Connection assurance bracket system

Details Connection assurance bracket system Connection assurance bracket system

1999-11-12

2001-11-27

Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening

C439S557000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06322389

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to a connection assurance bracket system which is operably interfaced with first and second mutually interconnectable connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The door of motor vehicles includes an exterior door panel and a mated inner door frame, conventionally composed of sheet metal but may be composed of another material. The inner frame has an access port for assembly and service of components within the door, such as window lift mechanisms and door lock components. While in the past, it was considered sufficient to merely provide a flexible plastic film over the access port to serve as a water barrier, it has become an increasingly standard practice to provide a rigid plastic port cover which is affixed to the inner door frame so as to seal the port. The door trim panel is also a formed rigid plastic piece which is mated to the inner door frame after the port cover has been installed. This installation is complicated because motor vehicles today contain an array of electrical connections which must be effected between the door trim panel and the inner door frame (inclusive of the port cover).
An example of a prior art electrical connection between a door trim panel and an inner door frame is depicted at
FIG. 1. A
female connector
10
has stand-off tabs
12
which are immovably affixed by screws
14
to a stanchion member
16
which is integrally connected to a door trim panel
18
which is, in turn, to be fitted to an inner door frame (an example thereof is shown in FIG.
7
). The female connector
10
includes a pump-handle lock
22
and left and right guide tabs
24
,
26
at either side thereof. A male connector
28
includes a ramped boss
30
and left and right tab collets
32
,
34
located at either side thereof. The left and right tab collets are pivotally connected, via mounting studs
36
, to an attachment housing which is connected, such as by a slide mount interface, to a port cover, which is, in turn, sealably affixed to the inner door frame (see generally FIGS.
6
and
7
). In operation, as the door trim panel is fitted to the inner door frame, the left and right guide tabs enter into the left and right tab collets until the pump-handle lock rides over the ramped boss, whereupon the female and male connectors are locked into mutual engagement.
There are two primary concerns with respect to electrical connections made between the inner door frame and the door trim panel. Firstly, it is essential that when the door trim panel is mated to the inner door frame, any connections therebetween are assuredly attained without an undue amount of manipulation or inspection being required by the assembler. Secondly, over time any connection made between the inner door frame and the door trim panel is subjected to relative motion between the first and second connectors. Relative motion between the male and female connectors may be caused, for example, by vibration and surface flexing as the motor vehicle is driven, by temperature variations, or by forces exerted by the passenger on the door trim panel. Relative motion between the male and female connectors can eventually cause electrical connections to fail not only because of direct mechanical failure but for other reasons, such as for example corrosion originating at wear sites.
Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is a connection modality between the inner door frame and the door trim panel which provides assurance of a connection between first and second connectors and lack of relative motion therebetween.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a connection assurance bracket system which is interfaced between first and second connectors to provide assurance of the connection therebetween and eliminate relative motion therebetween.
The connection assurance bracket system includes a connection assurance bracket and a first connector interfaceable therewith in a pre-staged position. The connection assurance bracket has a flattened horseshoe-shaped base defining a rectangular cut-out, wherein a cantilever beam is integral therewith and projects normally therefrom. The first connector includes a pump-handle lock for engaging a ramped boss of a second connector intended for connecting with the first connector. The pump-handle lock features a beam seat for receiving a distal end portion of the cantilever beam, wherein the distal end thereof has a lip. The first connector further includes left and right rear guide tabs which abut opposing left and right end walls of the cut-out, as well as left and right forward guide tabs for respectively engaging left and right tab collets of the second connector.
In operation, the base is affixed to an elevated location of the door trim panel, such as for example on stanchions, wherein the cantilever beam projects away from the door trim panel. The first connector is mounted onto the connection assurance bracket so as to be at the prestaged position, wherein the left and right rear guide tabs abut the left and right end walls and the rear side of the base, and wherein the distal end portion of the cantilever beam is fully seated in the beam seat of the pump-handle lock. A second connector is mounted to the inner door frame at the port cover thereof by any suitable modality, as for example a slide-mount.
As the door trim panel is mounted to the inner door panel, the left and right forward guide tabs guidably enter into the left and right tab collets. A point is then soon reached whereupon the pump-handle lock must engage the ramped boss if any further engagement is to occur, this constitutes a prestage position of the second connector with respect to the first connector. As engagement force is further applied, the force is transmitted back by the inner door frame via the distal end (and the lip) of the cantilever beam to the pump-handle lock, whereby the pump-handle lock is forced to surmount the ramped boss with a snap action, whereupon the lip immediately projects forward, and free from, the pump-handle lock. The staged position is now achieved, whereat the first and second connectors are mutually fully engaged and are slidable in unison with respect to the connection assurance bracket over a slidable distance defined by opposing abutments, respectively, of the base and the lip with respect to the first and second connectors.
It will be seen, therefore, that the cantilever beam serves as a retention feature to hold the first connector at the prestaged interface, as an abutment defining one extreme of sliding travel, and as a manual release effected by the lip being lifted back into the beam seat. The snap action occurring when the lip becomes free of the pump-lock is a noticeable mechanical event that audibly and tactilely indicates to an assembler that the pump-handle lock has engaged the ramped boss of the second connector and, consequently, the first and second connectors are fully engaged with each other. The left and right forward guide tabs are enlarged to provide an early alignment feature as the door trim panel and the inner door frame are being mated. Lastly, the cantilever beam, in association with the left and right rear guide tabs, allows for in-and-out movement between the door trim panel and the inner door frame without causing the first connector to be moved relative to the second connector.
Accordingly, it is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a modality for mounting a first connector to a first article and mounting a second connector to a second article, wherein relative spatial variation between the first and second articles does not result in relative movement between the first and second connectors.
This, and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5919057 (1999-07-01), Kameyama

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