EP1614196B1 - Lever type electrical connector assembly with improved locking means - Google Patents
Lever type electrical connector assembly with improved locking means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1614196B1 EP1614196B1 EP04758992A EP04758992A EP1614196B1 EP 1614196 B1 EP1614196 B1 EP 1614196B1 EP 04758992 A EP04758992 A EP 04758992A EP 04758992 A EP04758992 A EP 04758992A EP 1614196 B1 EP1614196 B1 EP 1614196B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- locking
- mating
- housing
- lever
- 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 - Fee Related
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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
- H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
- H01R13/62933—Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
- H01R13/62938—Pivoting lever comprising own camming means
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- 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
- H01R13/62933—Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
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- 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
- H01R13/62933—Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
- H01R13/62955—Pivoting lever comprising supplementary/additional locking means
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- 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 generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a connector assembly which includes a pair of mating connectors.
- an electrical connector assembly typically includes a first electrical connector mateable with a second electrical connector.
- a receptacle connector may receive a plug connector in mated condition.
- Each connector includes some form of dielectric housing which mounts a plurality of conductive terminals engageable with the terminals of the other connector.
- one connector may mount a plurality of socket terminals for receiving pin terminals of the other connector.
- such electrical connectors mount a rather sizable number of terminals.
- a large number of electrical wires, circuits or other conductive devices lead to and from a large number of fuses, relays, electrical motors, power accessories, and the like, all of which may be mounted in a single electrical connector which, itself, may even include both power terminals and signal terminals.
- Electrical connectors with such large number of terminals create various problems.
- the two connectors of the connector assembly be precisely aligned in order to assure that the large number of terminals in the two connectors can be interengaged or mated. Cumulative manufacturing tolerances with large number of terminals, alone, can cause alignment problems. Therefore, the two mating connectors cannot be allowed to twist, turn or shift during mating.
- the present invention is directed to solving these various problems by providing improvements in such electrical connector assemblies and the mating connectors thereof.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a lever type electrical connector assembly with an improved locking means.
- a first connector includes 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. Locking means are provided between the housing of the second connector and the mating assist lever for locking the mating assist lever in its fully mated position.
- the locking means include a separate locking member detachably mounted on the housing of the second connector and engageable with the locking assist lever to lock the lever in its fully mated position.
- the locking member has a plurality of mounting hooks engageable with locking shoulders on the housing of the second connector.
- the locking member has at least one locking projection engageable with a locking surface on the mating assist lever.
- preliminary latch means are provided between the mating assist lever and the housing of the second connector.
- the preliminary latch means are engageable automatically in response to the lever reaching its fully mated position and before the locking means are engaged.
- the mating assist lever is generally U-shaped to define a pair of lever arms joined by a cross portion.
- the lever arms are pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the housing of the first connector.
- the locking means are provided between the housing of the second connector and the cross portion of the U-shaped mating assist lever.
- an electrical connector assembly generally designated 10, which includes a receptacle connector, generally designated 12, having a latching lever, generally designated 14, pivotally mounted thereon and a plug connector, generally designated 16, having a locking member detachably mounted thereon.
- Receptacle connector 12 mounts a plurality of conductive pin terminals 20, and plug connector 16 mounts a plurality of socket terminals 22.
- Pin terminals 20 are mounted in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 24 (Fig. 2), and socket terminals 22 are mounted in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 26 (Fig. 2).
- socket terminals 26 of plug connector 16 receive pin terminals 20 of receptacle connector 12.
- the pin and socket terminals may be terminated to a plurality of discrete electrical wires (not shown).
- Connector assembly 10 may be used in such applications as automobiles or other vehicles where impacts and vibrations are encountered.
- Pin and socket terminals 20 and 22, respectively, may be 3V, 5V and 12V terminals, for instance.
- receptacle member 12 includes a terminal fixing member, generally designated 28, having a plurality of through passages 28a.
- Plug connector 15 also includes a terminal fixing member, generally designated 30, having a plurality of through passages 30a.
- terminal fixing members 28 and 30 are positioned into internal slots 28b and 30b, respectively, in receptacle connector 12 and plug connector 16, respectively.
- the terminal fixing members are movable from preliminary, terminal-loading positions to allow terminals 20 and 22 to be inserted into their respective terminal-receiving passages 24 and 26.
- terminal fixing members 28 and 30a are aligned with terminal-receiving passages 20 and 22, respectively, so that the terminals can be fully inserted into their respective passages.
- terminal fixing members 28 and 30 are pushed in the direction of arrows "B" to the terminal fixing positions shown in FIG. 2, whereat the terminal fixing members engage shoulders on the terminals to prevent the terminals from being pulled out of their passages.
- receptacle connector 12 includes a dielectric housing, generally designated 32, which has a rear body portion 34 and a front mating portion 36.
- the housing may be a one-piece structure unitarily molded of plastic material.
- the rear body portion is formed with the terminal-receiving passages 24 within which pin terminals 20 are mounted.
- Front mating portion 36 defines a receptacle 40 for matingly receiving plug connector 16.
- Receptacle 40 defined by front mating portion 36 is shaped to conform to the outer profile of plug connector 16 and includes a mating face 40a.
- complementary interengaging guide means are provided between front mating portion 36 of housing 32 of receptacle connector 12 and plug connector 16 for guiding the connectors into mated condition.
- a pair of laterally spaced first guide ribs 42 project downwardly into receptacle 40 from a top of the front mating portion 36 of housing 32 of receptacle connector 12.
- a pair of laterally spaced, second guide ribs 44 project upwardly into receptacle 40 from a bottom of the front mating portion.
- a third, enlarged guide rib 46 projects downwardly into receptacle 40 from a top of the front mating portion between the first pair of guide ribs 42.
- housing 32 of receptacle connector 12 includes a pair of recesses 54 between first guide ribs 42 and third guide rib 46, for purposes described hereinafter.
- Latching lever 14 is a mating assist lever and is generally U-shaped to define a pair of latch or lever arms 56 joined by a bight or cross portion 58.
- a hooked latch projects inwardly from cross portion 58, and a pair of outwardly opening locking grooves 58b are formed in the outside surface of cross portion 58 to form locking shoulders.
- a pivot hole 60 is formed in each latch or lever arm 56 for receiving a respective latch post 52 projecting outwardly from housing 32.
- the hole has a radially extending cut-out portion 60a for receiving hook 52a of pivot post 52. Therefore, latching lever 14 can be mounted to housing 32 only by aligning hooks 52a of pivot post 52 with the cut-out areas 60a of pivot holes 60.
- FIG. 5 shows that latching lever 14 is pivotable in the direction of double-headed arrow "C" about pivot posts 52 from a preliminary mating position shown by full lines and a latched or fully mated position shown in phantom, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
- plug connector 16 includes a dielectric housing, generally designated 66, which may be a one-piece structure molded of plastic material.
- the housing includes the terminal-receiving passages 26 which receive socket terminals 22 (Fig. 3).
- a pair of first guide grooves 70 in a top portion of the housing receive the first guide ribs 42 of the receptacle connector.
- a pair of second guide grooves 72 in a bottom portion of housing 66 receive the second guide ribs 44 of the receptacle connector.
- An enlarged third guide groove 74 receives the third guide rib 36 of the receptacle connector.
- a cam follower projection or latch post 76 projects outwardly from each opposite side of housing 66.
- Each latch post has a shank portion 76a and an enlarged head 76b.
- a locating detent notch 76c is formed in the latch post and faces in the mating direction of the connector.
- An elongated guide rib 78 extends rearwardly from latch post 76 in the mating direction.
- a pair of locking member locating walls 80 project upwardly from housing 66 of plug connector 16 for receiving or locating locking member 18 (Fig. 6) in a position shown in FIG. 8.
- a locking member coupling structure is disposed between locating walls 80.
- the coupling structure includes a locking hole 84 having chamfered first locking shoulders 84a at opposite sides thereof. Another side of the hole defines a latching shoulder 84b. Second locking shoulders 86 are formed near the bottom of locating walls 80.
- locking member 18 includes a body 90 which may be a one-piece structure molded of plastic material.
- the body includes a pair of locking projections 92 which extend forwardly in the mating direction.
- a pair of first mounting hooks 94 project downwardly from the body, and a pair of second mounting hooks 96 also project downwardly from the body but outside first mounting hooks 94.
- a pair of coupling grooves 98 are formed on the underside of body 90, one groove 98 being disposed outside each first mounting hook 94 and inside the respective second mounting hook 96.
- Locking member 18 is mounted to the top of plug connector 16 in the direction of arrow "D" in FIG. 8.
- first mounting hooks 94 on the underside of the locking member snap into latching engagement with the chamfered first locking shoulders 84a (Fig. 7A) of coupling structure 82.
- Second mounting hooks 96 snap into locking engagement with second locking shoulders 84.
- Grooves 98 on the underside of the locking member receive coupling projections 100 which project upwardly from coupling structure 82.
- the plug connector is inserted into receptacle 40 of the receptacle connector, as the cam follower projections or latch posts 76 on the outsides of the plug connector are inserted into guide slots 48 in side walls 50 of the receptacle connector.
- Precise guiding of the plug connector into the receptacle connector is effected as follows: (1) first guide ribs 42 of the receptacle connector move into first guide grooves 70 of the plug connector, (2) second guide ribs 44 of the receptacle connector move into second guide grooves 72 of the plug connector, (3) third guide rib 46 of the receptacle connector moves into third guide groove 74 of the plug connector and (4) elongated guide ribs 78 which trial behind latch post 76 on the plug connector ride into guide slots 48 of the receptacle connector.
- the elongated guide ribs 78 prevent the two connectors from relative movement in a vertical direction and prevent relative pivoting movement about horizontal axes generally perpendicular to the mating direction. This entire guide means system ensures that the connectors are aligned precisely and, in turn, precisely aligns socket terminals 22 of the plug connector with pin terminals 20 of the receptacle connector.
- Separate locking member 18 then is used to completely lock the latching lever in its mated position. This is accomplished by mounting the locking member onto the plug connector in the direction of arrow "D" in FIG. 8, and as described above. When the locking member is so mounted, locking projections 92 of the locking member are positioned in locking grooves 58b of the latching lever so that the latching lever cannot move back out of its final position of mating of the connectors.
- hooked latch 58a and latching shoulder 84b form a preliminary latch means for mating assist lever 14.
- Locking member 18 forms a final locking means for the mating assist lever.
- the preliminary latch means is engaged automatically when the mating assist lever reaches its fully mated position.
Description
- This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a connector assembly which includes a pair of mating connectors.
- Generally, an electrical connector assembly typically includes a first electrical connector mateable with a second electrical connector. For instance, a receptacle connector may receive a plug connector in mated condition. Each connector includes some form of dielectric housing which mounts a plurality of conductive terminals engageable with the terminals of the other connector. For instance, one connector may mount a plurality of socket terminals for receiving pin terminals of the other connector.
- In some applications, such electrical connectors mount a rather sizable number of terminals. For instance, in electrically connecting electrical equipment of automobiles or other vehicles, a large number of electrical wires, circuits or other conductive devices lead to and from a large number of fuses, relays, electrical motors, power accessories, and the like, all of which may be mounted in a single electrical connector which, itself, may even include both power terminals and signal terminals. Electrical connectors with such large number of terminals create various problems.
- For instance, it is extremely important that the two connectors of the connector assembly be precisely aligned in order to assure that the large number of terminals in the two connectors can be interengaged or mated. Cumulative manufacturing tolerances with large number of terminals, alone, can cause alignment problems. Therefore, the two mating connectors cannot be allowed to twist, turn or shift during mating.
- In addition, large forces are required to mate and unmate connectors which have a large number of terminals. Consequently, low-insertion-force connectors have been developed which enable mating and unmating with small forces by means of a latching or mating assist lever which operates through some form of cam groove/cam follower arrangement for drawing the two connectors into mated condition. An electrical connector with a mating assist lever is disclosed by the US 5 695 349 A.
- Still further, because of external impacts and vibrations imparted on some electrical connectors, such as in automobiles or other vehicles, problems are encountered because the two mating connectors tend to become unmated, and/or the mating terminals of the two connectors tend to become disengaged. Therefore, it is desirable to provide locking means so that these unmatings or disengagements cannot occur.
- The present invention is directed to solving these various problems by providing improvements in such electrical connector assemblies and the mating connectors thereof.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a lever type electrical connector assembly with an improved locking means.
- In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a first connector includes 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. Locking means are provided between the housing of the second connector and the mating assist lever for locking the mating assist lever in its fully mated position.
- According to the invention, the locking means include a separate locking member detachably mounted on the housing of the second connector and engageable with the locking assist lever to lock the lever in its fully mated position. The locking member has a plurality of mounting hooks engageable with locking shoulders on the housing of the second connector. The locking member has at least one locking projection engageable with a locking surface on the mating assist lever.
- According to another aspect of the invention, preliminary latch means are provided between the mating assist lever and the housing of the second connector. The preliminary latch means are engageable automatically in response to the lever reaching its fully mated position and before the locking means are engaged.
- As disclosed herein, the mating assist lever is generally U-shaped to define a pair of lever arms joined by a cross portion. The lever arms are pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the housing of the first connector. The locking means are provided between the housing of the second connector and the cross portion of the U-shaped mating assist lever.
- Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
- The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly incorporating the concepts of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view looking at the mating face of the receptacle connector of the assembly;
- FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the receptacle connector, schematically illustrating the pivotal movement of the latching lever;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking member detachably mountable on the plug connector;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plug connector;
- FIG. 7A is an enlarged depiction of the area encircled at "A" in FIG. 7; and
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the plug connector of FIGS. 7 and 7A, with the locking member of FIG. 6 mounted thereon.
- Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to FIGS. 1-3, the invention is embodied in an electrical connector assembly, generally designated 10, which includes a receptacle connector, generally designated 12, having a latching lever, generally designated 14, pivotally mounted thereon and a plug connector, generally designated 16, having a locking member detachably mounted thereon.
Receptacle connector 12 mounts a plurality ofconductive pin terminals 20, andplug connector 16 mounts a plurality ofsocket terminals 22.Pin terminals 20 are mounted in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 24 (Fig. 2), andsocket terminals 22 are mounted in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 26 (Fig. 2). When the connectors are mated as shown in FIG. 2,socket terminals 26 ofplug connector 16 receivepin terminals 20 ofreceptacle connector 12. The pin and socket terminals may be terminated to a plurality of discrete electrical wires (not shown). -
Connector assembly 10 may be used in such applications as automobiles or other vehicles where impacts and vibrations are encountered. Pin andsocket terminals - Referring to FIG. 3,
receptacle member 12 includes a terminal fixing member, generally designated 28, having a plurality of through passages 28a. Plug connector 15 also includes a terminal fixing member, generally designated 30, having a plurality of through passages 30a. Referring to FIG. 2,terminal fixing members receptacle connector 12 andplug connector 16, respectively. The terminal fixing members are movable from preliminary, terminal-loading positions to allowterminals passages passages terminal fixing members - Referring to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 3,
receptacle connector 12 includes a dielectric housing, generally designated 32, which has arear body portion 34 and afront mating portion 36. The housing may be a one-piece structure unitarily molded of plastic material. The rear body portion is formed with the terminal-receivingpassages 24 within whichpin terminals 20 are mounted.Front mating portion 36 defines areceptacle 40 for matingly receivingplug connector 16.Receptacle 40 defined byfront mating portion 36 is shaped to conform to the outer profile ofplug connector 16 and includes amating face 40a. - Generally, complementary interengaging guide means are provided between
front mating portion 36 ofhousing 32 ofreceptacle connector 12 and plugconnector 16 for guiding the connectors into mated condition. To that end, a pair of laterally spacedfirst guide ribs 42 project downwardly intoreceptacle 40 from a top of thefront mating portion 36 ofhousing 32 ofreceptacle connector 12. A pair of laterally spaced,second guide ribs 44 project upwardly intoreceptacle 40 from a bottom of the front mating portion. A third,enlarged guide rib 46 projects downwardly intoreceptacle 40 from a top of the front mating portion between the first pair ofguide ribs 42. The guide ribs extend through the receptacle in the mating direction torear body portion 34. Still further, aguide slot 48 extends in the mating direction in each of a pair ofside walls 50 offront mating portion 36. As seen best in FIG. 3, apivot post 52 projects outwardly from each side wall, and each pivot post has a downwardly protrudinghook 52a at the distal end thereof. Finally,housing 32 ofreceptacle connector 12 includes a pair ofrecesses 54 betweenfirst guide ribs 42 andthird guide rib 46, for purposes described hereinafter. - Latching
lever 14 is a mating assist lever and is generally U-shaped to define a pair of latch or leverarms 56 joined by a bight orcross portion 58. A hooked latch projects inwardly fromcross portion 58, and a pair of outwardly opening lockinggrooves 58b are formed in the outside surface ofcross portion 58 to form locking shoulders. Apivot hole 60 is formed in each latch orlever arm 56 for receiving a respective latch post 52 projecting outwardly fromhousing 32. The hole has a radially extending cut-outportion 60a for receivinghook 52a ofpivot post 52. Therefore, latchinglever 14 can be mounted tohousing 32 only by aligninghooks 52a of pivot post 52 with the cut-outareas 60a of pivot holes 60. Once mounted, slight pivotal movement of the latchinglever disaligns hook 52a from cut-out 60a, and the latch arms thereafter cannot be disconnected from the housing. Finally, anarcuate cam slot 62 is formed in eachlever arm 56 of latchinglever 14. The cam slot has anopen mouth 62a. Adetent projection 64 is formed at a given location incam slot 62, for purposes described hereinafter. FIG. 5 shows that latchinglever 14 is pivotable in the direction of double-headed arrow "C" about pivot posts 52 from a preliminary mating position shown by full lines and a latched or fully mated position shown in phantom, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. - Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 in conjunction with FIG. 3, plug
connector 16 includes a dielectric housing, generally designated 66, which may be a one-piece structure molded of plastic material. The housing includes the terminal-receivingpassages 26 which receive socket terminals 22 (Fig. 3). A pair offirst guide grooves 70 in a top portion of the housing receive thefirst guide ribs 42 of the receptacle connector. A pair ofsecond guide grooves 72 in a bottom portion ofhousing 66 receive thesecond guide ribs 44 of the receptacle connector. An enlargedthird guide groove 74 receives thethird guide rib 36 of the receptacle connector. A cam follower projection or latchpost 76 projects outwardly from each opposite side ofhousing 66. Each latch post has ashank portion 76a and anenlarged head 76b. Alocating detent notch 76c is formed in the latch post and faces in the mating direction of the connector. Anelongated guide rib 78 extends rearwardly from latch post 76 in the mating direction. - Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7A, a pair of locking
member locating walls 80 project upwardly fromhousing 66 ofplug connector 16 for receiving or locating locking member 18 (Fig. 6) in a position shown in FIG. 8. A locking member coupling structure, generally designated 82, is disposed between locatingwalls 80. The coupling structure includes a lockinghole 84 having chamfered first lockingshoulders 84a at opposite sides thereof. Another side of the hole defines a latching shoulder 84b. Second locking shoulders 86 are formed near the bottom of locatingwalls 80. - Referring specifically to FIG. 6, locking
member 18 includes abody 90 which may be a one-piece structure molded of plastic material. The body includes a pair of lockingprojections 92 which extend forwardly in the mating direction. A pair of first mounting hooks 94 project downwardly from the body, and a pair of second mounting hooks 96 also project downwardly from the body but outside first mounting hooks 94. A pair ofcoupling grooves 98 are formed on the underside ofbody 90, onegroove 98 being disposed outside each first mountinghook 94 and inside the respective second mountinghook 96. - Locking
member 18 is mounted to the top ofplug connector 16 in the direction of arrow "D" in FIG. 8. When mounted, first mounting hooks 94 on the underside of the locking member snap into latching engagement with the chamfered first lockingshoulders 84a (Fig. 7A) ofcoupling structure 82. Second mounting hooks 96 snap into locking engagement with second locking shoulders 84.Grooves 98 on the underside of the locking member receivecoupling projections 100 which project upwardly fromcoupling structure 82. - The mating of
receptacle connector 12 and plugconnector 16 and the locking of the connectors in mated condition now will be described. The plug connector is inserted intoreceptacle 40 of the receptacle connector, as the cam follower projections or latch posts 76 on the outsides of the plug connector are inserted intoguide slots 48 inside walls 50 of the receptacle connector. Precise guiding of the plug connector into the receptacle connector is effected as follows: (1)first guide ribs 42 of the receptacle connector move intofirst guide grooves 70 of the plug connector, (2)second guide ribs 44 of the receptacle connector move intosecond guide grooves 72 of the plug connector, (3)third guide rib 46 of the receptacle connector moves intothird guide groove 74 of the plug connector and (4)elongated guide ribs 78 which trial behind latch post 76 on the plug connector ride intoguide slots 48 of the receptacle connector. Theelongated guide ribs 78 prevent the two connectors from relative movement in a vertical direction and prevent relative pivoting movement about horizontal axes generally perpendicular to the mating direction. This entire guide means system ensures that the connectors are aligned precisely and, in turn, precisely alignssocket terminals 22 of the plug connector withpin terminals 20 of the receptacle connector. - Further movement of the two connectors in the mating direction causes
cam follower projections 76 to entermouths 62a ofcam slots 62 and into the cam slots.Detent projections 64 in the cam slot must be located to enter thelocating detent notches 76b in the leading side of latch posts 76 to properly angularlyposition latching lever 14. This position is shown by full lines of the latching lever in FIG. 5. The latching lever then is pivoted about pivot posts 52 in the direction of arrow "E" (Fig. 5) which pulls the two connectors into final latching position as latch posts 76 of the plug connector ride alongcam slots 62 of the rotating latching lever. When the connectors are fully mated,hooked latch 58a (Fig. 4) snaps into latching engagement with latching shoulder 84b (Figs. 7 and 8) of the plug connector to preliminarily latch the latching lever in the mated condition of the connectors. - Separate locking
member 18 then is used to completely lock the latching lever in its mated position. This is accomplished by mounting the locking member onto the plug connector in the direction of arrow "D" in FIG. 8, and as described above. When the locking member is so mounted, lockingprojections 92 of the locking member are positioned in lockinggrooves 58b of the latching lever so that the latching lever cannot move back out of its final position of mating of the connectors. - Therefore, hooked
latch 58a and latching shoulder 84b form a preliminary latch means for mating assistlever 14. Lockingmember 18 forms a final locking means for the mating assist lever. The preliminary latch means is engaged automatically when the mating assist lever reaches its fully mated position.
Claims (4)
- A lever type electrical connector assembly (10), comprising:a first connector (12) including a dielectric housing (32) mounting a plurality of first terminals (20);a mating assist lever (14) pivotally mounted on the housing of the first connector for pivotal movement between a preliminary mating position and a fully mated position, the lever having a cam groove (62) therein;a second connector (16) mateable with the first connector and including a dielectric housing (66) mounting a plurality of second terminals (22) for mating with the first terminals of the first connector, and a com follower projection (76) engageable in the cam groove (62) of the mating assist lever (14) in its preliminary mating position, whereby the connectors are mated in response to rotation of the mating assist lever (14) to its fully mated position as the cam follower projection (76) rides along the cam groove (62); wherein the mating assist lever (14) comprises a latch hook (58a), which automatically snaps into latching engagement with a latch shoulder (84b) on the housing of the second connector (16) in response to the mating assist lever (14) reaching its fully mated position;characterized in that the connector assembly comprises a separate final locking member (18) for being detachably mounted on the housing of the second connector (16) once the latch hook (58a) on the mating assist lever (14) is in latching engagement with the latch shoulder (84b) of the second connector (16), wherein
the locking member (18) has at least one locking projection (92) engageable with a locking surface on the mating assist lever (14), thereby positively locking the mating assist lever (14) in its fully mated position, and wherein the locking member (18) has a plurality of mounting hooks (94, 96) engageable with locking shoulders (84a) on the housing of the second connector (16) for mounting the locking member (18) thereon and for retaining the locking projection (92) in engagement with the locking surface (58b) on the mating assist lever (14). - Connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing of the second connector (16) comprises a locking hole (84) with chamfered first locking shoulders (84a) at opposite sides thereof, wherein first mounting hooks (94) on the underside of the locking member (18) snap into latching engagement with the chamfered first locking shoulders (84a) when the locking member (18) is mounted on the housing of the second connector (16) thereby still allowing a movement of the locking member (18) in the direction of the locking projection (92) for achieving an engagement with the locking surface (58b) on the mating assist lever (14); and
second mounting hooks (96) for snapping into locking engagement with second locking shoulders (84) on the housing of the second connector (16) once the locking projection (92) of the locking member (18) are in engagement with the locking surface (58b) on the mating assist lever (14). - Connector assembly of claims 1 or 2, wherein the locking member (18) comprises grooves (98) on the underside thereof for receiving coupling projections (100) on the housing of the second connector (16) when the locking member (18) is mounted thereon, wherein the grooves (98) and the coupling projections (100) are oriented such, that guidance of the locking member (18) in the direction of the locking projection (92) is provided.
- Connector assembly of claims 1 - 3, wherein the mating assist lever (14) is generally U-shaped to define a part of lever arms joint by a cross portion (58), wherein the latch hook (58a) is arranged in the middle of the cross portion (58).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR20-2003-0010041U KR200318479Y1 (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | A locking structure of a connector assembly for cars |
KR20-2003-0010039U KR200318477Y1 (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-04-02 | Connector assembly for cars coupling as one body a number of pin |
PCT/US2004/009316 WO2004093258A1 (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2004-03-26 | Lever type electrical connector assembly with improved locking means |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1614196A1 EP1614196A1 (en) | 2006-01-11 |
EP1614196B1 true EP1614196B1 (en) | 2007-05-23 |
Family
ID=33302320
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04758992A Expired - Fee Related EP1614196B1 (en) | 2003-04-02 | 2004-03-26 | Lever type electrical connector assembly with improved locking means |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1614196B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4191763B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602004006617T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004093258A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7175451B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2007-02-13 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Lever mated connector assembly with a position assurance device |
US7396240B2 (en) * | 2006-04-05 | 2008-07-08 | J.S.T. Corporation | Electrical connector with a locking mechanism |
US8717770B2 (en) | 2011-04-28 | 2014-05-06 | Finisar Corporation | Latching mechanisms for pluggable electronic devices |
JP6610952B2 (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2019-11-27 | 住友電装株式会社 | Lever type connector |
JP2019091610A (en) | 2017-11-14 | 2019-06-13 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
JP7218268B2 (en) * | 2019-10-04 | 2023-02-06 | ヒロセ電機株式会社 | Regulating member and connector assembly |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2598412Y2 (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1999-08-09 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Low insertion / extraction force connector |
JP3027487B2 (en) * | 1992-08-19 | 2000-04-04 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Locking mechanism for low insertion / extraction connector |
JP2598603Y2 (en) * | 1992-08-19 | 1999-08-16 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Low insertion / extraction force connector |
JPH0883644A (en) * | 1994-09-09 | 1996-03-26 | Yazaki Corp | Lever lock mechanism for lever fitting connector |
JP2921647B2 (en) * | 1994-11-22 | 1999-07-19 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Locking mechanism for low insertion / extraction connector |
DE10223928A1 (en) * | 2001-05-29 | 2003-01-23 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems | Lever type connector and assembly method |
-
2004
- 2004-03-26 DE DE602004006617T patent/DE602004006617T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-03-26 EP EP04758992A patent/EP1614196B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-03-26 WO PCT/US2004/009316 patent/WO2004093258A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2004-03-26 JP JP2006509349A patent/JP4191763B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE602004006617T2 (en) | 2008-01-31 |
JP2006522449A (en) | 2006-09-28 |
JP4191763B2 (en) | 2008-12-03 |
EP1614196A1 (en) | 2006-01-11 |
DE602004006617D1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
WO2004093258A1 (en) | 2004-10-28 |
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