Electrical connectors – Coupling part including flexing insulation – Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-18
2004-08-03
Nasri, Javid H (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part including flexing insulation
Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06769934
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a connector with locks for locking terminal fittings and to an unlocking jig for unlocking the terminal fittings.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-325814 and
FIG. 17
herein disclose a connector with a housing identified by the numeral
1
in FIG.
17
. Terminal fittings
2
are inserted into cavities
3
in the housing
1
. Deformation permitting spaces
4
and locks
5
are formed adjacent ceiling surfaces of the cavities
3
. The locks
5
deform into the deformation permitting spaces
4
in response to pushing forces exerted as the terminal fittings
2
are inserted. The locks
5
then are restored resiliently to lock the terminal fittings
2
when the terminal fittings
2
are inserted to proper depth. Each lock
5
has an arm
6
supported at one end and projecting forward. A locking section
7
is provided on the inner surface of the arm
6
and projects into the cavity
3
for engaging the terminal fitting
2
. A projection
8
projects forward from the leading end of the arm
6
and can be maneuvered to unlock the terminal fitting
2
.
The connector of
FIG. 17
could be made smaller by thinning the arms
6
of the locks
5
. However, the arms
6
are supported only at one end, and a specified thickness must be ensured to obtain necessary strength. Therefore, there has been a limit in making the connector smaller by thinning the arms
6
.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-222321 and
FIG. 18
herein disclose a connector with a housing identified by the numeral
1
′ in
FIG. 18. A
terminal fitting
2
′ is inserted into a cavity
3
′ formed in a connector housing
1
′. The terminal fitting
2
′ has a stabilizer
4
′ that is inserted into an insertion groove
5
′ at a lateral edge of the bottom surface of the cavity
3
′ to guide the terminal fitting
2
′ into the cavity
3
′. A lock
6
′ is cantilevered from the bottom surface of the cavity
3
′ and the free end of the lock
6
′ is deformed as the terminal fitting
2
′ is inserted into the cavity
3
′. When the terminal fitting
2
′ is inserted to proper depth, the stabilizer
4
′ is located at the side of the lock
6
′ and the lock
6
′ is restored resiliently to engage and lock the terminal fitting
2
′.
The lock
6
′ and the insertion groove
5
′ overlap longitudinally and the insertion groove
5
′ cuts off the lateral edge of the lock
6
′. Thus, the width of the lock
6
′ is smaller by the width of the insertion groove
5
′ and a ratio of the width of the lock
6
′ to that of the cavity
3
′ is smaller. The minimum width of the cavity
3
′ equals the minimum width of the lock
6
′ that is needed to ensure necessary strength plus the width of the insertion groove
5
′. Therefore, there has been a limit in making the connector smaller.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to make a connector smaller.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a connector with a housing that has at least one cavity into which at least one terminal fitting is insertable. A resiliently deflectable lock is formed on an inner surface of each cavity and is supported at its opposite ends. The terminal fitting pushes and deforms the lock as the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity. However, the lock is restored resiliently to lock the terminal fitting that has been inserted sufficiently.
The support at both ends of each lock ensures a high strength even if the locks are thinned, as compared to conventional cantilevered locks. Thus, the connector can be made small without degrading the strength of the locks.
Each lock may define an outer wall of the housing or a partition wall between cavities. Thus, the connector can be made smaller. Further, since the lock is supported at both ends, the terminal fitting inserted into the cavity is supported firmly. In addition, a conventional cantilevered lock that functioned as an outer wall or a partition wall would expose the terminal fitting adjacent the free end of the lock. However, the lock supported at both ends provides enhanced protection because an exposed area of the terminal fitting is smaller.
Each lock preferably comprises a maneuverable recess to permit the lock to be maneuvered by an unlocking jig from outside. The maneuverable recess enables the connector to be made smaller, as compared to a maneuverable projection formed on a lock.
The lock preferably is substantially parallel with a terminal insertion direction of the terminal fitting into the cavity.
The lock preferably comprises a locking section for engaging the terminal fitting, and the lock preferably is displaced by a distance substantially corresponding to the projecting distance of the locking section.
The lock preferably is formed such that a terminal fitting contacts the housing over substantially its entire length during insertion of the terminal fitting into the cavity. Accordingly, the terminal fitting is held stably in the cavity.
An end of each lock preferably is integral or unitary with a front wall of the housing. Additionally, each maneuverable recess preferably opens forwardly and forms a fork at the front end of the lock. The maneuverable recess preferably has an introduction opening into which the unlocking jig is loosely insertable, and a guide surface is formed at the rear of the introduction opening to guide the jig toward the rear of the maneuverable recess. The jig can be inserted loosely through the introduction opening at an initial state of inserting the jig into the maneuverable recess. Thereafter, the unlocking jig is guided by the guide surface into a position where the jig can push the peripheral edge of the maneuverable recess. Thus, operability is good.
Further, since the lock is forked or divided to form the introduction opening, a maximum opening area of the introduction opening can be ensured in relation to the thickness of the lock.
The maneuverable recesses are open in the front wall of the housing. Insertion holes also open in the front wall of the housing to permit insertion of mating terminal fittings into the cavities. The unlocking jig is formed with a detector that interferes with the edge of the insertion hole to prevent a mistaken insertion of the unlocking jig into the insertion hole. However, the front wall is formed with a receiving portion adjacent each maneuverable recess. The receiving portion is dimensioned to receive the detector, and hence permits insertion of the unlocking jig into the maneuverable recess. Thus, an erroneous insertion of the jig into the insertion hole can be detected, and operability of detaching the terminal fitting with the unlocking jig can be improved.
The above-described fork at the front end of each lock makes the front end of the respective lock less rigid. However, the front end of the lock does not contribute significantly to the strength for locking the terminal fitting. Additionally, the fork makes the front end of the lock more likely to deform. Thus, resistance during the insertion of the terminal fitting is lower, while a sufficient force for holding the terminal fittings is ensured.
The fork of the lock is supported on the front wall of the cavity. Thus, the lock is longer than a lock supported on a side wall of the cavity and a degree of freedom in designing the lock can be improved.
The maneuverable recess for disengaging the lock from the terminal fitting utilizes the groove defined by the fork. Hence, an even simpler construction can be realized.
Insertion grooves may be formed in side surfaces of the cavities that have the locks, and stabilizers may project from the terminal fittings for insertion laterally in the insertion grooves. The locks and the insertion grooves are spaced from each other along a terminal insertion direction, but overlap with respect t
Ishikawa Ryotaro
Kawase Hajime
Nakamura Hideto
Tsuji Takeshi
Casella Anthony J.
Hespos Gerald E.
Nasri Javid H
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
LandOfFree
Connector and an unlocking jig therefor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Connector and an unlocking jig therefor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Connector and an unlocking jig therefor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3305041