Connector system
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsJochen Meidlein, Dipak Balaso Ranaware, Nipen Mukeshbhai Khirsaria, Jason C. Gauss
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A quick disconnect connector system includes a first plug configured to mate with a second plug. The first plug and second plugs first secure together through engagement of one or more retainers with a channel. Each retainer is shaped to facilitate sliding of the retainer relative to the threads without catching while still allowing the retainer to securely engage the channel of the second plug. Example retainers have a tapered shape. An example retainer has a trapezoidal shape. In certain examples, a tapered mounting station for each retainer is configured to facilitate radial movement of the retainer.
Claims20
A connector system comprising:
- a first connector having a longitudinal axis, the first connector including an inner body surrounded by an outer nut, the inner body being movable relative to the outer nut along the longitudinal axis, the outer nut having internal threading, the internal threading defining a circumferential groove at an intermediate location along the internal threading, the inner body defining a mounting station;
- and
- a retainer disposed at the mounting station of the inner body of the first connector, the retainer configured to move radially relative to the inner body of the first connector between a locking position and a releasing position, the retainer being held in the locking position by the internal threading of the outer nut, the groove along the internal threading accommodating movement of the retainer to the releasing position, and the retainer having a non-uniform transverse cross-section.
A quick disconnect connector system comprising:
- a first connector including an inner body extending along a longitudinal axis, the inner body defining a mounting station, the first connector also including an outer nut extending about the inner body, the outer nut defining a groove, the inner body being movable relative to the outer nut along the longitudinal axis between an initial position, a transition position, and an operation position, the mounting station being aligned with the groove when the inner body is disposed in the transition position, the mounting station being disposed to a first side of the groove when the inner body is disposed in the initial position, and the mounting station being disposed to an opposite, second side of the groove when the inner body is disposed in the operation position, the mounting station defining an aperture extending radially away from the longitudinal axis from a first open end to a second open end, the second open end being larger than the first open end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.