Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-26
2001-03-27
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S923000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206717
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to a connector which uses a spring member to prevent a partial connection.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
A prior art connector assembly that uses a spring member to prevent a partial connection is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,552. This prior art connector assembly comprises a first connector having a hollow receptacle and a mating second connector that is insertable into the receptacle of the first connector. A spring member is provided in the receptacle for applying a repulsive spring force to the second connector if the second connector is not correctly mated to the first connector. A spring receiving device is arranged between the second connector and the spring member for transmitting the repulsive spring force. However, since the compression spring comes into contact only with the upper end of the spring receiving device, the reaction force of the spring member tends to incline the spring receiving device. Consequently, there are disclosed guiding means which comprise lateral projections on the spring receiving device. The lateral projections are intended to guide the spring receiving device by interacting with grooves provided in the receptacle. However, the guiding means only can prevent the inclination of the spring receiving member to a limited extent, and the residual inclination or tilt makes the connection operation of the connector more difficult.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to provide a connector which can ensure a smooth connection with a mating connector, in particular without forcibly turning the mating connector aside and securely preventing a partial connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a connector, comprising a receptacle into which at least one mating connector is fittable. A lock portion is provided for holding the connector and the mating connector in a connected state. At least one terminal fitting is provided in the connector for electrical connection with the mating connector at least after completion of the connection with the mating connector.
At least one pair of compression springs are provided in or on walls of the receptacle, for compression during the connection of the two connectors. The springs preferably are in spring accommodating portions of the walls, while being directly or indirectly held substantially in contact with spring contact portions provided in corresponding positions on the mating connector. The compression springs are in positions on substantially opposite sides of the receptacle with respect to its widthwise direction, and in or near the middle of the receptacle with respect to its height direction.
According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a connector, comprising a receptacle into which a mating connector is fittable. A lock portion is provided for holding the connector and the mating connector in a connected condition. At least one terminal fitting is provided in the connector for electrical connection with the mating connector after completion of the connection with the mating connector.
A pair of compression springs are provided in inner walls of the receptacle for compression during the connection of the two connectors. The compression springs may be held in contact with spring contact portions provided on the mating connector. Additionally, the compression springs are provided on opposite sides of the receptacle with respect to its widthwise direction and near the middle of the receptacle with respect to its height direction.
Accordingly, the compression springs are compressed by being pressed by the spring contact portions of the mating connector while the mating connector is being fitted into the receptacle of the connector. The two connectors are locked by the lock portion after the connectors have been completely connected and while the at lest one terminal fitting is electrically connected. If the mating forces are stopped before complete connection, the two connectors are separated from each other to a considerable degree by the elastic restoring forces of the compression springs, thereby preventing a partial connection. Here, since the pair of compression springs are arranged on the opposite sides of the receptacle and near the middle of the receptacle with respect to its height direction, the reaction forces do not turn into moment forces that would incline the mating connector. Therefore, the mating connector can be inserted into the receptacle without being forcibly turned aside.
Preferably, the spring contact portions of the mating connector are provided to be asymmetric with respect to the height direction of the mating connector and are formed by a pair of upside-down insertion preventing ribs for preventing the upside-down insertion of the two connectors. The receptacle also is provided with a pair of guide recesses into which the ribs are fittable, and the compression springs are arranged in the guide recesses. Accordingly, since the spring contact portions and the accommodating portions for the compression springs also act as the upside-down insertion preventing ribs for preventing the upside-down insertion of the two connectors, the connector can be made more compact as compared with those having separate portions for performing such a function.
Contact members that are displaceable along the spring accommodation portions preferably are provided between the compression coil springs and the corresponding spring contact portions of the mating connector. The contact members may comprise guided portions that may be guided in guide grooves provided in the spring accommodation portions. Thus, the contact members are guided smoothly.
The guide grooves may comprise an interaction portion and a retracted portion. The contact members are or can be brought substantially into contact with the corresponding spring contact portion, when the guided portions are located in the interaction portion. Conversely, the contact members are retracted or retractable or separated or separable from the corresponding spring contact portion, when the guided portions are located in the retracted portion.
Most preferably, the interaction portion and the retracted portion are arranged at an angle different from 0° and 180° with respect to each other.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the guide grooves comprise a rotation permitting portion. Thus the contact members are or can be rotated substantially around their vertical axis, preferably by contact with the corresponding spring contact portion, for a disengagement of the contact members and the corresponding contact portions.
Preferably, the compression springs bias the contact members towards their original rotational position.
Further preferably, the contact members comprise a tapered surface which can interact with a mating tapered surface of the spring contact portion, preferably upon disengagement of the two connectors, thereby causing the rotation of the contact members substantially around their vertical axis. In other words the contact member comprises a surface (tapered surface) for permitting the passage of the spring contact portion in the withdrawing or detaching or disconnecting direction by its rotation.
Most preferably, the compression springs are mounted to the housing of the connector by means of boss portions.
Furthermore, the invention provides a connector assembly or construction comprising a connector according to the invention and a mating connector.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4993967 (1991-02-01), Matsumoto
patent: 5178552 (1993-01-01), Jinno et al.
patent: 5183410 (1993-02-01), Inaba et al.
patent: 5445534 (1995-08-01), Ishizuka et al.
patent: 5823815 (1998-10-01), Takata
patent: 6019629 (2000-02-01), Ito et al.
patent: 0 554 827 (1993-08-01), None
patent: 0 774 804 (199
Abrams Neil
Casella Anthony J.
Hespos Gerald E.
Porco Michael J.
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
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