US 6,309,231 B1 · High current male and female power connector assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a male and female power connector assembly in which the male contact is provided with a biased plunger which prevents insertion of a finger into contact with an electrically live component housed within the male connector. The female connector also includes a housing which prevents or induces the likelihood of an object coming into contact with an electrically live component on the female connector. The male and female power connector assembly of the present invention also includes a unique alignment and locking mechanism including a slot having a recessed area on the male for engagement with a tab in the female connector. Also a front flange in the male connector can have at least one slot for engagement with a pin in a pin connector in the female connector.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A male connector for insertion into a female connector having at least one key, said male connector comprising:

an electrically non-conductive outer sleeve having a large diameter entry bore for receiving the female connector, said sleeve having an L-shaped slot for receiving the at least one key via a first leg of said L-shaped slot, such that upon rotation of said male connector and said female connector relative to each other, said at least one key enters a second leg of said L-shaped slot, said second leg being perpendicular to said first leg, thereby locking said male and female connectors;
an electrically energizable inner sleeve;
and
a biased electrically non-conductive plunger positioned radially inwardly said inner sleeve for preventing unauthorized access from said outer sleeve to said inner sleeve and adapted to move in response to a longitudinally directed force by the female connector from a first position to a second position for electrically connecting the female connector to said energizable inner sleeve.

1 more element

An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

a male connector including:
an outer sleeve having a large diameter entry bore;
an electrically energizable inner sleeve;
a biased electrically insulated plunger positioned radially inwardly said inner sleeve and movable from a first position beyond said inner sleeve to a second position within said inner sleeve;
a female connector including:
an outer sleeve having a large diameter entry bore for receiving said male outer sleeve;
a pin having an electrically non-conductive front portion and an electrically energizable portion;
a bayonet locking mechanism for locking said male and said female connector upon rotation of said male and connectors in a first direction relative to each other and unlocking said connectors upon rotation of said male and female connector portions in an opposite direction relative to each other;
wherein when said pin is brought into contact with said biased plunger, said biased plunger is moved from said first position to said second position and said electrically energizable portion of said pin is brought into contact with said electrically energizable sleeve.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High current male and female power connector assembly

Life of this patent

High current male and female power connector assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27