Electrical connector with a quick release fastener

Abstract

An electrical connector (2) comprising a quarter turn fastener (4), the quarter turn fastener (4) comprising a stud (6) having at least one helical cam slot (8) and a receptacle (10) comprising at least one cam follower (24) and a biasing means (12), the connector further comprising means for connection (14) to an electrical assembly, wherein the electrical connector has a first electrical contact surface (16) and a second electrical contact surface (17) and releasably connects the first and second surfaces in operative engagement, and wherein the electrical connector maintains a constant clamp force across the surfaces.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising a quick release fastener and a connector for connection to an electrical assembly, the quick release fastener comprising a stud having at least one helical cam slot and a receptacle comprising at least one cam follower and a biasing means, the connector for connection to an electrical assembly comprising a first electrical contact surface and a second electrical contact surface, the connector having an arrangement such that the stud is oriented in a fixed relation to the first electrical contact surface, the receptacle is rotatable relative to the stud, and the receptacle is captivated whilst rotatable up to and against the second electrical contact surface such that the fixed electrical contact surface and the moveable electrical contact surface are in operative engagement, and wherein the electrical connector maintains a constant clamp force across the surfaces.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the stud comprises a body having a head at one end thereof.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the body is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a central longitudinal axis.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the body extends between a first end and a second end wherein the second end of the body is attached to the head.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the body comprises at least one helical cam slot at one end thereof.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the body comprises a pair of diametrically opposed helical cam slots.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the at least one cam slot has a bayonet configuration and extends from a leading end of the body towards the head, terminating at a locking detent.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises an inner recess shaped to accommodate the body of the stud.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein the inner recess comprises at least one cam follower to facilitate coupling of the stud and the receptacle.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein the inner recess of the receptacle further comprises the biasing means.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises an interface plate comprising the at least one cam follower.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein the interface plate comprises a pair of diametrically opposed inwardly extending cam followers.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein the spring and the interface plate are captivated within the receptacle.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein the interface plate is free to move axially within the receptacle against the spring pressure.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the means for connection to an electrical assembly comprises a spade.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein the spade comprises an aperture.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 17, wherein the aperture is substantially cylindrical and has substantially the same diameter as the aperture provided within the post.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 1 for connection to a battery in a car or other vehicle.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a post such as a battery post comprising an aperture.

21. The electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein the aperture is dimensioned to accommodate the body of the stud.

22. The electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein the aperture is substantially circular in shape.

23. The electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein the receptacle is mounted on the post using an undercut or deformable flange to encompass all or part of the post thickness.

24. A kit for making an electrical connection comprising an electrical connector according to claim 1.

25. A method for connecting an electrical connection comprising an electrical connector according to claim 1, comprising a step of connecting a stud having at least one helical cam slot and a receptacle comprising at least one cam follower and a biasing means.

26. The method of claim 25, the method further comprises providing a fixed electrical contact surface and a moveable electrical contact surface and releasably connecting the fixed electrical contact surface and the moveable electrical contact surface in operative engagement, and wherein the electrical connector maintains a constant clamp force across the surfaces.

27. The method of claim 25, comprising a step of passing the body of the stud through an aperture provided within a spade before connection of the stud and the receptacle.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising a step of passing the body of the stud through an aperture provided within a post or a battery post.

Description

(1) The invention will be further described by way of example, with reference to the following drawings and figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the connector is in a disassembled configuration;

(3) FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the connector is an assembled configuration;

(4) FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1, showing the sub-assembled parts;

(5) FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1, wherein the connector is in a disassembled configuration;

(6) FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a receptacle and a spade of an electrical connector in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, wherein the receptacle and spade and in the disassembled configuration; and

(9) FIG. 6 shows a fuse box within a car comprising the electrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(10) With reference to FIG. 1, there is provided an electrical connector (2) comprising a quarter turn fastener (4), the quarter turn fastener (4) comprising a stud (6) having at least one helical cam slot (8) and a receptacle (10) comprising at least one cam follower (24) and a biasing means (12), the connector further comprising means for connection (14) to an electrical assembly, wherein the electrical connector has a first electrical contact surface (16) and a second electrical contact surface (17) and releasably connects the first and second surfaces in operative engagement, and wherein the electrical connector maintains a constant clamp force across the surfaces.

(11) The quarter turn fastener (4) comprises a body (18) having a head (20) at one end thereof. The body (18) is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a central longitudinal axis. The body (18) extends between a first end and a second end wherein the second end of the body is attached to the head (20). The longitudinal axis of the body (18) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head (20). The body (18) extends from the underside of the head and is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the head (20). In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the head (20) has a substantially square shape and is larger in diameter than the body. The body (18) comprises a pair of diametrically opposed helical cam slots (8) provided at the end of the body distal to the end attached to the head. As shown in the Figures, each slot (8) is cut from the leading end of the body (18) and extends along the body towards the head (20). In one embodiment, the open end of the at least one cam slot (8) may be widened to facilitate coupling and/or uncoupling of the stud (6) with the at least one cam follower (24) of a complementary receptacle (10). Preferably, the at least one cam slot (8) has a bayonet configuration and extends from the leading end of the body towards the head, terminating at a locking detent (21) wherein the corresponding cam follower (24) preferably sits when the stud is connected to the receptacle.

(12) Preferably, the diameter of the stud at the end comprising at least one cam slot is approximately 6 mm. Preferably, the outer diameter of the receptacle is 14 mm. Preferably, the length of the receptacle along the longitudinal axis is 16 mm.

(13) With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the receptacle (10) partially has the shape of a hexagonal prism and is also partially cylindrical in shape. The receptacle (10) comprises an inner recess (22) shaped to accommodate the body (18) of the stud. The inner recess (22) comprises two cam followers (24) to facilitate coupling of the stud (6) and the receptacle (10). The cam followers (24) are provided within an interface plate (28). The cam followers are provided in the form of a pair of tabs directed across the interface plate (28). As the body of the stud is introduced through the upper open end of the receptacle, it comes into contact with the cam followers provided on the interface plate, wherein the cam followers may be aligned with the entrance to the cam slots by a small initial rotation of the stud. The cam followers (24) may be held in place after connection with the stud via the locking detent (21) which terminates the corresponding cam slots. The inner recess (22) of the receptacle (10) further comprises the biasing means (12). In this embodiment, the biasing means (12) comprises a spring. Typically, the spring and the interface plate (28) are captivated within the receptacle (10). Advantageously, the biasing means allows for relative axial movement of the cam follower and stud within the receptacle, facilitating connection and disconnection of the fastener. Typically, the interface plate (28) is not rotatable within the receptacle (10) but is free to move axially against the spring pressure.

(14) In the embodiment shown, for example, in FIG. 5, two cam followers (24) are provided on the interface plate (28). Typically, the at least one cam follower (24) may be held in place after connection with the stud via the locking detent (21) provided within the at least one cam slot. Preferably, the at least one helical cam slot (8) is provided on the stud (6) to allow for quarter turn rotation of the body (18) with respect to the receptacle (10) to open or close the fastener, respectively. Preferably, the body of the stud (6) rotates through between 90 and 180 degrees, preferably through 140 degrees, with respect to the receptacle (10) to open or close the fastener.

(15) With reference to the figures, the electrical connector further comprises a battery post (32) comprising an aperture (34). In this embodiment, the aperture (34) is substantially circular in shape and is dimensioned to accommodate the body (18) of the stud (6), such that the body of the stud may pass through the aperture (34). Typically, the receptacle (10) is mounted on the battery post (32) through use of an undercut or deformable flange (26) to encompass all or part of the post thickness. Preferably, the stud (10) is captivated to the post (32) when in the assembled configuration. In one embodiment, the head (20) of the stud is square in shape and is fixed to the post (32) and doesn't rotate with the post (32).

(16) With reference to the figures, the means for connection (14) to an electrical assembly comprises a spade (36) comprising an aperture (38). In this embodiment, the aperture (38) is substantially cylindrical and has substantially the same diameter as the aperture (34) provided within the post (32). Typically, the means for connection (14) to an electrical assembly may further comprise cables which lead from the spade to a battery. Preferably, the receptacle is captivated to the spade but is able to rotate the entire assembly. Preferably, the flange face of the receptacle is formed such that it corresponds with the spade to which it is captivated.

(17) Advantageously, the body of the stud typically passes through the aperture within the battery post and the aperture within the spade and is accommodated within the receptacle.

(18) In a preferred embodiment, the electrical connector may be used for connection to a battery in a car or other vehicle. Advantageously, the electrical connector of the present invention allows for quick disconnection of the fastener which is of great benefit when vehicles are loaded onto a ship, train or other transport means, wherein the battery of the vehicle is required to be disconnected before transport begins.

(19) FIG. 6 shows a fuse box comprising one embodiment of the electrical connector of the invention. The fuse box comprises standard components and also comprises an electrical connector (2) as described above.

(20) With reference to the figures, there is also provided a method for connecting an electrical connection comprising an electrical connector in accordance with the first aspect.

(21) Preferably, the method comprises connecting a stud (6) having at least one helical cam slot (8) and a receptacle (10) comprising at least one cam follower (24) and a biasing means (12), the method further comprises providing a first electrical contact surface (16) and a second electrical contact surface (17) and releasably connecting the first and second surfaces in operative engagement, and wherein the electrical connector maintains a constant clamp force across the surfaces.

(22) Typically, the method comprises the step of passing the body of the stud (6) through an aperture provided within a spade before connection of the stud and receptacle. Preferably, the method comprises the step of passing the body of the stud through an aperture provided within a post, such as a battery post.

(23) With reference to the figures, there is provided a method of making an electrical connector in accordance with the first aspect.

(24) With reference to the figures, there is also provided a kit comprising an electrical connector in accordance with the first aspect.