Push-then-pull operation of a separable connector system

• US 7,905,735 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• 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): Gilman; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US12/072,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20090215321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 439/181, 439/183, 439/187, 439/921, 174/37, 174/73.1
• US Class Current: 439/181
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5216 characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
• 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 loadbreak connector system, comprising:

a first connector; and

a second connector selectively positionable relative to the first connector to open or close a circuit, the first and second connectors comprising a plurality of separate clearance regions sized and configured to accommodate a push-then-pull operation of the first and second connectors to open the circuit;

wherein the push-then-pull operation comprises, starting from a position in which the connectors are connected together in a normal operating position and the circuit is thereby closed, pushing the connectors further together in a mating direction, and then pulling the connectors apart to open the circuit,

wherein each clearance region defines a space within which a respective portion of the second connector slides when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

2. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a male connector, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a female connector.

3. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a nose end and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a recess configured to receive the nose end, and

wherein the clearance regions comprise a nose clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the nose end and the recess during the push-then-pull operation, the nose end sliding within the nose clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

4. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a shoulder, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a housing, and

wherein the clearance regions comprise a shoulder clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the shoulder and the housing during the push-then-pull operation, the shoulder sliding within the shoulder clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

5. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a probe, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a tubular member configured to receive at least a portion of the probe, and

wherein the clearance regions comprise a probe clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the probe and the tubular member during the push-then-pull operation, an end of the probe sliding within the probe clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

6. The separable connector system of claim 5, wherein the tubular member comprises a piston holder.

7. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a groove, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a latching element configured to engage the groove when the circuit is closed, and

wherein the clearance regions comprise a latch clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the groove and the latching element during the push-then-pull operation, the latch sliding within the latch clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

8. The separable connector system of claim 7, wherein the latching element comprises a locking ring.

9. The separable connector system of claim 7, wherein the latching element comprises a projection of a finger contact element.

10. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein each of the clearance regions has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

11. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein each of the clearance regions has a length of at least about 0.2 inches.

12. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein relative movement between the first connector and the second connector when pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation is at least about 0.1 inches.

13. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein relative movement between the first connector and the second connector when pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation is at least about 0.2 inches.

14. The separable connector system of claim 1, wherein pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation shears interface adhesion between the connectors.

15. A separable loadbreak connector system, comprising:

a first connector comprising a nose end; and

a second connector comprising a recess configured to receive the nose end, the first and second connectors being selectively positionable relative to one another to open or close a circuit, the recess comprising a first clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the nose end and the recess during a push-then-pull operation of the first and second connectors to open the circuit, the push-then-pull operation comprising, starting from a position in which the connectors are connected together in a normal operating position and the circuit is thereby closed, pushing the connectors further together in a mating direction, and then pulling the connectors apart to open the circuit, the nose end sliding within the first clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation,

wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises an annular shoulder, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a housing, and

wherein the first and second connectors comprise a second clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the shoulder and the housing during the push-then-pull operation, the shoulder sliding within the second clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

16. The separable connector system of claim 15, wherein each of the clearance regions has a length of at least about 0.2 inches.

17. The separable connector system of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a probe, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a tubular member configured to receive at least a portion of the probe, and

wherein the first and second connectors comprise a third clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the probe and the tubular member during the push-then-pull operation, an end of the probe sliding within the third clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

18. The separable connector system of claim 17, wherein the tubular member comprises a piston holder.

19. The separable connector system of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a groove, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a latching element configured to engage the groove when the circuit is closed, and

wherein the first and second connectors comprise a third clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the groove and the latching element during the push-then-pull operation, the latch sliding within the third clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

20. The separable connector system of claim 19, wherein the latching element comprises a locking ring.

21. The separable connector system of claim 19, wherein the latching element comprises a projection of a finger contact element.

22. The separable connector system of claim 15, wherein each of the clearance regions has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

23. The separable connector system of claim 15, wherein relative movement between the first connector and the second connector when pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation is at least about 0.1 inches.

24. The separable connector system of claim 15, wherein relative movement between the first connector and the second connector when pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation is at least about 0.2 inches.

25. The separable connector system of claim 15, wherein pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation shears interface adhesion between the connectors.

26. A separable loadbreak 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 having a nose end, an annular shoulder coupled to an outer surface of the elongated member, and a tubular member at least partially disposed within the elongated member, the first and second connectors being selectively positionable relative to one another to open or close a circuit,

wherein the recess of the first connector comprises a nose clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the nose end and the recess during a push-then-pull operation of the first and second connectors to open the circuit, the push-then-pull operation comprising, starting from a position in which the connectors are connected together in a normal operating position and the circuit is thereby closed, pushing the connectors further together in a mating direction, and then pulling the connectors apart to open the circuit, the nose end sliding within the nose clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation, and

wherein the first and second connectors further comprise at least one of

(a) a shoulder clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the shoulder and the housing during the push-then-pull operation, the shoulder sliding within the shoulder clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation, and

(b) a probe clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the probe and the tubular member during the push-then-pull operation, an end of the probe sliding within the probe clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

27. The separable connector system of claim 26, wherein one of the first and second connectors comprises a groove, and the other of the first and second connectors comprises a latching element configured to engage the groove when the circuit is closed, and

wherein the first and second connectors comprise another clearance region sized and configured to accommodate relative movement of the groove and the latching element during the push-then-pull operation, the latching element sliding within the other clearance region when the connectors are pushed further together during the push-then-pull operation.

28. The separable connector system of claim 27, wherein the latching element comprises a locking ring.

29. The separable connector system of claim 27, wherein the latching element comprises a projection of a finger contact element.

30. The separable connector system of claim 26, wherein each of the clearance regions has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

31. The separable connector system of claim 26, wherein each of the clearance regions has a length of at least about 0.2 inches.

32. The separable connector system of claim 26, wherein relative movement between the first connector and the second connector when pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation is at least about 0.1 inches.

33. The separable connector system of claim 26, wherein relative movement between the first connector and the second connector when pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation is at least about 0.2 inches.

34. The separable connector system of claim 26, wherein pushing the connectors further together during the push-then-pull operation shears interface adhesion between the connectors.