Reinforced connector

Abstract

A reinforced connector comprising a plug (100) and a socket (200) having corresponding reversible constraint means (303) of respective attachment (102) and connection (202) portions. A base (103) and a plurality of conductive pins (107) of the plug (100) are complementary to a seat (203) and to a plurality of hollow conductors (207) of the socket (200). A first pneumatic connector (105) of the plug (100) and a second pneumatic connector (205) of the socket (200) are respectively male and female, or vice versa, and complementary. A first alignment pin (109) of the plug (100) and a first alignment seat (209) of the socket (200) are complementary. A channel (115), which separates the central (111) and peripheral (113) portions of a base (103) of the plug (100), and a central wall (211) of the socket (200) are complementary.

Description

[0001] REINFORCED CONNECTOR

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention falls within the sector of electrical and pneumatic connectors, in particular for plasma torches, and refers in particular to a reinforced connector comprising a plug and a socket.

[0005] PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A connector comprising a plug and a corresponding socket that can be reversibly coupled is known to carry out the connection between a plasma torch and a power cable, which is connected to a generator and is suitable for conveying to the torch the electrical energy and the flow of compressed gas necessary for the operation of the torch itself. The plug and the socket are fixed respectively to the free end of the cable and to the bottom of the torch, or vice versa.

[0007] The plug of the known connector comprises a protruding base of polygonal shape, for example hexagonal and made of plastic material, from which a male connector for gas and electrical energy protrudes along the central longitudinal axis of the connector. A plurality of conductive pins or poles arranged around said male connector also protrude from the base; an alignment pin also protrudes from one side of the polygonal base.

[0008] The socket of the known connector comprises a female connector assigned to house the male connector of the plug and a plurality of conductive holes assigned to house the conductive pins, and a seat of section and dimensions complementary to those of the alignment pin of the plug; an extreme edge of the socket protrudes with a shape complementary to the base of the plug.

[0009] The coupling between the alignment pin and the base of the plug and the corresponding seat and edge of the socket provide solidity to the constraint between the plug and the socket.

[0010] A disadvantage of the known connector is that the constraint carried out between the plug and the socket is unstable and fragile, and the connector is exposed to easy disconnection or breakage when subjected to misalignments or shear stresses. In fact, the seal between the polygonal base and the corresponding edge is not uniform and weaker along the sides of the base with respect to the comers; furthermore, the constraint between the alignment pin and the corresponding seat unbalances the seal of the connection on one side of the longitudinal axis of the connector.

[0011] Another disadvantage is that the strength of the connection between the known plug and socket is determined almost exclusively by the constraint between the polygonal base and the corresponding edge.

[0012] A further disadvantage of the known connector is that any high pressure gas leaks from the constraint between the male connector and the female connector insinuate themselves through the conductive pins until possibly exiting the side wall of the connector; if an electrical discharge accidentally develops between the pins, this risks being conveyed by the gas outside the connector, with the potential risk of injury to a user of the plasma torch.

[0013] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An object of the present invention is to propose a reinforced connector in which the constraint between the plug and the socket is solid and robust.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to propose a reinforced connector in which the risk of any electrical discharges originating inside the connector reaching the outside of it is almost eliminated.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the invention are highlighted below with particular reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 1 illustrates a front view of the plug of the connector, object of the present invention; figure 2 illustrates a front view of the socket of the connector, obj ect of the present invention; figure 3 illustrates an axonometric view of the plug of figure 1; figure 4 illustrates an axonometric view of the socket of figure 2; figure 5 illustrates a sectional view along the half-planes V-V of the plug of figure 1; figure 6 illustrates a sectional view along the half-planes VI- VI of the socket of figure 2; figures 7 and 8 illustrate respective front views of a second embodiment of the plug and socket of the connector, object of the present invention; figures 9 and 10 illustrate respective axonometric views of the plug of figure 7 and the socket of figure 8; figures 11 and 12 illustrate respective front views of a variant of the plug of figure

[0017] 7 and the socket of figure 8; figures 13 and 14 illustrate respective axonometric views of the plug of figure 11 and the socket of figure 12.

[0018] BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] The object of the present invention is a reinforced connector, comprising a plug and a corresponding socket as better explained below, assigned in particular for use in plasma cutting machines.

[0020] The plug is typically arranged at the end of a cable or is directly fixed to the bottom or to the rear or proximal part of a plasma torch, and the socket is typically fixed to the free end of an electric and pneumatic power cable connected at the opposite end to a machine that generates the electric energy and supplies the pressurized gas necessary for the operation of the torch. Naturally, it is also possible and equivalent to invert the plug and socket by associating them respectively with the power cable and the torch.

[0021] With reference to figures 1-12, numeral 100 indicates the plug of the reinforced connector which is object of the present invention.

[0022] The plug 100 extends longitudinally and is provided with a body having a fixing portion 104 at one end and an attachment portion 102 at the opposite end. The fixing portion 104 is for example connected to a cable or is integrated into the body of a plasma torch, while the attachment portion 102 is assigned for removable locking with a corresponding connector socket.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment of the plug 100, the attachment portion 102 comprises: a bottom 101 centered on and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis X of the attachment portion 102 that coincides with the longitudinal direction of development of the plug 100; a stepped or shoe-shaped base 103 protruding perpendicularly from the bottom 101 and in a spaced and separated position from the perimeter of the latter by a ring-shaped perimetral portion of the bottom 101; a first pneumatic connector 105, constrained to the center of the base 103, hollow and with an almost cylindrical development aligned along the longitudinal axis X; a plurality of conductive pins 107 protruding perpendicularly from the base 103 and arranged around the first pneumatic connector 105, i.e. parallel to and not coinciding with the longitudinal axis X; a first alignment pin 109 fixed in a spaced position from the longitudinal axis X, extending by protruding perpendicularly from the bottom 101 and parallel to the first pneumatic connector 105.

[0024] The plug 100 preferably has cylindrical symmetry aligned with the longitudinal axis X, or in any case the attachment portion 102 is preferably circular in shape; the bottom 101 is therefore an almost flat circle, which remains completely uncovered by the base 103 along a circular crown of predetermined width extending along the entire perimetral portion of the bottom 101 itself. The first pneumatic connector 105 is preferably a male connector of a known type, placed at one end of a duct that carries the compressed gas to the nozzle of the torch. The first pneumatic connector 105 is typically made of metal or other electrically conductive material, so that it can also act as a conductor for the large electrical currents needed to initiate and sustain the plasma discharge. A sealing element, such as an O-ring or gasket, is preferably associated with the free end of the first pneumatic connector 105 to ensure its airtightness when coupled with a corresponding female pneumatic connector.

[0025] The conductive pins 107 are terminals or poles preferably of the male type made of metal or other conductive material, assigned for the electrical conduction of plasma current and / or electrical signals relating, for example, to monitoring and regulating the operation of the plasma torch.

[0026] The base 103, as well as the bottom 101, is made of electrically insulating material based on plastic, resin or other material, and possibly also provides thermal insulation. The base 103 comprises a central portion 111 carrying the first pneumatic connector 105, and a peripheral portion 113 carrying the conductive pins 107.

[0027] The central portion I l l is defined by a central side wall 112 that is almost cylindrical and centered along the longitudinal axis X, with a bottom end welded or integral with the bottom 101 and with the first pneumatic connector 105 that comes out of the opposite end, which is open. This central portion 111 acts as a shoe-or anchoring base, support, structural reinforcement and alignment for the first pneumatic connector 105.

[0028] The peripheral portion 113 comprises an internal side wall 114 and an external side wall 116, preferably parallel to each other, and is preferably solid in order to be provided with better rigidity and structural strength. The bottom of the peripheral portion 113 in contact with the bottom 101 is welded or integral with the latter, while an opposite protruding surface 118 has longitudinal through holes from which respective conductive pins 107 emerge and to which they are anchored. The peripheral portion 113, and consequently said protruding surface 118, preferably extend along a circumference, or along one or more sections of a circumference, centered on the longitudinal axis X.

[0029] The central side wall 112 of the central portion 111 and the internal side wall 114 and external side wall 116 of the peripheral portion 113 preferably stand perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the bottom 101, with the edge between these walls of the base 103 and the bottom 101 being sharp or slightly beveled or connected. Similarly, the edge between said walls of the base 103 and the front surface of the latter, i.e. the surface from which the first pneumatic connector 105 emerges and the protruding surface 118 from which the conductive pins 107 emerge, is sharp or slightly beveled or rounded to facilitate coupling with respective complementary parts of a socket to be associated with the plug, as described below.

[0030] Variants of the base 103 provide that the central portion 111 and / or the peripheral portion 113 are slightly thicker at the bottom 101 and become thinner as they proceed longitudinally, with the respective walls slightly inclined, for example with an angle of less than 5°, preferably about 1°.

[0031] The longitudinal extension of the central portion 111 and the peripheral portion 113 is preferably the same, but variants of the plug 100 provide that these portions have different lengths.

[0032] The central portion 111 and the peripheral portion 113 of the base 103 are separated by a channel 115 that completely surrounds the central portion 111, being defined by the bottom 101, the central side wall 112 and the internal side wall 114. The channel 115 is therefore shaped like a circular crown centered on the longitudinal axis X.

[0033] The width of the channel 115 is uniform and less than its depth, i.e. with respect to the height of the base 103 understood as the longitudinal dimension of the central side walls 112, internal 114 and external 116. The ratio between the width of the channel 115 and its depth is preferably ranging between 1 : 1-1 : 10; also depending on the friction coefficient that characterizes the material of which the walls of the channel and the complementary parts of a socket to be associated with it are made, said ratio is more preferably ranging between 1 :2-1 :5, in order to provide a greater seal of the connection, on one side, and to allow easy coupling thanks to not too marked depths of the channel 115 itself, on the other hand; even more preferably said ratio ranges between 1 :3-1 :4; surprisingly, it has been experimentally verified that ratios between width and depth of the channel comprised in particular between 1 :3.2-1 :3.4 provide an optimal compromise between the seal of the constraint between plug and socket, the robustness of the base 103 and of the other elements of the plug and socket assigned for mutual coupling, and ease of coupling and decoupling.

[0034] The peripheral portion 113 of the base 103 preferably has the shape of a “C” or open ring, preferably with a circumferential arc centered on the longitudinal axis X, with two terminal ends 120, 122 converging towards each other or oriented towards the same point. Preferably, said circumferential arc has an angular length ranging between 230°-350°, preferably between 290°-340°, more preferably approximately 320°. For a peripheral portion 113 with a circumference arc of 318°, for example, a particular strength and tightness of the constraint with a complementary portion of a corresponding socket is observed, where the forces of this constraint are distributed almost uniformly along the entire arc of the peripheral portion 113 of the base 103.

[0035] The first alignment pin 109, which can be made indifferently of insulating material equal to or different from the material of the bottom 101 and the base 103, or even of metallic material, is rigid and solidly fixed to the bottom 101, and is arranged along the same circumference along which the peripheral portion 113 of the base 103 develops between said terminal ends 120, 122 and separate from these. Therefore, the channel 115 is connected to and flows into the annular perimetral portion of the bottom 101 outside the base 103 through the spaces between the first alignment pin 109 and said terminal ends 120, 122 of the base 103. These spaces, whose bottom coincides with the bottom 101, form a pair of branches that connect the bottom and the volume of the channel 115 to the perimetral portion of the bottom 101 outside the base 103.

[0036] The conductive pins 107, the number of which varies depending on the needs and characteristics of the machine or plasma torch for which the reinforced connector is assigned, for example ten, are preferably fixed to the base 103 in two groups diametrically symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis X and the first alignment pin 109, or in multiple angularly separated groups.

[0037] Preferably, the terminal ends 120, 122 of the peripheral portion 113 are beveled, or are rounded with a curvature diameter equal to the width or transverse thickness of the peripheral portion 113 itself. The first alignment pin 109 has a cross-section of a complementary or almost complementary shape to the shape of said terminal ends 120, 122 of the peripheral portion 113 between which it is placed and extends. Consequently, the connecting branches between the channel 115 and the outside of the base 103 have an almost uniform width, preferably similar to the width of the channel 115 itself.

[0038] A variant, not illustrated, of the plug 100 provides that the channel 115 is shaped like a closed ring or “O”, with the terminal ends 120, 122 of the peripheral portion 113 closed and connected to the longitudinal side surface of the first alignment pin 109.

[0039] Preferably, the plug 100 also comprises an internally threaded ring nut 130, constrained to the attachment portion 102, coaxial with the longitudinal axis X and rotatable around the perimeter of the bottom 101, which is circular. The height, i.e. the longitudinal dimension, of the ring nut 130 is preferably comprised between the longitudinal dimensions of the base 103 and the first alignment pin 109.

[0040] In a second embodiment of the plug 100, illustrated in figures 7 and 9, the peripheral portion 113 of the base 103 comprises and is divided into two separate sectors 119 in the shape of a circular sector, crescent or arc of a circumference, mutually specular or diametrically symmetrical.

[0041] Each sector 119 ranges between 20°-170°, more preferably between 100°-160°, even more preferably between 130°- 140°, for example 136°. The two sectors 119 end on one side with two terminal ends 120, 122 converging towards each other in proximity to the first alignment pin 109, arranged between them in a separate and spaced position as already described; on the opposite side to the first alignment pin 109, the two sectors 119 end with two further free ends converging towards each other.

[0042] Between these free ends, a further connection branch 123 then originates between the channel 115 and the peripheral portion of the bottom 101 external to the peripheral portion 113 of the base 103. The width of this last connection branch 123 is preferably greater, from 1 to 15 times, than the width of the two branches between the terminal ends 120, 122 and the first alignment pin 109.

[0043] Preferably, also said free ends of the sectors 119 opposite the first alignment pin 109 are beveled or rounded as already described for the terminal ends 120, 122.

[0044] With particular reference to figures 11 and 13, a variant of this embodiment of the plug 100 also provides that it is also provided with a second alignment pin 125 arranged and fixed to the bottom 101 in a position diametrically opposite to the first alignment pin 109 between the said free ends of the two sectors 119 opposite the first alignment pin 109 itself, and separated from these. The second alignment pin 125 is preferably in the middle of said connection branch 123 between channel 115 and the outside of the base 103, leaving however a space for said connection on its sides.

[0045] In addition to increasing the ease of alignment between the plug 100 and a corresponding socket, the second alignment pin 125 can contribute to the strength of the constraint.

[0046] The length of the second alignment pin 125 is preferably equal to the length of the first alignment pin 109, but may possibly be different.

[0047] The cross-section of the second alignment pin 125, however, is preferably different from and not compatible with that of the first alignment pin 109, so as to allow the connection between the plug 100 and a corresponding socket only according to a predetermined orientation of the conductive pins 107 and not in the opposite orientation rotated by 180° around the longitudinal axis X. For example, the crosssection of the alignment pin 125 is “T” shaped, radially oriented with the base towards the longitudinal axis X.

[0048] Returning to refer generally to figures 1-12, numeral 200 indicates the socket of the reinforced connector object of the present invention.

[0049] The socket 200 extends longitudinally and is provided with a body having a fixing portion 204 at one end and a connection portion 202 at the opposite end. The fixing portion 204 is for example connected to a cable or is integrated into the body of a plasma torch, while the connection portion 202 is assigned for removable locking with a corresponding plug 100 of the connector described above.

[0050] In the preferred embodiment of the socket 200, the connection portion 202 comprises: a coupling wall 201 centered on and parallel to a longitudinal axis Y of the connection portion 202 which coincides with the longitudinal direction of development of the socket 200; a concave seat 203 with transversal development, i.e. internal with respect to the coupling wall 201, which delimits the side perimetral surface of the seat 203; a second pneumatic connector 205 constrained to the center of the seat 203, hollow and with an almost cylindrical development aligned along the longitudinal axis Y in the direction of the fixing portion 204; a plurality of hollow conductors 207 obtained in the seat 203 perpendicular to it around the second pneumatic connector 205, i.e. parallel to and not coinciding with the longitudinal axis Y, with development in the direction of the fixing portion 204; a first concave alignment seat 209 obtained in the connection portion 202 in a spaced position of the longitudinal axis Y and parallel to the latter.

[0051] The socket 200, or at least its connection portion 202, preferably has cylindrical symmetry, with the coupling wall 201 essentially shaped like a hollow cylinder of predetermined thickness.

[0052] The second pneumatic connector 205 is preferably a female connector of a known type, obtained at the end of a conduit connected to a source or reserve of compressed gas, and suitable for coupling with a corresponding male pneumatic connector. The second pneumatic connector 205, if made of electrically conductive metal, can also act as a conductor for the operating current of the plasma torch for which the reinforced connector of the invention is used.

[0053] The hollow conductors 207 are female terminals or poles made of metal or other material suitable for electrically conducting plasma current and / or electrical signals.

[0054] The coupling wall 201, the seat 203 and the first alignment seat 209 are made of electrically insulating material, for example plastic, and are preferably a single body.

[0055] The socket 200 comprises a central wall 211 that separates a central area 212 of the seat 203 carrying the second pneumatic connector 205 from a peripheral area 214 of the seat 203 carrying the hollow conductors 207.

[0056] The central wall 211 is a cylindrical wall centered along the longitudinal axis Y, open at the ends, with one end welded to the bottom of the seat 203 and with the opposite free end that is preferably longitudinally aligned or nearly so with the end of the coupling wall 201, with which it is coaxial. The central wall 211 keeps the second pneumatic connector 205 anchored, and in particular contributes to keeping confined the gas flow and any intense electric current flowing through the second pneumatic connector 205, isolating the central area 212 of the seat 203 from any contacts or discharges with the hollow conductors 207.

[0057] The peripheral area 214 of the seat 203 is laterally defined by an internal side surface 206 of the coupling wall 201 and by an external side surface 216 of the central wall 211, and ends in a bottom surface 218 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y. The central area 212, with the second pneumatic connector 205, is recessed with respect to this bottom surface 218.

[0058] The peripheral area 214, and consequently said bottom surface 218, preferably develop along a circumference, or along one or more sections of a circumference, centered on the longitudinal axis Y.

[0059] The said internal side surface 206 of the coupling wall 201 and external side surface 216 of the central wall 211 preferably extend perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the bottom surface 218, where the edge between them is sharp or slightly beveled. Similarly, the extreme circular edges of the coupling wall 201 and of the central wall 211 have sharp edges or, preferably, are slightly beveled or rounded to facilitate their insertion around the base 103 and in the channel 115, respectively, of a corresponding plug 100.

[0060] Variants of the socket 200 provide that the coupling wall 201 and the central wall 211 are slightly tapered towards their extreme edge.

[0061] The thickness of the central wall 211 is determined in accordance with the width of the channel 115 of the corresponding plug 100, the two dimensions being complementary to each other. In any case, the ratio between the thickness of the central wall 211 and its longitudinal dimension is preferably ranging between 1 : 1-1 : 10, more preferably between 1 :2-1 :5, even more preferably between 1 :3-1 :4, and most preferably between 1 :3.8-1 :4.

[0062] Preferably, the central wall 211 and the coupling wall 201 are connected to each other by at least two transversal partitions 217 that separate the first alignment seat 209 from the peripheral area 214 of the seat 203. Therefore, the peripheral area 214 has the shape of a “C” or open ring, centered on the longitudinal axis Y, the ends of which are delimited and closed by the transversal partitions 217. Preferably, the ring shape of the peripheral area 214 follows a circular arc ranging between 230°-350°, preferably between 290°-340°, more preferably about 320°, with the first alignment seat 209 arranged along the same geometric circumference between the ends of the peripheral area 214 and separated from these by the transversal partitions 217. The transversal partitions 217 are walls parallel to the longitudinal axis Y, of longitudinal dimension preferably equal to that of the central wall 211, and of thickness similar to that of the central wall 211, preferably 1-3 times greater, more preferably 1.4-1.8 times greater, for example approximately 1.5 times greater.

[0063] Consequently, the first alignment seat 209 is defined and delimited by four surface sections belonging respectively to the central wall 211 and to the coupling wall 201 and to the transversal partitions 217. The depth of the first alignment seat 209 is greater than the depth of the seat 203 and such as to be complementary to the first alignment pin 109 of the corresponding plug 100.

[0064] The hollow conductors 207, in variable number, are obtained or, more precisely, fixed within corresponding holes obtained in the bottom surface 218 of the peripheral area 214 in two groups diametrically symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis Y and the first alignment seat 209, or in multiple angularly separated groups.

[0065] Preferably, the ends of the peripheral area 214 are beveled or rounded with a curvature diameter equal to the width or thickness of the peripheral area 214 itself. The first alignment seat 209 has a cross-section of a complementary or almost complementary shape to that of the said ends of the peripheral area 214 between which it is placed, so that the transversal partitions 217 have an almost uniform thickness.

[0066] In a variant of the socket 200, the peripheral area 214 has an “O” or closed ring shape, with the first alignment seat 209 flowing into the bottom surface 218. Preferably, the socket 200 also comprises a thread 230 associated with the external side surface of the coupling wall 201 and complementary to the ring nut 130 of a corresponding plug 100 for mutual constraint.

[0067] In a second embodiment of the socket 200, illustrated in figures 8 and 10, the central wall 211 and the coupling wall 201 are connected by two transversal walls 221, equal to or similar to the transversal partitions 217 already described and delimiting the first alignment seat 209, and by a wall or embankment transverse element 223, which is diametrically opposed to the first alignment seat 209.

[0068] Therefore, the peripheral area 214 is separated into two segments 219 in the shape of a circular sector, crescent or arc of circumference, mutually specular or diametrically symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis Y. Each of these segments 219 is delimited by a respective transversal wall 221 at the end facing the first alignment seat 209, and by one side of said transversal element 223 at the opposite end, with the ends of a segment 219 convergent, i.e. pointing towards, or in any case in the same direction as, the respective ends of the other segment 219.

[0069] Each segment 219 occupies an angle ranging between 20°-170°, more preferably between 100°-160°, even more preferably between 130°-140°, for example 138°.

[0070] The thickness, i.e. the angular dimension, of the transversal element 223 is preferably greater, from 1 to 15 times, for example about 5 or 6 times, than the thickness of the two transversal partitions 217.

[0071] Preferably, also the ends of the segments 219 ending in the transversal element 223 are beveled or rounded, similarly to the ends at the transversal partitions 217.

[0072] With particular reference to figures 12 and 14, a variant of this embodiment of the socket 200 provides that it also includes a second concave alignment seat 225 obtained and extending in the transversal element 223, with its center in a diametrically opposite position with respect to the center of the first alignment seat 209. The depth of the concavity of the second alignment seat 225 is determined so as to be equal to or greater than the length of the second alignment pin 125 of a corresponding plug 100, and similarly the cross-section of the second alignment seat 225 is complementary to that of the second alignment pin 125.

[0073] Having described the plug 100 and the socket 200, it is evident that the object of the present invention is also a reinforced connector comprising said plug 100 and said socket 200, developed according to embodiments compatible with each other to allow mutual coupling and reversible locking.

[0074] The plug 100 and the socket 200, in fact, preferably have corresponding constraint means 303 suitable for the reversible constraint of the respective attachment portions 102 and connection portions 202. Such constraint means 303 include for example the aforementioned internally threaded ring nut 130 and thread 230, but may also include, alternatively or in addition, other elements associated with the attachment portions 102 and connection portions 202 and suitable for example for creating a bayonet fit, a snap lock, and so on. Furthermore, to ensure compatibility between the plug 100 and the socket 200 in the mutual coupling, it is necessary that: the base 103 and the conductive pins 107 are complementary, and therefore insertable, to the seat 203 and the hollow conductors 207; the first pneumatic connector 105 and the second pneumatic connector 205 are male and female respectively and mutually complementary; the first alignment pin 109 and the first alignment seat 209 are mutually complementary; the channel 115 and the central wall 211 are mutually complementary.

[0075] Complementarity extends at least to shapes and dimensions, taking into account any friction between the materials and the manufacturing tolerances. Naturally, the connection branch 123 and the second alignment pin 125 of the plug 100 must also be complementary and compatible with the respective transversal element 223 and second alignment seat 225, when present; similarly, the external diameter and height of the coupling wall 201 are preferably equal to or slightly less than those of the ring nut 130. The typology of the first pneumatic connector 105 and of the second pneumatic connector 205 can obviously be inverted, with the first pneumatic connector 105 of the female type fixed to the plug 100 and the second pneumatic connector 205 of the male type fixed to the socket 200. Similarly, it is possible to exchange the conductive pins 107 with the hollow conductors 207 between the plug 100 and the socket 200, or even alternate conductive pins and conductors, without the connector of the invention undergoing particular changes and the seal between plug 100 and socket 200 being affected.

[0076] In a coupling condition between the plug 100 and the socket 200 of the reinforced connector, the central wall 211 and the coupling wall 201 of the socket 200 are inserted respectively into the channel 115 and externally to the peripheral portion 113 of the plug 100, abutting or almost abutting against the bottom 101; the first alignment pin 109 and the possible second alignment pin 125 are inserted respectively into the first alignment seat 209 and the second alignment seat 225. The conductive pins 107 couple in electrical contact with the respective hollow conductors 207, and similarly the first pneumatic connector 105 fits airtight and with possible electrical contact into the second pneumatic connector 205.

[0077] Advantageously, the interlocking coupling between the central wall 211 and the channel 115 is added to the interlocking of the coupling wall 201 at the perimetral portion of the bottom 101, significantly reinforcing the constraint between the plug 100 and the socket 200 of the connector. Furthermore, the forces acting in this constraint are distributed almost uniformly along the side walls of the base 103 and the attachment portion 102, avoiding the creation of areas of high pressure or stress, and in fact making the constraint very robust. The insertion of the transversal partitions 217 between the terminal ends 120, 122 of the peripheral portion 113 of the base 103 and the first alignment pin 109 further reinforces this constraint. In this way, the longitudinal axis X of the plug 100 is perfectly and rigidly aligned with the longitudinal axis Y of the socket 200. The constraint is reversibly blocked by the constraint means 303.

[0078] Furthermore, as a further advantage, the central wall 211 made of electrically insulating material inserted abutting or almost abutting in the channel 115 forces any leaks of compressed gas, from the connection between the first pneumatic connector 105 and the second pneumatic connector 205, to travel a significantly longer path before reaching the conductive pins 107, making the risk of an electrical discharge developing between the first pneumatic conductor 105 and the conductive pins 107 practically zero, and of one of these discharges accidentally escaping from the body of the reinforced connector, injuring a user of the plasma torch in which the connector is used. Optionally, at least one between first alignment pin 109, first alignment seat 209, second alignment pin 125, second alignment seat 225, channel 115, central wall 211, and walls of the base 103 may have friction and / or sealing elements, for example O- rings or a rubber coating welded to the underlying material, assigned to further improve the adhesion and mutual grip of the corresponding plug elements 100 and socket 200. A gasket applied to the central wall 211 and / or to the channel 115, moreover, can ensure an almost total air tightness.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Plug provided with an attachment portion (102) comprising: a bottom (101) centered on a longitudinal axis (X) of the attachment portion(102); a base (103) protruding from the bottom (101) and spaced from the perimeter of the latter; a first pneumatic connector (105) fixed to the base (103) and extending along the longitudinal axis (X); a plurality of conductive pins (107) protruding perpendicularly from the base(103) and placed around the first pneumatic connector (105); a first alignment pin (109) fixed in a position spaced from the longitudinal axis (X); the plug (100) being characterized in that the base (103) comprises a central portion (111) carrying the first pneumatic connector (105) and a peripheral portion (113) carrying the conductive pins (107), the central portion (111) and the peripheral portion (113) being separated by a channel (115), and in that the first alignment pin (109) protrudes perpendicularly from the bottom (101).2) Plug according to claim 1 characterized in that the peripheral portion (113) has the shape of a "C" or open ring with two converging terminal ends and is centered on the longitudinal axis (X), with the first alignment pin (109) placed between said ends and separated from them, and with the channel (115) leading outside the base (103) through the spaces between said ends and the first alignment pin (109).3) Plug according to claim 1 characterized in that the peripheral portion (113) includes two separate sectors (119) in the shape of a circular sector, with the first alignment pin (109) placed between two ends of said sectors (119) and separated therefrom.4) Plug according to claim 3 characterized in that it further comprises a second alignment pin (125) placed between, and separated from, the ends of the sectors(119) opposite the first alignment pin (109).5) Plug according to any one of claims 2-4 characterized in that the ends of the peripheral portion (113) are beveled or rounded with a diameter equal to the width of the peripheral portion (113) itself, with the first alignment pin (109) having a cross section with a shape that is almost complementary to that of the ends of the peripheral portion (113) between which it is placed.6) Plug according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the channel (115) is defined by the lateral walls of the central portion (111) and of the peripheral portion (113) of the base (103) and by the bottom (101).7) Socket provided with a connection portion (202) comprising:- a coupling wall (201) centered on a longitudinal axis (Y) of the connection portion (202);- a concave seat (203) internal to the coupling wall (201);- a second pneumatic connector (205) fixed to the seat (203) and extending along the longitudinal axis (Y);- a plurality of hollow conductors (207) perpendicularly housed in the seat (203) around the second pneumatic connector (205);- a concave first alignment seat (209) housed in the connection portion (202) parallel to, and spaced from, the longitudinal axis (Y); the socket (200) being characterized in that it comprises a central wall (211) which separates a central area (212) of the seat (203) carrying the second pneumatic connector (205) from a peripheral area (214) of the seat (203) carrying the hollow conductors (207).8) Socket according to claim 7 characterized in that the central wall (211) and the coupling wall (201) are connected by means of at least two transversal partitions (217) which separate the first alignment seat (209) from the peripheral area (214) of the seat (203), such peripheral area (214) having the shape of a “C” or open ring delimited by the transversal partitions (217) and centered on the longitudinalaxis (Y).9) Socket according to claim 7 characterized in that the central wall (211) and the coupling wall (201) are connected by means of two transversal walls (221), which delimit the first alignment seat (209), and by means of a transversal element (223), which is opposed to the first alignment seat (209).10) Socket according to claim 9 characterized in that it further comprises a second alignment seat (225) housed in the transversal element (223).11) Socket according to any one of claims 8-10 characterized in that the ends of the peripheral area (214) are beveled or rounded with a diameter equal to the width of the peripheral area (214) itself, with the first alignment seat (209) having a cross section with a shape that is almost complementary to that of the ends of the peripheral area (214) between which it is placed.12) Reinforced connector comprising the plug (100) of any one of claims 1-6 and the socket (200) of any one of claims 7-11 characterized in that the plug (100) and the socket (200) carry corresponding reversible constraint means (303) of the respective attachment (102) and connection (202) portions, and / or in that:- the base (103) and the conductive pins (107) are complementary to the seat (203) and the hollow conductors (207); and / or- the first pneumatic connector (105) and the second pneumatic connector (205) are respectively male and female, or vice versa, and complementary; and / or- the first alignment pin (109) and the first alignment seat (209) are complementary; and / or- the channel (115) and the central wall (211) are complementary.

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