Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0938162A2/en
Timestamp: 2019-06-17 09:26:40
Document Index: 123866491

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 12', 'art 14', 'art 12', 'arts 12', 'art 12', 'art 14', 'art 12', 'art 12', 'arts 12', 'art 14', 'art 12', 'art 14', 'art 12', 'arts 12', 'art 14', 'art 12', 'arts 12', 'art 14', 'art 12', 'arts 12', 'art 12', 'arts 12', 'arts 12', 'art 12', 'art 12', 'art 12']

EP0938162A2 - Two-part electrical connector - Google Patents
Two-part electrical connector Download PDF
EP0938162A2
EP0938162A2 EP99200230A EP99200230A EP0938162A2 EP 0938162 A2 EP0938162 A2 EP 0938162A2 EP 99200230 A EP99200230 A EP 99200230A EP 99200230 A EP99200230 A EP 99200230A EP 0938162 A2 EP0938162 A2 EP 0938162A2
EP99200230A
EP0938162B1 (en
EP0938162A3 (en
Roman Seutschniker
1998-02-23 Priority to GB9803579 priority Critical
1998-02-23 Priority to GB9803579A priority patent/GB2334632B/en
1999-01-27 Application filed by Delphi Technologies Inc filed Critical Delphi Technologies Inc
1999-08-25 Publication of EP0938162A2 publication Critical patent/EP0938162A2/en
2000-11-02 Publication of EP0938162A3 publication Critical patent/EP0938162A3/en
2005-05-25 Publication of EP0938162B1 publication Critical patent/EP0938162B1/en
Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of two-part electrical connector in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector of Figure 1 with the lever in the fully mated position;
Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 of the first part of the connector with the lever in the fully unmated position;
Figure 4 is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of electrical connector in accordance with the present invention with the lever in the fully unmated position;
Figure 5 is a similar view to that of Figure 4 with the lever in the fully mated position;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of one part of a third embodiment of electrical connector in accordance with the present invention with the lever in an intermediary position; and
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of one part of a fourth embodiment of electrical connector in accordance with the present invention with the lever in an intermediary position.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the first embodiment of two-part electrical connector 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a first part 12 and a second part 14. Each part 12,14 is capable of receiving an retaining electrical contacts or terminals (not shown). On mating of the first and second parts 12,14, the contacts in the first part mate with, and complete an electrical connection with, the corresponding contacts in the second part. Any suitable type of contacts may be used. The first part 12 mates (mechanically and electrically connects) or unmates (mechanically and electrically disconnects) with the second part 14 by moving the parts relative to one another in an axial direction X.
The first part 12 of the connector 10 comprises a housing 16 of electrically insulating material, which is preferably plastics material, and which is preferably moulded in one piece. The housing 16 comprises first and second side walls 18,20 and end walls 22. Each side wall 18,20 has an upper wall 24 and a lower wall 26. The upper wall 24 and the lower wall 26 of each side wall 18,20 define, internally of the housing 16, slide surfaces 28 for a slider 30,31, respectively, positioned adjacent the side wall. Each slide surface 28 extends in a direction Y which is substantially perpendicular to the mating axis X. Each slider 30,31 (which is preferably moulded in one piece from plastics material) is inserted into the housing 16 by way of slots 32 formed between the side walls 18,20 and the end walls 22. First and second spaced apertures 34,36 are formed in the upper wall 24 of each side wall 18,20, and a pair of spaced apertures 38 are formed in the lower wall 26 of each side wall. The upper wall 24 of each side wall 18,20 has latch means 40 on its outer surface which makes a snap fit with corresponding latch means 42 on a cover 44 of the first part 12 of the connector 10.
Each slider 30,31 has a pair of inclined channels 46 formed therein which open at an opening 48 through a lower edge 50 of the slider. The channels 46 are open sided and formed on the internal surface of each slider 30,31. The openings 48 in each slider 30,31 have the same spacing as the apertures 38 in the corresponding side wall 18,20, such that the openings 48 can align with the apertures. The channels 46 in each slider 30,31 are inclined in the same direction at the same angle and open inwardly towards the other slider. The channels 48 in each slider 30,31 are inclined in the same direction. A tab 52 is formed in the upper edge 54 of each slider 30,31 either on a resilient arm 56, as shown, or on a resiliently flexible beam (not shown). Each tab 52 is capable of making a snap fit in the first aperture 34 or the second aperture 36 in the upper wall 24 of the corresponding side wall 18,20. The upper edge 54 and the lower edge 50 of each slider 30,31 makes a sliding fit with the slide surface 28 of the upper wall 24 and the lower wall 26 of the corresponding side wall 18,20.
The connector 10 further comprises a substantially U-shaped lever 58. Each arm 60 of the lever 58 has an aperture 62 and a pin 64, the apertures being substantially aligned and the pins being substantially aligned. Each arm 60 passes through a longitudinally extending slot 66 in the upper wall 24 of each side wall 18,20 and the aperture 62 in each arm makes a snap fit with a corresponding pin 68 formed internally on the side wall. With this arrangement the pins 68 define a pivot axis for the lever 58 to allow the lever to pivot relative to the housing 16. The pin 64 of each arm 60 makes a sliding fit in a channel 70 formed in the corresponding slider 30,31. Each channel 70 extends in substantially the mating axis X, opens through the upper edge 54 of each slider 30,31, and is formed in the opposed side (the external side) of the slider 30,31 to the inclined channels 46. On assembly, each arm 60 of the lever 58 is therefore positioned between the sliders 30,31 and the adjacent side wall 18,20. With this arrangement, as the lever 58 pivots relative to the housing 16, the pins 64 slide in the channels 70 in the mating direction X relative to the sliders 30,31 such that the lever drives (moves) the sliders in the direction Y relative to the side walls 18,20.
The cover 44 preferably includes a resilient latch tab 72 formed in its upper surface 74 which makes a snap fit with the base portion 76 of the lever 58 when the first and second parts 12,14 are fully mated (as shown in Figure 2).
The second part 14 of the connector 10 has a housing 78 having side walls 80 and end walls 82. A pair of pins 84 is formed externally on each side wall 80. The pins 84 on each side wall 80 have the same spacing at the apertures 38 in the lower wall 26 of the corresponding side wall 18,20 of the housing 16 of the first part 12. The side walls 80 and end walls 82 of the housing 78 of the second part 14 fit inside the side walls 18,20 and end walls 22 of the housing 16 of the first part 12. During mating and unmating, the pins 84 pass through the apertures 38 and slide along the inclined channels 46 formed in the sliders 30,31 in such a manner that the pins define cam followers and the channels define cam surfaces. The apertures 38 in one side wall 18 and the corresponding pins 84 preferably have a different spacing from the apertures 38 in the other side wall 20 and the corresponding pins 84 for correct alignment and mating of the first and second parts 12,14.
Prior to mating, the lever 58 is moved to the position shown in Figure 3. In this position of the lever 58, the tabs 52 on the sliders 30,31 make a snap fit in the first apertures 34 in the upper walls 24 of the side walls 18,20 to substantially retain the sliders and the lever in this position and ensure alignment of the openings 48 in the inclined channels 46 with the apertures 38 in the lower walls 26 of the side walls. The second part 14 of the connector 10 is then moved into position for mating with the pins 84 on the housing 78 of the second part passing through the apertures 38 in the lower wall 26 of each side wall 18,20 of the housing 16 of the first part 12 and into the inclined channels 46 in the sliders 30,31. To mate the first and second parts 12,14, the lever 58 is pivoted relative to the housing 16 of the first part towards the fully mated position shown in Figure 2, to release the tabs 52 from the first apertures 34 in the upper walls 24. During this pivoting movement of the lever 58, the pins 84 on the housing 78 of the second part 14 are forced along the inclined channels 46 as the sliders 30,31 slide relative to the side walls 18,20 (along axis Y) of the housing 16 of the first part 12 to move the second part in along mating axis X relative to the first part to mate the first and second parts. When the first and second parts 12,14 become fully mated, the tabs 52 on the sliders 30,31 makes a snap fit in the second apertures 36 in the upper walls 24 of the side walls 18,20 of the housing 16 of the first part 12 to substantially retain the first and second parts in the fully mated position. To further ensure the retention of the fully mated position of the first and second parts 12,14, the lever 58 then makes a snap fit with the tab 72 on the cover 44. To unmate the first and second parts 12,14, the lever 58 is released from the tab 72 and pivoted from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3 for reverse movement to that described above for mating of the first and second parts.
The second embodiment of electrical connector 100 shown in Figures 4 and 5 is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and like parts have been given the same reference numeral. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in respect of the arrangement of the pivot means between the lever 58 and the housing 16 of the first part 12, and the drive means between the lever and the sliders 30,31. In the second embodiment, the pivot means comprises a slot 86 formed in each arm 60 of the lever 58, the slots extending in a longitudinal direction along the arms, and a pin 88 formed on the side walls 18,20, and positioned in the slot. The drive means comprises a pin 90 on each arm 60 of the lever 58 which fits in a bore or aperture 92 formed in the sliders 30,31 adjacent the lower edge 50 of the sliders. With this arrangement, the lever 58 can only pivot relative to the sliders 30,31 whilst driving the sliders along the slide surfaces, whereas the lever can both pivot and have translational movement (along the longitudinal axis of the slots 86) relative to the housing 16 of the first part 12.
The third embodiment of electrical connector 200 shown in Figure 6 is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and like parts have been given the same reference numeral. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in respect of the arrangement of the drive means between the lever 58 and the sliders 30,31. In the second embodiment, the drive means comprises a slot 94 formed in each arm 60 of the lever 58, the slots extending in a longitudinal direction along the arms, and a pin 96 formed on the sliders 30,31, which fits in the slot. As the lever 58 pivots relative to the housing 16 of the first part 12, the pins 96 move along the slots 94 to slide the sliders 30,31 relative to the side walls 18,20.
The fourth embodiment of electrical connector 300 shown in Figure 7 is substantially the same as the first embodiment, and like parts have been given the same reference numeral. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in respect of the positioning of the pivot means and the drive means in that the positioning is reversed when compared to the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the aperture 62' formed in each arm 60 of the lever 58 and the pin 68' formed on the side walls 18,20, are located nearer the base portion 76 of the lever 58 than the pin 64' on each arm, and the channel 70' in each slider 30,31 which receives the pin 68' opens through the lower edge 70 of the slider rather than the upper edge 54.
The pivot means of an aperture 62 and pin 68 may be reversed with the pin on the lever 58 and the aperture in the side wall 18,20.
An electrical connector (10) comprising a first part (12) mateable with a second part (14) along an axis (X), the first part including a housing (16) having opposed side walls (18,20) and opposed end walls (22), each side wall having an upper wall (24) and a lower wall (26) defining opposed slide surfaces (28) extending in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the mating axis, first and second spaced apertures (34,36) in the upper wall of each side wall, a pair of spaced apertures (38) in the lower wall of each side wall, and a longitudinally extending slot (66) in the upper wall of each side wall; a slider (30,31) positioned adjacent each side wall, each slider having an upper edge (54) and a lower edge (50) making a sliding engagement with the slide surfaces of the upper wall and the lower wall, respectively, of the side walls, a pair of inclined cam surfaces (46) having openings (48) in the lower edge alignable with the apertures in the lower wall of the side walls, and a resilient tab (52) in the upper edge for making a snap fit in the first aperture or the second aperture in the upper wall of the side wall; a substantially U-shaped lever (58) having a pair of arms (60), each arm extending through the slot in the side wall to be positioned between the side wall and the adjacent slider; pivot means (62,68) on each arm and each side wall to allow the lever to pivot relative to the housing of the first part; and drive means (64,70) on each arm and each slider to slide each slider relative to the adjacent side wall on pivoting of the lever relative to the housing of the first part; the second part including a housing (78) having side walls (80) and end walls (82) positionable inside the side wall and end walls of the housing of the first part, each side wall of the housing of the second part having a pair of spaced cam followers (84) which can pass through the apertures in the lower walls and the openings in the inclined cam surfaces for sliding movement along the cam surfaces; pivoting movement of the lever moving the second part relative to the first part along the mating axis between a fully unmated position in which the tabs on each slider make a snap fit in the first aperture in the upper walls and a fully mated position in which the tabs make a snap fit in the second aperture in the upper walls.
An electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cam surfaces in each slider (30,31) are defined by open-sided inclined channels (46), and the cam followers on the housing (78) of the second part (14) are defined by pins (84) formed on the side walls (80) of the housing.
An electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the tab (52) on the upper edge (54) of each slider (30,31) is formed on the end of a resilient arm (56) or on a resiliently flexible beam.
An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein slots (32) are formed in the housing (16) of the first part (12) between the end walls (22) and the side walls (18,20) for installation of the sliders (30,31) into the housing.
An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the first part (12) further comprises a cover (44) which makes a snap fit on the housing (16) of the first part.
An electrical connector as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the cover (44) has a tab (72) in its upper surface (74) which makes a snap fit with the lever (58) when the lever is pivoted to the fully mated position.
An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the pivot means comprises an aperture (62) formed in each arm (60) of the lever (58) which makes a snap fit with a pin (68) formed internally on each side wall (18,20).
An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the drive means comprises a pin (64) formed on each arm (60) of the lever (58) which makes a sliding fit in an external open-sided channel (70) formed in each slider (30,31), the channel extending substantially parallel with the mating axis (X).
An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the drive means comprises a pin (96) formed externally on each slider (30,31) which makes a sliding fit in a longitudinally extending slot (94) formed in each arm (60) of the lever (58).
An electrical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the pivot means comprises a pin (88) formed internally on each side wall (18,20) which makes a sliding fit in a longitudinally extending slot (86) formed in each arm (60) of the lever (58); and wherein the drive means comprises a pin (90) formed on each arm of the lever which makes a snap fit in an external aperture or bore (92) formed in each slider (30,31).
EP99200230A 1998-02-23 1999-01-27 Two-part electrical connector Expired - Fee Related EP0938162B1 (en)
GB9803579 1998-02-23
GB9803579A GB2334632B (en) 1998-02-23 1998-02-23 Two-part electrical connector
EP0938162A2 true EP0938162A2 (en) 1999-08-25
EP0938162A3 EP0938162A3 (en) 2000-11-02
EP0938162B1 EP0938162B1 (en) 2005-05-25
ID=10827299
EP99200230A Expired - Fee Related EP0938162B1 (en) 1998-02-23 1999-01-27 Two-part electrical connector
US (1) US6168445B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0938162B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69925398T2 (en)
GB (1) GB2334632B (en)
DE10007988A1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2001-08-23 Delphi Tech Inc Electrical connector has lever whose pivot axis lies approximately parallel to insertion axis of connector
DE10227591B3 (en) * 2002-06-20 2004-02-05 Fci connector assembly
WO2006023571A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-03-02 Molex Incorporated Lever type electrical connector with slide members having dual latching and feedback functions
WO2007006336A1 (en) * 2005-07-08 2007-01-18 Fci Electrical connector
EP2884597A1 (en) * 2013-12-13 2015-06-17 Yazaki North America, Inc. Lever actuated electrical center assembly
EP3023801A1 (en) * 2014-11-18 2016-05-25 Yamaichi Electronics Deutschland GmbH Test contactor for contacting semiconductor elements, method for contacting semiconductor elements and use of a test contactor
DE20013281U1 (en) * 2000-08-02 2001-12-13 Bosch Gmbh Robert Harness connector with a locking slide and an Vorverrastung
GB0104215D0 (en) 2001-02-21 2001-04-11 Delphi Tech Inc Control method
JP4001113B2 (en) * 2004-01-14 2007-10-31 住友電装株式会社 Lever-type connector
JP4523987B1 (en) * 2009-02-27 2010-08-11 タイコエレクトロニクスジャパン合同会社 Slide cam with connector
JP5500680B2 (en) * 2010-03-26 2014-05-21 タイコエレクトロニクスジャパン合同会社 Lever-type electrical connector
JP5846105B2 (en) * 2012-11-13 2016-01-20 住友電装株式会社 Lever-type connector
JP6482488B2 (en) * 2016-03-04 2019-03-13 矢崎総業株式会社 Lever-type connector
JP2017174749A (en) * 2016-03-25 2017-09-28 日本圧着端子製造株式会社 Connectors and electrical connection device
EP0669680A1 (en) * 1994-02-23 1995-08-30 Connecteurs Cinch Electrical connector seal
US5531605A (en) * 1993-01-06 1996-07-02 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Lever type connector
EP1005112A2 (en) * 1998-11-27 2000-05-31 Framatome Connectors International S.A. Electric connector
GB9500374D0 (en) * 1995-01-10 1995-03-01 Amp Gmbh Electrical connector having a mating slide with customized camming slot
DE69530364T2 (en) * 1995-01-16 2004-02-12 Molex Inc., Lisle An electrical connector having an improved cam system
1998-02-23 GB GB9803579A patent/GB2334632B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
1999-01-27 EP EP99200230A patent/EP0938162B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
1999-01-27 US US09/238,538 patent/US6168445B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1999-01-27 DE DE69925398T patent/DE69925398T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
US7351078B2 (en) 2002-06-20 2008-04-01 Fci Connector arrangement
CN101218716B (en) 2005-07-08 2011-01-12 Fci公司 Electric connector
AU2014262260B2 (en) * 2013-12-13 2015-10-22 Yazaki North America, Inc. Lever Actuated Electrical Center Assembly
DE69925398D1 (en) 2005-06-30
EP0938162B1 (en) 2005-05-25
GB9803579D0 (en) 1998-04-15
GB2334632A (en) 1999-08-25
US6168445B1 (en) 2001-01-02
DE69925398T2 (en) 2005-11-10
GB2334632B (en) 2002-03-13
EP0938162A3 (en) 2000-11-02
US20040043670A1 (en) 2004-03-04 Electrical plug connector with spring tension clamp
EP0319308A1 (en) 1989-06-07 Power connector system for daughter cards in card cages
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