Patent ID: 6739889
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical distribution center assembly comprising:at least one electrical connector; an electrical distribution center member mateable with said at least one electrical connector in a direction parallel with respect to a connection axis; a support member supporting said at least one electrical connector in a position and orientation to enable said at least one electrical connector to mate with said electrical distribution center member, said support member comprising side walls and a plurality of internal cam guide projections, each extending from a respective one on an inside of said side walls; a plurality of cam levers, each of said cam levers rotatably attached to a respective side of said electrical distribution center member, each of said cam levers being rotatable around a respective rotation axis, each rotation axis extending generally orthogonally with respect to said connection axis, each of said cam levers including an arm and a cam track, said cam track having a first portion shaped to gradually approach said respective rotation axis to urge said cam guide projection toward said corresponding rotation axis as said cam lever rotates in a first rotational direction; and a driver member positioned on a top portion of said electrical distribution center member to abut each of said arms, said driver member linearly movably engaged with said support member, wherein said driver member being movable along a path generally parallel with respect to said connection axis, whereby movement in a first axial direction causes said driver to abut said arms to cause said cam levers to rotate in said first rotational direction, wherein when said electrical distribution center member is positioned in a pre-mating position, whereby said cam guide projections are each projected into said first portion of a respective one of said cam tracks, said plurality of cam levers support said electrical distribution center member in substantial alignment with said at least one electrical connector with respect to said connection axis, an engagement force applied to said driver member in said first axial direction moves said driver member to cause said cam levers to rotate in said first rotational direction and multiply said engagement force to overcome a resistance and cause said electrical distribution center member and said at least one electrical connector to be engaged.