GB2130445A - Latching arrangement for electrical connectors - Google Patents

Latching arrangement for electrical connectors Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2130445A
GB2130445A GB8325962A GB8325962A GB2130445A GB 2130445 A GB2130445 A GB 2130445A GB 8325962 A GB8325962 A GB 8325962A GB 8325962 A GB8325962 A GB 8325962A GB 2130445 A GB2130445 A GB 2130445A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
latching
locking cam
finger
connector
retaining collar
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Withdrawn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
GB8325962A
Other versions
GB8325962D0 (en
Inventor
Robert Leonard Cunliffe
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.)
Balfour Beatty PLC
Original Assignee
BICC PLC
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 BICC PLC filed Critical BICC PLC
Priority to GB8325962A priority Critical patent/GB2130445A/en
Publication of GB8325962D0 publication Critical patent/GB8325962D0/en
Publication of GB2130445A publication Critical patent/GB2130445A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/712—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
    • H01R12/714—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
    • 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

Abstract

A latching arrangement for securing an electrical connector to a printed circuit board (1), Figure 1 (not shown), comprises a locking cam 2 attached to the board, a retaining collar 3 clipped to the board, and a connector 6 comprising a connector housing 7 having at least one resilient latching finger 8 which engages and latches to the locking cam to secure the housing to the board, the or each latching finger being adjacent a corresponding groove 9 in the retaining collar, said latching arrangement having means 12 or 17 for increasing the pressure on the or each latching finger above the pressure generated by the latching of the latching finger(s) to the locking cam as the or each latching finger engages and passes over the locking cam. In one embodiment, Figure 3B, the or each finger 8 is formed with a flexible extension 12 which, as the finger is pushed over the cam 2, engages the inner wall 13 of the corresponding groove in the collar 3. In another embodiment, Figure 5A, a flexible leaf 17 is positioned in the groove 9 to engage the finger 8 as it passes over the cam 2. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Latching arrangement for electrical connectors This invention relates to a latching arrangement for securing electrical connectors to flexible or resilient printed circuit boards. This invention has particular, though not exclusive, use for securing electrical connectors to flexible printed circuit used on motor vehicles.
In a known arrangement the board has a locking cam and two spaced shoulders, the cam being positioned between the shoulders. A retaining collar clips to the board by resilient fingers which engage the shoulders. The collar has opposing grooves which are positioned on each side of the locking cam. A connector is pushed into the retaining collar so that the connector contacts make an electrical connection with the conductor rails on the board.
The connector housing has resilient latching fingers which are positioned adjacent the grooves in the retaining collar and which engage the locking cam to secure the connector to the board. This arrangement is shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. Problems can occur with this arrangement because the latches may not engage simultaneously resulting in partial latching.
According to the present invention a latching arrangement for securing an electrical connectorto a printed circuit board comprises a locking cam attached to the board, a retaining collar clipped to the board, and a connector comprising a connector housing having at least one resilient latching finger which engages and latches to the locking cam to secure the housing to the board, the or each latching finger being adjacent a corresponding groove in the retaining collar, said latching arrangement having means for increasing the pressure on the or each latching finger above the pressure generated by the latching of the latching finger(s) to the locking cam as the or each latching finger engages and passes over the locking cam.
Preferably said means comprises an outwardly projecting flexible extension on the free end of the or each latching finger which, on pushing the connector into the retaining collar such that the or each latching finger is pushed outwardly by the locking cam, the or each extension engages the inner wall of the corresponding groove in the retaining collar and distorts to increase the pressure on its respective latching finger until the or each latching finger has passed over the locking cam.
In this case the connector housing preferably has two latching fingers, each with an extension, and the retaining collar preferably has two corresponding grooves.
Alternatively said means comprises a flexible leaf positioned in the or each groove in the retaining collar, the or each leaf projecting towards the locking cam, such that when the connector housing is pushed on to the locking cam the or each leaf engages the corresponding latching finger on the connector housing to increase the pressure on the latching finger as it passes over the locking cam.
In this case the leaf is preferably of such a length as to continue exerting pressure after the latching finger has passed over the locking cam.
All these arrangements have the advantage that it is not possible to achieve partial latching.
In all cases the retaining collar preferably has one or more pins projecting from the lower wall of the or each groove which engage in corresponding holes in the circuit board. Alternatively the board has one or more projecting pins which engage in corresponding holes in the lower wall of the or each groove of the collar, or engage the outer wall of the or each groove. This arrangement prevents the wall of the or each groove distorting as the connector is pushed onto the locking cam.
This invention also includes a method of attaching a connector to a circuit board.
This invention is further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the known arrangement; Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view through a contact in the arrangement shown in Figure 1; Figures 2A to 2D are cross-sectional views through the locking cam shown in Figure 1 at various stages of attachment; Figures 3A to 3Eare cross-sectional views through the locking cam at various stages of attachement of a latching arrangement in accordance with this invention; Figures 4A to 4Eand 5A to 5D are cross-sectionals views of two alternative arrangements in accordance with this invention.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a printed circuit board 1 has a locking cam 2 attached to it and a retaining collar 3 clipped to it by resilient fingers 4 engaging shoulders 5 on the board. An electrical connector 6 comprises a housing 7 having two resilient latching fingers 8 which engage and latch to the locking cam 2. Grooves 9 in the retaining collar 3 allow for outward movement of the latching fingers 8 as they latch overthe locking cam 2. On latching, contacts 10 in the connector 6 engage with, and electrically connect to, conductor lines 11 on the circuit board 1.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 3 (in which the reference numerals indicate the same feature as above), the latching fingers 8 have outwardly projecting flexible extensions 12 at their free ends.
These extensions 12, as the latching fingers 8 are pushed overthe locking cam 2, engage the inner wall 13 of the corresponding groove 9 in the collar 3 and are distorted to increase the pressure on each latching finger 8 until they have passed overthe cam 2. The collar 3 also has pins 14 which project from the lower wall 15 of each groove 9 and engage in corresponding holes 16 in the circuit board 1.
Figure 4 shows a similar arrangement to that in Figure 3 except in this case the connector 6 only has one latching finger 8.
Referring to Figure 5, again the connector 6 only has one latching finger 8. However, in this case, the groove 9 in the collar 3 has a flexible leaf 17 positioned therein which projects towards the locking carn 2. In this case, as the connector 6 is pushed into the collar 3 the leaf 17 engages the latching finger 8 to increase the pressure on the latching finger 8 as it passes over the cam 2.

Claims (9)

1. A latching arrangement for securing an electrical connector to a printed circuit board comprises a locking cam attached to the board, a retaining collar clipped to the board, and a connector comprising a connector housing having at least one resilient latching finger which engages and latches to the locking cam to secure the housing to the board, the or each latching finger being adjacent a corresponding groove in the retaining collar, said latching arrangement having means for increasing the pressure on the or each latching finger above the pressure generated by the latching of the latching fingers(s) to the locking cam as the or each latching finger engages and passes over the locking cam.
2. A latching arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means comprises an outwardly projecting flexible extension on the free end of the or each latching finger which, on pushing the connector into the retaining collar such that the or each latching finger is pushed outwardly by the locking cam, the or each extension engages the inner wall of the corresponding groove in the retaining collar and distorts to increase the pressure on its respective latching finger until the or each latching finger has passed over the locking cam.
3. A latching arrangement as claimed in Claim 2, wherein, the connector housing has two latching fingers, each with an extension, and the retaining collar has two corresponding grooves.
4. A latching arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means comprises a flexible leaf positioned in the or each groove in the retaining collar, the or each leaf projecting towards the locking cam, such that when the connector housing is pushed on to the locking cam the or each leaf engages the corresponding latching finger on the connector hosing to increase the pressure on the latching finger as it passes over the locking cam.
5. A latching arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the leaf is of such a length as to continue exerting pressure after the latching finger has passed over the locking cam.
6. A latching arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the retaining collar has one or more pins projecting from the lower wall of the or each groove which engage in corresponding holes in the circuit board.
7. A latching arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the board has one or more projecting pins which engage in corresponding holes in the lower wall of the or each groove of the collar, or engage the outer wall of the or groove.
8. A latching arrangementforsecuring an electrical connector to a printed circuit board substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to and as shown in any one of Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
9. A method of attaching an electrical connector to a printed circuit board as hereinbefore described.
GB8325962A 1982-09-30 1983-09-28 Latching arrangement for electrical connectors Withdrawn GB2130445A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8325962A GB2130445A (en) 1982-09-30 1983-09-28 Latching arrangement for electrical connectors

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8227932 1982-09-30
GB8325962A GB2130445A (en) 1982-09-30 1983-09-28 Latching arrangement for electrical connectors

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8325962D0 GB8325962D0 (en) 1983-11-02
GB2130445A true GB2130445A (en) 1984-05-31

Family

ID=26283991

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8325962A Withdrawn GB2130445A (en) 1982-09-30 1983-09-28 Latching arrangement for electrical connectors

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2130445A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5035642A (en) * 1989-05-03 1991-07-30 Fiat Auto S.P.A. Automatically-connecting electrical connector
US5110302A (en) * 1988-03-15 1992-05-05 Amp Incorporated Latching means for electrical connectors
FR2823915A1 (en) * 2001-04-13 2002-10-25 Hewlett Packard Co Connection strength improving apparatus for connector, has regulator with flexible contacts which energizes retentions prongs between inner holding position and outer isolated position

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB801703A (en) * 1955-10-19 1958-09-17 United Carr Fastener Corp Improvements in and relating to electrical plug and socket connectors
GB1166446A (en) * 1966-04-20 1969-10-08 Lucas Industries Ltd Plug and Socket Connectors
GB1205386A (en) * 1968-03-09 1970-09-16 Hengstler K G Zahlerfabrik Fa Mounting for a plug-in component
GB1257687A (en) * 1968-12-26 1971-12-22
GB1360533A (en) * 1971-07-16 1974-07-17 Omni Spectra Inc Mechanical electrical or hydraulic connector
GB1586517A (en) * 1976-09-03 1981-03-18 Ford Motor Co Electrical connectors with locking structure
EP0039548A2 (en) * 1980-05-02 1981-11-11 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) Electrical connector assembly
EP0039568A2 (en) * 1980-05-06 1981-11-11 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) A kit of parts for tapping selected contacts of an electrical connector

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB801703A (en) * 1955-10-19 1958-09-17 United Carr Fastener Corp Improvements in and relating to electrical plug and socket connectors
GB1166446A (en) * 1966-04-20 1969-10-08 Lucas Industries Ltd Plug and Socket Connectors
GB1205386A (en) * 1968-03-09 1970-09-16 Hengstler K G Zahlerfabrik Fa Mounting for a plug-in component
GB1257687A (en) * 1968-12-26 1971-12-22
GB1360533A (en) * 1971-07-16 1974-07-17 Omni Spectra Inc Mechanical electrical or hydraulic connector
GB1586517A (en) * 1976-09-03 1981-03-18 Ford Motor Co Electrical connectors with locking structure
EP0039548A2 (en) * 1980-05-02 1981-11-11 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) Electrical connector assembly
EP0039568A2 (en) * 1980-05-06 1981-11-11 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) A kit of parts for tapping selected contacts of an electrical connector

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5110302A (en) * 1988-03-15 1992-05-05 Amp Incorporated Latching means for electrical connectors
US5035642A (en) * 1989-05-03 1991-07-30 Fiat Auto S.P.A. Automatically-connecting electrical connector
FR2823915A1 (en) * 2001-04-13 2002-10-25 Hewlett Packard Co Connection strength improving apparatus for connector, has regulator with flexible contacts which energizes retentions prongs between inner holding position and outer isolated position

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8325962D0 (en) 1983-11-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)