Separable connector with interface undercut

• US 7,670,162 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Hughes, David Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond; Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US12/072,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20090215294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 439181-189
• US Class Current: 439/187
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/03 characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/11 Resilient sockets carrying separate resilient parts H01R13/15
• 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

Abstract

Separating connector assemblies of a separable connector system. The separable connector assemblies include one or more pairs of connectors configured to engage and disengage one another in electrical connection and disconnection operations, respectively. An operator can disengage the connectors by pushing the connectors together and then pulling the connectors apart. Pushing the connectors together shears interface adhesion between the connectors, making it easier for the operator to pull the connectors apart. One of the connectors can include a nose end having an undercut segment configured to not engage an interior surface of the other connector when the connectors are engaged. Limiting the surface area of the nose end that interfaces with the interior surface of the other connector reduces surface adhesion and a pressure drop when separating the connectors, making separation easier to perform.

Claims

1. A separable connector, comprising:

a tubular member disposed substantially about a contact element;

a nose piece coupled to an end of the tubular member, the nose piece being configured to be disposed within a recess of another separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, a circuit associated with the separable connectors being closed when the separable connectors are connected,

wherein the nose piece comprises

at least one interface segment disposed along an outer edge of the nose piece, each of the at least one interface segment being configured to engage an interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, and

an undercut segment disposed along the outer edge of the nose piece, the undercut segment being configured to not engage the interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected.

2. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the other separable connector comprises a semi-conductive material extending along an interior portion of an inner surface of the other separable connector.

3. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the undercut segment has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

4. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the undercut segment has a length of about 0.625 inches.

5. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the undercut segment has a depth of at least about 0.05 inches.

6. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the nose piece comprises a groove comprising a clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the groove and a member of the other separable connector during a push-then-pull operation of the separable connectors to open the circuit.

7. The separable connector of claim 6, wherein the undercut segment comprises the groove.

8. The separable connector of claim 6, wherein the member of the first connector comprises a locking ring.

9. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the nose piece comprises two interface segments, the undercut segment being recessed between the two interface segments.

10. A separable connector, comprising:

a nose piece configured to be disposed within a recess of another separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, a circuit associated with the separable connectors being closed when the separable connectors are connected,

wherein the nose piece comprises

first and second interface segments disposed along an outer edge of the nose piece, each of the first and second interface segments being configured to engage an interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, and

an undercut segment disposed along the outer edge of the nose piece, recessed between the first and second interface segments, the undercut segment being configured to not engage the interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, and

wherein the undercut segment has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

11. The separable connector of claim 10, wherein the interior surface of the other separable connector comprises a semi-conductive material extending along an interior portion of an inner surface of the other separable connector.

12. The separable connector of claim 10, wherein the undercut segment has a length of about 0.625 inches.

13. The separable connector of claim 10, wherein the undercut segment has a depth of at least about 0.05 inches.

14. The separable connector of claim 10, wherein the nose piece comprises a groove comprising a clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the groove and a member of the other separable connector during a push-then-pull operation of the separable connectors to open the circuit.

15. The separable connector of claim 14, wherein the undercut segment comprises the groove.

16. The separable connector of claim 14, wherein the member of the first connector comprises a locking ring.

17. The separable connector of claim 10, further comprising a tubular member disposed substantially about a contact element, and

wherein the nose piece is coupled to an end of the tubular member.

18. A separable connector system, comprising:

a first connector comprising a housing, a recess disposed within the housing, and a probe extending from the recess; and

a second connector comprising an elongated member, a contact element disposed within the elongated member and configured to engage the probe of the first connector when the first and second connectors are connected, and a nose piece coupled to the elongated member, the first and second connectors being selectively positionable relative to one another to open or close a circuit,

wherein the nose piece of the second connector is configured to be disposed within the recess of the first connector when the circuit is closed, the nose piece comprising first and second interface segments disposed along an outer edge of the nose piece, each of the first and second interface segments being configured to engage an interior surface of the first connector when the circuit is closed, and

an undercut segment disposed along the outer edge of the nose piece, recessed between the first and second interface segments, the undercut segment being configured to not engage the interior surface of the first connector when the circuit is closed.

19. The separable connector system of claim 18, wherein the interior surface of the first connector comprises a semi-conductive material extending along an interior portion of an inner surface of the housing of the first connector.

20. The separable connector system of claim 18, wherein the undercut segment has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

21. The separable connector system of claim 18, wherein the undercut segment has a length of about 0.625 inches.

22. The separable connector system of claim 18, wherein the undercut segment has a depth of at least about 0.05 inches.

23. The separable connector system of claim 18, wherein the nose piece comprises a groove comprising a clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the groove and a member of the first connector during a push-then-pull operation of the connectors to open the circuit.

24. The separable connector system of claim 23, wherein the undercut segment comprises the groove.

25. The separable connector system of claim 23, wherein the member of the first connector comprises a locking ring.