Bayonet type locking ring of a circular electrical connector

Abstract

A bayonet type locking ring of a circular electrical connector. A first piece with the shape of a cylindrical ring extends from one end to the other. The first piece is made of thermoplastic material, and includes notches distributed over the internal face of the first piece adjacent to one end and a first ramp part on the internal face of the first piece. A second piece with the shape of a cylindrical ring, and includes notches distributed over its external face and a second ramp part on the internal cylindrical surface. The first piece and the second piece are assemblable such that the notches of the second piece fit in the notches of the first piece, and prevent the second piece from rotating in relation to the first piece. The second ramp part of the second piece complements the first ramp part of the first piece.

Claims

1. A bayonet type locking ring of a circular electrical connector, comprising: a first piece with a shape of a cylindrical ring extending from one end to the other, the first piece comprising notches distributed over an internal face of the first piece adjacent to the one end and a first ramp part on the internal face of the first piece, and a U shaped grooved portion on an external cylindrical surface, wherein the first piece is made of thermoplastic material and wherein the notches of the first pieces are distinct from the first ramp part; a second piece with a shape of a cylindrical ring, the second piece comprising notches distributed over an external face of the second piece and a second ramp part on an internal cylindrical surface of the second piece, wherein the notches of the second piece are distinct from the second ramp part; and when the first piece and the second piece are assemblable such that: the notches of the second piece fit in the notches of the first piece and prevent the second piece from rotating in relation to the first piece; and the second ramp part of the second piece complements the first ramp part of the first piece.

2. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 1, wherein the second piece clips into the first piece, thus preventing a displacement of the first piece in relation to the second piece.

3. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 1, wherein the second piece clips into the first piece up to a stop configured to line up an end of the first piece with an end of the second piece.

4. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 1, wherein the second piece is denser than the first piece.

5. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 1, wherein the second piece is made of a metal.

6. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 5, wherein the second piece is made of a molded Zamak.

7. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 1, wherein the second piece is made of a thermoplastic material.

8. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from a family of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) plastics: polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) or a combination of two of them.

9. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a polyamide-imide (PAI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherimide (PEI), liquid crystal polymer (LCP) or a combination of at least two of them.

10. A bayonet type locking ring of a circular electrical connector, comprising: a first piece with a shape of a cylindrical ring extending from one end to the other, the first piece comprising notches distributed over an internal face of the first piece adjacent to the one end and a first ramp part on the internal face of the first piece, and a V shaped grooved portion on an external cylindrical surface, wherein the first piece is made of thermoplastic material and wherein the notches of the first pieces are distinct from the first ramp part; a second piece with a shape of a cylindrical ring, the second piece comprising notches distributed over an external face of the second piece and a second ramp part on an internal cylindrical surface of the second piece, wherein the notches of the second piece are distinct from the second ramp part; and when the first piece and the second piece are assemblable such that: the notches of the second piece fit in the notches of the first piece and prevent the second piece from rotating in relation to the first piece; and the second ramp part of the second piece complements the first ramp part of the first piece.

11. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 10, wherein the second piece clips into the first piece to prevent a displacement of the first piece in relation to the second piece.

12. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 10, wherein the second piece clips into the first piece up to a stop configured to line up an end of the first piece with an end of the second piece.

13. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 10, wherein the second piece is made of a metal, a molded Zamak or a thermoplastic material.

14. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 13, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from a family of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) plastics: polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) or a combination of two of them.

15. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 13, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherimide (PEI), liquid crystal polymer (LCP) or a combination of at least two of them.

16. A bayonet type locking ring of a circular electrical connector, comprising: a first piece with a shape of a cylindrical ring extending from one end to the other, the first piece comprising notches distributed over an internal face of the first piece adjacent to the one end and a first ramp part on the internal face of the first piece, and a W shaped grooved portion on an external cylindrical surface, wherein the first piece is made of thermoplastic material and wherein the notches of the first pieces are distinct from the first ramp part; a second piece with a shape of a cylindrical ring, the second piece comprising notches distributed over an external face of the second piece and a second ramp part on an internal cylindrical surface of the second piece, wherein the notches of the second piece are distinct from the second ramp part; and when the first piece and the second piece are assemblable such that: the notches of the second piece fit in the notches of the first piece and prevent the second piece from rotating in relation to the first piece; and the second ramp part of the second piece complements the first ramp part of the first piece.

17. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 16, wherein the second piece clips into the first piece to prevent a displacement of the first piece in relation to the second piece.

18. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 16, wherein the second piece clips into the first piece up to a stop configured to line up an end of the first piece with an end of the second piece.

19. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 16, wherein the second piece is made of a metal, a molded Zamak or a thermoplastic material.

20. The bayonet type locking ring according to claim 19, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherimide (PEI), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a combination of at least two of PPS, PAI, PES, PEI and LCP, a family of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) plastics: polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) or a combination of two of the PAEK plastics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) Other benefits, aims and characteristics of the invention will become apparent in the description below, which is explanatory and not limitative in any way, by reference to the drawings attached, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 (relating to the prior art) represents a section of a molded piece,

(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 (relating to the prior art) represent sections of a machine piece,

(4) FIG. 4 represents an exploded view before assembly of the first piece with the second piece of a locking ring according to this invention,

(5) FIG. 5 represents a sectional view along a transverse plane of a locking ring according to this invention,

(6) FIG. 6 represents a sectional view of a locking ring according to this invention with an electrical connector,

(7) FIG. 7 represents a view of a locking ring according to this invention with an electrical connector,

(8) FIG. 8 represents a sectional view along a transverse plane before assembly of the first piece with the second piece of a locking ring according to this invention,

(9) FIG. 9 represents a sectional view along a transverse plane of a locking ring according to one embodiment,

(10) FIG. 10 represents a sectional view along a transverse plane of a locking ring according to another embodiment,

(11) FIG. 11 represents a sectional view along a transverse plane before assembly of the first piece with the second piece of a locking ring according an embodiment of this invention with a U shaped groove portion,

(12) FIG. 12 represents a sectional view along a transverse plane before assembly of the first piece with the second piece of a locking ring according an embodiment of this invention with a V shaped groove portion, and

(13) FIG. 13 represents a sectional view along a transverse plane before assembly of the first piece with the second piece of a locking ring according an embodiment of this invention with a W shaped groove portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(14) FIGS. 1 to 3 have been described above.

(15) FIG. 4 shows the first piece 23 and the second piece 24 before they are assembled. The first piece 23 comprises notches distributed over the entire circumference of the internal surface. The second piece 24 comprises notches distributed over the entire circumference of the external surface. The notches of the first piece 23 and the notches of the second piece 24 are complementary.

(16) FIG. 5 shows the assembly of the first piece 23 and the second piece 24. When these two pieces are assembled by displacement in the longitudinal direction of the first piece 23, the second piece 24 can no longer rotate in relation to the first piece 23. The notches make it possible to prevent such rotation.

(17) FIGS. 6 and 7 show the positioning of an electrical connector 25 in the locking ring. The first piece 23 and the second piece 24 are assembled before the electrical connector is positioned.

(18) FIGS. 8 and 11-13 represent a sectional view of the first piece 23 and the second piece 24 before they are assembled. In these figures, the first ramp part of the first piece 23 is visible, as is the second ramp part of the second piece 24.

(19) In one embodiment, the first piece has a U, V or W shaped groove portion on its external cylindrical surface, as respectively shown in FIGS. 11-13, adapted for grasping the first piece in the hand. Thus, the locking ring is easier to grasp in one hand for manual locking. This alternative is more ergonomic (shape better adapted to the hand).

(20) FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the assembly of the first piece 23 and the second piece 24. A zone 26 is represented, which shows the complementarity of the second ramp part with the first ramp part. In that figure, only a first ramp part (sectional view) is visible, but in this embodiment, the first piece 23 has two first ramp parts and the second piece has two second ramp parts.

(21) Each ramp part is designed to receive the pin of an electrical connector to guide the pin towards the end of the ramp, which locks the circular electrical connector. A push and turn movement is required.

(22) FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the assembly of the first piece 23 and the second piece 24, and shows the alternative with clipping 27.

(23) The two pieces are assembled by clipping in the main direction of the piece (rotation axis), either manually or automatically. Clipping means attaching with a clip.

(24) In this case, the external face of the second piece 24 comprises a pin (clip) that blocks the second piece 24 in relation to the first piece 23. Like the previous figure, the second ramp part complements the first ramp part.

(25) The ramp part responsible for locking (second piece 24) happens to be subjected to the most stress, as it receives the forces for connecting the contacts, and pressing the coupling joint. The second piece 24 is made of metal (cast Zamak), or very high performance thermoplastic.

(26) The part responsible for unlocking (first piece 23), which is thus subjected to the least force (friction of contacts only) is made of more ordinary and less expensive molded thermoplastic material. The material is thus selected depending on the stresses and the required performance.

(27) In another embodiment, the color and marking of the first piece 23 are different.