Securable multi-conductor cable connection pair having threaded insert
A multi-conductor cable connector comprising a connector engagement portion including: a rotatable outer housing, an insert radially disposed within the rotatable outer housing, wherein the insert has a slot therethrough, a key feature within the rotatable outer housing, the key feature configured to fit within the slot of the insert, and a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein rotational movement of the rotatable outer housing is translated to axial movement of the threaded insert to securably engage a matingly corresponding multi-conductor cable connector. A multi-conductor cable connection pair is also provided.
1. A connector engagement portion of a multi-conductor cable connector, the connector engagement portion comprising:
a rotatable outer housing enclosing an arrangement of multiple electrical contacts, the rotatable outer housing configured to rotate about the arrangement of multiple electrical contacts, the rotatable outer housing having an inner surface; and
an insert having a threaded surface located opposite of an outer surface, the insert disposed within the rotatable outer housing prior to mating with a corresponding multi conductor cable connector, wherein the outer surface is oriented toward the inner surface of the rotatable outer housing,
wherein the threaded surface is oriented radially inward within the rotatable outer housing.
2. The connector engagement portion of claim 1 , wherein rotational movement of the rotatable outer housing is translated to axial movement of the insert to threadably engage the corresponding multi-conductor cable connector having a threaded outer housing.
3. The connector engagement portion of claim 1 , wherein the arrangement of multiple electrical contacts includes a hermaphroditic contact.
4. The connector engagement portion of claim 1 , the rotatable outer housing further including a key feature protruding radially from the inner surface to interact with the insert.
5. The connector engagement portion of claim 4 , the insert having an end, the end making axially movable contact with the key feature of the rotatable outer housing, wherein rotational movement of the rotatable outer housing is translated to axial movement of the insert upon full insertion of the corresponding multi-conductor cable connector having a threaded outer housing.
6. The connector engagement portion of claim 5 , wherein the insert is radially disposed within the rotatable outer housing, the insert having a slot therethrough.
7. The connector engagement portion of claim 6 , wherein the key feature is configured to fit within the slot of the insert.
8. The connector engagement portion of claim 1 coupled to a cable connection portion.
9. The connector engagement portion of claim 8 , wherein the cable connection portion is a compression connector.
10. The connector engagement portion of claim 8 , wherein the cable connection portion is a soldered connection.
11. A method of securing a first multi-conductor cable connector to a second multi-conductor cable connector, comprising:
inserting a first multi-conductor cable connector having a connector engagement portion including a rotatable outer housing enclosing an arrangement of multiple electrical contacts, the rotatable outer housing configured to rotate about the arrangement of multiple electrical contacts, the rotatable outer housing having an inner surface into a second multi-conductor cable connector having a threaded outer housing,
wherein a fully mated position is achieved by full axial insertion;
rotating the rotatable outer housing axially to engage an insert having a threaded surface located opposite of an outer surface of the first multi-conductor cable connector, the insert disposed within the rotatable outer housing prior to mating with the second multi-conductor cable, wherein the outer surface is oriented toward the inner surface of the rotatable outer housing,
wherein the threaded surface is oriented radially inward within the rotatable outer housing; and
moving the insert axially via threaded engagement with the threaded outer housing, wherein the threaded engagement resists axial separation of the first multi-conductor cable connector from the second multi-conductor cable connector.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of moving the insert axially further includes moving the insert axially along a key feature of the rotatable outer housing.
13. The method of claim 11 , further including the step of tightening the insert against an internal stop in the rotatable outer housing.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the insert is radially disposed within the rotatable outer housing, the insert having a slot therethrough.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the rotatable outer housing further includes a key feature, the key feature configured to fit within the slot of the insert.