Detent lock mechanism for pin-and-sleeve heavy duty electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical receptacle includes a receptacle housing, a movable element, an interlock mechanism, a release mechanism, and a blocking element. The receptacle housing has a receptacle opening having a longitudinal axis. The movable element is located within the receptacle opening and is designed to move along the longitudinal axis between an extended position and an inserted position. The interlock mechanism is connected to interlock with the movable element when the movable element is in the inserted position. The interlock mechanism also maintains the movable element in the inserted position. The release mechanism is coupled to the interlock mechanism, accessible from outside the receptacle housing, and operable to disengage the interlock mechanism from the movable element to permit the movable element to move to the extended position. The blocking element is located within the receptacle opening and is designed to move along the longitudinal axis with the movable element, to fixedly block a portion of the receptacle opening when the movable element is in the inserted position, and not to fixedly block the receptacle opening when the movable element is in the extended position.