Abstract:
An electrical connector includes a housing having a contact loading end and a locking member rotatably mounted in the housing and substantially enclosed within the connector. The locking member has a circumferential edge portion that is exposed through a window of the connector to permit finger rotation of the locking member. A backshell at least partially encloses the housing. The backshell includes a chamber between the contact loading end of the housing and a back wall of the backshell. The backshell includes side walls that have windows opening to the chamber to provide access to the edge portion of the locking member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more specifically to a cable to board power connector assembly having a rotatable locking member.  
         [0002]     Some electrical systems include one or more connectors that are removably mounted in a chassis. For instance, in some applications, power supplies may be slid into a chassis. The power supplies can be removed for service or replacement. Typically, a cable mounted connector mates with a header connector on a board in the power supply. Jackscrews are typically used to assure that the connectors are reliably mated. However, in some systems, the chassis or board is mounted in a case with a hinged or otherwise closeable cover which limits connector space. Cables must be negotiated out of the case and the connectors must remain reliably mated when the case is closed. Jackscrews are commonly used in pairs with one jackscrew at each end of the connector. A disadvantage associated with jackscrews is that one or more of the jackscrews may interfere with the closing of the cover.  
         [0003]     When several connectors are mounted on a panel, cable routing may become more of a problem. Often cables must be turned or otherwise manipulated to exit the case. Typically, technicians forcibly bend the cables in order to route the cables in a desired direction. Care must be taken, however, to avoid damage to the cable that may result from excessive pulling or twisting on the cable. This problem is alleviated when the connector provides a right angle wire exit. In another disadvantage, the use of the typical two-jackscrew retention system generally precludes the provision of a right angle wire exit on the connector.  
         [0004]     There is a need for a cable to board connector system that may be used in applications having a board mounted connector in a closed case that negotiates wires out of the case and keeps the connectors reliably mated when the case is closed.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In one aspect, an electrical connector is provided. The connector includes a housing having a contact loading end and a locking member rotatably mounted in the housing and substantially enclosed within the connector. The locking member has a circumferential edge portion that is exposed through a window of the connector to permit finger rotation of the locking member.  
         [0006]     Optionally, the connector further includes a backshell at least partially enclosing the housing. The backshell includes a chamber between the contact loading end of the housing and a back wall of the backshell. The backshell includes side walls that have windows opening to the chamber to provide access to the edge portion of the locking member. The locking member includes a head portion enclosed by the back wall that does not extend axially outside the backshell. The housing includes a mating end opposite the contact loading end and a channel extending therebetween, and the locking member includes a shaft rotatably held in the channel even when the housing is in an unmated condition. The backshell includes a cable exit through an end wall of the backshell that is substantially perpendicular to a mating direction of the housing. The locking member includes a shaft rotatably held in the channel. The shaft includes a shoulder formed thereon. The channel has a step formed therein. The shoulder engages the step to provide a locking force when the connector is in a locked condition.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, a connector assembly is provided that includes a cable mounted connector that includes a housing having a contact loading end and a locking member rotatably mounted in the housing and substantially enclosed within the connector. The locking member has a circumferential edge portion that is exposed through a window of the connector to permit finger rotation of the locking member. A mating connector includes a mating connector housing configured to be mated with the housing of the cable mounted connector. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector assembly formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in an unmated condition.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in an unmated condition.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the cable mounted connector shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear exploded view of the cable mounted connector shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the line  6 - 6  and shown in a locked condition.  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 6  in an unlocked condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a connector assembly  100  formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly  100  includes a cable mounted connector  110  and a mating connector  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cable mounted connector  110  is in a mated condition with the mating connector  120 . The mating connector  120  includes a housing  124  and, in an exemplary embodiment, the mating connector  120  is mounted on a circuit board  126 . The mating connector housing  124  is provided with mounting flanges  128  that may be used with fasteners (not shown) to secure the mating connector  120  to the circuit board  126 .  
         [0016]     The cable mounted connector  110  includes a housing  132  that is held in a backshell  136 . The backshell  136  is formed with a right angle wire or cable exit  140  such that a cable or wire bundle  142  exits the backshell  136  in the direction of the arrow A which is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the mating connector  120  as indicated by the arrow B. A locking member  146  is centrally located within the backshell  136 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of the connector assembly  100  in an unmated condition. The cable mounted connector housing  132  and the mating connector housing  124  are modular in construction. The mating connector housing  124  includes a mating end  148  and a mounting end  150 . The mating connector housing  124  also includes a centrally positioned module  152  that receives an insert  154  that enables the cable mounted connector  110  and the mating connector  120  to be placed in a locked condition. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert  154  is a threaded insert that is received in the mating connector housing  124  with a press fit. The insert  154  includes a plurality of retention ribs  156  on an outer perimeter that facilitate retention of the insert  154  in the module  152  of the mating connector housing  124 . The retention ribs  156  also enable the press fit installation of the insert  154  in the module  152 . The insert  154  includes an enlarged rim portion  158  that prevents the insert  154  from being pulled through the mating connector housing  124  as the connectors  110  and  120  are placed in a locked condition as will be described.  
         [0018]     The cable mounted connector housing  132  includes a centrally positioned module  170 . The locking member  146  comprises a thumbscrew having a head TYCO E-CC- 00249  (AT  20958 - 2195 ) portion  172  and an engagement end  174 . The engagement end  174  extends through the module  170  proximate a mating end  180  of the cable mounted connector housing  132 . The engagement end  174  of the locking member  146  is configured to engage the insert  154  to place the connectors  110  and  120  in a locked condition. In an exemplary embodiment, the engagement end  174  is threaded and configured to be received in the insert  154 . The cable mounted connector housing  132  includes orientation keys  178 . The housing  132  holds a series of contacts  133  proximate to a mating end  180  of the housing  132 . The contacts  133  are joined to corresponding wires within wire bundle  142 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear perspective view of the connector assembly  100  in an unmated condition. The mating connector housing  124  includes power contact modules  190  that hold power contacts  192  and signal contact modules  194  that hold signal contacts  196 . The cable mounted connector housing  132  includes power contact modules  200  and signal contact modules  202  holding power and signal contacts (not shown), respectively. Because the housings  124  and  132  are modularly formed, the arrangement of the power contact modules  190  and  200  and the signal contact modules  194  and  202  may be varied according to application requirements. The mating connector housing  124  is also provided with keying receptacles  208  that are complementary in shape with the orientation keys  178  and are configured to receive the orientation keys  178  on the cable connector housing  132  to orient the cable connector housing  132  and the mating connector housing  124  for mating.  
         [0020]     The backshell  136  includes a first side wall  220 , a second side wall  222  opposite the first side wall  220 , a first end wall  226  and a second end wall  228  opposite the first end wall  226 . A back wall  232  joins the side walls  220  and  222  and the end walls  226  and  228 . The head portion  172  of the locking member  146  includes a circumferential edge portion  240  that is accessible through a window  244  provided in each side wall  220  and  222 . An aperture  248  may be provided in the back wall  232  that provides access to the head portion  172  of the locking member  146 . The locking member  146  continues to be retained in the backshell  136  when the connectors  110  and  120  are in an unlocked condition, and more specifically, when the mating connector housing  124  and the cable mounted connector housing  132  are in an unmated condition.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the cable mounted connector  110 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a rear exploded view of the cable mounted connector  110 . With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the backshell  136  includes an upper section  260  and a lower section  262  that are joined with fasteners  264 . The upper section  260  includes the first side wall  220 , a first upper end lip  270 , a second upper end lip  272 , and an upper back lip  274 . The lower section  262  includes the second side wall  222 , a first lower end lip  278 , a second lower end lip  280 , and a lower back lip  282 . When the upper section  260  and lower section  262  are joined, the first upper end lip  270  and the first lower end lip  278  combine to form the first end wall  226 . The second upper end lip  272  and the second lower end lip  280  combine to form the second end wall  228 . The upper back lip  274  and the lower back lip  282  combine to form the back wall  232 .  
         [0022]     The cable mounted connector housing  132  includes a contact loading end  290  opposite the mating end  180 . A plurality of retention ribs  292  are formed on the housing  132  proximate the contact loading end  290 . The wire bundle  142  is arranged and routed toward the cable exit  140  in the end wall  226  such that individual wires are joined to corresponding contacts  133 . A sleeve  296  is provided for cable management.  
         [0023]     The backshell  136  has a receiving end  300  opposite the back wall  232 . A retention channel  302  extends between the end wall lips  278  and  280  on the lower backshell section  262 . A similar retention channel (not shown) is formed in the upper backshell section  260 . When the upper and lower backshell sections  260  and  262  are combined, the retention channels  302  extend between the first and second end walls  226  and  228 , respectively. The retention ribs  292  on the housing  132  are received in the retention channels  302  to lock the housing  132  in the backshell  136  when the upper and lower backshell sections  260  and  262 , respectively, are joined.  
         [0024]     The locking member  146  includes the head portion  172  and a shaft portion  310 . The shaft portion  310  extends along an axis C from the head portion  172  and includes the engagement end  174 . The engagement end  174  is necked down so that a shoulder  312  is formed on the shaft portion  310 . The shaft portion  310  is received in the module  170  in the housing  132 . The upper backshell section  260  and the lower backshell section  262  each includes a cradle  316  (not shown on the upper backshell section  260 ) that rotatably support the shaft portion  310  of the locking member  146  when the upper and lower backshell sections  260  and  262 , respectively, are joined.  
         [0025]     A chamber  320  is formed in the backshell  136  between the back wall  232  ( FIG. 3 ) and the contact loading end  290  of the housing  132 . The chamber  320  captures and rotatably retains the head portion  172  of the locking member  146  when the upper and lower backshell sections  260  and  262 , respectively, are joined. The windows  244  in the first and second side walls  220  and  222 , respectively, open into the chamber  320 . The edge portion  240  of the head portion  172  of the locking member  146  is accessible through the windows  244 . In one embodiment, the edge portion  240  of the head portion  172  may extend partially through the windows  244 . The chamber  320  has a depth D that is sufficient to allow the locking member  146  to move axially, along the direction of the axis C, to lock and unlock the connectors  110  and  120  ( FIG. 3 ). The head portion  172  does not extend axially outside of the backshell  136 . The locking member  146  continues to be retained in the backshell  136  when the cable mounted connector  110  and the mating connector  120  are unlocked and/or separated from one another.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the connector assembly  100  taken along the line  6 - 6  in Figure land shown in a locked condition.  FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the connector assembly  100  in an unlocked condition. In  FIG. 6 , the housing  132  of the cable mounted connector  110  is fully mated with the mating connector housing  124 . The module  152  in the mating connector housing  124  includes a channel  360  having a step  362  formed therein. The insert  154  is received in the channel  360 . The enlarged rim  158  of the insert  154  is sized to engage the step  362  in the channel  360 . When the connectors  110  and  120  are placed in a locked condition, the locking member  146  draws the enlarged rim  158  against the step  362  to provide a locking force on the mating connector housing  124  as indicated by the arrow F.  
         [0027]     The module  170  in the cable mounted connector housing  132  includes a channel  370  having a step  372  formed therein. The shaft portion  310  of the locking member  146  extends along the axis C and is received in the channel  370 . The locking member  146  freely rotates within the channel  370  and chamber  320  about the axis C when unlocked. The back wall  232  on the back shell  136  prevents the locking member  146  from sliding out of the channel  370  when unlocked. The shoulder  312  on the shaft portion  310  is sized to engage the step  372  in the channel  370 . When the cable mounted connector  110  and the mating connector  120  are placed in a locked condition, the locking member  146  draws the enlarged rim  158  of the insert  154  against the step  362  in the channel  360  and simultaneously the shoulder  312  on the shaft portion  310  of the locking member  146  is brought to bear against the step  372  to provide or augment the locking force F on the mating connector housing  124 .  
         [0028]     In  FIG. 7 , the connectors  110  and  120  are shown in a mated condition. However, the locking member  146  is withdrawn from the insert  154  such that no locking force is generated from the engagement of the enlarged rim  158  of the insert  154  with the step  362 . There is also no locking force resulting from the engagement of the shoulder  312  on the shaft portion  310  of the locking member  146  with the step  372  in the channel  370 . As shown, the head portion  172  of the locking member  146  continues to be held in the chamber  320 .  
         [0029]     The embodiments thus described provide a cable mounted connector  110  that is particularly suitable for use with a board mounted connector  120  housed in a cabinet or in a closed case. The cable mounted connector has a low profile and a ninety degree cable exit for limited space applications. A centrally mounted thumbscrew is provided to keep the connectors reliably mated. The thumbscrew continues to be retained in the cable mounted connector backshell with the head of thumbscrew not extending axially out of the cable mounted connector backshell. The cable mounted connector remains reliably mated to the board mounted connector when the case is closed. The centrally mounted thumbscrew balances the clamping load on the connectors while being positioned out of the wire exit area of the connector.  
         [0030]     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.