Electrical connectors – Coupling part including flexing insulation – Coupling part housing hinged for coupling part assembly
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-08
2001-01-23
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part including flexing insulation
Coupling part housing hinged for coupling part assembly
C439S752000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176740
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a terminal locking device-equipped connector.
2. Related Art
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-49656 discloses a terminal locking device-equipped connector.
FIG. 5
is a sectional view of the terminal locking device-equipped connector
64
disclosed in the publication. A terminal locking device
65
is connected via a band hinge
67
to a housing
60
having a terminal chamber.
After the connector terminal is inserted into the terminal chamber, the terminal locking device
65
is engaged with the housing
60
so as to lock the connector terminal in the terminal chamber.
In the conventional terminal locking device-equipped connector, the hinge
67
is made so thin that the terminal locking device
65
can be easily engaged with the housing
60
. The hinge
67
is also transformable so as not to hinder any attachment process by reacting.
Due to the thinness of the hinge
67
, deformation or damage is often caused to the hinge and the terminal locking device, when the connector is repeatedly moved in manufacturing a wire harness.
Also, the terminal locking device is insecure at the time of attachment of the components, such as a connector terminal, by an automatic attachment machine, which further complicates the process of mounting to the automatic attachment machine. As a result, the terminal locking device hinders attachment of the components to the connector, thereby worsening the workability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide a connector equipped with a terminal locking device which contributes to excellent workability by not hindering attachment of components to the connector.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the terminal locking device-equipped connector includes: a hood for protecting a terminal portion of a connector terminal; a terminal chamber connected to the hood for accommodating a wire connecting portion of the connector terminal; an engaging means formed integrally with the hood for maintaining an engaged state with a mating connector; a terminal locking device connected to the hood through a hinge, for locking the wire connecting portion; and a detachable provisionally-fixing member disposed between a side surface of the engaging means and the terminal locking device for provisionally fixing the terminal locking device in an open state.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the terminal locking device is fixed by the detachable provisionally-fixing member in an open state perpendicular to an axial direction of the connector terminal accommodated in the terminal chamber.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the detachable provisionally-fixing member is integrally formed in a state of connecting the side surface of the engaging means and the terminal locking device and is frangibly severed on closing the terminal locking device. With the terminal locking device being locked, it does not hinder attachment of the components to the connector, and excellent workability can be guaranteed.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, the provisionally-fixing member is provided with a thin portion for easier severance. By virtue of the thin portion, the provisionally-fixing member can be easily frangibly severed without the use of any special device, which makes attachment of the terminal locking device easier.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, the engaging means includes a slit to be engaged with an engaging protrusion of the mating connector.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5700163 (1997-12-01), Okabe
patent: 5711684 (1998-01-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 5716235 (1998-02-01), Endo et al.
patent: 5782647 (1998-07-01), Okura et al.
patent: 2-49656 (1990-12-01), None
patent: 8-185919 (1996-07-01), None
Abe Kimihiro
Yamashita Tetsuya
Armstrong, Westerman Hattori, McLeland & Naughton
Paumen Gary F.
Yazaki -Corporation
LandOfFree
Terminal locking device equipped connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Terminal locking device equipped connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Terminal locking device equipped connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2479507