Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-24
2001-12-25
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S358000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332800
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector assembly having a lock mechanism using a connector mating inertia force.
2. Related Art
Such connector assemblies each have a lock mechanism using a connector mating inertia force. The mechanism provides a temporary resistance force during mating of associated connectors. A further mating force overcomes the resistance force, and the release of the resistance force is perceived by a worker. An inertia force produced with the release of the resistance force brings the associated connectors into a correct mating state thereof. One of such inertia locked connector assemblies is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H. 9-293566.
In
FIG. 8
or
9
, reference numeral
1
designates a plug connector fitted on an electrical instrument
2
. Reference numeral
3
designates a receptacle connector mated with the plug connector
1
. The plug connector
1
has a connector housing
4
and a plurality of pin terminals
5
(only one of them is illustrated). The connector housing
4
is generally fitted on the electrical instrument
2
. The pin terminal
5
is extended in a mating space
6
formed in the connector housing
4
. In the outside of the mating space
6
, that is, on an outer surface of the connector housing
4
, there is formed a second inertia locked portion
7
of the plug connector. The second inertia locked portion
7
has a hook-shaped lock piece
8
.
The receptacle connector
3
has a connector housing
9
and a plurality of female terminals
10
(only one of them is illustrated) received in the connector housing
9
. The connector housing
9
engages with the connector housing
4
of the plug connector
1
. The female terminal
10
is received in a terminal accommodation chamber
11
formed in the connector housing
9
. The female terminal
10
is electrically connected to the pin terminal
5
at the mating of the connectors. The connector housing
9
has a mating space
12
, and the plug connector
1
has a mating space
6
. The mating space
12
is formed with a lock portion
13
that engages with a locked portion
7
formed on the plug connector. The lock portion
13
includes a resilient lock arm
14
. The resilient lock arm
14
has a hook-shaped lock piece
15
positioned at a forward end thereof and a push piece
16
positioned at rear end thereof. The push piece
16
can release the mating of the connectors.
At the mating of the connectors, the lock piece
8
of the plug connector abuts against the lock piece
15
of the receptacle connector. At that time, the abutment of the pieces produces a resistance force. To overcome the resistance force A, a further advance of the receptacle connector
3
engages the lock piece
8
with the lock piece
15
(see FIG.
9
).
Meanwhile, the depression of the push piece
16
moves the lock piece
15
of the receptacle connector to release the mating of the connectors.
However, in the prior art described above, the receptacle connector
3
might be mated with the plug connector
1
, while the push piece
16
is in its depressed state. Since the mating of the connectors causes no abutment of the lock piece
8
against the lock piece
15
, an incomplete mating of the connectors may occurs.
A worker might fail to perceive the incomplete mating of the connectors when the push piece
16
is in the depressed state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the disadvantage described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an inertia locked connector assembly that can surely provide a temporary abutment force to prevent an incomplete mating of the connectors.
For achieving the object, an aspect of the present invention is a connector assembly having a lock mechanism using a connector mating inertia force. The connector assembly includes:
a first connector and a second connector which are mated with each other,
wherein the first connector has a first lock portion and a first inertia locked portion, and the second connector has a second lock portion and a second inertia locked portion, the first lock portion engaged with second lock portion, the first inertia locked portion engaged with the second inertia locked portion, the first lock portion having a first locking piece and a push piece that moves the first locking piece, the first inertia locked portion having a lock arm provided with a second locking piece, the lock arm being deflectable independently from the first lock portion, the second lock portion having a third locking piece that engages with the first locking piece after abutment thereof or when the push piece is depressed, the second inertia locked portion having a fourth locking piece abutted against the second locking piece.
As described above, the push piece for disengaging the connectors is provided on the lock portion of the receptacle connector. Thus, even when the connectors are mated with the push piece being depressed, the first inertia locked portion of the receptacle connector cooperates with the second inertia locked portion of the plug connector, providing a resilient force released at the sliding abutment of the inclined surfaces thereof. Accordingly, the worker can surely perceive the resilient force on a complete mating of the connectors, preventing an incomplete mating of the connectors.
Preferably, the second locking piece and the fourth locking piece each have an inclined surface slidingly engaged with each other when the first and second connectors disengage from each other or when the lock arm returns to its original position.
Thus, the second locking piece and the fourth locking piece are smoothly released from each other. The returning resilient force of the lock arm is exerted on the inclined surface of the fourth locking piece, enhancing the connectors to move toward the complete mating position.
Preferably, the second locking piece abuts against the fourth locking piece before the first locking piece abuts against the third locking piece.
Thus, at the mating of the connectors, an appropriate resistance force is obtained. Furthermore, when the lock arm returns to its original position, the resilient force of the lock arm enhances the engagement of the first locking piece with the third locking piece.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4010998 (1977-03-01), Tolnar, Jr. et al.
patent: 5830002 (1998-11-01), Ito et al.
patent: 5876232 (1999-03-01), Matsushita et al.
patent: 9-293566 (1997-11-01), None
Armstrong Westerman Hattori McLeland & Naughton LLP
Patel Tulsidas
Yazaki -Corporation
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