Abstract:
An electrical connector including electrical contacts; a housing having the electrical contacts connected thereto; and a mate assist system for assisting in mating the electrical connector to a mating electrical connector. The mate assist system includes a cam member movably mounted to the housing having a slot for receiving a cam portion of the mating electrical connector and a rack section with teeth engaging a user actuatable member movably mounted to the housing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) on U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/704,232 filed Jul. 28, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an electrical connector and, more particularly, to a system for mating two electrical connectors with each other. 
     2. Brief Description of Prior Developments 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,308 discloses an electrical connector assembly which can be rotatably connected and disconnected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an electrical connector is provided including electrical contacts; a housing having the electrical contacts connected thereto; and a mate assist system for assisting in mating the electrical connector to a mating electrical connector. The mate assist system includes a cam member movably mounted to the housing having a slot for receiving a cam portion of the mating electrical connector and a rack section with teeth engaging a user actuatable member movably mounted to the housing. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising electrical contacts; a housing having the electrical contacts connected thereto; and a mate assist system for assisting in mating the electrical connector to a mating electrical connector. The mate assist system comprises at least two lever arms pivotably connected to the housing. Each lever arm comprises a slot for receiving at least one cam portion of the mating electrical connector. The lever arms at least partially cross each other. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a housing; a plurality of electrical contacts connected to the housing; at least one shorting bar connected to the housing and movably connected to the electrical contacts; a slide slidably mounted to the housing, wherein the slide comprises a first rack section with teeth; and a cam member pivotably mounted to the housing having a slot for receiving a cam portion of a mating electrical connector. The cam member comprises a second rack section with teeth engaging the teeth of the first rack section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of two electrical connectors used to form an electrical connector assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of some components of a first one of the electrical connectors shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a mat wire seal used in the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a front elevational view of the mat wire seal shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shoring bar used in the connector shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of some components of the second electrical connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a main housing member of the connector shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the slide of the connector shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the combined pinion gear and cam member shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the connector shown in  FIG. 4  with the slide in a rearward position; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the two connectors shown in  FIG. 1  about to be connected to each other; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view as in  FIG. 9  with the two connectors initially connected to each other; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view as in  FIG. 10  with the two connectors further connected to each other; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view as in  FIG. 11  with the two connectors connected to each other at a final connection position; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view with a cut away of an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the housing of the connector shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of the housing of the connector shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the housing of the connector shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of one of the lever arms of the connector shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the lever arm shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the slide of the connector shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of the slide shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of the slide shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a front elevation view of the connector shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a connector comprising features of the invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the housing of the connector shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a lever arm; 
         FIG. 26  is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the first electrical connector; 
         FIG. 27  is another perspective view of the first electrical connector shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the second electrical connector for use with the first electrical connector shown in  FIGS. 26-27 ; and 
         FIG. 29  is another perspective view of the second electrical connector shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector assembly  10  incorporating features of the invention. Although the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. 
     The assembly  10  generally comprises a first electrical connector  12 , a second electrical connector  14  and electrical conductors  16 , such as wires, connected to the electrical connectors  12 ,  14 . The two electrical connectors  12 ,  14  are adapted to removably mate with each other to electrically connected their respective wires  16  to each other. The first electrical connector  12  generally comprises a housing  18 , electrical contacts  20  and a mat wire seal  27  (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The mat wire seal  27  forms seals and strain relief for the wires  16  entering the rear of the connector  12 . The seal  27  is located between the rear end of the outer housing member  24  and the rear end of the inner housing member  22 . The seal has holes to allow wires to pass through the seal and which makes a sealing contact with the wires. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the housing  18  generally comprises an inner housing member  22 , an outer housing member  24 , and a combined terminal position assurance (TPA) and primary lock reinforcement (PLR) (TPA/PLR) member  26 . The electrical contacts  20  are mounted in contact receiving channels  28  inside the inner housing member  22 . The contacts  20  are crimped or otherwise connected to the wires  16  of the first connector  12 . The inner housing member  22  is stationarily mounted inside the outer housing member  24 . The TPA/PLR member  26  is movably mounted on the front end of the inner housing member  22 . The inner housing  22  has locking latches at the receiving channels  28  for latching the electrical contacts  20  in the receiving channels  28 . After the electrical contacts  20  are inserted into the receiving channels  28  of the inner connector housing  22 , the TPA/PLR member  26  is pushed rearward on the inner housing  22  to reinforce the electrical contact locking latches. However, in alternate embodiments any suitable type of inner housing could be provided and any suitable type of terminal position assurance and primary lock reinforcement could be provided. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3 , the first connector  12  includes electrical shorting bar contacts  30  mounted on the inner housing member  22 . The shorting bar contacts electrically connect pairs of the electrical connectors  20  to each other before the second connector  14  is mated with the first connector  12 . However, during mating of the second connector  14  with the first connector  12 , the second connector  14  has projections  44  which are adapted to move the contact arms  31  of the shorting bar contacts  30  off of connection with the contacts  20 . In an alternate embodiment the shorting bars might not be provided. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the second electrical connector generally comprises a housing  32 , electrical contacts  34  and a slide  36 . Referring also to  FIG. 4 , the housing  32  generally comprises a main housing member  38 , seal cover  40  and a front end combined terminal position assurance (TPA) and primary lock reinforcement (PLR) (TPA/PLA) member  42 . The TPA/PLR member  42  is mounted to the front end of the main housing member  38 , such as with a snap lock connection for example. The TPA/PLR member  42  includes forward projecting isolators  44  which are adapted to move the contact arms  31  of the shorting bar contacts  30  off of connection with the contacts  20  when the second electrical connector  14  is connected to the first electrical connector  12 . A mat wire seal (not shown) similar to the seal  27  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is located between the rear end of the main housing member  38  and the rear end seal cover  40 . A perimeter seal (not shown) is also provided on the second connector  14  to form a seal with the housing of the first connector  12 . However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable structure(s) could be provided for the housing component(s) of the second connector  14 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the main housing member  38  comprises contact receiving areas  46 . The electrical contacts  34  are mounted in the receiving areas  46 . The main housing member  38  comprises latches for latching the contacts  34  in the receiving areas  46 . The TPA/PLR member  42 , when moved to a locked position on the main housing member  38 , strengthens the latches to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the contacts  34  from the main housing member  38 . A top side of the main housing member  38  comprises a first deflectable latch  50 , a second latch receptacle  52 , a pivot pin  54  and a slot  56 . The bottom side of the main housing member  38  comprises two slide slots  58 . 
     The rear end seal cover  40  is mounted to the rear end of the main housing member  38 , such as with a snap lock connection for example. The rear seal cover  40  includes wire strain relief tubes  48 . The wires  16  of the second connector  14  extend through the wire strain relief tubes  48  of the rear seal cover  40  and into the receiving areas  46 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the slide  36  comprises a top with a first latch  60 , a second latch  62 , and a rack of teeth  64  located on the interior facing side of the top. The bottom of the slide  36  has slide feet  66 . The feet  66  are sized and shaped to be received in the slide slots  58  of the main housing member  38  and slide therealong. The slide  36  is sized and shaped to be mounted over and substantially surround the main housing member  38 . The slide  36  can slide along the main housing member between a rear position and a forward position. 
     When the slide is moved to the forward position by a user, the first latch  60  is adapted to latch with the first deflectable latch  50  to retain the slide  36  at a forward position on the main housing member  38 . Thus, the first latch  60  and the first deflectable latch  50  form a first latch system. The second latch  62  is adapted to engage the second latch receptacle  52  to retain the slide  36  at the retracted rear position on the main housing member  38  until positively moved by a user. Thus, the second latch  62  and the second latch receptacle  52  form a second latch system. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second connector  14  also comprises a combined pinion gear and cam member  68 .  FIG. 8  shows the slide  36  at its rear home position.  FIG. 8  also shows the member  68  at its corresponding home position. The member  68  comprises a pivot hole  70 , a pin slot  72 , and a gear section  74  with teeth  76 . The member  68  is rotatably mounted on the main housing member  38  with the pivot pin  54  located in the pivot hole  70 . The teeth  76  are adapted to intermesh with the teeth  64  of the rack section on the slide  36 . The pin slot  72  has a general curved shape in this embodiment. The pin slot  72  has an entrance  78  that is aligned with the slot  56  when the member  68  is at a home position on the main housing member  38 . The slot  56  has a general straight shape in this embodiment. 
     The slot  56  and pin slot  72  are adapted to receive the mounting pin  25  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the first connector  12  when the first and second connectors are attached to each other. The mounting pin  25  is sized and shaped to slide along the slot  56 . The member  68  is adapted to rotate to assist in moving the pin  25  along the length of the slot  56 ; functioning as a cam and mate assist. More specifically, and referring also to  FIGS. 9-12 , the user can grasp the slide  36  during connection of the two connectors  12 ,  14  to each other. When the housing of the first connector  12  is inserted into the second connector  14 , the latching by the second latch  62  and second latch receptacle  52  is overcome because the housing  24  moves the second latch  62 . The slide  36  can then begin to slide forward on the main housing member  38 . Thus, the slide  36  is freed to move when the slide latch  62  is deflected free and disengaged from the latch window  52  by the leading edge of the opposing connector  12  outer housing  24 . 
     As the slide  36  is moved forward on the main housing member  38 , this causes the rack of teeth  64  on the slide  36  to rotate the member  68  because of the intermeshed nature of the teeth  76 ,  64  as seen in  FIG. 11 . As the member  68  rotates it cams the pin  25  to move deeper into the length of the slot  56 . The pin slot  72  cams against the pin  25  to help move the two connectors  12 ,  14  into their final connected position with each other as seen in  FIG. 12 . The first latch  60  engages the first deflectable latch  50  to keep the slide  36  at its forward position on the main housing member  38  and, thus, keep the first and second connectors  12 ,  14  at their final connected position shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     To disconnect the two connectors  12 ,  14 , the latch system  50 ,  60  is disengaged by the user and the slide  36  is moved to its rearward position. The intermeshing teeth  64 ,  76  cause the member  68  to rotate while the slide  36  is moved to eject the pin  25 , at least partially, from the slot  56 . Thus, the invention can also be used to assist in disconnecting the two connectors  12 ,  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-22  another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment the electrical connector  80  comprises a housing  82 , a mate-assist sleeve or slide  84  and two mate-assist lever arms  86 . The housing  82  comprises a top side with two pin receiving slots  88  and two pivot posts  90 . The two lever arms  86  are pivotably mounted on the pivot posts  90  at holes  92 . As seen in  FIG. 13 , the lever arms  86  cross each other. Slide  84  is mounted over the housing  82 . The slide  84  comprises inwardly extending posts  94 . The posts are located in the slots  96  of the lever arms  86 . The lever arms  86  also comprise open ended slots  98 . The open ended slots  98  are aligned with the slots  88  to receive and capture pins  100  of a mating connector as seen in  FIG. 13 . When the slide  84  is moved relative to the housing  82 , the slide  84  causes the lever arms  86  to move on the housing, similar to a scissors action. This positions the lever arms  86  to receive the pins  100  when the slide is in a rearward position, and cam the pins  100  into the slots  88  of the housing  82  as the slide is moved forward on the housing. This type of embodiment may be particularly advantageous for connectors having longer widths, and/or helping to use a balanced, multi-point applied system to smaller size connectors. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 23-24  another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment the connector  102  comprises a housing  104 , a slide  106  and two lever arms  108 . The housing  104  comprises a mating connector pin receiving slot  110  and two pivot posts  112 . The lever arms  108  each comprise pivot holes  114  and two open ended slots  116 ,  118 . The lever arms  108  are pivotably mounted on the pivot posts  112  at the holes  114  and at least partially cross each other. The slide  106  has two inwardly facing posts  120 . The posts  120  are located in the slots  118 . The slots  116  are aligned with the slot  110 . The mounting pin for the mating electrical connector (not shown) can be received in the slot  110  with the slide  106  moving the lever arms  108  to cam the mounting pin of the mating electrical connector into the slot  110 . 
       FIG. 25  shown an alternate shape of a lever arm  121  with a pivot hole  122 , a post  124  and a cam slot  126 . However, any suitable shape could be provided. 
     In an alternate embodiment a housing/TPA/seal cover design strategy on the male housing could be used as opposed to the outer-housing/inner-housing/TPA strategy that is shown. In another embodiment a connector without shorting bars could be provided. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 26-29  an alternate embodiment of the electrical connector assembly is shown. In this embodiment the first electrical connector  130  is identical to the first electrical connector  12  except that the housing of the first electrical connector  130  comprises keying features  132  extending from its bottom side. The second electrical connector  134  is identical to the second electrical connector  14  except for the following: 1. a guide  136  at the entrance to the slot  56 , a guide projection  138  on the top side of the housing  32 ′, the slide  36 ′ is closed at its bottom side at area  140 , the slide  36 ′ has closed side rectangular guide slots  142  at its bottom side, and the housing  32 ′ has generally rectangular projections  144  on its bottom side with L shaped slots  146  extending into the top side. The slots  146  form a receiving area for receiving the keying features  132  of the first connector  130 . However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable keying features could be provided. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.