JP6980842B2 - Electrical connector with joining aid with feedback - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201910559024.3, filed June 26, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical connectors, and in particular to electrical connectors used in vehicle harnesses and having a joining assist mechanism.

A typical lever-type electrical connector assembly includes a first actuator connector with an actuating or joining auxiliary lever that is rotatably attached to join and disjoin the actuator connector with a complementary second mating connector. The actuating lever and the mating connector typically have a cam groove / cam follower device for pulling the mating connector into a joined state with the actuator connector in response to rotation of the lever.

The common structure of the lever-type electrical connector of the above-mentioned features provides a substantially U-shaped lever having a pair of arms arranged on both sides of the actuator connector. The arm may have cam grooves on both sides of the mating connector to engage the cam follower protrusions or cam follower posts.

Such lever-type electrical connectors are often used when a large force is required to join and disconnect a pair of connectors. For example, the frictional force between the terminal and the housing that occurs when joining and disconnecting the connector can make manual operation difficult. Some lever-type electrical connectors use a sliding member slidably mounted on the housing of the actuator connector to move in a direction approximately perpendicular to the connector's joining direction. A first cam groove and cam follower means are provided between the lever and the sliding member, and the pivot of the lever results in a linear motion of the sliding member with respect to the actuator connector. The second cam groove and cam follower means are provided between the sliding member and the second connector, whereby the connector is joined and disengaged in response to the lever, and the sliding member is translated.

In one embodiment, the actuator connector is pivotally attached to a housing configured to join the housing of the mating connector, a pair of sliding members movably mounted on the housing, and the housing. It has a lever slidably connected to a sliding member. Each sliding member has a cam groove on the side surface that provides an inclined guide surface in the cam groove, and a cam surface that can be engaged with a cam follower post of the second housing. The block shoulderer partially blocks the opening of the cam groove to prevent the cam follower post from entering unless the cam follower post is in the correct position. When the cam follower post engages the tilt guide surface, it provides the user with visual and tactile instructions that the connector is ready to join with the second housing.

In another embodiment, a lever-type electrical connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a mating connector having a housing with a cam post extending outward from it. The cam post has a body and a protrusion extending from the body. In some embodiments, the protrusions are crescent-shaped. The connector system further includes an actuator connector configured to join with the mating connector. The actuator connector has a housing, a pair of sliding members movably mounted on the housing, and a lever pivotally attached to the housing and slidably connected to the sliding member. Each sliding member has a cam groove on the side surface that provides an inclined guide surface in the cam groove, and a cam surface that can engage with a cam follower post. The block shoulderer partially blocks the opening of the cam groove to prevent the cam follower post from entering unless the cam follower post is in the correct position. When the cam follower post engages the tilt guide surface, it provides the user with visual and tactile instructions that the actuator connector is ready to join with the mating connector.

In some embodiments, the actuator connector comprises a terminal holding portion mounted within a cavity of the connector housing so that space is provided between the terminal holding portions, which engage the terminals passing through the interior. It has first and second locks. The terminal holding portion has a terminal housing, a first seal attached to the terminal housing, a second seal attached on the terminal housing and extending into the space, and an independent 2 seated movably within the terminal housing. Including the next lock. A separate secondary lock can be moved to a first position with respect to the terminal housing and into space to allow the terminal to pass through the terminal holding portion. The independent secondary lock can be moved to a second position with respect to the terminal housing to engage the terminal. The independent secondary lock includes an elongated slot that communicates with the space that can be engaged by the ply tool to move the independent secondary lock to the terminal housing.

The present disclosure is shown by way of example and is not limited to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals indicate similar elements.

A front exploded view of the lever-type electrical connector assembly is shown. A stepwise cross-sectional view of a lever-type electrical connector assembly in a partially assembled state is shown. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged, partially stepped cross-sectional view of the partially assembled lever-type electrical connector assembly of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a lever-type electrical connector assembly in a readable junction position. FIG. 3 shows a stepwise cross-sectional view of a lever-type electrical connector assembly in the ready-to-join position of FIG. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged partial step-by-step cross-section of a lever-type electrical connector assembly in the ready-to-join position of FIGS. 3 and 4. From those shown in FIGS. 3-4A, a stepwise cross-sectional view of a lever-type electrical connector assembly in a partially assembled state is shown. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged, partially stepped cross-sectional view of a lever-type electrical connector assembly in a more partially assembled state. A front perspective view of the lever-type electrical connector assembly in the assembled position is shown. An exploded front perspective view of the lever-type electrical connector assembly is shown. A front perspective view of the mating connector of a lever-type electrical connector assembly is shown. The side elevation view of the mating connector is shown. A front perspective view of the outer connector housing of the actuator connector of the lever-type electrical connector assembly as viewed from above is shown. The front perspective view of the outer connector housing seen from the bottom is shown. The perspective view of the sliding member of the actuator connector of a lever type electric connector assembly is shown. The perspective view of the sliding member of the actuator connector of a lever type electric connector assembly is shown. A side elevation view of one of the sliding members is shown, and the cam follower post of the mating connector is shown by an imaginary line. A partial side elevation view of one of the sliding members is shown. A cross section of a part of the actuator connector is shown. It is a front perspective view of the terminal holding part of an actuator connector seen from the top surface. The rear perspective view of the terminal holding part of an actuator connector seen from the bottom is shown. The cross section of the terminal holding part is shown. The disassembled front perspective view of the terminal holding part is shown. A side elevation view of the upper terminal housing of the actuator connector is shown. The cross section of the upper terminal housing is shown. Shown is a side elevation of an upper terminal housing with an independent secondary lock for an internally mounted actuator connector. Shows the perspective elevation of an independent secondary lock as seen from the bottom. The cross section of the actuator connector is shown. FIG. 25 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an actuator connector showing a portion of FIG. The cross section of the lever type electric connector assembly is shown.

It should be appreciated that, if necessary, the accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure and can be embodied in various forms. Accordingly, the specific details disclosed herein should not be construed as limitation, but merely as a basis for the claims and to teach those skilled in the art to adopt the disclosure in various ways. It should be interpreted as a representative basis.

With reference to the drawings in more detail, first with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, a lever-type electrical connector assembly 20 is provided, including a first actuator connector 22 and a second mating connector 24. The connectors 22 and 24 are separated in FIG. 1 and shown in the pre-joined or "ready to join" position in FIG. 3 and in the fully joined position in FIG. The components of the lever-type electrical connector assembly 20 are described in a particular orientation (“front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, etc.) for ease of explanation only and are in use. It does not indicate the required orientation.

The lever-type electrical connector assembly 20 provides a sealed system typically used in automobiles or other vehicles. Although shown as a sealed system, electrical connector assemblies may also be used in non-sealed applications. The mating connector 24 is a header connector that can be attached to, for example, an electronic module chassis or frame of an automobile. Therefore, while the lever-type electrical connector assembly 20 is applicable for use in high vibration and shock environments, the lever-type electric connector assembly 20 can be used for other purposes. In practice, the lever-type electrical connector assembly 20 is used directly on the motor chassis of a vehicle where vibration and shock are extremely severe. Such a lever-type electrical connector assembly 20 is mainly used on a connector having a large number of circuits, and the force required to join the connectors 22 and 24 to each other becomes higher and higher. Therefore, the lever-type electrical connector assembly 20 provides the operator with assistance for joining the connectors 22 and 24 to each other.

The mating connector 24 includes an insulating plug housing 26 into which the actuator connector 22 can be inserted in the direction of the arrow "M", as shown in FIG. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the plug housing 26 is substantially rectangular and extends upward from the outer circumference of the base wall 28 so that a cavity 38 with an open top is formed at the lower end thereof. It has a rectangular base wall 28 having an anterior wall, a rear wall, and side walls 30, 32, 34, 36. The longitudinal axis 40 of the plug housing 26 extends parallel to the side walls 34 and 36 from the front wall 30 to the rear wall 32.

The pair of reinforcing ribs 42 extend outward from the side walls 34 and 36 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40, and the cam follower post 44 extends outward from each reinforcing rib 42 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40. Protruding to. Each cam follower post 44 has a circular body 46 and a pair extending outward from the outer surface 49 of the body 46, having an outer peripheral surface 47 projecting outward from each reinforcing rib 42 and defining the diameter of the cam follower post 44. It has crescent-shaped protrusions 48a and 48b. Each of the crescent-shaped protrusions 48a and 48b has a length from the curved point 50 of the outer end portion of the crescent-shaped protrusion portion to the inner end portion, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 40. The curve point 50 is aligned with the main body 46 and descends along the same radius as the main body 46. The convex surface 52 of each crescent-shaped protrusion 48a, 48b faces the upper end portion of the plug housing 26, and the concave surface 54 of each crescent-shaped protrusion 48a, 48b faces the lower end portion of the plug housing 26. The two crescent protrusions 48a, 48b on each cam follower post 44 use only one of the crescent protrusions 48a, 48b during a particular joining process. The two crescent-shaped protrusions 48a, 48b are provided so that the mating connector 24 can be used in either direction with respect to the actuator connector 22. In addition, although there are two separate crescent protrusions 48a, 48b on each post, the crescent protrusions 48a, 48b can be joined together at their inner ends.

The pair of reinforcing ribs 56 extend outward from each side wall 34, 36 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40, and are arranged between the reinforcing ribs 42. The protrusion 58 extends outward from each reinforcing rib 42 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40.

The plug housing 26 is an integral structure that can be molded from a plastic material. The lip 60 projects outward from the base wall 28 and forms an interference surface facing upward toward the actuator connector 22. The plug housing 26 is attached with a plurality of conductive terminals (not shown).

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the actuator connector 22. The actuator connector 22 is attached to an insulating outer connector housing 62, a wire dress cover 64 that substantially covers the upper portion of the connector housing 62, a substantially U-shaped lever 66 pivotally attached to the connector housing 62, and a connector housing 62. The terminal holding portion 68, the first and second sliding members 70 and 72 attached to the connector housing 62 and the lever 66, and the wire dress cover 64 attached to the wire dress cover 64, and the lever 66 is completely as shown in FIG. It comprises a connector position guarantee device 74 configured to engage the lever 66 after being moved to the joining position. The connector housing 62, the lever 66, and the sliding members 70, 72 cooperate to form a joining assist mechanism.

As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the connector housing 62 has a body portion 76, a first holding portion 78 extending outward from the first side of the body portion 76, and a number of body portions 76. It has a second holding portion 80 extending outward from the opposite side of the 2. The connector housing 62 is an integral structure that can be molded from a plastic material.

The main body portion 76 is substantially rectangular, and the front wall 84, the rear wall 86, and the side wall 88 extending downward from the outer periphery of the base wall 82 so that a cavity 92 having an open bottom is formed at the upper end thereof. , 90 has a base wall 82. The longitudinal axis 94 of the connector housing 62 extends parallel to the side walls 88 and 90 from the front wall 84 to the rear wall 86.

A plurality of passages 96 through which the terminals (not shown) pass are provided through the base wall 82 and extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 94. The rectangular retaining lip 98 extends downward from the base wall 82 and is separated from the front wall 84, the rear wall 86, and the side walls 88, 90, so that the outside of the lip 98 and the walls 84, 86, 88 , 90, a space 100 is formed with reference to FIG. 16 and communicates with the cavity 92. The plug housing 26 of the mating connector 24 sits in the cavity 92 and the space 100 as described herein.

Each side wall 88, 90 has a pair of separated, vertically extending cam follower post receiving slots 102 extending upward from its lower end. The cam follower post receiving slot 102 internally receives the reinforcing rib 42 from the mating connector 24, and the cam follower post 44 projects outward from the side walls 88, 90 as described herein. Each side wall 88, 90 further comprises a pair of vertically extending protrusion receiving slots 104 extending upward from its lower end. The protrusion receiving slot 104 is located between the cam follower post receiving slots 102 and receives the reinforcing rib 56 internally from the mating connector 24, and the protrusion 58 is described in each side wall 88, as described herein. It protrudes outward from 90. The side walls 88 and 90 are planar except for the sliding member holding protrusion 106 extending outward from the side walls 88 and 90. In one embodiment, the sliding member holding protrusion 106 extends outwardly from the side walls 88, 90 above the cam follower post receiving slot 102.

The holding portions 78 and 80 each have a bottom wall 108 extending outward from the side walls 88 and 90, a side wall 110 extending upward from the outer end of the bottom wall 108, and the side wall 110 as a side wall of the main body portion 76. It has a pair of top walls 112, 114 at the front and rear ends of the side wall 110 connecting to 88, 90. The open top pocket 116 is formed by the holding portions 78, 80 and the side walls 88, 90 of the main body portion 76. Pivot holes 118 are provided through each side wall 110 at approximately midpoints of each side wall 110. A portion of the sliding member 70 and the lever 66 is seated in the pocket 116 of the holding portion 78, and a portion of the sliding member 72 and the lever 66 is a pocket of the holding portion 80 as described herein. Sit in 116.

The wire dress cover 64, with reference to FIG. 1, in combination with the rear wall 86 of the connector housing 62, provides an opening for entry / exit of an electrical cable having a conductor terminated at a terminal in the connector housing 62. do. Flexible latch arms 120 are formed on both sides of the wire dress cover 64 to latch engagement with a pair of chamfered latch bosses 122 extending from the base wall 82 of the connector housing 62.

The lever 66 is pivotally mounted on the connector housing 62, and the sliding members 70 and 72 are sandwiched between the lever 66 and the side wall 90 of the main body portion 76 of the connector housing 62. The lever 66 is preferably made of a molded plastic material. The lever 66 can rotate in the direction of the arrow “C” in FIGS. 2 and 5 with a pivot operation stroke in order to pull the mating connector 24 into a joined state with the actuator connector 22. As shown in FIG. 7, the lever 66 includes a pair of actuating or joining auxiliary lever arms 124, 126 joined by a crossing portion 128 approximately spanning the width of the actuator connector 22. Each lever arm 124, 126 has a pivot boss 130 at its lower end that extends outward from its lower end and engages with a pivot hole 118 in the side wall 110. The pivot boss 130 is snap-fitted into the pivot hole 118 during assembly. The lever 66 is free to pivot with respect to the connector housing 62 around the pivot boss 130. Each lever arm 124, 126 further has a sliding member engaging protrusion 132 that is separated upward from the lower end and extends inward from the lower end. Each sliding member engaging protrusion 132 engages with the sliding members 70, 72, respectively, as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 6, the connector position guarantee device 74 has a crossing portion 128 of the lever 66 in order to lock the lever 66 to the wire dress cover 64 when the actuator connector 22 is in a completely joined position with the mating connector 24. Can be engaged with.

As best shown in FIGS. 12-15, each sliding member 70, 72 has an inner plane side surface 136 and an outer plane side surface 138 extending from the front end 134a of the plate 134 to the rear end 134b of the plate 134. It is formed from a relatively thin plate 134 having an existing longitudinal axis 140. The inner side surface 136 of each of the sliding members 70 and 72 is provided with front and rear separation cam grooves 146, and the outer surface 138 of each of the sliding members 70 and 72 is provided with a lever protrusion receiving groove 148. ..

Each cam groove 146 is parallel to the inner side surface 136 and is recessed from the base wall 150, the front wall 152 extending vertically outward from the base wall 150 to the inner side surface 136, and the inner side from the base wall 150. It is formed by a rear wall 154 extending vertically outward to the side surface 136. An end wall 156 is provided at the rear end of the walls 150, 152, 154. The opening 158 is provided at the lower end of the front wall and the rear wall 152, 154 in the lower end 134c of the plate 134. The openings 158 are formed by anterior and posterior walls 160, 162 that are angled inward towards each other and form a guiding surface to the respective anterior and posterior walls 152, 154. The rear wall 162 is angled with respect to the angle A with respect to the longitudinal axis 140.

Each front wall 152 extends forward and upward at an angle B with respect to the first lower wall portion 163 extending vertically upward from the front wall 160 of the opening 158 and the longitudinal axis 140, and the first. The second lower wall portion 164 extending from the upper end portion of the lower wall portion 163 of 1, and the upper portion extending forward and upward at an angle C with respect to the longitudinal axis 140 from the upper front end portion of the lower wall portion 164. It has a wall portion 166 and. The angle B is larger than the angle C.

Each rear wall 154 has a lower wall portion 168 extending forward and upward and curved along a radius line equal to the radius of the main body 46 extending from the upper end of the rear wall 162 of the opening 158 and its tangent line. It has an upper wall portion 170 extending forward and upward from the upper front end of the lower wall portion 168. In each cam groove 146, the upper wall portion 170 of the rear wall 154 is parallel to the upper wall portion 166 of the front wall 152, and the space formed between the upper wall portions 166 and 170 is approximately the diameter of the main body 46. equal. The rear wall 162 is behind the first lower wall portion 163. The lower wall portion 168 is behind the second lower wall portion 164 and the upper wall portion 166. In each cam groove 146, the space formed between the first lower wall portion 163 and the joint portion between the rear wall 162 and the lower wall portion 168 is substantially equal to the diameter of the main body 46.

In each cam groove 146, the block shoulder 172 is rearward and posterior to the front wall 152 such that a secondary opening 174 is formed at the lower end 134c of the plate 134 between the lower end of the block shoulder 172 and the rear wall 162. It extends outward from the base wall 150. Each block shoulder 172 extends rearward from the front wall 160 and wall portions 163, 164 and extends from the side wall 176 and the lower end 134c of the plate 134, which is parallel to the base wall 150 and the inner side surface 136. It also has a flat bottom wall 178 and a rear wall 180 extending outward from the base wall 150 to the side walls 176. The side wall 176 is separated from the base wall 150 by a distance equal to the distance at which the crescent-shaped protrusion 48a projects outward from the main body 46 of each cam follower post 44. The rear wall 180 has a lower wall portion 182 extending forward and upward from the lower end portion 134c of the plate 134 at an angle C with respect to the longitudinal axis 140, and an angle C forward and forward from the upper front end portion of the lower wall portion 182. It has an upper wall portion 184 extending upward. The front end of the upper wall portion 184 joins the upper wall portion 166. The angle D is larger than the angles A and B. In each cam groove 146, the space formed between the lower wall portion 182 and the lower wall portion 168 is substantially equal to the diameter of the main body 46.

The lever protrusion receiving groove 148 on the outer surface 138 of each of the sliding members 70 and 72 extends vertically downward from the top surface 134d of the plate 134. The lever protrusion receiving groove 148 is located rearward in the longitudinal direction of the front cam groove 146 and in front of the rear cam groove 146 in the longitudinal direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the sliding members 70, 72 are assembled with the connector housing 62, the sliding members 70, 72 have a top surface 136d underneath the sliding member holding protrusion 106, respectively. Seated in the pocket 116, the inner surface 136 of the sliding members 70, 72 engages the side walls 88, 90 of the connector housing 62, respectively, and the outer surface 138 of the sliding members 70, 72 is of the connector housing 62. It faces the side wall 110 of each of the holding portions 78 and 80, but is separated from the side wall 110. The arm 124 of the lever 66 is seated in the pocket 116 of the holding portion 78 between the outer surface 138 of the sliding member 70 and the side wall 110, and the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 is the lever protrusion of the sliding member 70. Engaging in the receiving groove 148, the pivot boss 130 on the arm 124 is engaged in the pivot hole 118 of the side wall 110 of the holding portion 78. The arm 126 of the lever 66 is seated in the pocket 116 of the holding portion 80 between the outer surface 138 of the sliding member 72 and the side wall 110, and the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 is the lever protrusion of the sliding member 72. Engaging in the receiving groove 148, the pivot boss 130 on the arm 126 is engaged in the pivot hole 118 of the side wall 110 of the holding portion 80.

The terminal holding portion 68 is seated in the cavity 92 of the body portion 76 as described herein.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 show various positions of the lever 66 for reference purposes in the following detailed description. FIG. 1 shows the lever 66 in its disjointed or spare position. FIG. 3 shows a lever 66 in the middle, ready to join position. FIG. 5 shows a lever 66 in a partially joined position. FIG. 6 shows the lever 66 at its perfect joint position. FIGS. 2, 2A, 4, 4A5, and 5A show the anterior cam follower post 44 (shown on the left in these figures) in a different cross section than the posterior cam follower post 44 (shown on the right in these figures). The stepwise cross section showing the interaction between the cam follower post 44 and the sliding member 72 is shown.

To assemble the lever-type electrical connector assembly 20, the actuator connector 22 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow “M” as shown in FIG. 1 and engages with the mating connector 24. The lever 66 is located at the position shown in FIG. 1 so that the intersecting portion 128 is close to the front wall 84 of the connector housing 62. The plug housing 26 of the mating connector 24 passes through the open bottom of the body portion 76 into the cavity 92.

The reinforcing rib 42 slides in the cam follower post receiving slot 102, and the reinforcing rib 56 slides in the protrusion receiving slot 104. The cam follower post 44 and the protrusion 58 extend outward from the side walls 88 and 90 into the pockets 116 of the holding portions 78 and 80, respectively. This initially connects the mating connector 24 and the actuator connector 22 to each other. The protrusion 58 engages with the inner side surface 136 of the sliding members 70 and 72, and the cam follower posts 44 on the opposite side walls 34 and 36 are with the lower end 134c of the plate 134 of the sliding members 70 and 72. Engage.

In order to enter the cam groove 146, the outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 of the cam follower post 44 must first engage with the rear walls 162 of the sliding members 70 and 72 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A. Prior to this position shown in FIG. 2, the lever 66 is in the first position.

4 and 4A show the position of the outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 that engages with the rear wall 162 of the sliding member 70. At this position, the main body 46 of the cam follower post 44 is separated from the block shoulder 172. When the outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 engages with the rear wall 162, the lever 66 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow “C” to give visual and tactile instructions that the mating connector 24 is in the ready to join position. Provide to the operator. The lever 66 rotates around the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 by the movement of the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 in the vertical lever protrusion receiving groove 148. This indicates to the operator that the lever 66 can be advanced to the final fully joined position shown in FIG.

When the plug housing 26 is inserted so that the main body 46 of the cam follower post 44 is offset rearward from the rear wall 162, the crescent-shaped protrusion 48a engages with the block shoulder 172. The convex surface 52 of the crescent-shaped protrusion 48a may engage with the bottom wall 178 of the block shoulder 172, and the outer surface 49 of the main body 46 may engage with the side wall 176 of the block shoulder 172, or the crescent-shaped protrusion. The curved point 50 of the portion 48a may engage the junction between the bottom wall 178 and the lower wall portion 182 of each block shoulder 172. At this position, the cam follower post 44 is blocked from entering the cam groove 146 by the block shoulder 172. The cam follower post 44 can enter the cam groove 146 only when the cam follower post 44 is in the correct position. To remove the block formed by the block shoulder 172, the lever 66 is rotated in the direction of the arrow "C" such that the lever 66 rotates toward the rear wall 86 of the connector housing 62. When the lever 66 is rotated in this way, the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 pivots within the lever protrusion receiving groove 148 of the sliding member 70 and abuts on the rear wall of the lever protrusion receiving groove 148. , Sliding members 70, 72 move in the longitudinal direction. When the crescent-shaped protrusion 48a disengages from the block shoulder 172, the lever 66 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow "C", and the crescent-shaped protrusion 48a engages with the block shoulder 172. Is released, and the user is visually informed that the mating connector 24 is in the ready-to-join position. As a result, the outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 of the cam follower post 44 engages with the rear wall 162.

After the position of FIG. 4, FIG. 4A is achieved, the lever 66 is rotated in the direction of the arrow "C", whereby the intersection 128 is the front wall 84 of the connector housing 62, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It moves from the vicinity of the connector housing 62 to the vicinity of the rear wall 86 of the connector housing 62. When the lever 66 is rotated, the cam follower post 44 moves along the cam groove 146, and the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 moves vertically along the lever protrusion receiving groove 148. The crescent-shaped protrusion 48a passes through the secondary opening 174, and the main body 46 passes through the opening 158. The concave surface 54 of the crescent-shaped protrusion 48a engages with the lower wall portion 182 and slides along the inclined lower wall portion 182 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A. The outer surface 49 of the main body 46 may engage with the side wall 176 and slide over the side wall 176. When the lever 66 further rotates, the outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 of the cam follower post 44 engages with the curved lower wall portion 168. When the lever 66 further rotates, the outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 and the curved point 50 of the cam follower post 44 engage with and move along the upper wall portions 166 and 170. As a result, when the lever 66 rotates, the sliding members 70 and 72 move backward in the longitudinal direction. The wall portions 168, 166, 170 form the cam surface of the cam follower post 44 for engaging and moving.

The lever 66 is locked to the wire dress cover 64 using the connector position guarantee device 74 at the fully joined position with the mating connector 24, as shown in FIG. When the actuator connector 22 is completely joined to the mating connector 24, the cam follower post 44 is close to the end wall 156 of the cam groove 146, and the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 is the lower end of the lever protrusion receiving groove 148. Close to.

When the actuator connector 22 is in a completely joined position with the mating connector 24, as shown in FIG. 26, the upper ends of the walls 30, 32, 34, 36 of the plug housing 26 are seated in the space 100 of the main body portion 76. The lip 60 engages the lower ends of the walls 84, 86, 88, 90 of the body portion 76.

The mating connector 24 comes from the actuator connector 22 by rotating the lever 66 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow “C” after the connector position guarantee device 74 has been separated from the lever 66 and the wire dress cover 64. Can be separated. When the lever 66 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow “C”, the intersecting portion 128 moves from the vicinity of the rear wall 86 of the connector housing 62 to the vicinity of the front wall 84 of the connector housing 62. When the lever 66 is rotated, the cam follower post 44 moves along the cam groove 146, and the sliding member engaging protrusion 132 moves vertically along the lever protrusion receiving groove 148. The outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 and the curved point 50 of the cam follower post 44 engage with and move along the upper wall portions 166 and 170. When the lever 66 further rotates, the outer peripheral surface 47 of the main body 46 of the cam follower post 44 engages with the curved lower wall portion 168. The outer surface 49 of the main body 46 may engage with the side wall 176 and slide over the side wall 176. The concave surface 54 of the crescent-shaped protrusion 48a engages with the lower wall portion 182 and slides along the inclined lower wall portion 182. The crescent-shaped protrusion 48a then passes through the secondary opening 174, and the body 46 passes through the opening 158. As a result, when the lever 66 rotates, the sliding members 70 and 72 move forward in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 25, the terminal holding portion 68 includes an upper terminal housing 190, a lower terminal housing 192, a matte seal 194, an outer peripheral seal 196, an independent secondary lock 198, and a lower cover 200. Includes terminal housing. The upper terminal housing 190, the lower terminal housing 192, the independent secondary lock 198 and the lower cover 200 are formed of an insulator and may be molded from plastic. The matte seal 194 and the outer peripheral seal 196 are made of an elastomer material.

As best shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the upper terminal housing 190 is substantially rectangular and has a rectangular shape with front walls 204, rear walls 206, and side walls 208, 210 extending upwards and downwards from its outer circumference. The upper cavity 212 with an open top is formed above the base wall 202 and the lower cavity 214 with an open bottom is formed below the base wall 202. The longitudinal axis of the upper terminal housing 190 extends between the front wall 204 and the rear wall 206. The base wall 202 includes a plurality of openings 216 extending from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The side wall 208 has an elongated slot 218 extending longitudinally along the side wall 208 and communicating with the lower cavity 214. The front latch arm 220 extends rearwardly from the front wall 204 into slot 218. The rear latch arm 222 extends forward from the rear wall 206 into the slot 218. Each latch arm 220, 222 is flexible and has a spiny end 224 at its end. The spiny ends 224 face each other. The side wall 210 has an elongated slot 226 extending longitudinally along the side wall 208 and communicating with the lower cavity 214. Slots 218 and 226 are aligned perpendicular to each other. The shoulder 228 is formed in the walls 204, 206, 208, 210 above the slots 218 and 226.

With reference to FIGS. 22 and 25, the matte seal 194 sits in the upper cavity 212 and in close proximity to the upper surface of the base wall 202. The matte seal 194 is flat and has a plurality of openings 230 extending from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof. The matte seal 194 seals the inner surface of the walls 204, 206, 208, 210.

With reference to FIGS. 22 and 25, the lower terminal housing 192 sits in the lower cavity 214 below slots 218 and 226. The lower terminal housing 192 is flat and has a plurality of openings 232 extending from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof. Each opening 232 has a flexible locking finger 234 that extends inwardly and is configured to engage a terminal to form a primary lock.

With reference to FIGS. 22 and 25, the lower cover 200 sits in the lower cavity 214 under the lower terminal housing 192. The lower cover 200 is flat and has a plurality of openings 236 extending from the upper surface to the lower surface thereof. Suitable latches are provided between the lower cover 200 and the lower terminal housing 192 and between the lower cover 200 and the upper terminal housing 190 to hold the lower terminal housing 192 and the lower cover 200 within the upper terminal housing 190. ..

A retaining surface is formed within the lower terminal housing 192 or lower cover 200, including an anteriorly located shoulder portion that engages with a collaborative surface formed in the nose portion of the terminal. The shoulder portion forms a front stop portion that limits the insertion of each terminal into the terminal holding portion 68.

The openings 216, 230, 232, 236 align with each other so that the terminals can be inserted through the matt seal 194, the base wall 202, the lower terminal housing 192 and the lower cover 200.

With reference to FIG. 19, the perimeter seal 196 extends around the walls 204, 206, 208, 210 of the upper terminal housing 190 and is located on the shoulder 228 and above the shoulder 228. The outer peripheral seal 196 has a plurality of ribs on its outer surface.

When the terminal holding portion 68 is assembled with the connector housing 62, the matte seal 194 is close to the base wall 82 of the connector housing 62 and the passage 96 through the base wall 82, with openings 216, 230, 232, 236 aligned with each other. do. The walls 204, 206, 208, 210 of the upper terminal housing 190 are separated from the walls 84, 86, 88, 90 of the connector housing 62 so that space 238 is provided, with reference to FIG. 25. The outer peripheral seal 196 extends within the space 238.

With reference to FIGS. 21 and 25, an independent secondary lock 198 is mounted in the lower cavity 214 and in slots 218 and 226 and is located between the lower surface of the base wall 202 and the upper surface of the lower terminal housing 192. The independent secondary lock 198 has a rectangular base wall 240, a front wall 242 extending upward from the front end of the independent secondary lock, and a rear wall extending upward from the rear end of the independent secondary lock. It has a 244 and a side wall 246 extending upward from the side edge of the base wall 240 and extending between the front wall 242, 244 and the rear wall 242, 244. The walls 240, 242, and 244 form a three-sided cavity 247 with an open top. The side wall 246 is a first vertical wall portion 248 extending upward from the base wall 240 and a second horizontal wall extending outward from the first vertical wall portion 248 and perpendicular to it. With respect to the first wall portion 248 so that the portion 250 extends downward from the outer end of the second wall portion 250 and is perpendicular to it and the elongated slot 254 is formed by the side wall 246. With a third vertical wall portion 252, which is parallel to each other. In the cross-sectional view, as shown in FIG. 25A, the slot 254 is T-shaped. The base wall 240 has a plurality of openings 256 extending from its upper surface to its lower surface. Each of the anterior and posterior walls 242 and 244 has a protrusion 258 that extends outward from the anterior and posterior walls in close proximity to the side wall 246.

To assemble the independent secondary lock 198 with the rest of the terminal holding portion 68, the independent secondary lock 198 passes through slot 218 of the upper terminal housing 190, into the lower cavity 214, and in a first position. Will be inserted into. The base wall 202 of the upper terminal housing 190 sits in the three-sided cavity 247 of the independent secondary lock 198, and the inner surface of the side wall 246 of the independent secondary lock 198 is on the side surface of the base wall 202 of the upper terminal housing 190. Engage. The latch arm 220, 222 bends outward from slot 219 when the spiky end 224 engages with the spiky end 258, but when the splinter 258 passes through the spiky end 224, the latch arm 220, 222. Bounces back in place. In this first position, the terminals cannot penetrate the terminal holding portion 68, and the walls forming the opening 256 in the independent secondary lock 198 are matt seal 194, upper terminal housing 190, lower terminal housing. Aligned openings 216, 230, 232, 236 in 192 and lower cover 200 are blocked.

When the terminal holding portion 68 is assembled, the terminal holding portion 68 is inserted into the cavity 92 of the connector housing 62 to form the actuator connector 22, and the space 238 is formed. With reference to FIG. 25, the lower opening 260 is formed at the lower end of the actuator connector 22. A suitable latch structure is provided between the upper terminal housing 190 and the connector housing 62 to hold the terminal holding portion 68 within the connector housing 62.

An independent secondary lock such that the opening 256 in the independent secondary lock 198 aligns with the aligned openings 216, 230, 232, 236 to allow the passage of terminals through the actuator connector 22. The wall forming the opening 256 in 198 is independent so that it is not aligned with the aligned openings 216, 230, 232, 236 in the matt seal 194, the upper terminal housing 190, the lower terminal housing 192 and the lower cover 200. The secondary lock 198 must be shifted to a second position with respect to the upper terminal housing 190. To affect this, a ply tool (not shown) is inserted into space 238 through the lower opening 260. The ply tool has a hooked end that engages within slot 254 and can engage the wall portion 252 of an independent secondary lock 198. In the figure shown in FIG. 25, the independent secondary lock 198 is pulled by the ply tool, the independent secondary lock is shifted to the right and to the second position, and the ply tool is removed. During this movement to the second position, sufficient force is exerted on the independent secondary lock 198, and the protrusion 258 on the independent secondary lock 198 urges the latch arms 220 and 222 outward. An independent secondary lock 198 extends into space 238, whereby the matt seal, upper terminal housing 190, independent secondary lock 198, lower terminal housing 192 and openings 216, 230, 256 in the lower cover 200, Allows 232 and 236 to be aligned. The terminals are then inserted through the openings 216, 230, 256, 232, 236 aligned here (the wire dress cover 64 needs to be removed to insert the terminals). The matte seal 194 engages tightly with the terminals to provide moisture and debris barriers, helping to provide a sealed system. The terminals advance until the terminals engage the locking finger 234 in the lower terminal housing 192.

When the insertion of the terminal is completed, the independent secondary lock 198 returns from the second position to the first position by using the ply tool. The ply tool is again inserted into space 238 through the lower opening 260, engaged into slot 254, and engaged with the wall portion 248 of the independent secondary lock 198. In the figure shown in FIG. 25, the independent secondary lock 198 is pushed by the ply tool to shift the independent secondary lock to the right. After the independent secondary lock 198 is returned to the first position, the ply tool is removed. The wire dress cover 64 is attached. The wall forming the opening 256 within the independent secondary lock 198 forms a retaining surface that engages with a collaborative retaining surface formed on the terminal. This further locks the terminals in the actuator connector 22 and provides a secondary lock that further limits the terminals from being pulled out of the actuator connector 22. In the first position, the independent secondary lock 198 does not project outward from the upper terminal housing 190.

From time to time, it may be necessary to service the terminals, in which case the terminals need to be removed from the actuator connector 22. The terminal removes the wire dress cover 64, releases the locking finger 234 in the lower terminal housing 192, shifts the independent secondary lock 198 to the second position described herein, the matte seal 194, the upper part. It can be removed from the actuator connector 22 by pulling terminals from the aligned openings 216, 230, 256, 232, 236 in the terminal housing 190, the independent secondary lock 198, the lower terminal housing 192 and the lower cover 200. .. The new terminal can then be reinserted into the actuator connector 22 by the method described herein.

When the mating connector 24 is inserted into the actuator connector 22, the walls 30, 32, 34, 36 of the plug housing 26 enter the space 238 through the opening 260. The walls 30, 32, 34, 36 are hermetically engaged with the perimeter seal 196, thereby providing a completely hermetically sealed system.

Lever electrical connector assembly 20 and / or components thereof, including combinations of features disclosed herein individually disclosed or claimed herein, additional combinations of such features, or the like. It will be appreciated that there are many modifications of the above-exemplified embodiments that will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art, such as many modifications and modifications, including explicitly including the types of contact array connectors. There will be. Also, there are many possible variations in materials and configurations.

The disclosure provided herein describes features in terms of preferred embodiments and exemplary embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will be reminded of modifications and variations within the scope and intent of the appended claims by reviewing the present disclosure.

Claims (16)

It ’s an electrical connector,
A first housing configured to be joined to a second housing, the first housing having a front end and an opposite rear end.
A pair of sliding members movably mounted on the first housing, each sliding member being on a first side surface, a second side surface, and the first side surface, and each sliding member. A cam groove extending upward and forward from the lower end portion of each sliding member toward the front end portion of each sliding member, wherein the cam groove is a base wall parallel to the first side surface and the base wall. It has a front wall and a rear wall extending to the first side surface, the rear wall being close to the opening of the cam groove and at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of each sliding member. It has a guide surface, the front wall and the rear wall have a cam surface configured to engage the cam follower post of the second housing, and the cam surface of the rear wall extends from the guide surface. A cam groove and a block shoulder extending rearward from the front wall, wherein the block shoulder partially blocks the opening of the cam groove, and the guide surface and the block shoulder are the first. A pair of sliding members having a block shoulder, which is configured to engage the cam follower post of the housing of 2.
A lever pivotally attached to the first housing and slidably connected to the sliding member, wherein the lever is close to the front end of the first housing. With the lever, the lever is movable between the join ready position and the join position where the lever is close to the rear end of the first housing.
Equipped with
Each sliding member comprises a vertical groove, the lever comprises a pair of arms extending downward from the intersection, and each arm comprises a protrusion that is vertically slidable within the respective vertical groove. connector. A side wall extending rearward from the front wall and parallel to the base wall and the first side surface, a bottom wall extending from the lower end of each sliding member, and the base. The electrical connector of claim 1, comprising a rear wall extending outward from the wall to the sidewall. The guide surface of each rear wall extends upward and forward, and the rear wall of each block shoulder extends upward and forward so that the rear wall of each block shoulder extends upward and forward along the longitudinal axis of each sliding member. The electric connector according to claim 1, which forms an angle with respect to the electric connector. Each guide surface is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis at an angle of each sliding member where the rear wall of each block shoulder is greater than the angle at which the longitudinal axis of each sliding member is angled. , The electric connector according to claim 1. The electric connector according to claim 1, wherein each sliding member has a pair of cam grooves on the first side surface. A terminal holding portion mounted in the cavity of the first housing is further provided, and the terminal holding portion is a terminal housing through which terminals pass, and is accessed to the cavity through the terminal housing and an opening. A terminal housing is formed between the first housing and a first seal attached to the terminal housing and configured to engage the terminal, and attached to the terminal housing. The electrical connector of claim 1, comprising a second seal configured to engage the second housing. The terminal holding portion is attached to the terminal housing and further comprises an independent secondary lock through which the terminal can pass, the independent secondary lock being movable within the space with respect to the terminal housing. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein the independent secondary lock can move with respect to the terminal housing and engage with the terminal. The independent secondary lock internally comprises an elongated slot that communicates with the space and is engaged by a ply tool to move the independent secondary lock with respect to the terminal housing. The electrical connector according to claim 7. 7. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the terminal housing comprises a releasable locking finger configured to engage the terminal. The electric connector according to claim 8, wherein the slot is substantially T-shaped. Electrical connector assembly
It ’s the other side connector,
A housing that has a cam post that extends outward from the housing, wherein the cam post has a body and a protrusion that extends from the housing.
With the other side connector,
It ’s an actuator connector.
A housing with a front end and an opposite rear end,
A pair of sliding members movably mounted on the housing of the actuator connector, each sliding member being on a first side surface, a second side surface, and the first side surface, and each sliding member. A cam groove extending upward and forward from the lower end of the member toward the front end of each sliding member, wherein the cam groove is from a base wall parallel to the first side surface and from the base wall. It has a front wall and a rear wall that extend to the first side surface and form a cam surface, and the rear wall is close to the opening of the cam groove and is in the longitudinal direction of each sliding member. The cam surface of the rear wall having a guide surface at an angle to the axis is a cam groove extending from the guide surface and a block shoulder extending rearward from the front wall. A pair of sliding members, comprising a block connector, which partially blocks the opening of the cam groove.
A lever pivotally attached to the actuator connector housing and slidably coupled to the sliding member, wherein the lever is close to the front end of the actuator connector housing. With the lever, the lever is movable between the ready to join position and the joining position where the lever is close to the rear end of the housing of the actuator connector.
With an actuator connector and
Equipped with
The main body is engageable with the guide surface, is engageable with the cam surface, and the protrusion is crescent-shaped and is engageable with the block shoulder.
The body has an outer surface that falls along a radius, the protrusion has a curved surface that falls along the same radius as the radius of the body, and the outer surface is engageable with the cam surface and the curved surface. Is an electrical connector assembly that is engageable with one of the block shoulder and cam surfaces. 11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the protrusions have a convex surface that can engage the block shoulder on the outside of each of the sliding members. 11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the protrusion has a concave surface that can engage the guide surface. 11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein each sliding member has a pair of cam grooves. It ’s an electrical connector,
With a connector housing through which terminals can pass,
A terminal housing mounted in a cavity of the connector housing so that a space is provided between the terminal housings, wherein the terminals can pass through the terminal housing.
A first seal attached to the terminal housing through which the terminal can pass, the first seal engaging with the terminal.
A second seal mounted on the terminal housing and extending in the space,
An independent secondary lock that sits in the terminal housing and allows the terminal to pass through when in the first position, the independent secondary lock in the space of the first position. The extending and independent secondary lock can move from the first position to the second position with respect to the terminal housing and engage with the terminal, and the independent secondary lock can be used. the and communicates with the space, and to move the separate secondary lock on the front Symbol pin housing may be engaged by the ply tool includes an elongated slot therein, independent secondary lock When,
Equipped with
An electrical connector in which the slot is substantially T-shaped. 15. The electrical connector of claim 15, wherein the terminal housing comprises a releasable latch configured to engage the terminal.

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