A self-aligning electrical connector device includes a receptacle component having a conically contoured interior and a plug component having a correspondingly contoured conical body receivable in the receptacle component. The plug component has a number of spaced conductive ring elements with a mating face and the receptacle component includes corresponding spaced conductive ring elements providing mating interface with the mating face of the ring elements of the plug component when connected to it. Each ring element of the receptacle component has several segmented portions which defect downwardly when the plug component is inserted. A biasing force is asserted against the face of the ring elements of the plug component providing positive electrical contact and connection between the ring elements of the components

Clark, K. H.

Scott, D. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

United States Patent [191 [ I  11 4,421,371 
Clark et al. [45] Dec. 20, 1983 
[54] ELECTRICAL SELF-ALIGNING 
CONNECTOR 
[75] Inventors: 
[73] Assignee: 
[21] Appl. No.: 
[22] Filed: 
Keith H. Clark, Decatur; Donald R. 
Scott. Athens, both of Ala. 
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 
140685 4/1903 Fed. Rep. of Germany ... 339/182 R 
993883 9/1952 France ............................ 339/182 R 
Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn 
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Joseph H. Beumer; John R. 
Manning; Leon D. Wofford, Jr, 
The United States of America as 
represented by the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and §Dace 
Administration, Washington, D.C. [571 ABSTRACT 
432,057 
Sep. 30, 1982 
Related U.S. Application Data 
[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 168,995, Jui. 15, 1980, aban- 
doned. 
[51] Int. CI.3 ...................... HOlR 13/12; HOlR 13/62 
[52] U S .  CI. ......................... 339/64 M; 339/258 RR; 
339/262 RR 
[58] Field of Search .............. 339/64 R, 64 M, 182 R, 
339/183, 258 RR, 262 
[561 References Cited 
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
3,009,043 11/1961 
3,673,545 6/1972 
3,855,568 12/1974 
3,951,500 4/1976 
4,030,797 6/1977 
A self-aligning electrical connector device is disclosed 
as including a receptacle component (A) having a coni- 
cally contoured interior and a plug component (B) hav- 
ing a correspondingly contoured conical body receiv- 
able in the receptacle component. The plug component 
B includes a plurality of spaced conductive ring ele- 
ments 22 having a mating face (22a) and the receptacle 
component includes a plurality of corresponding spaced 
conductive ring elements (14) providing mating inter- 
face with the mating face of the ring elements of the 
plug component when connected therewith. Each ring 
element of the receptacle component includes a plural- 
ity of segmented portions, (16a), which defect down- 
wardly when the plug component is inserted therein to 
assert a biasing force against the face of the ring ele- 
ments of the plug component providing positive electri- 
cal contact and connection between the ring elements of 
the components. 
Goodwin, Jr. et ai. .......... 339/64 R 
Rundle ............................. 339/64 M 
Cochrane ........................ 339/262 R 
Anderson ......................... 339/64 M 
Nieman ............................ 339/64 M 2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19840006355 2020-03-22T07:47:27+00:00Z
U.S. Patent Dec. 20, 1983 Sheet 1 of 4 4,421,371 
U.S. Patent Dec. 20,1983 Sheet 2 of 4 4,421,371 
u.%. 1t"ateIlt Dec. 20, 1983 Sheet 3 of 4 4,421,371. 
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U S .  Patent Dec. 20, 1983 Sheet 4 of 4 4,421,371 
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ELECTRICAL SELF-ALIGNING CONNE(=TOR 
The construction designed to carry out the invention 
ORIGIN OF T H E  INVENTION will be hereinafter desciibed, together with other fea- 
readily understood from 
ence to the accompanying drawings forming a part 
thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating application of 
the present invention to a space vehicle and removable 
5 tures thereof. The invention described herein was made by employ- 
and used by or for the C m ~ n m e n t  for governmental 
Purposes without the Payment of any royalties thereon 
or  therefor. 10 and wherein: 
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 168,995, 
filed July 15, 1980, now abandoned. 
The invention will be 
ees of the U.S. Government and may be manufactured a reading of the following specification and by refer- 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
module for making electrical connection therebetween. 
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the plug and 
The invention relates to electrical connectors which 15 receptacle components of the invention in a discon- 
nected configuration; 
FIG. 2a is a partial sectional view in elevation illus- 
trating the mechanical COn~ection of the Plug and re- 
ceptacle components to their respective module or ve- 
BACKGROUND OF T H E  INVENTION 
include a male and female counterpart for quick con- 
nections and disconnections. In particular, the invention 
relates to the use of such connectors with applications 
to space vehicles such as the orbital servicer vehicle. In 
such applications, a conventional connector which in- 2o hicle surfaces; 
fore been utilized which requires precise alignment in 
both the rotational and translational directions for reli- 
able connection. However, such Precise alignment, 25 
even with sophisticated space telemetry, is a difficult 
and troublesome maneuver in space. Many such maneu- 
VerS are necessary, for example, during the exchange 
and ferrying of n d u l e s  from an orbiting Platform Or 
station by the orbital servicer vehicle. 
eludes multiple circuits and pin connectors has hereto- is a perspective view Of the 
nent which is partially cut away to illustrate the annular 
contact rings and their connection in the receptacle 
component; 
ring of the receptacle component having segmented 
spring-loaded contact surfaces; 
FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the receptacle contact 
ring illustrated in FIG. 3a illustrating the spring-loaded 
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the plug component of 
the invention in section illustrating the contact rings and 
their connection; and 
FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a contact ring of the 
FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the annular mating 
30 feature of the mating ring; 
It has been found that a reliable self-aligning connec- 
tor, particularly advantageous for space applications 
can be had which includes a conical receptacle compo- 35 Plug component. 
nent and a matching plug component wherein the re- 
ceptacle component includes annular conductive INVENTION 
contact rings having a mating surface which is seg- 
mented and angled in such a manner to give a positive A self-aligning electrical connector device comprises 
40 a receptacle component A having a conically contoured spring-loaded contact when mated with the plug com- interior and a plug component B having a correspond- ponent. The components may be mechanically con- ingly contoured conical body receivable in the recepta- nected to their respective module or vehicle surfaces by cle component, The plug component includes a plural- 
means of a particular screw connection which provides ity of spaced conductive ring elements having a mating 
a space so that Some freedom Of movement is 45 face and the receptacle component includes a plurality 
when at- of corresponding spaced conductive ring elements pro- 
mated further enhancing the self-aligning aspect of the elements of the plug component when connected there- 
invention which is of particular importance in the appli- with. Each ring element of the receptacle component 
cation of the invention to ganged connections. 50 includes a plurality of segmented portions. The seg- 
Accordingly, an important object of the present in- mented portions deflect downwardly when the plug 
vention is to provide an electrical connector having component is inserted therein asserting a biasing force 
more precise self-aligning features. against the face of the ring elements of the plug compo- 
Still a further object of the invention is to provide an nent providing positive electrical Contact and connec- 
electrical connector having two components which 55 tion between the ring elements of the components. 
may be precisely aligned and connected together by The device further includes fastener means for con- 
of mechanical manipulation such as in the appli- necting at least one of the components to an associated 
chassis C of a space module or a vehicle which affords cation to orbiting space vehicles. relative movement between the component and chassis Still another object of the present invention is to 60 enhancing alignment with the other component for 
provide a self-aligning electrical connector having a engagement and connection therebetween. 
conductive portions is made positively and reliably. electrical connector device is illustrated which includes 
Yet another important object of the present invention the receptacle component A and a plug component B. 
is the provision Of means for attaching Components Of a 65 Each component is provided with a flange 10 and 12, 
self-aligning electrical connector in such a manner to respectively, for mechanically attaching the compo- 
provide relative movement which enhances the self- nents to the chassis of either the vehicle or the module. 
aligning capability of the component. The receptacle and plug components may be attached 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T H E  
in the movement Of the 
tached to their respective mechanical surfaces and viding mating interface with the mating face of the ring 
receptacle and Plug component wherein mating Of the Referring now in more detail to the drawings, an 
3 
4,42 1,3 
to either the module or  vehicle without any preference. 
Normally, however, it is preferred that plug component 
B be mechanically attached to  the vehicle chassis to 
reduce the likelihood of damage since the module is 
The receptacle component A includes a plurality of 
conductive contact rings 14 which are uniquely con- 
structed to have a mating surface 16 which is segmented 
to define a plurality of resilient segmented portions 16a 
which impart a spring-like action against the corre- 10 . 
sponding mating rings of the plug component. T h e  
segmented mating surface of ring 16 is at such an angle 
that the individual segmented portions 16a give a posi- 
tive spring-loaded contact when mating is electrical 
connection. Consequently, when the connector parts 15 
are released for demating, this spring force expels the 
male component without any requirement for pulling 
on the connector or  cable attached thereto. T h e  risk of 
damage to solder joints from such action is thus 
avoided. 20 
As illustrated in FIG. 3b, the segmented portions of 
contact rings 16 bend from the full line to  the dotted line 
position when egaged by corresponding, spaced rings 
carried by the plug B whereby the rings are biased into 
electrical contact. The rings of the receptacle compo- 25 
nent are adapted for outside electrical connection such 
as with associated circuitry inside the module as may be 
utilized for experiments, power, or the other electrical 
requirements such as power for heaters o r  other miscel- 
laneous functions carried out in the module. These con- 30 
nections may be had in a conventional manner such as 
by pins 18 connected to respective rings 14 by means of 
conductors 20 which may be any suitable metal wire or  
rod connector. 
rings 22 having contoured surfaces 22a which mate 
with the ring faces 16u of the female component and 
may have a construction such as shown in FIG. 40 and 
may be molded in a phenolic resin material as illus- 
trated. The  rings 22 of the plug component are adapted 40 
for outside electric connection by means of pins 24 and 
imbedded conductors 26 so that connection to  the cir- 
cuitry of the space vehicle may be had by suitable wir- 
ing in a conventional manner. 
the chassis C of module 28 of the module by means of a 
fastener 30 of the screw type having a non-threaded 
body portion 30a which is reduced in diameter from the 
opening 10a in flange 10 to provide a clearance space 
32. Fastener 30 stops short of flange 10, due to  body 30a 50 
being not threaded, to define a clearance space 34 there- 
between. Clearance spaces 32 and 34 afford movement 
of receptacle A with respect to  module chassis which 
allows receptacle A to move in two degrees of freedom 
and align with plug B. Similarly, plug B is attached to 55 
the vehicle chassis by such a fastener 30 affording two 
degrees of relative movement therebetween. This en- 
hances the self-alignment of the connectors which is 
particularly helpful in utilizing ganged connectors, Le. 
several connectors ganged together on the module and 60 
vehicle chassis. In such an application, the relative 
movements insure alignment of the several connectors. 
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has 
been described using specific terms, such description is 
for illustrative purposes only and it is to be understood 65 
that changes and variations may be made without de- 
parting from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 
I 
subject to unprotected movements. 5 
T h e  plug component B includes a plurality of contact 35 
As illustrated in FIG. 2, receptacle A is mounted to  45 
What is claimed is: 
71 
4 
1. A self-aligning electrical connector device com- 
a receptacle having a conically contoured interior 
tapered downwardly from an open end toward a 
remote end of said interior; 
a plug having a correspondingly conically contoured 
body receivable in said contoured interior of said 
receptacle, said plug body being tapered from one 
end to  another in the same direction as said interior 
of said receptacle; 
said plug including a plurality of spaced ccnductive 
ring elements adapted for electrical connection to 
an outside source, each said ring element of said 
plug having a mating conductive face around the 
circumference of said ring element; 
said plug ring elements having progressively smaller 
diameters decreasing in the direction of taper of 
said plug body; 
said receptacle including a plurality of correspond- 
ingly spaced conductive ring elements secured 
within said contoured interior of said receptacle 
component having progressively smaller diameters 
decreasing in the direction of taper of said con- 
toured interior of said receptacle corresponding 
with the diameter of said receptacle ring elements; 
each said receptacle ring element including a plural- 
ity of individual segmented portions around the 
circumference of said ring element; 
said segmented portions of each ring element being 
separately deflectable downwardly in the direction 
of taper of said contoured interior of said recepta- 
cle; 
said segmented portions of each said ring element 
being defined by slits so that adjacent segments of 
said ring are in edge-to-edge contact when said 
segments are in an undeflected position and form a 
continuously closed ring element when said ring is 
disengaged from said receptacle component; 
said segmented portions of each said receptacle ring 
element having a deflected position wherein said 
segmented portions separate from one another and 
bend downwardly when said plug is inserted in said 
receptacle, said segmented ring element extending 
into said interior at such an angle that upon deflec- 
tion a biasing force is asserted against said ring 
elements of said plug for positive electrical contact 
around the circumference of said ring elements; 
and 
said segment portions in said deflected position exert- 
ing an axial ejection force against said plug body in 
a direction opposite to  said direction of taper of 
said plug body to  urge said plug body outwardly 
from said receptacle when said plug and receptacle 
components are released for disengagement facili- 
tating disengagement without exterior force so that 
said receptacle and plug may separate with re- 
duced damage to  electrical connections. 
J r i s i n g : 
2. The apparatus of claim 1 including: 
a flange carried by one of said receptacles or  plug 
an attachment opening formed in said flange; 
a threaded fastener received in said attachment open- 
ing securing said component to  a chassis; 
said fastener including a main body reduced in its 
cross-sectional shape relative to  the shape of said 
opening so that said component and attachment 
flange may move about said fastener relative to  said 
chassis in rotational and translational motion; and 
components; 
4,421,371 
5 6 
said fastener Including a widened head engaging said 
attachment flange to prevent movement of said 
attachment flange over said head; 
said main body having a height greater than the 
height of said attachment opening whereby axial 5 
movement of said attachment flange relative to said 
main body portion of said fastener is permitted 
while retained by said head whereby said compo- 
nent may move in rotational, translational and axial 
movement for self-alignment. 
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Electrical self-aligning connector

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