Separable connector with reduced surface contact

• US 7,950,940 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• 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): Vu; Hien
• Application Number:
  US12/072,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20090215313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 439/281, 439/282, 439/181, 439/921
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/921 Transformer bushing type or high voltage underground connector

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:

an elongated member having a nose end 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 and open when the separable connectors are not connected,

wherein the nose end comprises

at least one interface segment defining a portion of an outer edge of the nose end, each interface segment being configured to engage an interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, and

a nose piece defining another portion of the outer edge of the nose end, the nose piece being configured to not engage the interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, wherein the other segment portion has a smaller outside diameter than an outside diameter of each interface segment.

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 other portion has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

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

5. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the other portion is disposed between at least two interface segments.

6. The separable connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one interface segment comprises a portion of an elongated, insulated body of the elongated member, the nose piece being coupled to an end of the insulated body.

7. A separable connector, comprising:

an elongated member having a nose end 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 and open when the separable connectors are not connected,

wherein the nose end comprises

at least one interface segment defining a portion of an outer edge of the nose end, each interface segment being configured to engage an interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, and

a nose piece defining another portion of the outer edge of the nose end, the nose piece being configured to not engage the interior surface of the other separable connector when the separable connectors are connected, the other portion of the nose piece having a length of at least about 0.1 inches, wherein the other segment portion has a smaller outside diameter than an outside diameter of each interface segment.

8. The separable connector of claim 7, 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.

9. The separable connector of claim 7, wherein the other portion has a length of about 0.625 inches.

10. The separable connector of claim 7, wherein the other portion is disposed between at least two interface segments.

11. The separable connector of claim 7, wherein the at least one interface segment comprises a portion of an elongated, insulated body of the elongated member, the nose piece being coupled to an end of the insulated body.

12. 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, proximate a nose end of the second connector, the first and second connectors being selectively positionable relative to one another to open or close a circuit,

wherein the nose end of the second connector is configured to be disposed within the recess of the first connector when the circuit is closed, the nose end comprising at least one interface segment defining a portion of an outer edge of the nose end, each interface segment being configured to engage an interior surface of the first connector when the circuit is closed, and

the nose piece defining another portion of the outer edge of the nose end, the nose piece being configured to not engage the interior surface of the first connector when the circuit is closed, wherein the other segment portion of the nose piece has a smaller outside diameter than an outside diameter of each interface segment.

13. The separable connector system of claim 12, 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.

14. The separable connector system of claim 12, wherein the other portion of the nose piece has a length of at least about 0.1 inches.

15. The separable connector system of claim 12, wherein the other portion of the nose piece has a length of about 0.625 inches.