Electrical connectors – Coupling part including flexing insulation – Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-10-16
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part including flexing insulation
Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
C439S592000, C439S603000, C439S752000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302735
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector provided with a retainer.
2. Description of the Related Art
A prior art connector provided with a front type retainer is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No.
63-37085
. This prior art connector also is shown in
FIG. 10
, and is constructed such that cavities b are provided in two stages in a housing and locking portions c are formed back to back in the respective cavities b. Terminal fittings d are inserted into the cavities b from behind, and are pushed in while deforming the locking portions c into a common deformation permitting space e as shown in the upper stage of FIG.
10
. When the terminal fittings d are inserted to their proper insertion positions, they are locked so as not to come out of the cavities b by the locking portions c which have been restored to their original shape and have been fitted into locking holes f.
There is also provided a retainer g to be inserted into the deformation permitting space e from front. If the terminal fittings d are properly inserted, the retainer g is inserted into the deformation permitting space e to prevent the elastic deformation of the locking portions c, thereby doubly locking the terminal fittings d. On the other hand, if the terminal fitting d is left insufficiently inserted as shown in the upper stage, any further insertion of the retainer g is prevented due to the contact with the locking portion c projecting into the deformation permitting space e. In this way, the insufficient insertion of the terminal fitting d can be detected.
The prior art construction will properly detect an incomplete insertion of the terminal d if the retainer g is inserted slowly. However, a retainer g that is forcibly pushed may deform the locking portion c to a large extent after coming into contact with the leading end thereof. Then, the locking portion c may be damaged or broken at its base portion or the like, and may permit the complete insertion of the retainer g even though the terminal fitting d has been insufficiently inserted. Thus the forcibly inserted retainer “a” can provide a false indication of a completely inserted terminal fitting “d”
The present invention was developed in view of the above problem, and an object thereof is to prevent a damage of a locking portion when the insufficient insertion of a terminal fitting is detected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a connector, comprising one or more cavities into which one or more terminal fittings are to be inserted (at least partially). The cavities are provided with elastically deformable locking portions, and each locking portion permits the insertion of the corresponding terminal fitting by elastically deforming to project into a deformation permitting space. The locking portion then is restored to a position substantially not projecting into the deformation permitting space, and preferably substantially to its original shape, when the terminal fitting is inserted to its proper insertion position, thereby locking the terminal fitting. A retainer is insertable into the deformation permitting space and substantially comes into contact with the locking portion that was deformed elastically to project into the deformation permitting space if the terminal fitting is left insufficiently inserted. Thus the retainer enables a detection of the insufficient insertion of the terminal fitting. The retainer comprises an excessive deformation preventing portion for restricting an excessive elastic deformation of the locking portion by coming substantially into contact with a contact part, preferably a leading or deformable end of the locking portion when the retainer comes into contact with the elastically deformed locking portions
According to the invention, damage of the locking portion can be prevented by preventing an excessive elastic and/or non elastic deformation thereof.
When the locking portion is elastically deformed to project into the deformation permitting space, the retainer comes into contact with the locking portion while being inserted into the deformation permitting space. If the retainer is particularly strongly inserted, it may further elastically deform the locking portion. However, the deformable end of the locking portion is brought into contact with the excessive deformation preventing portion provided on the retainer, thereby preventing the locking portion from being excessively elastically deformed. This prevents the locking portion from being damaged and/or broken, and the insufficient insertion of the terminal fitting can be detected with accuracy.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking portions of the plurality of cavities are arranged substantially back to back so that a pair of the corresponding locking portions can be deformed elastically to project into the common deformation permitting space. Additionally the longitudinal axes of the pair of the locking portions may be offset to each other, and the retainer may be provided with the excessive deformation preventing portions in positions corresponding to the respective locking portions.
The excessive deformation of the locking portion during an insufficient insertion detection can be prevented even in connectors of the type in which deformation permitting spaces are shared by two locking portions by arranging locking portions back to back in order to make the connector smaller.
Preferably, one or more wall forming portions are formed on the retainer. Each wall forming portion forms a cavity wall, and preferably a bottom or ceiling wall of the respective cavity. The cavity walls preferably are in front of the corresponding locking portion when the retainer is inserted to its proper insertion position.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the substantially middle of an inserting end of each detecting portion with respect to a widthwise direction thereof is retracted from opposing ends to form a recess.
Preferably, the recess is formed such that the inserting end surface substantially has a triangular cross section.
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: 5151052 (1992-09-01), McCardell
patent: 5746624 (1998-05-01), Oshumi et al.
patent: 5928034 (1999-07-01), Tabata et al.
patent: 6165011 (2000-12-01), Fukuda
patent: 0 420 010 (1991-03-01), None
patent: 63-37085 (1988-03-01), None
Ishikawa Ryotaro
Kawase Hajime
Nishide Satoru
Bradley Paula
Casella Anthony J.
Hespos Gerald E.
Nguyen Truc
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
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