Method for controlling connect and disconnect forces of a connector

Abstract

A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method for controlling connect and disconnect forces of a connector the connection comprising: 
 a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of said bore, said groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and the bore inside surface;    a retainer for defining a spring cavity between the retainer and said release angle;    a circular radial canted coil spring disposed in said spring cavity, the coil spring having a major and a minor axis;    a pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore inside surface and having a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore, said circumferential groove having load angle means for rotating the coil spring to an orientation in which the spring major axis is parallel with said release angle upon initial withdrawal of said pin from said bore and compressing the coil spring along the spring minor axis and expands the spring radially upon continued withdrawal of said pin from said bore,    said retainer being positioned for engaging the spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore; and    said method comprising using a concave radial canted coil spring to minimize connect forces.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising increasing the release angle to increase disconnect forces.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising increase the load angle to increase disconnect forces.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising decreasing a spring coil width to coil height ratio to below 1.04.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising decreasing a radial distance between a spring centerline and the load point.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 18  decreasing a difference between the load angle and the release angle.