Patent Publication Number: US-10770836-B2

Title: Plug connector including a profiled latch

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to latches for plug connectors. 
     Connector systems including mating connectors configured to be separably mated for data and/or power transmission through the connector system. For example, the connector systems typically include complementary plug connectors and receptacle connectors configured to be mated to and unmated from each other. The connectors typically include latching features to secure mating of the plug connector with the receptacle connector. For example, the plug connector may include a deflectable latch configured to be received in a latch opening of the receptacle connector. Some latches are manufactured from plastic, which are subject to failure or breaking due to excessive force applied to the latch. Other latches are manufactured from metal, such as being stamped and formed to include a latching tip. However, the latching tips are thin and may form a knife-like edge that may shear or cut into the structure defining the latch opening, leading to damage to the receptacle connector or the plug connector. 
     A need remains for a cost effective and reliable latching system for a plug connector. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a plug connector is provided including a housing having a front and a rear, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The housing has a mating end at the front for mating with a mating connector. The housing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plug connector includes plug contacts held by the housing provided proximate to the mating end for mating with the mating connector. The plug connector includes a latch received in the latch pocket having a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body. The latch beam includes a dual tip latch including a first tip latch and a second tip latch both configured to be received in a same latch opening of the mating connector. 
     In another embodiment, a plug connector is provided including a housing having a front and a rear, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The housing has a mating end at the front for mating with a mating connector. The housing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plug connector includes plug contacts held by the housing provided proximate to the mating end for mating with the mating connector. The plug connector includes a latch received in the latch pocket having a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body. The latch beam includes a dual tip latch. The latch beam includes a base at a bottom of the latch beam. The latch beam includes a first side wall extending from a first side of the base and a second side wall extending from a second side of the base. The second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall by a gap. The latch beam includes a first tip latch extending from a top of the first side wall and a second tip latch extending from a top of the second side wall. The first and second tip latches are both configured to be received in a same latch opening of the mating connector. 
     In a further embodiment, a plug connector is provided including a housing having a front and a rear, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The housing has a mating end at the front for mating with a mating connector. The housing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plug connector includes plug contacts held by the housing provided proximate to the mating end for mating with the mating connector. The plug connector includes a latch received in the latch pocket having a main body extending between a first side and a second side. The latch has a first latch beam extending from the main body proximate to the first side and a second latch beam extending from the mating body proximate to the second side. The first latch beam includes a dual tip latch including a first tip latch and a second tip latch both configured to be received in a first latch opening of the mating connector. The second latch beam includes a dual tip latch including a third tip latch and a fourth tip latch both configured to be received in a second latch opening of the mating connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a connector system formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of a plug connector of the connector system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a latch of the plug connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a housing of the plug connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of a cover of the plug connector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a connector system  100  formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The connector system  100  includes a plug connector  102  and a receptacle connector  104 . The plug connector  102  is configured to be mated with the receptacle connector  104  at a separable mating interface. The receptacle connector  104  defines a mating connector for the plug connector  102 . 
     The receptacle connector  104  includes a housing  110  holding receptacle contacts  112  configured to be mated with the plug connector  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle connector  104  includes a cavity  114  that receives a portion of the plug connector  102 . For example, the receptacle connector  104  includes a card slot configured to receive a circuit card of the plug connector  102 . The receptacle contacts  112  are spring beam contacts configured to be mated with the circuit card. However, the receptacle contacts  112  may be other types of contacts in alternative embodiments, such as contact pads. In other various embodiments, the housing  110  of the receptacle connector  104  may hold a circuit card configured to be mated with the plug connector  102 . For example, the receptacle contacts  112  may be contact pads on the circuit card. 
     The receptacle connector  104  includes latching features  116  for latchably securing the plug connector  102  to the receptacle connector  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latching features  116  include latch openings  118  in the housing  110  configured to receive complementary latching features of the plug connector  102 . 
     The plug connector  102  includes a housing  120  holding plug contacts  122  configured to be mated with corresponding receptacle contacts  112  of the receptacle connector  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle connector  104  includes a circuit card  124  configured to be plugged into the card slot or cavity  114  of the receptacle connector  104 . The plug contacts  122  are contact pads at a card edge of the circuit card  124 . However, the plug contacts  122  may be other types of contacts in alternative embodiments, such as spring beams. In other various embodiments, the housing  120  of the plug connector  102  may include a card slot configured to receive a circuit card of the receptacle connector  104  and the housing  120  may hold discrete plug contacts  122 , such as spring beam contacts, for mating to the circuit card or other types of mating contacts. 
     The plug connector  102  includes a cover  126  coupled to the housing  120 . The cover  126  closes the housing  120 , such as at the top of the housing  120 . The cover  126  may be used to secure the circuit card  124  in the housing  120 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the plug connector  102  includes cables  128  extending from the rear of the housing  120 . The cables  128  are electrically connected to corresponding plug contacts  122 . For example, the cables  128  may be terminated to the circuit card  124 , such as by soldering. 
     The plug connector  102  includes a latch  130  for latchably securing the plug connector  102  to the receptacle connector  104 . The latch  130  is coupled to the housing  120 . The latch  130  may be secured in the housing  120  using the cover  126 . For example, the cover  126  may cover a portion of the latch  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch  130  includes latch beams  132  configured to be received in the latch openings  118  of the receptacle connector  104 . 
     The plug connector  102  includes an actuator  134  operably coupled to the latch  130  for actuating the latch  130  to move the latch beams  132  between latched positions and unlatched positions, such as to release the plug connector  102  from the receptacle connector  104 . The actuator  134  may be coupled to the housing  120  and/or the cover  126 . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  134  includes a push button  136  for actuating the latch  130  and a pull tab  138  for actuating the latch  130 . However, in other various embodiments, the actuator  134  may be provided without the push button  136  and/or without the pull tab  138  and may include other types of actuating features. The push button  136  causes actuation of the latch  130  by pushing the latch  130  inward or downward to cause the latch beams  132  to move to unlatched positions. For example, an inner surface of the actuator  134  engages the latch  130  to push the latch  130  inward. The latch beams  132  are moved inward or downward when the push button  136  is pushed inward. The latch  130  may be pivoted or rotated to move the latch beams  132 . The pull tab  138  causes actuation of the latch  130  by pushing the latch  130  inward or downward to cause the latch beams  132  to move to unlatched positions. For example, an inner surface of the actuator  134  may be ramped and pulled rearward with the pull tab to engage the latch  130  to push the latch  130  inward. The latch beams  132  are moved inward or downward when the pull tab  138  is pulled rearward. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the plug connector  102  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The housing  120  of the plug connector  102  includes a front  140  and a rear  142 . The plug contacts  122  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be located proximate to the front  140  for mating with the receptacle connector  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  120  has a mating end  144  at the front  140  for mating with the mating connector defined by the receptacle connector  104 . 
     The housing  120  includes a first end  146  and a second end  148  opposite the first end  146 . The first and second ends  146 ,  148  extend between the front  140  and the rear  142 . In various orientations, the first end  146  may be a top end and the second end  148  may be a bottom end; however, other orientations are possible in alternative embodiments. The latch  130  may be provided at the first end  146 . The cover  126  is coupled to the housing  120  at the first end  146 . 
     The housing  120  includes a first side  150  and a second side  152  opposite the first side  150 . The first and second sides  150 ,  152  extend between the front  140  and the rear  142 . The first and second sides  150 ,  152  extend between the first end  146  and the second end  148 . In various embodiments, the housing  120  may be generally rectangular shaped; however, other shapes are possible in alternative embodiments. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  120  has a latch pocket  154  at the first end  146 . The latch pocket  154  may be located proximate to the rear  142 . The latch  130  is received in the latch pocket  154 . Optionally, at least a portion of the cover  126  is received in the latch pocket  154 . The cover  126  is coupled to the housing  120  to secure the latch  130  in the latch pocket  154 . In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  120  includes securing features  156  for securing the cover  126  to the housing  120 . For example, the securing features  156  may be heat stakes, interference posts, crush ribs, fasteners, and the like. Optionally, at least a portion of the actuator  134  is received in the latch pocket  154 . For example, the push button  136  may extend into the latch pocket  154  to interface with the latch  130  and/or a portion of the pull tab  138  may extend into the latch pocket  154  to interface with the latch  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the push button  136  extends from the top and the pull tab  138  extends from the rear  142 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the latch  130  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The latch  130  includes a main body  160  extending between a front  162  and a rear  164 . The main body  160  includes a first end  166  and a second end  168  opposite the first end  166 . The first and second ends  166 ,  168  extend between the front  162  and the rear  164 . In various orientations, the first end  166  may be a top end and the second end  168  may be a bottom end; however, other orientations are possible in alternative embodiments. The main body  160  includes a first side  170  and a second side  172  opposite the first side  170 . The first and second sides  170 ,  172  extend between the front  162  and the rear  164 . 
     The latch beams  132  extend from the main body  160 , such as from the front  162 . In the illustrated embodiment, two latch beams  132  are provided; however, greater or fewer latch beams  132  may be provided in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch beams  132  are provided proximate to the first side  170  and the second side  172 . Other locations are possible in alternative embodiments. The latch beams  132  have dual tip latches providing dual latching surfaces for each latch beam  132 . The dual tip latches provide greater surface area for latching engagement with the receptacle connector  104 . The dual tip latches spread the latching forces, such as to reduce rotation or angular displacement when mated and during unmating. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each latch beam  132  includes a support arm  180  extending forward from the main body  160  and a latching arm  182  extending from the support arm  180 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latching arm  182  extends forward of the support arm  180  and upward from the support arm  180 . The support arm  180  may be located at the corresponding first or second side  170 ,  172 . 
     The latching arm  182  of the latch beam  132  includes a base  184  at a bottom of the latch beam  132 . The base  184  extends between a first side  186  and a second side  188 . The first side  186  may be an outer side and the second side  188  may be an inner side. The latch beam  132  includes a first side wall  190  extending from the first side  186  of the base  184 . The first side wall  190  extends upward. The first side wall  190  may be formed by being bent at the corner between the first side wall  190  and the base  184 . The latch beam  132  includes a second side wall  192  extending from the second side  188  of the base  184 . The second side wall  192  extends upward. The second side wall  192  may be formed by being bent at the corner between the second side wall  192  and the base  184 . Optionally, the first side wall  190  is longer than the second side wall  192 . For example, the first side wall  190  may extend along the support arm  180 . 
     The first and second side walls  190 ,  192  are upstanding to increase stiffness of the latch beam  132 . For example, the latch beam  132  is U-shaped defined by the base  184  and the first and second side walls  190 ,  192  at opposite sides of the base  184 . The first and second side walls  190 ,  192  reduce bending or failing of the base  184  by strengthening the base  184  at both sides  186 ,  188  of the base  184 . The second side wall  192  is spaced apart from the first side wall  190  by a gap  194 . The gap  194  is the width of the base  184  between the sides  186 ,  188 . The gap  194  spreads the latching surfaces of the dual tip latch apart from each other to spread latching forces apart and provide a wide latching area for the latch beam  132 . 
     The latch beam  132  includes a first tip latch  200  extending from a top  202  of the first side wall  190 . The first tip latch  200  includes a ramp  204  at a front of the first tip latch  200  and a latching surface  206  at a rear of the first tip latch  200 . The ramp  204  is forward and upward facing. The latching surface  206  is rearward facing. Optionally, the latching surface  206  may be vertical. The latching surface  206  may be perpendicular to the top  202 . In various embodiments, the first tip latch  200  is provided at a distal end or forward end of the latch beam  132 . 
     The latch beam  132  includes a second tip latch  210  extending from a top  212  of the second side wall  192 . The second tip latch  210  includes a ramp  214  at a front of the second tip latch  210  and a latching surface  216  at a rear of the second tip latch  210 . In various embodiments, the second tip latch  210  is provided at a distal end or forward end of the latch beam  132 . The ramp  214  is forward and upward facing. The latching surface  216  is rearward facing. Optionally, the latching surface  216  may be vertical. The latching surface  216  may be perpendicular to the top  212 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latching surface  216  is parallel to and aligned with the latching surface  206  across the gap  194 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the main body  160  of the latch  130  includes a deflecting tab  230  at the front  162  and a base  232  at the rear  164 . The deflecting tab  230  is deflectable relative to the base  232 . The deflecting tab  230  is configured to be engaged by the actuator  134  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to move the deflecting tab  230  between an un-deflected position and a deflected position. The deflecting tab  230  may be moved downward to the deflected position in various embodiments. Optionally, the deflecting tab  230  may be rotated or pivoted relative to the base  232  between the undeflected position and the deflected position. The deflecting tab  230  may have a curved transition at the base  232 . The deflecting tab  230  may be rotated at the curved transition. The support arms  180  extend forward from the deflecting tab  230 , such as at the first and second sides  170 ,  172 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the latch  130  includes mounting tabs  240  extending rearward from the main body  160 . The mounting tabs  240  are used to mount the latch  130  and the housing  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of mounting tabs  240  are provided, however, greater or fewer mounting tabs  240  may be provided in alternative embodiments. Each mounting tab  240  includes a securing arm  242  for securing the mounting tab  240  to the housing  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the securing arm  242  is folded under the mounting tab  240 . The securing arm  242  of the mounting tab  240  forms a clip for securing the latch  130  to the housing  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting tab  240  includes an opening  244  extending therethrough. The opening  244  may be used for locating the latch  130  relative to the housing  110 . Other types of securing features may be used in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the housing  120  of the plug connector  102  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 4  illustrates the latch pocket  154  that receives the latch  130  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the latch pocket  154  is open at the first end  146  to receive the latch  130 . The latch pocket  154  may be open at the rear  142  to receive the latch  130 . The latch pocket  154  is a hollow space in the housing  120  configured to receive the main body  160  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the latch  130  and allow the latch  130  to deflect within the housing  120 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  120  includes latch beam channels  250  configured to receive corresponding latch beams  132  of the latch  130 . The latch beam channels  250  extend forward of the latch pocket  154 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch beam channels  250  are open at the first end  146  to allow the latch beams  132  to interface with the receptacle connector  104  during mating. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch beam channels  250  are provided proximate to the first and second sides  150 ,  152  of the housing  120 . The latch beams  132  are deflectable within the latch beam channels  250  between latched positions and unlatched positions. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  120  includes mounting slots  252  at the rear  142  that receive corresponding mounting tabs  240  (shown in FIG.  3 ). For example, the mounting slots  252  receive the securing arms  242  of the mounting tabs  240 . Optionally, the housing  120  may include crush ribs within the mounting slots  252  configured to interface with the securing arms  242  and hold the securing arms  242  and the mounting slots  252  by an interference fit. The housing  120  includes support bridges  254  extending along and defining the mounting slots  252 . The support bridges  254  support the mounting tabs  240  while the securing arms  242  wrap around the support bridges  254  into the mounting slots  252 . In an exemplary embodiment, the support bridges  254  include openings  256  the openings  256  are configured to be aligned with the openings  244  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the mounting tabs  240 . In an exemplary embodiment, the openings  256  are configured to receive the locating tabs of the cover  126  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the securing features  156  of the housing  120  include support posts  260  for supporting the cover  126  on the housing  120 . The support posts  260  are accessible at the first end  146 . For example, the support posts  260  may be upstanding posts configured to receive the cover  126  being coupled to the housing  120  in a downward mating direction. Optionally, the support posts  260  may be deformed, such as by heat staking, to lock the cover  126  to the housing  120 . Other types of securing features may be provided to secure the cover  126  to the housing  120 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the housing  120  includes an actuator slot  262  that receives the actuator  134  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The actuator slot  262  is located at the rear  142 . The actuator slot  262  may be open at the first end  146  to receive the actuator  134  from above. Optionally, the actuator slot  262  may be centered between the first side  150  and the second side  152 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the cover  126  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The cover  126  extends between a front  272  and a rear  274 . The cover  126  has an outer end  276  and an inner end  278 . The cover  126  extends between a first side  280  and a second side  282 . The outer end  276  may define a top of the cover  126  and the inner end  278  may define a bottom of the cover  126 . The inner end  278  is configured to face the first end  146  of the housing  120 . 
     The cover  126  includes an actuator opening  284  that receives a portion of the actuator  134 , such as the push button  136  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The actuator opening  284  is open between the outer end  276  and the inner end  278 . The actuator opening  284  may be approximately centered between the first and second sides  280 ,  282 . Other locations are possible in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover  126  includes an actuator slot  286  extending to the rear  274 . The actuator slot  286  may receive a portion of the actuator  134 , such as the pull tab  138 . The actuator slot  286  may be aligned with the actuator slot  262  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the housing  120  to cooperatively receive the pull tab  138 . 
     The cover  126  includes locating tabs  288  extending from the inner end  278 . The locating tabs  288  are used to locate the cover  126  relative to the housing  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the locating tabs  288  are oriented and shaped to be received in corresponding openings  256  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the housing  120  and corresponding openings  244  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the latch  130 . The locating tabs  288  may be used to locate the latch  130  relative to the housing  120  and the cover  126 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the cover  126  includes openings  290  extending therethrough configured to receive corresponding support posts  260  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the housing  120 . The openings  290  are sized and shaped to receive the corresponding support posts  260 . In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of the openings  290  of provided near the center of the cover  126 , such as on opposite sides of the actuator slot  286 . In an exemplary embodiment, the cover  126  includes the openings  290  in mounting tabs  292  at the first and second sides  280 ,  282  of the cover  126 . The openings  290  may be provided at other locations in alternative embodiments. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the plug connector  102  is assembled by loading the latch  130  into the latch pocket  154  and the actuator  134  into the latch pocket  154  and then closing the latch pocket  154  with the cover  126 . The cover  126  is secured to the housing  120  using the securing features  156 . The securing features  156  are received in corresponding openings  290  to locate the cover  126  relative to the housing  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the securing features  156  are heat staked to deform the support posts  260  and secure the cover  126  to the housing  120 . The actuator  134  is accessible from the exterior of the cover  126 , such as through the actuator opening  284  and the actuator slots  286 ,  262 . The cover  126  covers the main body  160  of the latch  130 . The latch beams  132  extend into corresponding latch beam channels  250  and are exposed at the exterior of the plug connector  102  for latching the plug connector  102  to the receptacle connector  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). When the actuator  134  is actuated, the latch beams  132  are moved to the unlatched positions causing the tip latches  200 ,  210  to move downward into the latch beam channels  250  to clear and unlatch from the receptacle connector  104 . 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.