Internally switched female receptacle or connector with plug-latching safety interlock

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9819127-B2
Application number	US-201615013060-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 2, 2016
Priority date	Nov 2, 2012
Publication date	Nov 14, 2017
Grant date	Nov 14, 2017

Abstract

An internally switched female receptacle or connector for use with IEC 60309-2 configuration plugs and the like. Various plug-latching and plug-actuated safety interlock arrangements coordinate strictly axial plug movement relative to the receptacle with the closing and opening of sleeve contacts and terminal pressure contacts. A continuous ground feature ensures grounding of the primary electrical circuit throughout plug insertion and withdrawal. An optional low-current lighting control circuit powers an LED status indicator. A modular clocking design enables variable angular positioning of the terminals during manufacture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical receptacle for use with a plug having a shroud surrounding one or more plug contacts, the receptacle comprising:
a housing having an outer end and a cavity for receiving a plug shroud:
a sleeve contact positioned in the housing and engageable by a plug contact; and
a latch mechanism that blocks removal of a plug after at least partial insertion of a plug into the housing, wherein the latch mechanism includes a first latch that retains a plug that is inserted in to the housing at a first depth and a second latch that retains the plug inserted at a second depth which is greater than the first depth.

2. The receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a push button.

3. The receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the second depth results in the plug being electrically connected.

4. The receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a first button for releasing the first latch and a second button for releasing the second latch.

5. The receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a toggle switch having a first position for releasing the first latch and a second position for releasing the second latch.

6. The receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a toggle switch, a first button connected to the toggle switch, and a second button connected to the toggle switch.

7. The receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve contact is connected to sleeve carrier that is moveable between a first position where the sleeve contact is electrically disconnected from an inner contact and a second position where the sleeve contact is electrically connected to the inner contact.

8. The receptacle of claim 7 , wherein the second latch has an unactuated position that prevents movement of the sleeve carrier into the second position and a actuated position that allows movement of the sleeve carrier into the section position.

9. The receptacle of claim 8 , wherein a safety plunger prevents the second switch from being in the actuated position until a plug has been inserted into the receptacle.

10. An electrical receptacle for use with a plug having a shroud surrounding one or more plug contacts, the receptacle comprising:
a housing having an outer end and a cavity for receiving a plug shroud:
a retainer positioned in the housing, the retainer having base portion and a protrusion extending from the base and defining an aperture;
an inner contact connected to the retainer and having a portion extending through the aperture;
a sleeve carrier positioned in the housing and axial moveable with respect to the retainer, the sleeve carrier at least partially defining a chamber receiving the protrusion;
a sleeve contact connected to the sleeve carrier and engageable by a plug contact, wherein the sleeve contact is electrically disconnected from the inner contact in a first state and electrically connected to the inner contact in a second state, wherein the retainer includes a clip that prevents movement of the sleeve carrier prior to insertion of the plug and is displaced by a plug shroud during insertion of a plug to allow movement of the sleeve carrier.

11. The receptacle of claim 10 , wherein the sleeve carrier is biased away from the inner contact by a biasing member.

12. The receptacle of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion includes a cylindrical member.

13. The receptacle of claim 12 , wherein the inner contact includes a moveable contact tip and a spring biasing the contact tip, wherein at least a portion of the spring is positioned in the cylindrical member.

14. The receptacle of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion slidably engages the sleeve carrier during transition from the first state to the second state.

15. The receptacle of claim 10 , wherein a volume of the chamber varies as the sleeve carrier moves with respect to the retainer.

16. The receptacle of claim 15 , wherein the volume of the chamber is at a minimum when a plug is fully inserted.

17. The receptacle of claim 15 , wherein the chamber is isolated from the housing.

Assignees

• Hubbell Inc

Inventors

• Condo Mark Andrew
• Scanzillo Thomas Louis
• Dietz William Henry
• Valentin William Ramon

Classifications

• H01R13/7175

  Light emitting diodes (LEDs) · CPC title

• H01R13/6456

  comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector · CPC title

• H01R13/71

  Contact members of coupling parts operating as switch {, e.g. linear or rotational movement required after mechanical engagement of coupling part to establish electrical connection} · CPC title

• H01R13/641

  by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement · CPC title

• H01R13/08

  Resiliently-mounted rigid pins or blades · CPC title