Sensor connector with bayonet coupling

EP4735783A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-05-06ITT CANNON +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
ITT CANNON
Filing Date
2023-06-29
Publication Date
2026-05-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The placement and replacement of sensors in complex environments, such as heavy machinery or difficult-to-access areas, are challenging due to wired connections, and wireless sensors may be limited by electromagnetic interference or cost considerations.

Method used

A bayonet coupling sensor-connector system with a ring affixed to the sensor and a mating nut on the connector, featuring a conductive housing and insulator for electromagnetic interference resistance, allowing for easy assembly and replacement, and providing continuous shielding through a slotted shielding ring.

Benefits of technology

Enables standardized connectivity, improved robustness, and reduced height and weight, facilitating easy sensor replacement with cost-effective industrial sensors, especially in military applications, while maintaining electromagnetic shielding.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A bayonet coupling sensor-connector system is provided. A bayonet coupling ring is affixed to a sensor through press-on, screw-on, or similar attachment method. A mating bayonet coupling nut is provided on the connector with straight or angled cable configuration. Slotted outside surface of the bayonet coupling nut provides hand-manipulated mating or unmating allowing placement and / or replacement of sensors easily in the field. Conductive parts and / or conductive coating may allow electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistant coupling to the sensor. Other environmental protection measures may also be provided in the connector. Shrink-wrapped cable coupling to the connector may allow in-field assembly, while overmolded configuration may provide robust pre-assembled connectors. A slotted shielding ring inserted into a conductive housing of the connectors around the shield of the cable may provide continuous shielding between the cable and the connector.
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Description

SENSOR CONNECTOR WITH BAYONET COUPLINGBACKGROUND

[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0002] Sensors are used in a wide range of scientific, industrial, military, and other systems to detect and measure a variety of conditions such as temperature, gas levels, light levels, pressure, etc. While the use of sensors enables accurate detection of environmental conditions, early detection of problems, and so on, their placement and replacement may present challenges in complex environments (e.g., heavy machinery or difficult to access environments). In conventional settings, sensors are typically wired through a cable containing one or more wires and the cable routed to remote analysis / detection devices. While wireless sensors are available, their use may be limited due to electromagnetic circumstances (e.g., noisy environments) or cost considerations.SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure generally describes various structures to provide sensorconnector systems with bayonet coupling.

[0004] According to some examples, a bayonet coupling sensor-connector assembly may include a bayonet coupling ring to be affixed onto a sensor, a bayonet connector, and a cable assembly. The bayonet coupling ring may include a circular sidewall including a first opening to accept a wire end of the sensor, a second opening opposite the first opening to accept one or more wire connections; and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall. The bayonetconnector may include a bayonet coupling nut to mate with the bayonet coupling ring; a conductive housing inside the bayonet coupling nut; and an insulator inside the conductive housing, the insulator to contain one or more wires. The cable assembly may include the one or more wires and a shield surrounding the one or more wires.

[0005] According to further examples, a bayonet coupling ring for a sensor-connector assembly may include a circular sidewall including a first opening to accept a wire end of a sensor, a second opening opposite the first opening to accept one or more wire connections; and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall. The bayonet coupling ring may be affixed to the wire end of the sensor through a press-on coupling or a threaded coupling. A number and a type of the one or more wire connections may match a number and a type of wires of the sensor. A number and a location of the one or more pins may match a number and a location of L- shaped holes on a bayonet coupling nut of a connector to mate with the bayonet coupling ring.

[0006] According to yet other examples, a method for assembling a bayonet coupling sensor-connector assembly may include fastening a bayonet coupling ring onto a wire end of a sensor, where the bayonet coupling ring comprises a circular sidewall and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall; passing one or more wires of a cable assembly through a conductive housing and an insulator of a connector; affixing wire connections matching wire connections of the sensor onto the one or more wires; arranging the insulator, the conductive housing, and the affixed wire connections inside a bayonet coupling nut of the connector; and mating the bayonet coupling ring and the bayonet coupling nut to couple the sensor and the connector.

[0007] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above,further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:FIG. 1 illustrates a sensor-connector system with bayonet coupling in different assembly stages;FIG. 2A illustrates perspective and cross-sectional views of a bayonet coupling ring for a sensor;FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of an example sensor;FIG. 2C illustrates the bayonet coupling ring and the sensor separate and assembled;FIG. 3A illustrates various components of a sensor-connector system with bayonet coupling in an exploded view;FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the connector and slotted shielding ring;FIG. 4A and 4B illustrate right-angled and straight connectors of a sensor-connector system with bayonet coupling before and after shrink-wrapping; andFIG. 4C illustrates right-angled and straight overmolded connectors of a sensor-connector system with bayonet coupling,arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0010] This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to methods, apparatus, systems and / or devices related to sensor-connector systems with bayonet coupling.

[0011] A bayonet coupling sensor-connector system is provided. A bayonet coupling ring is affixed to a sensor through press-on, screw-on, or similar attachment method. A mating bayonet coupling nut is provided on the connector with straight or angled cable configuration. Slotted outside surface of the bayonet coupling nut provides hand-manipulated mating or unmating allowing placement and / or replacement of sensors easily in the field. Conductive parts and / or conductive coating may allow electromagnetic interference (EMI) resistant coupling to the sensor. Other environmental protection measures may also be provided in the connector. Shrink- wrapped cable coupling to the connector may allow in-field assembly, while overmolded configuration may provide robust pre-assembled connectors. A slotted shielding ring insertedinto a conductive housing of the connectors around the shield of the cable may provide continuous shielding between the cable and the connector.

[0012] Technical advantages of example embodiments may include, but are not limited to, standardized connectivity for a variety of sensor types, improved robustness and shielding performance, easy assembly, high stability, reduced height and weight compared to other connection type, easy mating process, and enabling special sensors to be replaced by more cost- effective industrial sensors (e.g., industrial sensors in military applications).

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a sensor-connector system with bayonet coupling in different assembly stages, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0014] Diagram 100 shows a sensor, a bayonet adapter 104, and a connector with bayonet coupling nut. The diagram shows in a second stage, the sensor 102 and the bayonet adapter 104 assembly 106, and in a third stage, the sensor and bayonet connector mated (110). A bayonet coupling is a quick coupling mechanism for mating a plug onto a receptacle utilizing a preset (e.g., 3) equally spaced pins protruding from a receptacle shell which engage corresponding ramps milled into a coupling nut of the mating plug. Mating and unmating may be accomplished by rotating the coupling nut. In the fastening mechanism, the cylindrical male side with one or more radial pins, and a female receptor with matching L-shaped slot(s) (ramps) keep the two parts locked together. The slots may be shaped like a capital letter L such that the pins slide into the vertical arm of the L, rotate across the horizontal arm, and are pushed slightly upwards by a spring rendering the connector no longer free to rotate unless pushed down against the spring until the pins are out again. In addition to providing quick and robust connectivity, the bayonet coupling - when metal receptable and plug are used - also provides electromagnetic shielding without additional parts or treatment (e.g., coating).

[0015] Sensors, as mentioned herein, are used in a wide range of scientific, industrial, military, and other systems to detect and measure a variety of conditions. Non-exhaustive implementation environments for sensors include automotive design, including for measuring speed and oxygen consumption levels, bridge or dam monitoring, data transmission (e.g., industrial Ethernet or fieldbus connections), food and beverage production lines, medical device designs, industrial process control and automation environments, etc. Example sensors may include current / voltage transducers, oxygen level sensors, photoelectric sensors, pressure sensors, proximity sensors, safety sensors, speed sensors, temperature sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and comparable ones.

[0016] FIG. 2A illustrates perspective and cross-sectional views of a bayonet coupling ring for a sensor, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0017] As shown in diagram 200A, a bayonet coupling ring 202 may include a first opening 204, a second opening 206 and pins 210 on an outside surface of a sidewall between the first opening 204 and the second opening 206. The bayonet coupling ring 202 may include any number of pins (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). The pins 210 may be equally spaced around the sidewall or positioned at preset locations (for example, to provide proprietary keying of the bayonet coupling). The pins 210 may be glued, soldered, or otherwise affixed to the outside surface of the sidewall. The pins 210 may also be screwed onto holes on the outside surface of the sidewall (an inside screw end 208 is shown in the diagram).

[0018] The second opening 206 may face the connector and allow wires or pins to pass through. The first opening 204 may face the sensor and allow, similarly, the wires or pins to pass through. In some examples, the bayonet coupling ring 202 may be affixed to the sensor by pressure, by partially collapsing the outside surface on a wire end of the sensor, or by matchingthreads. For example, clockwise threads may be formed at the wire end of the sensor, and counter-clockwise threads may be formed on an inside surface of the sidewall of the bayonet coupling ring. Thus, the ring may be screwed onto the sensor before mating with the connector. Diagram 200A also shows a cross-sectional side view 212 of the bayonet coupling ring.

[0019] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of an example sensor, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0020] Diagram 200B shows a sensor 220 with a body 224 wire end 222. The body 224 may contain the sensing element. As mentioned herein, the sensor 220 may sense or detect a gas, temperature, humidity, pressure, electromagnetic fields, light levels or light content, speed, proximity, sound, etc. Thus, a number of sensing elements may be used. The sensing element may be connected to an external device through one or more wired connections. Thus, one or more pins may be provided at the wire end 222 of the sensor 220 for mating with a connector.

[0021] FIG. 2C illustrates the bayonet coupling ring and the sensor separate and assembled, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0022] Diagram 200C shows an assembled sensor 230 and a pre-assembly sensor 220 with bayonet coupling ring 202. As discussed herein, the bayonet coupling ring 202 may be assembled with the sensor 220 through pressured coupling, partially collapsing of an outside surface of the ring, or through a threaded mechanism. In some implementations, sensing signals (electrical signals generated by the sensing element) may be susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). In such scenarios, the body of the sensor may be shielded (e.g., coated or made using a EMI-resistant material). To preserve the shielding effect between the sensor and a shielded cable, the body of the connector and the bayonet coupling ring may also be made EMI-resistant (through coating or EMI-resistant materials). For example, the bayonet coupling ring may be made using a metal such as stainless steel.

[0023] In other scenarios, the sensor may be designed to work in special environments such as explosive, corrosive, high-pressure, etc. In such scenarios, the materials and design of the bayonet coupling ring may also be configured to meet the requirements of the special environment. For example, in explosive, corrosive, etc. environments, flexible (e.g., elastic) ring(s) may be used inside the sidewall (at one or both openings) to prevent the explosive or corrosive materials in the environment from entering the sensor.

[0024] FIG. 3A illustrates various components of a sensor-connector system with bayonet coupling in an exploded view, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0025] Diagram 300A shows an exploded view of an example connector with its cable. As mentioned herein, a sensor may require one or more wires. Thus, the connector for a sensor may be configured with as many wires / pins as needed by the sensor. The example connector in the diagram is shown with 3 pins (306). The cable 308 housing three wires passes through the bayonet coupling nut 320, which has a slotted portion for easy hand manipulation during mating and unmating of the connector with the sensor. The cable 308 may also include a shield around the wires for EMI protection. During assembly, the pins 306 may be inserted through a conductive housing 312 into an insulator 314, which may be contained inside the conductive housing post-assembly.

[0026] In some examples, a slotted shielding ring 310 may be positioned around the shield of the cable 308 and pushed into one end of the conductive housing 312 providing continuous conductivity without gaps between the shield and the conductive housing.

[0027] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the connector and slotted shielding ring, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0028] Diagram 300B shows a back-perspective view of the assembled connector, where the slotted shielding ring 310 is inserted into the conductive housing around the shield of the cable allowing 360-degree conductive connection to be made between the shield and the conductive housing. The slot in the slotted shielding ring allows a diameter of the ring to be reduced when the ring is fitted inside the conductive housing, while applying pressure to keep the ring in place. An edge of the slotted shielding ring facing the conductive housing may be tempered in some examples to allow for easier fitting into the conductive housing during assembly

[0029] Accordingly, a slotted shielding ring to provide continuous shielding connection between a cable assembly and a connector according to some examples may include a conductive body having a transversal slot. The conductive body may surround a shield of the cable assembly and may be compressible to fit inside a connector and press a portion of the shield wrapped around the slotted shielding ring against an inside surface of the connector. The conductive body may be made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material.

[0030] FIG. 4A and 4B illustrate right-angled and straight connectors of a sensor-connector system with bayonet coupling before and after shrink-wrapping, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0031] Diagram 400B shows a bayonet coupling connector 420 with its shielded cable 408 (shield in the open). The connector is in straight configuration, that is, the cable is provided into the connector without any angle. Diagram 400B also shows the cable and part of the conductive housing of the connector being covered by a shrink wrap 440. During an assembly, the cablemay be spliced, pins affixed to the wires (e.g., press-on, solder, or similar connection) and the cable pushed through the insulator inside the housing. Subsequently, the slotted shielding ring around the shield of the cable may be pushed into the conductive housing providing continuous shielding between the cable and the connector. The shrink wrap material may be shrunk over the cable and conductive housing through heat or ultraviolet light application providing protection and further attachment between the cable and the connector.

[0032] Diagram 400A shows similar pre-shrink wrap and post-shrink wrap illustrations of a bayonet coupling connector with its cable, where the connector is a right-angled connector. In the right-angled configuration, the connector may allow placement of a sensor at a location, where the cable needs to be at a right angle relative to the sensor. While a right-angled configuration is shown in diagram 400A, other angles (e.g., 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc.) may also be provided by arranging the shrink wrap material over the conductive housing and the cable.

[0033] FIG. 4C illustrates right-angled and straight overmolded connectors of a sensorconnector system with bayonet coupling, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0034] Diagram 400C shows straight and right-angled configurations of a bayonet coupling connector 420 with right-angled overmolding 450 and straight overmolding 460. Overmolding may be used in scenarios where a stronger mechanical coupling, water-resistant coupling, or other environmentally protected coupling between the connector and the cable may be needed. Overmolding may also be used in pre-assembled connectors, whereas shrink wrapping may be used for pre-assembled or in-field assembled connectors. The overmolding may employ a soft thermoplastic component or a hard plastic component. In some examples, the connector may beovermolded with several different materials (e.g., hard core and soft layer). Combination of different molding processes (e.g., hot melt, injection molding, vulcanization) may be used.

[0035] Various components of the bayonet coupling connector assembly may be made from various synthetic materials such as PVC, polypropylene, ceramic, or metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and other materials. Various surfaces may be treated such as EMI- resistant coating. Different color and / or surface texture schemes may be used.

[0036] According to some examples, a bayonet coupling sensor-connector assembly may include a bayonet coupling ring to be affixed onto a sensor, a bayonet connector, and a cable assembly. The bayonet coupling ring may include a circular sidewall including a first opening to accept a wire end of the sensor, a second opening opposite the first opening to accept one or more wire connections; and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall. The bayonet connector may include a bayonet coupling nut to mate with the bayonet coupling ring; a conductive housing inside the bayonet coupling nut; and an insulator inside the conductive housing, the insulator to contain one or more wires. The cable assembly may include the one or more wires and a shield surrounding the one or more wires.

[0037] According to other examples, the bayonet coupling sensor-connector assembly may further include a slotted shielding ring surrounding the shield, the slotted shielding ring to be inserted into the conductive housing to provide continuous shielding connection between the cable assembly and the bayonet connector. At least one of the conductive housing and the bayonet coupling nut may be made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material. The bayonet coupling ring may be made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material. The bayonet coupling ring may include three pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall, the three pins spaced equally.

[0038] According to further examples, the bayonet coupling ring may include two or more pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall at preset locations to provide a keyed coupling between the bayonet coupling ring and the bayonet connector. The bayonet coupling nut may include one or more L-shaped holes matching a size and location of each of the one or more pins. The cable assembly and the bayonet connectors may be affixed together through shrink wrapping or overmolding. The overmolding may be made from a soft plastic component, a hard plastic component, or a combination thereof. The cable assembly and the bayonet connectors may be affixed together in a straight configuration or an angled configuration.

[0039] According to some examples, a bayonet coupling ring for a sensor-connector assembly may include a circular sidewall including a first opening to accept a wire end of a sensor, a second opening opposite the first opening to accept one or more wire connections; and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall. The bayonet coupling ring may be affixed to the wire end of the sensor through a press-on coupling or a threaded coupling. A number and a type of the one or more wire connections may match a number and a type of wires of the sensor. A number and a location of the one or more pins may match a number and a location of L- shaped holes on a bayonet coupling nut of a connector to mate with the bayonet coupling ring.

[0040] According to other examples, at least the sidewall may be made from a conductive material to provide shielding continuity from the connector to the sensor. The one or more pins may include three equally spaced pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall. The one or more pins may include two or more pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall at preset locations to provide a keyed coupling between the bayonet coupling ring and the connector.

[0041] According to further examples, a method for assembling a bayonet coupling sensorconnector assembly may include fastening a bayonet coupling ring onto a wire end of a sensor, where the bayonet coupling ring comprises a circular sidewall and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall; passing one or more wires of a cable assembly through a conductive housing and an insulator of a connector; affixing wire connections matching wire connections of the sensor onto the one or more wires; arranging the insulator, the conductive housing, and the affixed wire connections inside a bayonet coupling nut of the connector; and mating the bayonet coupling ring and the bayonet coupling nut to couple the sensor and the connector.

[0042] According to some examples, the method may further include pressing a slotted shielding ring around a shield of the cable assembly into an opening of the conductive housing to affix the cable assembly with the connector and provide continuous shielding between the cable assembly and the connector. The method may also include further affixing the connector and the cable assembly though straight or angled shrink wrapping. The method may alternatively include further affixing the connector and the cable assembly though straight or angled overmolding. The overmolding may be made from a soft plastic component, a hard plastic component, or a combination thereof. The bayonet coupling ring and the bayonet coupling nut may be made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material.

[0043] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications andvariations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0044] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. Such depicted architectures are merely examples, and in fact, many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality may be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated may also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated may also be viewed as being "operably couplable", to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically connectable and / or physically interacting components and / or wirelessly interactable and / or wirelessly interacting components and / or logically interacting and / or logically interactable components.

[0045] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0046] In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0047] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0048] For any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

[0049] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are possible. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI / WE Claim:

1. A bayonet coupling connector assembly comprising: a bayonet coupling ring to be affixed onto a connector with outer thread for locking, the bayonet coupling ring comprising: a circular sidewall including a first opening to accept the connector with the outer thread, a second opening opposite the first opening to accept one or more wire connections; and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall; and a bayonet connector comprising: a bayonet coupling nut to mate with the bayonet coupling ring; a conductive housing inside the bayonet coupling nut; and an insulator inside the conductive housing, the insulator to contain one or more wires; and a cable assembly comprising the one or more wires and a shield surrounding the one or more wires.

2. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a slotted shielding ring surrounding the shield, the slotted shielding ring to be inserted into the conductive housing to provide continuous shielding connection between the cable assembly and the bayonet connector.

3. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the conductive housing and the bayonet coupling nut are made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material.

4. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the bayonet coupling ring is made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material.

5. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the bayonet coupling ring comprises three pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall, the three pins spaced equally.

6. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the bayonet coupling ring comprises two or more pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall at preset locations to provide a keyed coupling between the bayonet coupling ring and the bayonet connector.

7. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the bayonet coupling nut comprises one or more L-shaped holes matching a size and location of each of the one or more pins.

8. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable assembly and the bayonet connectors are affixed together through shrink wrapping or overmolding.

9. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the overmolding is made from a soft plastic component, a hard plastic component, or a combination thereof.

10. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable assembly and the bayonet connectors are affixed together in a straight configuration or an angled configuration.

11. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, wherein an inside surface of the sidewall at the first opening includes an inner thread to match the outer thread of the connector with the outer thread.

12. The bayonet coupling connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector with the outer thread is part of a sensor.

13. A bayonet coupling ring for a sensor-connector assembly comprising: a circular sidewall including a first opening to accept a wire end of a sensor, a second opening opposite the first opening to accept one or more wire connections; andone or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall, wherein the bayonet coupling ring is affixed to the wire end of the sensor through a press- on coupling or a threaded coupling; a number and a type of the one or more wire connections match a number and a type of wires of the sensor; and a number and a location of the one or more pins match a number and a location of L-shaped holes on a bayonet coupling nut of a connector to mate with the bayonet coupling ring.

14. The bayonet coupling ring of claim 13, wherein at least the sidewall is made from a conductive material to provide shielding continuity from the connector to the sensor.

15. The bayonet coupling ring of claim 13, wherein the one or more pins comprise three equally spaced pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall.

16. The bayonet coupling ring of claim 13, wherein the one or more pins comprise two or more pins affixed onto the outside surface of the sidewall at preset locations to provide a keyed coupling between the bayonet coupling ring and the connector.

17. A method for assembling a bayonet coupling sensor-connector assembly comprising: fastening a bayonet coupling ring onto a wire end of a sensor, wherein the bayonet coupling ring comprises a circular sidewall and one or more pins on an outside surface of the sidewall; passing one or more wires of a cable assembly through a conductive housing and an insulator of a connector; affixing wire connections matching wire connections of the sensor onto the one or more wires; arranging the insulator, the conductive housing, and the affixed wire connections inside a bayonet coupling nut of the connector; and mating the bayonet coupling ring and the bayonet coupling nut to couple the sensor and the connector.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: pressing a slotted shielding ring around a shield of the cable assembly into an opening of the conductive housing to affix the cable assembly with the connector and provide continuous shielding between the cable assembly and the connector.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: further affixing the connector and the cable assembly though straight or angled shrink wrapping.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: further affixing the connector and the cable assembly though straight or angled overmolding.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the overmolding is made from a soft plastic component, a hard plastic component, or a combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the bayonet coupling ring and the bayonet coupling nut are made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material.

23. A slotted shielding ring to provide continuous shielding connection between a cable assembly and a connector, the slotted shielding ring comprising: a conductive body having a transversal slot, wherein the conductive body surrounds a shield of the cable assembly, and is compressible to fit inside a connector and press a portion of the shield wrapped around the slotted shielding ring against an inside surface of the connector.

24. The slotted shielding ring of claim 23, wherein the conductive body is made of a conductive material or coated with a conductive material.

25. The slotted shielding ring of claim 23, wherein the connector is a bayonet coupling connector.