WO2014111133A1 - Sealed electrical connector assembly - Google Patents

Sealed electrical connector assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014111133A1
WO2014111133A1 PCT/EP2013/050671 EP2013050671W WO2014111133A1 WO 2014111133 A1 WO2014111133 A1 WO 2014111133A1 EP 2013050671 W EP2013050671 W EP 2013050671W WO 2014111133 A1 WO2014111133 A1 WO 2014111133A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
female
electrical connector
connector assembly
housing
male
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2013/050671
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Hyun Chul Baek
Joo Hyun Park
Min-Young Lee
Original Assignee
Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.À.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.À.R.L. filed Critical Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.À.R.L.
Priority to PCT/EP2013/050671 priority Critical patent/WO2014111133A1/en
Priority to KR1020157021755A priority patent/KR20150105993A/en
Publication of WO2014111133A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014111133A1/en

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
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
    • 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
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/62933—Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
    • H01R13/62938—Pivoting lever comprising own camming means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/26—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sealed electrical connector assembly with contact terminals sealed to a housing .
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows a connection interface of such a conventional sealed electrical connector assembly.
  • a conventional sealed electrical connector assembly may include a female connector 10 and a male interface member 20.
  • the female connector 10 has a housing 11 , power supply female terminals 1 2, ground female terminals 13 and a sealing member 14.
  • the male interface member 20 is provided with male terminals 21 corresponding respectively to the power supply female terminals 1 2 and the ground female terminals 1 3.
  • the sealing member 14 is disposed in the housing 11 to encircle the power supply female terminals 1 2 and the ground female terminals 1 3. When the female connector 10 and the male interface member 20 are mated to each other, the sealing member 14 is intervened between the housing 11 and the male interface member 20 to thereby prevent water or moisture from infiltrating into the connection interface.
  • the prior art sealed electrical connector assembly has a single sealing member that is configured to encircle the power supply female terminals and the ground female terminals so as to seal them together.
  • a short circuit may occur between the power supply female terminals and the ground female terminals.
  • the aforementioned short circuit may cause malfunction of the safety device.
  • an electrical connector assembly configured to separately seal power supply female terminals and ground female terminals to thereby prevent a short circuit therebetween .
  • the present invention provides an electrical connector assembly including a female connector and a male interface member mated to the female connector from front toward rear.
  • the female connector comprises a female housing and, particularly first and second sealing members.
  • the female housing has :
  • first terminal holder which may receive at least one first female terminal
  • a second terminal holder that is spaced apart from the first terminal holder and may receive at least one second female terminals.
  • the first sealing member is fitted to a periphery of the first terminal holder.
  • the second sealing member is fitted to a periphery of the second terminal holder.
  • the male interface member includes a first male housing, which receives the first terminal holder, and a second male housing that is spaced apart from the first male housing and receives the second terminal holder.
  • the first and second terminal holders have a cross-section that becomes larger from front toward rear of the female connector.
  • the first and second sealing members have a rectangular ring shape.
  • the first and second sealing members comprise a silicon rubber material .
  • the first male housing has a plurality of ribs on an inner surface thereof and the second male housing has a plurality of ribs on an inner surface thereof.
  • the female connector further includes a lever pivotally coupled to the female housing .
  • the female housing further includes an elastically deformable latch and the lever has an engagement portion which the latch engages.
  • the female housing further includes a first lever pin protruding from either lateral surface thereof and the lever includes a first slide slit to which the first lever pin is fitted .
  • the first slide slit has an arcuate shape, or a substantially arcuate shape.
  • each of the first and second male housing includes a second lever pin protruding on an outer surface thereof.
  • the lever includes a second slide slit to which the second lever pin is fitted .
  • the second slide slit is opposed to the first slide slit.
  • the second slide slit has an arcuate shape, or a substantially arcuate shape.
  • the terminal holder receiving the ground female terminals and the terminal holder receiving the power supply female terminals are separated from each other and the sealing members are fitted to the respective terminal holders, thereby preventing the short circuit between the ground female terminals and the power supply female terminals.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows a prior art electrical connector assembly
  • FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in FIG. 2
  • FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a female connector and a male interface member shown in FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 5 is a front view of the female connector shown in FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the female connector shown in FIG. 2, with a lever in a first position
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of the female connector shown in FIG. 2, with a lever a second position
  • FIG. 8 is a rear view of a male interface member shown in FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8, and
  • FIG. 1 0 is a perspective front view of a coupling example between the female connector and the male interface member.
  • the directional term “left,” “upper”, “upward” or “above” and “rear”, “rearward” or “behind” are generally based on the positive X-axis, the positive Z- axis and the positive Y-axis directions shown in the figures, respectively.
  • the directional term “right”, “lower” or “below” and “front” or “forward” refer respectively to a direction opposite to the directional term “left”, “upper,” “upward” or “above” and “rear”, “rearward” or “behind”.
  • an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a female connector 1 00 and a male interface member 200.
  • the female connector 1 00 includes a female housing 1 10, at least one first female terminal 1 21 , preferably a plurality of first female terminals 1 21 , at least one second female terminal 122, preferably a plurality of second female terminals 122, a first sealing member 131 and a second sealing member 132, a first terminal position assurance member 141 and a second terminal position assurance member, 142 and a lever 150.
  • a rear end of the female housing 110 is closed, while a front end thereof is open for connection with the male interface member 200.
  • the female housing 110 defines a cavity 113, preferably having a rectangular cross-section therein.
  • the female housing 110 includes a first terminal holder 111 for receiving and fixing the first female terminals 121 and a second terminal holder 112 for receiving and fixing the second female terminals 122.
  • the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 112 forwardly extend from the rear end of the female housing 110 and are spaced apart from each other.
  • First terminal receiving holes 111a for receiving the first female terminal 121 are pierced through the first terminal holder 111 and second terminal receiving holes 112a for receiving the second female terminal 122 are pierced through the second terminal holder 112.
  • the first receiving holes 111a and the second terminal receiving holes 112a extend from the rear end of the female housing 110 through the respective terminal holders.
  • the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 112 have a cross section becoming larger from front to rear.
  • the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 112 may have a shape of a quadrangular frustum pyramid.
  • An insertion opening 114a through which a second lever pin 230 of the male interface member 200 passes, is formed in a front end of at least one lateral wall of the female housing 110, and preferably on each lateral wall of the female housing 110.
  • a guide slit 114b adjoining the insertion opening 114a is linearly formed in each lateral wall of the female housing 110.
  • the second lever pin 230 of the male interface member 200 passes through the insertion opening 114a and then enters a closed end of the guide slit 114b.
  • the second lever pin 230 functions as a point of fulcrum when the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 are coupled to each other, whereas it functions as a point of action when the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 are separated from each other.
  • the female housing 11 0 has a first lever pin 11 5 protruding from the rear end of at least one lateral wall , and preferably on each lateral wall of the female housing 110.
  • the first lever pin 11 5 functions as a point of action when the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 are coupled, whereas it functions as a point of fulcrum when the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 are separated .
  • the first lever pin 11 5 is located behind the guide slit 114b in an extension direction of the guide slit 114b.
  • the female housing 11 0 has a latch 11 6 in its top wall .
  • the latch 116 has a pawl protrusion 11 6a at its leading end .
  • a portion of the top wall of the female housing 110 is cut out to thus forming the latch 11 6, preferably in a bar shape.
  • the latch 116 resiliently flexes inward and outward of the female housing 11 0.
  • the pawl protrusion 116a engages an engagement portion 153 of the lever 1 50.
  • the pawl protrusion 11 6a has, for example, beveled surfaces for easy engagement to the pawl protrusion 116a.
  • the first female terminals 1 21 and the second female terminals 1 22 are joined to the respective electric cables 121 a, 1 22a.
  • the first female terminals 1 21 are fitted to the first terminal receiving holes 111 a of the first terminal holder 111 .
  • the second female terminals 1 22 are fitted to the second terminal receiving holes 112a of the second terminal holder 112.
  • the first female terminals 1 21 are used for ground connection, while the second female terminals 1 22 are used for connection to a power supply.
  • the first sealing member 1 31 and second sealing member 1 32 are situated between the male interface member 200 and the female housing 11 0 of the female connector 1 00 and tightly seal a gap between the male interface member 200 and the female housing 110.
  • the first sealing member 1 31 and the second sealing member 132 have an approximately rectangular ring shape.
  • the first sealing member 1 31 is fitted to the first terminal holder 111 from its front towards its rear to thus wrap a periphery of the first terminal holder 111 .
  • the second sealing member 1 32 is fitted to the second terminal holder 11 2 from its front towards its rear to thus wrap a periphery of the second terminal holder 112.
  • the first sealing member 1 31 and the second sealing member 1 32 may be made from an elastic rubber material such as a silicon rubber material .
  • the first terminal position assurance member 141 and the second terminal position assurance member 142 position the first female terminals 1 21 and the second female terminals 122.
  • the first terminal position assurance member 141 and the second terminal position assurance member 142 are located in front of the first sealing member 1 31 and the second sealing member, 132.
  • the first terminal position assurance member 141 is mounted to the first terminal holder 111 from below toward above in the female housing 11 0.
  • the second terminal position assurance member 142 is mounted to the second terminal holder 112 from below toward above in the female housing 110.
  • the lever 150 locks the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 to each other and maintains firm connection between the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200.
  • the lever 150 has an inverted U-shape.
  • the lever 150 is attached to the female housing 11 0 through the first lever pin 115 of the female housing 110.
  • the lever 1 50 is pivotable from above toward rear and vice-versa relative to the female housing 11 0.
  • the lever 1 50 has a first arcuate slide slit 151 , preferably at either lateral portion .
  • the first lever pin 11 5 is fitted to and slides in the first slide slit 1 51 .
  • the first lever pin 11 5 is positioned at a first end 1 51 a of the first slide slit 151 .
  • FIG. 7 when an intermediate portion of the lever 1 50 is situated above the female housing 11 0, the first lever pin 11 5 is positioned at a second end 151 b of the first slide slit 1 51 .
  • the lever 1 50 has a second arcuate slide slit 152 at either lateral portion .
  • the second lever pin 230 of the male interface member 200 is fitted to and slides in the second slide slit 152.
  • the first slide slit 1 51 and the second slide slit 152 are curved at the same curvature and are opposed to each other.
  • the lever 1 50 has the engagement portion 153, which the pawl protrusion 11 6a of the latch 11 6 engages.
  • the engagement portion 153 comprises an opening .
  • the engagement portion 1 53 may comprise a recess that is recessed on a surface of the intermediate portion of the lever 1 50.
  • the male interface member 200 may be attached to a terminal end of an electric cable extending from an electronic device or be mounted on a case or housing of the electronic device as attached to such a terminal end.
  • the electronic device may include, but is not limited to, an airbag system or active hood lift system, which can be employed to a motor vehicle.
  • the male interface member 200 includes a base 210, a first male housing 221 and a second male housing 222, the second lever pin 230 and first male terminals 241 and second male terminals 242.
  • the base 210 has a plate shape.
  • a plurality of terminal receiving holes 211 are pierced through the base 210.
  • the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 perpendicularly extend from the base 21 0 and, preferably, have a rectangular basket shape.
  • Cross-sectional shape of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 is a rectangle with rounded corners.
  • the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 respectively receive the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 11 2.
  • Each of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 has a plurality of ribs 221 a, 222a extending on its inner surface. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the ribs 221 a, 222a extend up to, preferably, a halfway portion of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222, in a longitudinal direction of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222.
  • the ribs 221 a, 222a are situated between respectively the first male housings 221 and the second male housing 222 and the periphery of respectively the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 11 2, thus positioning and fixing the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 11 2 relative to the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222.
  • the second lever pin 230 outwardly protrudes from each lateral surface of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222.
  • the second lever pin 230 passes through the insertion opening 114a of the female housing 11 0 and is then guided by the guide slit 114b and thereafter is inserted to the second slide slit 1 52 of the lever 150.
  • the first male terminals 241 and the second male terminal 242 extend toward the inside of the first male housings 221 and the second male housing 222, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, the first male terminals 241 and the second male terminals 242 are fixed to the base 21 0 through the terminal receiving holes 211 .
  • the lever 1 50 is upwardly pivoted from the behind side of the female housing 110.
  • the second lever pin 230 moves along the second slide slit 1 52 from the first end 1 52a toward a second end 1 52b of the second slide slit 1 52 and, at the same time, the first lever pin 11 5 moves along the first slide slit 1 51 from the first end 151 a toward the second end 1 51 b.
  • the second lever pin 230 functions as a point of fulcrum, while the first lever pin 11 5 functions as a point of action .
  • leverage which is caused by a pivoting movement of the lever 1 50 from rear to above, exerts a rearward push force to the first lever pin 11 5 toward the second lever pin 230.
  • Such a rearward push force pushes the female connector 1 00 toward the male interface member 200, thereby moving the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 toward each other.
  • the intermediate portion of the lever 150 is situated above the female housing 110 and the pawl protrusion 116a of the latch 11 6 is fitted to the engagement portion 1 53 of the lever 1 50.
  • the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 are locked to each other.
  • the first lever pin 11 5 is positioned at the second end 1 51 b of the first slide slit 1 51
  • the second lever pin 230 is positioned at the second end 1 52b of the second slide slit 1 52.
  • the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 may be separated from each other by pivoting the lever 1 50 from above to rear relative to the female housing 11 0.
  • the first lever pin 115 moves along the first slide slit 1 51 from the second end 151 b toward the first end 1 51 a and, at the same time, the second lever pin 230 moves along the second slide slit 1 52 from the second end 152b toward the first end 1 52a.
  • the first lever pin 11 5 functions as a point of fulcrum
  • the second lever pin 230 functions as a point of action .
  • leverage which is caused by a pivoting movement of the lever 150 from above to rear, exerts a forward push force to the second lever pin 230 toward the first lever pin 115.
  • Such a forward push force pushes the female connector 100 against the male interface member 200, thereby moving the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 away from each other.
  • the lever 1 50 is fully pivoted to the behind side, the female connector 100 is detached from the male interface member 200 and thus they are separated .

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  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed electrical connector assembly having a female connector and a male interface member (200) is provided. The female connector comprises a female housing (110) having : -a first terminal holder (111), and -a second terminal holder (112) spaced apart from the first terminal holder (111). The male interface member comprises : -a first male housing (221) receiving the first terminal holder (111), and -a second male housing (222) that is spaced apart from the first male housing and receives the second terminal holder (112).

Description

Sealed electrical connector assembly
The present invention relates to a sealed electrical connector assembly with contact terminals sealed to a housing .
There exists in the art a sealed electrical connector having a sealing configuration for preventing infiltration of water or moisture. FIG. 1 schematically shows a connection interface of such a conventional sealed electrical connector assembly.
Referring to FIG. 1 , a conventional sealed electrical connector assembly may include a female connector 10 and a male interface member 20. The female connector 10 has a housing 11 , power supply female terminals 1 2, ground female terminals 13 and a sealing member 14. The male interface member 20 is provided with male terminals 21 corresponding respectively to the power supply female terminals 1 2 and the ground female terminals 1 3. The sealing member 14 is disposed in the housing 11 to encircle the power supply female terminals 1 2 and the ground female terminals 1 3. When the female connector 10 and the male interface member 20 are mated to each other, the sealing member 14 is intervened between the housing 11 and the male interface member 20 to thereby prevent water or moisture from infiltrating into the connection interface.
The prior art sealed electrical connector assembly has a single sealing member that is configured to encircle the power supply female terminals and the ground female terminals so as to seal them together.
Thus, once water or moisture infiltrates into the connection interface, a short circuit may occur between the power supply female terminals and the ground female terminals. In particular, in case such an electrical connector assembly is employed to a safety device, such as an airbag system or an active hood lift system for a motor vehicle, the aforementioned short circuit may cause malfunction of the safety device.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector assembly configured to separately seal power supply female terminals and ground female terminals to thereby prevent a short circuit therebetween .
To achieve the above and other objects, in an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an electrical connector assembly including a female connector and a male interface member mated to the female connector from front toward rear. The female connector comprises a female housing and, particularly first and second sealing members. The female housing has :
- a first terminal holder, which may receive at least one first female terminal, and
- a second terminal holder that is spaced apart from the first terminal holder and may receive at least one second female terminals.
The first sealing member is fitted to a periphery of the first terminal holder. The second sealing member is fitted to a periphery of the second terminal holder.
The male interface member includes a first male housing, which receives the first terminal holder, and a second male housing that is spaced apart from the first male housing and receives the second terminal holder.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second terminal holders have a cross-section that becomes larger from front toward rear of the female connector. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second sealing members have a rectangular ring shape. The first and second sealing members comprise a silicon rubber material .
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first male housing has a plurality of ribs on an inner surface thereof and the second male housing has a plurality of ribs on an inner surface thereof.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the female connector further includes a lever pivotally coupled to the female housing . In an embodiment of the present invention, the female housing further includes an elastically deformable latch and the lever has an engagement portion which the latch engages.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the female housing further includes a first lever pin protruding from either lateral surface thereof and the lever includes a first slide slit to which the first lever pin is fitted . The first slide slit has an arcuate shape, or a substantially arcuate shape.
In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second male housing includes a second lever pin protruding on an outer surface thereof. The lever includes a second slide slit to which the second lever pin is fitted . The second slide slit is opposed to the first slide slit. The second slide slit has an arcuate shape, or a substantially arcuate shape.
In the electrical connector assembly according to the embodiments, the terminal holder receiving the ground female terminals and the terminal holder receiving the power supply female terminals are separated from each other and the sealing members are fitted to the respective terminal holders, thereby preventing the short circuit between the ground female terminals and the power supply female terminals.
The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description including embodiments for illustrative purposes with reference to the figures, presented as non-l imitative examples, which can be used to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which :
- FIG. 1 schematically shows a prior art electrical connector assembly,
- FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention,
- FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the electrical connector assembly shown in FIG. 2, - FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a female connector and a male interface member shown in FIG. 2,
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the female connector shown in FIG. 2,
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the female connector shown in FIG. 2, with a lever in a first position,
- FIG. 7 is a side view of the female connector shown in FIG. 2, with a lever a second position,
- FIG. 8 is a rear view of a male interface member shown in FIG. 2,
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8, and
- FIG. 1 0 is a perspective front view of a coupling example between the female connector and the male interface member.
It should be noted that, on figures, structural and/or functional elements which are common to different embodiments may have the same reference sign. Thus, unless otherwise stated, these elements have structural, dimensional and material properties which are identical.
Descriptions are made as to embodiments of an electrical connector assembly of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As used herein, the directional term "left," "upper", "upward" or "above" and "rear", "rearward" or "behind" are generally based on the positive X-axis, the positive Z- axis and the positive Y-axis directions shown in the figures, respectively. Moreover, as used herein, the directional term "right", "lower" or "below" and "front" or "forward" refer respectively to a direction opposite to the directional term "left", "upper," "upward" or "above" and "rear", "rearward" or "behind".
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a female connector 1 00 and a male interface member 200.
The female connector 1 00 includes a female housing 1 10, at least one first female terminal 1 21 , preferably a plurality of first female terminals 1 21 , at least one second female terminal 122, preferably a plurality of second female terminals 122, a first sealing member 131 and a second sealing member 132, a first terminal position assurance member 141 and a second terminal position assurance member, 142 and a lever 150.
A rear end of the female housing 110 is closed, while a front end thereof is open for connection with the male interface member 200. The female housing 110 defines a cavity 113, preferably having a rectangular cross-section therein. The female housing 110 includes a first terminal holder 111 for receiving and fixing the first female terminals 121 and a second terminal holder 112 for receiving and fixing the second female terminals 122.
The first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 112 forwardly extend from the rear end of the female housing 110 and are spaced apart from each other. First terminal receiving holes 111a for receiving the first female terminal 121 are pierced through the first terminal holder 111 and second terminal receiving holes 112a for receiving the second female terminal 122 are pierced through the second terminal holder 112. The first receiving holes 111a and the second terminal receiving holes 112a extend from the rear end of the female housing 110 through the respective terminal holders.
Preferably, the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 112 have a cross section becoming larger from front to rear. The first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 112 may have a shape of a quadrangular frustum pyramid.
An insertion opening 114a, through which a second lever pin 230 of the male interface member 200 passes, is formed in a front end of at least one lateral wall of the female housing 110, and preferably on each lateral wall of the female housing 110. A guide slit 114b adjoining the insertion opening 114a is linearly formed in each lateral wall of the female housing 110.
When the male interface member 200 is fitted to the female housing 110, the second lever pin 230 of the male interface member 200 passes through the insertion opening 114a and then enters a closed end of the guide slit 114b. The second lever pin 230 functions as a point of fulcrum when the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 are coupled to each other, whereas it functions as a point of action when the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 are separated from each other.
The female housing 11 0 has a first lever pin 11 5 protruding from the rear end of at least one lateral wall , and preferably on each lateral wall of the female housing 110. The first lever pin 11 5 functions as a point of action when the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 are coupled, whereas it functions as a point of fulcrum when the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 are separated . The first lever pin 11 5 is located behind the guide slit 114b in an extension direction of the guide slit 114b. The female housing 11 0 has a latch 11 6 in its top wall . The latch 116 has a pawl protrusion 11 6a at its leading end . A portion of the top wall of the female housing 110 is cut out to thus forming the latch 11 6, preferably in a bar shape. The latch 116 resiliently flexes inward and outward of the female housing 11 0. The pawl protrusion 116a engages an engagement portion 153 of the lever 1 50. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pawl protrusion 11 6a has, for example, beveled surfaces for easy engagement to the pawl protrusion 116a.
The first female terminals 1 21 and the second female terminals 1 22 are joined to the respective electric cables 121 a, 1 22a. The first female terminals 1 21 are fitted to the first terminal receiving holes 111 a of the first terminal holder 111 . The second female terminals 1 22 are fitted to the second terminal receiving holes 112a of the second terminal holder 112. In this particular embodiment, the first female terminals 1 21 are used for ground connection, while the second female terminals 1 22 are used for connection to a power supply.
The first sealing member 1 31 and second sealing member 1 32 are situated between the male interface member 200 and the female housing 11 0 of the female connector 1 00 and tightly seal a gap between the male interface member 200 and the female housing 110. Preferably, the first sealing member 1 31 and the second sealing member 132 have an approximately rectangular ring shape. The first sealing member 1 31 is fitted to the first terminal holder 111 from its front towards its rear to thus wrap a periphery of the first terminal holder 111 . The second sealing member 1 32 is fitted to the second terminal holder 11 2 from its front towards its rear to thus wrap a periphery of the second terminal holder 112. The first sealing member 1 31 and the second sealing member 1 32 may be made from an elastic rubber material such as a silicon rubber material .
The first terminal position assurance member 141 and the second terminal position assurance member 142 position the first female terminals 1 21 and the second female terminals 122. The first terminal position assurance member 141 and the second terminal position assurance member 142 are located in front of the first sealing member 1 31 and the second sealing member, 132. The first terminal position assurance member 141 is mounted to the first terminal holder 111 from below toward above in the female housing 11 0. The second terminal position assurance member 142 is mounted to the second terminal holder 112 from below toward above in the female housing 110.
The lever 150 locks the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 to each other and maintains firm connection between the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200. Preferably, the lever 150 has an inverted U-shape.
The lever 150 is attached to the female housing 11 0 through the first lever pin 115 of the female housing 110. The lever 1 50 is pivotable from above toward rear and vice-versa relative to the female housing 11 0. The lever 1 50 has a first arcuate slide slit 151 , preferably at either lateral portion . The first lever pin 11 5 is fitted to and slides in the first slide slit 1 51 .
As shown in FIG. 6, if the intermediate portion of the lever 1 50 is pivoted from top toward rear relative to the female housing 11 0, then the first lever pin 11 5 is positioned at a first end 1 51 a of the first slide slit 151 . As shown in FIG. 7, when an intermediate portion of the lever 1 50 is situated above the female housing 11 0, the first lever pin 11 5 is positioned at a second end 151 b of the first slide slit 1 51 .
Further, the lever 1 50 has a second arcuate slide slit 152 at either lateral portion . The second lever pin 230 of the male interface member 200 is fitted to and slides in the second slide slit 152. Preferably, the first slide slit 1 51 and the second slide slit 152 are curved at the same curvature and are opposed to each other.
The lever 1 50 has the engagement portion 153, which the pawl protrusion 11 6a of the latch 11 6 engages. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the engagement portion 153 comprises an opening . Alternatively, the engagement portion 1 53 may comprise a recess that is recessed on a surface of the intermediate portion of the lever 1 50. When the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 are completely mated, the pawl protrusion 11 6a of the latch 11 6 is fitted to the engagement portion 153 of the lever, thereby fixing the lever 1 50.
The male interface member 200 may be attached to a terminal end of an electric cable extending from an electronic device or be mounted on a case or housing of the electronic device as attached to such a terminal end. The electronic device may include, but is not limited to, an airbag system or active hood lift system, which can be employed to a motor vehicle.
The male interface member 200 includes a base 210, a first male housing 221 and a second male housing 222, the second lever pin 230 and first male terminals 241 and second male terminals 242. Preferably, the base 210 has a plate shape. A plurality of terminal receiving holes 211 are pierced through the base 210. The first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 perpendicularly extend from the base 21 0 and, preferably, have a rectangular basket shape. Cross-sectional shape of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 is a rectangle with rounded corners. The first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 respectively receive the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 11 2.
Each of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 has a plurality of ribs 221 a, 222a extending on its inner surface. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the ribs 221 a, 222a extend up to, preferably, a halfway portion of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222, in a longitudinal direction of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222.
The ribs 221 a, 222a are situated between respectively the first male housings 221 and the second male housing 222 and the periphery of respectively the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 11 2, thus positioning and fixing the first terminal holder 111 and the second terminal holder 11 2 relative to the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222. The second lever pin 230 outwardly protrudes from each lateral surface of the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222. The second lever pin 230 passes through the insertion opening 114a of the female housing 11 0 and is then guided by the guide slit 114b and thereafter is inserted to the second slide slit 1 52 of the lever 150.
The first male terminals 241 and the second male terminal 242 extend toward the inside of the first male housings 221 and the second male housing 222, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, the first male terminals 241 and the second male terminals 242 are fixed to the base 21 0 through the terminal receiving holes 211 .
Descriptions are made as to a coupling example and a separation example between the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200. Referring to FIG. 4, before coupling between the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200, the lever 1 50 is situated in the rear of the female housing 11 0 and the first lever pin 11 5 is positioned at the first end 1 51 a of the first slide slit 1 51 . If the first male housing 221 and the second male housing 222 of the male interface member 200 are inserted to the cavity 11 3 of the female housing 11 0, the second lever pin 230 moves through the insertion opening 114a along the guide slit 114b and is situated right below a first end 1 52a of the second slide slit 1 52. Subsequently, the lever 1 50 is upwardly pivoted from the behind side of the female housing 110. Then, the second lever pin 230 moves along the second slide slit 1 52 from the first end 1 52a toward a second end 1 52b of the second slide slit 1 52 and, at the same time, the first lever pin 11 5 moves along the first slide slit 1 51 from the first end 151 a toward the second end 1 51 b.
When the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 are coupled to each other, the second lever pin 230 functions as a point of fulcrum, while the first lever pin 11 5 functions as a point of action . Thus, leverage, which is caused by a pivoting movement of the lever 1 50 from rear to above, exerts a rearward push force to the first lever pin 11 5 toward the second lever pin 230. Such a rearward push force pushes the female connector 1 00 toward the male interface member 200, thereby moving the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 toward each other. When the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 are fully mated to each other, the intermediate portion of the lever 150 is situated above the female housing 110 and the pawl protrusion 116a of the latch 11 6 is fitted to the engagement portion 1 53 of the lever 1 50. As a result, the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 are locked to each other. In such a locked state, the first lever pin 11 5 is positioned at the second end 1 51 b of the first slide slit 1 51 , while the second lever pin 230 is positioned at the second end 1 52b of the second slide slit 1 52.
The female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 may be separated from each other by pivoting the lever 1 50 from above to rear relative to the female housing 11 0. As the lever 1 50 is rearward pivoted from the above side of the female housing 11 0, the first lever pin 115 moves along the first slide slit 1 51 from the second end 151 b toward the first end 1 51 a and, at the same time, the second lever pin 230 moves along the second slide slit 1 52 from the second end 152b toward the first end 1 52a.
When the female connector 100 and the male interface member 200 are separated from each other, the first lever pin 11 5 functions as a point of fulcrum, while the second lever pin 230 functions as a point of action . Thus, leverage, which is caused by a pivoting movement of the lever 150 from above to rear, exerts a forward push force to the second lever pin 230 toward the first lever pin 115. Such a forward push force pushes the female connector 100 against the male interface member 200, thereby moving the female connector 1 00 and the male interface member 200 away from each other. After the lever 1 50 is fully pivoted to the behind side, the female connector 100 is detached from the male interface member 200 and thus they are separated .
Obviously, the present invention is not limited to embodiments which are here above described and provided only as examples. It also includes different modifications, and alternatives that may be considered by the person skill in the art as part of the present invention, including all combinations of different embodiments here above described, taken alone or in combination .

Claims

Claims
1 . An electrical connector assembly comprising a female connector (1 00) and a male interface member (200) mated to the female connector (1 00) from front toward rear,
wherein the female connector (1 00) comprises a female housing (11 0) having :
- a first terminal holder (111 ) receiving at least one first female terminal (121 ) and
- a second terminal holder (112) spaced apart from the first terminal holder (111 ) and receiving at least one second female terminal (1 22),
wherein the male interface member (200) comprises :
- a first male housing (221 ) receiving the first terminal holder (1 11 ), and
- a second male housing (222), spaced apart from the first male housing (221 ), receiving the second terminal holder (11 2).
2. The electrical connector assembly according to Claim 1 , wherein the first terminal holder (111 ) and the second terminal holder (11 2) have a cross-section becoming larger from front toward rear of the female connector (100).
3. The electrical connector assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first male housing (221 ) has a plurality of ribs (221 a) on an inner surface thereof and/or the second male housing (222) has a plurality of ribs (222a) on an inner surface thereof.
4. The electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the female housing (11 0) further includes an elastically deformable latch (11 6).
5. The electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the female connector (100) further includes a lever (1 50) pivotally coupled to the female housing (11 0).
6. The electrical connector assembly according to Claims 4 and 5, wherein the lever (1 50) has an engagement portion (153) engaging with the latch (1 1 6).
7. The electrical connector assembly according to Claims 4 and 5, wherein the female housing (11 0) further includes a first lever pin (11 5) protruding from at least one lateral surface thereof and the lever (1 50) includes a first slide slit (151 ) in which the first lever pin (11 5) is fitted .
8. The electrical connector assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the first slide slit (1 51 ) has an arcuate shape.
9. The electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein each of the first male housing (221 ) and the second male housing (222) includes a second lever pin (230) protruding on an outer surface thereof.
10. The electrical connector assembly according to Claims 5 and 9, wherein the lever (1 50) includes a second slide slit (152) to which the second lever pin (230) is fitted .
11 . The electrical connector assembly according to Claims 10 and 7 or 8, wherein the second slide slit (230) is opposed to the first slide slit (1 51 ).
12. The electrical connector assembly according to any of Claims 9 to 11 , wherein the second slide slit (230) has an arcuate shape.
13. The electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the female connector (1 00) comprises a first sealing member (1 31 ) fitted to a periphery of the first terminal holder (1 11 ), and/or a second sealing member (132) fitted to a periphery of the second terminal holder (1 1 2).
14. The electrical connector assembly according to Claim 1 3, wherein the first sealing member (1 31 ) and/or the second sealing members (1 32) have a rectangular ring shape.
15. The electrical connector assembly according to Claim 1 3 or 14, wherein the first sealing member (131 ) and/or the second sealing members comprise a silicon rubber material .
PCT/EP2013/050671 2013-01-15 2013-01-15 Sealed electrical connector assembly WO2014111133A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/050671 WO2014111133A1 (en) 2013-01-15 2013-01-15 Sealed electrical connector assembly
KR1020157021755A KR20150105993A (en) 2013-01-15 2013-01-15 Sealed electrical connector assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/050671 WO2014111133A1 (en) 2013-01-15 2013-01-15 Sealed electrical connector assembly

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017141191A1 (en) * 2016-02-18 2017-08-24 Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda. Cover assembly and electrical connector assembly
EP3570389A1 (en) * 2018-05-14 2019-11-20 Stäubli Electrical Connectors AG Connector assembly
US11527850B1 (en) * 2020-09-28 2022-12-13 Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Connector backshell assembly

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EP0989633A2 (en) * 1998-09-25 2000-03-29 The Whitaker Corporation Cam slide electrical connector
US20020173184A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2002-11-21 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Lever-type connector
US20040266265A1 (en) * 2003-06-18 2004-12-30 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Connecting structure of connector, shield connector and lever type connector
US20050142912A1 (en) * 2003-11-28 2005-06-30 Yoshinori Shigeta Lever-fitting connector assembly
EP1973204A2 (en) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-24 Tyco Electronics Corporation Shunted electrical connector and shunt therefor
US7789690B1 (en) * 2009-10-08 2010-09-07 Tyco Electronics Corporation Connector assembly having multi-stage latching sequence
US20110117761A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 Yazaki Europe Ltd. Connector with a secondary connector

Patent Citations (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0989633A2 (en) * 1998-09-25 2000-03-29 The Whitaker Corporation Cam slide electrical connector
US20020173184A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2002-11-21 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Lever-type connector
US20040266265A1 (en) * 2003-06-18 2004-12-30 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Connecting structure of connector, shield connector and lever type connector
US20050142912A1 (en) * 2003-11-28 2005-06-30 Yoshinori Shigeta Lever-fitting connector assembly
EP1973204A2 (en) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-24 Tyco Electronics Corporation Shunted electrical connector and shunt therefor
US7789690B1 (en) * 2009-10-08 2010-09-07 Tyco Electronics Corporation Connector assembly having multi-stage latching sequence
US20110117761A1 (en) * 2009-11-19 2011-05-19 Yazaki Europe Ltd. Connector with a secondary connector

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017141191A1 (en) * 2016-02-18 2017-08-24 Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda. Cover assembly and electrical connector assembly
US9871328B2 (en) 2016-02-18 2018-01-16 Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda. Cover assembly and electrical connector assembly
EP3570389A1 (en) * 2018-05-14 2019-11-20 Stäubli Electrical Connectors AG Connector assembly
US11527850B1 (en) * 2020-09-28 2022-12-13 Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Connector backshell assembly

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