EP3939127A1 - Organe d'assurance de position de connecteur - Google Patents

Organe d'assurance de position de connecteur

Info

Publication number
EP3939127A1
EP3939127A1 EP20706018.7A EP20706018A EP3939127A1 EP 3939127 A1 EP3939127 A1 EP 3939127A1 EP 20706018 A EP20706018 A EP 20706018A EP 3939127 A1 EP3939127 A1 EP 3939127A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
position assurance
engagement
connector position
assurance device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20706018.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Nicholas Lee Evans
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.)
TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
Original Assignee
TE Connectivity Services GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US16/352,270 external-priority patent/US10587076B2/en
Application filed by TE Connectivity Services GmbH filed Critical TE Connectivity Services GmbH
Publication of EP3939127A1 publication Critical patent/EP3939127A1/fr
Pending 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
    • H01R13/62—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
    • H01R13/6273—Latching means integral with the housing comprising two latching arms
    • 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
    • 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

  • the present invention is directed to a connector position assurance device, an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly which provides proper connector position assurance to assure that the mating connectors are properly mated.
  • the connector position assurance device, the electrical connector and the electrical connector assembly provides proper connector position assurance for a connector assembly of small size.
  • first and second housings containing electrical contacts.
  • One housing includes male electrical contacts, while the other housing includes female electrical contacts.
  • the first housing is configured to be received inside the second housing such that the male and female electrical contacts are electrically connected.
  • the first and second housing are provided with a latch assembly more generally referred to as a position assurance feature.
  • the latch assembly includes a base plate, a suspended prong on the first housing and a ramp on the second housing. The base plate is slidably retained beside the prong.
  • Known connector position assurance devices require a significant space as compared to the first and second housings. Consequently, known connector position assurance devices are not practical with small connectors, as the connector size limits how the connector position assurance can interact with the housings. In addition, even when using known connector position assurances, a significant number of connectors fail to mate properly. For example, the largest warranty problem with automotive connectors is that the connectors are not fully mated, causing system failures after the automobile has left the assembly plant. This is due to the fact that at the vehicle assembly plant, some connectors are mated far enough to make initial, electrical contact but the latches of the connectors are not fully engaged, causing the connectors to not be locked or secured together.
  • a connector position assurance device having a base portion and a resiliently deformable beam.
  • the base portion includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a base front end and a base back end.
  • the resiliently deformable beam extends from the front end of the base portion in a direction away from the back end of the base portion.
  • the beam has a free end spaced from the base portion.
  • a camming member is provided proximate the free end of the beam.
  • the beam has a lockout projection engagement member provided proximate the free end of the beam and in-line with the camming member.
  • the lockout projection engagement member has an engagement surface.
  • the engagement surface extends from a surface of the camming member to an outer side wall of the beam.
  • the engagement surface extends at a first angle such that the engagement surface proximate the outer side wall is closer to the free end than the engagement surface proximate the surface of the camming member.
  • the engagement surface extends from the top side of the beam to a top surface of the lockout projection engagement member.
  • the engagement surface extends at a second angle such that the engagement surface proximate the top surface of the lockout projection engagement member is closer to the free end than the engagement surface proximate the top side of the beam.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative plug connector mated with an illustrative header or mating connector.
  • FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the header or mating connector of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an illustrative connector position assurance member housed in the plug connector.
  • FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the connector position assurance member of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the lockout projection engagement members of the connector position assurance member of FIG. 4.
  • FIG 7 is an enlarged side view of a respective lockout projection engagement member of the connector position assurance member of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken through a beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector initially engaging the header or mating connector with the connector position assurance member in an initial position.
  • FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken through positioning arms of the plug connector showing the connector position assurance member in the initial position.
  • FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of the interlocking engagement of the header or mating connector with the connector position assurance member, as shown in FIG. 8A.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken through the beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector partially mated to the header or mating connector with the connector position assurance member in the initial position.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through the beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector fully mated to the header or mating connector with the connector position assurance member between the initial position and a final or locked position.
  • FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken through the beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector fully mated to the header or mating connector with the connector position assurance member in the final or locked position.
  • FIG. 11 B is a cross-sectional view taken through positioning arms of the plug connector showing the plug connector fully mated to the header or mating connector with the connector position assurance member in the final or locked position.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical connector or plug 10 mated with a mating connector or header 100 which together form a connector assembly 50.
  • the electrical connector 10 and mating connector 100 are shown as representations and may vary without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the connectors 10 and 100 will have many other features, such as contacts and contact latches, which are not shown in the figures.
  • the electrical connector 10 has a housing body 12 with contact receiving passages 14 for receiving contacts 13 therein (FIG. 8A).
  • the electrical connector 10 has a forward mating end 16 and a rearward end 18.
  • Conductors or wires 15, which are in electrical engagement with the contacts 13 inserted in the passages 14, extend from the rearward end 18.
  • a first side surface 19 and an oppositely facing second side surface 20 extend between the mating end 16 and the rearward end 18.
  • Latches or latch arms 22 having engagement projections 24 extend from the side surfaces 19, 20.
  • each latch 22 is connected to a respective side surface 19, 20 proximate the forward mating end 16 and extends toward the rearward end 18.
  • the latches 22 are used to latch and secure the mating connector 100 to the connector 10, as will be more fully described below.
  • positioned proximate the latch arm 22 is a connector position assurance (CPA) receiving recess 30.
  • CCA connector position assurance
  • Lockout projections 40 are provided proximate to the latch 22 and extend into a connector position assurance receiving recess 30 to cooperate with the connector position assurance device 200.
  • the lockout projections 40 are provided on either side of the latch 22.
  • the mating connector 100 has a complimentary latch engagement section 110 which is positioned to engage the latch arm 22 as the connector 10 and the mating connector are moved from an unmated position to a mated position.
  • a latch-receiving opening 114 is positioned proximate the latch engagement or activation section 110 and is dimensioned to receive the engagement projection 24 when the connector 10 is fully mated to the mating connector 100.
  • the latch engagement or activation sections 110 also acts as connector position assurance engagement ribs.
  • the engagement projection 24 of the latch arm 22 cooperates with and is positioned in the latch-receiving opening 114 to secure the mating connector 100 with the electrical connector 10.
  • the connector 10 is received within the shroud 120 of the mating connector 100.
  • Electrical contacts 130 (FIGS. 8A and 8B) of the mating connector 100 mate with electrical contacts 13 in the electrical connector 10.
  • a connector position assurance device 200 is positioned proximate to and is movable relative to the latch arm 22 of the connector 10.
  • the connector position assurance device 200 is maintained in the connector position assurance receiving opening 30 and is movable between a first position or open position, as shown in FIG. 8, and a second or fully inserted position, as shown in FIG. 11.
  • the connector position assurance device 200 has a base portion 202 and two resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 which extend from the base portion 202.
  • the beam 204 has a longitudinal axis which is essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the beam 205.
  • the base portion 202 has a top surface 206, a bottom surface 208, a base front end 210 and a base back end 212.
  • the beams 204 extend from the front end 210 in a direction away from the back end 212.
  • the back end 212 is configured to allow an operator to manually engage or activate the connector position assurance device 200.
  • the front end 210 of the base portion 212 has a latch engagement portion which extends from the top surface 206 and is configured to interact with the latch 22, when the connector 10 is not fully mated with the mating connector 100, as will be more fully described.
  • a latch receiving cavity 228 is provided in top surface.
  • Each of the resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 has a top side 220, a bottom side 222, a beam front end 224, a beam back end 226 an inner side wall 225 and an outer side wall 227.
  • the inner side wall 225 of beam 204 faces the inner side wall 225 of beam 205.
  • the back end 226 of each beam 204, 205 is attached to or is integral with the front end 210 of the base portion 202.
  • a lockout projection engagement member 230 extends from the top side 220 of each of the beams 204, 205.
  • camming members 250 Provided proximate to and in-line with the lockout projection engagement members 230 are camming members 250. The camming members 250 extend from the top side 220 of each beam
  • the camming members 250 are provided proximate free ends of the beams 204, 205 and proximate the inner side walls 225 of the beams 204,
  • the lockout projection engagement members 230 are provided proximate the free ends of the first beam and the first camming member and proximate the outer side wall of the beams 204, 205.
  • the camming members 250 have sloped surfaces 252 to better cooperate with the activation section 110 of the mating connector 100, as will be more fully described.
  • each lockout projection engagement member 230 has an engagement surface 231 which is configured to cooperate with a mating engagement surface 41 of the lockout projection 40 of the connector 10.
  • the engagement surfaces 231 extend from surfaces 233 of the camming members 250 to the outer side wall 227 of the deformable beams 204, 205.
  • the engagement surfaces 231 are angled such that the engagement surfaces 231 proximate the outer side wall 227 are closer to the beam front ends 224 than the engagement surfaces 231 proximate the surfaces 233 of the camming members 250.
  • the engagement surface 231 forms an angle 237. While the size of the angles 237 may vary, the angle may be, but is not limited to, between 60 degrees and 85 degrees.
  • the engagement surfaces 231 extend from the top sides 220 of the beams 204, 205 to top surfaces 241 of the lockout projection engagement members 230.
  • the engagement surfaces 231 are angled such that the engagement surfaces 231 proximate the top surfaces 241 of the lockout projection engagement members 230 are closer to the beam front ends 224 than the engagement surfaces 231 proximate the top sides 220 of the beams 204, 205.
  • the engagement surface 231 forms an angle 243. While the size of the angle 243 may vary, the angles may be, but is not limited to, between 60 degrees and 85 degrees.
  • positioning rails 260 extend from the base portion 202.
  • the positioning rails 260 have latching projections 262.
  • the positioning rails 260 cooperate with mating recesses in the connector 10 to provide the proper positioning and stabilization to the connector position assurance device 200 relative to housing body 12 of the connector 10.
  • the latching projections 262 cooperate with the connector 10 to prevent the removal of the connector position assurance device 200 from the connector 10 and to retain the connector position assurance device 200 in the first position on the connector 10 prior to mating with the mating connector 100.
  • the longitudinal axis of the positioning rails 260 is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beams 204, 205.
  • FIGS. 8 through 11 the progression or method of inserting the plug or connector 10 into the header or mating connector 100 is shown.
  • the connector 10 is shown loosely positioned in the header connector 100.
  • the engagement projection 24 of the latch 22 has not engaged the latch engagement section 110 of the connector 100.
  • the connector position assurance device 200 is maintained in the pre-mated, open or first position.
  • the latch 22 is in a normal or undeflected position.
  • the connector position assurance device 100 is maintained in the pre-mated, open or first position by the cooperation of the latching projections 262 with projections 33 which extend into connector position assurance latch arm receiving opening 32.
  • lockout projections 40 of the connector 10 engages the lockout projection engagement members 230 to prevent the unwanted insertion of the connector position assurance device 200 to a mated, second or inserted position.
  • the mating engagement surface 41 of the lockout projections 40 are configured to have the reverse inclination as the engagement surfaces 231 of the lockout projection engagement members 230 allowing the engagement surfaces 231 and mating engagement surfaces 41 to form a type of interlocking engagement, as shown in FIG. 8C, in which the angles of the surfaces cooperate to form positive locks which are difficult to inadvertently overcome, thereby preventing the unwanted advancement of the connector position assurance device 200 into the mating connector 100 is not fully inserted into the connector 10.
  • the engagement projection 24 of the latch 22 is moved into engagement with the latch engagement section 110 of the mating connector 100.
  • the latch engagement section 110 causes the engagement projection 24 and the latch 22 to be resiliently activated or deflected away from either side surface 19, 20 of the connector 10, as shown in FIG. 9. If the connector 10 cannot properly mate with the mating connector 100, for example due to improper alignment of the contacts 13, 130, the continued insertion of the connector 10 into the mating connector 100 may be prevented. If this occurs, the latch 22 will remain in the deflected position shown in FIG. 9.
  • the connector position assurance device 200 cannot be moved to a second or inserted position, as the latch 22 will engage the front end 242 of the latch cooperation member 240 of the connector position assurance device 200 to prevent the movement of the connector position assurance device 200 to the mated, second or inserted position.
  • the engagement portion 24 of the latch 22 is moved past the latch engagement section 110, allowing the latch 22 to return to its original or unstressed position. In this position, the engagement portion 24 is positioned and retained in the latch receiving opening 114. With the engagement portion 24 properly positioned in the latch receiving opening 114, the connector position assurance device 200 can be moved from the pre-mated, open or first position toward the mated, second or inserted position.
  • the sloped surfaces 252 of the camming members 250 engage the connector position assurance activation areas 140 of the mating connector 100, forcing the camming members 250 and the resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 to move toward the bottom surface 20 of the connector 10.
  • the engagement surfaces 231 of the lockout projection engagement members 230 are moved slightly backward and downward below the mating engagement surfaces 41 of the lockout projection 40 of the connector 10, thereby allowing the continued insertion of the connector position assurance device 200 into the connector position assurance receiving recess 30 of the connector 10 to continue.
  • the camming members 250 will not engage the connector position assurance activation areas 140, thereby preventing the movement of the resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 and the lockout projection engagement members 230. Consequently, continued insertion of the connector position assurance device 200 will be prevented by the cooperation of the lockout projection engagement members 230 with the lockout projections 40.
  • the insertion of the connector position assurance device 200 can continue.
  • the connector position assurance device 200 is moved to the mated, second or inserted position.
  • the camming members 250 are moved beyond the connector position assurance activation areas 140 of the mating connector 100 into the latch-receiving opening 114, allowing the camming members 250 and the resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 to return toward an unstressed position.
  • the lockout projection engagement member 230 is moved past the lockout projection 40 of the connector to the mated, closed or second position.
  • the connector position assurance device 200 is maintained in the mated, closed or second position by the cooperation of the camming members 250 with the latch-receiving opening 114.
  • the latch-receiving cavity 228 of the connector position assurance device 200 is positioned beneath latch 22.
  • the latch cooperation member 240 of the connector position assurance device 200 is positioned below the latch 22 to block the activation or movement of the latch 22, preventing the unwanted or inadvertent unmating of the connector 10 from the mating connector 100.
  • the connector position assurance device 200 is returned to the initial position.
  • a force applied to the connector position assurance device 200 in the opposite direction of insertion forces the camming members 250 to move out of latch-receiving opening 114, allowing the movement of the connector position assurance device 200 toward the pre-mated, open or first position.
  • the top surface 206 of the connector position assurance device 200 is moved away from the latch 22, allowing the latch 22 to be depressed, which in turn allows the connector 10 to be unmated from the mating connector 100.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif d'assurance de position de connecteur ayant une poutre élastiquement déformable qui a une extrémité libre écartée de la partie de base. Un organe de came est disposé à proximité de l'extrémité libre de la poutre. La poutre a un organe de prise en saillie de verrouillage disposé à proximité de l'extrémité libre de la poutre et en ligne avec l'organe de came. La surface de prise s'étend à un premier angle de sorte que la surface de prise à proximité d'une paroi latérale extérieure est plus proche de l'extrémité libre que la surface de prise à proximité d'une surface de l'organe de came. La surface de prise s'étend à un deuxième angle de sorte que la surface de prise à proximité d'une surface supérieure de l'organe de prise en saillie de verrouillage est plus proche de l'extrémité libre que la surface de prise à proximité d'un côté supérieur de la poutre.
EP20706018.7A 2019-03-13 2020-02-05 Organe d'assurance de position de connecteur Pending EP3939127A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/352,270 US10587076B2 (en) 2018-03-23 2019-03-13 Connector position assurance member
PCT/IB2020/050935 WO2020183255A1 (fr) 2019-03-13 2020-02-05 Organe d'assurance de position de connecteur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3939127A1 true EP3939127A1 (fr) 2022-01-19

Family

ID=69630562

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20706018.7A Pending EP3939127A1 (fr) 2019-03-13 2020-02-05 Organe d'assurance de position de connecteur

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3939127A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP7427603B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR20210150412A (fr)
CN (1) CN113557641B (fr)
WO (1) WO2020183255A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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
US9478906B2 (en) * 2014-03-18 2016-10-25 Tyco Electronics Corporation Connector mating assurance
FR3049118A1 (fr) * 2016-03-15 2017-09-22 Tyco Electronics France Sas Dispositif d'assurance de position de connecteur, boitier de connecteur et systeme de connecteur electrique
JP6842372B2 (ja) 2017-05-26 2021-03-17 矢崎総業株式会社 端子の係止構造

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN113557641B (zh) 2024-03-15
JP2022527722A (ja) 2022-06-06
KR20210150412A (ko) 2021-12-10
JP7427603B2 (ja) 2024-02-05
WO2020183255A1 (fr) 2020-09-17
CN113557641A (zh) 2021-10-26

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