Two-part electrical connector

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) comprising a first part (12) mateable with a second part (14) along an axis (X), the first part including a housing (16) having opposed side walls (18,20) with opposed slide surfaces (28) extending in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the mating axis; a slide member (30,31) making a sliding engagement with the slide surfaces and having a pair of inclined cam surfaces (46); a body member (34) positioned internally of the housing and having through bores (36); and drive means (58,64) on the housing engaging each slide member to slide each slide member relative to the adjacent side wall; the second part including a housing (78) having side walls (80) positionable inside the side walls of the housing of the first part and having through bores (86) a pair of spaced cam followers (84) for sliding movement along the cam surfaces; wherein each slide member has an inclined cam surface (108) extending from its lower edge in a direction substantially parallel to the other inclined cam surfaces; and wherein the first part includes a plate member (100) positioned between the body member and the housing of the second part, the plate member having apertures (102) alignable with the through bores, side edges (104) directed towards the side walls of the housing of the first part, and a cam follower (106) extending from each side edge and slidably engaging the cam surface extending from the lower edge of the adjacent slide member, actuation of the drive means moving the plate member relative to the body member between a fully unmated position in which the plate member is spaced from the body member and a fully mated position in which the plate member is substantially in engagement with the body member. The plate member provides protection for electrical terminals protruding from the body member in the unmated position.

Description: Technical Field The present invention relates to a two-part electrical connector in which a pair of slide members are used for mating and unmating of the two parts. Background of the Invention A two-part electrical connector with a lever for mating and unmating of the two parts is disclosed in EP-A-0722203, which describes an electrical connector according to the preamble of claim 1. The lever is substantially U-shaped and is pivotally mounted on the housing of one part of the connector. A pair of slide members are also mounted on the same housing and slide on pivoting of the lever. The slide members have cam surfaces which engage corresponding cam followers on the housing of the other part of the connector. Pivoting of the lever causes the slide members to slide to mate or unmate the two parts of the connector. Female terminals are mounted in bores in a body member of the other part of the connector. Terminal pins are mounted in bores in a body member of the one part of the connector and protrude from the body member for mating with the female terminals. The protruding terminals pins are susceptible to bending or damage prior to mating of the two parts of the connector. Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above problem. An electrical connector in accordance with the present invention is characterised by the features specified in Claim 1. The plate member of the first part provides protection for electrical terminals extending from the through bores in the body member when the plate member is in the fully unmated position. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is an exploded view of a two-part electrical connector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective cut-away view of the first part of the connector of Figure 1 with the lever in the fully unmated position; Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 with the lever in the fully mated position. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the two-part electrical connector 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a first part 12 and a second part 14. Each part 12,14 is capable of receiving and retaining electrical contacts or terminals (not shown). On mating of the first and second parts 12,14, the terminals in the first part mate with, and complete an electrical connection with, the corresponding terminals in the second part. Any suitable type of terminals may be used, but parts of the terminals of the first part 12 are exposed when the two parts are disconnected. The first part 12 mates (mechanically and electrically connects) or unmates (mechanically and electrically disconnects) with the second part 14 by moving the parts relative to one another in an axial direction X. The first part 12 of the connector 10 comprises a housing 16 of electrically insulating material, which is preferably plastics material, and which is preferably moulded in one piece. The housing 16 comprises first and second side walls 18,20 and end walls 22. Each side wall 18,20 has a lower wall 24 and an upper wall 26. The lower wall 24 and the upper wall 26 of each side wall 18,20 define, internally of the housing 16, slide surfaces 28 for a slide member 30,31, respectively, positioned adjacent the side wall. Each slide surface 28 extends in a direction Y which is substantially perpendicular to the mating axis X. Each slide member 30,31 (which is preferably moulded in one piece from plastics material) is inserted into the housing 16 by way of slots 32 formed between the side walls 18,20 and the end walls 22. A pair of spaced apertures 38 are formed in the upper wall 26 of each side wall 18,20. Each slide member 30,31 has a pair of inclined channels 46 formed therein which open at an opening 48 through an upper edge 50 of the slide member. The channels 46 are open sided and formed on the internal surface of each slide member 30,31. The openings 48 in each slide member 30,31 have the same spacing as the apertures 38 in the corresponding side wall 18,20, such that the openings 48 can align with the apertures. The channels 46 in each slide member 30,31 are inclined in the same direction at the same angle and open inwardly towards the other slider. The lower edge 54 and the upper edge 50 of each slide member 30,31 makes a sliding fit with the slide surface 28 of the lower wall 24 and the upper wall 26 of the corresponding side wall 18,20. The connector 10 further comprises a substantially U-shaped lever 58. Each arm 60 of the lever 58 has an aperture 62 and a pin 64, the apertures being substantially aligned and the pins being substantially aligned. Each arm 60 passes through a longitudinally extending (in the direction Y) slot 66 formed in each side wall 18,20 and the aperture 62 in each arm makes a snap fit with a corresponding pin (not shown) formed internally on the side wall. With this arrangement the pins define a pivot axis for the lever 58 to allow the lever to pivot relative to the housing 16. The pin 64 of each arm 60 makes a sliding fit in a slot 70 formed in the corresponding slide member 30,31. Each slot 70 extends in substantially the mating axis X, opens through the upper edge 50 of each slide member 30,31. With this arrangement, as the lever 58 pivots relative to the housing 16, the pins 64 slide in the slots 70 in the mating direction X relative to the slide members 30,31 such that the lever drives (moves) the slide members in the direction Y relative to the side walls 18,20. The first part 12 of the connector 10 also includes a body member 34 which is positioned internally of the housing 16. The body member 34 includes a number of through bores 36 which extend in the mating direction X. An electrical terminal (not shown) is positioned in each bore 36 and protrudes from the body member 34 into the space between the side walls 18,20 and the end walls 22 towards the upper wall 26 of each side wall. A terminal retaining member 40 has arms 42 which extend through laterally extending bores 44 in the body member 34 to retain the terminals in position in the through bores 36. The second part 14 of the connector 10 has a housing 78 having side walls 80 and end walls 82. A pair of pins 84 is formed externally on each side wall 80. The pins 84 on each side wall 80 have the same spacing at the apertures 38 in the lower wall 26 of the corresponding side wall 18,20 of the housing 16 of the first part 12. The side walls 80 and end walls 82 of the housing 78 of the second part 14 fit inside the side walls 18,20 and end walls 22 of the housing 16 of the first part 12. During mating and unmating, the pins 84 pass through the apertures 38 and slide along the inclined channels 46 formed in the slide members 30,31 in such a manner that the pins define cam followers and the channels define cam surfaces. The housing 78 has a number of through bores 86 which align with the through bores 36 of the body member 34 of the first part 12. The through bores 86 each have electrical terminals (not shown) mounted therein which electrically connect with the protruding terminals in the first part 12 on mating of the first and second parts 12,14. A terminal retaining member 88 has arms 90 which extend through laterally extending bores 92 in the housing 78 to retain the terminals in position in the through bores 86. Prior to mating, the lever 58 is moved to the position shown in Figure 2. In this position of the lever 58, the openings 48 in the inclined channels 46 align with the apertures 38 in the upper walls 26 of the side walls 18,20 of the housing 16. The second part 14 of the connector 10 is then moved into position for mating with the pins 84 on the housing 78 of the second part passing through the apertures 38 in the upper wall 26 of each side wall 18,20 of the housing 16 of the first part 12 and into the inclined channels 46 in the slide members 30,31. To mate the first and second parts 12,14, the lever 58 is pivoted relative to the housing 16 of the first part towards the fully mated position shown in Figure 3. During this pivoting movement of the lever 58, the pins 84 on the housing 78 of the second part 14 are forced along the inclined channels 46 as the slide members 30,31 slide relative to the side walls 18,20 (along axis Y) of the housing 16 of the first part 12 to move the second part along mating axis X relative to the first part to mate the first and second parts. To unmate the first and second parts 12,14, the lever 58 is pivoted from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 2 for reverse movement to that described above for mating of the first and second parts. In accordance with the present invention, the first part 12 of the connector 10 includes a substantially rigid plate member 100 having a number of apertures 102 therein. The plate member 100 is positioned inside the housing 16. The apertures 102 align with the through bores 36 in the body member 34. The plate member 100 has side edges 104 which are directed towards the side wall 18,20 of the housing 16 and the slide members 30,31. Each side edge 104 has two laterally extending pins 106. Each slide member 30,31 has two corresponding inclined channels 108 which open at an opening 110 through the lower edge 54 of the slide member. The pins 106 in each side edge 104 have the same spacing as the opening 110 in each slide member 30,31. The channels 108 are open sided and formed on the internal surface of each slide member 30,31. The channels 108 in each slide member 30,31 are inclined in the same direction at the same angle and open inwardly towards the other slide member. During mating and unmating, the pins 106 slide along the inclined channels 108 in such a manner that the pins define cam followers and the channels define cam surfaces. Such relative sliding causes the plate member 100 to move towards and away from the body member 34 in the direction of the mating axis X. In the fully unmated position of the slide members 30,31 and lever 58 as shown in Figure 2, the plate member 100 is spaced from the body member 34 to substantially cover the terminals (not shown) protruding from the through bores 36 in the body member. In the fully mated position of the slide member 30,31 and lever 58 as shown in Figure 3, the plate member 100 is substantially in engagement with the body member 34 and the electrical terminals in the through bore 36 of the body member protrude through the apertures 102 in the plate member for mating with the corresponding terminals in the second part 14 of the connector 10. With this arrangement, movement of the slide members 30,31 moves the plate member 100 to provide protection for the terminals in the first part 12 of the connector 10 when the first part is not mated with the second part 14. The slide members 30,31 are preferably identical. The lower edge 54 of each slide member 30,31 preferably has a rib 112 which makes a sliding fit in a corresponding groove 114 in the slide surface 28 in the lower wall 24 of each side wall 18,20 to ensure correct installation of the slide members in the housing 16 of the first part 12. The housing 16 may include an additional side wall 116 positioned internally of the slide members 30,31, the additional side walls having slots 118 which extend in the direction of the mating axis X which provide access to the channels 46,108 in the slide members 30,31. The lever 58 may be replaced by any other suitable arrangement for driving (moving) the slide members 30,31. A single pin 106 in the side edge 104 of the plate member 100 and a single corresponding channel 108 in each slide member 30,31 may be used rather than two pins and two channels.

Claims: An electrical connector (10) comprising a first part (12) mateable with a second part (14) along an axis (X), the first part including a housing (16) having opposed side walls (18,20) and opposed end walls (22), each side wall having an upper wall (26) and a lower wall (24) defining opposed slide surfaces (28) extending in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the mating axis, first and second spaced apertures (38) in the upper wall of each side wall; a slide member (30,31) positioned adjacent each side wall, each slide member having an upper edge (50) and a lower edge (54) making a sliding engagement with the slide surfaces of the upper wall and the lower wall, respectively, of the side walls, a pair of inclined cam surfaces (46) having openings (48) in the upper edge alignable with the apertures in the upper wall of the side walls; a body member (34) positioned internally of the housing and having through bores (36) which extend in the mating direction; and drive means (58,64) on the housing engaging each slide member to slide each slide member relative to the adjacent side wall; the second part including a housing (78) having side walls (80) and end walls (82) positionable inside the side walls and end walls of the housing of the first part, the housing of the second part having through bores (86) alignable with the through bores in the body member, each side wall of the housing of the second part having a pair of spaced cam followers (84) which can pass through the apertures in the upper walls and the openings in the inclined cam surfaces for sliding movement along the cam surfaces, actuation of the drive means moving the second part relative to the first part along the mating axis between a fully unmated position and a fully mated position; characterized in that , each slide member has an inclined cam surface (108) extending from its lower edge in a direction substantially parallel to the inclined cam surfaces extending from its upper edge; and wherein the first part includes a plate member (100) positioned between the body member and the housing of the second part, the plate member having apertures (102) alignable with the through bores, side edges (104) directed towards the side walls of the housing of the first part, and a cam follower (106) extending from each side edge and slidably engaging the cam surface extending from the lower edge of the adjacent slide member, actuation of the drive means moving the plate member relative to the body member between a fully unmated position in which the plate member is spaced from the body member and a fully mated position in which the plate member is substantially in engagement with the body member. An electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the plate member (100) has a pair of cam followers (106) extending from each side edge (104); and wherein each slide member (30,31) has a corresponding pair of inclined cam surfaces (108) extending from the lower edge (54) thereof. An electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the cam followers on the plate member (100) are laterally extending pins (106), and the corresponding cam surfaces on the slide members (30,31) are inclined channels (108). An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the slide members (30,31) are substantially identical. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower edge (54) of each slide member (30,31) has a rib (112) which makes a sliding fit in a corresponding groove (114) in the slide surface (28) in the lower wall (24) of each side wall (18,20) of the housing (16) of the first part (12). An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing (16) of the first part (12) includes an additional side wall (116) positioned internally of the slide members (30,31). An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the drive means comprises a substantially U-shaped lever (58) having a pair of arms (60) pivotally mounted on the side walls (18,20) of the housing (16) of the first part (12), each arm having a pin (64) for engaging and moving one of the slide members (30,31) on pivoting of the lever relative to the housing of the first part. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the cam surfaces extending from the upper edge (50) of each slider (30,31) are defined by open-sided inclined channels (46), and the cam followers on the housing (78) of the second part (14) are defined by pins (84) formed on the side walls (80) of the housing.

Inventors: DRESCHER THOMAS, HACKEL OLIVER, SCHEKALLA PETER, STORANDT KLAUS, DRESCHER, THOMAS, HACKEL, OLIVER, SCHEKALLA, PETER, STORANDT, KLAUS
Applicants: DELPHI TECH INC, DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13