alignable electrical connector (5).

39. The electric connector system according to claim 38, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes sockets (43) or pins (44) that mate with pins or sockets on the second electric connector (105) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented.

40. The electric connector system according to claim 38, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes first, second, and third orienting structures (59, 60, 61) that mate with fourth, fifth and sixth orienting structures (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented.

41. The electric connector system according to claim 38, wherein the electrical connector (5) and second connector (105) include sockets (43) and pins (44) that mate after the at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) mates with the another orienting structure (203, 110, 100).

42. The electric connector system according to claim 38, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes an interface (40) provided with a first side (41) that mates with the second electric connector (105) and a second side (42) that receives or transmits electrical power.

43. The electric connector system according to claim 38, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes an interface (40) provided with a first side (41) that mates with the second electric connector (105) and a second side (42) that mates with a third electric connector.

44. The electric connector system according to claim 38, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes an interface (40) provided with a first side (41) that mates with the second electric connector (105) and a second side (42) that connects to wires.

45. A method for connecting an alignable electric connector (5) and a second electric connector (105), comprising the steps of:

mating at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) located on the alignable electric connector (5) with another orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (105) is oriented to mate with the second electric connector (105); and

connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105).

46. The method for connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) according to claim 45, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) include sockets (43) and pins (44) that mate when the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) are connected.

47. The method for connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) according to claim 45, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes first, second, and third orienting structures (59, 60, 61) and further comprising the steps of mating the first, second, and third orienting structures (59, 60, 61) with fourth, fifth, and sixth orienting structures (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (5) is oriented to connect with the second electric connector (105).

48. The method for connecting the alignable electric connector (5) and the second electric connector (105) according to claim 45, wherein the alignable electric connector (5) includes sockets (43) or pins (44) that mate with pins or sockets on the second electric connector (105) when the alignable electric connector (5) is properly oriented and further comprising the step of mating the sockets (43) and pins (44) after the at least one orienting structure (59, 60, 61) mates with the another orienting structure (203, 110, 100).

49-51. -51. (canceled)