EP1109262A2 - Elektrischer Verbinder mit Kontakthaltevorrichtung - Google Patents

Elektrischer Verbinder mit Kontakthaltevorrichtung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1109262A2
EP1109262A2 EP00126905A EP00126905A EP1109262A2 EP 1109262 A2 EP1109262 A2 EP 1109262A2 EP 00126905 A EP00126905 A EP 00126905A EP 00126905 A EP00126905 A EP 00126905A EP 1109262 A2 EP1109262 A2 EP 1109262A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
terminals
cavities
opening
retainer
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00126905A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Yun Sik Kim
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.)
Molex LLC
Original Assignee
Molex 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 Molex LLC filed Critical Molex LLC
Publication of EP1109262A2 publication Critical patent/EP1109262A2/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • 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
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to an electrical connector having a retainer for locking terminals in a connector housing.
  • a typical electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities or passages into which male or female terminals are inserted. Often, the cavities arc generally parallel and elongated, and the terminals also are elongated and inserted into the cavities along longitudinal axes. In a hard wired connector, each terminal normally is crimped to a wire conductor and then inserted into one of the cavities.
  • the housing may have primary locking means, such as flexible locking arms, for holding the terminals in their fully inserted positions. Mating plug and socket housings then can be joined in order to interconnect male and female terminals mounted in the housings, or the housing might be joined with other terminal supporting devices.
  • connectors of the character described above have been generally successful, unreliable interconnections between the terminals can occur in some instances.
  • a terminal may not be fully inserted into its housing cavity during assembly, whereby the locking structure is not effective to secure the terminal in place.
  • a terminal can subsequently work loose because of vibrations or other extraneous forces and cause a faulty or intermittent connection.
  • Such occurrences might be expected in such applications as automotive electrical systems which are subject to vibration and impact during normal use. Consequently, a variety of systems have been designed wherein a separate terminal retainer is employed on the connector housing to act as either a primary or a secondary locking means.
  • retainers may be inserted into openings in the connector housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the cavities.
  • the retainers themselves, are elongated generally transversely of the cavities to span a plurality of cavities and terminals.
  • the openings in the housings communicate with the cavities so that the retainers can lockingly engage the terminals in the cavities. Examples of locking connectors are shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication Nos. Hei 1 (1989) - 43986 and 64872 as well as in U.S. Patent No. 5,203,722.
  • a major problem with independent retainers of the character described above is to ensure that a retainer is inserted into its opening in the housing in a proper orientation so that forcible insertion of the retainer does not damage the delicate terminals in the terminal-receiving cavities.
  • the present invention is directed to providing a very simple means which allows a terminal retainer to be positioned in the opening in a housing in only one, proper orientation.
  • An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector of the character described, incorporating a novel terminal retainer.
  • the electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a plurality of generally parallel elongated terminal-receiving cavities extending in an axial direction.
  • a generally rectangular, bilaterally symmetrical opening is provided in a side wall of the housing. The opening is elongated in a direction generally transversely of the axial direction and communicating with the cavities.
  • a plurality of generally elongated terminals are insertable into the cavities.
  • Each terminal includes first and second locking shoulders. Primary interengaging locking means are provided between the housing and the first locking shoulders of the terminals to hold the terminals inserted into the cavities.
  • the invention contemplates an elongated, generally rectangular, bilaterally symmetrical terminal retainer positionable in the opening the housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the axial direction. Secondary interengaging locking means are provided between the terminal retainer and the second locking shoulders of the terminals to hold the terminals inserted into the cavities.
  • a tab on the housing projects into the opening at an edge thereof, and a notch is provided in the terminal retainer at a periphery thereof for accommodating the tab, to allow the terminal retainer to be positioned in the opening in only one orientation.
  • the tab on the housing and the notch in the terminal retainer are located at respective corners of the rectangular opening and the rectangular retainer.
  • a conventional electrical connector generally designated 10 which is shown as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,203,722 which is listed in the "Background", above.
  • This prior art connector includes a housing 12 having a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities 14.
  • the cavities have rear openings 16 into which a plurality of female terminals 18 are inserted in the direction of arrow "A".
  • the rear ends of the terminals are crimped and terminated to a plurality of discrete electrical wires 20.
  • the cavities have front ends 22 into which male terminals are inserted for connection with the female terminals.
  • a primary locking arm 24 is molded integrally with housing 12 and projects into each cavity 14 for locking engagement with the respective terminal 18 in the cavity.
  • Prior art connector 10 in Figure 1 includes a secondary locking means in the form of a terminal retainer, generally designated 26, which is insertable through an opening 28 in a side wall 30 of housing 12.
  • opening 28 in the housing is generally rectangular, elongated and bilaterally symmetrical.
  • Terminal retainer 26 also is generally rectangular, elongated and bilaterally symmetrical. Therefore, the retainer can be inserted into the opening in different orientations approximately 180° from each other. If the terminal retainer is inserted in the wrong orientation, it will not function properly, and/or the retainer might damage terminals 18 which are delicate and fabricated of thin sheet metal material.
  • FIG. 2 shows a connector assembly, generally designated 30, which includes a receptacle connector, generally designated 32, mateable with a plug connector, generally designated 34. As will be seen hereinafter, the invention herein is incorporated in plug connector 34.
  • Receptacle connector 32 of connector assembly 30 includes a dielectric housing 36 mounting a plurality of male or pin terminals 38.
  • Housing 36 defines a receptacle 40 into which plug connector 34 is inserted in the direction of arrow "B" to mate the connectors.
  • Housing 36 may include one or more apertured mounting flanges 42 for mounting the receptacle connector to a panel, printed circuit board or the like.
  • Male terminals 38 may have tail portions (not shown) for termination to circuit traces on the printed circuit board.
  • plug connector 34 of connector assembly 30 includes a dielectric housing, generally designated 44, which is a one-piece structure unitarily molded of dielectric material such as plastic or the like.
  • the housing has a front mating end or face 46 and a rear terminating end or face 48.
  • Two rows of terminal-receiving passages 50 extend in an axial direction through housing 44 between front and rear faces 46 and 48, respectively.
  • the passages have front ends 50a which open at front face 46 of the housing, and the cavities have rear ends 50b opening at rear face 48 of the housing.
  • each cavity 50 has an elongated rib 52 defining a pair of grooves 54 on opposite sides thereof to facilitate guiding the terminals as they are inserted into the passages.
  • Figure 3 also shows a generally rectangular, bilaterally symmetrical opening 56 in a side (bottom) wall 58 of housing 44. The opening is elongated to span all of the terminal-receiving cavities laterally of the housing. The opening also extends into the housing communicating with the cavities.
  • a terminal retainer is positionable into opening 56 in housing 44.
  • the terminal retainer is elongated, generally rectangular and bilaterally symmetrical.
  • the retainer is inserted into the opening in the direction of arrow "C" (Fig. 3).
  • the terminal retainer is a one-piece structure unitarily molded of dielectric material such as plastic or the like.
  • the retainer is formed by a pair of rectangular, parallel outer and inner plates 62 and 64, respectively, joined by a plurality of partitions or walls 66.
  • the walls define passages 68 therebetween.
  • a plurality of guide protrusions 70 project inwardly of inner plate 64 for guiding the inserted terminals.
  • a pair of latch protrusions 71 project from one longitudinal edge of outer plate 62 for purposes described hereinafter.
  • a pair of notches 72 along the other longitudinal edge of outer plate 62 allow the terminal retainer to be removed from the housing by a tool, such as a screwdriver.
  • FIG 4 shows one of a plurality of terminals, generally designated 80, which are inserted into the terminal-receiving passages of housing 44 in the direction of arrow "D" (Fig. 2).
  • Each terminal includes a contact section and a terminating section shown schematically at 82 and 84, respectively, in Figure 4.
  • Each terminal is stamped and formed of conductive sheet metal material.
  • Contact section 82 of the terminal includes a pair of upstanding ears 86 which are laterally spaced and which ride in guide grooves 54 (Fig. 3). The ears are formed out of an opening in the contact section which defines a first locking shoulder 88.
  • a second opening 90 forms a second locking shoulder 92.
  • a contact spring arm 94 is cantilevered rearwardly into contact section 82 for engaging one of the terminal pins 38 (Fig.2) of receptacle connector 32.
  • the contact spring arm has a front sloped surface 96 for engagement by the terminal pin.
  • terminating section 84 has two pairs of crimp arms 98 and 100 for crimping onto an electrical wire 102.
  • Crimp arms 98 conductively engage a conductor or core 104 of the electrical wire which has been stripped of an outer cladding 106.
  • Crimp arms 100 clamp onto the outer cladding to provide strain-relief means for the wire.
  • Figure 5 shows an axial section through housing 44 of plug connector 34, with terminal retainer 66 in a first or preliminary position of mounting on the housing.
  • latch protrusions 71 (Figs. 2 and 3) along one edge of outer plate 62 establish a press-fit with wall 58 of the housing to hold the retainer in its preliminary position.
  • all of the terminals 80 are freely insertable into cavities 50 through openings 50b at rear face 48 of the housing.
  • Figure 5 also shows the primary locking means for the terminals.
  • a flexible locking arm 110 is molded integrally with housing 44 for each terminal-receiving passage 50 and includes a protrusion 112 projecting into the respective cavity. Protrusions 112 define locking shoulders 14 for engaging first locking shoulders 88 of terminals 80.
  • Figure 6 shows plug connector 34 in fully assembled condition.
  • Terminals 80 have been fully inserted into cavities 50 in housing 46 in the direction of arrows "D".
  • the terminals are in locking engagement with the primary locking means which includes locking arms 110 of the housing.
  • Terminal retainer 60 has been fully inserted to its second or final position in the direction of arrow "B" whereat outer and inner plates 62 and 64, respectively, are in engagement with second locking shoulders 92 of the terminals.
  • FIG. 3 best shows that a tab 120 is formed integrally with the housing and projects into opening 56 at a corner of the rectangular opening.
  • a notch 122 is formed in a corner of each of the outer and inner plates 62 and 64, respectively, of the rectangular terminal retainer. Therefore, the retainer must be oriented as shown in Figure 3 so that notches 122 on the retainer are aligned with tab 120 within the opening, before the retainer can be inserted into the opening. If the retainer is reversed, a corner of inner plate 64 of the retainer will abut the tab and prevent the retainer from being inserted into opening 56.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
EP00126905A 1999-12-14 2000-12-08 Elektrischer Verbinder mit Kontakthaltevorrichtung Withdrawn EP1109262A2 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR9928149 1999-12-14
KR2019990028149U KR200183163Y1 (ko) 1999-12-14 1999-12-14 이중 록킹 전기접속용 커넥터 결합체

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1109262A2 true EP1109262A2 (de) 2001-06-20

Family

ID=19601246

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00126905A Withdrawn EP1109262A2 (de) 1999-12-14 2000-12-08 Elektrischer Verbinder mit Kontakthaltevorrichtung

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1109262A2 (de)
KR (1) KR200183163Y1 (de)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002100434A (ja) * 2000-09-26 2002-04-05 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd コネクタ
KR100427051B1 (ko) * 2002-05-07 2004-04-13 타이코에이엠피 주식회사 커넥터의 단자 이중 록킹구조
KR100871444B1 (ko) 2006-10-30 2008-12-03 한국단자공업 주식회사 이중 결합 커넥터
KR100874967B1 (ko) * 2007-04-24 2008-12-19 한국단자공업 주식회사 터미널유동방지구 및 이를 포함하는 커넥터

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR200183163Y1 (ko) 2000-05-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0760540B1 (de) Elektrischer Stecker mit verbessertem Verbinderpositioniermittel
EP0795929B1 (de) Elektrische Verbinderanordnung mit verbessertem Haltemittel
US4787864A (en) Terminal stabilization and retention system for an electrical connector
US6210240B1 (en) Electrical connector with improved terminal
JP4955731B2 (ja) 基板対基板電気コネクタ組立体
US6244910B1 (en) Electrical box contact with stress limitation
EP0952632A2 (de) Elektrischer Verbinder mit eingesetzten Anschlüssen
EP0928046A1 (de) Abgeschirmte elektrische Verbinderanordnung
US4891017A (en) Socket connector with pin aligning housing
EP0637855B1 (de) Elektrischer Steckverbinder mit Verriegelungssystem für Anschlusselemente
US7056160B2 (en) Terminal locking mechanism for hybrid electrical connector
JPH10116645A (ja) 改良された端子保持機構を有する電気コネクタ
EP0549958A2 (de) Elektrische Kontaktbüchse mit verbesserter Kontaktkraft
JPH11111397A (ja) 同軸コネクタ、それを使用する同軸コネクタ組立体、及び同軸コネクタの製造方法
WO2005071799A1 (en) Electrical connector including an improved terminal
JPH066469Y2 (ja) コネクタキット
US20010003689A1 (en) Electrical connector with terminal retainer
JP2868405B2 (ja) 雌型端子
US7112105B2 (en) Cable assembly having power contacts
US6905373B2 (en) Electrical contact for cable assembly
EP1109262A2 (de) Elektrischer Verbinder mit Kontakthaltevorrichtung
JPS6367753B2 (de)
US4726792A (en) Electrical connector having electrical contacts provided with retention means
JP3078278U (ja) 端子リテーナを有する電気コネクタ
EP0654855B1 (de) Elektrischer Verbinder mit verbesserten Anschlusshaltemitteln

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20030701