QUICK DISENGAGE CONNECTOR
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a quick-disengage connector, and more particularly to a quick-disengage connector comprising a plug and a receptacle in which the plug is rotated for engaging with the receptacle and a lanyard of the plug is pulled to quickly disengage with the receptacle.
Background of the Invention
[0002] A two part electrical connector assembly comprises a plug and a receptacle part each configured to mate with one another and each including electrical contacts effective to engage with one another. Generally for any quick disengage applications people use push pull type of connectors. In most of these push pull series connectors, plug should be pushed very hard to mate completely and pulled with same force to de mate. This requires higher pushing force to engage the plug and the receptacle. Also conventional push pull series connectors are not economical as it includes a lot of the components.
[0003] Thus there remain a need of quick-disengage connector to overcome the issue of higher pushing force needed to engage and shall be economical when compared with general push pull connector.
Object of the Invention
[0004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide an a quick-disengage connector comprising a plug and a receptacle in which the plug is rotated for engaging with the receptacle and a lanyard of the plug is pulled to quickly disengage with the receptacle.
[0005] Another object of the embodiments herein to provide a plug snap ring comprising a serration and the coupling ring comprises teeth such the serration provides

free movement for radially snapping with force as it crosses each tooth in the coupling ring when the coupling ring is rotated for engagement.
Summary of the Invention:
[0006] In one aspect object is satisfied by providing a quick-disengage connector comprising a receptacle and a plug. The repeatable comprising a groove. The plug comprising a ball and a coupling ring fixed to a lanyard. The receptacle is engaged with the plug by rotating the coupling ring of the plug to lock the ball of the plug in the groove of the receptacle, and the receptacle is quickly disengaged with the plug by pulling the coupling ring using the lanyard to unlock the ball from the groove of the receptacle.
[0007] In an embodiment, the receptacle comprises a receptacle socket insert assembly, a receptacle insert assembly is housed in the receptacle shell, a receptacle snap ring to lock the receptacle insert assembly in the receptacle shell, and an O ring to provide sealing between the receptacle and the panel when mounted. The receptacle shell comprises the groove that locks the balls of the plug when engaged.
[0008] In an embodiment, the receptacle shell is mounted using a jam nut.
[0009] In an embodiment, the plug comprises a pin insert assembly, a plug pin insert assembly is housed in the plug shell, a plug snap ring to lock the plug insert assembly into the plug shell, a recess for freeing the ball at a predefined position when the coupling ring is rotated for engaging the plug with the receptacle, an undercut for freeing the ball when the coupling ring using the lanyard is pulled for disengaging the plug with the receptacle. The plug shell comprises the ball that locks with the groove of the receptacle when engaged.
[0010] In an embodiment, the coupling ring is held in the plug shell by a circlip.
[0011] In an embodiment, the plug shell comprises holes having a conical section at a bottom to assemble the ball, wherein the conical section prevents the ball from fall through the holes.

[0012] In an embodiment, the ball is tangent to an outer circumference of the plug shell and partially projected at an inner circumference of the plug shell when the ball is assembled in the holes of the plug shell.
[0013] In an embodiment, a circumference of the plug shell and the ball are at tangent when the ball is assembled in the holes of the plug shell.
[0014] In an embodiment, the recess is placed at an inner circumference of the coupling ring such that at the predefined position the balls become free to engage the receptacle with the plug.
[0015] In an embodiment, the coupling ring comprises a wave spring to control movements of the coupling ring and in turn keep the ball of the plug in a fixed position.
[0016] In an embodiment, the wave spring is held in tension to control the position of the coupling ring for blocking the ball and keep the plug and the receptacle in engaged state, and wherein the wave spring is compressed by the coupling ring to move backwards for disengaging the plug with the receptacle.
[0017] In an embodiment, a pull force is applied against the wave spring using the lanyard to quickly disengage the plug with the receptacle.
[0018] In an embodiment, rotating the coupling ring of the plug to lock the ball of the plug in the groove of the receptacle comprises rotating the coupling ring of the plug to free the ball to move radially outwards inside the coupling ring recess, and rotating the coupling ring further to lock the ball into the groove of the receptacle.
[0019] In an embodiment, a position of the ball is controlled by a position of the coupling ring in the plug while rotating.

[0020] In an embodiment, the receptacle comprises four keyways and one key for guiding with the plug connector, and wherein the plug comprises one keyway and four keys which guides with the four keyways and one key of the receptacle.
[0021] In an embodiment, the plug snap ring comprises a serration and the coupling ring comprises teeth, and wherein when the coupling ring is rotated for engagement, the serration in the snap ring provides optimal force to prevent free movement of coupling ring, the serrated snap ring is free to move radially snapping with force as it crosses each tooth in the coupling ring.
[0022] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the scope thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
Brief description of Drawings
[0023] This connector is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a quick-disengage connector (10), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an engaged state of plug and receptacle of the quick-disengage connector, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a piece part of the receptacle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a piece part of the plug, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0028] FIG. 5a illustrates ball locked in receptacle groove of the receptacle by coupling ring of the plug, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0029] FIG. 5b illustrates ball unlocked when the coupling ring Pulled backward, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0030] FIGS. 6a-6d illustrates a step-wise procedure for engaging and disengaging of the plug and the receptacle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates ball moves in recess when the coupling ring is rotated, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates the coupling ring with Teeth and Serrated snap ring, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
Detailed description of the Invention
[0033] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term "or" as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to

practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0034] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0035] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 14, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a quick-disengage connector (10), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The quick-disengage connector (10) comprising a receptacle (100) and a plug (200). The receptacle (100) comprising a groove (101) and the plug (200) comprising a ball (201) and a coupling ring (202) fixed to a lanyard (203). The receptacle (100) is engaged with the plug (200) by rotating the coupling ring (202) of the plug (200) to lock the ball (201) of the plug (200) in the groove (101) of the receptacle (100), and the receptacle (100) is quickly disengaged with the plug (200) by pulling the coupling ring (202) using the lanyard (203) to unlock the ball (201) from the groove (101) of the receptacle (100). Unlike the conventional connectors, one must rotate the plug (200) like any circular connector for mating with ease and to de-mate, just pull the lanyard (203) provided at plug side for quick disengage. This solution helps to securely overcome the issue of higher pushing force needed to engage and ensures perfect contact engagement. The quick-disengage connector (10) is economical when compared with general push pull connector series due to the design re-use of most of the standardized connector parts with reduced number of components comparatively.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates an engaged state of plug (200) and receptacle (100) of the quick-disengage connector (10), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a piece part of the receptacle (100), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The receptacle (100) comprises a receptacle insert assembly (102), a receptacle insert assembly (102) is housed in the receptacle shell (103), a receptacle snap ring (104) to lock the receptacle (100) insert assembly (102) in the receptacle shell (103), and an O ring (105) to provide sealing between the receptacle (100) and the mounting panel. The receptacle shell (103) comprises the groove (101) that locks the ball (201) of the plug (200) when engaged. Thejam nut (106) is used to mount the receptacle (1000 over the panel. In an embodiment, the receptacle (100) comprises four keyways and one key for guiding with the plug (200) connector. The receptacle (100) shell also has a groove (101) in which the ball (201) of the plug (200) is locked. When engaging the plug (100), the ball (201) falls in the groove (101) and locks both the receptacle (100) and the plug (200).
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a piece part of the plug (200), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein, the plug (200) comprises a pin insert assembly (204), a plug insert assembly (204) is housed in the plug shell (205), a plug snap ring (206) to lock the plug (200) insert assembly into the plug shell (205), a recess (207) for freeing the ball (201) at a predefined position when the coupling ring (202) is rotated for engaging the plug (200) with the receptacle (100), an undercut (208) is provided for freeing the ball
(201) when the coupling ring (202) using the lanyard (203) is pulled for disengaging the plug (200) with the receptacle (100). The plug shell (205) comprises the ball (201) that locks with the groove (101) of the receptacle (100) when engaged. The coupling ring
(202) is held in the plug shell (205) by a circlip (209).
[0040] Further, the plug (200) assembled with ball (201) which locks with receptacle (100) shell when mated. The ball (201) are assembled in plug (200) shell holes which has a conical section at the bottom. This conical section prevents the ball (201) from fall through the holes. The plug shell (205) is designed in such a way that when

balls (201) are assembled in the hole, the outer circumferences of the plug shell (205) and the ball (201) are at tangent. The rest part of the ball (201) is projecting outside the inner circumference of the plug shell (205). The ball (201) which is projecting form the inner circumference of the plug shell (205) falls into the groove (101) of the receptacle shell (103) which locks the plug (200) and receptacle (100). So in order to keep the ball (201) locked, the coupling ring (202) is used. The coupling ring (202) is held in plug shell (205) by the circlip (12). When coupling ring (202) is in normal position, the outward movement of ball (201) is blocked as coupling ring (202) is covering the ball (201). This is shown in the FIG. 5a. The same coupling ring (202) has a undercut (208) which comes over the ball (201) when pulled backwards (towards the wiring side of the connector) gives the locked ball (201) space to move this is shown in the FIG. 5b. This undercut (208) has deep enough space for ball (201) to move inside the groove (but the ball (201) is still inside the hole of plug shell (205)) and thereby doesn't provide any projection at the ID of the plug (200) shell, hence the connector can be disengaged. Movement of coupling ring (202) is controlled by a wave spring (210). The wave spring (210) are assembled between plug (200) and coupling ring (202). This wave spring (210) is held in tension which makes sure the coupling ring (202) is always in normal position blocking the ball (201) and keep connector in mated state. The wave spring (210) will be compressed by the coupling ring (202) to move backwards (towards the wiring side of the plug (200)) for the plug to be disengaged. In an embodiment, a RFI Strip is soldered to the inner circumference of the plug shell (205). The RFI strip has a finger with spring action so that when mated with receptacle (100) these fingers are press over the outer circumference of the receptacle (100) shell. This RFI is used for shell to shell continuity. For sealing between the mated pair of the connector Ring seal is used. Ring seal is compressed by receptacle (100) shell when mated.
[0041] Unlike the design of the conventional connector, spring force of the wave spring (210) is one of the key design criteria, which is decisive in the operation of the proposed quick-disengage connector (10). To validate the use of the springs, a durability

test with 500 mating and demating cycles and found that the change in spring force during and after the test is within the stated specification.
[0042] In an embodiment, the receptacle (100) comprises four keyways and one key (107) for guiding with the plug (200) connector, and wherein the plug (200) comprises one keyway and four keys (211).
[0043] In an embodiment, a gasket (212) is used to provide sealing between the mated plug and the receptacle.
[0044] FIG. 5a illustrates ball (201) locked in receptacle groove (101) (101) of the receptacle (100) by coupling ring (202) of the plug (200), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 5b illustrates ball (201) unlocked when the coupling ring (202) Pulled backward, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0045] FIGS. 6a-6d illustrates a step-wise procedure for engaging and disengaging of the plug (200) and the receptacle (100), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. To engage the plug (200) and the receptacle (100) fully, the condition is "the ball (201) in the plug (200) should be locked in the groove (101) of the receptacle (100)". The position and movement of the ball (201) play a major role for keeping the plug (200) and the receptacle (100) engaged. The position of the ball (201) is controlled by the position of the coupling ring (202) in the plug (200). The coupling ring (202) in the plug (200) is loaded with the wave spring (210) to keep the ball (201) of the plug (200) in a fixed position. To mate and lock the plug (200) with the receptacle (100), the ball (201) must move from its fixed position. The coupling ring (202) is provided with the recess (207), which is deep enough to free the ball (201) only at predefined position when rotated. Once the ball (201) is free the plug (200) can be engaged with receptacle (100). When the coupling ring (202) is further rotated, the ball (201) shall be locked tightly, but at this time, it is on the receptacle groove (100) to get the full engagement and locking. While dis-engaging, the coupling ring (202) with the lanyard (203) is pulled back to unlock the ball (201) from the receptacle groove (101). This is achieved by the

design entity of the undercut (208) provided at the coupling ring (202). The step wise process of connector engagement is shown in the FIG. 6a-6d as follows:
[0046] Step 1: The ball (201) is in fixed position locked by the coupling ring (202) as shown in the FIG. 6a
[0047] Step 2: During engaging or mating with the receptacle (200), the coupling ring (202) is rotated to free the ball (201), at this position the ball (201) is free to move in the coupling ring recess as shown in the FIG. 6b.
[0048] Step 3: The coupling ring (202) is further rotated to lock the ball (201) in the groove (101) of the receptacle (100) as shown in the FIG. 6c. This completes, the mating or engaging cycle of the plug (200) and the receptacle (100).
[0049] Step 4: To demate or disengage, the lanyard (203) fixed at the coupling ring (202) is pulled, the undercut (208) in the coupling ring frees the ball (201) to disengage quickly as shown in the FIG. 6d.
[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates ball (201) moves in recess (207) when the coupling ring (202) is rotated, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The major portion of the design is concentrated on the plug (200), which houses various parts compared to receptacle (100). The plug (200) shell consists of the hole in which the ball (201) is assembled. The hole is designed with a conical shape at the bottom to prevent the ball (201) from going through. In the assembly, the ball (201) is tangent to the outer circumference and partially projected at the inner circumference of the plug (200) shell. This projection of the ball (201) is useful in locking the fully engaged connector with receptacle groove (101). The coupling ring (202) along with wave spring (210) is locked with the circlip (209). The coupling ring (202) comprises the undercut (208) and the recess (207) features to enable the innovative way of connector engagement by rotation and to quick disconnect by pulling the lanyard (203). This recess (207) feature in the coupling ring (202) of the plug (200) are deep enough to move the ball (201) such that the projection of the ball (201) from plug (200) inner circumference is lost during rotation

to engage the connector. The undercut (208) feature is responsible for quick disconnect. The recess (207) is placed at the inner circumference of the coupling ring (202) in such a way that only at particular position the ball (201) become free, at that moment the receptacle (100) can be mated with this plug (200). While de-mating using the lanyard (203) pull, the undercut (208) frees the ball (201) (as shown in the step 4 of Fig 6d). The wave spring (210) generates the required force to keep the engagement of the plug (200) and the receptacle (100) intact ensuring full engagement of all the contacts. The pull force needs to be applied against this wave spring (210) using the lanyard (203) to dis¬engage.
[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates the coupling ring (202) with Teeth and Serrated snap ring, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The coupling ring (202) when assembled is free to rotate during vibrations which might cause the undesired demating of the receptacle (100) and the plug (200). To prevent such a free rotation, a concept of snap ring (206) with serration mating with the teeth of the coupling ring (202) has been introduced. This snap ring (206) comprises a serration as shown in the FIG. 8. The coupling ring (202) on the other hand comprises the teeth shown in FIG. 8. When the coupling ring (202) is rotated for the receptacle (100) and the plug (200) engagement, the serrated snap ring moves radially snapping with force as it crosses each tooth in the coupling ring (202). This radial snapping produces the force to prevent free rotation. This innovation has the benefit to prevent un-desired loosening of the receptacle (100) and the plug (200) during vibrations.
[0052] In an embodiment, the serrated snap ring is designed to get the optimal force required for rotating the coupling ring (202) such that, the rotating force is not be too high, or it is not be too low as it can slip over it. This force from the serrated snap ring is optimum for preventing the unintentional rotation of the coupling ring (202) during vibration. The serrated snap ring is locked from rotating in the plug (200) shell but is free to compress radially during operation.

[0053] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We Claim:
1. A quick-disengage connector (10) comprising:
a receptacle (100) comprising a groove (101);
a plug (200) comprising a ball (201) and a coupling ring (202) fixed to a lanyard
(203); and
wherein the receptacle (100) is engaged with the plug (200) by rotating the coupling ring (202) of the plug (200) to lock the ball (201) of the plug (200) in the groove (101) of the receptacle (100), and
wherein the receptacle (100) is quickly disengaged with the plug (200) by pulling the coupling ring (202) using the lanyard (203) to unlock the ball (201) from the groove (101) of the receptacle (100).
2. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle
(100) comprises:
a receptacle insert assembly (102);
a receptacle insert assembly (102) is housed in the receptacle shell (103), wherein the receptacle shell (103) comprises the groove (101) that locks the ball (201) of the plug (200) when engaged;
a receptacle snap ring (104) to lock the receptacle (100) insert assembly (102) in the receptacle shell (103); and
an O ring (105) is provide sealing between the receptacle shell (103) and the panel over which the receptacle (100) is mounted.
3. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receptacle shell (103) is mounted using a jam nut (106).
4. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug (200) comprises:
a pin insert assembly (204);

a plug insert assembly (204) is housed in the plug shell (205), wherein the plug shell (205) comprises the ball (201) that locks with the groove (101) of the receptacle (100) when engaged;
a plug snap ring (206) to lock the plug (200) insert assembly into the plug shell (205);
a recess (207) for freeing the ball (201) at a predefined position when the coupling ring (202) is rotated for engaging the plug (200) with the receptacle (100); and
an undercut (208) for freeing the ball (201) when the coupling ring (202) using the lanyard (203) is pulled for disengaging the plug (200) with the receptacle (100).
5. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupling ring (202) is held in the plug shell (205) by a circlip (209).
6. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plug shell (205) comprises holes having a conical section at a bottom to assemble the ball (201), wherein the conical section prevents the ball (201) from fall through the holes.
7. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ball (201) is tangent to an outer circumference of the plug shell (205) and partially projected at an inner circumference of the plug shell (205) when the ball (201) is assembled in the holes of the plug shell (205).
8. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a circumferences of the plug shell (205) and the ball (201) are at tangent when the ball (201) is assembled in the holes of the plug shell (205).
9. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess (207) is placed at an inner circumference of the coupling ring (202) such that at the predefined position the ball (201) become free to engage the plug (200) with the receptacle (100).

10. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling ring (202) comprises a wave spring (210) to control movements of the coupling ring (202) and keep the ball (201) of the plug (200) in a fixed position.
11. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the wave spring (210) is held in tension to control the position of the coupling ring (202) for blocking the ball (201) and keep the plug (200) and the receptacle (100) in engaged state, and wherein the wave spring (210) is compressed by the coupling ring (202) to move backwards for disengaging the plug (200) with the receptacle (100).
12. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein a pull force is applied against the wave spring (210) using the lanyard (203) to quickly disengage the plug (200) with the receptacle (100).
13. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein rotating the coupling ring (202) of the plug (200) to lock the ball (201) of the plug (200) in the groove (101) of the receptacle (100) comprises:
rotating the coupling ring (202) of the plug (200) to free the ball (201) and move the plug (200) into the recess (207); and
rotating the coupling ring (202) further to lock the ball (201) into the groove (101) of the receptacle (100).
14. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 11, wherein a position of the ball (201) is controlled by a position of the coupling ring (202) in the plug (200) while rotating.
15. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle (100) comprises four keyways and one key (107) for guiding with the plug (200) connector, and wherein the plug (200) comprises one keyway and four keys (211) which guides with the our keyways and one key (107) of the receptacle (100).

16. The quick-disengage connector (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plug snap ring (206) comprises a serration and the coupling ring (202) comprises teeth, and wherein when the coupling ring (202) is rotated for engagement, the serrated snap ring moves
radially snapping with force as it crosses each tooth in the coupling ring (202). This radial snapping produces the force to prevent free rotation. This innovation has the benefit to
prevent un-desired loosening of the receptacle (100) and the plug (200) during vibrations.