Connector assembly

A connector assembly including a first connector, a second connector and a latch for connecting the first and second connectors. A securing lock is rotatable between a release position and a securing position securing the latch in a latching position. Optionally, the assembly includes a sliding guide and a resilient element forcing the securing lock to slide via the sliding guide into the securing position.

The invention relates to a connector assembly of two complementary connectors locked together by a latch mechanism. Such an assembly can for instance comprise a cable connector and an on-board pin header connector on a printed circuit board or a similar substrate. The connectors can for example be electrical connectors or optical connectors.

Particularly with connectors in the automotive field, connections between the connectors should be durable and reliable. Unintentional disengagement, e.g., by vibrational loads, should be prevented. To that end secondary locks are used, generally referred to as a connection position assurance (CPA) device. The use of such a CPA makes it more complicated to prepare the connector assembly for use. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a connector assembly with a reliably securable locking mechanism, which is easier to assemble and use.

To this end, a connector assembly is disclosed comprising a first connector, a second connector and a latch for connecting the first and second connectors. The assembly comprises a securing lock, which is rotatable between a release position and a securing position securing the latch in a latching position. The securing lock effectively forms a rotatable CPA. The rotatable movement of the securing lock is essentially different form the movement required for coupling the two connectors. Consequently a user can easier distinguish the two steps and carry them out step by step, which reduces the risk of making mistakes.

Optionally, the securing lock is rotatable between a release position and an intermediate position, the assembly comprising a sliding guide and a resilient element forcing the securing lock to slide via the sliding guide into the securing position.

The securing lock may for example comprise one or more cylindrical parts defining a rotational axis, wherein the sliding guide comprises a recess in the cylindrical part and a protrusion slideable within the recess when the securing lock is between the intermediate position and the securing position.

The resilient element, which forces the securing lock to slide via the sliding guide, can for example comprise at least one flexible arm of the securing lock. The flexible arm can be spring loaded by a slanting surface during movement of the securing lock into its intermediate position.

Optionally, the latch can be pivotable about a pivot section or axis, the latch having a latch end at one side of the pivot section and a release end at the opposite side of the pivot section. The securing lock can, e.g., engage the release end when the securing lock is in its securing position to prevent pivoting of the latch when the latch is in its latching position. In a more specific embodiment, the securing lock comprises an edge sliding below a lower surface of the release end of the latch when the securing lock moves into its securing position. This way, the release end can be immobilized disabling unintentional unlatching.

In an alternative embodiment, the securing lock can be configured to cover the release end of the latch instead of immobilizing it. As a result the release end is not accessible anymore and cannot be pushed down anymore.

It may be desirable to prevent rotation of the securing lock as long as the connectors of the assembly are not yet fully mated. To this end, the assembly can for instance be provided with one or more stops blocking the securing lock in its release position, and one or more release elements to release the securing lock when the connectors are fully mated to enable rotation of the securing lock into its securing position.

Such stops may for example include one or more hooks of the securing lock. The securing lock can be attached to one of the connectors of the assembly, the connector being provided with one or more cams engaging the hooks to keep the securing lock into its release position. The other connector of the assembly can for example comprise one or more protrusions, each protrusion being configured to force a hook and an associated cam apart to unhook the hook from the cam, when mating of the two connectors is completed.

The hooks and the cams can for instance have mutually engaging contact faces under a right angle with a pulling direction of a pulling force needed to pull the hooks and cams apart. As a result, the hooks and the cams cannot be pulled apart from each other. Optionally, the hooks and the cams can have chamfered or rounded faces engaging each other when the protrusions of the other connector are about half way in flexing the hooks to unhook them from the cams. This would decrease the angle between the pulling direction and the respective contact faces during unhooking by the protrusions. This would allow release of the hooks merely by pulling the hooks from the respective cams. The hooks can for example be integral part of arms of securing lock or they can be protrusions of the securing lock at a distance from the securing lock arms.

Optionally, the securing lock and one of the connectors of the assembly can be provided with mutually engaging snap sections to lock the securing lock in its securing position.

In a specific embodiment, the securing lock may comprise two arms and a handle bar bridging outer ends of the two arms, while opposite outer ends of the arms rotationally engage side faces of one of the connectors of the assembly.

In a further aspect a connector is disclosed configured as a first connector or as a second connector in a connector assembly as disclosed above. Furthermore, a housing is disclosed for a connector configured as a first connector or as a second connector in an assembly as disclosed above.

The disclosed connectors are particularly useful for use in the automotive field, e.g., for connecting LED lamps to a PCB controlling and/or powering the LED lamps.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow different perspective views of an assembly1of a first connector2and a second connector3. In this exemplary embodiment the first connector2is a cable connector for connecting cables4to the second connector3, which is a board connector mounted by means of holders5onto a substrate (not shown), such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The board connector3comprises parallel contact pins6with one end7bent to contact the PCB, and opposite ends (not shown) extending into a receiving cavity of the board connector3.

The cable connector2, shown as a separate part inFIG. 2, comprises a housing10with a cable receiving side11and a contact side12opposite to the cable receiving side11.FIG. 3shows the connector2in a cross section along a plane through the cable ends4. The housing10encases a clip13holding a row of terminal contacts14having a crimp connection15at one end and a contact pin receiving section16at their opposite end (see alsoFIG. 4). The crimp connections15connect the terminal contacts14to the respective cables4. The terminal contacts14are inserted laterally into matching cavities in the clip13from alternate sides of the clip13.

After insertion of the terminal contacts14into the respective cavities the clip13is inserted into the housing via a clip receiving opening20at the cable entry side11of the housing10. After insertion of the clip13the contact pin receiving sections16of the terminal contacts14are aligned with respective contact pin receiving openings21in the housing10at the contact side12and the cables4extend from the cable receiving side11of the housing10.

The housing10comprises a narrow rectangular section23around the pin receiving sections16of the terminal contacts14, a wider rectangular section24encasing the cable ends4and a gradually narrowing intermediate section25at the crimp sections15of the terminal contacts. The side faces at the narrowing part are provided with openings27for receiving respective cylindrical protrusions28of a securing lock29, as will be explained below. At their respective ends closest to the contact face12the openings27are provided with a resilient lip31pointing towards the cable receiving end11. The resilient lip31has a narrowed tip32(seeFIG. 5A).

The side faces of the clip13comprise resilient lips34(seeFIG. 4) pointing towards the cable receiving end11. Near the cable receiving opening20the housing10comprises inwardly projecting rims35. When the clip13is inserted into the housing10, the resilient lips34of the clip13flex inwardly and snap behind the rims35to lock the clip13into the housing10.

The housing10comprises a top side with a latch41having a latching end42and a release end43. The release end43has one side connected to the top side of the housing10by means of a resilient connecting part44forming a hinge section. The opposite end45of the release end43is a free end and can be flexed inwardly pivoting about a pivot section formed by the resilient connecting parts44.

The latch end42extends from the release end43in the direction of the contact face12. Near the release end43the latch end42is flanked by the two resilient connecting parts44. The opposite end46of the latch end42is free and resiliently biased to a latching position. By pushing the release end43the latch41pivots about the pivot section44and the latching end42is moved upwardly away from the latching position. At its free end46the latch end42comprises a recess48with an opening49. The top face of the housing10comprises a recess51extending from the contact face12to the cable receiving side11of the housing10. This recess51has a width corresponding to the width of the latch end42.

Returning toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the board connector3has a top face54with a latch receiving recess55receiving the latch end42of the latch41. The latch receiving recess55comprises a bottom face with a cam57with a slanting front face58. When the cable connector2is coupled to the board connector3, the latch41of the cable connector2is received in the latch receiving recess55. The tip of the latch end42slides over the slanting front face58of the cam57until the cam57snaps into the opening49in the latch end42. To release the two connectors2,3a user can push the release end43of the latch41to pivot the latch41moving the latch end42upwardly. The cable connector2can now be disconnected from the board connector3. To prevent disconnection of the two connectors2,3the cable connector2comprises the securing lock29blocking movement of the release end43of the latch41.

The securing lock29comprises a handle bar61extending along an upper side of the clip receiving opening20when the securing lock29is in a securing position (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 6C). At both outer ends of the handle bar61the securing lock29comprises a lever or arm62. One end of the levers62is connected to the handle bar61while the respective opposite ends comprise the rotational axis section formed by a cylindrical protrusion28. InFIGS. 5B and 5Cthe securing lock29is shown with one of the levers62broken away to show the respective cylindrical protrusion28. The protrusions28of the two levers62point towards each other and are aligned to define a rotational axis. The two cylindrical protrusions28are symmetrically provided with a rectangular recess64matching the narrow tip32of the resilient lips31at the side face of the housing10.

In side view the securing lock29has a J-shaped outline with the lever62forming the long side of the J-shape, while a shorter flexible arm65forms the short side of the J-shape. The flexible arm65is substantially parallel to the lever62. The recess64in the cylindrical protrusion28of the securing lock29is arranged at the bottom tip of the J-shape, symmetrically between the lever62and the flexible arm65. The distance between the two oppositely arranged cylindrical protrusions28corresponds to the width of the narrower section23of the housing.

The securing lock29can be mounted onto the connector housing10by sliding the cylindrical protrusions28over the flexible arms31of the side faces of the housing10until the cylindrical protrusions28click behind the tips32of the flexible arms31into the openings27at the side faces of the housing10, as shown inFIG. 5C. This causes an audible click informing the user that the securing lock29is in its right position and that the secure lock29should not be pushed further. The cylindrical protrusions28fit within the openings27, such that they can rotate but not shift. In this position, the latch41can still pivot and the latch41is not yet secured into its latching position.

After coupling the cable connector2with the board connector3the narrowed tips32of the resilient arms31of the housing10protrude from the receiving opening of the board connector3(seeFIG. 7A).FIGS. 7A-Dshows the coupled connectors2,3with the arms of the securing lock29being broken away to show the cylindrical protrusion28and the narrowed tip32of the flexible arm31of the housing10. The housing of the board connector3prevents outward flexing of the flexible arms31.

At its side faces the housing10of the cable connector2comprises a flat surface66near the release end43of the latch41next to a bulging surface67way from the release end43of the latch41. From the opening27in the side face towards the cable receiving side11the bulging surface67slants outwardly with an angle α which gradually increases from α=0 adjacent the flat surface66to α=αMAXat an opposite side of the bulge67. In other words the bulge67slants in two orthogonal directions.

FIGS. 11A and 11Bshow a cross section of the coupled connector2with the handle bar61. The handle bar61of the securing lock29is L-shaped in cross section and has a top ridge68and a lower flange69extending from the top ridge68in the direction of the contact face12. The ridge68comprises a V-shaped notch70at the root of the lower flange69.

Pushing or pulling the handle bar of the securing lock towards the cable receiving side (arrow A inFIG. 6B), rotates the securing lock29and brings the recess64in the cylindrical protrusion28in line with the narrow tip32of the flexible arm31of the housing10(FIGS. 7C and 8C). Meanwhile the flexible arm65of the securing lock29slides over the bulge67of the housing10. As a result the flexible arm65is gradually flexed. The spring loaded flexible arm65pushes the cylindrical protrusion28against the flexible arm31of the housing10. As soon as the recess64in the cylindrical protrusion28is in line with the narrowed tip32, the cylindrical protrusion28snaps over the narrowed tip32and the securing lock29slides in the direction of the board connector3until the narrowed tip32is within the recess64of the cylindrical protrusion28(FIGS. 7D and 8D). As shown inFIGS. 8A-D, also the resilient lips34of the clip13push the cylindrical projections28moving them to snap over the narrowed tip32.

When the cylindrical projections28slide over the tip32, the lower flange69of the handle bar61slides below the release end43of the latch41, as shown inFIGS. 11A and 11B. When the narrowed tip32is slid into the recess64in the cylindrical projection28, the tip of the release end43of the latch41slides into the V-shaped notch70in the handle bar61. In this position of the securing lock29the release end43of the latch41is immobilized and cannot be pushed inwardly anymore. As a result, the latch41cannot be pivoted anymore and is secured in its latching position.

The securing lock29can be released by pulling it in a direction indicated by arrow A inFIG. 9Aaway from the board connector3until the narrowed tip32is out of the recess64in the cylindrical protrusion28and the lower flange69is removed from below the tip of the release end43of the latch41against the action of the spring loaded flexible arms65. The securing lock29can be rotated to an upward position, as shown in consecutive steps inFIGS. 9B-D. During upward rotation, indicated by arrow B, of the lock29the flexible arms65of the securing lock29are gradually relaxed. In this position of the securing lock29the latch41can be pivoted again to release the latch41allowing disengagement of the two connectors2,3.

FIG. 12shows an alternative embodiment of a connector assembly. The connector assembly75is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, and comprises a cable connector73connected to a board connector74. The cable connector73comprises a securing lock76having a handle bar77with a lower side provided with two hooks78with cams79pointing to each other. The two hooks78are arranged at short distance from the side arms or levers81of the handle bar77.

FIGS. 13Aand B show the connector assembly75halfway mating. The cable connector73is not yet fully inserted into the board connector74. The securing lock76is in an upright position. In the drawing ofFIGS. 13 and 14the handle bar77of the securing lock76is not shown in order to provide a view on the position of the hooks78of the securing lock76. The hooks78hook behind respective stops82protruding sidewardly from the housing of the cable connector73. The stops82lock the hooks78of the securing lock76and prevent that the securing lock76can be rotated into its securing position.

The board connector74has a mating face with projections83arranged in line with the hooks78of the securing lock76. The projections are provided with slanting top ends84. When the cable connector73is pushed further into the board connector74(seeFIGS. 14Aand B), the protrusions83engage the hooks78and the slanting top ends84of the protrusions83gradually push aside the hooks78. The hooks78, the protrusions83and the stops82are configured such that the hooks78are sufficiently pushed aside to be unhooked from the stops82of the cable connector73when the cable connector73and the board connector74are fully mated. Subsequently, the securing lock76can be rotated into its securing position. This configuration prevents that the securing lock76is rotated unintentionally in an early stage before the two connectors73,74are fully mated.

A further alternative embodiment is shown inFIG. 15. This connector assembly90comprises a cable connector91and a board connector92. The cable connector91is provided with a latch93pivotable about a pivot section101. The latch93has a latch end94forming a snap joint with a latch protrusion95on the top side of the board connector92. At the opposite side of the pivot section101the latch93comprises a release end96enabling a user to release the latch by pushing down the release end96. A securing lock97is attached to the cable connector91and is rotatable between a release position and a securing position without any sliding movement. The securing lock97has a handle bar98, which is not provided with a lower flange69sliding below the release end of the latch, as with the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-11. The securing lock97has cylindrical protrusions (not shown) corresponding to the cylindrical protrusions28of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-11, but without a recess64for guiding a sliding movement. Instead of the bulging surface67of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-11, which slants down in two directions, the cable connector ofFIG. 15comprises a rib or ledge99engaging a inner surface of the flexible arms100of the securing lock97to provide a snap mechanism holding the securing lock97in its securing position, as shown inFIG. 15.

In the securing position of the securing lock97the handle bar98covers the release end96of the latch93. This way, the release end96of the latch93is not accessible for being pushed down to release the latch93. Accordingly unintentional unlatching of the latch93is prevented merely by covering the release end96of the latch93instead of immobilizing it.