Abstract:
A connector assembly can include a bracket, a first connector and a second connector. The bracket can have a base adapted to be mounted in a fixed position and include a wall extending at a right angle from a plane of the base. The wall can have two curved, side-by-side grooves and an axis raised above the plane of the base. The first and second connectors can each have a housing for accommodating electrical terminals. One housing can include two posts located alongside each other for receipt in the grooves of the bracket such that the first connector is guided in a stable, curved sliding movement along the grooves. The second connector can include a channel for receiving and being acted upon by the axis of the bracket to draw the connectors further together and the terminals of the connectors into electrical engagement to a final position.

Description:
FIELD 
   The present disclosure relates generally to electrical connectors and more specifically to a connector assembly having a first and second electrical connector that are electrically connected upon rotation about a bracket without the need for supplemental fasteners. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Bussed electrical centers (BECs), also known as power distribution centers or junction boxes can be used in automotive vehicles to simplify electrical system wiring by eliminating multi-branch wiring, consolidating fuses, relays and other electrical circuit components in a single location. In one example, a BEC can include a plastic case having complementary upper and lower housing portions. A multitude of sockets can be formed in the BEC for receiving the circuit components. The plastic case can include bus bars, printed circuit boards (PCBs) or other conductive elements for interconnecting and supplying power to the various circuit components. Electrical connectors can be disposed on the BEC to receive mating connectors. Such mating connectors can terminate wire harnesses extending throughout the vehicle to interconnect the circuitry of the BEC with various electrical systems and devices within the vehicle. 
   In many applications, mechanical fasteners can be provided for securing the upper and lower housing portions together. As can be appreciated, the use of fasteners can be time consuming and require special torque installation requirements. In one example, torque guns can be provided for installation of such fasteners during assembly. 
   SUMMARY 
   A connector assembly can include a bracket, a first connector and a second connector. The bracket can have a base adapted to be mounted in a fixed position and include a wall extending at a right angle from a plane of the base. The wall can have two curved, side-by-side grooves and an axis raised above the wall and the plane of the base. 
   The first connector can have a first housing for accommodating electrical terminals. The first housing can include two posts located alongside each other for receipt in the grooves of the bracket such that the first connector is guided in a stable, curved sliding movement along the grooves. 
   The second connector can have a first housing for accommodating electrical terminals. The second housing can be sized to fit around the first connector in an initial position with the terminals of the first connector and the second connector not engaged. The second connector can include a channel for receiving and being acted upon by the axis of the bracket to draw the first and second connectors further together and the terminals of the first and second connectors into electrical engagement as the second connector is pushed toward the plane of the bracket and the first connector is guided by the posts and the grooves of the bracket to a final position. 
   According to additional features, a window can be formed in the second connector for viewing the axis of the bracket when the first and second connectors are in the final position. The axis can be defined by finger portions extending generally perpendicularly from the wall. The second connector can define a ramped portion wherein the finger portions slidably engage the ramped portion while the second connector is pushed toward the plane of the bracket to the final position. 
   According to still other features, the ramped portion can be linear. The first connector can define a pair of opposing walls defining a central opening of the first connector. The wall of the bracket can be received through the central opening in the final position. 
   Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector assembly constructed in accordance to the present teachings and shown in an assembled position; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating a BEC, a retainer and a bracket; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a portion of the retainer shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a housing of the BEC shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the BEC housing taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the retainer shown in a horizontal position relative to the bracket; 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of the retainer and bracket as viewed from line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; and 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the connector assembly with the BEC and retainer laterally offset above the bracket in an unassembled position; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the connector assembly of  FIG. 9  with the BEC and retainer assembly moved laterally downwardly until a preset lock defined on bracket engages a portion of the retainer in a preset position; 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the connector assembly of  FIG. 10  shown with the BEC and retainer assembly rotating along grooves formed on the bracket toward an engaged position; and 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the connector assembly of  FIG. 11  shown with first and second terminals mated in the assembled position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. 
   With initial reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary connector assembly according to the present teachings is shown and generally identified at reference number  10 . The connector assembly  10  can generally include a first connector  12 , a second connector  14  and a bracket  16 . In the example shown, the first connector  12  is in the form of a retainer and the second connector  14  is in the form of a Bussed Electrical Center (BEC). The first connector  12  can include a first electrical component  20  having first terminals  22 . The second connector  14  can include a second electrical component  24  having second terminals  26 . It is appreciated that the first and second electrical components  20  and  24 , respectively, are generically depicted for simplicity. In this way, the electrical components  20  and  24  may comprise other mating shapes and/or sizes. While not specifically shown, the connector assembly  10  can also include additional electrical connectors, various busbars, printed circuit boards, relays, fuses and other components. As will be described in detail herein, the connector assembly  10  is movable from an initial position ( FIG. 9 ) wherein the respective first and second terminals  22  and  26  are not electrically connected to a final position ( FIG. 12 ) wherein the respective first and second terminals  22  and  26  are in electrical communication. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 2  and additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the first connector  12  will be described in greater detail. The first connector  12  can generally include a first housing  28  having a retainer base  30 , a first pair of outer walls  32  and a second pair of outer walls  34 . The first and second pairs of outer walls  32  and  34  can cooperate to define an opening  36 . In the example shown, the first pair of outer walls  32  are parallel to each other and the second pair of outer walls  34  are parallel to each other. The base  30  can define an angled surface  38  on one end (best shown in  FIG. 7 ). The angled surface  38  can define an angle relative to a bottom surface  40  of the retainer base  30  whose magnitude is less than 90 degrees. 
   The first pair of outer walls  32  can define male engagement portions  42 . The first connector  12  can define a central divider  48 . A portion of the central divider  48  can include a pair of opposing walls  50  extending generally parallel to the first pair of outer walls  32 . A central opening  54  can be defined through the retainer base  30  and between the pair of opposing walls  50 . A first and second pair of opposing posts  58  and  60 , respectively, can be formed on the opposing walls  50  (as best viewed in  FIG. 3 ). A pair of preset engaging tabs  64  can be formed on the pair of opposing walls  50 . The first connector  12  can be formed of rigid lightweight material such as plastic. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 2  and additional reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second connector  14  will be described in greater detail. The second connector  14  can generally include a second housing  70  having a BEC cover  72 , a first pair of outer walls  74  and a second pair of outer walls  76 . The first and second pairs of outer walls  74  and  76  can cooperate to define an opening  80 . In the example shown, the first pair of outer walls  74  are parallel to each other and the second pair of outer walls  76  are parallel to each other. The first pair of outer walls  74  can define female engagement portions  82 . The second connector  14  can define a window  86  formed through the cover  72 . 
   A ramped portion  90  can be formed on the second connector  14 . The ramped portion  90  can include a first pair of linear walls  92  and a second pair of linear walls  94 . In one example, the first pair of linear walls  92  can be parallel to the second pair of linear walls  94  ( FIG. 5 ). The respective first and second pairs of linear walls  92  and  94  can define an angle with respect to a plane defined by the BEC cover  72  ( FIG. 5 ). A chimney  98  defined by a pair of chimney walls  100  can be formed between the window  86  and the ramped portion  90 . The ramped portion  90  and chimney  98  can collectively define a channel  102 . The second connector  14  can be formed of rigid lightweight material such as plastic. 
   With specific reference now to  FIGS. 6-8 , the bracket  16  will be described in greater detail. The bracket  16  can generally define a base  110  and a fin portion  112 . In a final or assembled position, the fin portion  112  can be received by the central opening  54  of the first connector  12  ( FIG. 8 ). The fin portion  112  can include a pair of upright walls  116  and a forward wall  120 . In the example shown, the upright walls  116  can extend in a generally perpendicular direction relative to a plane defined by the base  110 . The forward wall  120  can extend between the upright walls  116 . A lever indicator  122  can be formed by a pair of finger portions  124  extending at an upper portion of the forward wall  120 . The finger portions  124  can define an axis  128  that is generally perpendicular to the upright walls  116 . A first and second pair of grooves  130  and  132  can be defined in the upright walls  116 . The first pair of grooves  130  can oppose each other and generally define an arcuate path. Similarly, the second pair of grooves  132  can oppose each other and define an arcuate path. In general, the first and second pair of grooves  130  and  132  can extend in a clockwise curved path (as viewed in  FIG. 6 ), away from the base  110  and toward the forward wall  120 . A first pair of chutes  134  can be defined in the upright walls  116  that generally terminate at first entrance ramps  136  defined adjacent the first pair of grooves  130 . A second pair of chutes  138  can be defined in the upright walls  116  and terminate at second entrance ramps  139  at the second pair of grooves  132 . 
   A preset mechanism  140  can be formed on the upright walls  116 . The preset mechanism  140  can include a pair of arms  142  extending from the upright walls  116 . Angled surfaces  144  can be formed on the arms  142  that generally slope outwardly and away from each other toward the bracket base  110 . The bracket  16  can be formed of rigid lightweight material such as plastic. The arms  142  can define a cross-section suitable to permit inward deformation (i.e., in a direction toward each other) upon application of force as will be described in further detail herein. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 9-12 , assembly of the connector assembly  10  will be described. At the outset, the base  110  of the bracket  16  can be mounted in a fixed position to a suitable structure S in any appropriate manner such as threaded fastening. The second connector  14  can be positioned relative to and placed in initial contact with the first connector  12  at a first position ( FIG. 9 ). At the first position, the opening  80  defined by respective outer walls  74 ,  76  of the second connector  14  can receive the respective outer walls  32 ,  34  of the first connector  12 . At this point, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the terminals  22  of the respective first electrical component  20  are not in electrical communication with the terminals  26  of the second electrical component  24 . A gap  150  is defined between an upper edge  152  of the first connector  12  and a lower edge  154  of the second connector  14 . At this point, the fin  112  of the bracket  16  can be aligned for receipt within the central opening  54  of the first connector  12 , however, the bracket  16  and first connector  12  do not necessarily need to touch in the first position. 
   The first and second connectors  12  and  14  can be rotated relative to the bracket  16  into a second position that is shown in  FIG. 10 . During movement from the first position ( FIG. 9 ) to the second position ( FIG. 10 ), the first and second pair of posts  58  and  60  can be guided along the respective chutes  134 ,  138  of the bracket  16 . In the second position, the first and second connectors  12 ,  14  are collectively moved into engagement with the bracket  16 . More specifically, the arms  142  of the preset mechanism  140  can engage the preset engaging tabs  64  of the first connector  12 . In addition, the finger portions  124  of the lever indicator  122  can engage the first pair of linear walls  92 . The collective engagement of the preset mechanism  140  with the first connector  12  and the lever indicator  122  with the second connector  14  can cause the first and second connectors  12  and  14  to rest statically in a generally angled position relative to the bracket base ( FIG. 10 ). In this position, the angled surface  38  of the first connector  12  can also engage the bracket base  110 . In the second position, the respective terminals  22  and  26  may not be in electrical engagement. 
   In order to advance the first and second connector  12  and  14  beyond the second position and toward a third position ( FIG. 11 ), a user can apply force onto one of the first and second connectors  12  and  14  in a direction generally toward the bracket base  110 . As described above, the arms  142  of the preset mechanism  140  can engage the tabs  64  of the first connector  12  in the second position or preset position ( FIG. 10 ). Once sufficient force is applied, the angled surfaces  144  of the arms  142  can begin to ride along the tabs  64  formed on the first connector  12 . During this motion, the arms  142  can begin to bow slightly inward (toward each other) until the respective angled surfaces  144  pass over the tabs  64 . Of note, the collective mass of the first and second connector  12  and  14  can facilitate ease of insertion force requirements from the second position ( FIG. 10 ) through the final position ( FIG. 12 ). 
   With reference to  FIG. 11 , the connector assembly  10  is shown in a third position. During movement from the second position ( FIG. 10 ) to the third position ( FIG. 11 ), the respective first and second pairs of posts  58 ,  60  can ride along the arcuate grooves  130 ,  132  of the bracket  16 . Concurrently, the finger portions  124  of the lever indicator  122  may transition from engagement with the first pair of linear walls  92  of the ramped portion  90  to engagement with the second pair of linear walls  94 . In the third position, the respective terminals  22  and  26  may not be in electrical engagement. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 12 , the connector assembly  10  is shown in a fourth or final position. During movement from the third position ( FIG. 11 ) to the fourth position ( FIG. 12 ), the respective posts  58 ,  60  can continue to ride along the arcuate grooves  130 ,  132  of the bracket  16 . Furthermore, the male engagement portions  42  ( FIG. 2 ) formed on the first connector  12  can be slidably accepted between the female engagement portions  82  ( FIG. 4 ) of the second connector  14 . In the final position, the respective terminals  22  and  26  can be electrically connected and the first and second connectors  12  and  14  can be in a secure mated position. Clips (not shown) can additionally be provided for securing the connector assembly in the final position. In addition, the fingers  124  of the lever indicator  122  can be viewed through the window  86  of the second connector  14  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   While the disclosure has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.