High voltage quick disconnect electrical connector assembly

• US 4,166,664 A
• Filed: 02/09/1978
• Issued: 09/04/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Limited
• Original Assignee: AMP Limited
• Inventors: Herrmann, Henry O. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desmond, E. F.
• Application Number:
  US05/876,582
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 339/75 R, 339/17, 339/91 R, 339/91 B, 339/111, 339/116 C, 339/94 M, 339/60 M, 339/45 M, 339/46
• US Class Current: 439/258
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/53 Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases for high voltage with means for preventing corona or arcing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6276 comprising one or more balls engaging in a hole or a groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132

Abstract

A high voltage, quick disconnect electrical connector assembly is disclosed formed from entirely dielectric members which assure rapid disconnection of the assembly even in the unlikely event of jamming of the normal disconnect mechanism. The connector assembly includes a pair of mating housing members with latching inserts fixed in a receptacle member and engaging in a plug member of the assembly. The quick disconnect feature is provided by an annular shroud member which slides axially on the receptacle member between a first position in which the latching inserts are in a normally outward position allowing free insertion of the plug into the receptacle and a second position in which the shroud biases the latching inserts so that lobes on the free ends thereof project into respective detents in the plug portion to lock the connector members together. The latching inserts each are provided with a narrow cross-sectioned neck portion which will break upon application of a predetermined force, in the event of jamming of the regular disconnect mechanism. A wiping seal is provided adjacent the free end of the shroud to perform a sealing function between connector members during disconnection to prevent arcs generated during disconnection from coming in contact with the external and possibly explosive environment. Thus the assembly is substantially explosion proof, even in an explosive environment, and fail safe in disconnection.

Claims

1. A high voltage, quick disconnect electrical connector assembly, comprising:

a plug member having a housing with a plurality of low voltage electrical terminals mounted therein in a patterned array, a high voltage insert containing high voltage terminals and mounted in said housing amid said array, and at least one detent on the outer surface of said plug member;

a receptacle member having a housing with a plurality of low voltage terminals mounted therein in a like patterned array, a high voltage insert containing high voltage terminals and mounted in said receptacle housing amid said array aligned for mating with said high voltage insert of said plug member and at least one recess on an outer surface of said receptacle member;

at least one latching member each having a first end fixedly secured in a respective recess of said receptacle housing and a second end engageable in a respective detent in said plug housing, said latching members having a neck portion adapted to give way upon application of a force exceeding a predetermined amount; and

an annular shroud member axially slidable along said receptacle housing, said annular shroud in a first position allowing said latching members to lie in a normal position opening said receptacle for reception of said plug and in a second position biasing said latching members to a condition in which they engage in said detents, and an annular seal on a free end of said shroud forming a wiping sealing engagement with said plug during mating and unmating of said assembly whereby any arcing is contained within the assembly and a long arc path is defined by said high voltage inserts together and said array of low voltage terminals so that said assembly can be used in an explosive environment in safety.

2. A high voltage, quick disconnect electrical connector assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:

lanyard means securing said annular shroud member to a fixed member whereby a pulling force applied to said assembly causes said shroud to move from the second to the first position.

3. A high voltage, quick disconnect electrical connector assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:

first keying means polarizing mating of said plug and receptacle members.

4. A high voltage, quick disconnect electrical connector assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:

second keying means stabilizing said shroud on said receptacle housing so as to prevent relative rotational movement.

5. A high voltage, quick disconnect electrical connector assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:

a sealing boot secured to a rear portion of each said plug and said receptacle members.

6. A quick disconnect, high voltage electrical connector assembly comprising:

a plug member having no moving parts and including a housing formed of rigid dielectric material, a plurality of contact passages in said housing opening onto a mating face in a patterned array, a like plurality of low voltage electrical contacts each positioned in a respective passage, a high voltage insert positioned within said housing amid said array, at least one high voltage terminal mounted in said insert, and at least one detent on an outer surface of said housing,

a receptacle member having a housing formed of rigid dielectric material and profiled to mate with said plug member, said housing having a like plurality of contact passages opening onto a mating face in a like patterned array and aligned with said passages of said plug member and a low voltage electrical contact in each said cavity, a high voltage insert positioned within said housing amid said array with at least one high voltage terminal mounted in said insert each aligned with a respective high voltage terminal in said plug member, at least one latching member recess in an outer surface of said receptacle housing;

at least one elongated latch means each having one end fixed in a respective recess in said receptacle and extending therefrom in cantilever fashion normally allowing entry of said plug member into said receptacle member, said latch means having a lobe attached at end portion by a frangible neck;

an annular shroud member slidably mounted on said receptacle member for axial movement therealong between a first position forcing said latch means into said detents in said plug member for locking said members together and a second position in which said latch means freely assume their normal position;

lanyard means coupled between said shroud means and a fixed means allowing limited movement of said shroud means; and

annular sealing means on said shroud sealing the space between said plug and receptacle from the external environment, said sealing means wiping against said plug during relative movement of said plug in said receptacle whereby any arcing occurring is contained within said assembly.