CN100511859C

CN100511859C - Lever type electrical connector assembly with improved locking means

Info

Publication number: CN100511859C
Application number: CNB2004800128194A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 应秉珍
Original assignee: Molex LLC
Current assignee: Molex LLC
Priority date: 2003-04-02
Filing date: 2004-03-26
Publication date: 2009-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-26
Also published as: KR200318477Y1; CN1788394A

Abstract

A lever type electrical connector assembly includes a first connector having a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of first terminals. A mating assist lever is pivotally mounted on the housing of the first connector for pivotal movement between a preliminary mating position and a fully mated position. The lever has a cam groove therein. A second connector includes a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of second terminals for mating with the first terminals of the first connector. A cam follower projection is engageable in the cam groove of the mating assist lever in its preliminary mating position. The connectors are mated in response to rotation of the lever to its fully mated position, as the cam follower projection rides along the cam groove. A locking mechanism is provided between the housing of the second connector and the mating assist lever for locking the mating assist lever in its fully mated position.

Description

Lever type electrical connector assembly with improved locking device

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to electric connector, is specifically related to comprise the connector assembly of a pair of matching connector

Background technology

Generally speaking, electric connector comprise first connector and can with second connector of its coupling.For example, socket connector can receive pin connector under matching condition.Each connector comprises the insulation crust of some form, and insulation crust is installed a plurality of conductive terminals of the terminal that can mesh another connector.For example, a connector is installed a plurality of socket terminals, is used to receive the pin terminals of another connector.

In some purposes, such electric connector is installed a large amount of terminals.For example, in the electric equipment of the electrical connection of automobile or other motor vehicles, there are a large amount of electric wires, circuit or other electric installations to draw in a large amount of fuses, relay, electro-motor, the power supply auxiliary equipment, itself can be installed in all these electric wires, circuit or electric installation in the single electric connector, even can comprise power terminal and Signal Terminal.Electric connector with great amount of terminals like this produces various problems.

For example, it is extremely important that two connectors of connector assembly will accurately be aimed at, and can be meshing with each other or mate to guarantee terminals a large amount of in two connectors.The accumulated error of great amount of terminals can cause alignment issues.Therefore, the connector of two couplings does not allow twisting, rotation or displacement when assembling.

In addition, need be with the connector that assembles and dismantle great amount of terminals energetically.Therefore, developed little slotting power connector, with the auxiliary lever of locking or coupling, with regard to enough little power assemblings of energy and dismounting connector, this locking or coupling auxiliary lever guide two connectors to enter matching status by the cam groove/cam slave unit operation of some shape.

And, owing on some electric connector, for example, on the connector in automobile or other motor vehicles, can be subjected to external impact and vibration, the connector of two couplings is become do not match, and/or the matched termination of two connectors becomes and breaks away from engagement.Therefore, locking device need be set, make it that these can not take place and do not match or break away from engagement.

In order to address these problems, the present invention has proposed improvement to these electric coupler components and its matching connector.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is, the lever type electrical connector assembly with improved locking device is provided.

In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, first connector comprises the insulation crust that a plurality of first terminals are installed.The coupling auxiliary lever is pivotally mounted on the shell of first connector, and pivot moves between pre-matching position and complete matched position.Cam path is arranged in the lever.Second connector comprises the insulation crust that a plurality of second terminals are installed, second terminal of second connector and first terminal of first connector coupling.The driven plush copper of cam can mesh in the cam path of the coupling auxiliary lever in its pre-matching position.When the driven plush copper of cam when cam path is laid, connector is assembled in its complete matched position along with lever rotates.Locking device is arranged between the shell and coupling auxiliary lever of second connector, and the coupling auxiliary lever is locked in its complete matched position.

According to a technical scheme of the present invention, locking device comprises locking member separately, is removably mounted on the shell of second connector, can mesh the locking auxiliary lever, lever lock is fixed in its complete matched position.Locking member has a plurality of hold-down hooks of a plurality of locking shoulders on the shell that can mesh second connector.Locking member has at least one can mesh the locking plush copper of the locking surface of coupling auxiliary lever.

According to another technical scheme of the present invention, preliminary latch means is arranged between the shell of the coupling auxiliary lever and second connector.Preliminary latch means reaches its complete matched position and engagement automatically before the locking device engagement along with lever.

As described herein, the coupling auxiliary lever is U-shape normally, determines the pair of lever arms that partly connects with cross.Lever arm is pivotally mounted to the relative edge of the shell of first connector.Between the hip cross that locking device is arranged on the shell of second connector and U-shape coupling auxiliary lever divides.

By the detailed description below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, other purposes of the present invention, feature and advantage can be got clearer.

Description of drawings

Believe that feature of the present invention is new, feature is specifically limited by appending claims under these.Referring to detailed description below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, can understand purpose of the present invention, feature and advantage better, all identical reference number is indicated components identical in the accompanying drawing.In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view according to electric coupler component of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the longitudinal section of 2-2 line in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the decomposition diagram of connector assembly;

Fig. 4 is the perspective view of seeing at the coupling face of the socket connector of assembly;

Fig. 5 is the end view of socket connector, and the pivot that demonstrates locking lever moves;

Fig. 6 is the perspective view that can be installed in the dismountable locking member on the pin connector;

Fig. 7 is the perspective view of pin connector;

Fig. 7 A is the " A " enlarged drawing in zone among Fig. 7; With

Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the pin connector among Fig. 7 and the 7A, and the locking member among Fig. 6 is installed on it.

Embodiment

In detail referring to accompanying drawing, at first referring to Fig. 1-3, the present invention implements with electric coupler component 10 now, and comprising: socket connector 12 has the locking lever 14 of pivotal mounting thereon; With pin connector 16, has the detachable locking member of installing thereon.Socket connector 12 is installed the pin terminals 20 of a plurality of conductions, and pin connector 16 is installed a plurality of socket terminals 22.Pin terminals 20 is installed in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 24 (Fig. 2), and socket terminals 22 is installed in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 26 (Fig. 2).When two connectors are installed by the mode of Fig. 1 demonstration, the pin terminals 20 of the socket terminals 26 receiver socket connectors 12 of pin connector 16.Pin terminals and socket terminals can be terminated to the many electric wires that separate (not showing).

Connector assembly 10 can be used for automobile or other motor vehicles that can be clashed into and vibrate.Pin terminals 20 and socket terminals 22 for example are respectively 3V, 5V and 12V terminal.

Referring to Fig. 3, socket connector 12 comprises the terminal retaining element 28 with a plurality of passage 28a.Pin connector 16 also comprises the terminal retaining element 30 with a plurality of passage 30a.Referring to Fig. 2,

terminal retaining element

28 and 30 is set to respectively among the interior groove 30b of the interior groove 28b of socket connector 12 and pin connector 16.The terminal retaining element can move from pre-terminal " loaded " position, allows

terminal

20 and 22 to insert in their terminal-receiving passages 24 and 26 separately.In the preliminary positions of terminal retaining element, passage 28a and 30a aim at respectively in terminal-receiving passage 24 and 26, terminal is inserted in their receive paths separately fully, in case all terminal is inserted their passage fully,

terminal retaining element

28 and 30 is pressed into the terminal fixed position by arrow " B " indicated direction, as shown in Figure 2, so far, the shoulder on the terminal retaining element engagement terminal prevents that terminal from deviating from from passage.

Referring to Fig. 4, in conjunction with Fig. 3, socket connector 12 comprises insulation crust 32, has rear body part 34 and preceding compatible portion 36.Shell can be a member made from the plastic monoblock mold pressing.Rear body part is formed with the terminal-receiving passage 24 that pin terminals 20 wherein can be installed, and preceding compatible portion 36 determines that coupling ground receives the socket 40 of pin connector 16.The shape of the socket of determining with preceding compatible portion 36 40 conforms to the profile of pin connector 16, comprises coupling face 40a.

Usually, between the preceding compatible portion 36 of the shell 32 of socket connector 12 and pin connector 16, complementary intermeshing orienting device is set, enters matching status to guide connector.For this reason, a pair of first guide rib 42 that is spaced laterally apart puts in downwards the jack 40 from the top of the preceding compatible portion 36 of the shell 32 of socket connector 12.The end of compatible portion, upwards put in jack 40 to a pair of second guide rib 44 that is spaced laterally apart in the past.The 3rd guide rib 46 that enlarges puts in jack 40 downwards from the top of the preceding compatible portion between first pair of guide rib 42.Guide rib is passed jack and is reached back side main part 34 by matching direction.And guide slot 48 extends by the matching direction in each sidewall in the pair of sidewalls 50 in the preceding compatible portion 36.As shown in Figure 3, to outer process, each pivot has outstanding hook 52a downwards at its end to pivot post 52 from each sidewall.At last, the shell 32 of socket connector 12 is included in a pair of groove 54 between first guide rib 42 and the 3rd guide rib 46, and this can illustrate afterwards.

Locking lever 14 is coupling auxiliary levers, and the U-shape that it is common is determined the pair of locking arm or the lever arm 56 that connect with concave portion or cross part 58.The hook-type lock is inwardly outstanding from cross part 58, forms a pair of outwardly open lock slots 56b on the outer surface of cross part 58, forms the locking shoulder.Forming pivot hole 60 in each lock arm or the lever arm 56 receives from each outwards outstanding locking column 52 of shell 32.Pivot hole has the radially cut-away portions 60a of the hook 52a that receives pivot post 52.Therefore, only need make the cut-out region 60a of the hook 52b aligning pivot hole 60 of pivot post 52, locking lever 14 just can be installed in the shell 32.In case installation, the slight pivot of locking lever are moved with hook 52a in cut-out region 60a misalignment, can not break away from shell after the lock arm yet.At last, in each lever arm 56 of locking lever 14, form arc-shaped cam groove 62.Cam path has opening 62a.The position of regulation forms dog 64 in cam path 62, and this can illustrate afterwards.Fig. 5 demonstrate locking lever 14 can from the locking of the pre-matching position of solid line indication and with dashed lines indication or fully matched position carry out pivot by double-head arrow " C " indicated direction around pivot post 52 and move, this can illustrate in greater detail afterwards.

Referring to Fig. 7 and 8, in conjunction with Fig. 3, pin connector 16 comprises insulation crust 66, and it can be a member that forms with the plastic monoblock mold pressing.Shell comprises the terminal-receiving passage 26 (referring to Fig. 3) that receives socket terminals 22.First guide rib 42 of a pair of first guide slot, the 70 receiver socket connectors in the cover top portion.Second guide rib 44 of a pair of second guide slot, the 72 receiver socket connectors in shell 66 bottoms.The 3rd guide rib 36 of the 3rd guide slot 74 receiver socket connectors that enlarge.Driven plush copper of cam or locking column 76 are outwards outstanding from each relative edge of shell 66.Each locking column has a 76b of root 76a and expansion.Form the matching direction of lock pawl groove 76c in the locking column towards connector.Elongated guide rib 78 extends back by matching direction from locking column 76.

Referring to Fig. 7 and 7A, pair of locking element location wall 80 projects upwards from the shell 66 of pin connector 16, be used for receiving or position that network for location 8 shows in locking member 18 (referring to Fig. 6).Locking member connecting elements 82 is between the wall 80 of location, and connecting elements comprises lock hole 84, and the first locking shoulder 84a of chamfering is arranged the relative edge of lock hole 84.The another side in hole is determined locking shoulder 84b.The second locking shoulder 86 is formed at the end of location wall 80.

Referring to Fig. 6, locking member 18 comprises main body 90 especially, and main body can be a member that forms with plastic mould pressing.Main body comprises a pair of locking plush copper 92 of extending forward by matching direction.A pair of first hold-down hook 94 is outstanding downwards from main body, and a pair of second hold-down hook 96 is also outstanding downwards but in the outside of first hold-down hook 94 from main body.A pair of link slot 98 forms the bottom of main bodys 90, and groove 98 is positioned at the outside of each first hold-down hook 94 and in the inside of each second hold-down hook 96.

Locking member 18 is installed to the top of pin connector 16 by arrow among Fig. 8 " D " indicated direction.During installation, first hold-down hook 94 in the locking member bottom locks shoulder 84a (Fig. 7 A) locking mesh with first of the chamfering of connecting elements 82.Second hold-down hook 96 and the second locking shoulder, 84 locking meshes.Groove 98 in the locking member bottom receives the connection plush copper 100 that projects upwards from connecting elements 82.

Explanation socket connector 12 and the coupling of pin connector 16 and the locking of the connector under matching status now.When the driven plush copper of cam on the pin connector outside or locking column 76 inserted in the guide slot 48 in the sidewall 50 of socket connectors, pin connector inserted in the jack 40 of socket connector.Pin connector accurately guides the effect in the socket connector as follows: the guide rib 42 of (1) socket connector moves forward into first guide slot 70 of pin connector, (2) second guide rib 44 of socket connector moves forward into second guide slot 72 of pin connector, (3) the 3rd guide rib 46 of socket connector moves forward into the 3rd guide slot 74 of pin connector and (4) and surveys the guide slot 48 that the elongated guide ribs 78 of the back locking column 76 on the pin connector enters socket connector.Elongated guide ribs 78 prevents that two connectors from relatively moving by vertical direction, prevents that the trunnion axis that winds perpendicular to matching direction from moving relative to pivot.This whole guide means system assurance connector is accurately aimed at, and the socket terminals 22 of pin connector is accurately aimed at the pin terminals 20 of socket connector.

Two connectors move the whole mouthful of 62a neutralization that makes the driven plush copper 76 of cam enter cam path 62 again by matching direction and enter cam path.Dog 64 in the cam path must be positioned to enter the locating detent mouth 76b in the front of locking column 76, with suitable angle location locking lever 14.Solid line with the locking lever among Fig. 5 shows this position.Then, locking lever carries out pivot by arrow among Fig. 5 " E " indicated direction around pivot post 52 and moves, and along with the cam path of pin connector locking column 76 along the locking lever of rotation advances, lever pushes final latched position with two connectors.When connector mated fully, locking shoulder 84b (Fig. 7 and the 8) engagement of hook-type lock 58a (Fig. 4) and pin connector made locking lever enter pre-locked in the matching status of connector.

With locking member 18 separately locking lever is completely locked at its matching status then.As mentioned above, this is installed to locking member in the pin connector and finishes by arrow among Fig. 8 " D " indicated direction.When locking member was installed, the locking plush copper 92 of locking member was arranged in the lock slots 58b of locking lever, and locking lever can not move backward and deviate from the final matched position of connector.

Therefore, hook-type lock 58a and locking shoulder 84b form the preliminary latch means of coupling auxiliary lever 14.Locking member 18 forms the final locking device of coupling auxiliary lever.When the coupling auxiliary lever reached its complete matched position, preliminary latch means meshed automatically.

Industry technical staff should be appreciated that under the prerequisite that does not break away from spirit of the present invention or principal character, the present invention can also implement with other concrete forms.Example of Miao Shuing or embodiment are just in order to illustrate and to show the present invention and be not construed as limiting the invention herein.The present invention is not limited by description details herein.

Claims

1, lever type electrical connector assembly (10) comprising:

First connector (12) comprises the insulation crust (32) that a plurality of first terminals (20) are installed;

Coupling auxiliary lever (14) is pivotally mounted on the insulation crust of first connector, is used for that pivot moves between pre-matching position and complete matched position, and cam path (62) is arranged in the lever;

Second connector (16) can mate with first connector, comprising: the insulation crust (66) that a plurality of second terminals (22) of mating with first terminal of first connector can be installed; With the driven plush copper of cam (76), can in its pre-matching position, in the cam path (62) of coupling auxiliary lever (14), mesh, thus, along with the driven plush copper of cam advances the rotation along with lever that two connectors are matched in their the complete matched position along cam path;

Locking device between the insulation crust and coupling auxiliary lever of second connector, is locked in the coupling auxiliary lever in its complete matched position; With

(58a 84b), is positioned between the insulation crust (66) of coupling auxiliary lever (14) and second connector (16) preliminary latch means, and the complete matched position that reaches it along with lever can mesh before the locking device engagement automatically.

2, according to the lever type electrical connector assembly of claim 1, it is characterized in that, described locking device comprises locking member (18) separately, be removably mounted on the insulation crust (66) of second connector (16), can mesh with coupling auxiliary lever (14), lever lock be fixed in its complete matched position.

3, according to the lever type electrical connector assembly of claim 2, it is characterized in that, described locking member (18) have a plurality of can with the hold-down hook (94,96) of locking shoulder (84a, 86) engagement on the insulation crust of second connector.

According to the lever type electrical connector assembly of claim 3, it is characterized in that 4, described locking member (18) has at least one locking plush copper (92) that can mesh with the lock face (58b) on the coupling auxiliary lever (14).

5, according to the lever type electrical connector assembly of claim 1, it is characterized in that, described coupling auxiliary lever (14) is a U-shape, with the pair of lever arms of determining to connect (56) by a lateral part (58), lever arm is pivotally mounted on the relative edge of insulation crust (32) of first connector (12), and described locking device is positioned between the lateral part (58) of the insulation crust (66) of second connector (16) and U-shape coupling auxiliary lever (14).

6, according to the lever type electrical connector assembly of claim 5, it is characterized in that, described locking device comprises locking member (18) separately, be removably mounted on the insulation crust (66) of second connector (16), can mesh the lateral part (58) of coupling auxiliary lever (14), lever lock be fixed in its complete matched position.

According to the lever type electrical connector assembly of claim 6, it is characterized in that 7, described locking member (18) has at least one locking plush copper (92) that can mesh with the lock face (58b) on the lateral part of mating auxiliary lever (14).

8, according to the lever type electrical connector assembly of claim 5, preliminary latch means (58a, 84b) be positioned between the insulation crust (66) of lateral part (58) and second connector (16) of coupling auxiliary lever (14), the complete matched position that arrives it along with lever can mesh before locking member meshes automatically.