Electrical connector assembly

Details Electrical connector assembly Electrical connector assembly

1999-09-13

2001-01-09

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

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

Retaining means

C439S405000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06171131

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, and particularly to an insulation displacement connector (IDC) assembly having a retention mechanism for being securely fixed with an electronic element.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A conventional insulation displacement connector (IDC) commonly comprises a dielectric housing and a plurality of terminals received in the housing. Each terminal has a IDC termination section for piercing an insulation covering of a conductive wire which is terminated to the IDC termination section of the corresponding terminal. A cover is used to facilitate termination between the conductive wires and the piercing portion.
Pertinent conventional IDC connectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,006,957; 4,359,257 and 5,108,306. In order to ensure stable and reliable electrical connection between the terminals and the cable, a strain relief is commonly used to prevent disengagement of the electrical connections between terminals and the wire due to vibrations or other external forces. The strain relief is commonly assembled to a cover of the IDC. A flat cable terminated to the IDC termination sections is positioned between the cover and a housing of the IDC connector with an end being terminated to the IDC termination sections of the terminal projecting beyond a termination surface of the housing. The flat cable is then appropriately wound over and extends through a gap between the cover and the strain relief. The strain relief can thus disperse external force exerted on the flexible cable due to external vibration or other forces thereby preventing the IDC termination sections of the terminals and the conductors from disengagement.
However, interconnection between the strain relief and the cover of such an IDC connector may be adversely affected due to a large amount of build-up stress exerted on the flat cable, the strain relief or the cover. The build-up stress may be sufficient to drive the strain relief to disengage from the cover. Thus, electrical connections between conductors of the flat cable and corresponding terminals of the IDC connector are apt to be disrupted due to external force improperly exerted on the flat cable since the flat cable is terminated to a large quantity of terminals by insulation displacement.
Another conventional IDC connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,885. A retention member is provided for fixing the IDC connector with another connector mounted on a circuit board. However, the retention member is separately manufactured and performs only a retention function thereby complicating the manufacturing process of the IDC connector and increasing costs.
Referring further to U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,513, an IDC assembly comprises a header, a housing matable with the header, a termination cover retained on the housing, and a wiring strain relief securable as a unit to the header. Latches are integrally formed on the strain relief and each includes a pair of latch arms on opposite ends of the strain relief extending over the termination cover for latching the housing and the cover to the header. Each latch arm is connected with the strain relief via a hinge whereby the latch arm can pivot about the hinge. When an external pressing force is exerted on an upper portion of each latch arm, the latch arm is driven to outwardly pivot about the hinge thereby disengaging the strain relief, the cover and the housing from the header.
However, the hinge should be made very thin in order to exhibit proper resiliency for allowing the latch arm to pivot thereabout. Thus, when the latch arm is operated to pivot about the hinge, the hinge may sustain a large inner stress possibly leading to breakage thereof.
Therefore, an IDC connector having an improved retention mechanism is required.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide an insulation displacement connector (IDC) assembly which can ensure reliable signal transmission between a flat cable and a circuit board.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an IDC assembly which can be manufactured at a low cost.
An IDC assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a first connector and a second connector matable with the first connector for terminating a flat flexible cable. The first connector is mounted on an electronic element, such as a circuit board, and comprises a first housing receiving a plurality of first terminals therein. The second connector comprises a second housing matable with the first housing of the first connector, a plurality of terminals received in the second housing, a terminating cover attached to the second housing for pressing the flexible cable onto the second terminals, and a pressing member. The pressing member is attached to the terminal cover for retaining the flexible cable in position and for preventing the cable from disengaging from the second terminals caused by additional external stress exerted on the cable due to vibrations or other forces.
A pair of latching arms perpendicularly extends from opposite ends of a main body of the pressing member for securing the second connector with the first connector. A curved connecting portion is formed between each latching arm and the main body for providing the latching arm with proper resiliency. Each latching arm comprises a latching hook for engaging with the first housing and a pressing section for facilitating manual operation thereof. The latching hook and the pressing section of the latching arm are located on opposite sides of the curved connecting portion. When an external force is exerted on the pressing portion, the latching hook of the latching arm simultaneously pivots outward about the curved connecting portion thereby releasing the second connector from the first connector. The curved connecting portion is semi-circular or arcuate and comprises a curved body, a groove recessed in the curved body and a pair of bumps extending from opposite inner side walls of the curved body into the groove. The groove provides the curved portion and the latching arm with sufficient deformation space and proper resiliency. When the pressing section of the latching arm is pressed to inwardly pivot about the curved connecting portion, the bumps are driven to approach and abut against each other, thus, pivotal movement of the latching arm ceases and the latching hook simultaneously disengages from the first housing of the first connector.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4006957 (1977-02-01), Narozny
patent: 4359257 (1982-11-01), Lopinski et al.
patent: 4621885 (1986-11-01), Szczesny et al.
patent: 5108306 (1992-04-01), Wellinsky
patent: 5664961 (1997-09-01), Tsuji et al.
patent: 5762513 (1998-06-01), Stine

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