Electrical connectors – Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-19
2001-06-12
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector
C439S293000, C439S660000, C439S701000, C439S862000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244887
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to an electrical connector assembly which minimizes binding during mating of a pair of connectors, such as a pair of hermaphroditic connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, an electrical connector includes some form of dielectric or insulating housing which mounts one or more conductive electrical terminals. The terminals have contact portions which are adapted for engaging the contact portions of the terminals of a complementary mating electrical connector or other connecting device. In an electrical connector assembly, a pair of mating connectors are interconnected for establishing one or more electrical circuits through the assembly interface.
Electrical connectors are used in a wide variety of applications. They may interconnect discrete electrical wires or they may interconnect a plurality of printed circuit boards or they may interconnect discrete wires with circuit traces on a circuit board, for instance. Electrical connectors also are used in a wide variety of environments, such as through panels or backplanes as well as in “drawer” applications, for instance.
In many applications, interconnecting electrical connectors are complex and expensive, involving one type of connector (such as a male or plug connector) and still another type of connector (such as a female or receptacle connector). In some instances, a pair of hermaphroditic connectors are used in an electrical connector assembly to simplify the assembly and reduce its costs. One type of hermaphroditic connector system includes a pair of hermaphroditic connectors having opposed mating faces which are juxtaposed generally along a plane when the connectors are mated. The connectors are adapted for mating in directions generally parallel to the plane of the mating faces. There have been certain problems with these types of connectors, such as binding of the connectors when the housings are mated in a slightly skewed condition, particularly when the housings are elongated. Other problems involve the contact forces changing significantly when the opposing contacts engage at different positions at the mating faces between the connectors. The present invention is directed to solving these various problems and to providing simple, inexpensive and effective hermaphroditic electrical connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector assembly which minimizes binding of the connector housings when mating of a pair of connectors.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a connector as a hermaphroditic connector.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a pair of hermaphroditic connectors have opposed mating faces which are juxtaposed generally along a plane when the connectors are mated. The connectors are adapted for mating in either opposite direction generally parallel to the plane of the mating faces.
Each hermaphroditic connector includes an elongated housing having an engaging flange at one end and a locking hook at an opposite end for embracing the engaging flange of the other hermaphroditic connector to lock the connectors against unmating in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the mating faces. The engaging flanges and the locking hooks of the pair of hermaphroditic connectors have opposing abutment surfaces that are elongated in the mating direction of the connectors. At least one of the opposing abutment surfaces has a central abutment portion generally parallel to the mating direction. Inclined ramp portions are disposed at opposite ends of the central abutment portion in the mating direction to minimize binding of the housings if attempts are made to mate the connectors in relatively skewed orientations.
The invention contemplates that the engaging flange and the locking hook be provided with a number of the opposing abutment surfaces. For instance, the opposing abutment surfaces of the pair of hermaphroditic connectors face each other in the longitudinal direction of the elongated housing. Additional opposing abutment surfaces of the pair of hermaphroditic connectors face each other generally perpendicular to the mating faces of the connectors.
As disclosed herein, the engaging flange has a generally rectangular cross-section defining four sides. Two sides are formed with one of the abutment surfaces including a central abutment portion and inclined ramp portions. Correspondingly, the locking hook has four inner sides opposing the four sides of the engaging flange. Two of the four inner sides of the locking hook is formed with one of the abutment surfaces including a central abutment portion and inclined ramp portions.
According to another aspect of the invention, the central abutment portion of the opposing abutment surfaces comprises less than 50% of the length of the abutment surface. According to another aspect of the invention, the central abutment portion of the opposing abutment surfaces is generally flat, and the inclined ramp portions are inclined up to 4° relative to the flat abutment portion.
Finally, the invention contemplates that a first pull tab project from the elongated housing intermediate opposite ends thereof to facilitate unmating of the connectors. Second pull tabs may be located at each opposite end of the elongated housing to further facilitate unmating of the connectors.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Commerci Joseph D.
Peloza Kirk B.
Bradley Paula
Molex Incorporated
Nguyen Truc
Weiss Stephen Z.
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