阅读说明：本技术 带有端子对准板和辅助锁检测的电连接器 (Electrical connector with terminal alignment plate and auxiliary lock detection ) 是由 A.J.瓦斯宾德 M.B.希契科克 于 2018-06-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种电连接器组件，其具有壳体(12)、端子对准板(14)和独立的辅助锁构件(16)。端子对准板(14)具有辅助锁接合表面(70)。独立的辅助锁构件(16)具有端子对准板接合表面(50)。当独立的辅助锁构件(16)处于打开位置时，端子对准板接合表面(50)接合端子对准板(14)的辅助锁接合表面(70)以保持端子对准板(14)在保护位置，并防止端子对准板(14)移动到完全插入的位置。当独立的辅助锁构件(16)处于闭合位置时，端子对准板接合表面(50)不接合端子对准板的辅助锁接合表面(70)，从而允许端子对准板(14)移动到完全插入的位置。(An electrical connector assembly has a housing (12), a terminal alignment plate (14) and a separate secondary lock member (16). The terminal alignment plate (14) has a secondary lock engagement surface (70). The separate secondary lock member (16) has a terminal alignment plate engagement surface (50). When the separate secondary lock member (16) is in the open position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surface (50) engages the secondary lock engagement surface (70) of the terminal alignment plate (14) to retain the terminal alignment plate (14) in the protective position and prevent the terminal alignment plate (14) from moving to the fully inserted position. When the independent secondary lock member (16) is in the closed position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surface (50) does not engage the secondary lock engagement surface (70) of the terminal alignment plate, thereby allowing the terminal alignment plate (14) to move to the fully inserted position.)

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a housing having a plurality of terminals mounted therein, and a fitting portion protruding from the plurality of terminals.

A terminal alignment plate having a plurality of terminal alignment plate apertures for receiving mating portions of the terminals, the terminal alignment plate having a secondary lock engagement surface, the terminal alignment plate being movably mounted on the housing between a protective position in which the terminal alignment plate is positioned proximate the distal ends of the terminals and a fully inserted position in which the terminal alignment plate is positioned distal the distal ends of the terminals;

a separate secondary lock member having a terminal alignment plate engagement surface, the separate secondary lock member movably mounted on the housing between an open position and a closed position in which the separate secondary lock member engages the primary lock and secures the terminal in the housing;

wherein when the independent auxiliary lock member is in the open position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surface engages the auxiliary lock engagement surface of the terminal alignment plate to retain the terminal alignment plate in the protective position and prevent the terminal alignment plate from moving to the fully inserted position;

wherein when the independent secondary lock member is in the closed position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surface is not engaged with the secondary lock engagement surface of the terminal alignment plate, thereby allowing the terminal alignment plate to move to the fully inserted position.

2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary lock engagement surface extends from the terminal alignment plate and is located in a recess of a terminal receiving portion of the housing.

3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the terminal alignment plate engagement surface extends from the separate secondary lock member and is located in a recess of a terminal receiving portion of the housing.

4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the separate secondary lock member has a protrusion extending through the terminal alignment plate configured to allow the protrusion to be engaged when the terminal alignment plate is in the protective position to move the separate secondary lock member from an open position to a closed position.

5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary lock engagement surface is provided on a wall extending from the terminal alignment plate, a portion of the wall being received in a recess positioned in a terminal receiving portion of the housing.

6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the wall extending from the terminal alignment plate has a slot disposed therein for receiving a guide projection of the housing.

7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein the terminal alignment plate has a mating connector engagement surface that engages a portion of a mating connector to prevent insertion of the mating connector into the electrical connector assembly when the mating connector is not in a mated state.

8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the mating connector engagement surface is disposed on a wall extending from the terminal alignment plate.

9. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a housing having a plurality of terminals mounted therein with mating portions protruding therefrom, the housing having recesses for receiving portions of the terminal alignment members;

a terminal alignment member having a plurality of terminal alignment member apertures for receiving the mating portions of the terminals, the terminal alignment member having a movable member engagement surface located in the recess of the housing, the terminal alignment member being movably mounted on the housing between a protective position in which the terminal alignment member is positioned proximate the distal ends of the terminals and a fully inserted position in which the terminal alignment member is positioned distal the distal ends of the terminals;

a movable member having a terminal alignment member engagement surface movably mounted on the housing between a first position and a second position, the terminal alignment member engagement surface being located in the recess of the housing when the movable member is in the first position and the terminal alignment member engagement surface being located outside the recess of the housing when the movable member is in the second position.

Wherein when the movable member is in the first position, the terminal alignment member engagement surface engages the movable member engagement surface of the terminal alignment member to retain the terminal alignment member in the protective position and prevent the terminal alignment member from moving to the fully inserted position.

10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the movable member has a protrusion extending through the terminal alignment member configured to allow the protrusion to be engaged when the terminal alignment member is in the protective position to allow the movable member to move from an open position to a closed position.

11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the movable member engagement surface extends from the terminal alignment member and is located in a recess of a terminal receiving portion of the housing.

12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the terminal alignment member engagement surface extends from the movable member and is located in a recess of a terminal receiving portion of the housing.

13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the movable member engagement surface is provided on a wall extending approximately perpendicularly from a terminal alignment plate of the terminal alignment member, a portion of the wall being received in a recess of the housing.

14. The electrical connector assembly of claim 13, wherein a wall extending from the terminal alignment plate has a slot disposed therein for receiving a guide projection of the housing.

15. The electrical connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the terminal alignment member has a mating connector engagement surface that engages a portion of a mating connector to prevent insertion of the mating connector into the electrical connector assembly when the mating connector is not in a mated condition.

16. The electrical connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the mating connector engagement surface is disposed on a wall extending approximately perpendicularly from a terminal alignment plate of the terminal alignment member.

17. The electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the movable member is a separate secondary lock member.

18. A method of mating an electrical connector assembly to a mating connector, the method comprising:

positioning a separate secondary lock member in a first position;

positioning the terminal alignment member in a protecting position in which the auxiliary lock engagement surface of the terminal alignment member engages the terminal alignment plate engagement surface of the separate auxiliary lock member, wherein the terminal alignment member is prevented from moving from the protecting position to the fully inserted position;

moving the separate auxiliary lock member to a second position in which the terminal alignment plate engagement surface of the separate auxiliary lock member is not engaged with the auxiliary lock engagement surface of the terminal alignment member, thereby allowing the terminal alignment member to be moved from the protective device;

the terminal alignment member is moved to the fully inserted position.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising engaging a protrusion of the independent secondary lock member extending through the terminal alignment member to move the independent secondary lock member from the first position to the second position.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

placing the mating connector in line with the connector assembly;

insertion of the mating connector into the connector assembly is prevented when the mating connector is not in a mated state, wherein the mating connector engagement surface of the terminal alignment member engages a portion of the mating connector to prevent insertion of the mating connector into the connector assembly.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly having a terminal alignment plate and an auxiliary lock detection member. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly in which the alignment plate is prevented from moving to the final position when the auxiliary lock detection member is in the transport position.

Background

Electrical connectors may be used to transfer data and/or power between different systems or devices. Electrical connectors are typically designed to operate in challenging environments where contaminants, shock and/or vibration can damage the electrical connection. For example, automobiles and other machinery utilize electrical connectors to transmit data and/or power therein. At least some known electrical connectors include a connector housing having a cavity configured to receive another electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as a "mating connector"). The cavity opens into the front end of the connector housing and extends a depth into the connector housing. The electrical connector includes an array of electrical contacts, while the mating connector includes a complementary array of electrical contacts (hereinafter "mating contacts"). When the mating connector is received within the cavity, the electrical contacts are received within corresponding receptacle openings of the mating connector. Each receptacle opening may include one of the mating contacts that engages with a corresponding electrical contact to establish an electrical connection.

Many times, the wiring harness must be assembled and/or pre-assembled, wherein a portion of the connector does not mate with a corresponding connector until some point in the overall assembly process. This therefore requires great care for a socket connector of the type having a plug and a plurality of upstanding tabs and/or pins.

Although the connector housing partially surrounds the electrical contacts within the receiving cavity, the electrical contacts may be exposed to the ambient environment through the open front end. Contaminants may enter the receiving cavity through the front end during shipping or handling of the electrical connector. Additionally, the front end may allow an object to enter the receiving cavity and engage the electrical contact, thereby moving and/or flexing the electrical contact. If the electrical contacts are not properly positioned within the receiving cavities, the electrical contacts may improperly engage the mating connector, a condition known as stubbing, which may damage the electrical contacts. In some cases, damage may require electrical contact or the entire electrical connector may need to be replaced.

In some connection systems, the plug is provided with a separate pin without any type of support around the pin. In other connection systems, an alignment plate may be provided. Such an alignment plate has a plurality of holes for receiving the terminal pin portions to maintain alignment and spacing of the pin portions and prevent bending thereof or damage thereof. The alignment plate may be removed or held in place prior to connector mating, or it is known to provide an arrangement in which the alignment plate is moved inwardly along the pin portion from an outer protective position to an inner mating position, such as during insertion of the pin portion into a hole in a printed circuit board.

Although the alignment plate may be effective, the alignment plate may be easily moved from an initial position in which the terminal pins are protected to a final position in which the terminal pins are not protected during transportation. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a terminal alignment plate that is not easily moved to a final position during shipping. The problem to be solved is to provide an electrical connector assembly wherein the alignment plate is prevented from moving to the final position when the auxiliary lock detection member is in the transport position.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is an electrical connector assembly having a housing, a terminal alignment plate and a separate secondary lock member. The housing has a plurality of terminals mounted therein, and the mating portions protrude from the plurality of terminals. The terminal alignment plate has a plurality of terminal alignment plate apertures for receiving the mating portions of the terminals. The terminal alignment plate has a secondary lock engagement surface. The terminal alignment plate is movably mounted on the housing between a protective position in which the terminal alignment plate is positioned proximate the distal ends of the terminals and a fully inserted position in which the terminal alignment plate is positioned distal the distal ends of the terminals. The separate secondary lock member has a terminal alignment plate engagement surface. A separate secondary lock member is movably mounted on the housing between an open position and a closed position in which the separate secondary lock member engages the primary lock and secures the terminal in the housing. When the independent secondary lock member is in the open position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surface engages the secondary lock engagement surface of the terminal alignment plate to retain the terminal alignment plate in the protective position and prevent the terminal alignment plate from moving to the fully inserted position. When the separate secondary lock member is in the closed position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surface is not engaged with the secondary lock engagement surface of the terminal alignment plate, thereby allowing the terminal alignment plate to move to the fully inserted position.

Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary electrical connector plug assembly of the present invention with the terminal alignment plate shown in a shipping position;

fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plug of fig. 1 with the terminal alignment plate exploded;

FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the plug assembly taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with the terminal alignment plate and the separate secondary lock member shown in a first or shipping position;

fig. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the plug assembly similar to fig. 3, except showing the separate secondary lock member in a second or locked position with the terminal alignment plate held in a first or shipping position;

fig. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the plug assembly similar to fig. 3, except that the terminal alignment plate is shown in a second or fully inserted position and the separate secondary lock member is shown in a second or locked position;

figure 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the plug assembly of figure 1 with the mating connector positioned proximate the plug assembly, the terminal alignment plate of the plug assembly and the separate secondary lock member of the plug assembly shown in a first or shipping position, the separate secondary lock member of the mating connector shown in a first position;

figure 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the plug assembly of figure 1 with the mating connector fully mated to the plug assembly, the terminal alignment plate of the plug assembly shown in a second or fully inserted position, the separate secondary lock member of the plug assembly shown in a second or locked position, and the separate secondary lock member of the mating connector shown in the second or locked position.

Detailed Description

As best shown in fig. 3-5, the plug assembly 10 includes a housing 12, a pin or terminal alignment member or plate 14, and a movable member, such as a secondary lock member 16. Contacts or terminals 20 are provided in the housing. The contacts or terminals 20 may be pin-shaped contacts, tabs, or other known types of contacts.

The housing 12 generally includes a terminal receiving portion 22 having a shroud 24 extending therefrom. The shroud 24 has an end wall 30 and a side wall 32. The housing 12 also includes a lower flange portion 34 that surrounds the housing 12.

As best shown in fig. 1-5, the terminal receiving portion 22 has an alignment plate receiving recess 40 extending through at least a portion of the terminal receiving portion 22. Terminal receiving openings 42 (fig. 3 and 4) also extend through terminal receiving portion 22. It should be understood that the terminal receiving openings 42 are shaped according to the particular contact or terminal 20 located in the housing 12.

The separate secondary lock member 16 is positioned adjacent the terminal receiving portion 22. the separate secondary lock 16 helps to ensure that the terminal remains properly positioned within the housing the separate secondary lock member 16 also cooperates with a primary lock (not shown) to prevent withdrawal of the terminal from the connector in the illustrative embodiment shown, the separate secondary lock member 16 includes a planar member 44 that extends through a bottom surface of the terminal receiving portion 22. a projection or rib 46 extends upwardly from the terminal receiving portion 22 toward the shroud 24. t the projection or rib 46 extends into a cavity 48 in the terminal receiving portion 22. the rib 46 has one or more terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 50. in the embodiment shown, the terminal alignment plate or member engagement surfaces 50 extend at an angle α relative to the longitudinal axis of the rib 46. however, other configurations of the terminal alignment plate or member engagement surfaces 50 may be used.

An engagement projection 52 (such as, but not limited to, a rib or a tower) extends upwardly from the terminal receiving portion 22 toward the shroud 24. The engagement projection 52 extends through an opening 54 in the terminal receiving portion 22 such that a free end of the engagement projection 52 is located above a top surface of the terminal receiving portion 22.

As best shown in fig. 2, the alignment plate 14 includes a plate portion 60 having a plurality of terminal-receiving openings 62 extending therethrough. A protrusion or wall 64 extends from the terminal receiving portion 22. Each wall 64 has an upwardly extending portion 66, the upwardly extending portion 66 extending in a direction toward a mating end 68 of the terminal 20. Each wall 64 also has an opposing or downwardly extending portion 68 that extends toward and cooperates with the notch 40 of the terminal receiving portion 22. A projection receiving opening 67 is provided in the plate portion 60.

The downwardly extending portion 68 has one or more secondary lock engaging surfaces 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary lock engagement surface 70 extends at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the rib 46. However, other configurations of the secondary lock engagement surface 70 may be used. Downwardly extending portion 68 has one or more notches or slots 72 that cooperate with projections 74 of terminal receiving portion 22 that extend into alignment plate receiving recess 40.

The upwardly extending portion 66 has one or more mating connector engagement surfaces 80. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector engagement surface 80 extends generally parallel to the secondary lock engagement surface 70. However, other configurations of the mating connector engagement surface 80 may be used. The downwardly extending portion 68 has one or more recesses or slots 82 that cooperate with projections 84 of the mating connector 18.

As best shown in fig. 6 and 7, the mating connector 18 has a protrusion or rib 90 extending from the mating face. The ribs 90 have one or more terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surfaces 92. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal alignment plate or member engagement surface 92 extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rib 90. However, other configurations of the terminal alignment plate or member engagement surface 92 may be used.

Referring to fig. 3, terminal alignment member 14 is shown in a first, protective, pre-stage or shipping position. In this position, the plate portion 60 of the terminal alignment member 14 is positioned proximate the mating or distal end 68 of the terminal 20. Portions of downwardly extending portions 68 of walls 64 of terminal alignment member 14, including secondary lock engagement surfaces 70, are positioned in alignment plate receiving recesses 40 of terminal receiving portions 22 of housing 12. Slots 72 of downwardly extending portion 68 cooperate with projections 74 to hold terminal alignment member 14 in a stable position relative to housing 12.

In the position shown in fig. 3, the separate auxiliary lock member or movable member 16 is also positioned in the open or first position. In this position, the terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surface 50 is located in the alignment plate receiving recess 40.

In the position shown in fig. 3, terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surface 50 is positioned in line and engages secondary lock engagement surface 70 to prevent terminal alignment member 14 from moving from the first, protective, pre-staging or shipping position to the second or fully inserted position.

In the first or protective position, the alignment plate 14 is spaced from the terminal receiving portion 22 of the housing 12. This allows the alignment plate 14 to be positioned closer to the free or mating end 68 of the terminal 20 to provide structural support to the terminal 20 near the free or mating end of the terminal 20, while still allowing probe access to the terminal 20. In doing so, the alignment plate 14 provides protection to the free ends of the terminals 20, preventing the terminals 20 from being deformed or damaged prior to inserting the mating connector 18 into the shroud 24 of the housing 12. For example, the alignment plate 14 may shield the terminals 20 from objects that may accidentally enter the shroud 24. In some embodiments, the alignment plate 14 may align and/or hold the terminals 20 in a specified position to reduce the likelihood of stubbing during the mating operation. Alternatively, the alignment plate 14 may be configured to act as a cover that reduces the likelihood of contaminants (e.g., dust) entering the shroud 24.

Referring to fig. 4, terminal alignment member 14 is maintained in a first, protective, pre-stage or shipping position. However, the separate secondary or movable member 16 moves to a second or closed position in which the separate secondary lock member 16 engages a primary lock (not shown) and helps secure the terminal 20 in the housing 12. In various embodiments, the independent secondary lock member 16 cannot be moved fully to the second or closed position unless the terminal 20 is properly seated in the terminal receiving portion 22 of the housing 12.

By movement of the projection 52, the separate secondary lock member or movable member 16 is moved from the first or open position to the second or closed position. With the protrusion 52 extending beyond the terminal receiving portion 22 and the plate portion 60 of the terminal alignment member 14, an operator may engage and move the protrusion 52 and the separate secondary lock member or movable member 16 from the first or open position to the second or closed position.

In this position, the terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surface 50 is moved from the alignment plate receiving recess 40. Thus, the terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surface 50 is no longer positioned in line and/or engaged with the secondary lock engagement surface 70, thereby allowing the terminal alignment member 14 to move from the first, protecting, pre-staging or shipping position to the second or fully inserted position, as shown in fig. 5.

Movement of terminal alignment member 14 from the first, pre-stage or shipping position to the second or fully inserted position is facilitated by mating connector 18 with connector assembly 10, as shown in fig. 6 and 7.

In the position shown in fig. 6, terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surface 92 of mating connector 18 is positioned in line and engages mating connector engagement surface 80 of terminal alignment member 14 to prevent proper insertion of mating connector 18 into shroud 24 of housing 12.

Referring to fig. 7, the terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surface 92 of the mating connector 18 is moved to a position in which the terminal alignment plate or terminal alignment member engagement surface 92 is no longer in line and/or engaged with the mating connector engagement surface 80, thereby allowing the mating connector 18 to be properly inserted into the shroud 24 of the housing 12.

As described herein, a method of mating an electrical connector assembly 10 to a mating connector 18 includes: positioning the independent secondary lock member 16 in the first position; positioning the terminal alignment member 14 in a protective position in which the secondary lock engagement surface 70 of the terminal alignment member 14 engages the terminal alignment plate engagement surface 50 of the independent secondary lock member 16, wherein the terminal alignment member 14 is prevented from moving from the protective position to the fully inserted position; moving the independent auxiliary lock member 16 to a second position in which the terminal alignment plate engagement surface 50 of the independent auxiliary lock member 16 is not engaged with the auxiliary lock engagement surface 70 of the terminal alignment member 14, thereby allowing the terminal alignment member to move away from the protective position; and moving terminal alignment member 14 to the fully inserted position.

The method may additionally include engaging a protrusion 52 of the independent secondary lock member 16 that extends through the terminal alignment member 14 to move the independent secondary lock member 16 from the first position to the second position.

The method may additionally include: positioning the mating connector 18 in line with the connector assembly 10; and preventing insertion of the mating connector 18 into the connector assembly 10, wherein the mating connector engagement surface 80 of the terminal alignment member 14 engages a portion of the mating connector 18 to prevent insertion of the mating connector 18 into the electrical connector assembly 10 when the mating connector 18 is not in the mated state.