Leaf spring breakaway for push-pull connectors

Abstract

A connector (figure 1, 2) comprises an inner sleeve 4, an outer sleeve 6 designed to releasably receive the inner sleeve 4 in an axially sliding relationship, and a locking-device to lock the inner sl

Description

The invention relates to a releasable connector comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve designed to receive the inner sleeve in a sliding relationship or manner so that the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are relatively movable with respect to one another. The connector further includes a locking-device to releasably lock the inner sleeve in a locked position within said outer sleeve stopping relative movement with respect to one another. Activation of the lock device therewith releases the inner sleeve from the outer sleeve and allows relative movement with respect to one another. The locking-device comprises a spring-loaded ball-locking mechanism with a receiving groove designed to receive a locking ball, a locking ball movably arranged in said receiving groove, and an elastic member acting on said locking ball and pressing it into the locked position in which it locks into a locking groove provided on the inner sleeve. Prior art Connectors of this kind are well known in the prior art and commonly used to attach two electrically conductive mating ends of the cable which are attached to the components of the connector electrically with one another in a locking position and deactivate the connector in order to do disconnect the cable ends from one another to achieve the electric disconnection. For the most cases the connector comprises a push-pull locking mechanism comprising an exterior sleeve slidable located in a relatively slidable manner on an inner member and on an inner side wall including a latch or a catch mechanism which catches into the corresponding groove on one of the mating partners of the connector to fix the components in place for a reliable electric connection. A connector of this kind is, for example, disclosed in US 4,493,520. The general ball bearing push-pull connection or connector is well known and used in many industries for electronics and hydraulics to connect two mating partners with one another in addition to achieve electric current flow or fluid flow in said locked position and separate the two members from one another in the unlocked position. Standard ball-bearing push-pull connectors do not have a breakaway function, meaning a function that automatically disconnects the connection from the connected position when has certain threshold of force is exceeded there is one solution known to the applicant known as the applicant AEF high voltage connector providing such breakaway feature using a toroidal spring. During breakaway the plug is pulled from the socket, separating the two mating partners and disconnecting the cable. Disadvantages associated with the prior art The toroidal spring was found not to be robust enough for harsh environments, especially involving much dirt and debris, for example in agricultural use. Task Starting from this prior art and in view of the disadvantages associated there, it is therefore the task of the present invention to at least partially avoid these disadvantages and, especially, to provide a connector with a simple and reliable design, also enabling a reliable break breakaway functionality. Invention This task is already solved by the features of the independent claim alone. Preferable embodiments for better putting the invention into use, but not mandatory for the invention, are included in the dependent claims. In the most abstract solution, the elastic member is provided integrally on the inner sleeve or, in other words, the inner sleeve is designed as an elastic member or comprises the elastic member. In this manner the breakaway mechanism is simply integrated into the connector geometry and allows to be manufactured in one manufacturing procedure, without additional costs, especially when the components are made by injection molding of plastic, which is the preferred embodiment, especially preferably a one-shot molding procedure. The invention therefore comprises fewer separate parts that must be assembled and is therefore easier to produce and simpler to assemble than connectors according to the prior art. According to the invention the ball retaining groove can be provided on the elastic members provided on the inner sleeve. Preferably, the elastic member comprises a number of cantilevered arms, or more precisely, deflection springs extending from an attachment end attached to the inner member, preferably in a one-piece design, to a deflection end located distally in respect to the attachment end and deflectable by the force of the ball-lock. In order to obtain the elastic functionality on the inner sleeve, said inner sleeve preferably comprises an elastic extension section with a reduced thickness of the material compared to the rest of the inner sleeve, the locking groove preferably being located on the extension section and the extension section comprising one or more of the extension springs described above, namely spring elements for springs created by a latch structure connected to the inner sleeve on one end and disconnected or free on the opposing distal end. Preferably such extension springs are provided around the entire circumference of the extension section, or, in other words, the extension section is made up of a sleeve of extension springs created on a surface area of the inner sleeve and said extension springs being located next to each other on the inner sleeve always being separated by an intermediate slot. On a preferred embodiment the locking-groove comprises an inner side wall arranged closer to a distal end of the inner sleeve and outer side wall located closer to a proximal end of the inner sleeve, the outer side wall comprising as steep slope angle to the vertical, preferably, a slope angle between 0 to 45°, more preferably 0 to 10°. By this design it is with simple means achieved that the locking force to connect the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve in the locked position can be designed differently from the unlocking force to unlock the two mating partners from each other. According to this preferred embodiment this is achieved by the outer grooves being sloped rather steep and therewith making it more difficult for the locking-ball to overcome the outer wall when the outer sleeve is pulled away from the inner sleeve. In general, the break-away force is defined by the thickness or cross-section of the elastic extension section on the inner sleeve, precisely the extension springs, namely how thick the latch is and how many latches are provided around the circumference of elastic extension section on the inner sleeve. Embodiments of the invention further include locking sleeve enclosing the outer sleeve or arranged on the outer sleeve in an axially sliding relationship and, therewith, being movable between a locked position locking the locking ball in the locking groove and an unlocked position releasing the locking ball from the locking groove. Preferably, this locking groove may comprise recess or an annular recess on an inner wall oriented to the outer sleeve and located on the inner end of the locking sleeve. When the locking sleeve is pulled back to unlock the connector the ball lock can therefore move out of the locking groove and into the recess on the inner wall of the locking sleeve to release the two mating partners from one another. The connector can comprise more than two sleeves connected to one another in the described manner, e.g. a three-sleeve design with an inner sleeve, an intermediate sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve and releasably connected to the inner sleeve, as well an outer sleeve surrounding the intermediate sleeve and releasably connected to the intermediate sleeve. In the following detailed figure description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form part of this description of the invention, and which are shown to illustrate specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "front," "rear," etc., is used in reference to the orientations of the figure(s) described. Since components of embodiments may be positioned in several different orientations, the directional terminology is for illustrative purposes and is not limiting in any way. It is understood that other embodiments may be used, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. The following detailed description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. In the context of this description, the terms "connected", "connected" as well as "integrated" are used to describe both a direct and an indirect connection, as well as a direct or indirect integration. Unless otherwise indicated, the indefinite article and definite article refer not only to a single component but are to be understood as "at least one". The terminology includes the previously mentioned words, variations thereof, and similar meanings. Further, it should be understood that the terms "about," "substantially," and similar terms in connection with the dimensions and a property of a component of the invention do not describe the described dimension and property as a strict limit or parameter and do not exclude minor variations thereof which are functionally similar. At a minimum, description parts with numerical parameters also include variations of these parameters according to mathematical and manufacturing principles in the prior art, e.g., rounding, deviations and other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc. In the figures, identical or similar elements are given identical reference numbers where this is appropriate. Reference mark lines are lines connecting the reference mark to the part in question. An arrow, on the other hand, that does not touch a part refers to an entire unit to which it is directed. Incidentally, the representations in the figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain areas may be shown exaggeratedly large to illustrate details. Furthermore, the drawings may be strikingly simplified and do not include every detail that may be present in the practical embodiment. All features of a respective embodiment are disclosed independently of other features of the respective embodiment example. Likewise, the above-mentioned features and the features described in further detail can each be used individually in accordance with the invention, or in any combination of several features. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as a conclusive list, but rather have an exemplary character for the description of the invention. The Figures depict: Figure 1 an isometric sectional view of a connector according to the invention (not comprising cables located or attached to it) in the locked or connected position; Figure 2 an isometric sectional view according to figure 1 in the disengaged position; Figure 3 an enlarged cross-section of the connector in the engaged locking position, more clearly showing the ball locking device; and Figure 4 a longitudinal cross-section of a connector according to the invention with a three-piece sleeve design. Figure 1, depicting an isometric sectional view of the entire connector 2 according to the invention, not comprising cables located or attached thereto in the locked position. The connector 2 generally comprises an inner sleeve 4 and an outer sleeve 6 designed to receive the inner sleeve 4 in an axially sliding relation and further comprising lock-device to lock the inner sleeve 4 in the locked position within the outer sleeve 6. As can best be seen in the enlarged cross section according to figure 3 the lockdevice comprises a spring-loaded ball-locking mechanism 8 with a receiving groove 8.1 provided in the outer sleeve 6, designed to receive a locking ball 8.2 arranged or to be arranged in a relatively movable manner inside said receiving groove 8.1. As shown in Figure 2 the inner sleeve, at a distal end in the connection area comprises a ring of latches 4.1 (only one of which is indicated with a reference number) with a reduced cross-section compared to the rest of the inner sleeve, so that these resilient latches 4.1 or cantilevered arms constitute a ring of elastic members located at the distal most end of the inner sleeve 4 to be inserted into the outer sleeve 6 in the locking position. These elastic latches 4.1 act on the locking ball 8.2 holding said locking ball 8.2 in the locking groove 4.1 provided on the inner sleeve 4 on an end inserted or insertable into the outer sleeve 6. Hence, according to the invention and in contrast to the prior art, on which the elastic member is provided as a separate spring, according to the invention the inner sleeve itself is at least partly designed as the elastic member or hat least comprises an elastic section or represents the elastic member, meaning that the elastic member is provided integrally on the inner sleeve 4. On the present preferred embodiment the latches 4.1 on the inner sleeve 4 embodiment can obtain their elasticity by providing the locking groove 4.2 on the outer side of the latches in which the locking ball 8.2 sits when engaged, shown in Figure 3. The elastic member integrated into the inner sleeve 4 is shown in Figures 2 und 3. The thickness of the locking groove 4.2 at the base of the locking groove 4.2 and the number of slots between the so created latches determine that rate of elasticity of the latches 4.1 and can be adapted accordingly to satisfy the need in the respective application. Surrounding the outer sleeve 6 is the locking sleeve 10, which is arranged on the outer sleeve 6 again in an axially sliding relationship and movable between and locked position shown in Figures 3 locking the locking ball 8.2 in the locking groove 8.1 and an unlocked position releasing the locking ball 8.2 from the locking groove 4.1, in which the locking sleeve 10 is moved to the right compared to the position shown in Fig. 3. In order to achieve this objective, the locking sleeve 10 comprises a recess or annular inner groove 10.1 on an inner wall oriented to the outer sleeve 6 and located on an inner end of the locking sleeve 10. Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention of a three-piece sleeve design with an inner sleeve 12, an intermediate sleeve 16 and an outer sleeve 20. The inner sleeve 12 comprises a horizontally extending inserting latches 12.1 connected to a vertically extending mounting flange 12.2 that extends perpendicular to the plane of the inserting latches 12 and is mounted to a bulkhead or wall 14 by screws. The intermediate sleeve 16 is designed in the corresponding manner with the inner sleeve 12, namely comprises elastic inserting latches 16.1 arranged around the circumference of the annular inserting section with an outer locking groove 16.2 on the outer side, in which the outer locking ball 18 sits in an outer receiving groove 20.1 of an outer sleeve 20. Hence, the outer sleeve 20 comprises the outer receiving groove 20.1 adapted to the diameter of the outer locking ball 18. Again, aspring loaded slidable locking sleeve 22 is slideably arranged on the outer side of the outer sleeve 20 and holds the outer locking ball 18 inside the outer receiving groove 20.1 of the outer sleeve 20. By pulling the locking sleeve 22 forward with respect to the figure 3, namely to the right, the locking ball 18 and therewith the connection can be released by the user. On this embodiment the automatic breakaway function is also included between the inner sleeve 12 and the intermediate sleeve 16. For this purpose, the elastic inserting latches 12.1 of the inner sleeve 12 also hold an inner locking ball 24 inside an inner locking groove 16.4 provided on the inside of the inserting latches 16.1 of the intermediate sleeve 16. Different or similar breakaway forces can be obtained by designing the elasticity of inserting latches 12.1 on the inner sleeve 12 differently from the elasticity of the inserting latches 16.1 of the intermediate latch 16. Reference Numbers 2 Connector 4 Inner sleeve 4.1 Latch 4.2 Locking groove 6 Outer sleeve 8 Spring-loaded ball locking mechanism 8.1 Receiving groove 8.2 Locking ball 10 Slidable Locking sleeve 10.1 Annular inner groove 12 Inner sleeve 12.1 Inserting latch 12.2 Mounting flange 14 Wall / bulkhead 16 Intermediate sleeve 16.1 Inserting latches 16.2 Outer locking groove 16.3 Outer receiving 16.4 Inner locking groove 18 Outer Locking ball 20 Outer sleeve 20.1 22 24 Outer receiving groove Locking sleeve Inner locking ball

Claims

1. Connector withan inner sleeve,an outer sleeve designed to releasably receive the inner sleeve in an axially sliding relationshipand a locking-device to lock the inner sleeve in a lock position within said inner sleeve,said locking-device comprising a spring-loaded ball-locking mechanism witha receiving groove designed to receive a locking ball,a locking ball arranged in said receiving groove,and an elastic member acting on said locking ball to hold the locking ball in a locking groove provided on the inner sleeve,wherein the elastic member is provided integrally on the inner sleeve.

2. Connector according to claim 1, whereinthe inner sleeve comprises an extension section comprising a reduced thickness,the locking groove being located on the extension section, andin that the extension section comprising one or more extension springs is designed to comprise leaf springs.

3. Connector according to claim 2, whereinthe locking groove comprises an inner sidewall arranged closer to a distal end of the inner sleeve and an outer sidewall located closer to a proximal end of the inner sleeve,the outer sidewall comprises a steep slope angle to the vertical, preferably a slope angle between 0 to 20 degrees.

4. Connector according to claim 1, whereinthat the outer sleeve is enclosed by a locking sleeve arranged on the outer sleeve in an axially sliding relation and movable between a locked position locking the locking ball in the locking groove and an unlocked position releasing the locking ball from the locking groove.

5. Connector according to claim 4, whereinthe locking sleeve comprises a recess on an inner wall oriented to the outer sleeve and located on the inner end of the locking sleeve.

6. Connector according to claim 1, whereinsaid connector is of a three-piece design in which the inner sleeve functions as an intermediate sleeve, which is surrounded by a further inner sleeve on an inner side and an outer sleeve on the outer side, and wherein the all three sleeves elastically connectable to one another.

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