FIXING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS
Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a connection system for electrical connectors having different fixing mechanisms.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A typical electrical connector includes some forms of dielectric housing for coupling with a complementary connection device, such as a coupling connector. The housing contains a set of terminals which create electrical contact with the terminals of the coupling connector. The housing can be mounted on an end support, such as a connector member, panel or the like. In many instances, it is highly desirable to provide some form of fastening system between the coupling connectors to hold the connectors in a coupled condition and prevent unintentional disconnection. For example, elastic type clamping arms have to be used to clamp a pair of connectors in coupled condition. The elastic fixing arms are provided for uncoupling when this occurs. A more secure fastening system involves the use of connector screws extending from one connector and twisting into another connector of the same coupled pair. The connecting screws are not as easy to couple and uncouple as the elastic fixing arms, but the connecting screws provide a more rigid or secure connection. Unfortunately, connectors configured differently must be provided for each type of fixing mechanism which often does not have an effective cost and creates problems of inventory and compatibility. The present invention is directed to solve such problems by providing a common attachment element which can be used with different attachment mechanisms of various coupling connectors. In sum, as mentioned, electrical connectors are often mounted on a frame, panel or other chassis. This requires other fixed components in an electrical connection system which increases the cost of the connector (s). The present invention is directed to solve these problems by providing a fixing element which not only adapts to different fixing mechanisms but also performs another coupling fixing function between the respective connector to a panel or other chassis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved system for fixing the described character and, in particular, a fixing system for electrical connectors having different fixing mechanisms. In sum the fixing system is able to provide a tight connection between the coupled electrical connectors this will help in a reduction, or regular prevention, of the EMI associates with the fixing systems that do not provide a tight connection between the coupled connectors. In the personified example of the invention, the fixing system includes a first connector having a housing with a fixing element, which is referred to below as a fixing post. The fixing post includes an internal distal screwed to support a screw connection mechanism of a coupling connector. The fixing post also has an external boundary for the connection of an elastic arm fixing mechanism to a different coupling connector. Therefore, the fixing post on the first connector does not have to be different for the different attachment mechanisms of the coupling connectors. As indicated herein, the external abutment on the fixation post is defined by an elongated head on the distal post. The housing of the first connector is elongated and includes a protruding coupling section. Preferably, a pair of fixing posts are externally spaced from the opposite ends of the coupling portion. The fixing posts however perform another function of supporting the first connector to a panel or other chassis. Specifically, the fixing post externally includes a threaded handle for securing the post to the housing of the first connector. The externally threaded handle is of a reduced diameter to define a second stirrup to facilitate coupling the first connector to a panel by inserting the handle into a hole. Another feature of the invention involves the elastic arm fixing mechanism in one of the coupling connectors, the elastic arm fixing mechanism is mounted on a molded and marked metal sheet component of the coupling connector. The component includes a projecting support formed outside an opening below the projection. The elastic arm attachment mechanism includes an insertable flange under the projecting support. The flange has a hinged lip to protect the flange from being inserted or "rubbed" into the opening below the coupling projection Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description taking into account the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The characteristics of this invention, which are believed to be novel, are in conjunction with the claims. The invention together with the objects and the advantages thereof can be better understood referring to the following description taking into account the drawings, in which numerical reference is made identifying elements in the figures and in which: FIGURE 1 is the view perspective of a pair of electrical connectors in coupled condition and the included concepts of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the coupled connectors of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a perspective of the connectors in uncoupled condition; FIGURE 4 is a similar view of Figure 3, with the fixing posts of the connector support panel;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of one of the fixation posts; FIGURE 6 is an axial section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 FIGURE 7 is an elevated view of the coupled connector includes a section from the base of the connector showing the coupling of the elastic arm fixing mechanisms; FIGURE 8 is a front perspective view of the coupling connector with the sliding base; FIGURE 9 is the perspective of one of the elastic arm mechanisms of the coupling connector. Detailed description of the presented example Referring to the drawings in great detail, and first to FIGURES 1-3, the invention is included in an assembled electrical connector, generally designed 10, which includes a first or assembled connector, generally designed 12, and a second or coupling connector, generally designed 14. The assembled connector 12 includes a plug-in protruding coupling portion 16 by insertion within a receptacle-like protruding coupling section 18 of the coupling connector 14. Both coupling portions as well as the connectors have narrow-extended configurations. First connector 12 is mounted to a printed circuit board 20 and is mounted behind a panel 22 by means of which the coupling portion 16 protrudes from between a loose opening 24 in the panel. The assembled connector includes a set of terminals 26 for insertion therein. of appropriate cavities 28 (FIG. 2) in a circuit board 20 for connection, by welding to the appropriate circuits on the card and / or in the cavities. The coupling connector 14 includes a set of terminals (Not visible in the drawings) terminated in a set of electrical wires within an electrical cable 28. The respective terminals of the two connectors have exposed contact portions within the coupling portions 16. and 18 for adjustment when the two connectors are joined as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. The assembled connector 12 includes a housing 30 which is substantially located behind the panel 22. A pair of generally designed fixing posts 32 are spaced apart externally from the opposite ends of the coupling portion 16 to secure the connector 12 to the panel 22, with the coupling portion 16 extending from one side to the other of the opening 24 in the panel. As shown in FIGURE 4, the panel 22 includes a pair of coupling cavities 34 spaced externally of the opening 24 for insertion of the fixing posts. Referring to FIGURE 5 and 6 in conjunction with FIGURES 1-4 each fixing post 32 includes a body section 36 (shown in cylindrical form, but not necessarily cylindrical) which is disposed between an elongated upper section 38 and a reduced lower section 40. (Although the fixing post 32 is shown as an integral part, this invention is not limited to an integral fixing post). A first shoulder 42 is defined below the upper section 38 between the upper section and the body section 36, and a second shoulder 44 is defined below the section of the cylindrical body 36 between the body section and the lower section 40. coupling body has an internal threaded bore at the end of the distal, and the lower section 40 is externally threaded, such as 48. Finally, the end face of the upper section 38 includes a cross slot 50 for adjusting a tool, such as a screwdriver, for rotation and mounting of the post. fixation. In operation, each fixing post 32 is inserted into its respective mounting cavity 34 in the panel 22 in the direction of the arrows NA "(FIGURE 4). The externally threaded lower sections 40 of the fixing post are screwed into the appropriate internally threaded recesses (not visible in the drawings) in the housing 30 of the assembled connector The fixing posts are rotatably adjusted within the second recesses 44 of the fixing posts resting against the front face of the connector panel 22 drawn 12 tightly against the back face of the panel, with the coupling section 16 of the connector projecting from one side to the other of the panel opening 24. The coupling posts 32 in those mounted positions shown in FIGURES 1-3, can now be adjusted with different fixing mechanisms of different coupling connectors, specifically, internally threaded terminals 46 of the poles Mounting screws can receive fixing mechanisms of screw connector type, from a coupling connector. Such connector screw fixing mechanisms are well known in the area and are not shown in the drawings. In sum, external shoulders 42 of the fixing posts 32 can receive the terminals of the flexible arm fixing mechanisms of a different coupling connector. To finish coupling connector 14 is shown in Figures 1-4 with such flexible arm-type fixing mechanisms, as described below. Most particularly, referring to FIGS. 7-9, a pair of flexible arm fixing mechanisms, generally designated 54, are mounted on opposite sides of the coupling connector 14. The coupling connector includes a reinforced and sealed reinforced metal sheet 56 Surrounding the dielectric housing of the connector, the housing assembles the connector terminals which are terminated in discrete electrical wires of the electrical cable 28. A cover with elastomeric deformed relief 58 substantially surrounds the coupling connector 14 except for a pair of openings sideways 60 through the XXX of flexible arm fixing mechanisms 54 are exposed as well as a terminal opening through which the coupling section 18 and the fixing sections of the extended flexible arm mechanisms as described below. A projecting support 64, illustrated as a deformation in the described wrapping is armed and sealed outside the protection of the metal sheet 56 on each side thereof. When the assembled projection is assembled and sealed the openings are created behind the projections - the resulting openings are not visible in the drawings because they are blocked by the flexible arm fixing mechanisms.
The frame 56 may be a plastic housing section by means of which the deformed projections mounted
64 are molded integrally. When the plastic component is molded, the openings can be formed below the deformed protrusions mounted to accommodate a group of molded tips. These openings, just near the openings formed by the shielding and sealing of the assembled deformed projections 64, usually cause problems in the insertion tongues 80 of the fixing mechanisms through which the deformed projections without exterior curved lips 84 prevent the tongues of N friction "in the openings Each flexible arm fixing mechanism 54 is armed and sealed by sheets of metal material and includes a loose body or arm section 66 having an internally formed fastening section 68 and a terminal and internally folded and folded back from the elastic section 70 of opposite side A plastic actuated button 72 (Figures 7 and 8) are located on the end of the armed section 66 opposite the fixing section 68, leaving the elastic section 70 exposed. retaining tab (Figure 9) is formed outside an opening 76 to facilitate rigid locking of the actuator button 72 to the respective flexible arm fixing mechanism. The internally formed fastening section 68 has a fixing hook 78, illustrated as a semi-peripheral, or deformed, hollowed out, with arms to one of the respective fixing posts 32. Specifically, hollow 78 is sized and configured to embrace the section of the body 36 (Figures 5 and 6) of one of the fixing posts below the circular shoulder 42 of the post. Each arm fixing mechanism 54 is mounted on the respective side of the shield 56 or coupling connector 14, which means that a mounted flange or tongue 80 sealed and internally formed outside an opening 82 in the arm section 66. The tongue mounted has an inclined fixing pattern 86 and an upward or outward curved lip 84 in the distal terminal. When the tongue is inserted under the deformed projection 64 in the direction of the arrow * B "(Figure 8), the outer curved lip 84 prevents the tongue from beginning to be inserted into the opening formed under the deformed projection. Without the external curved lip, the tongue tends to "rub" against the edge of the opening and prevent the flexible arm fixing mechanism from being fully assembled to the connector when the flexible arm mechanisms 54 are mounted the sides of the shield 56 of the coupling connector 14, inclined pattern 86 notch behind the deformed protruding supports 64 as clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8. Flexible sections 70 supported against the sides of the shield 56. Therefore, when it is desired to disconnect the connector 14 from the assembled connector 12, the actuator buttons 72 are pressed inwardly in the direction of the arrows * C "(Figure 7) against the tracks flexible of the flexible sections 70. This causes the fastening sections 68 in the opposite terminal of the flexible arm fixing mechanism to move externally in the direction of the arrows ND ", outside the joined shoulders 42 of fixing posts 32, whereby the connectors can be separated. When the pressure is released by the actuator buttons 72, flexible sections 70 tilt the flexible arm fixing mechanism out of those fixing conditions. It will be understood that the invention can be exemplified in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples, and representations, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not limited to the details given herein.