EP0933835B1 - Connecteur électrique - Google Patents

Connecteur électrique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0933835B1
EP0933835B1 EP19990101168 EP99101168A EP0933835B1 EP 0933835 B1 EP0933835 B1 EP 0933835B1 EP 19990101168 EP19990101168 EP 19990101168 EP 99101168 A EP99101168 A EP 99101168A EP 0933835 B1 EP0933835 B1 EP 0933835B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
latch
housing
safety element
complementary
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
EP19990101168
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0933835A2 (fr
EP0933835A3 (fr
Inventor
Xavier Schoenlaub
Jacques Lalange
Thierry Mezin
Jean-Pierre Picaud
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
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Priority to EP19990101168 priority Critical patent/EP0933835B1/fr
Publication of EP0933835A2 publication Critical patent/EP0933835A2/fr
Publication of EP0933835A3 publication Critical patent/EP0933835A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0933835B1 publication Critical patent/EP0933835B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/641—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
    • 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
    • H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
    • H01R13/6272—Latching means integral with the housing comprising a single latching arm
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/50—Bases; Cases formed as an integral body
    • H01R13/501—Bases; Cases formed as an integral body comprising an integral hinge or a frangible part
    • 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
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
    • H01R13/5221—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal having cable sealing means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical connector with a latch for securing to a complementary connector matable therewith.
  • FR 2408232 discloses a connector for mating with a complementary connector where a safety element engages the release portion to prevent inadvertent disengagement, the latch spring arm provided with sufficient elasticity to enable coupling when the release portion is secured by the safety element.
  • a disadvantage of conventional latching mechanisms with safety features is the need for additional parts and the requirement for an operator to effect a number of operations in order to ensure a secure fully coupled state.
  • the need for a separate safety element and multiple operations adversely affects the reliability of the connector coupling. It would be desirable to provide a connector with a more reliable coupling mechanism. It would particularly advantageous to enable rapid and simple coupling of mating connectors with few operations whilst ensuring a secure coupling.
  • a connector for mating with a complementary connector comprising a housing, one or more terminals receivable in the housing, and a resilient latching member for securely engaging a complementary latch of the complementary connector in order to secure the connectors in the fully coupled position
  • the resilient latching member comprising a spring arm extending from an attachment portion where the latch is attached to the housing, to a locking portion having a locking shoulder for engaging a complementary locking shoulder of the complementary latch, wherein the latch further comprises a release extension connected to the spring arm and adapted to bias the latching portion out of engagement with the complementary latch when the release portion is actuated
  • the connector further comprising a safety element engaging the latch for preventing inadvertent disengagement thereof, wherein the safety element engages the release portion to prevent inadvertent disengagement, and the latch spring arm is provided with sufficient elasticity to enable coupling when the release portion is secured by the safety element.
  • the safety element is pivotally mounted to the housing with
  • plugging of connectors is possible in a single operation whilst the safety element is in a secured position thereby preventing inadvertent release of the connectors.
  • the connector can thus be supplied with the safety element in the secured position, whereby uncoupling of connectors can be easily effected by moving the safety element to an unsecured position and actuating the latch release portion.
  • the latch may advantageously be in the form of a cantilever beam attached to the housing at the attachment portion, the attachment portion forming substantially a pivot area of the latch.
  • the latch spring arm and release portions may extend in opposite directions from the pivot mounting or attachment portion, the latch spring arm extending substantially in a direction of mating of the connector.
  • the safety element may comprise an insert portion insertable between the latch release portion and the housing such that depression of the release portion towards the housing is blocked.
  • the safety element may comprise an insert portion that rotably inserts between the release portion and housing at a rear free end of the release portion.
  • an electrical connector 2 for mating with a complementary connector 4 comprises an insulative housing 6 extending from a mating end 8 to a terminal receiving end 10 and has a plurality of cavities 12 extending therethrough for receiving electrical terminals 14 (see figure 11) of the connector.
  • the connector further comprises a seal member 16 having a connector seal portion 18 for sealing between the connector 2 and complementary connector 4, and a wire seal portion 20 for sealing between incoming conductors such as wires extending through the wire receiving end 10 of the housing, and the connector 2.
  • the connector further comprises a latching mechanism 22 for securing the connector to a complementary latch 24 of the complementary connector 4.
  • the housing 6 comprises a terminal receiving section 26 and an outer shroud section 28 within which the terminal receiving section 26 is received.
  • the latching mechanism 22 is integrally formed with the housing 6, in this embodiment with the outer shroud section 28 thereof.
  • the wire seal portion 20 is received in a sandwich between a wire receiving end wall 30 of the shroud section 28 and a terminal receiving end 32 of the terminal receiving section 26.
  • the terminal receiving section 26 is securely locked to the shroud section 28 by provision of latches or locking arms 34 that extend from the terminal receiving end 32 of the terminal receiving section 26.
  • the locking arms 34 have locking projections 36 proximate ends thereof that engage with complementary locking shoulders 38 (see figures 6 and 3) formed in windows 40 of the shroud section end wall 30.
  • Sandwiching of the wire seal 20 provides a spring force that biases the housing sections 26, 28 apart such that the latches 36, 38 therebetween are in tight engagement.
  • the terminal receiving section latch arms 34 project through corresponding cavities in the wire seal portion 20.
  • This provides for a particularly compact latching arrangement between the terminal receiving and shroud sections 26, 28.
  • This arrangement also provides for a well protected and safely retained family seal for sealing between a plurality of wire conductors and the connector, the conductors inserted through sealing cavities 42 extending through the wire seal portion 20.
  • the wire seal portion 20 further comprises radial sealing lips 44 that seal against an inner surface 45 of the shroud.
  • the wire seal portion 20 is integrally connected to the connector seal portion 18 by an intermediate section 46 in the form of a thin membrane that extends from the wire seal portion 20 to the connector seal portion 18 in a slightly outward tapered manner which enables easy insertion of the sealing member 16 over the terminal receiving section 26, with introduction of the seal initially over the terminal receiving end 32 thereof.
  • the connector seal portion 18 comprises a radial seal having internal peripheral sealing lips 47, 48 respectively that seal the terminal section 26 to the complementary connector 4.
  • the intermediate section 46 of the seal member 16 comprises windows 49 for receiving extensions 50 therethrough of the terminal receiving section 26.
  • the extensions 50 may serve as guiding or polarising features slidably receivable in complementary guiding members in the form of grooves 52 in side walls of the shroud receiving section 28 to ensure correct positioning of the terminal receiving section within the shroud receiving section.
  • the extensions 50 may further be provided with insertion limiting stops or shoulders 53 engageable against complementary shoulders 54 of the shroud guides 52 to prevent over insertion of the terminal receiving section 26 therein.
  • the integral forming of the wire seal section 20 and connector seal section 18 reduces the manufacturing handling and assembly costs of the connector whilst ensuring effective sealing thereof.
  • the terminal receiving section 26 comprises a substantially rigid locking protrusion 56 in the terminal receiving cavity 12, engaging in a complementary locking recess or cut-out 58 of the terminal 14.
  • the rigid locking protrusion 56 is provided on a first side 57 of the cavity 12, and on a second opposed side 59 of the cavity is a spring member 60 for biasing the terminal 14 towards the first side 57 during insertion of the terminal in the cavity 12.
  • the spring member 60 is in the form of a cantilever beam spring arm with a protruding or enlargened portion 61 proximate a free end 62 thereof which is directed towards the mating end 8.
  • the rigid locking protrusion 56 provides for a particularly robust retention of the terminal in the cavity 12 whilst the spring 60 ensures that the terminal 14 snaps into the fully inserted position, as shown in figure 10, thereby providing the operator with a tactile and audible indication of complete insertion, as well as ensuring securing of the terminal once fully inserted.
  • a secondary locking member 64 which is pivotally attached to the terminal receiving section 26 via a flexible hinge 66, is pivoted into the fully locked position as shown in figure 11.
  • the secondary locking member 64 is provided with a locking protrusion 67 that engages in a complementary locking recess or cut-out 58' of the terminal 14.
  • the locking protrusions 56, 67 on opposed sides of the terminals are provided in a substantially rigid form thereby ensuring a particularly robust retention of the terminal in the housing. Closing of the secondary locking member 64 into the locked position as shown in figure 11 is not possible if the terminal is only partially inserted as shown in figure 9. Due to the rigid locking protrusion 56, closure of the secondary locking member 64 cannot bias the opposed locking protrusion 56, contrary to a situation where the locking protrusion would be elastic.
  • the spring 60 thus enables the provision of rigid locking protrusions 56, 67 without foregoing the advantages of snapping the terminal into a locking position during insertion.
  • the connector latching mechanism 22 comprises a latch 68, a safety element 70 and a protective cover portion 72.
  • the latch mechanism is integrally moulded with the housing, and in this embodiment with the shroud section 28 of the housing 6.
  • the latch 68 comprises a resilient latching portion 74 and a release portion 76 extending in opposed directions from an attachment portion 78.
  • the attachment portion 78 forms a pivotal support attachment of the latch 68 to the shroud section 28.
  • the latching portion 74 comprises a spring arm 75 extending from the attachment portion 78 to a locking portion 77 proximate a free mating end 80.
  • the locking portion 77 comprises a locking shoulder 79 for engaging a complementary locking shoulder 81 (see figure 1) of the complementary connector latch 24.
  • the elastic flexibility of the spring arm 75 is sufficient to allow the locking portion 77 to bias over the latch protrusion 24 of the complementary connector during coupling, and subsequently reside behind the shoulder 81 without pivoting of the release portion 76.
  • the connector 2 may still be coupled to the complementary connector 4 by merely pushing the connectors together until the latches snap into a fully locked condition.
  • the connector can thus be supplied with the safety element 70 in the secured position shown in figures 9-11.
  • the safety element 70 is shown in the release or unsecured position, whereby an operator can depress the release portion 76, which is in the form of a cantilever beam extending from the attachment portion 78, thereby pivoting the latch portion 74 about the attachment portion 78. This causes the locking shoulder 79 of the latch portion 74 to bias over the complementary latch protrusion 24 of the complementary connector to enable uncoupling.
  • the safety element 70 is integrally attached to the housing via a flexible hinge 84, which is in the form of a thin web extending between the safety element and the cover portion 72.
  • the safety element 70 comprises an insert portion 86 that inserts between the release portion 76 and connector housing as seen in figure 9, thereby blocking biasing of the release portion 76 towards the housing.
  • the safety element 70 is provided with a pair of insert portions 86 extending from sides 88 of the safety element whereby the release portion 76 comprises complementary blocking shoulders 89 on sides 90 for receiving the insert portion 86 thereunder.
  • the release portion 76 extends to a wire receiving end 92 positioned beyond the blocking portions 89 to provide a sufficiently long finger grip extension 91 for actuation by an operator.
  • sides 90' of the finger grip extension 91 are recessed with respect to the sides 90, the recess forming a substantially arcuate shoulder 93 joining the sides 90, 90'.
  • Latches (not shown) between the safety element 70 and housing shroud section 28 may be provided to hold the safety element in the fully secured position.
  • the safety element 70 also forms a cover or cap including the side walls 88 and a top wall 94 that partially enclose the release portion 76 of the latch thereby preventing access thereto by an operator when the safety element is in the fully secured position.
  • an operator merely has to lift the safety element 70 which snaps open with a certain lifting force, to access the release portion 76 and pivotally lift the latch.

Landscapes

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

Claims (6)

  1. Connecteur (2) destiné à être accouplé à un connecteur complémentaire (4), comprenant un boîtier (6), une ou plusieurs bornes (14) pouvant être reçues dans le boîtier, et un verrou élastique (68) destiné à s'engager fermement dans un verrou complémentaire (24) du connecteur complémentaire pour fixer les connecteurs dans la position d'accouplement complet, le verrou élastique comprenant une partie de verrouillage (74) avec un bras élastique (75) s'étendant à partir d'une partie de fixation (78), au niveau de laquelle le verrou est fixé sur le boîtier (6), vers une partie de verrouillage (77) comportant un épaulement de verrouillage (79) destiné à s'engager dans un épaulement de verrouillage complémentaire (81) du verrou complémentaire, le verrou (68) comprenant en outre une extension de dégagement (76) raccordée au bras élastique (75) et destinée à dégager la parte de verrouillage (77) du verrou complémentaire (24) lors de l'actionnement de la partie de dégagement (76), le connecteur comprenant en outre un élément de sécurité (70) s'engageant dans la partie de dégagement (76) du verrou (68) pour empêcher un dégagement intempestif correspondant, le bras élastique de verrouillage (75) ayant une élasticité suffisante pour permettre l'accouplement lorsque la partie de dégagement est fixée par l'élément de sécurité, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de sécurité (70) est monté par pivotement sur le boîtier par une charnière flexible (84) moulée d'une seule pièce avec le boîtier.
  2. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément de sécurité (70) comprend une partie d'insertion (86) pouvant être insérée entre la partie de dégagement (76) et le boîtier du connecteur (6) pour bloquer le déplacement de la partie de dégagement en direction du boîtier du connecteur.
  3. Connecteur selon les revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel le verrou a pratiquement la forme d'une barre fixée par pivotement au niveau d'une partie de fixation (78) sur le boîtier (6), la partie de fixation étant agencée entre la partie de dégagement (76) et la partie de verrouillage (74).
  4. Connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie de verrouillage (74) a pratiquement la forme d'une barre en porte-à-faux s'étendant à partir d'une partie de fixation (78) au niveau de laquelle les verrous fixent le boîtier (6) sur une extrémité d'accouplement libre (80), la partie de verrouillage (77) étant agencée près de l'extrémité d'accouplement (80).
  5. Connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément de sécurité comporte des parois latérales (88) et une paroi supérieure (94) formant une couverture de protection renfermant au moins partiellement la partie de dégagement (76) pour empêcher un accès à celle-ci.
  6. Connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément de sécurité peut être déplacé par pivotement d'une position non bloquée vers une position bloquée proche d'une extrémité de réception des fils (10) du boîtier de connecteur.
EP19990101168 1998-02-03 1999-01-22 Connecteur électrique Expired - Lifetime EP0933835B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19990101168 EP0933835B1 (fr) 1998-02-03 1999-01-22 Connecteur électrique

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98400228 1998-02-03
EP98400228 1998-02-03
EP19990101168 EP0933835B1 (fr) 1998-02-03 1999-01-22 Connecteur électrique

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0933835A2 EP0933835A2 (fr) 1999-08-04
EP0933835A3 EP0933835A3 (fr) 1999-08-25
EP0933835B1 true EP0933835B1 (fr) 2003-09-10

Family

ID=26151563

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19990101168 Expired - Lifetime EP0933835B1 (fr) 1998-02-03 1999-01-22 Connecteur électrique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0933835B1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002252063A (ja) * 2001-02-26 2002-09-06 Jst Mfg Co Ltd ロック機構付コネクタ・アセンブリー
JP2002280118A (ja) * 2001-03-15 2002-09-27 Yazaki Corp コネクタ
DE10157564A1 (de) * 2001-11-23 2003-06-12 Hirschmann Austria Gmbh Rankwe Steckverbinder
DE602004008208T2 (de) 2004-01-05 2008-05-15 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Yokkaichi Verbinder
US7029328B1 (en) * 2005-02-04 2006-04-18 J.S.T. Corporation Waterproof electrical connector
DE102007005349A1 (de) * 2007-02-02 2008-08-07 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Abgedichteter Airbagsteckverbinder
WO2011073128A1 (fr) * 2009-12-14 2011-06-23 Fci Automotive Holding Ensemble connecteur
JP5985164B2 (ja) * 2011-09-07 2016-09-06 矢崎総業株式会社 コネクタのロック構造
EP2846416B1 (fr) * 2013-08-23 2020-02-12 TE Connectivity India Private Limited Boîtier de connecteur avec un dispositif d'assurance de positionnement terminal intégré de manière monolithique
CN113013677A (zh) * 2021-03-10 2021-06-22 江西环境工程职业学院 一种计算机与外部设备的连接装置

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2408232A1 (fr) * 1977-11-04 1979-06-01 Souriau & Cie Perfectionnements aux dispositifs de connexion
US5464353A (en) * 1993-04-21 1995-11-07 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Lock connector
JP2864954B2 (ja) * 1993-07-28 1999-03-08 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP3561959B2 (ja) * 1994-07-13 2004-09-08 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
EP0757411A3 (fr) * 1995-08-03 1997-10-15 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Connecteur
JP3235478B2 (ja) * 1996-07-23 2001-12-04 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0933835A2 (fr) 1999-08-04
EP0933835A3 (fr) 1999-08-25

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