Connector housing assembly having an anti-rotational locking structure

A connector housing assembly having an anti-rotational locking structure for withstanding the cantilevered forces of the cable applied to a dress cover is provided. The connector housing assembly includes a connector housing and a dress cover. The anti-rotational locking structure includes a first planar edge and a second planar edge. The first planar edge is disposed above the second planar edge. The first planar edge is disposed on a side wall of the connector housing. The second planar edge is disposed on a side wall of the dress cover, wherein the second planar edge is configured to slide underneath the first planar edge so as to overcome a cantilevered force applied to the dress cover from the cable. The connector assembly may be further configured to an inadvertent locking condition.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates to a connector housing assembly configured for housing a cable and, more specifically, to a connector housing assembly having an anti-rotational locking structure for withstanding the cantilevered forces of the cable and a support wall for preventing an inadvertent locking condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Connector housing assemblies may be used to house a cable. An illustrative example of a current connector housing assembly is shown inFIG. 1. The connector housing assembly includes a connector housing. The connector housing includes a plurality of terminal cavities and a cable cavity. The cable cavity is shown generally centered within the connector housing. A lead end of the cable is positioned within the cable cavity. The remaining portion of the cable hangs from a back end of the connector housing.

The connector housing assembly further includes a dress cover. The dress cover is configured to position the cable and route the cable. The dress cover is clipped onto the back end of the connector housing. In particular, current dress covers are attached to the back end of the connector housing in a press-fit engagement wherein the sides of the dress cover are resiliently biased against respective side walls of the connector housing.

As a portion of the cable hangs freely from the back end of the connector housing, the cable may be inadvertently pulled and exert a force on the dress cover. In particular, the cable may exert a cantilevered force on a bottom portion of the dress cover. In some instances, the cantilevered force is sufficient to overcome the biased engagement between the sides of the dress cover and the side walls of the connector housing causing the dress cover to disengage from the connector housing.

Accordingly, it remains desirable to have a connector housing assembly having an anti-rotational locking structure for withstanding the cantilevered forces of the cable so as to help retain the dress cover to the connector housing.

The connector housing assembly may further include a connector positioning assurance member. The connector positioning assurance member is configured to help facilitate the engagement of the connector housing with a corresponding connector housing. For instance, a female connector housing is configured to couple with a male connector housing.

The connector positioning assurance member is movable between a pre-stage position and a locking position, wherein in the pre-stage position a back end of the connector positioning assurance member extends beyond an outer surface of the connector housing and in a locking position, the back end of the connector positioning assurance member is generally flush with the outer surface of the connector housing. However, as current designs position the back end of the connector positioning assurance member beyond the outer surface of the connector housing in a pre-stage position, the connector positioning assurance member may inadvertently be moved to the locking position upon an accidental push or drop of the connector housing.

Accordingly, it further remains desirable to have a connector housing assembly wherein the connector positioning assurance member is prevented from being inadvertently moved from a pre-stage position to a locking position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connector housing assembly having an anti-rotational locking structure for withstanding the cantilevered forces of the cable applied to a dress cover is provided. The connector housing assembly includes a connector housing. The connector housing includes a plurality of terminal cavities and a cable cavity. The cable cavity is shown generally centered within the connector housing.

The connector housing assembly further includes a dress cover. The dress cover includes an attachment portion and a base. The attachment portion is attached to a back end of the connector housing. The base is configured to assist with routing a cable.

The connector housing assembly further includes an anti-rotational locking structure. The anti-rotational locking structure includes a first planar edge and a second planar edge. The first planar edge is disposed above the second planar edge. The first planar edge is disposed on a side wall of the connector housing. The second planar edge is disposed on a side wall of the dress cover, wherein the second planar edge is configured to slide underneath the first planar edge so as to overcome a cantilevered force applied to the dress cover from the cable.

In one embodiment, the first planar edge is a rib disposed on the outer surface of the side wall of the connector housing. The second planar edge is disposed on a top portion of the dress cover. The connector housing includes a pair of ribs disposed on opposite side walls of the connector housing. The second planar edges are coplanar and each of the second planar edges is configured to slide underneath a respective first planar edge of the connector housing.

In one embodiment, the side wall of the connector housing includes a groove defining the first planar edge opposite a bottom planar edge. The side wall of the dress cover includes a leg protruding inwardly with respect to the side wall of the dress cover A top portion of the leg defines the second planar edge. The leg is configured to slide within the groove.

In one embodiment, the connector housing includes a locking tab disposed on one of the side walls. The dress cover includes a clip. The clip is a resilient member configured to engage the locking tab so as to secure the dress cover to the connector housing. The rib defines the first planar edge. The top portion of the clip defines the second planar edge and is configured to sit underneath the first planar edge when the clip is engaged with the locking tab.

In another aspect of the connector housing assembly, the connector housing assembly includes a support wall configured to support the connector positioning assurance member. The support wall extends beyond an outer surface of a back end of the connector housing. The support wall is rigidly fixed to the back end and extends beyond the back end a distance configured to position the connector positioning assurance member in a pre-stage position.

Accordingly, the connector housing assembly has an anti-rotational locking structure for withstanding the cantilevered forces of the cable so as to help retain the dress cover to the connector housing. The connector housing assembly is further configured to prevent the connector positioning assurance member from being inadvertently moved from the pre-stage position to the locking position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A connector housing assembly having an anti-rotational locking structure for withstanding the cantilevered forces of the cable applied to a dress cover is provided. The connector housing assembly includes a connector housing and a dress cover. The connector housing is configured to house a cable. A portion of the cable extends at an angle from a back end of the connector housing. The dress cover is configured to attach to the back end of the connector housing. The cable may be tied to the base so as to route the cable.

The cantilevered force may be applied by inadvertent pulling of the cable. In particular, pulling a free end of the cable as shown by arrow L1applies a cantilevered force CF on the dress cover as shown by arrow CF depicted inFIG. 2. The anti-rotational locking structure includes a first planar edge and a second planar edge. The first planar edge is disposed above the second planar edge. The first planar edge is disposed on a side wall of the connector housing. The second planar edge is disposed on a side wall of the dress cover, wherein the second planar edge is configured to slide underneath the first planar edge so as to overcome a cantilevered force applied to the dress cover from the cable. Accordingly, the first planar edge and the second planar edge abut against each other so as to withstand the cantilevered force applied by the cable by preventing the dress cover from rotating with respect to the connector housing.

As used herein, the terms “top” and “bottom” refer to the disposition of the referenced part as depicted in the referenced figure(s). The term “back” refers to the portion of the connector housing assembly10to which the dress cover14is attached and the term “front” refers to the portion of the connector housing opposite of the “back.” The term “proximal” refers to the portion of the referenced part closest to the viewer as depicted in the referenced figure, whereas the term “distal” refers to the portion of the referenced part furthest from the viewer as depicted in the referenced figure.

With reference now toFIG. 2an illustrative view of connector housing assembly10is provided.FIG. 2provides a depiction of connector housing assembly10taken from the front. Connector housing assembly10includes a connector housing12and a dress cover14. The connector housing12and the dress cover14may be formed of a durable material adaptable for use in an injection molding process, illustratively including polypropylene.

The connector housing12is illustratively shown as a generally cuboidal member having a pair of first side walls16, a top wall18and a bottom wall20. The connector housing12includes a front end22opposite a back end24. The connector housing12further includes a plurality of terminal cavities26extending longitudinally from the front end22to the back end24. The connector housing12further includes a cable cavity28. For illustrative purposes, the cable cavity28is shown generally centered within the connector housing12. However, it should be appreciated that the cable cavity28may be located elsewhere. The cable cavity28is open to both ends of the connector housing12so as to receive a cable30from one end and allow a cable connection to be made at the other end.

With reference again toFIG. 2and now toFIG. 3, the connector housing12may be further configured to accommodate a connector positioning assurance member100and a terminal position assurance member200. The connector positioning assurance member100may be useful in facilitating a connection between the connector housing12and a corresponding connector housing12. For instance, the connector housing12depicted in the drawings is illustratively shown as a female connector housing for housing female terminal connectors. As such, the connector positioning assurance helps facilitate a connection between the female connector housing12and a male connector member housing (not shown). However, it should be appreciated that the connector housing12may be a male connector housing as well.

The connector housing assembly10depicted may be used for various electrical applications and is not limiting to the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the connector housing assembly10depicted herein may be used for electrical signals from a camera system, wherein the signals are carried by the cable30having a cable diameter of 2.86 mm. It should be appreciated that the size of the cable30is provided for illustrative purposes and is not limiting to the scope of the appended claims. It should be further appreciated that the connector housing assembly10is illustratively shown as supporting a cable30, but may be modified herein to support any other type of wire or cable, such as a coaxial cable.

The terminal position assurance member200includes a plurality of holes200a. The holes200aare defined by a plurality of slats200b. The terminal positioning assurance member200is configured to be seated within the connector housing12. The slats200bof the terminal positioning assurance member200are configured to help stabilize terminal blades (not shown) so as to facilitate an electrical connection.

The dress cover14is configured to attach to the back end24of the connector housing12. The dress cover14includes an attachment portion32and a base34. The base34is configured to assist with routing a cable30. For illustrative purposes, the base34is shown angled from the attachment portion32so as to route the cable30in a manner so as to have a bend in the cable30at approximately ninety (90) degrees.

The attachment portion32is configured to grip onto a back portion of the connector housing12so as to be seated against the back end24of the connector housing12. The attachment portion32includes a back wall36and a pair of second side walls38. The second side walls38are disposed on opposite sides of the back wall36and are generally orthogonal to the back wall36. The second side walls38are spaced apart from each other so as to fittingly receive the back portion of the connector housing12by a resilient engagement with respective first side walls16of the connector housing12.

The attachment portion32may further include a seat portion40. The seat portion40is a generally planar member orthogonal to the back wall36and the second side walls38. The seat portion40is configured to engage the bottom wall20of the connector housing12.

The base34is configured to assist in routing the cable30. The base34is disposed beneath the seat portion40of the attachment portion32. The base34is angled with respect to the back wall36so as to route the cable30away from the connector housing12. Typically, the cable30is secured to the base34by tape or a tie such as a zip tie. A hanging portion of the cable30is routed from the connector housing12at generally ninety (90) degrees and may be subject to an inadvertent pulling force. The pulling force may apply a cantilevered load/force on the dress cover14.

In one embodiment, the base34may further include a gripper42. The gripper42is disposed on a back surface of the base34. The gripper42includes a pair of resilient arms44spaced apart from each other so as to hold the cable30. In a preferred embodiment, an inner surface44aof the arms is arcuate so as to accommodate the cable30without exerting a clamping force on the cable30sufficient to damage the cable30.

With reference now toFIG. 4, a perspective view of the dress cover14taken from the front is provided. The dress cover14may further include a reinforcement rib46. The reinforcement rib46may be integrally formed to the dress cover14. The reinforcement rib46is configured to help maintain the structural relationship between the attachment portion32and the base34. The reinforcement rib46is a generally planar member formed on the outer surface of a front side of the base34. The reinforcement rib46includes a top portion46adisposed on the outer surface of the seat portion40

The connector housing assembly10further includes an anti-rotational locking structure48configured to withstand the cantilevered force of the cable30so as to retain the dress cover14to the connector housing12. In particular, the anti-rotational locking structure48includes at least one first planar edge50and at least one second planar edge52. The first planar edge50is disposed above the second planar edge52. The second planar edge52is configured to slide underneath the first planar edge50so as to overcome a cantilevered force applied to the dress cover14from the cable30.

The first planar edge50is disposed on the connector housing12and the second planar edge52is disposed on the dress cover14. The first planar edge50is disposed along an axis extending the length “L” of the connector housing12. The second planar edge52is disposed on the dress cover14and is configured to lie on an axis parallel to the first planar edge50and on a plane underneath the plane in which the first planar edge50lies.

With reference now toFIGS. 2-5, various embodiments of the anti-rotational locking structure48are illustratively depicted. As described above, the anti-rotational locking structure48includes a first planar edge50disposed on the connector housing12and a second planar edge52disposed on the dress cover14wherein the second planar edge52is configured to be seated underneath the first planar edge50when the dress cover14is mounted to the connector housing12.

In one embodiment, a rib54is disposed on the outer surface of the first side wall16of the connector housing12. The rib54defines the first planar edge50. The top edge of the second side wall38of the attachment portion32of the dress cover14defines the second planar edge52.FIG. 2illustrates how the second planar edge52is disposed beneath the first planar edge50when the dress cover14is attached to the connector housing12. The first planar edge50is an elongated member having a planar surface facing the bottom of the connector housing12. The second planar edge52is an elongated member having a planar surface defining the top of the dress cover14. The planar surfaces abut each other, thus preventing rotation of the dress cover14with respect to the connector housing12. In other words, the planar surfaces withstand a cantilevered load applied to the base34of the dress cover14by the cable30.

In one aspect, connector housing assembly10includes a pair of ribs54. Each of the ribs54is disposed on opposite first side walls16of the connector housing12.FIG. 2shows a rib54disposed on one of the first side walls16of the connector housing12.FIG. 5shows the other rib54disposed on the other first side wall16of the connector housing12. The ribs54are opposite of each other and coplanar.

Likewise, the top edge of each of the second side walls38of the attachment portion32of the dress cover14defines the second planar edge52. The second planar edges52are opposite of each other and coplanar. Thus, a load applied to the base34by the cable30in a downward direction is distributed evenly among the pair of first planar edges50and corresponding second planar edges52.

With reference again toFIG. 2, in one embodiment, the first side wall16of the connector housing12includes a groove56defining the first planar edge50opposite a first bottom edge58. The groove56includes a first surface60. The first surface60is generally planar and is recessed with respect to the outer surface of the first side wall16. The first planar edge50is spaced apart from the first bottom edge58a distance defined by the width of the groove56. The first planar edge50is parallel to the first bottom edge58. Both the first planar edge50and the first bottom edge58are orthogonal to the first surface60and the outer surface of the first side wall16.

The second side wall38of the dress cover14includes a leg62protruding inwardly with respect to the outer surface of the second side wall38of the dress cover14, as shown inFIG. 4. The leg62includes a second surface64. The second surface64is generally planar and is recessed with respect to the outer surface of the second side wall38so as to define the second planar edge52and a second bottom edge66. The second planar edge52is spaced apart from the second bottom edge66a distance defined by the width of the leg62. The second planar edge52is parallel to the second bottom edge66. Both the second planar edge52and the second bottom edge66are orthogonal to the second surface64and the outer surface of the second side wall38.

As shown inFIG. 2, the second planar edge52of the leg62is disposed beneath the first planar edge50of the groove56, and the second bottom edge66of the leg62is disposed above the first bottom edge58of the groove56. In such a manner the, leg62is fixed within the groove56so as to withstand the cantilevered force applied by the cable30on the base34of the dress cover14.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, in one embodiment, connector housing assembly10includes a pair of grooves56and a pair of legs62. The grooves56and the legs62are coplanar. Each of the first side walls16includes a groove56, and each of the second side walls38includes a leg62. The legs62are slid into a respective groove56, wherein each of the second planar edges52of the legs62are disposed beneath a respective first planar edge50of the groove56and the second bottom edge66of the leg62is disposed above the first bottom edge58of the groove56. In such a manner the legs62are fixed within a respective groove56so as to withstand the cantilevered force applied by the cable30on the base34of the dress cover14. Further, the cantilevered force applied by the cable30is distributed generally equally between the groove56and legs62on respective sides of connector housing assembly10.

With reference again toFIG. 2, in one embodiment, the connector housing12includes a locking tab68disposed on one of the first side walls16. The locking tab68is disposed beneath the rib54. The dress cover14includes a clip70. The clip70is a resilient member configured to engage the locking tab68so as to secure the dress cover14to the connector housing12.

The first planar edge50is the rib54disposed on the first side wall16of the connector housing12. The second planar edge52is formed on a top portion of the clip70and is configured to sit underneath the first planar edge50when the clip70is engaged with the locking tab68. The clip70is illustratively shown as having a clip body72with a slot74open to a back end24of the clip body72so as to define a generally U-shaped member. The clip70and locking tab68cooperate with each other to retain the dress cover14to the connector housing12, wherein the second planar edge52of the top portion of the clip70cooperates with the rib54to help withstand the cantilevered force applied to the base34of the dress cover14by the cable30.

With reference again toFIG. 2and now toFIG. 4, connector housing assembly10may include a pair of clips70and a pair of locking tabs68, wherein each of the first side walls16of the connector housing12includes a locking tab68and each of the second side walls38of the attachment portion32of the dress cover14includes a clip70. The locking tabs68and the clips70are generally coplanar. In such a manner the clips70are engaged with a respective locking tab68so as to retain the second side wall38of the attachment portion32of the dress cover14to the connector housing12. Additionally, each of top portion of the second side wall38of the attachment portion32are seated beneath a respective rib54so as to withstand the cantilevered force applied by the cable30on the base34of the dress cover14. Further, the cantilevered force applied by the cable30is distributed generally equally between each top portion of the clips70and a respective rib54of the connector housing12.

With reference now toFIGS. 3-5, connector housing assembly10may further include a guide feature76. In one embodiment, the guide feature76is a semi annular lip78surrounding a top portion of a hole80disposed on the back wall36of the attachment portion32. The hole80is configured to receive the cable30. The guide feature76further includes the cable cavity28of the connector housing12. In particular, the cable cavity28is defined by a cylindrical member82. A proximal end of the cylindrical member82extends beyond the outer surface of the back end24of the connector housing12. The connector housing12includes a support wall84configured to support the connector positioning assurance member100. The support wall84is spaced apart from the cylindrical member82so as to form a gap86.FIG. 5shows how the gap86is sufficient to receive the annular lip78.FIG. 5also depicts how the proximal end of the cylindrical member82is dimensioned to extend beyond the outer surface of the back wall36when the attachment portion32is attached to the connector housing12. The annular lip78has a radius commensurate with the cylindrical member82so as to be concentric to the cylindrical member82. The annular lip78helps guide the attachment portion32onto the connector housing12by simply sliding the annular lip78over the cylindrical member82. Further, the annular lip78helps overcome the cantilevered force applied to the dress cover14by the cable30by engagement with the undersurface of the support wall84.

With reference again toFIGS. 2 and 4, connector housing assembly10may further include a lateral confinement structure90disposed on the bottom wall20of the connector housing12and the seat portion40of the dress cover14. The lateral confinement structure90is configured to overcome a load which may pull the dress cover14away from the connector housing12in a lateral direction or along the width “W” of connector housing assembly10. In one aspect of the lateral confinement structure90, the bottom wall20of the connector housing12includes an under groove90aand the seat portion40of the attachment portion32includes a bottom leg92.

The under groove90aincludes a first under surface90b. The first under surface90bis generally planar and is recessed with respect to the outer surface of the bottom wall20so as to define a pair of first lower walls94. The pair of first lower walls94are spaced apart from each other a distance defined by the width of the under groove90a. The pair of first lower walls94are parallel to each other. Both of the first lower walls94are orthogonal to the first under surface90band the outer surface of the bottom wall20.

The bottom leg92includes a second upper surface96. The second upper surface96is generally planar and is elevated with respect to the outer surface of the seat portion40so as to define a pair of second lower walls98. The pair of second lower walls98are spaced apart each other a distance defined by the width of the bottom leg92. The pair of second lower walls98is parallel to each other. Both of the second lower walls98are orthogonal to the second upper surface96and the outer surface of the seat portion40. The bottom leg92is seated within the under groove90a, wherein the second lower walls98are slid against a respective first lower wall94. As such, the first lower walls94and the second lower walls98cooperate with each other to help withstand a lateral load applied to the base34of the dress cover14so as to help retain the dress cover14to the connector housing12.

Accordingly, provided herein is a connector housing assembly10having an anti-rotational locking structure48configured to withstand a cantilevered load applied to the dress cover14by the cable30. Connector housing assembly10may further include a guide feature76configured to help position the dress cover14onto the connector housing12so as to ensure the dress cover14is properly attached thereto. The guide feature76may be further configured to help withstand the cantilevered load applied to the dress cover14by the cable30. Connector housing assembly10may further include a lateral confinement structure90. The lateral confinement structure90is configured to overcome a load which may pull the dress cover14away from the connector housing12in a direction along the width “W” of connector housing assembly10.

With reference again toFIGS. 3 and 5and now toFIGS. 6 and 7an aspect of the connector housing assembly10is provided wherein the connector housing assembly10is configured to help prevent the connector positioning assurance member100from being inadvertently moved from a pre-stage position to a locking position. The connector housing assembly10includes a connector positioning housing102. The connector positioning housing102is disposed on the top wall18of the connector housing12and includes the support wall84, a pair of third side walls104spaced apart from each other and extending generally orthogonal from opposing sides of the support wall84.

The support wall84is a generally planar member disposed along a plane parallel to and beneath the plane defining the top wall18of the connector housing12. A portion84aof the support wall84extends beyond an outer surface24aof the back end24of the connector housing12. The remaining portion of the support wall84extends into the body of the connector housing12.

The third side walls104and the support wall84define a third cavity106. The third cavity106is configured to receive the connector positioning assurance member100. A third top wall108includes a pair of side portions108aspaced apart from each other so as to define a top opening108b.

The inner surface of each of the third side walls104includes a first engagement feature110and a second engagement feature112. The first and second engagement features110,112are illustratively shown as ramp110a,112ahaving a catching end110b,112b. The first and second engagement features110,112are axially aligned with each other along the width of the third cavity106. The first engagement features110are closer to the back end20of the connector housing12relative to the second engagement features112.

The connector positioning assurance member100includes an engagement tab114configured to engage mating feature (not shown) of a corresponding connector housing (not shown). The connector positioning assurance member100further includes a pair of fingers116disposed on opposite sides of a push feature118. The push feature118is a generally planar member having an area configured to receive a finger or thumb. The pair of fingers116are generally orthogonal to the push feature118. The fingers116are generally flexible and resilient members and include a second catch120disposed on the distal end of the finger116. The second catch120is configured to engaged a respective catching end110b,112bof a corresponding first and second engagement features110,112.

With reference now toFIGS. 6 and 7, a top down cross-sectional view of the connector positioning assurance member100in the connector positioning housing102are provided.FIG. 6depicts the connector positioning assurance member100in a pre-stage position. In the pre-stage position, the fingers116are engaged with the first engagement feature110, wherein the second catch120of each finger116has slid over a ramp110aof each third side wall104and the second catch120of each finger116is engaged with a corresponding catching end110bof the third side walls104. The fingers116have a length so as to position the push feature118to be aligned with the free end of the support wall84.FIG. 5also shows the connector positioning assurance member100in the pre-stage position, wherein the push feature118is aligned with the free end of the support wall84. Accordingly, the push feature118is prevented from sliding further along the support wall84and into the locked position in instances where a load is applied to both the push feature118and the support wall84.

FIG. 7shows the connector positioning assurance member100in a locked position wherein the second catch120of each finger116has slid over a ramp112aof each third side wall104and the second catch120of each finger116is engaged with a corresponding catching end112bof the third side walls104.FIG. 7taken in consideration withFIG. 5illustrates how movement of the connector positioning assurance member100requires an isolated load applied just to the push feature118. Accordingly, the connector assembly10is further configured to help prevent the connector positioning assurance member100from being inadvertently pushed from the pre-stage position to the locked position.