WO2005027268A2 - Electric connector - Google Patents
Electric connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005027268A2 WO2005027268A2 PCT/EP2004/052193 EP2004052193W WO2005027268A2 WO 2005027268 A2 WO2005027268 A2 WO 2005027268A2 EP 2004052193 W EP2004052193 W EP 2004052193W WO 2005027268 A2 WO2005027268 A2 WO 2005027268A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- movable member
- connector
- casing
- retaining
- terminals
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
- H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
- H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation
- H01R13/4364—Insertion of locking piece from the front
- H01R13/4365—Insertion of locking piece from the front comprising a temporary and a final locking position
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electric connector, in particular for automotive applications.
- electric connecting units comprising two complementary connectors mating in a predetermined direction.
- Each connector normally comprises an insulating casing defining a number of cavities for housing respective electric terminals and having respective axes parallel to the mating direction of the connector to the complementary connector.
- the terminals are retained inside the respective cavities by flexible primary retaining lances normally formed in one piece with the casing. More specifically, the lances project inside the respective cavities from one of the walls defining the cavities, and are deformable elastically in a direction crosswise to the mating direction of the connectors to click inside respective seats for receiving the terminals .
- the flexible lances are formed in one piece with the terminals, and click inside respective retaining seats formed in the walls defining the respective cavities.
- Known connectors also comprise a secondary retaining device for determining correct insertion of the terminals inside the respective cavities, and which also acts as a further safety device for ensuring retention of the terminals inside the cavities.
- the secondary retaining device normally comprises a movable member which clicks onto the casing, and which may either be hinged integrally to the casing or defined by a separate member. In both cases, the movable member can only click onto the casing when the terminals are all fully inserted correctly and retained inside the respective cavities by the primary retaining lances .
- the movable member engages the front of the casing, i.e. in a direction parallel to the mating direction of the connectors. Examples of this type of secondary retaining device are described and illustrated in Patent Applications EP-A-1107383 and EP-A- 1257007. As described in the above applications, the movable member is defined integrally by a plate and a number of wedges projecting perpendicularly from the plate.
- Each wedge is inserted between the respective primary retaining lance and the wall from which the lance extends; and, in the event one of the terminals is not correctly or fully inserted inside the respective cavity, the respective primary retaining lance remains deformed, thus preventing insertion of the respective wedge.
- the wedges prevent the primary retaining lances from deforming accidentally and so releasing the terminals.
- the movable member cooperates directly with the primary retaining lances to prevent undesired deformation of the lances in use, but in no way interacts with the terminals, which are therefore retained solely by the primary retaining lances.
- the movable member is inserted laterally inside the casing, i.e. crosswise to the mating direction of the connectors .
- the movable member is positioned with portions of it facing respective shoulders on the terminals, so as to define terminal stops in the withdrawal direction and so actually perform a secondary retaining function, i.e. in addition to that of the primary retaining lances .
- laterally inserted secondary retaining devices cannot always be used.
- an electric connector comprising: - an insulating casing having at least one cavity for housing a respective electric terminal and having an axis parallel to a first direction in which the connector mates with a complementary connector; primary retaining means for retaining said terminal inside said cavity; - secondary retaining means for determining correct engagement of said terminal by said primary retaining means, and comprising at least one movable member which fits inside said casing, in said first direction, in a first operating position; characterized in that said movable member is movable, in a second direction crosswise to said first direction, from said first operating position to a final second operating position in which it cooperates with said terminal to prevent withdrawal of the terminal from said cavity.
- Figure 1 shows an exploded view in perspective of an electric connector in accordance with the present invention
- Figures 2 and 3 show views in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of two different configurations of the Figure 1 connector
- Figure 4 shows a front view of the Figure 2 connector
- Figure 5 shows a section along line V-V in Figure 4
- Figure 6 shows a horizontal section in perspective of the Figure 3 connector
- Figure 7 shows a vertical section of the Figure 3 connector
- Figure 8 shows a larger-scale view in perspective of a detail of an outer casing of the Figure 1 connector
- Figures 9 and 10 show front and rear views in perspective of a secondary retaining device of the Figure 1 connector.
- Connector 1 comprises an insulating casing 2 defining a number of - in the example shown, four - longitudinal through cavities 3 having respective axes parallel to a direction A in which connector 1 mates with a complementary connector (not shown) , and for receiving respective known male electric terminals 4.
- Casing 2 comprises a substantially parallelepiped- shaped main body 5 having a front opening 6 and bounded by a rear wall 7 opposite opening 6, by two respectively top and bottom walls 8 and 9, and by two lateral walls 10.
- Casing 2 also comprises an auxiliary body 11 fitted in conventional manner to main body 5 along top wall 8, and not described herein by not being essential to a clear understanding of the present invention.
- Main body 5 is substantially defined by a hollow front portion 12 communicating externally via opening 6, and by a solid rear portion 15 in which cavities 3 of terminals 4 are formed.
- Rear portion 15 projects partly inside hollow front portion 12 in the form of two substantially parallelepiped-shaped blocks 16, in each of which are formed the front portions of a relative pair of cavities 3.
- Blocks 16 project from bottom wall 9, are separated by a central corridor 18, and define respective lateral corridors 19 with the two lateral walls 10, and a top gap 20 with top wall 8. Lateral corridors 19, central corridor 18, and top gap 20 come out at the front inside an inlet 21 interposed between front opening 6 and blocks 16 and for receiving a matching shaped portion of the complementary connector. Blocks 16 extend from a rear surface 22 of front portion 12, and are bounded, at the opposite end, by respective front surfaces 23, from which terminals 4 project in use. With particular reference to Figures 6 and 7, each terminal 4 comprises a box-shaped intermediate portion 24; a blade-like contact portion 25 projecting frontwards from intermediate portion 24; and a rear connecting portion 26 smaller in section than intermediate portion 24, and for connection to an electric cable 27.
- Each terminal 4 is inserted inside respective cavity 3 through an opening formed in rear wall 7 of casing 2, from which cable 27 extends, and contact portion 25 projects axially inside inlet 21 through a front opening of cavity 3 formed in front surface 23 of relative block 16.
- Opposite top and bottom walls of intermediate portion 24 of each terminal 4 have respective elastic retaining tabs 28, which click in known manner inside respective retaining seats 29 formed in the walls of relative cavity 3.
- Tabs 28 and respective seats 29 together define primary retaining means 30 for retaining terminals 4 inside respective cavities 3 and preventing withdrawal of the terminals.
- connector 1 also comprises a secondary retaining device indicated as a whole by 31 (and shown separately in Figures 9 and 10) and defined by a plate-like movable member 32 separate from casing 2. With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, movable member 32 is inserted inside hollow front portion 12 of casing 2, in direction A and adjacent to top wall 8, into a primary engaged position engaging casing 2 ( Figures 2 and 4) .
- movable member 32 is also movable, in a direction B perpendicular to direction A and to top and bottom walls 8, 9, from the primary engaged position to a final engaged position ( Figures 3 and 7) in which it cooperates with terminals 4 to prevent withdrawal of the terminals from respective cavities 3.
- movable member 32 comprises, integrally, a substantially flat rectangular main portion 33, which slides along top wall 8 of front portion 12 of casing 2 when inserting movable member 32 inside inlet 21; two end walls 34 projecting perpendicularly from respective opposite lateral edges of main portion 33; and two intermediate walls 35 projecting perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of main portion 33, and interposed between end walls 34.
- Movable member 32 also comprises, at the front, two elastic retaining lances 36, which project from opposite lateral edges of main portion 33, are aligned with respective end walls 34, and have, on their free ends, respective projections 37 which click inside respective pairs of retaining seats 38, 39 formed at the bottom of lateral corridors 19.
- seats 38, 39 in each pair are formed at the corner between rear surface 22 and a relative lateral wall 10 of casing 2, and are arranged in succession, in a direction parallel to direction B, to respectively define, when engaged by projection 37 of relative lance 36, the primary and final engaged positions of movable member 32.
- Both seats 38, 39 in each pair are bounded by sides sloping with respect to direction B, so as to permit passage of movable member 32 from the primary to the final engaged position, and vice versa.
- intermediate walls 35 define, at the front, respective facing contoured projections 40, which are engaged by respective elastic lances 41 formed inside central corridor 18 of hollow front portion 12 of casing 2 to prevent withdrawal of movable member 32 from casing 2 in direction A.
- each projection 40 is defined, on opposite sides in direction A, by respective oblique sides to permit both engagement and release by lances 41.
- each projection 40 has a substantially isosceles-trapezium-shaped cross section. Lances 41 project inside central corridor 18 of casing 2 from rear surface 22, are parallel to each other and to direction A along most of their length, and have respective free ends 42 diverging and bent towards respective blocks 16.
- Lances 41 are deformable elastically towards each other in a direction C perpendicular to directions A and B, to allow projections 40 of intermediate walls 35 of movable member 32 to slide in direction A along respective surfaces 50 of lances 41 facing blocks 16. Once projections 40 of intermediate walls 35 get past free ends 42, lances 41 spring back into the undeformed configuration, and free ends 42 provide for retaining and preventing withdrawal of movable member 32 from casing 2 in direction A.
- Surfaces 50 of lances 41 advantageously define respective guides for guiding movable member 32 in direction B from the primary to the final engaged position.
- intermediate walls 35 of movable member 32 are provided at the front with respective locating projections 43, which engage respective through seats 44 formed at a predetermined height along free ends 42 of lances 41.
- the primary and final engaged positions of movable member 32 are defined, in direction A, by the front ends of intermediate walls 35 resting against rear surface 22 of casing 2, and by lances 41 engaging projections 40 of intermediate walls 35.
- the primary and final engaged positions of movable member 32 are defined by lances 36 engaging respective seats 38, 39 in casing 2.
- Movable member 32 also comprises two ribs 45 projecting perpendicularly from main portion 33, and each interposed between a relative end wall 34 and a relative intermediate wall 35 facing each other. In the final engaged position of movable member 32, ribs 45 engage respective longitudinal slits formed in blocks 16 and facing top wall 8 ( Figures 3 and 8) . Finally, movable member 32 comprises a number of front retaining projections 46 projecting from main portion 33, on the same side as ribs 45, intermediate walls 35, and end walls 34, and which, in the final engaged position of movable member 32, define respective stops for terminals 4 in the withdrawal direction from respective cavities 3 in direction A.
- Secondary retaining device 31 operates as follows. Firstly, movable member 32 is inserted, in direction A, inside inlet 21 of main body 5 of casing 2, by sliding main portion 33 along top wall 8. More specifically, movable member 32 must be so positioned that projections 43 on intermediate walls 35 engage seats 44 in lances 41. As movable member 32 slides in direction A inside hollow front portion 12 of casing 2, main portion 33 engages top gap 20, end walls 34 engage lateral corridors 19, and intermediate walls 35 engage central corridor 18. As movable member 32 is pushed further in direction
- intermediate walls 35 snap-on fit to lances 41. More specifically, the height, in direction B, at which intermediate walls 35 engage lances 41 is determined by insertion of projections 43 inside respective seats 44. As projections 40 of intermediate walls 35 slide along free ends 42 of lances 41, lances 41 flex towards each other, and, as soon as projections 40 get past free ends 42, lances 41 spring back into the undeformed position and retain intermediate walls 35 in direction A to prevent withdrawal of movable member 32 from casing 2. At the same time, projections 37 of lances 36 engage respective seats 38 to secure movable member 32 to casing 2 in direction B and so define the primary engaged or preassembly position of movable member 32.
- terminals 4 are fitted inside respective cavities 3, and movable member 32 can be pushed, in direction B towards blocks 16, into the final engaged position engaging casing 2.
- Two situations may arise. If terminals 4 are all correctly retained inside respective cavities 3 by tabs 28 engaging respective retaining seats 29, retaining projections 46 of movable member 32 are free to move in direction B into position behind intermediate portions 24 of terminals 4. Intermediate walls of movable member 32 can therefore slide in direction B along lances 41 into the final engaged position engaging casing 2 and defined by projections 37 of lances 36 engaging respective seas 39.
- Connector 1 may then be connected to the complementary connector.
- connector 1 employs a front-insertion secondary retaining device (31), i.e. suitable for airtight connecting units, but which also interacts directly with terminals 4 in the final engaged position engaging casing 2, so as to actually also provide for secondary retention, i.e. in addition to that performed by primary retaining means 30.
- connector 1 to permit engagement of casing 2 by movable member 32 in two crosswise directions (A, B) .
- movable member 32 is fitted inside casing 2 in the direction in which connector 1 mates with the complementary connector; and, after terminals 4 are inserted, movable member 32 is moved, crosswise to the mating direction of the connectors, into a final position in which retaining portions (46) of the movable member are positioned facing respective shoulders of terminals 4, so as to define stops for terminals 4 in the withdrawal direction from respective cavities 3.
- retaining portions (46) of the movable member are positioned facing respective shoulders of terminals 4, so as to define stops for terminals 4 in the withdrawal direction from respective cavities 3.
Landscapes
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/571,549 US7335061B2 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2004-09-15 | Electric connector |
JP2006526639A JP2007506235A (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2004-09-15 | Electrical connector |
EP04816123A EP1665470A2 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2004-09-15 | Electric connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITTO2003A000709 | 2003-09-16 | ||
IT000709A ITTO20030709A1 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2003-09-16 | ELECTRIC CONNECTOR |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2005027268A2 true WO2005027268A2 (en) | 2005-03-24 |
WO2005027268A3 WO2005027268A3 (en) | 2005-06-30 |
Family
ID=34308154
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2004/052193 WO2005027268A2 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2004-09-15 | Electric connector |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7335061B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1665470A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007506235A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20070015108A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1853317A (en) |
IT (1) | ITTO20030709A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005027268A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102006038535A1 (en) * | 2006-08-17 | 2008-02-21 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Plug with secondary locking for an electrical plug connection |
DE102007039307B4 (en) * | 2007-08-10 | 2012-02-23 | Itt Mfg. Enterprises, Inc. | Connectors |
US7625251B2 (en) * | 2007-09-25 | 2009-12-01 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Connector with redundant terminal locking |
US7628648B1 (en) * | 2008-11-14 | 2009-12-08 | J. S. T. Corporation | Terminal position assurance device and a connector assembly employing the same |
JP5707252B2 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2015-04-22 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | connector |
US20140357095A1 (en) * | 2013-06-03 | 2014-12-04 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Block connector holder |
US10608373B1 (en) * | 2018-09-24 | 2020-03-31 | Ti Automotive Technology Center Gmbh | Electrical connector assembly |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0344691A2 (en) * | 1988-05-30 | 1989-12-06 | Yazaki Corporation | Double engagement structure for terminal and connector |
US5085599A (en) * | 1990-05-16 | 1992-02-04 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector |
DE19706992A1 (en) * | 1997-02-21 | 1998-08-27 | Whitaker Corp | Arrangement for securing electric contact in housing of plug connector |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2879853B2 (en) * | 1990-05-14 | 1999-04-05 | 日本エー・エム・ピー株式会社 | Double lock electrical connector |
JP2512095Y2 (en) * | 1990-11-26 | 1996-09-25 | 日本エー・エム・ピー株式会社 | Double lock electrical connector |
JP2627135B2 (en) * | 1993-05-14 | 1997-07-02 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | connector |
GB9608746D0 (en) * | 1996-04-26 | 1996-07-03 | Amp Great Britain | Connector with terminal position assurance member |
JP3949332B2 (en) * | 2000-01-19 | 2007-07-25 | カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 | Terminal half-insertion detection connector |
JP4126179B2 (en) * | 2002-02-01 | 2008-07-30 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
JP2004139758A (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-05-13 | Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd | Connector |
JP4078963B2 (en) * | 2002-11-27 | 2008-04-23 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
-
2003
- 2003-09-16 IT IT000709A patent/ITTO20030709A1/en unknown
-
2004
- 2004-09-15 WO PCT/EP2004/052193 patent/WO2005027268A2/en active Application Filing
- 2004-09-15 CN CNA2004800264540A patent/CN1853317A/en active Pending
- 2004-09-15 EP EP04816123A patent/EP1665470A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-09-15 US US10/571,549 patent/US7335061B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-09-15 JP JP2006526639A patent/JP2007506235A/en active Pending
- 2004-09-15 KR KR1020067007154A patent/KR20070015108A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0344691A2 (en) * | 1988-05-30 | 1989-12-06 | Yazaki Corporation | Double engagement structure for terminal and connector |
US5085599A (en) * | 1990-05-16 | 1992-02-04 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector |
DE19706992A1 (en) * | 1997-02-21 | 1998-08-27 | Whitaker Corp | Arrangement for securing electric contact in housing of plug connector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1853317A (en) | 2006-10-25 |
US20070128953A1 (en) | 2007-06-07 |
ITTO20030709A1 (en) | 2005-03-17 |
WO2005027268A3 (en) | 2005-06-30 |
EP1665470A2 (en) | 2006-06-07 |
KR20070015108A (en) | 2007-02-01 |
US7335061B2 (en) | 2008-02-26 |
JP2007506235A (en) | 2007-03-15 |
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