Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

2000-04-21

2001-08-28

Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Retaining means

C439S159000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06280225

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electrical connector provided with a half-fitting prevention function.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
One example of an electrical connector provided with a spring means for detecting the fitted state of a male or female housing is shown in JP-9-219257. This connector has a hood provided on a male connector, and is capable of fitting with a female connector. Two metal springs and a plastic spring pressing member are housed within a housing chamber provided adjacent to the hood. When the two housings are fitted together, the spring pressing member makes contact with the female housing and is pushed in an interior direction. The metal springs are resiliently compressed. If the fitting operation is halted part-way through, the compressed spring force is released, and the female housing moves back; the half-fitted state of the two housings is thus detected.
However, in the conventional example, the metal springs and the spring pressing member are formed separately. As a result, the number of components of the connector is large and the cost thereof increases. Moreover, the assembly operation is troublesome and operability worsens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a connector comprising two housings adapted for mutual fitting together, one of said housings having both a spring and a spring pressing member for contact with other of said housings, and said spring being adapted to resist mutual fitting until, in use, the housings are in a fully fitted state, characterised in that said spring and spring pressing member are formed in one piece from a plastics material.
Preferably, the spring is housed in a chamber of one of the housings and has both front and rear abutments between which the spring is retained under slight compression. The movable end of the spring preferably has an upstanding protrusion for engagement with the front abutment.
The spring is preferably a planar serpentine moulding and may consist of straight limbs merging at angles in the manner of a zig-zag. The angles may be arcuate. Alternatively, the spring may define spaces between converging and diverging limbs, these spaces being, for example, diamond or arcuate in shape. In the latter example the spaces may be oval.
In a preferred embodiment the other of said housings includes a resilient latching arm for latching said housings in a fully fitted state, the latching arm being adapted for bending into contact with said spring pressing member as said housings are fitted together, and the latching arm disengaging said spring pressing member as the housings reach the fully fitted state.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4077689 (1978-03-01), Feldberg
patent: 4655526 (1987-04-01), Shaffer
patent: 5876230 (1999-03-01), Nishide et al.
patent: 5938466 (1999-08-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 6109956 (2000-08-01), Kawase et al.
patent: 789 425 (1997-08-01), None
patent: WO 86/01645 (1986-03-01), None

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