Abstract:
An electrical connector adapted to be mounted onto a panel of an electronic appliance includes a housing and a predetermined number of contacts held and fixed in the housing. The housing includes one or more projections formed on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of the housing, and the projections are adapted to be positioned on a first side of the panel. The electrical connector also includes a block which engages the housing, and the block is adapted to be positioned on a second side of the panel which is opposite the first side of the panel. Moreover, the block includes a through-hole formed therethrough. The electrical connector also includes a fixing pin, and a portion of the fixing pin is positioned within the through-hole.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an electrical connector for use in electric and electronic appliances, servers and the like, and more particularly to an electrical connector which can be easily mounted on a panel, particularly, in a floating manner. 
     A hitherto used electrical connector will be explained. FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art electrical connector in a perspective view. The electrical connector  50  includes a housing  52 , a required number of contacts held and fixed to the housing  52 , and set screws  70  and nuts  74  for fixing the housing  52  to a panel  64 . The housing  52  is provided at its lengthwise ends with flange portions  56  each of which is formed with a through-hole  58  through which the set screw  70  passes. 
     In order to mount the electrical connector  50  onto the panel  64 , after the fitting portion of the housing  52  has been fitted in a fitting opening  66  of the panel  64 , the set screws  70  are inserted from the extending side of the fitting portion of the housing  52  into engaging apertures  68  of the panel  64  and the through-holes  58  of the flange portions  56 , and the nuts  74  are then threadedly engaged and tightened onto distal ends of the set screws  70  extending from the through-holes  58  on their rear side. Each of the set screws  70  includes a positioning portion  72  having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the engaging aperture  68  of the panel  64 . A floating mounting of the electrical connector on the panel  64  is accomplished by clearances between the engaging apertures  68  of the panel  64  and the positioning portions  72  of the set screws  70 . 
     With the above construction of the connector of the prior art, the set screws passing through the panel and electrical connector must be threadedly engaged with the nuts and tightened thereby during holding the electrical connector to the panel. Such an operation would be troublesome and time-consuming. 
     In order to mount the electrical connector onto the panel, moreover, at least two set screws and two nuts are required to increase the number of parts, causing their management cost and hence manufacturing cost to increase. 
     With this electrical connector of the prior art, furthermore, the engaging apertures  68  of the panel  64  are circular, while the set screws  70  have the cross-sectionally circular positioning portion  72  so that the floating amounts (clearances) are substantially the same in directions X and Y shown in FIG.  4 . Consequently, it is impossible to adjust the floating amount in one direction according to a specification of an appliance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved electrical connector which is able to be easily and simply mounted onto a panel without increasing its manufacturing cost to eliminate all the disadvantages of the prior art described above. 
     In order to achieve this object, in an electrical connector including a housing and a required number of contacts held and fixed in the housing, according to the invention the housing comprises at least one projection on each of surfaces defining its thickness, a block formed integrally with or separately from the housing and formed with a through-hole in its one flange portion, and a fixing pin to be inserted into the through-hole of the block for mounting the electrical connector onto a panel in a floating manner. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing pin is in the form of a plate-shaped piece and the through-hole has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and one projection is provided inside the through-hole and two notches are provided in the fixing pin. In this manner, the electrical connector can be mounted onto the panel to adjust the floating amount in one direction depending upon the specification of an appliance using the electrical connector. 
     Preferably, a pair of projections are provided inside the through-hole and two pairs of notches are provided in both lengthwise edges of the fixing pin. In this manner, the fixing pin can be stably fitted in the through-hole with a great certainty. 
     In another preferable embodiment of the invention, the notch (notches) near the forward end of the fixing pin engages the projection (projections) in the through-hole prior to the mounting of the electrical connector onto the panel, and the forward end of the fixing pin is in a fitting opening of the panel and the notch (notches) remote from the forward end of the fixing pin engages the projection (projections) in the through-hole after the electrical connector has been mounted on the panel, thereby preventing the fixing pin from removing from the through-hole. 
     Preferably, the block is larger than the housing to produce a surface of the block resulting from the largeness, thereby mounting the electrical connector on the panel with the at least one projection on each of the surfaces of the housing and the surface abutting against a surface of the panel. The panel is embraced between the projections and the surface of the block abutting against the panel to facilitate the mounting of the electrical connector on the panel. 
     The housing is provided at its both lengthwise ends with guide means for positioning the electrical connector relative to a mating connector. With this arrangement, the electrical connector can be connected to a mating connector in a reliable manner even if the electrical connector is mounted on the panel in a floating manner. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, after the projections of the housing have been fitted in a fitting opening of the panel, the housing is moved into a direction opposite to the side of the through-hole, and thereafter the fixing pin is inserted into the through-hole so that the forward end of the fixing pin enters the fitting opening, thereby mounting the electrical connector on the panel in the floating manner with the aid of clearances between the fixing pin and the fitting opening of the panel. 
     After the housing has been inserted in the fitting opening of the panel, the housing is moved along the panel in the direction opposite to the side of the through-hole (in the direction C in FIG.  1 ), thereby embracing the panel between the protrusions and the surface of the block produced by the largeness of the block. 
     Before mounting the electrical connector on the panel, the notch (notches) near the forward end of the fixing pin engages the projection (projections) in the through-hole, and after the electrical connector has been mounted on the panel, the forward end of the fixing pin is in the fitting opening of the panel and the notch (notches) remote from the forward end of the fixing pin engages the projection (projections) in the through-hole to prevent the fixing pin from removing from the through-hole, thereby preventing the electrical connector from moving away from the panel. 
     The electrical connector having the subject features of the invention can bring about the following significant effects. 
     (1) According to the invention, the electrical connector can be easily mounted onto a panel only by inserting the fixing pin into the through-hole of the block of the electrical connector and can be supported on the panel in a floating manner with clearances between the fixing pin and a fitting opening of the panel. 
     (2) According to the invention, audible and/or tactile clicks are produced when the fixing pin is inserted into the through-hole so that an operator can ascertain whether the fixing pin has been reliably fixed in the through-hole. 
     (3) According to the invention, the electrical connector can be fixed to a panel only by one fixing pin so that the number of parts are reduced to cut down the costs such as manufacturing cost, management cost and the like in comparison with the prior art. 
     (4) According to the invention, the electrical connector can be easily and simply mounted on a panel only by pushing the fixing pin in one direction without holding the electrical connector and set screws and nuts which would otherwise be required. 
     (5) According to the invention, the fixing pin is a substantially plate-shaped piece and formed with at least one notch, and the through-hole for receiving the fixing pin has a rectangular cross-section and provided therein with at least one projection. Therefore, the electrical connector can be easily mounted on a panel so as to permit the floating amount of the connector to be adjusted relative to the panel in one direction depending upon a specification of an appliance using the connector. 
     The invention will be more fully understood by referring to the following detailed specification and claims taken in connection with the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partly perspective view of the electrical connector according to the invention showing a fixing pin and part of a panel; 
     FIG. 2A is a sectional view illustrating the fixing pin temporarily fixed to the housing shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2B is a sectional view illustrating the housing in the state of the electrical connector according to the invention fixed to a panel; 
     FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of guide means for guiding the electrical connector to a mating connector; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical connector of the prior art. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An electrical connector according to the invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates in a perspective view the electrical connector according to the invention with a fixing pin and part of a panel. FIGS. 2A and 2B show in section the fixing pin temporarily fixed in a housing, and the electrical connector fixed to the panel by means of the fixing pin, respectively. FIG. 3 explanatorily illustrates guide means for guiding the connector to a mating connector. The electrical connector  10  according to the invention mainly comprises the housing  12 , contacts and the fixing pin  30 . 
     First, the fixing pin  30  will be explained which is a subject feature of the invention. The fixing pin  30  is made of a metal by means of press-working in the conventional manner. Preferred metals for the fixing pin  30  are brass, phosphor bronze, steel and the like in consideration of high strength, durability and the like. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing pin  30  is a substantially T-shaped plate and has two recesses or notches  32  on either side. These notches  32  of the fixing pin  30  are adapted to engage projections  36  provided in a through-hole  18  of the housing  12  or block  14  to provide a click engagement therebetween, thereby preventing the fixing pin  30  from disengaging from the housing  12  or block  14  in usual handling. As described above, in the moment when the fixing pin  30  is inserted in the through-hole  18 , audible or tactile clicks are produced, whereby an operator can ascertain whether the fixing pin has been fixed in the through-hole  18 . 
     The four recesses or notches  32  of the fixing pin  30  are arranged in symmetry with respect to a center line of the T-shaped fixing pin  30  to form two pairs of the notches  32 . The pair of notches  32  near the forward end of the fixing pin  30  are for temporarily fixing the pin  30  to the housing  12  or block  14  as shown in FIG. 2A, while the remaining pair of notches  32  serve to fix the pin  30  to the housing  12  or block  14  ultimately and to mount the electrical connector on a panel  24  when the forward end of the fixing pin  30  is inserted into a fitting opening  26  of the panel  24  as shown in FIG.  2 B. In view of these functions of the notches  32 , the positional relation between the notches  32  is suitably determined in a manner such that when the pair of notches  32  remote from the forward end of the pin  30  engage the projections  36  in the through-hole  18  of the housing  12  or block  14 , the forward end of the pin  30  is surely in the fitting opening  26  of the panel  24 . 
     While the hemi-circular recesses or notches  32  of the fixing pin  30  are shown in the illustrated embodiment, it will be apparent that any shapes of the notches  32  may be provided so long as they can perform the above functions, such as triangular, rectangular, elliptical shapes and the like. Moreover, any sizes of the notches  32  may be employed so long as they fulfil the requirement imposed thereon. In determining the size of the notches  32  of the pin  30 , the strength and holding force of the fixing pin  30  may be considered. 
     Hereinafter, the suitable size of the fixing pin  30  will be explained. The definition of length of the fixing pin  30  means length along the axis Z shown in FIG.  1 . Whereas, width and thickness of the same mean the dimensions along Y and X, respectively shown in the drawing. These definitions are equally applied throughout the text. The length of the fixing pin  30  may be suitably determined in consideration of the above its functions. The width and thickness of the fixing pin  30  may be suitably designed such that the electrical connector is supported in a floating manner by the panel owing to clearances between the fixing pin  30  and the fitting opening  26  of the panel  24 . The rearward end of the fixing pin  30  opposite to the forward end extends outwardly in its width directions to form the head portion of the “T” shape so as to form shoulders which abut against the surface of the housing  12  or block  14  to determine the ultimate position of the fixing pin  30 . Moreover, the head portion of the fixing pin  30  is formed with a through-aperture  34  to facilitate the removal of the fixing pin  30  from the through-hole  18  of the housing  12  or block  14 . 
     The forward end of the fixing pin  30  may be chamfered or rounded in order to facilitate the insertion of the forward end of the pin  30  into the through-hole  18  of the housing  12  or block  14  and the fitting opening  26  of the panel  24 . 
     The housing  12  will be explained hereinafter, which is another subject feature of invention. The housing  12  is injection molded from an electrically insulating plastic material in the conventional manner. Preferred materials from which to form the housing  12  include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (66PS or 46PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate (PC) and the like and combinations thereof in view of the requirements imposed on such a housing  12  with respect to dimensional stability, workability, manufacturing cost and the like. 
     The housing  12  is formed with a required number of contact insertion apertures for holding and fixing contacts therein and provided with a block  14  which is integrally with or separately from the housing  12 . The block  14  is substantially larger than the housing  12  as shown in FIG.  1 . The block  14  is provided at one end with a flange  16  formed with the through-hole  18  into which the fixing pin  30  is inserted. Provided in place inside the through-hole  18  are the pair of projections  36  adapted to engage the notches or recesses  32  of the fixing pin  30 . 
     The position and size of the projections  36  may be so determined that when the notches  32  of the fixing pin  30  remote from its forward end are engaged with the projections  36 , the forward end of the fixing pin  30  is just in the fitting opening  26  of the panel  24 , thereby securely holding the fixing pin  30 . The position of the through-hole  18  may be in any location in the flange  16  insofar as the through-hole  18  does not detract from the strength of the flange  16 . However, it is preferable to position the through-hole  18  such that the extending portion of the fixing pin  30  from the through-hole  18  extends along the housing  12  as near as possible in view of the tendency of miniaturization of connectors and deformation of fixing pin  30 . 
     The housing  12  is provided with at least one protrusion  20  on each of two surfaces defining its thickness at locations corresponding to engaging apertures or notches  28  along edges of the fitting opening  26  of the panel  24  and having a size permitting the protrusions  20  to be received in the apertures or notches  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, two protrusions  20  are provided on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the housing  12  as viewed in FIG.  1 . Preferably, the spacing between the two protrusions  20  on one surface is made different from that between the two protrusions  20  on another surface to prevent mixing up the top and bottom of the connector  10  relative to the panel  24 . As an alternative, the protrusions  20  on one surface may be varied in size from the protrusions  20  on another surface to prevent the mixing up of the top and bottom of the connector  10 . The positions of the protrusions  20  are suitably designed in consideration of the thickness of the panel  24  such that the panel  24  is embraced between the block  14  and the protrusions  20 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the housing  12  is provided at its both lengthwise ends with guide means  38  for positioning the electrical connector  10  relative to a mating connector. Forward ends of the guiding means may be preferably chamfered, tapered or rounded to facilitate approaching to the mating connector. 
     A block  14  formed separately from the housing will be explained. The block  14  is injection molded from an electrically insulating plastic material in the conventional manner. Preferred materials from which to form the block  14  include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (66PS or 46PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate (PC) and the like and combinations thereof in view of the requirements imposed on such a block  14  with respect to dimensional stability, workability, manufacturing cost and the like. 
     The block  14  formed separately from the housing is fixed to the housing by means of press-fitting, hooking or the like. Concerning the size of the block  14  and provision of the through-hole  18  in the flange  16 , the block  14  is substantially the same as the block formed integrally with the housing  12 . 
     Contacts will then be explained. The contacts are made of a metal and formed by the press-working in the conventional manner. Preferred materials from which to form the contacts include brass, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze and the like to filful the requirement imposed thereon, springiness and the like. Each of the contacts mainly comprises a contact portion adapted to contact a mating contact, a fixed portion to be fixed to the housing  12 , and a connection portion to be connected to a cable  22 , a circuit board or substrate or the like. 
     Finally, a method for mounting the electrical connector  10  onto the panel  24  will be explained. 
     First, the fixing pin  30  is inserted into the through-hole  18  of the electrical connector  10  in a direction shown by an arrow A in FIG. 1 so that the notches  32  of the fixing pin  30  near to its forward end are brought into engagement with the projections  36  inside the through-hole  18 . This is the state that the fixing pin  30  is temporarily fitted in the electrical connector  10 . 
     Then, the housing  12  of the electrical connector  10  is aligned with the panel  24  to bring the protrusions  20  of the housing  12  into alignment with the notches  28  of the panel  24 . Thereafter, the housing  12  is inserted in a direction shown by an arrow B in FIG. 1 into the fitting opening  26  of the panel  24  until the block  14  abuts against the panel  24 . 
     Thereafter, the electrical connector  10  is moved relative to the panel  24  in a direction shown by an arrow C so that the housing  12  is held by the panel  24  through the protrusions  20  and the block  14  to prevent the electrical connector  10  from being moved relative to the panel  24  in the direction opposite to the direction shown by the arrow B. 
     Finally, the fixing pin  30  is further inserted into the through-hole  18  in the direction A shown in FIG. 1 until the notches  32  of the fixing pin  30  remote from its forward end are brought into engagement with the projections  36  inside the through-hole  18  and the forward end of the fixing pin  30  is brought into the fitting opening  26 , thereby mounting the electrical connector  10  on the panel  24 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.