Electrical connectors – Coupling part including flexing insulation – Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
Patent
1997-08-21
1999-03-23
Abrams, Neil
Electrical connectors
Coupling part including flexing insulation
Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
439744, H01R 1340
Patent
active
058851062
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric connector, in particular of the type comprising an insulating outer casing defining at least one axial cavity, and an electric terminal housed and retained inside the cavity by primary retaining means.
BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION
Known electric terminals of the aforementioned type comprise a secondary retaining device for ensuring correct insertion as well as retention of the terminals inside the respective cavities.
The secondary retaining device normally comprises a movable element which snaps onto the casing, and which may either be hinged integral with the casing or consist of a separate element. In either case, snap-on connection of the movable element to the casing is only possible when the terminal is correctly inserted and retained inside the cavity by the primary retaining means which normally consist of an elastically deformable lance forming part of the casing. In the event that the terminal is not properly or fully inserted, residual deformation of the primary retaining means prevents the movable element from being assembled, thus enabling the fault to be detected.
Known connectors of the type briefly described above present several drawbacks. In the event that the terminal is not fully inserted inside the cavity, the movable element may be forced into the engaged position despite interference with the primary retaining means, e.g., by breaking or deforming the contacting parts, in which case improper insertion of the terminal may go undetected due, for example, to the terminal being so positioned as to determine a precarious electrical contact. In applications, however, in which the connector is subjected to vibration, as on a motor vehicle, it is only a question of time before the connection is cut off, with all the obvious consequences this entails.
Moreover, known secondary retaining devices provide for detecting the presence of at least one improperly inserted terminal, but not for detecting which terminal is at fault.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric connector designed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks typically associated with known connectors.
According to the present invention, there is provided an electric connector comprising an insulating casing with at least one axial cavity; at least one electric terminal housed inside the cavity; primary retaining means for retaining the terminal inside the cavity; and secondary retaining means in turn comprising at least a first movable element designed to snap into a closed position on the casing and to cooperate in this closed position with this primary retaining means, for ensuring correct engagement and preventing release of the terminal by the primary retaining means. The secondary retaining means comprise at least a second movable element interposed between the first movable element and the terminal, and which provides for transmitting to the terminal the thrust exerted on the first movable element, when the first movable element is moved towards the closed position, so as to at least partially expel the terminal from the cavity in the event the terminal is not correctly engaged by the primary retaining means; the first and the second movable elements having respective engagement portions cooperating mutually when subjected to the thrust; and at least one of the portions being elastically deformable by the thrust, for releasing the first movable element from the terminal in the event the terminal is correctly engaged by the primary retaining means .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred, embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal in-service section of an electric connector in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a partial view in perspective of the secondary retaining device of the FIG. 1 connector;
FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section, as in
REFERENCES:
patent: 4253718 (1981-03-01), Bungo
patent: 4679874 (1987-07-01), Saijo et al.
patent: 4721482 (1988-01-01), Fukuda et al.
patent: 5088938 (1992-02-01), Murakami et al.
patent: 5120269 (1992-06-01), Endo et al.
patent: 5743761 (1998-04-01), Kawase
Bigotto Pier Carlo
Genta Alessandro
Abrams Neil
Duverne Jean F.
Framatome Connectors International S.A.
LandOfFree
Connector with contact ejector means 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 with contact ejector means, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Connector with contact ejector means will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2120175