Patent ID: 6383009
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly comprisinga first connector housing and a second connector housing each having at least one terminal, the first connector housing including a locking protrusion, the second connector housing including a locking arm bendable from an unbent rest condition to a bent condition on initial engagement with the locking protrusion of the first connector housing as the first and second connector housings are fit together and to an unbent latched condition to latch the locking arm and the locking protrusion when the first and second connector housings are fully fitted together, the locking arm having a free end with a projection to engage the locking protrusion, a spring holder having a forward portion with a restraining wall, and a compression spring positioned in the spring holder and compressible between the spring holder and the first connector housing to apply a force along an axis to urge the second connector housing out of engagement with the first connector housing during partial fitting thereof, wherein the free end of the locking arm engages a rear face of the restraining wall when the locking arm is in the bent condition during partial fitting of the first and second connector housings so as to move the spring holder forward with the second connector housing toward the first connector housing to thereby compress the spring, the restraining wall of the spring holder and the free end of the locking arm are released from each other upon latching of the locking arm and the locking protrusion to permit rearward movement of the spring holder so that compressive stress in said spring is reduced, one of the restraining wall of the spring holder or the free end of the locking arm has a tapered abutment face that contacts the other of the restraining wall of the spring holder or the free end of the locking arm when the locking arm is in the bent condition, and the tapered abutment face is inclined relative to the axis prior to fitting the connector housings together such that under the urging of said spring the tapered abutment face urges the locking arm to the unbent latched condition.