Spring-loaded connector setup for blind mating and method for using the same

• US 20020081881A1
• Filed: 12/26/2000
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eller, John H. Jr., Larson, Gary O., Komenda, Vernon A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,592,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/247
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence

Abstract

A connector setup is disclosed where one connector can be blind mated to another connector. In a fixed panel, a connector is spring mounted upon the fixed panel such that the connector has freedom of movement in all directions. In addition, the springs are configured so as to provide enough force to mate the connector with a mating connector. Either connector can be mounted between guide pins. The corresponding connector would then be mounted between guide holes. When the module upon which one of the connectors is mounted is slid into the fixed panel, the guide pins interact with the guide holes so as to properly position the connectors in relation to each other. The springs, in addition to providing enough force to mate the connectors, also allows the connector on the panel to float within its mount, permitting the connector to be optimally positioned for mating purposes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting a connector to a tray comprising:

a rear plate of said tray, with a first rear hole;

a first fastener mounted in said first rear hole;

a first spring mounted on said first fastener;

a mounting plate attached to the connector, wherein said mounting plate is mounted on said first fastener and said first spring.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said first fastener is smaller than said the diameter of said first rear hole such that said first fastener floats within said first rear hole.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first guide pin, wherein said first guide pin is mounted on said mounting plate.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first guide pin is mounted on said first fastener so as to secure the mounting plate to said first fastener.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first guide pin is tapered.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first spring is a coil spring.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first spring is coaxial with said first fastener.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide pin protrudes from said mounting plate to a greater extent than said connector protrudes from said mounting plate.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising first and second guide holes located on said mounting plate.

9. The apparatus of claim I wherein said rear plate of said tray further comprises a second rear hole, said apparatus further comprising

a second fastener mounted in said second rear hole;

a second spring mounted on said second rear hole;

wherein

said mounting plate is mounted on said first and second fasteners and said first and second springs.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein

the diameter of said first fastener is smaller than said the diameter of said first rear hole such that said first fastener floats within said first rear hole;

and

the diameter of said second fastener is smaller than said the diameter of said second rear hole such that said second fastener floats within said second rear hole.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a first guide pin and a second guide pin, wherein

said first and second guide pins are mounted on said mounting plate;

and

wherein said first and second guide pins protrude from said mounting plate to a greater extent then said connector protrudes from said mounting plate.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first and second guide pins are tapered.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein

said first fastener comprises a first bolt;

and

said second fastener comprises a second bolt.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein

said first bolt comprises a first shoulder bolt;

and

said second bolt comprises a second shoulder bolt.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein

said mounting plate comprises a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole;

said mounting plate is mounted on said first bolt and said second bolt such that said first bolt is positioned through said first mounting hole; and

said second bolt is positioned through said second mounting hole.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a first guide pin and a second guide pin, wherein:

said first guide pin and second guide pin are each threaded; and

said first guide pin is threaded on said first bolt; and

said second guide pin is threaded on said second bolt;

wherein

said first guide pin and said second guide pin secure said mounting plate to said first bolt and said second bolt.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising

a guide pin block, wherein

said first and second fasteners are mounted in said guide pin block;

and

said guide pin block is mounted to said rear plate.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first and second guide holes are located astride said connector.

20. A module for insertion into a tray, said module comprising,

a connector at the rear of said module;

a first guide hole located in proximity to said connector;

wherein

said first guide hole is configured such that said first guide hole interfaces with a first guide pin located in proximity to a corresponding connector located on said tray.

21. The module of claim 20, further comprising,

a second guide hole, wherein,

said first and second guide holes are astride said connector;

said first and second guide holes are each within 3 centimeters of said connector; and

said first and second guide holes are configured to interface with first and second guide pins, respectively, located astride a corresponding connector located on said tray.

22. A module for insertion into a tray, said module comprising,

a connector at the rear of said module;

a first guide pin located in proximity to said connector;

wherein

said first guide pin is configured such that said first guide pin interfaces with a first guide hole located in proximity to a corresponding connector located on said tray.

23. The module of claim 22, further comprising,

a second guide pin, wherein,

said first and second guide pins are astride said connector;

said first and second guide pins are each located in proximity to said connector; and

said first and second guide pins are configured to interface with first and second guide holes, respectively, located astride a corresponding connector located on said tray.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein,

said springs serve to position said mating connector such that said mating connector mates with said first connector;

and

said springs provide sufficient force to mate said mating connector with said first connector.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein,

said springs serve to position said mating connector such that said mating connector mates with said first connector, and

said springs provide sufficient force to mate said mating connector with said first connector.

24. A method of mounting a module in a tray, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a module, wherein said module includes first and second guide holes astride a first connector;

providing a tray, wherein said tray includes a mating connector configured to accept said first connector, wherein said mating connector is coupled to said tray by at least one spring and wherein said mating connector is mounted between first and second guide pins;

inserting said module into said tray until said first and second guide holes mate with said first and second guide pins such that said first connector is aligned with said mating connector by said spring; and

further inserting said module into said tray into said tray until said first connector is seated inside said mating connector.

26. A method of mounting a module in a tray, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a module, wherein said module includes first and second guide pins astride a first connector;

providing a tray, wherein said tray includes a mating connector configured to accept said first connector, wherein said mating connector is coupled to the rear of said tray with at least one spring and said mating connector is mounted between first and second guide holes;

inserting said module into said tray until said first and second guide holes mate with said first and second guide pins such that said first connector is aligned with said mating connector by said spring; and

further inserting said module into said tray into said tray until said first connector is fully seated inside said mating connector.