EP0906644B1 - Connecteur electrique avec dispositif permettant d'assurer l'accouplement de connecteurs - Google Patents

Connecteur electrique avec dispositif permettant d'assurer l'accouplement de connecteurs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0906644B1
EP0906644B1 EP97924187A EP97924187A EP0906644B1 EP 0906644 B1 EP0906644 B1 EP 0906644B1 EP 97924187 A EP97924187 A EP 97924187A EP 97924187 A EP97924187 A EP 97924187A EP 0906644 B1 EP0906644 B1 EP 0906644B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mating
connector
electrical connector
assurance
assurance device
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
Application number
EP97924187A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0906644A1 (fr
Inventor
Oscare Canuto
Claudio Pia
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whitaker LLC
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9612621.4A external-priority patent/GB9612621D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9626613.5A external-priority patent/GB9626613D0/en
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0906644A1 publication Critical patent/EP0906644A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0906644B1 publication Critical patent/EP0906644B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation
    • H01R13/4361—Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion
    • H01R13/4362—Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion comprising a temporary and a final locking position
    • 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
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/641—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular to assuring the physical coupling between connectors of a connector pair is achieved and maintained.
  • An installer may not be able to tell whether the mechanical latching features of the mating connector pair have in fact been engaged. If in fact the mechanical latching features are not engaged, it is possible that the connectors will disengage from one another along with the electrical interconnections therein. This results in numerous problems as some of the locations in which the connectors are located, especially in automobiles, could be behind panels, under the car or in other out of reach areas.
  • United States patent 5,507,666 discloses a lock securing mechanism directed to these problems.
  • a first connector includes a latching arm and a lock securing mechanism that is held thereupon in a temporary position.
  • a second mating connector includes a complementary latch and disengaging arms. As the first and second connectors are mated, the disengaging arms cooperate with the lock securing mechanism to release the mechanism from the temporary position and allow displacement thereof to a secured position. The displacement only occurring at full mating as a result of interference between the mechanism and latch arm.
  • the latch structure is in a deflected position during partial mating, such that partial mating occurs through a range where the contacts, seals, etc. would tend to hold the connector halves together and prior to partial mating the halves would fall apart naturally or no electrical connection would be made. It is another advantage of the invention that it is simple to operate and provides both visual and tactile indicia of position. It is yet another advantage that the mating assurance device may, if desired, be supplied in position on the respective connector halve prior to contact insertion and function also to assure proper activation of a terminal retention feature.
  • the connector pair 10 includes a first connector half 12, a second connector half 14 and a mating assurance device 16 for determining whether the first and second connector halves 12,14 are fully mated at the time of assembly.
  • the first connector half 12 includes a wire receiving end 18.
  • the second connector half 14 includes a wire receiving end 20 and a mating end 22. It is important to note, that while this invention is described with respect to wire receiving ends 18,20, it is fully envisioned that wire receiving end is not meant to be limiting on the invention and these connectors could equally be headers associated with printed circuit boards or other connector structures that would use conductors other than wires.
  • the first connector half 12 includes an inner housing 24 and an outer housing 26 where the inner housing 24 is to be telescopically received from one side of the outer housing 26 as indicated by arrow A.
  • the inner housing 24 further includes resilient contact retention arms 28 that correspond to contact receiving cavities 30 (better seen in Figures 3-5).
  • These resilient contact retention arms 28 are well known in the art and are formed as part of the housing 24 and include a barb that extends into the cavities 30. As a contact is inserted into the cavity, the barb cooperates with the contact to cause the arm 28 to deflect.
  • a U-shaped trough 32 is formed in the inner housing 24.
  • the U-shaped trough 32 has a retention block 33 approximately centrally disposed and a pivot block 34 located toward a front end thereof.
  • the inner housing 24 further includes a transverse groove 35 on each side thereof where the transverse groove 35 is in communication with the terminal receiving cavities 30.
  • the outer housing 26 is formed in a shell-like manner with an open side 36 wherein the inner housing 24 is received along the direction of arrow A.
  • the outer housing 26 further includes back-up ribs 38 that are positioned adjacent openings 40. These back-up ribs 38 overlie the resilient contact retention arms 28 when the first connector half 12 is fully assembled. When the back-up ribs 38 that overlie the retention arms 28 it is not possible for the retention arms 28 to deflect, thereby assuring contact retention.
  • the adjacent openings 40 may also overlie the contact retention arms 28 and in this condition, the arms 28 may deflect enabling the contacts to be inserted or removed. Therefore, the inner housing 24 and outer housing 26 cooperate to provide a terminal retention feature that positively retains contacts within their respective cavities. When the inner and outer housings 24,26 are positioned such that the opening 40 overlies the resilient retention arms 28 the terminal retention feature is in an inactive position and when the back-up ribs 38 overlie the resilient retention arms 28 the terminal retention feature is in a active position.
  • the outer housing 26 includes locking blocks 42 that are received in the transverse groove 35 and extend into the terminal receiving cavities 30.
  • These lock blocks 42 function as a secondary locking member which is an alternative to the aforedescribed terminal retention feature in order to assure that the contacts are positively retained.
  • the lock blocks 42 In an inactive position, the lock blocks 42 will be clear of the cavities 30 enabling the contacts to be inserted and when in an active position, the lock block 42 will be disposed behind a shoulder of the contact in order to ensure the contact is not removed.
  • the active and inactive positions may be established by way of latching structure.
  • the outer housing 26 further includes a mating end 44 for the first connector half 12.
  • a resilient latch arm 46 extends unitarially out of the mating face 44 through a bight 48 and into an arm 50.
  • a catch 52 Disposed upon the arm 50 is a catch 52 having a forward camming surface 53.
  • an upwardly standing U-shaped actuator 54 Opposite the bight 48 and disposed along the arm 50 is an upwardly standing U-shaped actuator 54.
  • On either side of the actuator 54 are upwardly standing wing portions 56 having first retaining ribs 58 and second retaining ribs 60 located therealong.
  • the mating assurance device 16 is a generally U-shaped structure having a top wall 62, a back wall 64 and a lower wall 66.
  • the top wall 62 includes a cut-out 68 for accessing the actuator 54 when the mating assurance device is located upon the assembled first connector half 12 by insertion in the direction of arrow B.
  • a tongue 70 extends from the back wall 64 between the top wall 62 and the lower wall 66 to a front end 72.
  • a pair of side arms 74 depend from the top wall 62 and carry complementary ribs 76, as best seen in Figure 4.
  • the bottom wall 66 includes a latching tongue 78 formed of legs in a U-shape. The latching tongue 78 is configured to engage the retention block 33 when in the final position.
  • the mating assurance device 16 may be seen in a first position upon the first connector half 12.
  • the first connector half 12 is shown with the terminal retention features in an inactive position whereby the contacts may be inserted into the cavities 30 from the wire receiving end 13.
  • the mating assurance device 16 is coupled to the outer shell 26 in the inactive position where the inner housing 24 and outer shell 26 are offset slightly.
  • a shoulder 80 is formed where the bottom wall 66 transitions into the tongue 78 that is sized to interfere with the inner connector housing 24 along the walls that define the cavities 30, further assurance is provided that the terminal retention feature is in the active position.
  • the mating assurance device 16 requires a first movement in the direction indicated by arrow 1 and a second movement indicated by the direction indicated by arrow 2 to be actuated.
  • arrows 1 and 12 are engraved, molded, painted etc. onto the mating assurance device 16.
  • the shoulder 80 serves to prevent displacement of the mating assurance device 16 in the direction of arrow 2 as can be clearly seen in comparing Figures 1 and 3.
  • latch structure 84 may be used to further maintain the inactive and active positions of the terminal retention features.
  • the mating assurance device may have already been displaced in the direction of arrow 1 such that the mating assurance device is in a first position where the back wall thereof is extending substantially rearward of the wire receiving end 18 of the first connector 12. This substantial difference provides visual and tactile indications to the installer that the complete assembly has not yet been achieved.
  • the two connector halves 12,14 may be held together by forces associated either with the engagement of the complementary contacts, a seal member therein or interference between the latch arm 46 and the mating connector 14.
  • the second connector half 14 includes a complementary catch 86 constructed to cooperate with the catch 52 on the resilient latch arm 46 in order to hold the connector together.
  • the catch 86 includes a rear wall 88 that will abut a corresponding rear wall 90 of the catch 52.
  • the latch arm 46 deflects so that the complementary catches 86,52 may pass one another prior to engagement.
  • the front end 72 of the tongue 70 interferes with the actuator 54 of the latch arm 46 preventing displacement of the mating assurance device 16 into its second position ( Figures 8 and 9) where the latch 78 will engage with the retention block 33.
  • the back wall 66 of the mating assurance device 16 is significantly displaced relative to the wire receiving opening 18 thereby providing an indication to the installer that the mating assurance device 16 is not in the second position.
  • the first and second connector halves 12,14 are fully mated into a connector pair 10. Additionally, the mating assurance device 16 has been moved forward in the direction of arrow 2 into the second position where the back surface 66 is now closely disposed with the wire receiving end 18 of the first connector 12. As further shown in Figure 9, the tongue 70 has become interleaved with the actuator 54 as the resilience of the resilient latch arm 46 has resulted in the catches 52, 86 becoming engaged such that the first and second connectors 12,14 are fully mated. By interleaving of the tongue 70 and the actuator 54, it is not possible to depress the actuator 54, whereby positive latching of the connector halves 12,14 is assured.
  • FIG. 10-13 An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 10-13.
  • the alternative embodiment is generally similar to that described above.
  • the entire structure will not be described again but only where differences lie will a detailed description be provided.
  • the following description will incorporate similar numbering to aid in understanding this embodiment.
  • the present structure incorporates the advantages of the previously described embodiment, in that movement into a fully assembled position is prevented unless the mating connector housings are fully latched together and the secondary locking member is properly positioned for contact retention. Additionally, there is no requirement for the mating connector to be modified in order to be mated with a connector incorporating the present invention.
  • the first connector half 112 includes: an inner housing 124 where contacts (not shown) would be received in cavities 130 thereof and are retained by latch arms 128 as described above; an outer housing 126 wherein the inner housing 124 is telescopically received; and a mating assurance device 116 is seated upon the outer housing 126.
  • the outer housing 126 has openings 140 defined by adjacent ribs 138 such that in the position shown in figure 10, the arms 128 are free to deflect as contacts are inserted into the cavities 130. Once all the contacts are inserted, the inner housing 124 is further received in the outer housing such that the ribs 138 overlie the arms 128, thereby preventing deflection thereof and withdrawal of the contacts.
  • the outer housing 126 and the inner housing 124 cooperate to define a positive contact retention feature (note, other positive contact retention features known in the art may also be used).
  • the inner housing 124 further includes a U-shaped channel 132 having a pivot block 134 and first and second retention blocks 133, 135.
  • the outer housing 126 includes a resiliently deflectable cantilevered latch arm 146 with a catch 152 for retaining the first connector 112 with a mating component 114 ( Figures 12 and 13) and an actuator 154 at the free end for operating the latch arm 146.
  • the latch arm 146 is disposed and deflectable within the U-shaped channel 132.
  • the mating assurance device 116 is shown in the preassembled position.
  • the mating assurance device 116 is fitted to the outer housing 126 by interengaging slots 174 and rails 156 such that longitudinal movement, but not transverse movement, along their axis is possible.
  • a latching tongue 178 of the mating assurance device 116 is in engagement with one of the catches 133 ( Figure 11).
  • a top wall 162 can be provided as part of the mating assurance device 116 that prevents further displacement of the mating assurance device 116 onto the first connector half 112 if the latch arm 146 is in a naturally deflected range of positions by having a forward edge 163 abut the actuator 154.
  • the mating assurance device 116 includes a shoulder 180 that interferes with the inner housing 124 and thereby prevents further insertion unless the inner and outer housing 124,126 are fully assembled such that the contacts would be prevented from being withdrawn from the inner housing 124 as described above.
  • the second connector half 114 includes a mating end 122 wherein the first connector 112 is received.
  • the catch 152 cooperates with the mating end 122 to deflect the latch arm 146.
  • the latch arm 146 is in a deflected range of positions and will block further displacement of the mating assurance device 116 as a result of interference with a tongue 170 that extends generally parallel and between the top surface 162 and the arm 178.
  • the latch arm 146 Only when full mating has been achieved will the latch arm 146 be so disposed that the mating assurance device 116 will be able to move further onto the first connector halve 112. Note, as described above, the mating assurance device 116 could not be displaced if the positive contact retention features are not properly actuated. Furthermore, with the actuator 154 of the latch arm disposed between the top wall 162 and the tongue 170 it is not possible to inadvertently deflect the latch arm 146 without first disengaging the mating assurance device 116. This position is releasably established by cooperation of the latching tongue 178 and the other 135 of the catches 133,135.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Connecteur électrique (12, 112) destiné à être accouplé à un composant complémentaire (14, 114), le connecteur comprenant:
    un boítier de connecteur (24) comportant des cavités (30, 130) pour recevoir des contacts;
    un verrou à fléchissement (46, 146) complémentaire d'un cliquet correspondant (122) sur le composant complémentaire (14, 114) pour retenir le composant complémentaire et le connecteur dans une position d'accouplement; et
    un dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) comportant une position de préassemblage et une position assurant l'accouplement, au cours de l'accouplement, le dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) pouvant être déplacé de la position de préassemblage vers la position assurant l'accouplement après l'accouplement complet et l'engagement du cliquet complémentaire (122) dans le bras de verrouillage à fléchissement (46, 146);
    le connecteur électrique (12, 112) étant caractérisé en ce que le connecteur électrique englobe un élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126), coopérant avec le boítier de connecteur (24, 124) et comportant une première position dans laquelle les contacts peuvent être insérés dans des cavités (30, 130) et une deuxième position dans laquelle les contacts sont retenus de manière positive dans le boítier de connecteur (24, 124), et en ce qu'en vue du déplacement du dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) de la position de préassemblage vers la position assurant l'accouplement, l'élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126) doit se trouver dans la deuxième position.
  2. Connecteur électrique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en outre en ce que le dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) coopère avec le bras de verrouillage (46, 146) lorsque le dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) se trouve dans la position assurant l'accouplement, le bras de verrouillage (46, 146) s'étant engagé dans le cliquet complémentaire (122) pour empêcher le fléchissement du bras de verrouillage (46, 146) et par suite le dégagement du bras de verrouillage (46, 146) du cliquet complémentaire.
  3. Connecteur électrique selon les revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en outre en ce que l'élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126) englobe un épaulement (42) s'étendant au moins partiellement dans la cavité (30, 130) dans la deuxième position de l'élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126).
  4. Connecteur électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en outre en ce que le boítier de connecteur (24, 124) englobe des bras de retenue élastiques des contacts (28, 128) comportant un picot destiné à s'engager dans un épaulement du contact qui y est inséré, l'élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126) englobant une nervure de renforcement (38, 138) superposée dans la deuxième position aux bras de retenue élastiques des contacts (28, 128), empêchant leur fléchissement.
  5. Connecteur électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en outre en ce que le dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) est supporté en premier lieu par l'élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126) et englobe un épaulement (80, 180), entrant en contact avec le boítier de connecteur (24, 124) lorsque celui-ci tente de se déplacer vers la position assurant l'accouplement, l'élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126) se trouvant dans la première position par rapport au boítier de connecteur (324, 124).
  6. Connecteur électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en outre en ce que le dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) englobe en outre un épaulement qui, lorsque le bras de verrouillage à fléchissement (46, 146) n'est pas engagé dans le cliquet complémentaire (122), entre en contact avec le bras de verrouillage (46, 146) par butée contre l'épaulement correspondant lors de l'essai d'un déplacement de la position de préassemblage vers la position assurant l'accouplement, et lorsque le bras de verrouillage (46, 146) est engagé dans le cliquet complémentaire (122), le dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) se trouvant dans la position assurant l'accouplement, une languette (70, 170) empêche le déplacement à déverrouillage du bras de verrouillage (46, 146).
  7. Connecteur électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en outre en ce que le déplacement du dispositif assurant l'accouplement (16, 116) entre la position de préassemblage et la position assurant l'accouplement se fait le long d'une direction correspondant au déplacement d'accouplement du connecteur électrique (12, 112) et du composant complémentaire (14, 114).
  8. Connecteur électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en outre en ce que l'élément de retenue positive des contacts (26, 126) est un élément de coque externe dans lequel est reçu le boítier de connecteur (24, 124).
EP97924187A 1996-06-17 1997-06-13 Connecteur electrique avec dispositif permettant d'assurer l'accouplement de connecteurs Expired - Lifetime EP0906644B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9612621.4A GB9612621D0 (en) 1996-06-17 1996-06-17 Connector mating assurance device
GB9612621 1996-06-17
GB9626613 1996-12-20
GBGB9626613.5A GB9626613D0 (en) 1996-12-20 1996-12-20 Connector mating assurance device
PCT/IB1997/000693 WO1997049146A1 (fr) 1996-06-17 1997-06-13 Dispositif permettant d'assurer l'accouplement de connecteurs

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0906644A1 EP0906644A1 (fr) 1999-04-07
EP0906644B1 true EP0906644B1 (fr) 2000-08-16

Family

ID=26309528

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97924187A Expired - Lifetime EP0906644B1 (fr) 1996-06-17 1997-06-13 Connecteur electrique avec dispositif permettant d'assurer l'accouplement de connecteurs

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0906644B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2974197A (fr)
DE (1) DE69702852T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997049146A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012209298B4 (de) * 2012-06-01 2017-10-05 Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh Elektrischer Steckverbinder, Steckverbinderanordnung sowie Verfahren zum Montieren des Steckverbinders
WO2015160747A2 (fr) * 2014-04-14 2015-10-22 Fci Asia Pte. Ltd Ensemble connecteur électrique à sertir à un fil

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4634204A (en) * 1985-12-24 1987-01-06 General Motors Corporation Electrical connector with connector position assurance/assist device
GB2249438B (en) * 1990-10-08 1995-01-18 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Connector
EP0655807A3 (fr) * 1993-11-30 1995-12-13 Whitaker Corp Dispositif pour assurer la position du connecteur.
US5507666A (en) * 1993-12-28 1996-04-16 Yazaki Corporation Lock securing mechanism for connectors
US5529507A (en) * 1995-01-09 1996-06-25 General Motors Corporation Connector assembly having double ended shorting clip
FR2730587B3 (fr) * 1995-02-09 1997-04-30 Amp France Connecteur electrique a mecanismes de verrouillage secondaire et d'accouplement
FR2730585B1 (fr) * 1995-02-10 1997-04-25 Framatome Connectors Int Connecteur electrique a grille de verrouillage de contacts et tiroir
US5681178A (en) * 1995-06-27 1997-10-28 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector with connector position assurance device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69702852D1 (de) 2000-09-21
AU2974197A (en) 1998-01-07
DE69702852T2 (de) 2001-01-18
EP0906644A1 (fr) 1999-04-07
WO1997049146A1 (fr) 1997-12-24

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