EP1012921B1

EP1012921B1 - Connector locking apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1012921B1
Application number: EP98940488A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Willem Robert Annokkee; Cornelis Van Tilburg; Jacobus Nicolaas Tuin; Renoldus Jacobus Joseph Maria Verstijnen
Original assignee: Whitaker LLC
Current assignee: Whitaker LLC
Priority date: 1997-09-12
Filing date: 1998-09-09
Publication date: 2002-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-09
Also published as: WO1999014825A1; DE69803784D1; EP1012921A1; DE69803784T2; AU8880798A

Description

The invention relates to a connector assembly with two halves of a connector and a locking member.

Many different locking structures serve for the connection of two parts, for example two halves of a connector, are already known. It is known to produce the locking structures separately from the connector halves, such as in US 4,709,976 or US 5,330,369. US 5,330,369 discloses a locking arm which has a locking lug at its free end and pivots about a pivot point between this free end of the locking arm and the attached end. US 4, 669, 797 discloses a connector assembly according to the preamble of claim 1, with a separate locking member. The locking member includes a locking clip interfitting within a release clip, each being releasably inserted into a passage of one housing with a forward end portion of the locking clip extending into a passage of the other housing for locking the mated housing together. Release occurs as a result of manual actuation either by the forward end portions being deflected laterally or by the release clip being pushed axially in its passage towards the forward end portions, thereby engaging a protuberance which deflects the end portions laterally and from engagement.

It is an object of the present invention to specify a connector assembly with another locking structure which establishes a secure locking action between two parts.

The object is achieved by an invention having the features of Patent Claim 1. Advantageous developments are specified in the subclaims.

It is particularly advantageous that the locking member may be an exchangeable locking structure which may be designed with or without coding means or else with or without polarizing means so that different codings or polarizations can be easily made possible.

It is also an advantage to provide an exchangeable locking structure because housings often consist of a hard or brittle material and the locking member itself should consist of a flexible elastic material.

It is also particularly advantageous in the apparatus according to the invention that the locking member is well-protected in an opening in one of the two parts.

It is also of advantage that the parts can easily be separated from one another by swivelling perpendicularly to the plugging direction and the locking direction.

It is also advantageous that any number of locking member can be arranged in a row parallel to the locking direction.

In the case of practising the present invention by a locking member with only one arm which bears a locking lug, it is preferable to provide at least two such locking structures for the secure fixing of the two connector halves to be connected. If, however, an apparatus for the locking connection of two parts has two opposite locking arms, which are either free or connected to one another at their free ends, it is acceptable also to connect two parts securely to one another with a single locking member.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is now to be explained with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a first connector half with two locking members;

Figure 2 shows a corresponding cross-section through a second complementary connector half;

Figure 3 shows a section along the section line 3-3 through Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a section along the line 4-4 through Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a section along the line 5-5 through Figure 2;

Figure 6 shows a section along the line 6-6 through Figure 2;

Figure 7 shows an enlargement of an end of a lock arm from Figure 2;

Figure 8 shows an enlargement of a locking detail from Figure 1;

Figure 9 shows a plan view of the two connector halves connected to one another;

Figure 10 shows a cross-section along the line 10-10 through Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a cross-section along the line 11-11 through Figure 10;

Figure 12 shows a cross-section along the line 12-12 through Figure 10;

Figure 13 shows an enlargened detail from Figure 10;

Figure 14 shows a left side view of a locking member according to Figure 10;

Figure 15 shows a corresponding rear view;

Figure 16 shows a corresponding front view;

Figure 17 shows a corresponding plan view;

Figure 18 shows a right side view of the locking member shown in Figure 10;

Figure 19 shows a corresponding rear view;

Figure 20 shows a corresponding front view;

Figure 21 shows a corresponding plan view;

Figure 22 shows a perspective view of a locking member according to a second embodiment of the invention, with two arms;

Figure 23 shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 22;

Figure 24 shows a cross-section along the section line 24-24 from Figure 23;

Figure 25 shows a representation of the locking member in the locked state;

Figure 26 shows a locking member according to another embodiment of the invention, with two arms which are separate at their extreme free ends;

Figure 27 shows a perspective view of the locking member according to Figure 26;

Figure 28 shows a representation of a locking member according to Figure 26 in the locked state;

Figure 29 shows yet another embodiment of a locking member with two arms, in representation, in the locked state;

Figure 30 shows still yet another embodiment of a further locking member in a perspective view; and

Figure 31 shows a plan view of the locking member from Figure 30 in a second position.

Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a first connector half 1, with an end 2 on a plug-in face side, which end has a row of contacts, and with two through holes 3, 4, which are respectively provided near the edge of the connector half 1. The two through holes 3, 4 are accessible both from the end 2 of the connector half 1 on the plug-in face side and from the end 5 of the connector half 1 on the cable side. Accessibility from the end on the cable side is not necessary, but makes it easier to produce the through holes 3, 4. A

lug

6, 7 is arranged at the end 2 in each of the through holes 3, 4 on the plug-in face side there is respectively a

lug

6, 7. Furthermore, a constriction of the depression can be seen in Figure 3, in which it is clear that one corner 8 protrudes into the depression. This corner 8 can also be seen particularly clearly in Figure 9. The cross-section along the line 4-4 through Figure 1 is represented in Figure 4. The through hole 4 is considerably narrower in this region on account of the corner 8.

In Figure 2 there is represented a cross-section through a complementary second connector half 10. This connector half 2 likewise has an end 11 on the plug-in face side and an end 12 on the cable side. At the end 11 on the plug-in face side, corresponding contacts are provided. Furthermore, the connector half 2 has two mounting-

openings

13 and 14, which lie opposite the through holes 3, 4 of the complementary connector half 1. The

openings

13 and 14 are formed somewhat wider at the end 12 of the connector on the cable side, as Figures 5 and 6 reveal. The

openings

13 and 14 serve for receiving a locking member 15, 15'. The locking member 15, 15' can be introduced into the

openings

13, 14 from the end on the cable side. Each locking member 15, 15' has at the end on the cable side likewise a widening, whereby it bears against a stop 16 in the

openings

13 and 14. On account of the mounting of the complementary connector half 10 in a surrounding structure, e.g. a mobile phone housing, the locking members 15, 15' are secured in the

openings

13, 14. Since the locking members 15, 15' are introduced into the connector half 10 as individual parts, they can be produced from a different material, for example a more elastic material, than the housing of the connector half 10.

As revealed by Figure 2, but also by Figures 14 to 21, the locking members 15 and 15' are constructed as follows: The locking member 15, 15' has a base 17, 17', which serves for fixing the locking member 15, 15' in the

openings

13, 14 and is widened towards the end on the cable side. Fastened laterally on this base 17, 17' is an arm 18, 18'. At the free end of this arm 18, 18' there is a locking lug 19, 19', which is fastened on a part that is angled away slightly towards the arm 18. Also located between the locking lug 19 and the arm 18, in the region of the angled-away part but on the side on which the locking lug 19 is also located, there is a half-round supporting part 20, 20'. The free end of the locking member 15, 15' is additionally tapered towards both sides and has on the rear side a clearance 21, 21', which serves for polarization. The locking members are fixed by the bases 17, 17' in the

openings

13 and 14. The arm 18, 18' respectively bears against a wall of the

opening

13, 14 on the sides facing away from the locking lug 19. Arranged between two half-round supporting parts 20, 20', arranged next to one another on the side, there is respectively a clearance 22, 22', which receives the complementary lug of the first connector half 1.

In Figure 7 there is represented an enlargement of a detail of the free end of the arm 18 of the locking member 15 of the complementary connector half 2. The locking lug 19, the angling-away between the arm 18 and the upper part as well as the half-round supporting part 20 can be clearly seen. It can also be seen that the locking structure bears against both sides of the opening. On one side by one side of the arm 18 and on the other side by the half-round supporting part 20. If, when joining together the first connector half 1 with the second connector half 10 the complementary lug 6 is guided past the butting slope 23 of the locking lug 19. This causes a force to be exerted on the free end of the arm 18 and a pivoting to be initiated about the pivot point D of the upper part of the locking arm 18. As a result, a deflection of the arm 18 takes place away from the housing wall of the connector half 10, against which the arm 18 is actually bearing, and the locking lug 19 makes way for the complementary lug 6. The connector halves 1, 10 can be joined together. In Figure 2, the deflection of the locking arm is indicated by dashed lines for the purposes of illustration.

Figure 9 then shows in a plan view the interconnected connector halves. A corresponding section along the section line 10-10 is represented in Figure 10. The two connector halves 1, 10 are now connected to one another. In Figure 12 it is shown how a polarization is made possible on the basis of the corner 8 and the clearance 21 on the locking member 15.

It can be seen from Figure 10 that the complementary lug 6 engages into the region of the clearance 22. Figure 11 also shows the engagement of the lug 6 behind the locking lug 19 of the locking member 15. If the structure of the locking member 15 and of the lug 6 is viewed more closely, it is found that the lug 6 is designed essentially in the shape of a T and, as a result, is adapted exactly to the structure of the locking member with locking lug 19, supporting parts 20 and clearance 22.

For separating the two connector halves 1, 10, the connectors are slightly tilted towards one another, whereby the lateral region of the T of the lug 6 exerts a force against the supporting parts 20 and also against the locking lug 19. In turn, the upper part, that is the free end, is pivoted about the pivot point D and the locking arm 18 is deflected, whereby the two connectors can then in turn be separated from one another. An enlargement of the locked structure is represented in Figure 13.

In Figure 22 is represented a side view of a further apparatus for the locking connection of two parts. A locking member 115 has in this case been introduced into a portion of a first part 110. The first part 110 is either part of a connector half or can be introduced into such a connector half. The same apparatus is represented in a side view in Figure 23. Figure 24 then shows a corresponding cross-section through the first part 110 with the locking member 115 introduced. The first part 110 has an opening 113, into which the locking member 115 has been introduced. The free end of the locking member 115 has two opposite locking lugs 119. The locking member 115 essentially comprises two opposite arms 118, the one end of each being firmly anchored in the opening 113 and the other end of each respectively bearing a locking lug 119 and being connected to the end of the respectively other arm. Each of the two locking arms 118 does have a pivot point D, which lies between the locking lugs 119 and the end of the locking arms 118 fixed in the opening 113. The pivot point D is located in the region of the end of the opening 113 on the plug-in face side. The pivot point D lies in a region in which the two arms 118 are touching one another. On the side of each arm 118 opposite the pivot point D there is arranged a supporting part 120 in the shape of a sector of a circle, for example a semicircle. The two arms 118 are supported by this part against the respectively opposite wall of the opening 113.

Connecting to a complementary part is now to be explained with reference to Figure 25. In this figure, a first part 110 and a second part 101 are respectively represented in cross-section. The second part 101 likewise has a through hole 103, with two opposite complementary lugs 106, in such a way that the free end of the locking member 115 can be introduced with the opposite locking lugs 119 into the through hole 103 and the locking lugs 119 respectively lock there behind the lugs 106. The locked state is represented in Figure 25. To achieve the locking, first of all the upper parts of the two locking arms 118 with the locking lugs 119 are moved towards each other. Pivoting about the pivot point D thereby takes place and the locking arms 118 are deflected away from one another between the pivot point D and the end fastened in the opening 113. The deflected state is indicated by dash-dotted lines for one of the arms in Figure 25. The resilience of the parts is significantly influenced by the connection of the two arms at the end with the locking lugs 119.

In Figure 26 there is represented a configuration in which the two arms 118 are not connected to one another at the end 121 on the plug-in face side. As a result, the respective resilience of the arms is significantly influenced. However, the mode of operation does not differ from that previously described.

In Figure 29 is represented an apparatus according to the invention of which the region 122 at the extreme end has been extended with an additional loop, which likewise influences the respective resilience of the arms 118.

A locking member 115' according to the invention is represented in Figures 30 and 31. This locking member 115' has two arms 118', which gape apart at the end 121' on the plug-in face side. The other ends of the arms 118' are connected to a base 123. When used, the locking structure 115' is introduced into a first part 110, as also represented for example in Figure 24. Then the two arms 118 are touching one another in the region of the pivot point D. The latter lies respectively opposite a semicircular supporting part 120', which is formed on each arm 118'. If the locking structure 115' has not been introduced into a first part 110, the two arms 118' gape completely apart and do not touch one another. Such a design of the locking member 115' achieves a prestressing of the locking member as soon as it is introduced into a first part. The respective resilience of the arms is significantly influenced as a result. The mode of operation of the locking member corresponds to that of the locking members previously described.

Claims

A connector assembly with two complementary parts and a separate locking member with a free end, the free end of the locking member (15, 15', 115) having at least one locking lug (19, 119, 19'),

the first part (10, 110) having at least one opening (13, 113, 14), into which the locking member (15, 15', 115) can be introduced and fixed in such a way that it protrudes with its free end beyond the opening (13, 113, 14),

the second part (1, 101) having at least one hole (3, 301, 4) with at least one complementary lug (6, 106, 7) being arranged in such a way that the free end of the locking member can be introduced into the hole of the second part and the locking lug locks behind the complementary lug,

at least one arm (18, 118, 18'), with two opposite ends being part of the locking member whereby said one end is firmly fastened in the opening and said other end bears the locking lug,

characterized in that the locking member is mounted in the opening in such a manner that it can be pivoted about a fixed or displaceable pivot point (D), that is positioned at the surface of the second part (1, 101) said arm experiencing a deflection between said pivot point (D) and said fixed end when said free end is deflected out of its position of rest, thereby removing the locking of the locking lug behind the complementary lug.
The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that two opposite locking lugs (119) are arranged at the free end of the locking member (115), that the hole (103) in the second part (101) does have two opposite complementary lugs (106) and that two opposite arms (118) are part of the locking member (115).
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the deflection of said arm (18, 18',118) takes place within the opening (13, 14).
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that said pivot point (D) lies opposite said locking lug (19, 19') of said respective arm (18, 118).
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that said pivot point (D) is arranged in the region of the end of said opening (13, 14) on the plug-in face side.
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that a supporting part (20, 20') in the shape of a segment of a circle is provided on the side of each arm opposite the pivot point (D) which part supports the arm (18, 118, 18') against the opposite wall of the opening (13, 113, 14).
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the free end of the locking structure (15, 15') is bevelled towards the two sides, perpendicularly to the plugging-in direction and perpendicularly to the locking direction.
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that a means for polarizing or coding is arranged at the locking member.
The connector assembly according to Claim 8, characterized in that the means for coding or polarizing is provided at the free end of the locking member (15, 15') on the side opposite the locking lug (19, 19').
The connector assembly according to one of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the means for coding or polarizing is designed in the form of a clearance (21, 21') in such a way that the locking member (15, 15') interacts with a constricted depression (3, 4) in the second part (1).
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the locking member (15, 15') bears with the pivot point (D) on the one arm (18, 118) against a wall of the opening or against the respectively other arm (118).
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the locked state, the arm (18, 18') is in its position of rest.
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that a butting slope (23) is arranged at the free end of the locking member (15, 15') on the side of the locking lug (19, 119, 19'), the complementary lug (6) butting against said slope (23), whereby the extreme end is pivoted and the arm (18, 118, 18') is deflected.
The connector assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the deflection of each arm (18, 118, 18') takes place in the direction in which the locking lug (19, 119, 19') projects out of the locking structure.
The connector assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that the extreme ends of the arms (118) are connected to one another.
The connector assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that the extreme ends of the arms (118) are designed as free ends.