COUPLING APPARATUS FOR HIGH POWER ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS

摘要

A coupler for mating high power electrical connectors as may be used in mining environments includes a frame 39 upon which are mounted a first retaining assembly 11 and a second retaining assembly 12 for retaining respective electrical connector assemblies. The retaining assemblies may be brought relatively toward and away from each other by a translation assembly which comprises a rack 6 mounted to the frame and which meshes with a pinion 7. The pinion 7 is coupled to a drive train of the second retaining assembly which is driven by an axle 16, to one end of which there is mounted a wheel 4. Accordingly, upon a worker rotating wheel 4 the second retaining assembly 12 may be brought toward and away from the first retaining assembly 11. A rotation assembly is incorporated into one of the retaining assemblies for rotationally aligning the connector assemblies.