EP2057714A1

EP2057714A1 - Electrical connector and housing thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2057714A1
Application number: EP07788500A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurent Morin; Claude Casses; Eiichiro Takizawa
Original assignee: FCI SA; Framatome Connectors International SAS
Current assignee: Delphi Connection Systems Holding France SAS
Priority date: 2006-08-21
Filing date: 2007-08-21
Publication date: 2009-05-13
Also published as: WO2008023009A1; JP2008047476A; KR20090048506A; CN101517838B; CN101517838A

Abstract

An electrical connector housing and a connector made of such housing are provided. The housing has a first element and a second element. The first element has one or more compartments for installing electrical terminals therein. Each compartment has a lance portion for locking the terminal. The second element has a windowed wall portion which covers the front surface of the first element. The second element can be moved relative to the first element between a first position and a second position. When at the first position, the lance portions are exposed through the windows; hence the lance portions can be accessed by a jig for being disengaged from the terminal, to allow withdrawal and replacement of the terminal. When at the second position, the windows shifted away from the lance portions, therefore the lance portions are covered by the wall portion and access to the lance portions are prevented.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND HOUSING THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electrical connector. In particular, it relates to an electrical connector and a housing in which the electrical terminals are detachable from the housing for replacement.

BACKGROUND

An electrical connector typically has a dielectric housing, for enclosing and supporting electrical terminals in the housing. Japanese patent publication JP 2002-75507 A discloses a connector having a housing and a retainer for securing electrical terminals in the housing. The housing and retainer are produced by respectively injection molding from a thermoplastic material or the like. The housing is formed with an array of cavities passing through and opening in front and rear directions, the cavities having lance portions extending inside, and a hollow portion for receiving the retainer being formed in the direction traversing the cavities. The retainer has hole portions formed therein, such that when the retainer is inserted into the hollow portion, the hole portions communicate with the cavities. Electrical terminals are inserted into the communicating cavities.

The housing and retainer are assembled, then the terminals are inserted into the cavities until they contact the front wall portion and are detained by the lance portions. After insertion of the terminals, the retainer is completely accommodated in the hollow portion, and the terminals are held in engagement to the housing with the retainer.

When a terminal is found damaged or defective, the terminal may be disengaged from the housing. This disengagement is performed by inserting a jig through aperture portions in the front of the cavities to deform the lance portions, thus enabling the defective terminals to be withdrawn from the housing for replacement. Due to the limitations of the molding process and the shape of the mold, the front wall portion of the housing of the connector cannot be made very thick, so it must remain thin. Such a think wall, however, can be damaged due to the load from insertion of the terminals or impacts from external sources.

In addition, during a terminal replacement process, the jig is pressed strongly against the front wall portion which acts as a fulcrum when the jig is inserted to disengage the lance portions and terminals. As such, the front wall portion may not be strong enough to withstand the load exerted by the jig, hence the front wall portion or even the hole connector housing may also be damaged during the terminal-withdrawal process.

It is therefore desirable to provide a connector housing, made by injection-molding still, while the front wall portion of the housing is strong enough to withstand the load during terminal-insertion and/or terminal-withdrawal process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present provide connectors and their housing in which, the housing has adequate strength to withstand the load that is applied when inserting terminals, the impacts from external sources, and the load from work with jigs.

In one embodiment, an electrical connector housing and a connector made of such housing are provided. The housing has a first element and a second element. The first element has one or more cavities or compartments passing through the front and rear surfaces of the first element. A lance portion is formed inside each compartment for locking a terminal inserted into the compartment. The second element has a wall portion and when assembled to the first element, the wall portion covers the front surface of the first element. The wall portion has windows formed thereon. The second element can be moved relative to the first element between a first position and a second position. When at the first position, the lance portions are exposed through the windows; hence the lance portions can be accessed, by a jig for example, for being disengaged from the electrical terminal, to allow withdrawal and replacement of the terminals. When at the second position, the windows shifted away from the lance portions, therefore the lance portions are covered by the wall portion by which, access to the lance portions are prevented.

The first element and second element can be formed separately, hence advantageously, the wall portion on the second element can be configured differently from the first element. As such, the wall portion can have adequate thickness or even formed with different material than that of the first element, thus providing adequate load- withstanding capacity for the housing, and protection from the load of insertion of the terminal, impacts from external sources and the load from work with a jig.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the inventive concept of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l(a) is a perspective view of a connector housing according to one embodiment of the present invention before assembly.

Fig. l(b) is an upside-down perspective view of Fig. l(a).

Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of Fig. l(a) when the connector housing is assembled to a temporary position.

Fig. 2(b) is an upside-down perspective view of Fig. 2(a). - A -

Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of Fig. l(a) in a state of completed assembly.

Fig. 3(b) is an upside-down perspective view of Fig. 3(a).

Fig. 4(a) is a top view of Fig. 3(a).

Fig. 4(b) is a front view of Fig. 3(a).

Fig. 4(c) is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 2(a).

Fig. 4(d) is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3(a).

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 2(a).

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 3(a).

Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 2(a).

Fig. 8(a) is a perspective view of a connector housing before assembly, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8(b) is an upside-down perspective view of Fig. 8(a).

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of Fig. 8(a) in a state of completed assembly.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 8(a) when the connector housing is temporarily assembled.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figs. l(a) and l(b) are perspective views showing a connector housing according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. l(a) shows the state before assembly 5 of a first element 1 and a second element 2 of the connector housing. The first element

1 and the second element 2 may be both produced by molding.

As shown in Figs. l(a) and l(b), a first element 1 has three rows of cavities or compartments 3 passing from a front surface A to a rear surface B. Inside each o compartment 3 there is a lance portion 16 (Figs. 4(c) and (d)). A hollow portion 11 interrupts and intersects compartment 3 inside first element 1. Hollow portion 11 has detaining pieces 14 (Figs. 5 and 6) on the inside surfaces of side walls 13. Detaining pieces 14 are to act against step portions 10 provided on the side surfaces of retainer 4 of second element 2 described below. Side walls 13 cover a portion of the periphery of a5 delimiting portion 19. Edge portions of side walls 13 protrude further from front surface A, forming guide portions 12 and a restraining portion 20 for restraining front wall 5 of second element 2.

Second element 2 has a retainer 4 to be accommodated in hollow portion 11 of o first element 1 and a front wall 5 connected to retainer 4 via a connecting portion 6.

Retainer 4 and front wall 5 extend parallel to each other, separated by a gap 21. Retainer 4 has holes 9 opening in the same directions as the direction of compartments 3. Step portions 10 have inclined surfaces facing outward from retainer 4. Holes 9 are formed in three rows corresponding to compartments 3. Front wall 5 has three rows 5 each of first set of windows 7 and second set of windows 8. First and second sets of windows7 and 8 respectively open and pass through in the same direction as the compartments 3.

When fitting first element 1 and second element 2 together, retainer 4 of second0 element 2 is inserted into hollow portion 11 of first element 1, crossing cavities 3.

Front wall 5 of second element 2 is inserted along guide portion 12 of first element 1, covering front surface A. At the same time, delimiting portion 19 of first element 1 is inserted into gap 21 of second element 2, to achieve a temporary assembled position, also referred in the context as "first position", as shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b). At this temporary assembled position as shown further in Fig. 5, detaining pieces 14 on side surfaces 13 of first element 1 and step portions 10 on retainer 4 of second element 2 contact each other on the inside of side walls 13 of hollow portion 11, thus temporarily stopping insertion of retainer 4 while first element 1 and second element 2 are not completely coupled together.

The situation inside compartment 3 at this temporary assembled position is shown in Fig. 4(c). Front wall 5 of second element 2 is positioned to cover front surface A of first element 1, and second windows 8 in front wall 5 communicate with compartments 3. Additionally, retainer 4 is inserted into hollow portion 11 , and forms communicating holes for connecting with compartments 3 via holes 9..

Terminals 15 are each inserted into a compartment 3 from rear surface B in the direction towards front surface A. Each terminal 15 has a recess or aperture portion 18 formed on peripheral surfaces thereof. A terminal 15 is inserted into a corresponding compartment 3, with recess portion 18 facing lance portion 16. During the insertion process, the peripheral surface of each terminal 15 acts against a projection portion 17 of lance portion 16, and elastically deforms lance portion 16 while sliding along the compartment. At an insertion-complete position, projection portion 17 is received by recess portion 18, and releases the pressure on the projection portion 17 to elastically restore lance portion 16. As a result, projection portion 17 restricts movement of the terminal 15 in the direction towards surface B. In addition, terminals 15 are stopped by front wall 5, hence are restricted from moving further beyond front surface A.

When it is desired to withdraw a terminal 15 from compartment 3, as shown in Fig. 7, a jig 30 is inserted from second window portion 8 into the compartment, with the thick portion at the periphery of the window frame of second window portion 8 as the fulcrum, to pry projection 17 16 out of recess portion 18., so as to disengage projection

17 from recess portion 18. The peripheral portions of the window frame portion are thick and strong enough to withstand the pressure from jig 30, and therefore will not be damaged by the load acting thereon.

To complete the assembling process, first element 1 and second element 2 are further fitted towards each other to a complete assembling position, also referred in the context as "second position", as shown in Figs. 3 and 4(d).

Fig. 6 shows a state of engagement between detaining piece 14 and step portion 10 at the complete assembled position. During the insertion process from the temporary assembled position to the complete assembled position, step portion 10 slides along the inclined surface of detaining piece 14, and both elastically deformed, then elastically restored upon reaching a designated position to be fitted together, as shown in Fig. 6. As a result, detaining piece 14 and step portion 10 act against latched to each other, thus completing the assembly of first element 1 and second element 2.

Alternatively, a projection or recess portion may be provided on guide portion 12, and a complementary recess or projection portion can be provided on the side portion of front wall 5, so as to detain first and second elements 1 and 2 where the projections and recesses fit together.

At the complete assembled position the position, as shown in Fig. 4(d), holes 9 in retainer 4 are shifted in the direction of insertion of retainer 4 as compared with Fig. 4(c). As a result, periphery portion 92 of hole 9 partially occupies each compartment, to engage step portion 152 of terminal 15. This engagement further prevents withdrawal of terminal 15 from compartment 3 towards surface B.

When at the complete assembled position as shown in Fig. 4(d), second set of windows 8 are shifted away from cavities 3, hence communication of second set of windows 8 with compartments 3 is cut off. Instead, compartments 3 are exposed by first set of windows 7, and therefore a counterpart connector (not shown) may be guided and mated, to connect terminals 15 to achieve an electrical connection.

Figs. 8(a) and (b) are perspective views from different angles showing a connector housing according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in a state before assembly. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing completed assembly of a first element 81 and a second element 82 of the connector housing.

First element 81 has two rows of compartments 83 opening passing between a front surface A and a rear surface B, and has a hollow portion 91 that interrupts and intersects compartments 83. Projections 90 having inclined surface are formed on the side surfaces of a delimiting portion 99 on first element 81. A lance portion 103 (Figs. 10 and 11) is formed in each compartment 83.

Second element 82 has a retainer 84 to be accommodated in hollow portion 91, and a wall portion 85 connected to retainer 84 by a connecting portion 86. Retainer 84 and wall portion 85 extend in parallel, spaced apart by a designated distance. A row of through holes 89 which open onto and pass between the front surface A and the rear surface B is formed on retainer 84. Wall portion 85 has a front surface wall portion 95 for covering front surface A and guide portions 100 that slide along the side surfaces of the delimiting portion 99 of first element 81. Front surface wall portion 95 has two rows of windows 87. Additionally, guide portions 100 each has a first groove or recess 97 and a second groove or recess 97' for engagement with projections 90

When first element 81 and second element 82 are assembled, retainer 84 of the second element 82 is inserted into hollow portion 91 of first element 1. Additionally, front wall portion 85 of second element 82 moves so that front surface wall portion 95 covers surface A of first element 81, and guide portions 100 slide along side surfaces of delimiting portion 99. In the meantime, projections 90 fit into and engage with groove or recess 97 at which, first and second elements 81 and 82 are at a temporary assembled position, also referred in the context as "first position". Fig. 10 shows a cross section of compartments 83 at the temporary assembled position. Retainer 84 fits into hollow portion 91, and the communication holes are formed between surface A and surface B by holes 89 in compartments 83.

Next, terminals 105 are inserted into compartments 83 from rear surface B toward front surface A. In Fig. 10, terminals 105 are inserted while act against projection portions 113 of lance portions 103 and elastically deforming lance portions 103. When lance portions 103 reach a designated position, projection portions 113 fit into apertures or recesses 115 of terminals 105 and are elastically restored. As a result, terminals 105 are detained in compartments 83 by projection portions 113 of lance portions 103.

Withdrawal of terminals 105 from the compartments is prevented. Additionally, terminals 105 are also prevented from moving in a direction towards surface A, by front surface wall portion 95. At this time, even if the force of insertion of the terminals 105 is large, the thickness of front surface wall portion 95 is adequate so that contact with the terminals 105 will not damage the front surface wall portion 95.

At this temporary assembled position, also shown in Fig. 10, compartments 83 are exposed by windows 87 through which, jig 130 may be inserted to disengage lance 103 for the purpose of withdrawing and replacing the terminals 105.

A top wall 92 that delimits holes 89 of retainer 84 is positioned at a designated spacing from the top row of terminals 105, and bottom surface portions 98 of holes 89 are positioned at a designated spacing from the bottom row of terminals 105.

After completing insertion of terminals 105 into some or all of the compartments

83, second element 82 moves further towards first element 81, so that projection 90 fits into second groove or recess 97', thus first element 81 and second element 82 are at a complete assembled position, also referred to in the context as "second position", as shown in Fig. 11.

In Fig. 11, windows 87 are shifted away from exposing lances 103, but facing and in alignment with terminals 105. At this complete assembled position, terminals 205 of a counterpart connector may be inserted to compartments 83 through windows 87, and coupled to terminals 105. Windows 87 may also have a tapered entrance so as to guide the terminals of the counterpart connector, thus enabling the terminals of the counterpart connector to be coupled to contact terminals 105. Top wall 92 and bottom surface portion 98 respectively support terminals 105 of the top row and the bottom row, and detain the terminals against movement in the direction of withdrawal. As a result, terminals 105 are secured in compartments 83 by the engagement between lance portions 103 and retainer 84.

5 Windows 87 serve the purpose of both access holes for jig 130 for withdrawing terminals 105, and holes for receiving the terminals of a counterpart connector. Additional or auxiliary jig-access holes are therefore not required in the present embodiment.

l o Although embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, and is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, alternatives and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set

15 forth and recited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A housing for an electrical connector, comprising: a first element having a plurality of compartments passing therethrough from 5 a front surface to a rear surface, and a plurality of lance portions each formed in one of the compartments; a second element coupled to the first element, the second element having a wall portion covering the front surface, the wall portion having a plurality of windows; o wherein the second element is movable relative to the first element between a first position at which the lance portions are exposed through the windows; and a second position at which the lance portions are blocked by the wall portion. 5

2. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elements further comprising retaining members engageable to each other for fixing the first and second elements at the first or the second position.

3. The housing of claim 2, wherein the retaining members includes a pair of o projections formed on the first element and a set of recesses formed on the second element.

4. The housing of claim 3, wherein the set of recesses comprises a first pair of recesses and a second pair of recesses, wherein when the first pair of recesses 5 engage the pair of projections the second element is fixed at the first position, and when the second pair of recesses engage the pair of projections the second element is fixed at the second position.

5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first element further comprises a hollow 0 portion intersecting the compartments, and the second element further comprises a retainer for inserting into the hollow portion.

6. The housing of claim 5, wherein when the second element is at the second position the retainer projects into each compartment to partially occupy a cross sectional area of each compartment.

5 7. The housing of claim 6, wherein when the second element is at the first position the retainer resumes full cross sectional area in each compartment.

8. An electrical connector comprising: a housing including: 0 a first element having a plurality of compartments passing therethrough from a front surface to a rear surface, and a plurality of lance portions each formed in one of the compartments; a second element coupled to the first element, the second element having a wall portion covering the front surface, the wall portion having a 5 plurality of windows; a plurality of electrical terminals each being disposed in one of the compartments and engaged to the lance portion; wherein the second element is movable relative to the first element between a first position at which access to the lance portions through the windows is o allowed for disengaging the lance portions from the electrical terminals; and a second position at which access to the lance portions is prevented by the wall portion.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the first element further comprises a 5 hollow portion intersecting the compartments, and the second element further comprises a retainer for inserting into the hollow portion..

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein when the second element is at the second position the retainer partially occupies a cross sectional area in each 0 compartment to block the electrical terminal from being withdrawn from the compartment.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein when the second element is at the first position the retainer resumes full sectional area in each compartment to allow withdrawal of the electrical terminal from the compartment.

5 12. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the first element further comprises a pair of projections and the second element further comprises a first pair and a second pair of recesses, wherein when the first pair of recesses engage the pair of projections the second element is fixed at the first position, and when the second pair of recesses engage the pair of projections the second element is fixed at the o second position.

13. An electrical connector comprising a first element and a second element, the first element having one or a plurality of through cavities opening in front and rear directions, with lance portions protruding inside said cavities; 5 the second element having a retainer portion with through hole portions opening in front and rear directions; said retainer portion being inserted across said cavities in the first element, so as to communicate said hole portions and said cavities; terminals being inserted into said cavities from the rear until detained by said o lance portions; said terminals being retained by the retainer portion when said retainer portion is completely inserted; and wherein the second element is provided with a wall portion connected to the retainer portion and covering the front openings of the first element, said 5 wall portion having window portions connecting to the inside of the cavities through the respective front openings.

14. A connector as recited in claim 13, wherein said window portions comprise first window portions passing toward the lance portions inside the cavities, and second 0 window portions passing toward the terminal.

15. A connector as recited in any one of claim 13 or 14, wherein said first element or second element further comprises guide portions for guiding the wall portion.

16. A connector as recited in claim 15, wherein detaining portions are formed on the guide portions.

5

17. A connector as recited in any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein a housing of the second element is provided with recesses or projections for engaging with projections or recesses provided in a counterpart connector comprising a housing for accommodating the terminals inserted into said window portions. 0

18. A connector as recited in claim 13, wherein the second element is movable relative to the first element between a first position at which the lance portions are exposed through the window portions; and a second position at which the lance portions are covered by the wall portion. 5

19. A connector as recited in claim 18, wherein when the second element is at the first position the lance portions are accessible through the window portions for being disengaged from the electrical terminal, and when the second element is at the second position the lance portions are blocked from being accessed by the o wall portion.