CONNECTOR MATING ASSURANCE DEVICE

Abstract: An electrical connector (12, 112) for mating with a complementary component (14, 114), the connector comprising: a connector housing (24) having cavities (30, 130) therein for receiving contacts; a positive contact retention member (26, 126) cooperating with the connector housing (24, 124) and having a first position where contacts are insertable into the cavities (30, 130) and a second position where the contacts are positively retained in the connector housing (24, 124): a deflectable latch (46, 146) that is complementary to a corresponding catch (122) on the complementary component (14, 114) for retaining the complementary component and connector in a mated position; and a mating assurance device (16, 116) having a preassembled position and an assurance position, during mating, the mating assurance device (16, 116) being displaceable from the preassembled position to the assurance position once complete mating and engagement of the complementary catch (122) by the deflectable latch arm (14, 114) occurs; the electrical connector (12, 112) being characterized in that for the mating assurance device (16, 116) to be displaced from the preassembled position to the assurance position, the positive contact retention member (26, 126) must be in the second position.

Description: CONNECTOR MATING ASSURANCE DEVICE This invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular to assuring the physical coupling between connectors of a connector pair is achieved and maintained. Electrical connections occur in various environments, some of which result in strains or vibrations being passed onto the electrical connection. It is typical practice to include electrical contacts within housings that are then mated together in order to join numerous contacts by way of a single plugging operation. The complementary connectors, when joined together, are often referred to as a connector pair. In order to assure the connector pair remains together and assure the electrical connections formed thereby, it is typical to include latching structure formed in the connector housings to physically hold the connectors together. This latching structure performs admirably and when properly engaged will prevent the connector halves from disengaging as a result of the environmental vibrations or strains induced upon the connector halves. A problem exists as the number of contacts in a housing increases, the location of the connectors within the environmental becomes more difficult to access by an installer or sealing members are included in the connector halves that it is more difficult to mate the connectors halves. An installer may not be able to tell whether the mechanical latching features of the mating connector pair have in fact been engaged. If in fact the mechanical latching features are not engaged, it is possible that the connectors will disengage from one another along with the electrical interconnections therein. This results in numerous problems as some of the locations in which the connectors are located, especially in automobiles, could be behind panels, under the car or in other out of reach areas. In order to address these problems, it would be desirable to assure that at the time of mating, the installer achieves full mating so that the complementary latching features are engaged so that the connector halves will not inadvertently separate. United States patent 5,507,666 discloses a lock securing mechanism directed to these problems. A first connector includes a latching arm and a lock securing mechanism that is held thereupon in a temporary position. A second mating connector includes a complementary latch and disengaging arms. As the first and second connectors are mated, the disengaging arms cooperate with the lock securing mechanism to release the mechanism from the temporary position and allow displacement thereof to a secured position. The displacement only occurring at full mating as a result of interference between the mechanism and latch arm. While this disclosure addresses the basic problems, it would be desirable to improve thereupon, for example, by eliminating the need for cooperation with a specially formed mating connector which could require additional space, enhancing the assurance that the mating has occurred and by compounding the function of the mating assurance device so that it is also possible to assure terminal retention features, such as secondary locking, are in their activated position. The aforegoing problems are solved by providing an electrical connector according to claim 1. It is an advantage of the invention that the latch structure is in a deflected position during partial mating, such that partial mating occurs through a range where the contacts, seals, etc. would tend to hold the connector halves together and prior to partial mating the halves would fall apart naturally or no electrical connection would be made. It is another advantage of the invention that it is simple to operate and provides both visual and tactile indicia of position. It is yet another advantage that the mating assurance device may, if desired, be supplied in position on the respective connector halve prior to contact insertion and function also to assure proper activation of a terminal retention feature . The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector pair according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first connector half of the connector pair of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the assembled connector half of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partially cut-away rear view of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the assembled connector half of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a partially mated perspective view of the connector pair of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a partial cut-away view of Figure 6 illustrating the function of the present invention; Figure 8 is a fully mated perspective view; Figure 9 is a partially cut-away view of Figure 8 further illustrating the function of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in the pre¬ assembled position; Figure 11 is a partially cut-away side view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a partially cut-away side view of the connector of Figure 10 being partially mated with a counterpart connector; and, Figure 13 is a partially cut-away side view of the assembly of Figure 12 in a fully assembled position. With reference first to Figure 1, a connector pair according to the present invention is shown generally at 10. The connector pair 10 includes a first connector half 12, a second connector half 14 and a mating assurance device 16 for determining whether the first and second connector halves 12,14 are fully mated at the time of 97/49146 PCI7TB97/00693 -4- assembly. The first connector half 12 includes a wire receiving end 18. The second connector half 14 includes a wire receiving end 20 and a mating end 22. It is important to note, that while this invention is described with respect to wire receiving ends 18,20, it is fully envisioned that wire receiving end is not meant to be limiting on the invention and these connectors could equally be headers associated with printed circuit boards or other connector structures that would use conductors other than wires. With reference now to Figure 2, the first connector half 12 is shown. The basic structure is known in the industry and described in detail in Italian patent application No. T096A000437. The first connector half 12 includes an inner housing 24 and an outer housing 26 where the inner housing 24 is to be telescopically received from one side of the outer housing 26 as indicated by arrow A. The inner housing 24 further includes resilient contact retention arms 28 that correspond to contact receiving cavities 30 (better seen in Figures 3-5) . These resilient contact retention arms 28 are well known in the art and are formed as part of the housing 24 and include a barb that extends into the cavities 30. As a contact is inserted into the cavity, the barb cooperates with the contact to cause the arm 28 to deflect. After the contact is fully inserted, the resiliency of the arm 28 results in the barb fitting behind the shoulder of the contact such that positive retention is assured. A U-shaped trough 32 is formed in the inner housing 24. The U-shaped trough 32 has a retention block 33 approximately centrally disposed and a pivot block 34 located toward a front end thereof. The inner housing 24 further includes a transverse groove 35 on each side thereof where the transverse groove 35 is in communication with the terminal receiving cavities 30. The outer housing 26 is formed in a shell-like manner with an open side 36 wherein the inner housing 24 is received along the direction of arrow A. The outer housing 26 further includes back-up ribs 38 that are positioned adjacent openings 40. These back-up ribs 38 overlie the resilient contact retention arms 28 when the first connector half 12 is fully assembled. When the back-up ribs 38 that overlie the retention arms 28 it is not possible for the retention arms 28 to deflect, thereby assuring contact retention. The adjacent openings 40 may also overlie the contact retention arms 28 and in this condition, the arms 28 may deflect enabling the contacts to be inserted or removed. Therefore, the inner housing 24 and outer housing 26 cooperate to provide a terminal retention feature that positively retains contacts within their respective cavities. When the inner and outer housings 24,26 are positioned such that the opening 40 overlies the resilient retention arms 28 the terminal retention feature is in an inactive position and when the back-up ribs 38 overlie the resilient retention arms 28 the terminal retention feature is in a active position. Furthermore, the outer housing 26 includes locking blocks 42 that are received in the transverse groove 35 and extend into the terminal receiving cavities 30. These lock blocks 42 function as a secondary locking member which is an alternative to the aforedescribed terminal retention feature in order to assure that the contacts are positively retained. In an inactive position, the lock blocks 42 will be clear of the cavities 30 enabling the contacts to be inserted and when in an active position, the lock block 42 will be disposed behind a shoulder of the contact in order to ensure the contact is not removed. It is important to note that either of these aforedescribed terminal retention features may be used independently of the other or in conjunction therewith. As is well known in the industry, the active and inactive positions may be established by way of latching structure. The outer housing 26 further includes a mating end 44 for the first connector half 12. A resilient latch arm 46 extends unitarially out of the mating face 44 through a bite 48 and into an arm 50. Disposed upon the arm 50 is a catch 52 having a forward camming surface 53. Opposite the bite 48 and disposed along the arm 50 is an upwardly standing U-shaped actuator 54. On either side of the actuator 54 are upwardly standing wing portions 56 having first retaining ribs 58 and second retaining ribs 60 located therealong. When the inner housing 24 is received within the outer housing 26, the retention block 33 and the pivot block 34 are disposed below the resilient latch arm 46, as best seen in Figure 7 and Figure 9. With reference once again to Figure 2, the mating assurance device 16 is a generally U-shaped structure having a top wall 62, a back wall 64 and a lower wall 66. The top wall 62 includes a cut-out 68 for accessing the actuator 54 when the mating assurance device is located upon the assembled first connector half 12 by insertion in the direction of arrow B. A tongue 70 extends from the back wall 64 between the top wall 62 and the lower wall 66 to a front end 72. A pair of side arms 74 depend from the top wall 62 and carry complementary ribs 76, as best seen in Figure 4. The bottom wall 66 includes a latching tongue 78 formed of legs in a U-shape. The latching tongue 78 is configured to engage the retention block 33 when in the final position. With reference now to Figure 3, the mating assurance device 16 may be seen in a first position upon the first connector half 12. The first connector half 12 is shown with the terminal retention features in an inactive position whereby the contacts may be inserted into the cavities 30 from the wire receiving end 13. Advantageously, the mating assurance device 16 is coupled to the outer shell 26 in the inactive position where the inner housing 24 and outer shell 26 are offset slightly. As a shoulder 80 is formed where the bottom wall 66 transitions into the tongue 78 that is sized to interfere with the inner connector housing 24 along the walls that define the cavities 30, further assurance is provided that the terminal retention feature is in the active position. This is because with reference to Figure 8 the mating assurance device 16 requires a first movement in the direction indicated by arrow 1 and a second movement indicated by the direction indicated by arrow 2 to be actuated. Note, it may be desirable that arrows 1 and 12 are engraved, molded, painted etc. onto the mating assurance device 16. The shoulder 80 serves to prevent displacement of the mating assurance device 16 in the direction of arrow 2 as can be clearly seen in comparing Figures 1 and 3. Additionally, with reference to Figure 4 with the mating assurance device 16 attached to the outer shell 26 which is oriented relative the inner housing 24 in the inactive position, it is not possible to displace the mating assurance device 16 in the direction of arrow 1 as the opening 82 in the bottom surface 66 and the tongue 78 does not correspond to the retention block 33, whereby interference will occur with the bottom wall 66. With reference to Figure 5, where the inner housing 24 and the outer housing 26 have been displaced relative to each other such that the terminal retention features are in the active position, it can be seen that the shoulder 80 of the mating assurance feature 16 will no longer interfere with the walls of the inner housing 24 that define the cavities 30. Furthermore, the base portions 66 is aligned with the U-shaped trough 32 of the inner housing 24. It is important to note, that it may be desirable to incorporate other latching and position assurance features for the mating assurance device in order to prevent disengagement with the first connector half 12 by removal in the direction opposite arrow B of Figure 2. Finally, latch structure 84 may be used to further maintain the inactive and active positions of the terminal retention features. With reference now to Figures 6 and 7, the first and second connector halves 12,14 are shown partially mated. The mating assurance device may have already been displaced in the direction of arrow 1 such that the mating assurance device is in a first position where the back wall thereof is extending substantially rearward of the wire receiving end 18 of the first connector 12. This substantial difference provides visual and tactile indications to the installer that the complete assembly has not yet been achieved. However, the two connector halves 12,14 may be held together by forces associated either with the engagement of the complementary contacts, a seal member therein or interference between the latch arm 46 and the mating connector 14. The second connector half 14 includes a complementary catch 86 constructed to cooperate with the catch 52 on the resilient latch arm 46 in order to hold the connector together. The catch 86 includes a rear wall 88 that will abut a corresponding rear wall 90 of the catch 52. As can be seen at Figure 7, prior to full engagement of the complementary catches 86,52, the latch arm 46 deflects so that the complementary catches 86,52 may pass one another prior to engagement. In this position, the front end 72 of the tongue 70 interferes with the actuator 54 of the latch arm 46 preventing displacement of the mating assurance device 16 into its second position (Figures 8 and 9) where the latch 78 will engage with the retention block 33. As earlier indicated, in this first position the back wall 66 of the mating assurance device 16 is significantly displaced relative to the wire receiving opening 18 thereby providing an indication to the installer that the mating assurance device 16 is not in the second position. With reference now to Figure 8 and Figure 9, the first and second connector halves 12,14 are fully mated into a connector pair 10. Additionally, the mating assurance device 16 has been moved forward in the direction of arrow 2 into the second position where the back surface 66 is now closely disposed with the wire receiving end 18 of the first connector 12. As further shown in Figure 9, the tongue 70 has become interleaved with the actuator 54 as the resilience of the resilient latch arm 46 has resulted in the catches 52, 86 becoming engaged such that the first and second connectors 12,14 are fully mated. By interleaving of the tongue 70 and the actuator 54, it is not possible to depress the actuator 54, whereby positive latching of the connector halves 12,14 is assured. This second position is maintained by the cooperation of the retention block 33 and the latching tongue 78. As a result of the configuration of the retention block 33 it is possible to move the mating assurance device 16 opposite the direction of arrow 2 such that the actuator 54 may be accessible and operable by way of the openings 68, thereby enabling the connector halves 12,14 to be separated. An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 10-13. The alternative embodiment is generally similar to that described above. The entire structure will not be described again but only where differences lie will a detailed description be provided. The following description will incorporate similar numbering to aid in understanding this embodiment. The present structure incorporates the advantages of the previously described embodiment, in that movement into a fully assembled position is prevented unless the mating connector housings are fully latched together and the secondary locking member is properly positioned for contact retention. Additionally, there is no requirement for the mating connector to be modified in order to be mated with a connector incorporating the present invention. With reference now to Figure 10, a first connector half incorporating the present invention is shown at 112. The first connector half 112 includes: an inner housing 124 where contacts (not shown) would be received in cavities 130 thereof and are retained by latch arms 128 as described above; an outer housing 126 wherein the inner housing 124 is telescopically received; and a mating assurance device 116 is seated upon the outer housing 126. The outer housing 126 has openings 140 defined by adjacent ribs 138 such that in the position shown in figure 10, the arms 128 are free to deflect as contacts are inserted into the cavities 130. Once all the contacts are inserted, the inner housing 124 is further received in the outer housing such that the ribs 138 overlie the arms 128, thereby preventing deflection thereof and withdrawal of the contacts. The outer housing 126 and the inner housing 124 cooperate to define a positive contact retention feature (note, other positive contact retention features known in the art may also be used) . With reference further to figure 11, the inner housing 124 further includes a U-shaped channel 132 having a pivot block 134 and first and second retention blocks 133, 135. The outer housing 126 includes a resiliently deflectable cantilevered latch arm 146 with a catch 152 for retaining the first connector 112 with a mating component 114 (Figures 12 and 13) and an actuator 154 at the free end for operating the latch arm 146. The latch arm 146 is disposed and deflectable within the U-shaped channel 132. With reference now to Figures 10 and 11, the mating assurance device 116 is shown in the preassembled position. The mating assurance device 116 is fitted to the outer housing 126 by interengaging slots 174 and rails 156 such that longitudinal movement, but not transverse movement, along their axis is possible. In order to establish the preassembled position, a latching tongue 178 of the mating assurance device 116 is in engagement with one of the catches 133 (Figure 11) . A top wall 162 can be provided as part of the mating assurance device 116 that prevents further displacement of the mating assurance device 116 onto the first connector half 112 if the latch arm 146 is in a naturally deflected range of positions by having a forward edge 163 abut the actuator 154. Additionally, as best seen in Figure 10, the mating assurance device 116 includes a shoulder 180 that interferes with the inner housing 124 and thereby prevents further insertion unless the inner and outer housing 124,126 are fully assembled such that the contacts would be prevented from being withdrawn from the inner housing 124 as described above. With reference now to Figures 12 and 13, mating of the first connector half 112 with a second connector half 114 is described. The second connector half 114 includes a mating end 122 wherein the first connector 112 is received. As the first connector half 112 is received, the catch 152 cooperates with the mating end 122 to defect the latch arm 146. Until full mating occurs, the latch arm 146 is in a deflected range of positions and will block further displacement of the mating assurance device 116 as a result of interference with a tongue 170 that extends generally parallel and between the top surface 162 and the arm 178. Only when full mating has been achieved will the latch arm 146 be so disposed that the mating assurance device 116 will be able to move further onto the first connector halve 112. Note, as described above, the mating assurance device 116 could not be displaced if the positive contact retention features are not properly actuated. Furthermore, with the actuator 154 of the latch arm disposed between the top wall 162 and the tongue 170 it is not possible to inadvertently deflect the latch arm 146 without first disengaging the mating assurance device 116. This position is releasably established by cooperation of the latching tongue 178 and the other 135 of the catches 133,135.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An electrical connector (12,112) for mating with a complementary component (14,114), the connector comprising: a connector housing (24) having cavities (30,130) therein for receiving contacts; a positive contact retention member (26,126) cooperating with the connector housing (24,124) and having a first position where contacts are insertable into the cavities (30,130) and a second position where the contacts are positively retained in the connector housing (24,124) : a deflectable latch (46,146) that is complementary to a corresponding catch (122) on the complementary component (14,114) for retaining the complementary component and connector in a mated position; and a mating assurance device (16,116) having a preassembled position and an assurance position, during mating, the mating assurance device (16,116) being displaceable from the preassembled position to the assurance position once complete mating and engagement of the complementary catch (122) by the deflectable latch arm (14,114) occurs; the electrical connector (12,112) being characterized in that for the mating assurance device (16,116) to be displaced from the preassembled position to the assurance position, the positive contact retention member (26,126) must be in the second position. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, further characterized in that the mating assurance device (16,116) cooperates with the latch arm (46,146) when the mating assurance device (16,116) is in the assurance position and the latch arm (46,146) has engaged the complementary catch (122) to prevent deflection of the latch arm (46,146) and thereby disengagement of the latch arm (46,146) and complementary catch. 3. The electrical connector of claim 1 or claim 2, further characterized in that the positive contact retention member (26,126) includes a shoulder (42) that in the second position of the positive contact retention member (26,126) at least partially extends into the cavity (30,130) . 4. The electrical connector of any one of claims 1-3, further characterized in that the connector housing (24,124) includes resilient contact retention arms (28,128) that have a barb for engaging a shoulder of the contact inserted therein and the positive contact retention member (26,126) includes a back-up rib (38,138) that in the second position overlies the resilient contact retention arms (28,128) and prevents deflection thereof. 5. The electrical connector of any one of claims 1-4, further characterized in that the mating assurance device (16,116) is primarily carried by the positive contact retention member (26,126) and includes a shoulder (80,180) that interferes with the connector housing (24,124) if movement thereof is attempted towards the assurance position when the positive contact retention member (26,126) is in the first position relative the connector housing (24,124). 6. The electrical connector of any one of claims 1-5, further characterized in that the mating assurance device (16,116) includes a shoulder that when the deflectable latch arm (46,146) is not engaged with the complementary catch (122) interferes with the latch arm (46,146) by abutting the shoulder thereof upon attempted displacement from the preassembled position towards the assurance position and with the latch arm (46,146) engaged with the complementary catch (122) and the mating assurance device (16,116) in the assurance position a tongue (70,170) prevents de-latching displacement of the latch arm (46,146) . 7. The electrical connector of any one of claims 1-6, further characterized in that movement of the mating assurance device (16,116) between the preassembled position and the assurance position occurs along a direction corresponding to the mating movement of the electrical connector (12,112) and complementary component (14,114) . 8. The electrical connector of any one of claims 1-7, further characterized in that the positive contact retention member (26,126) is an outer shell member wherein the connector housing (24,124) is received.

Inventors: CANUTO OSCARE, PIA CLAUDIO, CANUTO, OSCARE, PIA, CLAUDIO
Applicants: CANUTO OSCARE, PIA CLAUDIO, WHITAKER CORP, CANUTO, OSCARE, PIA, CLAUDIO, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13