Self-Lubricating Connector
AssigneeTE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
InventorsMarjorie Kay MYERS, Nathan Philip MYER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-lubricating connector with a housing having a contact receiving cavity with a contact provided therein. A lubricating device is positioned in the housing proximate the contact. The lubricating device extends into the contact receiving cavity and has lubricant provided therein. The lubricant from the lubricating device is deposited or on the outside surface of the contact as the contact is moved between the first position and the second position, reducing wear on the contacts as the contacts are moved between the first position and the second position.
Claims20
A self-lubricating connector system comprising:
- a contact having a first diameter;
- lubricating devices proximate the contact, the lubricating devices being spaced from each other by a contact receiving opening, the contact receiving opening having a second diameter;
- the second diameter of the contact receiving opening is less than the first diameter of the contact;
- wherein as the contact is moved into the contact receiving opening, the lubricating devices are displaced depositing a lubricant from the lubricating devices on an outside surface of the contact;
- wherein the lubricant on the outside surface of the contact reduces wear on the contact as the contact is moved between an unmated position and a mated position.
A lubricating contact comprising:
- contact arms;
- lubricating devices positioned at mating ends of the contact arms, the lubricating devices having a lubricant provided therein;
- whereby the lubricant from the lubricating devices is deposited on an outside surface of a mating contact as the mating contact is moved into electrical and mechanical engagement with the contact arms, reducing wear on the mating contacts and the contact arms as the mating contact and the lubricating contact are moved into and out of engagement.
A self-lubricating connector comprising:
- a contact having a lubricating device, the lubricating device positioned proximate a mating end of the contact, the lubricating device having a lubricant provided therein;
- whereby the lubricant is transferred to a surface of the contact as the contact is mated with a mating connector, reducing wear on the contact as the contact is moved between a first position and a second position.
A system to lubricate an electrical contact, the system comprising:
- the contact having an outside surface;
- a lubricating device
- a transfer member;
- the contact and the transfer member being movable relative to each other;
- wherein as the contact is moved between a mated position and an unmated position, the transfer member engages the lubricating device and the mating surface of the contact to distribute lubricant on the outside surface of the contact.
A self-lubricating connector assembly comprising:
- a first contact;
- a connector having a contact receiving cavity and a second contact provided therein;
- a movable lubricating device positioned in the connector and extending into the contact receiving cavity, the movable lubricating device positioned in contact with an outside surface of the first contact when the first contact and the second contact are moved into electrical and mechanical engagement with each other;
- wherein the lubricating device measures a first voltage of the first contact when the first contact is inserted into the second contact, a second voltage of the first contact is measured at a point on the second contact, wherein a comparison of the first voltage and the second voltage yields the voltage drop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.