GB2399464A

GB2399464A - Panel-mounted electrical connector with cover for latch

Info

Publication number: GB2399464A
Application number: GB0402671A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yoshio Okura; Hikaru Ito; Masahiro Noda; Ryo Sawada; Ken Yoshimura
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-13
Filing date: 2004-02-06
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-06
Also published as: GB0402671D0; JP4043971B2; JP2004247165A; GB2399464B

Abstract

An electrical connector has a chassis-mounted connector 10 and a cable-mounted connector 20. The connector 20 has a lever 24 with cam grooves W which pull the two parts together. A latching arm 23J locks the lever in the fitted position. A cover 30 covers the releasing part 23K of the latch arm (and optionally part of the lever) to prevent the latch being released. The connector is mounted on an inner panel P near a slit 70 in an outer panel 60.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

The present invention relates to an electrical connector for connecting wire harnesses, and particularly a harness connector for motor vehicles.

As shown in Fig.13 of this specification, a prior type of connector is composed of a waiting side connector housing 2 attached to a panel l, and a joining side connector housing 3 that fits with the waiting side connector housing 2. Male terminal fittings (not shown) are housed within the waiting side connector housing 2, and female terminal fittings (not shown) are housed within the joining side connector housing 3, conductive contact of the terminal fittings being established by fitting the two connector housings 2 and 3 together.

The joining side connector housing 3 is provided with a lever 4 attached pivotally thereto, and a resilient bending member 5. The lever 4 draws the waiting side connector housing 2 towards the joining side connector housing 3 by means of a cam operation between the two housings 2 and 3 until a correct fitting state is reached, and the resilient bending member 5 stops movement of the lever 4, retaining the two housings 2 and 3 in a correct fitting position. The resilient bending member 5 has a cantilevered shape having cut-away grooves (not shown) in two housing side walls, and an extending tip thereof provided with a release operating member 6 for releasing the lever 4 from a locked state to a released state. This type of connector is described in Japanese patent document 2001-244014.

In the connector described above, it is simple to switch between locking and releasing the lever 4. However, a more serviceable locking function is desired, and the present invention aims to improve the locking function of two connectors.

According to the invention there is provided an electrical connector for attachment about an inner face panel, the inner face panel having an outer face at a distance with a slit formed in the outer face, a space being thus formed between the two panels, the 1' connector comprising a waiting side connector housing capable of being attached to the inner face panel, a joining side connector housing adapted to be fitted to the waiting side connector housing from the side adjacent the outer face panel, respective terminal fittings capable of connection being housed within the waiting side and joining side connector housings; latching means being provided for retaining the two connector housings in a fitted state, and a release operating member for placing the latching means in a released state, the latching of the latching means being simultaneously accompanied in use by the establishment of conductive contact between the terminal fittings, and the locking means being adapted for the space between the outer face panel and the inner face panel, and the release operating member being adapted for location substantially opposite the slit formed in the outer face panel, wherein a cover is provided for attachment to the joining side connector housing, the cover being adapted to cover said release operating member when in the latched position.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig.1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a connector of the present invention showing a state before a cover is attached to a female housing.

Fig.2 is a side face view of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig.3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig.4 is a side face view showing the cover in a semi-stopped position.

Fig.5 is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig.4.

Fig.6 is a side view showing the cover in a fully-stopped position.

Fig.7 is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig.6.

Fig.8 is a front face view corresponding to Fig.6.

Fig.9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the connector attached to a panel.

Fig.10 is a front face view showing a grommet cover.

Fig. 11 is a side face view of an alternative embodiment.

Fig.12 is a front face view ofthe alternative embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a diagonal view of a prior art connector.

An embodiment of the present invention described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10.

As shown in Fig.9, a connector of the present embodiment can be attached to an inner face panel P that is located some distance away from and faces an outer face panel 60 that has a slit 70 provided therein. As shown in Fig.2, the connector is provided with a male connector housing 10 (hereafter referred to as male housing 10), this being a waiting side connector housing attached to the inner face panel P; a female connector housing 20 (hereafter referred to as female housing 20), this being a joining side connector housing joined to the male housing 10 from the side where the outer face panel 60 is located, and a cover 30 attached to the female housing 20.

Hereafter, the direction from the inner face panel P to the outer face panel 60 is considered the anterior direction.

First, the male housing 10 will be described. As shown in Fig.2, the male housing 10 is fitted, from a posterior face side of the panel, to an attachment hole PA formed in the inner face panel P. and is retained by stopping claws (not shown) at the hole edge of the attachment hole PA at the anterior face side of the panel. The male housing 10 is provided with a main body 11 having a plurality of cavities (not shown) therein, and a substantially angular tubular shaped hood 12 located to the anterior of the main body 11. Male terminal fittings (not shown) connected to a main harness can be housed within the cavities of the main body 11.

The hood 12 is somewhat larger than the main body 11, and is located such that a tip portion of each male terminal fitting within each cavity protrudes into an inner side of this hood 12. Further, the female housing 20 is fitted into the hood 12, and at an inner side face of the hood 12 there protrudes a pair of follower pins 13, these fitting with cam grooves W of a lever 24 (the locking means of the present invention) attached to an outer face of the female housing 20.

Next, the female housing 20 will be described. As shown in Fig.3, the female housing is provided with: a housing main body 21 made from plastic, a posterior face thereof forming a fitting face; a grommet 22 made from rubber, this being attached to the I housing main body 21 such that it covers an anterior face side and the entirety of outer side faces thereof, with the exception of the fitting face; a grommet cover 23 made from plastic attached to an outer side of the grommet 22; and the lever 24, this being attached to an outer side face of the grommet cover 23 and locking the two housings 10 and 20 in a locking position when these are in a correct fitting state. Further, when the lever 24 is in the locking position, an anterior face of the grommet cover 23 is covered by the cover 20.

The lever 24 is formed from a pair of foot members 24A linked by a rotation operating member 24B such that the entirety thereof forms an inverted U-shape (see Fig,10), and is located in the space between the outer face panel 60 and the inner face panel P. As shown in Fig.2, the cam grooves W. into which the follower pins 13 provided on the male housing 10 can enter, are provided in the foot members 24A. Entrance holes of the cam grooves W face towards the anterior when the lever 24 is in a state prior to being rotated. When a fitting operation is to be performed, the rotation operating member 24B is grasped and rotated while the follower pins 13 are in an inserted state within the entrance holes of the cam grooves W. this causing the follower pins 13 to move along the cam grooves W and drawing the two housings 10 and 20 together.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig.2, a fitting hole 24C is provided in one of either of the two foot members 24A. A fitting protrusion 23J of a resilient bending member 23H (to be described) fits into the fitting hole 24C, thereby halting the rotation of the lever 24.

As shown in Fig.3, a plurality of cavities 21A capable of housing female terminal fittings (not shown) are provided within the housing main body 21. Further, an electric wire leading-out member 22A, through which electric wires are lead outwards from the housing main body 21, extends downwards, relative to the figure, from an anterior end face of the portion of the grommet 22 that surrounds the housing main body 21.

The grommet cover 23 is formed such that it can sandwich the grommet 22 between the grommet cover 23 and the housing main body 21. The grommet cover 23 has a box shape that opens out towards its fitting face side. Specifically, as shown in Fig.3, the grommet cover is provided with an upper wall 23A, left and right side walls 23C, an anterior wall 23D, and a lower wall 23E, a through hole 23F being formed in a lower edge of the anterior wall 23D to allow the electric wire leading-out member 22A to escape therefrom.

Two cut-away grooves 23G are formed in one of either of the two side walls 23C of the grommet cover 23, resulting in the formation of the resilient bending member 23H therebetween. The resilient bending member 23H has a cantilevered shape capable of bending resiliently inwards and outwards (see Fig.10). As shown in Fig.1, when the lever 24 is in the locking position, an outer side face of the resilient bending member 23H is covered by the foot member 24A of the lever 24. The fitting protrusion 23J is formed on the outer side face of the resilient bending member 23H. The fitting protrusion 23J fits into the fitting hole 24C of the foot member 24A of the lever 24 from an inner side thereof, thereby retaining the lever 24 in the locking position. As shown in Fig.10, an extending tip of the resilient bending member 23H is provided with a release operating member 23K for releasing the lever 24 from a locked state to a released state. The release operating member 23K is located in a state whereby it protrudes towards an anterior face side of the anterior wall 23D, and a cut-away member 23L is formed in a portion of the anterior wall 23D that corresponds to the release operating member 23K. The cut-away member 23L adjoins the cut-away grooves 23G. The release operating member 23K, when bent inwards, enters a space R within the cut-away member 23L. Further, as shown in Fig.9, when the two housings and 20 are in a fitted state, the release operating member 23K is located approximately opposite the slit 70 provided in the outer face panel 60.

A fitting protruding member 25, which is capable of fitting into a fitting groove member 30A located in a concave manner in an inner face of the cover 30 (to be described), protrudes at an anterior face of the anterior wall 23D of the grommet cover 23. As shown in Fig.10, the fitting protruding member 25 has a polygon shape when viewed from the front face thereof, the cut-away member 23L being formed therein in a concave manner and extending from a left edge, relative to the figure, to the vicinity of the centre thereof in the widthwise direction. Further, as shown in Fig.3, a bolt through hole 25A passed through the fitting protruding member 25 in a perpendicular direction thereof. A metal nut 26 (the female screw member of the present invention) is inserted into the bolt through hole 25A. A lower end face and an upper end face of the fitting protruding member 25 each have guiding grooves 25B extending along the direction of protrusion of the fitting protruding member 25. The cover 30, where it is to be attached, can be moved along the guiding grooves 25B. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the upper end face of the fitting protruding member 25 has one guiding groove 25B formed therein at a central location relative to the widthwise direction, and the lower end face of the fitting protruding member 25 has one guiding groove 25B formed at each of the two edge locations (relative to the widthwise direction) such that a hole opens into each side face of the fitting protruding member 25. Further, within each guiding groove 25B, a catching member 25C protrudes at a location towards an anterior end thereof. Before the cover 30 is attached, as shown in Fig.5, members 30C located on the cover 30 catch with the catching members 25C, thereby temporarily stopping the cover 30 in a semi-stopped state.

As shown in Fig.5, a protrusion 27 protrudes from an upper face of the anterior wall 23D of the grommet cover 23. An anterior face of the protrusion 27 is a curved face that extends along the rotation trajectory of the rotation operating member 24B in a manner whereby this rotation operating member 24B can rise thereover when the lever 24 is to reach the locking position. When the lever 24 is in the locking position, the anterior face of the protrusion 27 and the rotation operating member 24B of the lever 24 are in a closely adjoining state. s

Now, the cover 30 will be described. As shown in Fig.l, the cover 30 is substantially U' shaped in cross-section, and is open towards the grommet cover 23. The cover 30 is capable of covering the anterior face of the grommet cover 23 and the lever 24 when this is in the locking position. The fitting groove member 30A, capable of fitting with the fitting protruding member 25 of the grommet cover 23, is located in the inner face of the cover 30. Further, the formation of the fitting groove member 30A has the result that a portion corresponding to a surface face of the cover 30 protrudes towards the anterior. As shown in Fig.3, protruding members 30B protrude towards the posterior from an upper edge position and as lower edge position of the hole edge of the fitting I S groove member 30A within the inner face of the cover 30. The members 30C, which fit with the catching members 25C of the grommet cover 23, protrude from extending tip ends of the protruding members JOB.

Moreover, as shown in Fig.3, a bolt fitting hole 30D passes through the cover 30 from the anterior to the posterior at a location that is approximately central when viewed from the front. On the surface face of the cover 30, the surroundings of the bolt fitting hole 30D form a bolt fitting member 30E that fits with a head 41 (the bolt operating member of the present invention) of a bolt 40. When the bolt 40 is in a fitted state within the bolt fitting member 30E, the bolt 40 is screwed into the nut 26, thereby fixing the cover 30 to the grommet cover 23. Before the bolt 40 is screwed in, the cover 30 is fitted closely onto the grommet cover 23, a space being present between a lower face of the fitting groove member 30A of the cover 30 and an anterior face of the fitting protruding member 25 of the grommet cover 23 (see Fig.S). However, completion of the screwing operation of the bolt 40 causes the lower face of the fitting groove member 30A and the anterior face of the fitting protruding member 25 to be adjacent (see Fig.7).

In the bolt 40 used in the present embodiment, the head 41 is hexagonal (see Fig.8).

The outer diameter (the linear distance between two opposing apexes on either side of the centre) of the head 41 is greater than the width of the slit 70 formed in the outer face panel 60 (see Fig.9). Moreover, a flange 42 capable of fitting closely with the bolt fitting member 30E is formed in a unified manner with the bolt 40 at a bearing surface side of the head 41.

The present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation thereof will be described. First, the male terminal fittings are housed within the cavities of the male housing 10 and the female terminal fittings are housed within the cavities 21A of the female housing 20. Then the male housing 10 is attached to the inner face panel P. Next, the operation for fitting the two housings 10 and 20 will be described (the fitting process is not shown). First, the female housing 20 is fitted loosely into the hood 12 of the male housing 10 and the follower pins 13 are in the vicinity of the entrance holes of the cam grooves W of the lever 24. In this state, the rotation operating member 24B of the lever 24 is grasped, and the lever 24 is rotated. This moves the follower pins 13 along the cam grooves W. the fitting operation of the two housings 10 and 20 being performed in conjunction with this operation. During the rotation of the lever 24, the resilient bending member 23H is in a retreated state within the space R. Then, the locking position is reached whereby the rotation operating member 24B of the lever 24 rises over the anterior face of the protrusion 27, and the fitting protrusion 23J of the resilient bending member 23H fits, from an inner side thereof, into the fitting hole 24C of the lever 24, thereby locking the lever 24. Furthermore, when the lever 24 is in the locking position and the two housings 10 and 20 are in a correct fitting state, the terminal fittings establish conductive contact.

Next, the operation of attaching the cover 30 to the female housing 20 will be described. First, the bolt 40 is passed through the bolt fitting hole 30D of the cover 30.

Then, as shown in Fig.5, the fitting protruding member 25 of the female housing 20 is fitted loosely into the fitting groove member 30A of the cover 30. When this happens, the protruding members 30B of the cover 30 enter the guiding grooves 25B of the : female housing 20, and the members 30C of the protruding members 30B rise over the i catching members 25C within the guiding grooves and are then stopped by these catching members 25C. Bt this process, the cover 30 is temporarily stopped relative to the female housing 20 in a semi-stopped state that prevents the cover 30 from moving towards the posterior. It is preferred that the workload at the fitting location of the connector is reduced by performing the operation for semi-stopping the cover 30 in advance at a location other than the fitting location of the connector.

When the cover 30 is in the semi-stopping position, a tip end of the shank of the bolt 40 is in the vicinity of the nut 26 located in the bolt through hole 25A of the female housing 20. When the bolt 40 is screwed into the nut 26, the screwing operation is accompanied by the cover 30, moving along the guiding grooves 25B from the semi-stopped position to a fully-stopped position. When the screwing operation of the bolt 40 is completed, the cover 30 is fixed to the female housing 20 with the fitting protruding member 25 of the female housing 20 being in a fitted state within the fitting groove member 30A of the cover 30 (for the fullyretained position of the present i invention, see Figs.6 and 7). By this means, the anterior face side of the female housing and the rotation operating member 24B of the lever 24, this being in the locking position, are covered by the cover 30.

According to the present embodiment, when the lever 24 is in the locking position, the release operating member 23K and the rotation operating member 24B of the lever 24 are covered by the cover 30. Consequently, even if foreign matter should enter via the slit 70 in the outer face panel 60, this foreign matter would strike against the cover 30 and would not release the release operating member 23K and thereby release the lever 24, nor would the foreign matter rotate the rotation operating member 24B of the lever 24 and thereby return the lever 24 to a rotation commencement position. As a result, the lever 24 is reliably maintained in the locking position.

Further, the outer diameter of the head 41 of the bolt 40 is greater than the width of the slit 70 in the outer face panel 60. Consequently, even if foreign matter should enter via the slit 70, this foreign matter would only be of a size capable of passing through the A. slit 70, and would not rotate the head 41 of the bolt 40 and thereby loosen the bolt 40.

As a result, the entry of foreign matter via the slit 70 will not detach the cover 30.

Moreover, since the cover 30 is formed such that it can move between the semi-stopped position and the fully-stopped position, the female housing 20 can be joined with the male housing 10 while the cover 30 is in the semi-stopped position, thereby reducing the workload during the fitting position.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the text and the figures above. For example, the possibilities described below also lie within the technical range of the present invention. In addition, the present invention may be embodies in various other ways without deviating from the scope thereof.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the present invention may have a through hole that passes coaxially through: two side walls 30F of the cover, the lever 24 in the locking position, and the female housing 20. The bolt 40 is passed through this through hole. In this case, the head 41 of the bolt 40 is located in a position orthogonal to the direction in which foreign matter would enter via the slit 70 in the outer face panel 60.

Consequently, the foreign matter would not rotate the head 41 of the bolt 40 and thereby loosen the bolt 40.

The present invention can use various locking means other than the lever. For example, a locking arm may be provided on the male housing, a fitting member capable of fitting with the locking arm may be provided on the female housing, and the locking arm and the fitting member fit together to fit the two housings together. In this case, an anterior end of the locking arm forms the release operating member, this being bent outwards to release the lock.

The cover may cover only the release operating member, and need not necessarily cover the rotation operating member of the lever.

The shape of the bolt head is not limited to being hexagonal. For example, the bolt head may be square or octagonal. Furthermore, the means for fixing the cover to the female housing may be formed in a unified manner with the cover or as a separate component, and any other fastener may be used instead of the bolt.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical connector for attachment about an inner face

panel, the inner face panel having an outer face at a distance with a slit formed in the outer face, a space being thus formed between the two panels, the connector comprising a waiting side connector housing capable of being attached to the inner face panel, a joining side connector housing adapted to be fitted to the waiting side connector housing from the side adjacent the outer face panel, respective terminal fittings capable of connection being housed within the waiting side and joining side connector housings; latching means being provided for retaining the two connector housings in a fitted state, and a release operating member for placing the latching means in a released state, the latching of the latching means being simultaneously accompanied in use by the establishment of conductive contact between the terminal fittings, and the locking means being adapted for the space between the outer face panel and the inner face panel, and the release operating member being adapted for location substantially opposite the slit formed in the outer face panel, wherein a cover is provided for attachment to the joining side connector housing, the cover being adapted to cover said release operating member when in the latched position.

2. A connector as set form in Claim 1, the connector having a female screw member provided on the joining side connector housing, and the cover being provided with a male screw member for co-operation with the female screw member and whereby the cover is fixed to the joining side connector housing, the head diameter of the male screw member being greater than the width of the slit formed in the outer face panel.

3. A connector as set forth in Claim 2, wherein the cover is adapted to be moved between a semi-stopped position at a distance from said joining side connector housing, and a fully-stopped position in which said female and male screw members are coupled and the cover is against the joining side connector housing.

4. A connector according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said head is hexagonal.

5. A connector according to any of Claims 2-4, wherein said male screw member is rotatably captive in said cover.

6. A connector according to any of Claims 2-5, wherein said female screw member is non-rotatably captive in said joining side connector housing.

7. A connector as set forth in any preceding Claims, wherein the locking means comprises a lever attached to an outer face of the joining side connector housing, a part rotation of said lever causing cam operation between the joining side connector housing and the waiting side connector housing to be effected, the two connector housings thus being drawn together, and said cover covering a rotation operation member of the lever at the time when the lever is in the latched position.

8. An electrical connector substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. i 1-12 of the accompanying drawings. 1\

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. An electrical connector for attachment about an inner face panel, the inner face panel having an outer face panel at a distance with a slit formed in the outer face panel, a space being thus formed between the two panels, the connector comprising a waiting side connector housing capable of being attached to the inner face panel, a joining side connector housing adapted to be fitted to the waiting side connector housing from the side adjacent the outer face panel, respective terminal fittings capable of connection being housed within the waiting side and joining side connector housings; latching means being provided for retaining the two connector housings in a fitted state, and a release operating member for placing the latching means in a released state, the latching of the latching means being simultaneously accompanied in use by the establishment of conductive contact between the terminal fittings, and the latching means being adapted to fit in the space between the outer face panel and the inner face panel, and the release operating member being adapted for location substantially opposite the slit formed in the outer face panel, wherein a cover is provided for attachment to the joining side connector housing, the cover being adapted to cover said release operating member when in the latched position.
2. A connector as set form in Claim 1, the connector having a female screw member provided on the joining side connector housing, and the cover being provided with a male screw member for co-operation with the female screw member and whereby the cover is fixed to the joining side connector housing.
3. A connector as set forth in Claim 2, wherein the cover is adapted to be moved between a semi-stopped position at a distance from said joining side connector housing, and a fully-stopped position in which said female and male screw members are coupled and the cover is against the joining side connector housing.
4. A connector according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the male screw member has a hexagonal head.
5. A connector according to any of Claims 2-4, wherein said male screw member is rotatably captive in said cover.
6. A connector according to any of Claims 2-5, wherein said female screw member is non-rotatably captive in said joining side connector housing.
7. A connector as set forth in any preceding Claims, wherein the latching means comprises a lever attached to an outer face of the joining side connector housing, a part rotation of said lever causing cam operation between the joining side connector housing and the waiting side connector housing to be effected, the two connector housings thus being drawn together, and said cover covering a rotation operation member of the lever at the time when the lever is in the latched position.
8. An electrical connector according to claim 2, and attached to an inner face panel, an outer face panel being provided at a distance from the inner face panel and having a slit therein, and the head diameter of said male screw member being greater than the width of said slit.
9. An electrical connector substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-12 of the accompanying drawings.