EP0525250B1 - Lock mechanism for electrical connector - Google Patents
Lock mechanism for electrical connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0525250B1 EP0525250B1 EP19910113059 EP91113059A EP0525250B1 EP 0525250 B1 EP0525250 B1 EP 0525250B1 EP 19910113059 EP19910113059 EP 19910113059 EP 91113059 A EP91113059 A EP 91113059A EP 0525250 B1 EP0525250 B1 EP 0525250B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lock
- press
- pair
- fit
- sections
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6275—Latching arms not integral with the housing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to lock mechanisms for locking the connection of two electrical connectors (see EP-A-0 285 860).
- Japanese U.M. patent application Kokai No. 63-172070 discloses a lock mechanism for electrical connectors which includes a pair of separate engaging metal fittings incorporated on the opposite sides of the insulation case of an electrical connector for engagement with the engaging metal fittings of a mating electrical connector for locking the connection of the two electrical connectors.
- the engaging metal fittings are secured to the insulation case by fixtures on opposite sides, and the engaging portions are provided between these fixtures.
- a lock mechanism for an electrical connector which includes a pair of extended sections each having a lock projection for engagement with a lock hole of a mating electrical connector; a linking arm for connecting the extended sections; a pair of press-fit portions with a metal fitting engaging projection for engagement with a press-fit groove of an insulation housing; and a pair of U-shaped sections for connecting the extended sections and the press-fit sections.
- an electrical connector in Fig. 1, includes upper and lower case halves 10 and 11 made from an insulation material, such as a plastic, an insulation housing 30 to be placed in the case, and an engaging metal fitting 40 to be mounted on the insulation housing 30.
- a mating electrical connector is mounted on a printed circuit board 1, for example, and includes an insulation housing 3 having a number of contacts arranged therein.
- a pair of engaging metal fittings 4 are mounted on opposite sides of the insulation housing 3.
- Each metal fitting 4 has an engaging hole 5 at the front portion and a ground extension 4A at the rear portion. The ground extension 4A is soldered at 2 to the ground conductor 1A of the board 1.
- the upper case half 10 has at the front portion a receiving cavity for receiving the rear portion of the insulation housing 30 and at the rear portion a cable receiving port 11.
- a pair of knob openings 12 are formed on opposite side walls of the upper case half 10.
- a pair of holes 13 are provided on the upper case half 10 for fastening the upper case half 10 to the lower case half 20 with a pair of screws 14.
- the lower case half 20 has a cable receiving port 21 and a pair of knob openings 22.
- a pair of threaded holes 23 are provided for receiving the fastening screws 14.
- a cable fixture receiving recess 24 is formed on the cable receiving port 21.
- a cable fixture receiving recess similar to this is formed on the cable receiving port 11 of the upper case half 10.
- the insulation housing 30 is made from an insulation material, such as a plastic, so as to have a number of contact channels 31 for receiving contacts as the insulation housings of ordinary connectors.
- a pair of press-fit grooves 32 are formed on opposite sides of the front portion of the insulation housing 30.
- the engaging metal fitting 40 is made from a springy metal sheet by stamping and forming so as to have a pair of extended sections 41, a pair of press-fit sections 43, a pair of U-shaped sections 42 between the extended sections 41 and the press-fit sections 43, and a linking arm 44 for connecting the press-fit sections 43.
- the end portion of each extended section 41 is provided with a pair of knob retaining projections 46.
- An lock projection 48 is stamped out from the front portion of the extended section 41.
- An inwardly projecting reinforcing rib 47 is provided between the knob retaining projection 46 and the lock projection 48.
- Each press-fit section 43 has a pair of metal fitting retaining projections 45.
- a pair of knobs 50 made from a plastic, for example, so as to have a corrugated top so that it is easy to push for unlocking the connection of two connectors.
- the knobs 50 have a groove for engaging the knob retaining projections 46 to secure them to the engaging fitting 40.
- the insulation housing 30 is placed in the lower case half 20 so that the knobs 50 and the multiconductor cable 6 fit into the knob engaging openings 22 and the cable receiving port 21, respectively, and the multiconductor cable 6 is secured to the cable receiving port 21 with a cable fixture 8.
- the upper case half 10 is secured to the lower case half 20 with fastening screws 14.
- the engaging grooves 32 are formed on the side walls of the insulation housing 30 for receiving the engaging metal fitting 40 to secure the engaging metal fitting 40 to the insulation housing 30.
- Fig. 3 shows, it is possible to secure the engaging meal fitting 40 to the lower case half 20A by wedging the metal fitting retaining projection 45 into the press-fit grooves 26 of an inner wall 25 which is provided on the lower case half 20A.
- the engaging metal fitting 40 may be secured to the upper case half in the same way.
- the engaging metal fitting 40 is secured to the lower or upper case half instead of the insulation housing 30, it is easy to insert contacts into the insulation housing 30.
- the connected cable does not interfere with the attachment of the engaging metal fitting 40.
- an engaging metal fitting 40A has a press-fit portion 49 extending from the center of a linking arm 44A.
- the press-fit portion 49 has a pair of engaging projections 49A.
- the insulation housing 30A is provided with a guide projection 33 on the central front portion.
- the guide projection 33 has a press-fit opening 34.
- the insulation housing 3A of the mating electrical connector is provided with a guide recess 3B for receiving the guide projection 33 of the insulation housing 30A. In this way, it is possible to reduce the width of the insulation housing.
Description
- The present invention relates to lock mechanisms for locking the connection of two electrical connectors (see EP-A-0 285 860).
- Japanese U.M. patent application Kokai No. 63-172070 discloses a lock mechanism for electrical connectors which includes a pair of separate engaging metal fittings incorporated on the opposite sides of the insulation case of an electrical connector for engagement with the engaging metal fittings of a mating electrical connector for locking the connection of the two electrical connectors. The engaging metal fittings are secured to the insulation case by fixtures on opposite sides, and the engaging portions are provided between these fixtures.
- However, the above conventional lock mechanism for electrical connectors has the following disadvantages:
- (1) The engaging metal fittings are separated, resulting in the increased numbers of components and assembling steps and thus the increased manufacturing costs.
- (2) It is often to forget assembling the other engaging metal fitting after one has been assembled, thus providing a defective product.
- (3) Since the engaging metal fittings are separated, it is impossible to make use of the engaging metal fitting receiving portion of only one engaging metal fitting for checking the connection with the mating electrical connector.
- (4) Each engaging metal fitting has a pair of fixtures on opposite sides, with the engaging portion between them, resulting in the increased width of an engaging metal fitting and thus the increased thickness (or hight) of the electrical connector.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a thinn and economical lock mechanism for an electrical connector, which is free from a defect resulting from overlook of the other engaging metal fitting and able to perform electrical connection check without difficulty.
- According to the invention there is provided a lock mechanism for an electrical connector which includes a pair of extended sections each having a lock projection for engagement with a lock hole of a mating electrical connector; a linking arm for connecting the extended sections; a pair of press-fit portions with a metal fitting engaging projection for engagement with a press-fit groove of an insulation housing; and a pair of U-shaped sections for connecting the extended sections and the press-fit sections.
- The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
- Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pair of electrical connectors having a lock mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of an electrical connector from which an upper case half is removed;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a lock mechanism according to another embodiment of the invention; and
- Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a lock mechanism according to still another embodiment of the invention.
- In Fig. 1, an electrical connector includes upper and
lower case halves insulation housing 30 to be placed in the case, and anengaging metal fitting 40 to be mounted on theinsulation housing 30. A mating electrical connector is mounted on a printed circuit board 1, for example, and includes an insulation housing 3 having a number of contacts arranged therein. A pair ofengaging metal fittings 4 are mounted on opposite sides of the insulation housing 3. Eachmetal fitting 4 has anengaging hole 5 at the front portion and a ground extension 4A at the rear portion. The ground extension 4A is soldered at 2 to theground conductor 1A of the board 1. - The
upper case half 10 has at the front portion a receiving cavity for receiving the rear portion of theinsulation housing 30 and at the rear portion acable receiving port 11. A pair ofknob openings 12 are formed on opposite side walls of theupper case half 10. A pair ofholes 13 are provided on theupper case half 10 for fastening theupper case half 10 to thelower case half 20 with a pair ofscrews 14. - Similarly to the
upper case half 10, thelower case half 20 has acable receiving port 21 and a pair ofknob openings 22. A pair of threadedholes 23 are provided for receiving thefastening screws 14. A cablefixture receiving recess 24 is formed on thecable receiving port 21. A cable fixture receiving recess similar to this is formed on thecable receiving port 11 of theupper case half 10. - The
insulation housing 30 is made from an insulation material, such as a plastic, so as to have a number ofcontact channels 31 for receiving contacts as the insulation housings of ordinary connectors. A pair of press-fit grooves 32 are formed on opposite sides of the front portion of theinsulation housing 30. - The
engaging metal fitting 40 is made from a springy metal sheet by stamping and forming so as to have a pair of extendedsections 41, a pair of press-fit sections 43, a pair of U-shaped sections 42 between theextended sections 41 and the press-fit sections 43, and a linkingarm 44 for connecting the press-fit sections 43. The end portion of eachextended section 41 is provided with a pair ofknob retaining projections 46. Anlock projection 48 is stamped out from the front portion of theextended section 41. An inwardly projecting reinforcingrib 47 is provided between theknob retaining projection 46 and thelock projection 48. Each press-fit section 43 has a pair of metalfitting retaining projections 45. - A pair of
knobs 50 made from a plastic, for example, so as to have a corrugated top so that it is easy to push for unlocking the connection of two connectors. Theknobs 50 have a groove for engaging theknob retaining projections 46 to secure them to theengaging fitting 40. - How to assemble the above electrical connector will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Individual contacts to which the
insulated conductors 7 of amulticonductor cable 6 are secured are inserted into thecontact channels 31 of theinsulation housing 30. Theengaging metal fitting 40 with theknobs 50 is mounted on theinsulation housing 30 by press fitting the press-fit sections 43 of the engaging metal fitting 40 into the press-fit receiving grooves 32 of theinsulation housing 30 so that the fittingengaging projections 45 wedge into the walls of thereceiving grooves 32 while the linkingarm 44 rests on one side of theinsulation housing 30. - As Fig. 2 shows, the
insulation housing 30 is placed in thelower case half 20 so that theknobs 50 and themulticonductor cable 6 fit into theknob engaging openings 22 and thecable receiving port 21, respectively, and themulticonductor cable 6 is secured to thecable receiving port 21 with acable fixture 8. Finally, theupper case half 10 is secured to thelower case half 20 with fasteningscrews 14. - When the above electrical connector is plugged into the mating connector on the board 1, the
extended sections 41 flex inwardly at the U-shaped sections 42 so thatrespective lock projections 48 of the engaging metal fitting 40 slide on theengaging metal fitting 4 and snap into thelock holes 5, thus locking the connection of the two connectors. In order to unlock the connection, it is only necessary to push theknobs 50 so that the respectiveextended sections 41 flex inwardly at the U-shaped sections 42, thereby releasing therespective lock projections 48 from thelock holes 5. Thus, the two electrical connectors are separated by pulling one from the other. - In the above embodiment, the
engaging grooves 32 are formed on the side walls of theinsulation housing 30 for receiving theengaging metal fitting 40 to secure theengaging metal fitting 40 to theinsulation housing 30. However, as Fig. 3 shows, it is possible to secure the engaging meal fitting 40 to thelower case half 20A by wedging the metalfitting retaining projection 45 into the press-fit grooves 26 of aninner wall 25 which is provided on thelower case half 20A. Alternatively, theengaging metal fitting 40 may be secured to the upper case half in the same way. When theengaging metal fitting 40 is secured to the lower or upper case half instead of theinsulation housing 30, it is easy to insert contacts into theinsulation housing 30. In addition, the connected cable does not interfere with the attachment of theengaging metal fitting 40. - In Fig. 4, an
engaging metal fitting 40A has a press-fit portion 49 extending from the center of a linkingarm 44A. The press-fit portion 49 has a pair ofengaging projections 49A. Theinsulation housing 30A is provided with aguide projection 33 on the central front portion. Theguide projection 33 has a press-fit opening 34. By inserting the press-fit portion 49 into the press-fit opening 34, theengaging metal fitting 40A is secured to theinsulation housing 30A. Theinsulation housing 3A of the mating electrical connector is provided with aguide recess 3B for receiving theguide projection 33 of theinsulation housing 30A. In this way, it is possible to reduce the width of the insulation housing.
Claims (6)
- A lock mechanism for an electrical connector comprising:a pair of extended sections (41) each having a lock projection (48) for engagement with a lock hole (5) of a mating electrical connector;a linking arm (44) for connecting said extended sections;a pair of press-fit portions (43) with a metal fitting engaging projection (45) for engagement with a press-fit groove (32, 26) of an insulation housing (30, 20A); anda pair of U-shaped sections (42) for connecting said extended sections and said press-fit sections.
- The lock mechanims of claim 1, wherein said extended sections have a reinforcing rib in a middle portion thereof.
- The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein said extended sections have a knob retaining projection at a free end portion.
- The lock mechanim of claim 1, wherein said lock mechanims further comprises a pair of inner walls with a press-fit groove provided on opposite sides of a case for receiving said press-fit sections.
- A lock mechanism for an electrical connector comprising:a pair of extended sections (41) each having a lock projection (48) for engagement with a lock hole (5) of a mating electrical connector;a linking arm (44A) for connecting said extended sections via U-shaped sections (42); anda press-fit portion (49) extending forwardly from a central portion of said linking arm and having a pair of engaging projections (49A) for engagement with an insulation housing (30A).
- The lock mechanim of claim 5, wherein said lock mechanism further comprises a guide projection formed on an insulation housing for receiving said press-fit portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE1991617747 DE69117747T2 (en) | 1991-08-02 | 1991-08-02 | Locking mechanism for electrical connectors |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2176832A JPH0782891B2 (en) | 1990-07-04 | 1990-07-04 | Connection locking mechanism for electrical connectors |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0525250A1 EP0525250A1 (en) | 1993-02-03 |
EP0525250B1 true EP0525250B1 (en) | 1996-03-06 |
Family
ID=16020618
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19910113059 Expired - Lifetime EP0525250B1 (en) | 1990-07-04 | 1991-08-02 | Lock mechanism for electrical connector |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0525250B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH0782891B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4309563C2 (en) * | 1993-03-24 | 1996-02-15 | Kress Elektrik Gmbh & Co | Power cord connector |
US6264491B1 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2001-07-24 | Mobility Electronics | Quick release spring connector for computer cable |
EP2105996A1 (en) * | 2008-03-25 | 2009-09-30 | Esbe Ab | Casing for plug and cable |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3544951A (en) * | 1968-06-28 | 1970-12-01 | Deutsch Co Elec Comp | Coupling with deflectable arms |
FR2466884A1 (en) * | 1979-09-27 | 1981-04-10 | Socapex | CONNECTING PIPE FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS, AND CIRCUIT PROVIDED WITH SUCH A PITCH |
JPH0620302Y2 (en) * | 1986-09-30 | 1994-05-25 | ケル株式会社 | Tooth connector |
US4718857A (en) * | 1987-04-10 | 1988-01-12 | Burndy Corporation | Electrical connectors and clips and methods of use |
JPH0345420Y2 (en) * | 1987-04-30 | 1991-09-25 | ||
US5021002A (en) * | 1989-12-20 | 1991-06-04 | Burndy Corporation | Snap-lock electrical connector with quick release |
-
1990
- 1990-07-04 JP JP2176832A patent/JPH0782891B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-08-02 EP EP19910113059 patent/EP0525250B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH0782891B2 (en) | 1995-09-06 |
EP0525250A1 (en) | 1993-02-03 |
JPH0465076A (en) | 1992-03-02 |
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