JP2022527722A - Connector position guarantee member - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector position guarantee device has an elastically deformable beam with a free end separated from the base portion. A cam member is provided close to the free end of the beam. The beam has a lockout projection engaging member that is provided alongside the cam member in close proximity to the free end of the beam. The engaging surface extends at a first angle such that the engaging surface close to the outer wall is closer to the free end than the engaging surface close to the surface of the cam member. The engaging surface extends at a second angle such that the engaging surface close to the top surface of the lockout projection engaging member is closer to the free end than the engaging surface close to the top surface of the beam. [Selection diagram] FIG. 4

Description

This application is a partial continuation of US Patent Application No. 15 / 933, 953 filed on March 23, 2018 and claims its priority. U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 933, 953 is fully incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a connector position guarantee device, an electrical connector, and an electrical connector assembly, which provides a proper connector position guarantee to ensure that the mating connector is properly fitted. In particular, connector position guarantee devices, electrical connectors, and electrical connector assemblies provide adequate connector position guarantees for small connector assemblies.

In one application, the electronic component requires an electrical connector assembly that joins a first housing containing electrical contacts to a second housing. One housing contains a male electrical contact and the other housing contains a female electrical contact. The first housing is received within the second housing and is configured to electrically connect the male and female electrical contacts. To ensure that the first and second housings are properly connected to the electrical contacts, the first and second housings are more commonly referred to as position guarantee mechanisms. Be prepared. In known applications, the latch assembly comprises a base plate, a suspended prong of the first housing, and an inclined surface of the second housing.
The base plate is slidably held near the prongs. When the first housing is inserted around the second housing, the prongs are snap-fitted to the slope and then the base plate slides over the slope and prongs into the engaging position. In many applications, an audible click is typically used to detect if the connector is fully mated. However, this may not be effective due to the noise of the assembly plant.

In addition, electrical connectors have been proposed that use a latch or retaining assembly to keep the connector halves in a perfect mating position with a connector qualification (CPA) device. When the connector halves are mated and the latch or retaining assembly is positioned to maintain contact between the connector halves, the connector position assurance device is in a position that indicates that the connector halves are properly connected. It works. Therefore, the connector position guarantee device provides a means for ensuring that the connector halves are fully fitted.

Known connector position guarantee devices require more space than the first and second housings. Therefore, known connector position guarantee devices are not practical for small connectors, as the size of the connector limits the ways in which the connector position guarantee can interact with the housing. In addition, using known connector position guarantees, a significant number of connectors cannot be properly fitted. For example, the biggest warranty issue with automotive connectors is that if the connectors are not fully fitted, the system will fail after the vehicle has been shipped from the assembly plant. This is because in a vehicle assembly plant, some connectors are fitted to the extent that they make initial electrical contact, but the connectors are not fully engaged and the connectors are not locked or secured. according to.
Such connectors will then fall apart locally when the vehicle is driven on uneven roads and the like, and system functionality will be lost. Incorporating a known connector position guarantee into a connector does not guarantee that the connector will be properly fitted and secured, as in many cases the operator will not properly activate the connector position guarantee.

The challenge to be solved is to overcome the problems mentioned above and provide proper connector position assurance for small connector assemblies. Another challenge to be solved is to prevent or prevent the connector position guarantee from being in the fully engaged position if the connector is partially or not fitted at all.

This problem is solved by a connector position guarantee device having a base portion and an elastically deformable beam. The base portion includes the top surface, the bottom surface, the front end portion of the base, and the rear end portion of the base. The elastically deformable beam extends from the front end of the base in a direction away from the rear end of the base. The beam has a free end away from the base portion. A cam member is provided close to the free end of the beam. The beam has a lockout projection engaging member that is provided alongside the cam member in close proximity to the free end of the beam. The lockout protrusion engaging member has an engaging surface. The engaging surface extends from the surface of the cam member to the outer wall of the beam. The engaging surface extends at a first angle such that the engaging surface close to the outer wall is closer to the free end than the engaging surface close to the surface of the cam member. The engaging surface extends from the upper surface of the beam to the upper surface of the lockout projection engaging member. The engaging surface extends at a second angle such that the engaging surface close to the top surface of the lockout projection engaging member is closer to the free end than the engaging surface close to the top surface of the beam.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a perspective view of an exemplary plug connector, and is a diagram showing a state in which the plug connector is fitted to an exemplary header or a mating connector. It is a top perspective view of the plug connector shown in FIG. It is a front perspective view of the header or the mating side connector shown in FIG. It is a top perspective view of the exemplary connector position guarantee member housed in a plug connector. It is a bottom perspective view of the connector position guarantee member shown in FIG. It is an enlarged top view of the lockout protrusion engaging member of the connector position guarantee member shown in FIG. It is an enlarged side view of each lockout protrusion engaging member of the connector position guarantee member shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken by a beam of a connector position guarantee member showing how a plug connector first engages with a header or mating connector with the connector position guarantee member in its initial position. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector position guarantee member in an initial position, and is cut out by the positioning arm of a plug connector. FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the interlock engagement between the header or the mating connector and the connector position guarantee member shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken by a beam of a connector position guarantee member showing how the plug connector partially fits into a header or a mating connector with the connector position guarantee member in the initial position. A cross section cut from the beam of the connector position guarantee member, showing how the plug connector fits perfectly into the header or mating connector with the connector position guarantee member between the initial position and the final or locked position. It is a figure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken with a beam of a connector position guarantee member showing how the plug connector fits perfectly into the header or mating connector with the connector position guarantee member in the final or locked position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken by a positioning arm of a plug connector showing how the plug connector fits perfectly into the header or mating connector with the connector position guarantee member in the final or locked position.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electric connector or a plug 10 is fitted to a mating connector or a header 100 to form a connector assembly 50 together. The electrical connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are shown as representative and can be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Connectors 10, 100 have many other mechanisms such as contacts and contact latches (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 2, the electrical connector 10 has a housing body 12 provided with a contact receiving passage 14 for receiving the contact 13 (FIG. 8A). The electrical connector 10 has a mating front end 16 and a rear end 18. A conductor or wire 15 that electrically engages the contact 13 inserted into the contact receiving passage 14 extends from the rear end 18. The first side surface 19 and the second side surface 20 facing the opposite side extend between the fitting end portion 16 and the rear end portion 18.

A latch or latch arm 22 having an engaging projection 24 extends from the sides 19 and 20. In the illustrated embodiment, each latch 22 is connected to the respective sides 19 and 20 in close proximity to the mating front end 16 and extends towards the rear end 18. As will be described more completely later, the latch 22 is used to latch and secure the mating connector 100 to the connector 10. As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 11B, the connector position guarantee (CPA) receiving recess 30 is positioned close to the latch arm 22. The lockout protrusion 40 is provided close to the latch 22 and extends into the connector position guarantee receiving recess 30 to cooperate with the connector position guarantee device 200. Lockout protrusions 40 are provided on both sides of the latch 22.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the mating side connector 100 has a complementary latch engaging portion 110, and the complementary latch engaging portion 110 has a mating position from a non-fitting position between the connector 10 and the mating side connector 100. When it moves to, it is positioned to engage with the latch arm 22. The latch receiving opening 114 is positioned close to the latch engaging portion 110 (or starting portion 110) and is sized to accept the engaging projection 24 when the connector 10 is fully fitted to the mating connector 100. Will be done. The latch engaging portion 110 (or starting portion 110) also acts as a connector position guarantee engaging rib.

When properly fitted, the engaging projection 24 of the latch arm 22 cooperates with the latch receiving opening 114 and is positioned at the latch receiving opening 114 to secure the mating connector 100 to the electrical connector 10. At the mating position, the connector 10 is received within the shroud 120 of the mating connector 100. The electrical contact 130 (FIGS. 8A and 8B) of the mating connector 100 fits into the electrical contact 13 of the electrical connector 10.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the connector position guarantee device 200 is positioned close to the latch arm 22 of the connector 10 and is movable with respect to the latch arm 22. The connector position guarantee device 200 is maintained in the connector position guarantee acceptance opening 30 and is movable between the first position or open position shown in FIG. 8 and the second position or full insertion position shown in FIG. ..

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the connector position guarantee device 200 has a base portion 202 and two elastically deformable beams 204, 205 extending from the base portion 202. The longitudinal axis of the beam 204 is substantially parallel to the 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 rear end 212. The beam 204 extends from the front end 210 in a direction away from the rear end 212. The rear end 212 is configured to allow the operator to manually engage or activate the connector position guarantee device 200. The front end 210 of the base portion 202 includes a latch engagement portion. The latch engagement portion 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 below. A latch receiving cavity 228 is provided on the upper surface.

Each of the elastically deformable beams 204, 205 has a top surface 220, a bottom surface 222, a beam front end 224, a beam rear end 226, an inner sidewall 225, and an outer wall 227. The inner wall 225 of the beam 204 faces the inner wall 225 of the beam 205. The rear end 226 of each beam 204, 205 is attached to or integrated with the front end 210 of the base portion 202.

The lockout projection engaging member 230 extends from the top surface 220 of each of the beams 204, 205. The cam member 250 is provided close to the lockout protrusion engaging member 230 and alongside the lockout protrusion engaging member 230. The cam member 250 extends from the upper surface 220 of each of the beams 204 and 205. The cam member 250 is provided close to the free ends of the beams 204 and 205 and close to the inner wall 225 of the beams 204 and 205. The lockout projection engaging member 230 is provided close to the free end of the first beam and the first cam member, and close to the outer walls of the beams 204, 205. As will be more fully described below, the cam member 250 has an inclined surface 252 for better cooperation with the starter 110 of the mating connector 100.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each lockout projection engaging member 230 is configured to cooperate with the mating engaging surface 41 of the lockout projection 40 of the connector 10. Have.

Referring to FIG. 6, in an exemplary embodiment, the engaging surface 231 extends from the surface 233 of the cam member 250 to the outer walls 227 of the deformable beams 204, 205. The engagement surface 231 is inclined so that the engagement surface 231 close to the outer wall 227 is closer to the beam front end portion 224 than the engagement surface 231 close to the surface 233 of the cam member 250. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the engaging surface 231 forms an angle 237. The magnitude of the angle 237 is variable and the angle can be, but is not limited to, 60 to 85 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 7, in an exemplary embodiment, the engaging surface 231 extends from the upper surface 220 of the beams 204, 205 to the upper surface 241 of the lockout projection engaging member 230. The engagement surface 231 is inclined so that the engagement surface 231 close to the upper surface 241 of the lockout protrusion engagement member 230 is closer to the beam front end portion 224 than the engagement surface 231 close to the upper surface 220 of the beams 204 and 205. is doing. In the configuration of FIG. 7, the engaging surface 231 forms an angle 243. The size of the angle 243 is variable and the angle can be, but is not limited to, 60 to 85 degrees.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the positioning rail 260 extends from the base portion 202. The positioning rail 260 has a latch protrusion 262. The positioning rail 260, in cooperation with the mating recess of the connector 10, provides proper positioning and stabilization of the connector position guarantee device 200 with respect to the housing body 12 of the connector 10. The latch projection 262 cooperates with the connector 10 to prevent the connector position guarantee device 200 from coming off the connector 10, and the connector position guarantee device 200 is placed in the first position in the connector 10 before fitting with the mating connector 100. Hold on. The longitudinal axis of the positioning rail 260 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the beams 204, 205.

8 to 11 show a progression or method of inserting the plug or connector 10 into the header or mating connector 100. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the connector 10 is roughly positioned at the header connector 100. At this position, the engaging projection 24 of the latch 22 is not engaged with the latch engaging portion 110 of the connector 100. The connector position guarantee device 200 is maintained in the open position or the first position before fitting. At this position, the latch 22 is in the normal or non-deflected position. As best shown in FIG. 8B, the connector position guarantee device 200 is in the open position or first position before fitting by the cooperation of the latch protrusion 262 and the protrusion 33 extending into the connector position guarantee latch arm receiving opening 32. It is maintained in the position of.

In addition, as best shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, the lockout projection 40 of the connector 10 engages with the lockout projection engaging member 230 to provide a second post-fitting second of the connector position guarantee device 200. Prevents unwanted insertion into the position or insertion position of. As shown in FIG. 8C, the mating side engaging surface 41 of the lockout protrusion 40 is configured to have an inclination opposite to the engaging surface 231 of the lockout protrusion engaging member 230, and is configured to have an inclination opposite to that of the engaging surface 231. A kind of interlock engagement can be formed with the mating surface 41. The angles of the engaging surface 231 and the mating surface 41 work together to form a positive lock that is unintentionally difficult to overcome, so that the mating connector 100 is not completely inserted into the connector 10. Prevents unwanted entry of the connector position guarantee device 200.

When the connector 10 is partially inserted into the shroud 120 of the mating connector 100, the engaging projection 24 of the latch 22 moves to engage the latch engaging portion 110 of the mating connector 100. As the insertion continues, the latch engaging portion 110 elastically initiates or deflects the engaging projection 24 and the latch 22 away from the side surfaces 19, 20 of the connector 10, as shown in FIG. For example, if the connector 10 cannot be properly fitted to the mating connector 100 due to improper alignment of the contacts 13 and 130, it is possible to prevent the connector 10 from continuing to be inserted into the mating connector 100. When this is done, the latch 22 remains in the deflection position shown in FIG.
At this position, the latch 22 engages with the front end 242 of the latch collaborative member 240 of the connector position guarantee device 200 to prevent the connector position guarantee device 200 from moving to a second position or insertion position after mating. Therefore, the connector position guarantee device 200 cannot move to the second position or the insertion position.

When the insertion is continued, as shown in FIG. 10, the engaging portion 24 of the latch 22 passes through the latch engaging portion 110, so that the latch 22 can return to its original position or a stress-free position. At this position, the engaging portion 24 is positioned and held in the latch receiving opening 114. With the engaging portion 24 properly positioned in the latch receiving opening 114, the connector position guarantee device 200 is moved from the open position or the first position before fitting to the second position or the insertion position after fitting. be able to. When this is done, the inclined surface 252 of the cam member 250 engages with the connector position guarantee activation region 140 of the mating connector 100, and the cam member 250 and the elastically deformable beams 204 and 205 are directed toward the bottom surface 20 of the connector 10. And move.
When this is done, the engaging surface 231 of the lockout projection engaging member 230 moves slightly rearward and below the mating engaging surface 41 of the lockout projection 40 of the connector 10, thereby guaranteeing the connector position of the connector 10. The insertion of the connector position guarantee device 200 into the receiving recess 30 can be continued. However, when the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 are not completely fitted, the cam member 250 does not engage with the connector position guarantee activation region 140, so that the elastically deformable beams 204 and 205 are engaged with the lockout protrusion. Prevents the member 230 from moving. This prevents the continuation of insertion of the connector position guarantee device 200 by the cooperation between the lockout protrusion engaging member 230 and the lockout protrusion 40.

With the elastically deformable beams 204 and 205 properly deflected, the insertion of the connector position guarantee device 200 can be continued. As the insertion continues, the connector position guarantee device 200 moves to a second post-fitting position or insertion position, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. At this position, the cam member 250 and the elastically deformable beams 204 and 205 are not stressed by entering the latch receiving opening 114 beyond the connector position guarantee starting area 140 of the mating connector 100. You can go back to. At this position, the lockout projection engaging member 230 passes through the lockout projection 40 of the connector and moves to a closed or second position after fitting.

The connector position guarantee device 200 is maintained in the closed position or the second position after fitting by the cooperation between the cam member 250 and the latch receiving opening 114.

In this complete insertion position, the latch receiving cavity 228 of the connector position guarantee device 200 is positioned directly below the latch 22. At full insertion position, the latch collaborative member 240 of the connector position guarantee device 200 is positioned below the latch 22 to prevent the latch 22 from starting or moving, which is undesirable or unintended for the connector 10 from the mating connector 100. Prevent separation.

When the connector 10 is separated from the mating connector 100, the connector position guarantee device 200 is returned to the initial position. The force applied to the connector position guarantee device 200 in the direction opposite to the insertion causes the cam member 250 to come out of the latch receiving opening 114 and move the connector position guarantee device 200 to the open position or the first position before fitting. Can be done. When the movement is continued, the upper surface 206 of the connector position guarantee device 200 can be separated from the latch 22 to push down the latch 22, whereby the connector 10 can be separated from the mating connector 100.

Claims (14)

Connector position guarantee device (200)
The connector position guarantee device (200) is
--The base portion (202) having the top surface (206), bottom surface (208), base front end (210), and base rear end (212),
-An elastically deformable beam (204) extending from the front end portion (210) of the base portion (202) in a direction away from the rear end portion (212) of the base portion (202), and the base portion (202). ) With an elastically deformable beam (204) having a free end (224).
--With a cam member (250) provided close to the free end (224) of the beam (204).
The beam (204) has a lockout projection engaging member (230) provided alongside the cam member (250) in close proximity to the free end (224) of the beam (204).
The lockout projection engaging member (230) has an engaging surface (231) extending from the surface of the cam member (250) to the outer wall (227) of the beam (204).
The engaging surface (231) is larger than the engaging surface (231) in which the engaging surface (231) close to the outer wall (227) is close to the surface (233) of the cam member (250). Extend at a first angle (237) so that it is closer to the free end (224)
The engaging surface (231) extends from the upper surface (220) of the beam (204) to the upper surface (206) of the lockout projection engaging member (230).
In the engaging surface (231), the engaging surface (231) close to the upper surface (206) of the lockout protrusion engaging member (230) is close to the upper surface (220) of the beam (204). It extends at a second angle (243) so that it is closer to the free end (224) than the engaging surface (231).
Connector position guarantee device (200). A latch engaging portion is provided at the front end portion (210) of the base portion (202) and extends from the upper surface (206) of the base portion (202).
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 1. The cam member (250) has an inclined surface (252).
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 1. The positioning rail (260) extends from the base portion (202) and the positioning rail (260) works with the connector to provide proper positioning and stabilization of the connector position assurance device (200) with respect to the connector. Is configured to
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 1. The positioning rail (260) has a latching protrusion, which is configured to cooperate with the connector to prevent the connector position guarantee device (200) from coming off the connector.
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 4. The longitudinal axis of the positioning rail (260) is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam (204, 205).
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 4. The first angle (237) is an angle of 60 to 85 degrees.
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 1. The second angle (243) is an angle of 60 to 85 degrees.
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 1. The first angle (237) is an angle of 60 to 85 degrees, and the second angle (243) is an angle of 60 to 85 degrees.
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 1. The second elastically deformable beam (205) is separated from the elastically deformable beam (204).
The second elastically deformable beam (205) extends from the front end portion (210) of the base portion (202) in a direction away from the rear end portion (212) of the base portion (202), and the base portion. Having a free end (224) separated from (202),
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 1. A second cam member (250) is provided in close proximity to the free end (224) of the second beam (205).
The second beam (205) is provided alongside the second cam member (250) in close proximity to the free end (224) of the second beam (205). It has a protrusion engaging member (230) and has
The second lockout protrusion engaging member (230) has a second engaging surface (231).
The second engaging surface (231) extends from the surface of the second cam member (250) to the outer wall (227) of the second beam (205).
The second engaging surface (231) is such that the second engaging surface (231) close to the outer wall (227) of the second beam (205) is the second cam member (250). At a third angle (237) so that it is closer to the free end (224) of the second beam (205) than to the second engaging surface (231) closer to the surface (233). Extend,
The second engaging surface (231) extends from the upper surface (220) of the second beam (205) to the upper surface (206) of the second lockout projection engaging member (230).
The second engaging surface (231) is such that the second engaging surface (231) close to the upper surface (206) of the second lockout projection engaging member (230) is the second beam. The second beam (204, 205) is closer to the free end (224) of the second beam (204, 205) than the second engaging surface (231) closer to the upper surface (220) of (204, 205). Extends at an angle of 4 (243),
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 10. The first angle (237) and the third angle (237) are equal to,
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 11. The second angle (243) and the fourth angle (243) are equal to,
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 12. The longitudinal axis of the beam (204) is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second beam (205).
The connector position guarantee device (200) according to claim 13.

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