Claims:We claim:
1. A connector with locking nut mechanism comprising of connector nut having a plurality of contact elements on the threaded hole and a coupler body having a plurality of resilient receiving elements oriented to define a plane of reception therein, facilitating sliding engagement of said connector nut into said coupler body to facilitate complete pressured engagement and seated securement of said contact elements with said resilient receiving elements.
2. The locking nut mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of contact elements having an edge thereof formed to provide a contour of insertion of a shape divergent to said plane of reception.
3. The locking nut mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of resilient receiving elements having an accommodation recess with a depth to adequately receive said contour of insertion to form permanent lock.
4. The locking nut mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of contact elements are formed on threaded hole at near end of the connector nut.
5. The locking nut mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of resilient receiving elements are formed at distant end of externally threaded section defined about an exterior surface on said coupler body.
6. The locking nut mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said contact elements of connector nut engages with said resilient receiving elements of coupler body after complete fastening of nut in body.
7. The locking nut mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pair of contacting elements engages simultaneous with said contour of insertion with said plane of reception of said receiving elements in said coupler body.
8. The locking nut mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking of the nut and the coupler body provides enhanced ingress protection of the PV wire and contact pins which are inserted into the connector body.
9. The locking nut mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims facilitates in providing firm cable anchorage and strain relief for the PV wire.
, Description:F O R M 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
The Patent Rule, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

“Connector with Locking Nut Mechanism”
by
Fancy Fittings Ltd.
145/259, Minerva Industrial Estate, Off Sewri Bunder Road, Sewri, East,
Mumbai 400015

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an electrical connector, more particularly to a novel locking mechanism for engaging connector nut with coupler body of an electrical connector commonly used for connecting solar panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Solar energy production provides significant environmental and economic benefits, including, for example, reduction in natural resource consumption, reduction in the disposal of waste by-products, and decreased sensitivity to variations in fuel commodity costs. Sunlight is converted into electricity within solar modules, which may be made from a semiconducting material, for example, silicon. When sunlight hits a solar module, the semiconductor absorbs the light, and electrons are “loosened” from the semiconductor atoms causing them to flow and to generate electricity. This conversion of sunlight to electricity is referred to as the “photovoltaic effect.”
A solar module has PV wires to facilitate its electrical connection. For example, a typical solar module has thin foil buss bar extending from its lower surface (i.e., the side not exposed to the light source). Depending on the desired electric current/potential, the PV wires of individual solar modules may be connected in series. These buss bar are typically connected to a junction box to facilitate their easy and reliable connection.
Connectors are used for connecting solar modules. Usually in a connector, connector nuts are threaded to ends of male coupler body and female coupler body for tightening the sealing around the wire entry. But existing connectors for connecting solar modules are susceptible to water infiltration because of loosening of connector nut of the connector. Thus, leak points for moisture ingress may be created. Therefore, a need exists for a locking mechanism for connector nut of a connector assembly which prevents moisture from penetrating the connector through connector nuts and also simple and robust in design, and inexpensive to manufacture.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
These objectives are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This objective are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
It is an object of the invention to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a locking mechanism for facilitating facile sliding engagement and seated securement of the contact element and the resilient receiving elements of electrical connector.
Another object is to provide facile engagement and securement without a reduction in the normal operating contact pressure exerted between the receiving elements and the contact elements.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simple and robust locking mechanism which is inexpensive to manufacture and offers sealing against ingress of dust and moisture.
These objectives are achieved by the system according to the invention, which is a connector with locking nut mechanism comprising of connector nut having a plurality of contact elements on the threaded hole and a coupler body having a plurality of resilient receiving elements oriented to define a plane of reception therein, facilitating sliding engagement of said connector nut into said coupler body to facilitate complete pressured engagement and seated securement of said contact elements with said resilient receiving elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of connector with locking nut mechanism for engaging connector nut with the coupling body of the connector, according to present embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view showing connector nut and male and female coupling body of the connector, according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a front elevation view showing connector nut and male and female coupling body of the connector, according to the present invention; and
Figure 4 shows a) schematic front elevation view of connector nut engaging according to locking mechanism of the present invention, b) cross section G-G of figure 4a, c) cross section H-H of figure 4a.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
A connector 100 consists of a plug and socket design having male coupling body 130 and a female coupling body 120 connected to each other in the axial direction. Resulting in coupling of PV wires of male and female mating contacts. Further, either ends of the connector 100 are covered with connector nuts 110 with locking mechanism, threaded to corresponding male coupling body 130 and female coupling body 120 which provides water tight sealing and anchorage to the PV wire which is inserted from the rear end of the male and female connector where the nut is positioned.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of assembled connectors 100 with locking nut mechanism for engaging connector nut 110 with the coupling body 120 or 130 of the connector 100. Accordingly, a connector 100 with locking nut mechanism consists of connector nut 110 having plurality of contact elements 140 on the threaded hole and a coupler body 120 or 130 with plurality of resilient receiving elements 150 on the threaded end. The resilient receiving elements 150 are oriented to define a plane of reception. During fastening sliding engagement of said connector nut 110 into said coupler body 120 or 130 facilitate complete pressured engagement and seated securement of said contact elements 140 with said resilient receiving elements 150.
The contact elements 140 on the connector nut 110 can be formed anywhere on the threaded hole but preferably formed at near end of the connector nut 110. Similarly, resilient receiving elements 150 are formed on the threaded end of coupling body 120 or 130 at corresponding position of the contact elements 140, however, formed preferably at distant end of externally threaded section defined about an exterior surface on said coupler body 120 or 130.
Further, plurality of contact elements 140 on the connector nut 110 have an edge thereof formed to provide a contour of insertion of a shape divergent to said plane of reception. Alike, plurality of resilient receiving elements 150 have an accommodation recess with a depth to adequately receive said contour of insertion and said leading portion to form permanent lock. Figure 2 and figure 3 shows isometric view and front view of connector nut 110 and male 130 and female coupling body 120 of the connector 100.
Figure 4a shows front view of connector nut 110 engaging according to locking nut mechanism of the present invention. When the connector nut 110 engages with threads of the coupling body 120 or 130, the contact elements 140 of connector nut 110 engages with said resilient receiving elements 150 of coupler body 120 or 130 to form a tight fit. If contact elements 140 and receiving elements 150 are formed at near end of the connector nut 110 and at distant end of externally threaded section on said coupler body 120 or 130, the contact elements 140 and receiving elements 150 engages after complete fastening of nut 110 in body 120 or 130. In engagement, at least one pair of contacting elements 140 engages simultaneous with said contour of insertion with said plane of reception of said receiving elements 150 in said coupler body 120 or 130. The corresponding figure 4b and 4c shows cross section of figure 4a at G-G and H-H.
The connector nut 110 engaged with coupler body 120 or 130 of connector 100 according to locking nut mechanism compresses the strain relief around the outer jacket of the PV wire and thus, provides water tight sealing. Also when locked, the mating contacts are sealed against ingress of dust and moisture.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein disclosed, and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.