Hermaphroditic handle socket assembly and pin assembly
AssigneeAmphenol Corporation
InventorsJames Leo Bordeau, David Otis Gallusser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A electrical cable assembly with hermaphroditic coupling with a high current rating, is disclosed. The electrical cable assembly with hermaphroditic coupling includes a pin contact terminal in a first coupling sleeve and a hyperboloid socket terminal in a second coupling sleeve. The pin contact terminal may be inserted within the second coupling sleeve, and the hyperboloid socket terminal may be inserted within the first coupling sleeve. The socket contact may include a RADSOK® socket. The first and second coupling sleeves are coupled together by urging the pin contact terminal into the hyperboloid socket terminal and rotating.
Claims24
A electrical cable assembly with hermaphroditic coupling comprising:
- a coupling sleeve;
- at least two latch arms extending from an exterior surface of the coupling sleeve and spaced apart from each other at a first end of the coupling sleeve;
- at least two grooves disposed on a portion of the exterior surface at the first end of the coupling sleeve between the two spaced-apart latch arms, wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least two grooves is in the shape of a helix and wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the at least two grooves forms a ramp;
- a latch ear disposed at one end of each of the latch arms, wherein the latch ear is oriented at substantially the same angle as the longitudinal axis of the grooves;
- and
- a pin contact terminal press-fit within an interior cavity at the first end of the coupling sleeve.
A electrical cable assembly with hermaphroditic coupling comprising:
- a coupling sleeve;
- two latch arms extending from an exterior surface of the coupling sleeve and spaced apart from each other at one end of the coupling sleeve;
- at least two grooves disposed on a portion of the exterior surface at the first end of the coupling sleeve between the two spaced-apart latch arms, wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least two grooves is in the shape of a helix and wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the at least two grooves forms a ramp;
- a latch ear disposed at one end of each of each latch arms, wherein the latch ear is oriented at substantially the same angle as the longitudinal axis of the grooves;
- a raised detent within each groove to resist rotational movement of the latch ears within the grooves;
- and
- a pin contact terminal removably inserted within an interior cavity at the one end of the coupling sleeve.
A electrical cable assembly with hermaphroditic coupling comprising:
- a coupling sleeve;
- two latch arms extending from an exterior surface of the coupling sleeve and spaced apart from each other at one end of the coupling sleeve;
- at least two grooves disposed on a portion of the exterior surface at the first end of the coupling sleeve between the two spaced-apart latch arms, wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least two grooves is in the shape of a helix and wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the at least two grooves forms a ramp;
- a latch ear disposed at one end of each latch arm, wherein the latch ear is oriented at substantially the same angle as the longitudinal axis of the grooves;
- a raised detent within each groove to resist rotational movement of the latch ears within the grooves;
- and
- a hyperboloid socket terminal inserted within an interior cavity at the one end of the coupling sleeve.
A method for coupling a electrical cable assembly with hermaphroditic coupling, said method comprising:
- providing a first coupling sleeve with two latch arms integrally molded to an exterior surface of said first coupling sleeve and radially positioned opposite each other at one end of the first coupling sleeve;
- providing a second coupling sleeve with two latch arms integrally molded on an exterior surface of said second coupling sleeve radially positioned opposite each other at one end of the second coupling sleeve;
- disposing at least two grooves, each on the exterior surface at the one end of said first and second coupling sleeves and forming ramp surfaces, wherein the longitudinal axis of the at least two grooves is in the shape of a helix;
- providing a latch ear disposed at one end of each latch arm, wherein the latch ear is oriented at substantially the same angle as the longitudinal axis of the grooves;
- inserting a pin contact terminal within an interior cavity at the one end of the first coupling sleeve;
- inserting a hyperboloid socket terminal within an interior cavity at the one end of the second coupling sleeve;
- and
- coupling the pin contact terminal to the hyperboloid socket terminal by aligning the latch ears of the first coupling sleeve with the two grooves of the second coupling sleeve while concurrently aligning the latch ears of the second coupling sleeve with the grooves of the first coupling sleeve and rotating the latch arms of the first and second coupling sleeves in a clockwise direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.