CN100444473C

CN100444473C - Electrical connector assembly

Info

Publication number: CN100444473C
Application number: CNB2004800091575A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 应秉珍
Original assignee: Molex LLC
Current assignee: Molex LLC
Priority date: 2003-04-02
Filing date: 2004-03-26
Publication date: 2008-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-26
Also published as: KR100543773B1; KR20040085991A; CN1768456A

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly includes a receptacle connector having a first housing with a rear body portion having a plurality of terminal-receiving passages mounting a plurality of first terminals therein, along with a front mating portion defining a receptacle. A plug connector includes a second housing sized and shaped for insertion in a mating direction into the receptacle defined by the front mating portion of the first housing of the receptacle connector. The second housing has a plurality of terminal-receiving passages mounting a plurality of second terminals for mating with the first terminals of the receptacle connector. Complementary interengaging guide means are provided between the front mating portion of the first housing of the receptacle connector and the second housing of the plug connector for guiding the connectors into mated condition. Locking means are provided between the receptacle connector and the second housing of the plug connector for locking the connectors in mated condition.

Description

Electric coupler component

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to electric connector, is specifically related to comprise the connector assembly of a pair of matching connector.

Background technology

Generally speaking, electric coupler component generally include can with first electric connector of second electric connector coupling.For example, under matching condition, socket connector receives pin connector.Each connector comprises the insulation crust of some form, and described insulation crust can be installed a plurality of conductive terminals that can mesh with the terminal of other connectors.For example, connector can be installed a plurality of socket terminals that are used to receive the pin terminals of other connectors.

In some purposes, these connectors are installed a large amount of terminals.For example, in the electric device of the electrical connection of automobile or other motor vehicles, a large amount of electric wires, circuit or other electric installation that lead in/out from a large amount of fuses, relay, electro-motor, power supply auxiliary equipment etc. can be installed in the single electric connector that itself comprises power terminal and Signal Terminal.There is the electric connector of these a large amount of terminals variety of issue can occur.

For example, extremely important is that two connectors of connector assembly will accurately be aimed at, and can be meshing with each other or assemble to guarantee two great amount of terminals in the connector.It only is the problem that the accumulation foozle of great amount of terminals just may cause aligning.Therefore, in assembling process the connector of two assemblings do not allow to reverse, deflection or displacement.

In addition, load and unload a plurality of connectors and all want increased force will with great amount of terminals.Therefore, developed the low insertion force connector, with locking aid or assembling aid, the operator makes two connectors enter confined state by the cam groove/cam follower (cam groove/cam follower) of some form, loads and unloads these low insertion force connectors newly developed with little power thus.

And, for example, in automobile or other motor vehicles, because some electric connector is subjected to outside collision or vibration, and some problems can appear, and make the connector of two assemblings become the state of dismantling, and/or the assembling terminal of two connectors become disengaged condition.Therefore, need provide locking device, dismantle or throw off in order to avoid these occur.

In order to address these problems proposition the present invention, to improve these electric coupler components and assembly connector thereof.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is, the new improved connector assembly with above-mentioned feature is provided.

In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, electric coupler component comprises: socket connector, have first shell, and its back portion has a plurality of terminal-receiving passages, is used for a plurality of first terminals are installed in wherein, determines jack along front mating portion; Pin connector has second shell, and its size and dimension is suitable on assembly direction inserting in the jack of being determined by the front mating portion of first shell of socket connector.Second shell has a plurality of terminal-receiving passages that a plurality of second terminals are installed, so that assemble with first terminal of socket connector.Between second shell of the positive mounting portion of first shell of socket connector and pin connector, complementary intermeshing orienting device is set, is used for guidance connector and enters confined state.Between second shell of the positive mounting portion of first shell of socket connector and pin connector, locking device is set, is used for connector is locked in confined state.

According to a technical scheme of the present invention, the complementary orienting device that is meshing with each other comprises: first guide slot, be arranged in the top of second shell of pin connector, press that assembly direction extends and receive first guide rib that extends downwardly into from the top of the front mating portion of first shell of socket connector the jack; Second guide slot, be arranged on the bottom of second shell of pin connector, pressing assembly direction extends, reception extends up to second guide rib the jack from the bottom of the front mating portion of first shell of socket connector, as disclosed herein, a pair of first guide slot is spaced laterally apart with respect to assembly direction, and receives a pair of first guide rib that is spaced laterally apart respectively; The 3rd guide slot is arranged on the top of second shell of pin connector, presses assembly direction and extends, and receive the 3rd guide rib that extends downwardly into from the top of the front mating portion of first shell of socket connector the jack.

According to another technical scheme of the present invention, orienting device also comprises: orientation slot, be arranged in each side of an opposite side of front mating portion of first shell of socket connector, and press assembly direction and extend; A pair of guide projections is protruded from the relative edge of second shell of pin connector, is used for inserting slit.Locking device comprises a pair of latch post, outwards protrudes from the relative edge of second shell of pin connector, passes slit.U-shape bolt rod has a pair of latch arm on the relative edge of first shell that is pivotally mounted in socket connector.Latch arm partly connects with cross and forms U-shape.Latch arm has cam path, is used to receive the latch post on the pin connector, with bolt rod connector is advanced to confined state.

According to another technical scheme of the present invention, locking device comprises locking piece separately, be removably mounted on second shell of pin connector, can partly mesh with the cross of U-shape bolt rod on first shell of socket connector, in the latch position with the assembly connector that bolt rod is locked in it.Locking piece have can with a plurality of hold-down hooks of a plurality of engagement shoulders engagements on second shell of pin connector.Locking piece have can with the locking plush copper of lock slots engagement in the cross of the U-shape bolt rod part.

Other features of the present invention are included in the bolt device in advance between second shell of the cross part of U-shape bolt rod and pin connector, and this bolt device and locking device are incoherent self-contained units.Latch post has location braking otch, is used for being received in the detent projection that forms in the cam path of latch arm of U-shape bolt rod, with correct angle location bolt rod, is convenient to pivot and moves, with assembly connector.

Will be better understood other purposes of the present invention, feature and advantage by detailed description below in conjunction with accompanying drawing.

Description of drawings

Feature of the present invention is considered to new, and is specifically limited by appending claims.By referring to will be better understood objects and advantages of the present invention below in conjunction with the description of the drawings.Reference number identical in the accompanying drawing is indicated identical parts, in the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view according to the electric coupler component of the principle of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the vertical sectional view of 2-2 line in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the decomposition diagram of connector assembly;

Fig. 4 is the perspective view of seeing from the fitting surface of the socket connector of assembly;

Fig. 5 is the end view of socket connector, and the pivot that demonstrates bolt rod moves;

Fig. 6 is the perspective view that detachably is installed in the locking piece on the pin connector;

Fig. 7 is the perspective view of pin connector;

Fig. 7 A is the enlarged drawing that " A " surrounds the district among Fig. 7; With

Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the shown pin connector of Fig. 7 and 7A, and the locking piece that Fig. 6 shows is installed on it.

Embodiment

In more detail referring to accompanying drawing, at first referring to Fig. 1-3, implement the present invention in electric coupler component 10 now, it comprises: socket connector 12 has the bolt rod 14 of pivotal mounting thereon; With pin connector 16, has the locking piece of removably installing thereon.Socket connector 12 is installed by a plurality of conductive pin terminals 20 and pin connector 16 is installed a plurality of socket terminals 22.Pin terminals 20 is installed in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 24 (Fig. 2), and socket terminals 22 is installed in a plurality of terminal-receiving passages 26 (Fig. 2).During mounted connector, as shown in Figure 2, the pin terminals 20 of the socket terminals 26 receiver socket connectors 12 of pin connector 16.Contact pin and socket terminals are terminated to many discrete conductive filaments (not showing).

Connector assembly 10 can be used in the equipment that can be collided and vibrate, for example, and in automobile or other motor vehicles.For example, pin terminals 20 and socket terminals 22 can be respectively 3V, 5V and 12V terminal.

Referring to Fig. 3, socket connector 12 comprises the terminal fixture 28 with a plurality of passage 28a.Pin connector 16 also comprises the terminal fixture 30 with a plurality of passage 30a.Referring to Fig. 2,

terminal fixture

28 and 30 is separately positioned among the internal receptacle 28b and 30b of socket connector 12 and pin connector 16.The terminal fixture can move from original terminal " loaded " position, inserts its terminal-receiving

passage

24 and 26 separately to allow terminal 20 and 22.In the home position of terminal fixture, passage 28a and 30a aim at terminal-receiving

passage

20 and 22 respectively, make terminal insert their passages separately fully, in case these terminals are inserted its passage fully,

terminal fixture

28 and 30 is advanced in the terminal fixed position that shows among Fig. 2 by arrow " B " indicated direction, and terminal fixture on terminal engagement shoulder prevents that terminal from deviating from from its passage.

Referring to Fig. 4, in conjunction with Fig. 3, socket connector 12 comprises the insulation crust 32 with back portion 34 and front mating portion 36.Shell can be the integral member that constitutes with the plastic monoblock molding.Back portion 34 is formed with the terminal-receiving passage 24 that pin terminals 20 wherein can be installed.Front mating portion 36 determines that assembling receives the jack 40 of pin connector 16.The shape of the jack of being determined by front mating portion 36 40 is consistent with the exterior contour of pin connector 16, comprises fitting surface 40a.

Usually, between the front mating portion 36 of the shell 32 of socket connector 12 and pin connector 16, complementary intermeshing orienting device is set, is used for connector is directed to confined state.For this reason, a pair of first guide rib 42 that is spaced laterally apart extends downwardly into the jack 40 from the top of the front mating portion 36 of the shell 32 of socket connector 12.A pair of second guide rib 44 that is spaced laterally apart extends up to the jack 40 from the bottom of front mating portion 36.The top of the front mating portion 36 of the guide rib 46 of the 3rd pair of amplification between first pair of guide rib 42 extends downwardly into the jack 40.Guide rib is passed jack by assembly direction and is extended to back portion 34.And guide slot 48 is pressed assembly direction and is extended in each sidewall of the pair of sidewalls 50 of front mating portion 36.Show that as Fig. 3 pivot 52 outwards protrudes from each sidewall, each pivot has the hook 52a of downward protrusion at its end.At last, the shell 32 of socket connector 12 is included in a pair of groove 54 between first guide rib 42 and the 3rd guide rib 46.This can illustrate afterwards.

Bolt rod 14 is assembling aids, and U-shape normally is to determine a pair of latch or the lever arm 56 that connects with sweep or cross part 58.To projecting inward, a pair of outwardly open lock slots 58b that forms in the outer surface of cross part 58 forms the locking shoulder to hooked latch from cross part 58.In each latch or lever arm 56, form pivot hole 60, be used to receive each latch post 52 of outwards protruding from shell 32.The hole has the cut-away portions 60a that radially extends, and is used to receive the hook 52a of pivot post 52.Therefore, only the hook 52a of pivot post 52 is aimed at the incision district 60a of pivot hole 60, just bolt rod 14 can be installed in the shell 32.In case install, the slight pivotal of bolt rod moves and will cause hook 52a to depart from cut-away portions 60a, then, latch arm can not break away from from shell.At last, in each lever arm 56 of bolt rod 14, form the cam path 62 of bow shape.Cam path has opening 62a.Assigned position in cam path 62 forms detent projection 64, and this is in following meeting explanation.Fig. 5 demonstrates bolt rod 14 and moves around the pivot that position locking or assembling fully that pivot post 52 shows from the original rigging position of solid line indication and dashed region begins by double-head arrow " C " indicated direction, and this will illustrate in greater detail following.

Referring to Fig. 7 and 8, and in conjunction with Fig. 3, pin connector 16 comprises with the form as one insulation crust 66 of member of plastic.Shell comprises the terminal-receiving passage 26 (Fig. 3) that receives socket terminals 22.Cover top portion in first guide rib 42 of receiver socket connector forms a pair of first guide slot 70.In the end of the shell 66 of second guide rib 44 of receiver socket connector, form a pair of second guide slot 72.The 3rd guide rib 36 of the 3rd guide slot 74 receiver socket connectors that amplify.Driven plush copper of cam or latch post 76 are outwards outstanding from each relative edge of shell 66.Each latch post has root 76a and enlarged head portion 76b.In latch post, form location braking otch 76c, and towards the assembly direction of connector.The guide rib 78 of amplifying extends back from latch post 76 by assembly direction.

Referring to Fig. 7 and 7A, pair of locking part location wall 80 projects upwards from the shell 66 of pin connector 16, locking piece 18 (Fig. 6) is received or is positioned in the position of Fig. 8 demonstration.Between the wall 80 of location, locking piece connecting elements 82 is set.Connecting elements comprises lock hole 84, and lock hole 84 has the first locking shoulder 84a of chamfering on its relative edge.The another side in hole is determined latch shoulder 84b.Near the end of location wall 80, form the second locking shoulder 86.

Referring to Fig. 6, locking piece 18 comprises the main body 90 that is integral member with plastic especially.Main body comprises: press the outstanding forward pair of locking plush copper 92 of assembly direction; From the outstanding downwards a pair of hold-down hook 94 of main body; With a pair of second safe hold-down hook 96 outstanding downwards from main body but from first hold-down hook, 94 outsides.Form the inside that 98, one grooves 98 of a pair of link slot are provided with the outside of each first hold-down hook 94 and are positioned at corresponding second hold-down hook 96 in the bottom of main body 90.

Locking piece 18 is installed on the top of pin connector 16 by the direction of arrow among Fig. 8 " D ".During installation, first hold-down hook 94 in locking piece bottom is stung the first locking shoulder 84a (Fig. 7 A) and being meshing with each other of the chamfering of stressed joint member 82 suddenly.Second hold-down hook 96 is stung the tight second locking shoulder 84 and mutual locking mesh suddenly.Groove 98 in the locking piece bottom receives the connection plush copper 100 that projects upwards from connecting elements 82.

Explanation socket connector 12 and the installation of pin connector 16 and the locking of the connector under installment state now.Along with the guide slot 48 in the sidewall 50 of driven plush copper of cam on the pin connector outside or latch post 76 insertion socket connectors, pin connector 16 inserts in the jack 40 of socket connectors 12.Pin connector accurately is directed to socket connector following effect: first guide rib 42 of (1) socket connector moves in first guide slot 70 of pin connector, (2) second guide rib 44 of socket connector moves in second guide slot 72 of pin connector, (3) the 3rd guide rib 46 of socket connector moves in the 3rd guide slot 74 of pin connector and the elongated guide ribs 78 of latch post 76 back on (4) pin connector enters the guide slot 48 of socket connector.Elongated guide rib 78 prevents that two connectors from relatively moving in vertical direction, moves with preventing to wind perpendicular to the relative pivot of the trunnion axis of installation direction.Whole guide means system assurance connector is accurately aimed at, and thus, the socket terminals 22 of pin connector is accurately aimed at the pin terminals 20 of socket connector.

Two connectors move by assembly direction again and cause that the driven plush copper 76 of cam enters the import 62a of cam path 62, and enter cam path.Detent projection 64 in the cam path must be positioned to enter among the location braking otch 76b in the front of latch post 76, with suitable angle location bolt rod 14.This position is the indicated position of the solid line of bolt rod among Fig. 5.Then, bolt rod carries out pivot by arrow among Fig. 5 " E " indicated direction around pivot 52 and moves, and along with the latch post 76 of the pin connector cam path 62 along the bolt rod of rotation moves, two connectors push last latched position.When connector assembles fully, hooked latch 58a (Fig. 4) bite suddenly and with locking shoulder 84b (Fig. 7 and the 8) locking mesh of pin connector, the assembly direction of pressing connector is the dead bolt bar in advance.

With the locking piece 18 that separates bolt rod is completely locked in its rigging position then.As mentioned above, by arrow among Fig. 8 " D " indicated direction locking piece is installed in the pin connector and therefore finishes installation.When so locking piece being installed, the locking plush copper 92 of locking piece is arranged in the lock slots 58b of bolt rod, and therefore, bolt rod can not move backward to outside the final position of connector assembling.

Therefore, hooked latch 58a and locking shoulder 84b form the preliminary locking device of assembling aid 14.Locking piece 18 forms the final locking device of assembling aid.When the assembling aid reached its complete rigging position, preliminary locking device meshed automatically.

The technical staff of the industry should be appreciated that under the prerequisite that does not break away from spirit of the present invention or principal character, the present invention can implement in other concrete modes.Example herein and embodiment just are used to illustrate whole technical scheme of the present invention and are not construed as limiting the invention.The details that the invention is not restricted to describe herein.

Claims

1. electric coupler component (10) comprising:

Socket connector (12), comprise first shell (32), this first shell has the front mating portion (36) of back portion (34) and definite jack (40), and described back portion (34) has a plurality of terminal-receiving passages (24) that a plurality of first terminals (20) will be installed therein;

Pin connector (16), comprise second shell (66), the size and dimension of this second shell (66) will be suitable for inserting in the jack of being determined by the front mating portion of first shell of socket connector by assembly direction, second shell has a plurality of terminal-receiving passages (26) that a plurality of second terminals (22) are installed, and is used for first terminal assembling with described socket connector;

Be arranged on the intermeshing orienting device (42 of the complementation between second shell (66) of the front mating portion of first shell (32) of this socket connector and this pin connector, 44,46,48,70,72,74,78), be used for this connector is directed to the state of assembling, the intermeshing orienting device of described complementation comprises:

A pair of first guide slot (70), be positioned at the top of second shell of described pin connector, extend by described assembly direction, this guide slot is spaced laterally apart and receives respectively a pair of guide rib (42) that extends down into jack from the top of the front mating portion of first shell of described socket connector with respect to assembly direction;

Second guide slot (72) is arranged in the bottom of second shell of described pin connector, extends and receives second guide rib (44) that extends upward into jack from the end of the front mating portion of first shell of described socket connector by described assembly direction;

Orientation slot (48) is extended by described assembly direction, is arranged in each sidewall of pair of sidewalls (50) of front mating portion (36) of first shell of described socket connector (12); With

A pair of guide projections, outstanding from the relative side of second shell (66) of described pin connector (16), enter in the described slit; With

Locking device is arranged between second shell of described socket connector and described pin connector, is used for described connector is locked in confined state, comprises

A pair of latch post (76) stretches out from the relative side of second shell (66) of described pin connector (16) and to pass described slit (48); With

U-shape bolt rod (14) has pair of pivot and is installed in latch arm (56) on the relative side of first shell (32) of described socket connector (12), and this latch arm connects with cross part (58), to determine U-shape; Have cam path (62) with this latch arm, be used to receive the latch post (76) on the described pin connector, move by the pivot of described bolt rod described connector is advanced to confined state.

2. according to the electric coupler component of claim 1, it is characterized in that, the intermeshing orienting device of described complementation also comprises the 3rd guide slot (74), be arranged in the top of second shell of described pin connector, press that assembly direction extends and receive the 3rd guide rib (46) that extends down into jack from the top of the front mating portion of first shell of described socket connector.

3. according to the electric coupler component of claim 1, it is characterized in that, described locking device also comprises locking piece (18) separately, be removably mounted on second shell of described pin connector, with cross part (58) engagement of U-shape bolt rod (14) on first shell of described socket connector, described bolt rod is locked in it is arranged in assembling latched position on the described connector.

4. according to the electric coupler component of claim 3, it is characterized in that described locking piece (18) has a plurality of hold-down hooks (94,96), hold-down hook can with engagement shoulder (84a, the 86) engagement on second shell of described pin connector.

5. according to the electric coupler component of claim 4, it is characterized in that described locking piece (18) has locking plush copper (92), can be engaged in the lock slots (58b) in the cross part (58) of described U-shape bolt rod (14).

6. according to the electric coupler component of claim 1, comprise that (58a, 84b), it is arranged between second shell of the cross part (58b) of described U-shape bolt rod (14) and described pin connector bolt device.

7. according to the electric coupler component of claim 1, it is characterized in that, described latch post (76) has location braking otch (76c), be used for being received in the detent projection (64) that forms in the cam path (62) of latch arm (56) of described U-shape bolt rod (14), with the pivot move angle of the suitable described bolt rod in location, to assemble described connector.

8. according to the electric coupler component of claim 1, it is characterized in that described guide projections comprises from described latch post (76) presses the elongate rib (78) that assembly direction extends.