Abstract:
A receptacle connector includes a nonconductive housing comprising a plug insertion opening extending therein, a latch projection extending outwardly from the opening, and an alignment slot proximate the plug insertion opening and partly defining the latch projection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and, more specifically, to connectors having latches for engagement with mating connectors. 
   To prevent unintended separation of electrical connectors in use, some known electrical connectors include housings having deflectable latches which provide locking engagement to mating connector housings. Other electrical connectors include alignment features, such as keying surfaces, which guide a user in mating one connector to another and ensure that the mating connectors are properly engaged to one another. The alignment features allow mating of the connectors in only one orientation of the connectors relative to one another, and physically prevent mating of the connectors in other orientations. Such latching and alignment features are sometimes used in combination to achieve and maintain proper engagement of mating connectors in an electrical system. 
   While known latching and alignment features in known connectors have achieved some success in realizing and maintaining proper electrical engagement of connectors, in certain applications the latching and alignment features can become an impediment to effective use of the connector. For example, in panel mount connectors the latching and alignment features tend to undesirably increase the physical size of the connector. Because of the latching and alignment features, the connector thereby occupies a greater area, sometimes referred to as a footprint, on the panel. The latching and alignment features also tend to increase the bulk of the connector and can interfere with the installation of the connector to a panel. Still further, the latching and alignment features tend to result in uneven wall thickness in the housing of one or both of the mating connectors. The uneven wall thickness can compromise the structural strength of the connector, especially when the connectors are subject to large insertion forces when mated together. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   According to an exemplary embodiment, a receptacle connector comprises a nonconductive housing comprising a plug insertion opening extending therein, a latch projection extending outwardly from the opening, and an alignment slot proximate the plug insertion opening and partly defining the latch projection. 
   Optionally, the latch projection and the slot may be axially aligned with one another and the slot may be approximately centered with respect to the plug insertion opening. Panel mounting ears may be attached to the housing, and the latch projection and the latch feature may integrally formed into the housing. 
   According to another exemplary embodiment, a receptacle connector comprises a nonconductive housing comprising a plug insertion opening extending therein. An integrated latch and key element of uniform wall thickness is coupled to the housing, and the integrated latch and key element comprises a recessed slot extending adjacent the opening on an inner surface of the housing and a latch projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the housing. 
   According to still another exemplary embodiment, a connector assembly comprises a receptacle connector comprising a housing having a plug insertion opening and a combined latch and keying element extending from the housing proximate the plug insertion opening. A portion of the latch and keying element extends interior to the plug insertion opening and a portion of the latch and keying element extends exterior to the plug insertion opening. A plug connector comprises a housing having a polarizing key and a locking latch element, the polarizing key being inserted into the plug insertion opening and received within the keying element when the plug connector is mated to the receptacle connector. The plug locking latch element is engaged to the latch element at a location exterior to the plug insertion opening when the plug connector is mated to the receptacle connector. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of a receptacle connector formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom front perspective view of the receptacle connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an exemplary plug connector for use with the receptacle connector shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is side elevational view of the plug connector mated to the receptacle connector. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the mated plug and receptacle connectors shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  are top and bottom front perspective views of a receptacle connector  100  formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The receptacle connector may be lockably mated with a plug connector (not shown in  FIG. 1  but described below) and mated to a panel (not shown) while occupying a reduced amount of space on the panel. As will described below, latching and alignment features are provided in a space saving configuration which is particularly advantageous for a panel mounted connector. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the invention also accrue to non-panel mount connectors, and the embodiments set forth and described below are provided for purposes of illustration rather than limitation. That is, the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular receptacle connector, such as the connector  100 , or to any particular plug connector, such as the plug connector described below. 
   In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the receptacle connector  100  includes a nonconductive housing or body  102  having a plug receiving portion  104  and a wire termination portion  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plug receiving portion  104  and the wire termination portion  106  are generally rectangular in shape. The plug receiving portion  104  includes a top wall  108 , a bottom wall  110 , and opposite side walls  112 ,  114  connecting the top and bottom walls  108  and  110 . Forward edges of the top, bottom and side walls  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  define a front face  116  and a plug insertion opening  118  providing access to a receptacle cavity  120  extending between the top, bottom and side walls  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114 . Corner guide elements  121  connect the top wall  108  and the side walls  112 , and  114  and provide angled corners in the plug insertion opening  118  to assist in proper alignment of the receptacle connector  100  and the plug connector. 
   The bottom wall  110  of the plug receiving portion  104  includes a combined latch and keying element  122  proximate the plug insertion opening  118  which simultaneously provides alignment of the plug connector and latching to the plug connector in a single structure. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the latch and keying element  122  extends outwardly from the bottom wall  110  and includes side walls  124  and  126 , and a guide wall  128  extending between the side walls. The side walls  124 ,  126  and the guide wall  128  collectively define an alignment slot  130  having a sloped end wall  132 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the guide wall  128  is recessed relative to the bottom wall  110  of the plug receiving portion  104  of the connector  100  such that the alignment slot  130  is recessed relative to the receptacle cavity  120 . In other words, the alignment slot  130  extends beneath the receptacle cavity  120 . While the alignment slot  130  is illustrated as having a substantially rectangular or U-shaped channel configuration, other shapes and configurations of the slot  130  could be employed in other embodiments. 
   The guide wall  128  of the latch and keying element  122  is substantially flat when viewed from the interior of the receptacle cavity  120 , but as shown in  FIG. 2 , the guide wall  128  includes a sloped outer contour when viewed from the exterior of the connector  100 . The outer contour of the guide wall  128  forms a latch projection  131  extending outwardly and away from the plug insertion opening  118  and the alignment slot  130 . Specifically, the guide wall  128  includes a sloped or beveled latch engagement surface  133  extending away from the front face  116  of the connector  100 , a substantially level transition surface  134  extending rearward from the engagement surface  133 , and a catch surface  136  extending substantially perpendicular to the transition surface  134 . The surfaces  133 ,  134 , and  136  of the latch projection  131  formed into an outer surface of the guide wall  128  cooperate with complementary latching features on the plug connector as described below. 
   The guide wall  128  and the side walls  124  and  126  of the latch and keying element  122  therefore define the alignment slot  130  on the inside of the connector, and the latch projection  131  on the outer surface of the connector. By using the guide walls  128  and the side walls  124  and  126  for dual purposes of connector alignment and latching, the connector  100  occupies a smaller space when mounted on a panel in comparison to known connectors including separate latching and alignment features. Additionally, because of the integrated latching and alignment capability of the latch and keying element  122 , the connector  100  is easier to install to a panel in comparison to known connectors having separate latching and alignment features. 
   In an exemplary embodiment, the latch and keying element  122  is integrally formed into the connector housing  102  according to a known molding process. The guide wall  128  and the side walls  124  and  126  may be of a uniform wall thickness with the remainder of the plug receiving portion  104  of the connector  100 . When the entire plug receiving portion  104  has a uniform wall thickness, relatively weaker portions of the connector housing  102  due to reduced wall thickness are avoided, and structural integrity of the connector is preserved. The connector  100  may therefore better withstand insertion forces when mated with the plug connector. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the latch and keying element  122  is substantially centered on the bottom wall  110  of the plug receiving portion, although it is contemplated that the latch and keying element  122  may be off-centered in alternative embodiments, and further may be located on another of the walls of the connector in lieu of the bottom wall  110 . Additionally, the alignment slot  130  and the latch projection  131  in the illustrated embodiment are axially aligned with one another adjacent the front face  116  of the plug receiving portion  104 . In alternative embodiments the alignment slot  130  and the latch projection may be offset from one another by varying the wall thickness of the portions of the latch and keying element  122  and by varying the outer contour of the guide wall  128  while still achieving a compact and space saving footprint of the connector  100 . 
   In an exemplary embodiment, the plug receiving portion  104  also includes resilient panel mounting ears  140  mounted to the side walls  112  and  114 . When the receptacle connector  100  is inserted through a panel cutout in the direction of arrow A, the mounting ears  140  are deflectable in the direction of arrows B and C for approximately 90° until side edges of the panel cutout are received in retaining grooves  142  formed in the ears  140 . The ears  140  then resiliently maintain the receptacle connector  100  to the panel. A stop flange  144  ( FIG. 1 ) is provided in the top wall  108  of the plug receiving portion  104  and stop flanges  146  ( FIG. 2 ) are provided in the bottom wall  110 . The stop flanges  144 ,  146  prevent the connector  100  from being inserted through a panel cutout beyond a predetermined amount, and effectively limit the deflection of the panel mounting ears  140  as the connector  100  is installed. 
   The wire termination portion  106  of the receptacle connector  100  is substantially rectangular in an exemplary embodiment, and has a slightly smaller outer dimension than the plug receiving portion  104 . The wire termination portion  106  accommodates contacts (not shown) attached to wires or cables in a known manner. When the plug connector is inserted into the plug insertion opening  118 , contacts in the plug connector mate with the contacts in the wire termination portion  106  in a known manner. While the receptacle connector  100  is illustrated with substantially rectangular plug receiving and wire termination portions  104 ,  106 , it is recognized that other shapes and configurations of the connector portions  104  and  106  may be utilized in other embodiments. 
     FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an exemplary plug connector  150  for use with the receptacle connector  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The plug connector  150  is generally complementary in shape to the receptacle connector and includes a housing  152  having a top wall  154 , a bottom wall  156 , and side walls  158  connecting the top and bottom walls  154 ,  156 . A plug portion  160  extends from the top wall  154  and includes a front face  162  dimensioned to be received in the plug insertion opening  118  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the receptacle connector  100 . Contact receptacles  164  and  166  are formed in the plug portion  160 . The contact receptacles  164  and  166  include female contacts (not shown) that receive male contacts in the receptacle connector when the plug connector  150  and the receptacle connector  100  are mated to one another. In alternative embodiments, more or less contact receptacles  164 ,  166  may be provided to interface greater or fewer numbers of contacts in the plug and receptacle connectors  150  and  100 . 
   An alignment key  168  extends beneath a lower surface  169  of the plug portion  160 , and the key  168  includes a sloped end  171  adjacent the front face  162 . The key  168  is complementary in shape to the alignment slot  130  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and is dimensioned to be received in the alignment slot  130  in the interior of the receptacle connector  100  when the plug and receptacle connectors  150  and  100  are mated to one another. Stop projections  167  are provided in the top wall  154  to prevent over-insertion of the plug portion  160  into the receptacle cavity  120  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the receptacle connector  100 . The key  168  ensures the proper polarity of the plug connector  150  relative to the receptacle connector  100 . 
   A locking latch  170  extends beneath the plug portion  160  and the key  168  and is resiliently attached to the bottom wall  156  on mounting legs  172 . The locking latch  170  is rectangular in an exemplary embodiment and includes a forward end  174  having a beveled edge  176  which engages the engagement surface  133  ( FIG. 2 ) of the latch and keying element  122  of the receptacle connector  100  at a location exterior to the receptacle connector  100  when the plug connector  150  and the receptacle connector  100  are mated to one another. The locking latch  170  deflects and pivots about the mounting legs  172  in the direction of arrow D as the connectors are mated so that the forward edge  174  of the locking latch  170  may clear the transition surface  134  ( FIG. 2 ) when the connectors are mated to one another. Once cleared, the locking latch  170  then pivots about the legs  172  in the direction of arrow E to lock the catch surface  136  ( FIG. 2 ) of the receptacle connector  100  to the latch  170 . Thus, the locking latch  170  resiliently deflects over the latch and keying element  122  when the plug connector  150  and the receptacle connector  100  are fully engaged and properly mated. 
   To un-mate the connectors  100  and  150 , a user may depress a rearward end  178  of the locking latch  170  in the direction of arrow F, thereby causing the locking latch  170  to pivot about the legs  172  in the direction of arrow D to release the locking latch  170  from the catch surface  136 . The plug connector  150  may then be disengaged from the receptacle connector  100  by pulling the plug connector housing in the direction of arrow G. 
     FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the plug connector  150  mated to the receptacle connector  100 , and illustrating the locking latch  170  of the plug connector  150  engaged to the latch and keying element  122  of the receptacle connector  100 . An overmolded wire lead assembly  200  extends from the rearward end of the plug receptacle  100  and includes an approximately 90° bend. Wire conductors  202  are encapsulated in the overmolded assembly  200  for strain relief purposes, and each of the wire conductors  202  engages corresponding contacts in the plug connector  150 . In alternative embodiments, the wire conductors  202  need not include a 90° bend and may not require overmolding with the plug connector  150 . 
     FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the mated plug and receptacle connectors  150 ,  100  in a mated condition. The locking latch  170  includes a recess or cavity  210  extending longitudinally through the locking latch  170  on either side of the latch and keying element  122  of the receptacle connector  100 . The forward end  174  of the locking latch  170  has moved past the engagement surface  133  of the latch and keying element  122  of the receptacle connector  100 , and the locking latch  170  has deflected over the engagement surface  133  and the transition surface  134  ( FIG. 2 ). The forward end  174  of the locking latch  170  has pivoted toward the latch and keying element  122  to lock the catch surface  136  ( FIG. 2 ) of the latch and keying element within the cavity  210  of the locking latch  170 . The latch and keying element  122  and the locking latch  170  therefore cooperatively lock to one another to prevent separation of the connectors  100 ,  150  from one another. 
   While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.