100
In the frame of Space Station Alpha program, SOURIAU has developed and qualified a series
of Quick Disconnect high reliability circular connector for robotic operations. This hardware is
used as ORU interface on the JEM (Japanese Experiment Module Exposed) Facility which is
part of the Japanese contribution to the Space Station. These connectors feature :
• Low Insertion Force contacts
• Thermal gradient compatibility
• Integrated misalignement catching system
• High durability (6000 operations)
• High EMI shielding efficiency
• Deep space environment (Atox) compatibility
• Arrangements from MIL-DTL-38999.
Performances
Mechanical and electrical
Materials and finishes
Mating/Demating forces
Mechanical
Mass
• < 180 g for ORU plug
• < 95 g for receptacle
ORU plug misalignments
• Da = ± 0,9° (movement around the X axis)
• Db = ± 0,9° (angle authorized between the panels)
• r = 1,95 mm (plane movement according to Y and Z requirements)
ORU receptacle overstroke
• DX ≥1,5 mm
Electrical
Contact resistance as per MIL-DTL 39029
Components Material Finish
Shells (receptacle & plug) Aluminium alloy 7075 Nickel plating
Inserts
- Insulator Epichlorhydrile + Polyal + Glass fiber -
or Polyetherimide resin
- Grommet Silicone
Contacts see contacts L.I.F. see contacts L.I.F.
Contact retaining clip Copper alloy -
Receptacle & plug bottom plate
and mechanical parts Aluminium alloy 7075 Nickel plating
Springs Stainless steel -
Mating force (N) (2) Demating force (N)
25L-3 62 52
25L-7 84 63
25-19 125 102
25-20 (1) 161 158
25-35 142 116
25-61 110 84
Connector
LSD (*)
(1) Configuration 3 # 16 optical contacts + 3 # 16 electrical contacts
(2) At room condition before compliance mechanism acting.
(1) LSD : Lauching Security Device
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
101
Part Number / Characteristics
SOURIAU Type Mass in gram Insert Layouts Male insert
Part number (with contacts) Qty Type (in front view)
8977-09A Plug 178 1 # 8 (pc)
8977-10A Receptacle 92 2 # 4 (pc)
8977-11A Plug 187
8977-12A Receptacle 96
8977-15A Plug 177
8977-16A Receptacle 87
10 # 20 (pc)
13 # 16 (pc)
4 # 12 (cc)
3 # 8 (cc)
8977-19A Plug 174
8977-20A Receptacle 81
8977-13A Plug 169
8977-14A Receptacle 77
8977-25A LSD-P 86
8977-24A LSD-R 11
25L-3
25L-7
25-19
7 # 8 (pc)
19 # 12 (pc)
25-20
25-35
25-61
8977-17A Plug 177
8977-18A Receptacle 87
128 # 22 (sc)
61 # 20 (sc)
for plug
for receptacle
(pc) : power contact ; (cc) : coax contact ; (sc) : signal cotnact
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
102
Dimensions for Quick Disconnect (QD) Connector
Receptacle
Plug
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
103
Dimensions for Launching Security Device (LSD)
LSD Receptacle
LSD Plug
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
104
Presentation & Configuration for coupling
Receptacle & Plug
Before mating After mating
Before mating After mating
During the mating operation, the receptacle comes up to plug. The front of plug enters in receptacle cone. When plug touches the cone, this
induces a lateral movement of plug shell relatively to the flange fixed on panel. This movement stops when the plug shell axis is in confor-
mance with the receptacle ones.
The axial movement induces engagement of the plug shell key in the plug receptacle keyway, its entry cone inducing the rotation of plug shell
around the X axis.
At the end of the total connection, plug comes to touch the internal face of the receptacle. The relative axial movement continues, which
induces the displacement of plug shell comparatively to the flange fixed on panel. This displacement of plug shell compresses the spring in
external casing.
The minimum guaranteed overstroke is 1,5 mm.
The Launching Security Device is designed to catch the floating connector plug shell during the flight.
Its two principal parts are respectively fixed with plug and receptacle flanges.
LSD side is fixed on plug flange. The plug shell is blocked by two arms and the system is locked by the cylinder rocker bar.
The LSD arms prevent plug shell movements caused by vibrations and acceleration during the launch.
When the coupling of the two parts happens, the finger of receptacle part pushes the cylinder rocker bar which releases the arms and libe-
rates plug shell.
At this point, the mating occurs as described above.
The LSD in unlocked position will necessitate an external and manual action to be locked again on plug shell.
Connector with Launching Security Device (LSD)
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
105
Panel cut-out
Without Launching Security Device (LSD)
Crimping, Insertion & Removal tools for contacts
Plug Receptacle
QD connector with Launching Security Device (LSD)
Plug Receptacle
# 22 Pin M 22520/2-01 M 22520/2-09 M 81696/14-01
Socket M 22520/2-07
# 20 Pin M 81696/14-10
Socket
# 16 Pin M 81696/14-03
Socket
# 12 Pin M 81696/14-04
Socket
# 8 Pin M 22520/23-01 M 22520/23-09 M 81696/14-12*
Socket + M 22520/23-02
# 4 Pin M 22520/23-01 M 22520/23-11 M 81696/14-07*
Socket + M 22520/23-04
# 8 coax Pin M 22520/1-01 C31-SN 1891 8660-197* (1)
Socket + M 22520/5-01
+ M 22520/5-45 (jaws) K103
M 22520/1-01 M 22520/1-04
Size contacts Contact Crimping tools Positioner Insertion & Removal plastic tools
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
106
Connecting stroke
ERA Model
In the frame of Space Station Alpha program, SOURIAU has developed a series of high relia-
bility circular connector for robotic operations. This hardware is used on ERA (European
Robotic Arm) interface with ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) and Russian Modules. These
connectors feature :
• Low Insertion Force contacts
• Thermal gradient compatibility
• Integral misalignment catching system
• High durability (20.000 operations)
• High EMI shielding effectiveness
• Deep space environment (ATOX) compatibility
• Hybrid layout.
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
107
Dimensions (mm)
• ERA Receptacle
• ERA Plug
• Layouts
3 # 8 triax
2 # 12 coax
31 # 20 61 # 20
25-HY 25-61
Circular Robotic Connectors
8977 Series
