Make first break last connection assembly

• US 7,128,602 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Cromwell, Stephen Daniel, Brooks, Michael Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasri, Javaid H.
• Application Number:
  US10/741,719
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/181, 439/926, 439/924.1, 439/248, 439/188
• US Class Current: 439/540.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/926 within machine casing or motor housing, connector within casing wall

Abstract

A connection assembly permits a make first and break last connection for primary power. The assembly includes a first pair of connectors, a second pair of connectors, and a compliance element associated with one of the first pair of connectors. The compliance element enables the first pair of connectors to mate prior to the mating of the second pair of connectors and to enable the first pair of connectors to disengage after the disengagement of the second pair of connectors.

Claims

1. A connection arrangement comprising:

a first pair of connectors;

a second pair of connectors;

a compliance element separate from the first and second pairs of connectors and associated with one of the first pair of connectors that enables mating of the first pair of connectors prior to mating of the second pair of connectors and disengaging of the first pair of connectors after disengaging of the second pair of connectors;

wherein the first pair of connectors comprise a first connector and a second connector and wherein the compliance element is a biasing element that biases the first connector towards engagement with the second connector; and

a printed circuit board that carries the first connector.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the biasing element is a spring.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the biasing element acts upon the printed circuit board.

4. The arrangement of claim 3 further comprising at least one fastener that fastens to a chassis wall, wherein the printed circuit board is slidingly mounted on the at least one fastener and wherein the biasing element is carried by the at least one fastener and compliantly urges the printed circuit board toward the chassis wall.

5. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein the first connector extends from the printed circuit board and through an opening in the chassis wall.

6. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein the second pair of connectors comprise a third connector and a fourth connector, and wherein the third connector is carried by the chassis wall.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first connector extends from the printed circuit board and through an opening in the chassis wall.

7. An assembly comprising:

a first pair of connectors including a first connector and a second connector;

a second pair of connectors including a third connector and a fourth connector;

a biasing element separate from the first and second pairs of connectors that biases the first connector towards the second connector that enables mating of the first and second connectors prior to mating of the third and fourth connectors and disengaging of the first and second connectors after disengaging of the third and fourth connectors; and

a printed circuit board that carries the first connector.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the biasing element is a spring.

9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the biasing element acts upon the printed circuit board.

10. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising at least one fastener that fastens to a chassis wall, wherein the printed circuit board is slidingly mounted on the at least one fastener and wherein the biasing element is carried by the at least one fastener and compliantly urges the printed circuit board toward the chassis wall.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the third connector is mounted on the chassis wall.

13. A method for engaging first, second, third and fourth connectors comprising:

mounting first and third connectors on a first carrier wherein the mounting step includes fixing the first connector to a printed circuit board;

mounting second and fourth connectors on a second carrier so that when the first and second connectors are in axial alignment the third and fourth connectors are also in axial alignment; and

compliantly urging, without the assistance of the connectors, one of the first and second connectors towards the other one of the first and second connectors for engagement prior to engagement of the third and fourth connectors.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first carrier includes a chassis wall and wherein the urging step includes projecting the compliantly urged connector through the chassis wall.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the compliantly urging step includes biasing the printed circuit board.