Plug-in connection structure

Electrical connectors – With coupling separator – Including retainer or joiner

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C439S248000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06254408

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plug-in connection structure wherein a pair of predetermined units are electrically connected with each other simultaneously with mechanical connection thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, a plug-in connection structure is employed for electrically connecting a roll connector, fixed to a steering column, with a steering wheel which is to be attached to the steering column. Generally, in a plug-in connection structure, when a unit and another unit are connected with each other with a predetermined support being as a guide, connector housings arranged on the outer surface of each unit are connected with each other with the connection of the units, so that the mechanical and electrical connection of the units are simultaneously realized. In the above example, “a predetermined support”corresponds to the steering column, and “a unit” and “another unit” correspond to the steering wheel and the roll connector, respectively.
In such a plug-in connection structure, relative position of two units as a whole is restricted by a support serving as a guide, and on the outer surface of the units there are fixed first and second connector housings which are to be connected with each other in a male and female connecting manner. The first and second connector housings fixed thereon in such a way are connected with each other simultaneously with the mechanical connection of the units. Therefore, it is necessary to precisely arrange each connector housing at a predetermined position on the outer surface of each unit. In case that this precision is inferior, since the offset connector housings are forcibly connected, some stress is applied on a contact terminal, thus causing insufficient contact due to deflection or deformation of the terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plug-in connection structure wherein even if each connector housing, arranged on each of outer surfaces of units which are to be connected with each other, is swerved or dislocated from a predetermined position thereon, suitable connection of the connector housings can be realized.
In order to achieve the object of the present invention, there is provided a plug-in connection structure wherein a first unit, on an outer surface of which a first connector housing is provided, and a second unit, on an outer surface of which a second connector housing is provided, are connected electrically with each other by connecting the first connector housing and the second connector housing with each other, simultaneously with mechanical connection of the first unit and second unit with each other with a predetermined support being as a guide. The first connector housing has a first base provided on the outer surface of the first unit, and has a first connecting portion which is projected from the first base and which is connected to the first base so as to slide along the outer surface of the first unit relatively to the first base. The second connector housing has a second base provided on the outer surface of the second unit, and has a second connecting portion surrounded by a peripheral wall which is projected from the second base and which has a tapered inner surface widening towards a free edge of the peripheral wall. One of the first base and the second base is detachably attached to the outer surface. A retracting pin is fixed to the first connector housing. A retracting lever is pivotably mounted on the peripheral wall of the second connector housing. The retracting lever engages with the retracting pin and can pivot toward the second unit to pull the first connector housing toward the second unit so that the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected with each other.
In the plug-in connection structure of the present invention as above, when the first and second units are made approach to each other to be connected, firstly, the first connecting portion of the first connector housing is located inside the tapered peripheral wall of the second connector housing. As the first and second units further approach each other, the tapered inner surface of the peripheral wall becomes narrower, and at the narrowest location thereof there exists the second connecting portion of the second connector housing. On the other hand, the first connecting portion of the first connector housing can slide along the surface of the first unit. Thanks to this, when advancing toward the second connecting portion of the second connector housing, the first connecting portion of the first connector housing automatically aligns its center axis with the center axis of the second connecting portion of the second connector housing, and is guided by the tapered surface.
Further, since the retracting lever pivotally mounted on the peripheral wall is engaged with the retracting pin which is fixed to the first connector housing, when the retracting lever is pivoted toward the second unit finally, one of the first and second connector housing is released from the associated unit surface, so that the connection of the first and second connector housings is completed. That is, the first and second connector housings are never forcibly connected with each center axis thereof remaining offset.
In the plug-in connection structure of the present invention, the first connecting portion of the first connector housing may comprise a body having a cross-shaped cross section. The first connecting portion of the first connector housing may slide in a normal direction relatively to a connecting direction of the first unit and the second unit.
The plug-in connection structure of the present invention may further comprise a holding means to hold the retracting lever at a retracting position at which the retracting lever is positioned on a side of the second unit. The holding means preferably comprises a holding hook projected from the second base, and a tip part of the retracting lever in which the holding hook and the tip part can engage with each other.
The plug-in connection structure of the present invention may further comprise a fixing means to temporally fix a relative position of the first connecting portion and the first base. The fixing means preferably comprise a holding protrusion provided on the first base, and a holding portion extending from the first connecting portion nearly to a surface of the first base so as to be able to elastically engage with the holding protrusion.
In the above description, the first connecting portion projecting from the first base of the first connector housing is made to be able to slide relatively to the first base. Alternatively, the second connecting portion of the second connector housing surrounded by the peripheral wall can be made to be able to slide with the peripheral wall relatively to the second base. With this alternation, the same benefit is also brought.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4954085 (1990-09-01), Inou et al.
patent: 5292267 (1994-03-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 603890 A2 (1994-06-01), None

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