JP2001291551A - Latching mechanism of electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a latching system of an electric connector which has different latching mechanisms. SOLUTION: A first connector 12 is equipped with a housing 30 having a multifunctional latch post 32. The latch post 32 includes a distant end 46 threaded on the inside to accept a jackscrew latching mechanism of a counter connector, and an external shoulder part 42 to receive a spring arm latching mechanism 54 of a different counter connector 14. Further, the latch post includes a thin shank part 40 to form a second shoulder part 44 in order to easily mount the first connector 12 on a panel 22. The spring arm latching mechanism 54 passes through a mounting protrusion 64 and is arranged at a connector 14 of one side. The spring arm latching mechanism 54 contains a mounting flange 80 that can be inserted under a mounting protrusion 64, and this mounting flange 80 has a lip 84 bent upward in order to prevent it from inserted into an opening under mounting protrusion 64.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to a latch system for an electrical connector having different latching mechanisms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art A typical electrical connector includes an insulative housing that mates with a complementary mating connector. The plurality of terminals attached to the housing make electrical contact with the terminals of the mating connector. The housing is attached to an external support such as a frame member or a panel.

[0003]

In many cases, it is highly desirable to provide a latch system between the connectors to keep the connectors mated and prevent accidental release. For example, resilient or spring-type latch arms have been used to hold a pair of connectors in a mated condition. The resilient latch arm allows the connector to be easily disengaged when needed. A more secure latching system uses a jack screw that extends from one connector of the mating pair and is screwed into the other connector. A jack screw is not as easy to latch and unlatch as a resilient latch arm, but provides a more secure or robust connection. Disadvantageously, differently shaped connectors must be provided for each type of latching mechanism, which is often not cost effective and causes compatibility and inventory issues. The present invention is directed to overcoming these problems by providing a common latch member that can be used for different latching mechanisms of various mating connectors.

Further, as described above, the electrical connector
Often attached to a frame member, panel or other chassis. This requires additional components in the electrical connector, further increasing the cost of the connector. The present invention is directed to overcoming these problems by providing a latching member that not only accepts different latching mechanisms but also performs the additional function of attaching each connector to a panel or other chassis.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved latch system of the character described above, and in particular, a latch system for electrical connectors having different latching mechanisms. Further, the latch system can provide a tight connection between mating electrical connectors, and can reduce or prevent EMI problems associated with latch systems that do not provide such a tight connection.

The latch system of the present invention includes a first having a housing having a latch member, also referred to as a latch post.
It has a connector. The latch post includes an internally threaded distal end for receiving a mating connector jack screw latch mechanism. The latch post also has an external shoulder for receiving the spring arm latch mechanism of a different mating connector. Therefore, the latch post of the first connector does not need to be different for different latch mechanisms of the mating connector.

[0007] The outer shoulder of the latch post is formed by a large head at the distal end of the post. The housing of the first connector is elongated and has a fitting portion protruding forward. Preferably, a pair of latch posts are spaced outwardly of both ends of the mating portion. The latch post also performs the additional function of attaching the first connector to a panel or other chassis. More specifically, the latch post includes an externally threaded shank portion for securing the post to the first connector housing. The externally threaded shank has a reduced diameter,
This is inserted into a hole in the panel to form a second shoulder for easy attachment of the first connector to the panel.

According to the present invention, a spring arm latch mechanism is provided on one of the mating connectors. The spring arm latch mechanism is attached to the stamped and formed sheet metal part of the connector. The sheet metal part includes a mounting projection with an opening below. The spring arm latch mechanism includes a mounting flange insertable below the mounting protrusion. The mounting flange has an upwardly curved lip to prevent it from being inserted or "hit" into the opening below the mounting projection.

[0009]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the electrical connector assembly 10 of the present invention includes a first mounting connector 12 and a second mating connector 14. The mounting connector 12 has a plug-type mating portion 16 projecting forward, which is a receptacle-type mating portion 18 projecting forward of the mating connector 14.
Is inserted into. Both fitting portions 16, 18 and connector 1
2, 14 have an elongated shape. First connector 12
Is mounted on the printed circuit board 20 and the panel 2
2, so that its mating part 16 projects through an elongated opening 24 in the panel 22. The first connector 12 includes a plurality of terminals 26, and the terminals 26
It is inserted into a suitable hole 28 (FIG. 2) of the printed circuit board 20 and connected to a suitable circuit trace and / or hole on the circuit board, such as by soldering. The mating connector 14 includes a plurality of terminals (not shown) terminated on a plurality of individual electrical wires of the electrical cable 28. Each terminal of the two connectors 12, 14 has exposed contact portions in its mating portions 16 and 18, and these contact portions are when the two connectors are mated as shown in FIGS. Engaged with each other.

The first mounting connector 12 has a housing 30 disposed behind the panel 22. A pair of latch posts 32 are spaced outwardly at both ends of the mating portion 16 and secure the connector 12 to the panel 22 with the mating portion 16 extending through the opening 24 in the panel 22. As shown in FIG. 4, panel 22 includes a pair of mounting holes 34 spaced outwardly of opening 24 to receive latch post 32.
including.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4, each latch post 32 includes a body portion 36 (shown as being cylindrical, but need not be).
This consists of a large head section 38 and a small shank section 4
0. (Although the latch post 32 is shown as an integral piece, the invention is not limited to an integral latch post.) Between the head portion 38 and the body portion 36, Lower first shoulder 4
2 are formed and body portion 36 and shank portion 40
A second shoulder portion 44 is formed below the main body portion 36 between the second shoulder portion 44 and the second shoulder portion 44. Latch post 32 has an internally threaded bore at distal end 46, and shank portion 40 is externally threaded at 48. Furthermore, the head part 3
8 has a cross slot 50 for receiving a tool such as a screwdriver for turning the latch post 32.
including.

In operation, each latch post 32 is inserted into each mounting hole 34 of panel 22 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 4). An externally threaded shank portion 40 of the latch post 32 is threaded into a suitable internally threaded bore (not shown) formed in the housing 30 of the first connector 12. When the latch post 32 is tightened by rotation, the second shoulder 44 of the latch post 32 abuts on the front surface of the panel 22 to connect the first connector 12 to the panel 22.
At this time, the fitting portion 16 of the first connector 12 is in a state of protruding through the opening 24 of the panel 22.

The latch post 32 in the mounting position shown in FIGS. 1-3 can now interengage with different latching mechanisms of different mating connectors. More specifically, an internally threaded bore formed in the distal end 46 of the latch post 32 can receive a mating connector jack screw type latch mechanism. The jack screw type latch mechanism is well known and is not shown. First shoulder 4 of latch post 32
2 can receive the end of the spring arm latch mechanism of a different mating connector. Therefore, a mating connector 14 having such a spring arm type latch mechanism is shown in FIGS.

More specifically, referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, a pair of spring arm latch mechanisms 54 are mounted on both sides of the mating connector 14. Mating connector 14
Comprises a stamped and formed sheet metal shield or shell 56 surrounding the insulative housing, and terminals mounted on the housing are terminated to individual electrical wires of the electrical cable 28. The elastomeric strain relief boot 58 is provided with the spring arm latch mechanism 5.
4 is a pair of side openings 60 exposing the actuator portion.
And the fitting portion 18 and the spring arm latch mechanism 54
Except for the end opening 62 from which the latch portion extends. In the embodiment shown here, U
The mounting projections 64, which are shown as letter-shaped, are stamped out of the sheet metal shield 56 on each side. When the U-shaped mounting projection 64 is stamped and formed, an opening is formed below the projection 64. Since this opening is closed by the spring arm latch mechanism 54, it cannot be seen in the drawing.

The shell 56 may be a plastic housing part, in which case a U-shaped mounting projection 64 is integrally formed therewith. When the plastic part is molded, an opening may be formed below the U-shaped mounting projection 64, for example, to receive a molded core pin. These openings are similar to the openings created by stamping out the U-shaped mounting projections 64 when inserting the tongues 80 of the spring arm latch mechanism 54 through the U-shaped mounting projections 64. A problem arises without the outwardly curved lip 84 preventing the 80 from "colliding" with the opening.

Each spring arm latch mechanism 54 is stamped and formed from sheet metal material and includes an elongated body or arm portion 66. At one end of the arm portion is an inwardly molded latch portion 68 and at the opposite end is an inwardly folded spring portion 70.
A plastic actuator button 72 (FIGS. 7 and 8) is positioned around the end of the arm portion 66 opposite the latch portion 68, leaving the spring portion 70 exposed. Retention tabs 74 (FIG. 9) are formed from the openings 76 to facilitate securing the actuator button 72 to each spring arm latch mechanism 54. The inwardly formed latch portion 68 has a latch hook 78 shown as a semicircular or U-shaped recess surrounding the latch post 32. More specifically, this depression 78
Body portion 36 of latch post 32 below first shoulder 42
(Figures 5 and 6).

Each spring arm latch mechanism 54 is attached to each side of the shield 56 of the mating connector 14 by a mounting flange or tongue 80 that is stamped and formed inwardly from an opening 82 in the arm portion 66. The tongue 80
It has an inclined latch boss 86 and an upward or outward bent lip 84 at the distal end. Tongue 8
When the 0 is inserted under the U-shaped mounting projection 64 in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 8), the outwardly bent lip 84 forms a tongue 80 below the U-shaped mounting projection 64. To prevent it from being inserted into the opening. Without the outwardly bent lip 84, the tongue 80 tends to “bump” the edge of the opening, preventing the spring arm latching mechanism 54 from being fully attached to the connector 14.

When the spring arm latch mechanism 54 is mounted on the side of the shield 56 of the mating connector 14, the inclined latch boss 86 is positioned behind the U-shaped mounting projection 64, as clearly shown in FIGS. I snap in. The spring portion 70 abuts against the side of the shield 56. Therefore, the mating connector 14 is connected to the mounting connector 12.
, The actuator button 72 is pressed inward in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 7) against the spring force of the spring portion 70. As a result, the latch portions 68 at both ends of the spring arm latch mechanism 54 move outward in the direction of arrow D, and are disengaged from the shoulder 42 of the latch post 32. At this time, the connectors 12 and 14 are released. Can be. Release of the actuator button 72 causes the spring portion 70 to bias the spring arm latching mechanism 54 back to its latched state.

[0019]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a common latch member that can be used for different latching mechanisms of various mating connectors, and not only accepts different latching mechanisms but also allows each connector to be used. A latch member has been provided that also performs the additional function of mounting to a panel or other chassis, and a latch system for an electrical connector having a different latching mechanism has been provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pair of electrical connectors in a fitted state.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fitted connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector in a non-fitting state.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the latch post removed from the panel mounted connector.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a latch post.

FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the mating connector cut along a boot, showing attachment of a spring arm latch mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the mating connector from which the boot has been removed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spring arm latch mechanism of the mating connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric connector assembly 12 1st connector (mounting connector) 14 2nd connector (mating connector) 16, 18 Mating part 20 Printed circuit board 22 Panel 30 Housing 32 Latch post 36 Body part 40 Shank part 42, 44 Shoulder part 54 Spring arm latch mechanism 56 Sheet metal shield (shell) 64 Mounting projection 66 Arm part 68 Latch part 70 Spring part 72 Actuator button 78 Latch hook 80 Tongue part 84 Lip 86 Latch boss

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on front page (72) Inventor Richard A. Nelson Geneva Miller Road, Illinois, United States of America 2814 (72) Inventor Michael Auslivan, United States of America Willowbrook Look Lake Hinsdale Drive 77 410 Bee, Illinois

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A latch system for an electrical connector having a different latching mechanism, comprising a first connector (12) including a housing (30) having a latch post (32), said latch post (32) for receiving a mating connector jack screw latch mechanism. A latch system comprising an internally threaded distal end (46) and an external shoulder (42) for receiving a spring arm latch mechanism (54) of a different mating connector (14). The outer shoulder (42) is provided on the latch post (32).
, Formed by a large head portion 38 at the distal end 46 of the first connector 1.
An externally threaded shank portion 40 for securing to the second housing 30 and the externally threaded shank portion 40 of the latch post 32 includes a second
The latch system of claim 1, wherein the latch system is of a small diameter to form a shoulder 44. 3. The spring arm latch mechanism 54.
Are attached to the die-formed sheet metal shield 56 of the different mating connector 14, and the sheet metal shield 56 has a U-shaped mounting projection 6 with an opening below.
4 and said spring arm latch mechanism 54
Includes a mounting flange 80 that can be inserted beneath the U-shaped mounting protrusion 64, the mounting flange 80 being outwardly to prevent it from being inserted into the opening below the U-shaped mounting protrusion 64. The latch system according to claim 1, having a bent lip (84). 4. An internally threaded distal end (46) for receiving a jack screw latch mechanism of a mating connector at a latch post (32) for easily latching the electrical connector to a complementary mating connector having a different latching mechanism. And an external shoulder 4 for receiving a spring arm latch mechanism 54 of a different mating connector 14.
2. A latch post 32 comprising: 5. The external shoulder (42) includes a latch post (32).
, Formed by a large head portion 38 at the distal end 46 of the electrical connector 1.
An externally threaded shank portion 40 for securing to the second housing 30 and the externally threaded shank portion 40 of the latch post 32 includes a second
The latch post (32) of claim 4, having a small diameter to form a shoulder (44). 6. The latch post of claim 5, wherein said large head portion includes a slot. 7. A shell 56 including a mounting projection 64 with an opening underneath, and a spring arm latch mechanism 54 for latching the electrical connector 14 to a complementary connection device, the spring arm latch mechanism 54 comprising: It includes a mounting flange 80 that can be inserted beneath the mounting projection 64, the mounting flange 80 having an upwardly bent lip 84 to prevent it from being inserted into the opening below the mounting projection 64. Electrical connector 14. 8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein the mounting projection is U-shaped.