Electrical connector systems with latching assemblies and methods thereof

An electrical connector system with a first connector housing with a first conductive member and a second connector housing with a second conductive member. At least one latch assembly is connected at each end to the first connector housing and has a beam between the ends which extends along and is spaced out from the first connector housing. A projection and an actuation member extends out from the beam of the latching assembly. The second connector housing has an aperture shaped and sized to detachably mate with the projection when the second connector housing with the second conductive member is mated with the first connector housing with the first conductive member. The actuation member is used to release the projection from the aperture when engaged.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to electrical connector systems with latching assemblies and methods thereof.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different types of applications require electrical connectors to be connected and disconnected on a regular basis. In these applications, it is important to make sure there is a completed connection between the mated electrical connectors. If the electrical connectors are not completely coupled together, they can accidentally disconnect during use and also can pose a safety hazard.

Additionally, in these applications it is important to make sure the correct electrical connectors are connected together. If the wrong electrical connectors are connected together, they could damage downstream equipment.

SUMMARY

An electrical connector system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a first connector housing with a first conductive member and a second connector housing with a second conductive member. At least one latch assembly is connected at each end to the first connector housing and has a beam between the ends which extends along and is spaced out from the first connector housing. A projection and an actuation member extends out from the beam of the latching assembly. The second connector housing has an aperture shaped and sized to detachably mate with the projection when the second connector housing with the second conductive member is mated with the first connector housing with the first conductive member. The actuation member is used to release the projection from the aperture when engaged.

A method for making a connector system in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention includes providing a first conductive member in a first connector housing and providing a second conductive member in a second connector housing. Each end of at least one latch assembly is connected to the first connector housing while a beam between the ends of the latching assembly extends along and is spaced out from the first connector housing. This beam has a projection and an actuation member which extends out from the beam. The second connector housing has an aperture which is shaped and sized to detachably mate with the projection when the second connector housing with the second conductive member is mated with the first connector housing with the first conductive member. The actuation member is used to release the projection from the aperture when engaged.

A method of making an electrical connection in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention includes mating a first conductive member in a first connector housing with a second conductive member in a second connector housing. A projection on a beam of at least one latch assembly connected to the first connector housing is detachably locked in an opening in the second housing with the mating of the first conductive member in the first connector housing with the second conductive member in the second connector housing. Each end of the latching assembly is connected to the first connector housing and the beam of the latching assembly between the ends extends along and is spaced out from the first connector housing. The projection is released from the aperture with an actuation member which extends out from the beam of the latching assembly to permit the release of the first connector housing with the first conductive member from the second connector housing with the second conductive member.

The present invention provides an electrical connection system with latching assembly which provides a durable and securing detachable locking system. The latching assembly is more durable than prior latches because the opposing ends of the latching assembly are secured. Additionally, the latching assembly prevents over travel during mating and provides increase leverage for actuation of the latching assembly with a stepped beam. Further, the present invention uses a mating system with the latching assembly to ensure the correct electrical connectors are mated together. The present invention also provides an operator an audible and visual indication of a completed electrical connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electrical connector system10in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1–8B. The system10includes a female connector12with a latch assembly14with a projection16and an actuation member18and a male connector20with apertures22(1)–22(4) in a connector housing24for detachably locking with the projection16, although the system10can have other numbers and types of components and elements in other configurations. The present invention provides a number of advantages including an electrical connection system with a latching assembly which provides a durable and securing detachable locking system.

Referring toFIGS. 1–3and5–7, the female connector12includes a connector housing26, a conductive socket contact28, a keeper30, the latch assembly14, a sleeve32, and strain relief clamp sections34(1) and34(2), although the female connector12can have other numbers and types of components and elements in other configurations, such as having the latching assembly14on a male connector. The conductive socket contact28is seated in a passage36in the connector housing26and is secured in place by the keeper30, although other types and numbers of conductive members, such as a male conductive pin, can be used, the conductive members can be secured in or to the connector housing in other manners. Additionally, the connector housing26can have other shapes and configurations, such as a right angle shaped connector housing or a double pole connector housing.

Referring toFIGS. 1–8B, the latch assembly14includes the projection16, the actuation member18, front legs38(1) and38(2), rear legs40(1) and40(2), and beam42with section44(1) and44(2), although the latch assembly14can have other numbers and types of components and elements in other configurations. The front legs38(1) and38(2) of the latch assembly14extend from the section40(1) and are seated in the passage36and around the front end of the socket contact28, although the latching assembly14can have other numbers and types of legs and can be secured in other manners. The rear legs40(1) and40(2) extend from the section40and are secured to the connector housing26, although again the latching assembly14can have other numbers and types of legs and can be secured in other manners. By securing the latching assembly14at each end, the latching assembly14is more durable than prior latching systems.

The beam42of the latching assembly14extends along and is spaced from the connector housing26and includes the section44(2) which is stepped up from the section44(2) and is further away from the connector housing26, although the beam42could have other configurations with other numbers and types of sections. The projection16is located on the section44(1) and the actuation member18is on the stepped up section44(2) which act as a spring for both the projection16and actuation member18, although the projection16and actuation member18could be on other locations on the latching assembly. The top surface48of the projection16is sloped downwards in a general direction towards the legs38(1) and38(2) of the latching assembly14to assist the projection16in sliding under and along the inner surface of the connector housing46of the male connector20, although the top surface of the projection16could have other configurations. With the section44(2) stepped up from the section44(1), the latching assembly14is prevented from over travel during mating of the connector12with the connector14. Additionally, with the section44(2) stepped up from the section44(1), the actuation member18has greater leverage to disengage the projection16from the aperture22(1).

The projection16has an oval shape and the aperture22(1) has an oval shape which is slightly larger than the outer perimeter of the projection16to permit the projection16and the aperture22(1) to mate, although the projection16and aperture22(1) can have other shapes and sizes. The particular size and shape of the projection16can be designed to only mate with the corresponding size and shape aperture22(1) to help an operator identify which connectors are designed to mate together. When the projection16is slid into the aperture22(1), the latching assembly14secured at each end acts like a spring to provide an audible click when mated. This provides a distinct audible click to the operator connecting connecter12to connector20that a complete connection has been made. Additionally, the projection16is visible in the aperture22(1) to provide a visual indication that a complete connection has been made. In this embodiment, the projection16is a different color from the color of the connector housing46adjacent the aperture22(1) to further highlight the mating of the projection16in the aperture22(1), although the projection and connector housing46can have other colors and can be the same color. If the projection16does not mate in the aperture22(1), then the connectors will not be locked together and thus the operator will know the connectors are not intended to be mated together.

Referring toFIGS. 1–3and5–7, the sleeve32has an opening50for the actuation member18and an opening52to the passage36in housing26, although the sleeve32could have other shapes and configurations with other numbers of openings. The sleeve32is fitted over the beam42of the latching assembly14and over the connector housing26, although the sleeve32can be mounted in other manners.

The strain relief clamp sections34(1) and34(2) are secured together and around an end54of the housing26by screws56, although other types and numbers of elements can be connected to end54of the housing26and can be secured in other manners. A passage58extends through the strain relief clamp sections34(1) and34(2) to provide a passage58for a connector cable which is coupled to the conductive socket contact28.

Referring toFIGS. 5–8B, the male connector20includes the connector housing46with the plurality of apertures22(1)–22(4) about an outer surface of the housing46and a conductive pin60in the housing46, although the male connector20can have other numbers and types of components and elements, such as one or other numbers of apertures, in other configurations.

The strain relief clamp sections62(1) and62(2) are secured together and around an end64of the housing46, although other types and numbers of elements can be connected to end64of the housing46. A passage66extends through the clamp sections62(1) and62(2) to provide a passage66for a connector cable which is coupled to the conductive pin60.

The operation of the electrical connector system10will now be described with reference toFIGS. 5–8Bbelow. When the female connector12begins to slide into the male connector20to mate, the conductive pin60begins to slide into the socket contact28. At the same time, the top surface48of the projection16of the latching assembly14is sloped to easily slide under the outer surface of the connector housing46. As the projection16slides under the outer surface of the housing46, the beam42is compressed in a direction towards the conductive socket contact28as shown in greater detail inFIG. 8B.

When the projection16of the latching assembly14reaches the aperture22(1) in the connector housing46, the conductive pin60is fully and completely mated in the socket contact28. Additionally, the biased beam42is released causing the projection16to snap into the aperture22(1) providing an audible click to the operator that a completed connection has been made. Further, the projection16is visible in the aperture22(1) also indicating to the operator that a completed connection has been made. When the projection16is in the aperture22(1), the connectors12and20are detachably locked together and can not be pulled back apart without use of the actuation member18to provide an indication that the correct connectors12and20are connected together. If the connectors12and20are not locked together when fully mated, then the connectors12and20are not intended to be coupled together.

With the present invention, if the projection16on one connector does not substantially match the shape and size of the aperture22(1) on the other connector, then the projection16is not designed to mate with the aperture22(1) and the connectors are not locked and can be pulled apart. Additionally, if the connectors are not designed to be mated, then the operator will not hear the audible click that which occurs when the projection16mates with the aperture22(1) or see the projection16seated in the aperture22(1).

To release the female connector12from the male connector20, the actuation member20is pressed in which biases the section44(2) of the beam42towards the connector housing26. Biasing section44(2) biases section44(1) in a direction towards the conductive socket contact28which withdraws the projection16from the aperture22(1). With the projection16withdrawn from the aperture22(1), the conductive pin60can be withdrawn from the socket contact28and the female connector12can be withdrawn from the male connector20.

Accordingly, with the present invention an electrical connection system with latching assembly which provides a durable and securing detachable locking system. The latching assembly is more durable than prior latches because the opposing ends of the latching assembly are secured. Additionally, the latching assembly prevents over travel during mating and provides increase leverage for actuation of the latching assembly with a stepped beam. Further, the present invention uses a mating system with the latching assembly to ensure the correct electrical connectors are mated together. The present invention also provides an operator an audible and visual indication of a completed electrical connection.