阅读说明：本技术 连接器位置保证构件 (Connector position assurance member ) 是由 N.L.埃文斯 于 2020-02-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种连接器位置保证装置具有可弹性变形的梁,该梁具有与基部间隔开的自由端。凸轮构件设置成靠近梁的自由端。梁具有设置成靠近梁的自由端并且与凸轮构件成一直线的闭锁突起接合构件。接合表面以第一角度延伸,使得靠近外侧壁的接合表面比靠近凸轮构件的表面的接合表面更接近自由端。接合表面以第二角度延伸,使得靠近闭锁突起接合构件的顶表面的接合表面比靠近梁的顶侧的接合表面更接近自由端。(A connector position assurance device has a resiliently deformable beam having a free end spaced from a base. The cam member is disposed proximate the free end of the beam. The beam has a latching projection engaging member disposed proximate the free end of the beam and in line with the cam member. The engagement surface extends at a first angle such that the engagement surface adjacent the outer side wall is closer to the free end than the engagement surface adjacent the surface of the cam member. The engagement surface extends at a second angle such that the engagement surface proximate the top surface of the locking projection engagement member is closer to the free end than the engagement surface proximate the top side of the beam.)

1. A connector position assurance device (10), comprising:

a base (202) having a top surface (206), a bottom surface (208), a base front end (210), and a base rear end (212);

an elastically deformable beam (204) extending from a front end (210) of the base (202) in a direction away from a rear end (212) of the base (202), the beam (204) having a free end (224) spaced from the base (202);

a cam member (250) disposed proximate to the free end (224) of the beam (204);

the beam (204) has a locking protrusion engagement member (230) disposed proximate to the free end (224) of the beam (204) and in line with the cam member (250), the locking protrusion engagement member (230) having an engagement surface (231), the engagement surface (231) extending from a surface of the cam member (250) to the outer side wall (227) of the beam (204), the engagement surface (231) extending at a first angle (237) such that the engagement surface (231) proximate to the outer side wall (227) is closer to the free end (224) than the engagement surface (231) proximate to the surface (231) of the cam member (250), the engagement surface (231) extending from the top side (220) of the beam (204) to the top surface (206) of the locking protrusion engagement member (230), the engagement surface (231) extending at a second angle (243) such that the engagement surface (231) proximate to the top surface (206) of the locking protrusion engagement member (230) is closer to the free end (224) than the engagement surface (231) proximate to the top side (220) of the beam (204) ).

2. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 1, wherein the latch engagement portion is disposed on the front end (210) of the base (202) and extends from a top surface (206) of the base (202).

3. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 1, wherein the cam member (250) has an inclined surface (252).

4. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 1, wherein a positioning rail (260) extends from the base (202), the positioning rail (260) configured to mate with a connector to provide proper positioning and stability to the connector position assurance device (10) relative to the connector.

5. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 4, wherein the positioning rail (260) has a latching protrusion (262), the latching protrusion (262) configured to mate with the connector to prevent removal of the connector position assurance device (10) from the connector.

6. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 4, wherein a longitudinal axis of the positioning rail (260) is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the beam (204, 205).

7. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 1, wherein the first angle (237) is an angle in a range of 60 degrees to 85 degrees.

8. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 1, wherein the second angle (243) is an angle in the range of 60 degrees to 85 degrees.

9. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 1, wherein the first angle (237) is an angle in the range of 60 degrees to 85 degrees, and the second angle (243) is an angle in the range of 60 degrees to 85 degrees.

10. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable second beam (205) is spaced apart from the elastically deformable beam (204), the elastically deformable second beam (205) extending from the front end (210) of the base (202) in a direction away from the rear end (212) of the base (202), the second beam (205) having a free end (224) spaced apart from the base (202).

11. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 10, wherein the second cam member (250) is disposed proximate the free end (224) of the second beam (205); the second beam (205) having a second latch protrusion engagement member (230) disposed proximate to the free end (224) of the second beam (205) and in line with the second cam member (250), the second latch protrusion engagement member (230) having a second engagement surface (231), the second engagement surface (231) extending from a surface of the second cam member (250) to the outer side wall (227) of the second beam (205), the second engagement surface (231) extending at a third angle (237) such that the second engagement surface (231) proximate to the outer side wall (227) of the second beam (205) is closer to the free end (224) of the second beam (205) than the second engagement surface (231) proximate to the surface (231) of the second cam member (250), the second engagement surface (231) extending from the top side (220) of the second beam (205) to the top surface (206) of the second latch protrusion engagement member (230), the second engagement surface (231) extends at a fourth angle (243) such that the second engagement surface (231) proximate the top surface (206) of the second latch protrusion engagement member (230) is closer to the free end (224) of the second beam (204, 205) than the second engagement surface (231) proximate the top side (220) of the second beam (204, 205).

12. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 11, wherein the first angle (237) is equal to the third angle (237).

13. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 12, wherein the second angle (243) is equal to the fourth angle (243).

14. The connector position assurance device (10) of claim 13, wherein a longitudinal axis of the beam (204) is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second beam (205).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector position assurance device, an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly that provides proper connector position assurance to ensure that mating connectors are properly mated. In particular, the connector position assurance device, the electrical connector and the electrical connector assembly provide correct connector position assurance for small-sized connector assemblies.

Background

In certain applications, an electronic component requires an electrical connector assembly that joins first and second housings containing electrical contacts. One housing includes male electrical contacts and the other housing includes female electrical contacts. The first housing is configured to be received inside the second housing such that the male and female electrical contacts are electrically connected. To ensure that the first and second housings are properly connected with the electrical contacts, the first and second housings are provided with a latch assembly commonly referred to as a position assurance feature. In a known application, a latch assembly includes a base plate, a suspension prong on a first housing, and a ramp on a second housing. The base plate is slidably retained alongside the prongs. When the first housing is inserted around the second housing, the prongs snap onto the ramps and the substrate then slides over the ramps and prongs into an engaged position. In many applications, an audible click is often used to detect whether the connectors are fully mated, but assembly plant noise can negate this.

Additionally, electrical connectors have been proposed that utilize a latch or retention assembly in conjunction with a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) device to retain the connector halves in a fully mated position. When the connector halves are mated and the latch or retention assembly is positioned to maintain contact between the connector halves, the connector position assurance device will move to a position that indicates that the connector halves are properly connected. Thus, the connector position assurance device provides a means of ensuring that the connector halves are fully mated.

The known connector position assurance device requires a large space compared to the first and second housings. Therefore, known connector position assurance devices are impractical for small connectors because the connector size limits how the connector position assurance can interact with the housing. Furthermore, even when using known connector position assurance, there are a large number of connectors that cannot be mated properly. For example, the biggest warranty issue with automotive connectors is that the connectors are not fully mated, resulting in system failure after the automobile leaves the assembly plant. This is due to the fact that: in a vehicle assembly plant, the mating of some connectors is sufficient to make initial electrical contact but the latches of the connectors are not fully engaged, resulting in the connectors not being locked or secured together. As the vehicle travels over rough roads and the like, these connectors are then disconnected in the field, resulting in a loss of system function. Even if known connector position assurance is incorporated into the connector, there is no assurance that the connector is properly mated and secured because in many cases, the operator cannot properly activate the connector position assurance.

Disclosure of Invention

The problem to be solved is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and to provide a correct connector position assurance for small-sized connector assemblies. Another problem to be solved is to prevent or block the connector position from being guaranteed into its fully engaged position if the connector parts are mated or not mated at all.

This problem is solved by a connector position assurance device having a base and an elastically deformable beam. The base includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a base front end, and a base rear end. An elastically deformable beam extends from the front end of the base in a direction away from the rear end of the base. The beam has a free end spaced from the base. The cam member is disposed proximate the free end of the beam. The beam has a latching projection engaging member disposed proximate the free end of the beam and in line with the cam member. The latch protrusion engaging member has an engaging surface. The engagement surface extends from a surface of the cam member to an outer side wall of the beam. The engagement surface extends at a first angle such that the engagement surface adjacent the outer side wall is closer to the free end than the engagement surface adjacent the surface of the cam member. The engagement surface extends from the top side of the beam to a top surface of the latching projection engagement member. The engagement surface extends at a second angle such that the engagement surface proximate the top surface of the locking projection engagement member is closer to the free end than the engagement surface proximate the top side of the beam.

Drawings

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

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary plug connector mated with an illustrative plug or mating connector.

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the plug connector of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the plug or mating connector of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of an illustrative connector position assurance member received in the plug connector.

Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the connector position assurance member of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged top view of the latching projection engaging member of the connector position assurance member of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of the corresponding latching projection engaging member of the connector position assurance member of fig. 4.

Fig. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken through a beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector initially engaged with the plug or mating connector with the connector position assurance member in an initial position.

Fig. 8B is a sectional view taken through the positioning arm of the plug connector, showing the connector position assurance member in an initial position.

Fig. 8C is an enlarged view of the interlocking engagement of the plug or mating connector with the connector position assurance member as shown in fig. 8A.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken through a beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector partially mated to the plug or mating connector, with the connector position assurance member in an initial position.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through a beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector fully mated to the plug or mating connector with the connector position assurance member between an initial position and a final or locked position.

Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken through a beam of the connector position assurance member showing the plug connector fully mated to the plug or mating connector with the connector position assurance member in a final or locked position.

Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken through the locator arm of the plug connector showing the plug connector fully mated to the plug or mating connector with the connector position assurance member in a final or locked position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical connector or plug 10 mated with a mating connector or plug 100, the mating connector or plug 100 and the electrical connector or plug 10 together forming a connector assembly 50. The electrical connector 10 and the counterpart connector 100 are shown as representatives and may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Connectors 10 and 100 will have many other features, such as contacts and contact latches, which are not shown in the figures.

Referring to fig. 2, the electrical connector 10 has a housing body 12, the housing body 12 having contact receiving channels 14 for receiving contacts 13 therein (fig. 8A). The electrical connector 10 has a front mating end 16 and a rear end 18. A conductor or wire 15, which is electrically engaged with the contact 13 inserted into the channel 14, extends from the rear end 18. A first side surface 19 and an opposing second side surface 20 extend between the mating end 16 and the rear end 18.

A latch or latch arm 22 having an engagement protrusion 24 extends from the side surfaces 19, 20. In the illustrated embodiment, each latch 22 is connected to a respective side surface 19, 20 proximate the front mating end 16 and extends toward the rear end 18. Latch 22 is used to latch and secure mating connector 100 to connector 10, as will be described more fully below. As shown in fig. 8-11, a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) receiving recess 30 is located proximate latch arm 22. The latching projection 40 is provided near the latch 22 and extends into the connector position assurance receiving recess 30 to mate with the connector position assurance device 200. The latching projections 40 are disposed on either side of the latch 22.

As best shown in fig. 3, the mating connector 100 has complementary latch engagement sections 110 positioned to engage the latch arms 22 when the connector 10 and the mating connector are moved from the unmated position to the mated position. The latch receiving opening 114 is positioned proximate the latch engaging or activating section 110 and is sized to receive the engaging protrusion 24 when the connector 10 is fully mated to the mating connector 100. The latch engaging or activating section 110 also serves as a connector position assurance engaging rib.

When properly mated together, the engagement projections 24 of the latch arms 22 mate with the latch receiving openings 114 and are positioned in the latch receiving openings 114 to secure the mating connector 100 with the electrical connector 10. In the mated position, the connector 10 is received within the shroud 120 of the mating connector 100. The electrical contacts 130 (fig. 8A and 8B) of the mating connector 100 mate with the electrical contacts 13 in the electrical connector 10.

As shown in fig. 8 to 11, the connector position assurance device 200 is positioned adjacent to and movable relative to the latch arm 22 of the connector 10. The connector position assurance device 200 is retained in the connector position assurance receiving opening 30 and is movable between a first or open position, as shown in fig. 8, and a second or fully inserted position, as shown in fig. 11.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the connector position assurance device 200 has a base 202 and two elastically deformable beams 204, 205 extending from the base 202. The longitudinal axis of beam 204 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of beam 205. The base 202 has a top surface 206, a bottom surface 208, a base front end 210, and a base rear end 212. The beam 204 extends from the front end 210 in a direction away from the rear end 212. Rear end 212 is configured to allow an operator to manually engage or activate connector position assurance device 200. The front end 210 of the base 212 has a latch engaging portion extending from the top surface 206 and configured to interact with the latch 22 when the connector 10 is not fully mated with the mating connector 100, as will be more fully described. A latch receiving cavity 228 is provided in the top surface.

Each elastically deformable beam 204, 205 has a top side 220, a bottom side 222, a beam front end 224, a beam rear end 226, an inner sidewall 225, and an outer sidewall 227. The inner side wall 225 of the beam 204 faces the inner side wall 225 of the beam 205. The rear end 226 of each beam 204, 205 is attached to the front end 210 of the base 202 or is integral with the front end 210 of the base 202.

A latch protrusion engagement member 230 extends from the top side 220 of each beam 204, 205. The cam member 250 is disposed adjacent to the locking protrusion engaging member 230 and in line with the locking protrusion engaging member 230. A cam member 250 extends from the top side 220 of each beam 204, 205. The cam member 250 is disposed proximate the free end of the beams 204, 205 and proximate the inner side wall 225 of the beams 204, 205. The latch protrusion engaging member 230 is disposed proximate the free end of the first beam and the first cam member, and proximate the outer side wall of the beams 204, 205. The cam member 250 has an inclined surface 252 to better mate with the activation section 110 of the mating connector 100, as will be more fully described.

As best shown in fig. 6 and 7, each latch protrusion engagement member 230 has an engagement surface 231 configured to mate with a mating engagement surface 41 of the latch protrusion 40 of the connector 10.

Referring to fig. 6, in the illustrative embodiment, the engagement surface 231 extends from the surface 233 of the cam member 250 to the outer side wall 227 of the deformable beams 204, 205. The engagement surface 231 is angled such that the engagement surface 231 proximate the outer side wall 227 is closer to the beam front end 224 than the engagement surface 231 proximate the surface 233 of the cam member 250. In this configuration of fig. 6, the engagement surface 231 forms an angle 237. Although the magnitude of angle 237 may vary, the angle may be, but is not limited to, in the range of 60 degrees to 85 degrees.

Referring to fig. 7, in the illustrative embodiment, the engagement surface 231 extends from the top side 220 of the beams 204, 205 to the top surface 241 of the latching projection engagement member 230. The engagement surface 231 is angled such that the engagement surface 231 proximate the top surface 241 of the latching projection engagement member 230 is closer to the beam front end 224 than the engagement surface 231 proximate the top side 220 of the beam 204, 205. In this configuration of fig. 7, the engagement surface 231 forms an angle 243. Although the magnitude of angle 243 may vary, the angle may be, but is not limited to being, in the range of 60 degrees to 85 degrees.

As best shown in fig. 4 and 5, a positioning rail 260 extends from the base 202. The positioning track 260 has a latching projection 262. The positioning rails 260 mate with mating recesses in the connector 10 to provide proper positioning and stability of the connector position assurance device 200 relative to the housing body 12 of the connector 10. The latching projection 262 is fitted with the connector 10 to prevent the connector position assurance device 200 from being removed from the connector 10 and to hold the connector position assurance device 200 in the first position on the connector 10 before mating with the counterpart connector 100. The longitudinal axis of the positioning rail 260 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beams 204, 205.

Referring to fig. 8-11, a process or method of inserting a plug or connector 10 into a plug or mating connector 100 is shown. In fig. 8A and 8B, the connector 10 is shown loosely positioned in the header connector 100. In this position, the engagement projection 24 of the latch 22 has not yet engaged the latch engagement section 110 of the connector 100. The connector position assurance device 200 is maintained in the pre-mated, open, or first position. In this position, the latch 22 is in a normal or undeflected position. As best shown in fig. 8B, the connector position assurance device 100 is retained in the pre-mated, open, or first position by the mating of the latch projection 262 with the projection 33 extending into the connector position assurance latch arm receiving opening 32.

In addition, as best shown in fig. 8A and 8C, the latching projection 40 of the connector 10 engages with the latching projection engaging member 230 to prevent the connector position assurance device 200 from being undesirably inserted into the mated, second or inserted position. The mating engagement surface 41 of the latching projection 40 is configured to have an opposite inclination to the engagement surface 231 of the latching projection engagement member 230, allowing the engagement surface 231 and the mating engagement surface 41 to form an interlocking engagement, as shown in fig. 8C, in which the angles of the surfaces cooperate to form a positive lock that is difficult to inadvertently overcome, thereby preventing the connector position assurance device 200 from being undesirably advanced into the mating connector 100 without being fully inserted into the connector 10.

When the connector 10 is partially inserted into the shroud 120 of the counterpart connector 100, the engagement protrusion 24 of the latch 22 moves into engagement with the latch engagement section 110 of the counterpart connector 100. As insertion continues, the latch engaging section 110 causes the engaging protrusion 24 and latch 22 to be resiliently activated or deflected away from either side surface 19, 20 of the connector 10, as shown in fig. 9. If the connector 10 cannot be correctly mated with the counterpart connector 100, for example, due to incorrect alignment of the contacts 13, 130, the connector 10 can be prevented from being inserted further into the counterpart connector 100. If this occurs, the latch 22 will remain in the deflected position shown in FIG. 9. In this position, the connector position assurance device 200 cannot be moved to the second or insertion position because the latch 22 will engage the front end 242 of the latch mating member 240 of the connector position assurance device 200 to prevent the connector position assurance device 200 from moving to the mated, second or insertion position.

As insertion continues, as shown in fig. 10, the engagement portion 24 of the latch 22 moves past the latch engagement section 110, allowing the latch 22 to return to its original or unstressed position. In this position, the engagement portion 24 is positioned and retained in the latch receiving opening 114. With the engagement portion 24 properly positioned in the latch receiving opening 114, the connector position assurance device 200 is able to move from the pre-mated, open, or first position toward the mated, second, or insertion position. When this occurs, the sloped surface 252 of the cam member 250 engages the connector position assurance activation region 140 of the mating connector 100, forcing the cam member 250 and the resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 to move toward the bottom surface 20 of the connector 10. When this occurs, the engagement surface 231 of the latching projection engagement member 230 moves slightly rearward and downward below the mating engagement surface 41 of the latching projection 40 of the connector 10, thereby allowing the connector position assurance device 200 to be inserted into the connector position assurance receiving recess 30 of the connector 10 to continue. However, if the connector 10 and the counterpart connector 100 are not fully mated, the cam member 250 will not engage the connector position assurance activation region 140, thereby preventing movement of the resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 and the latching protrusion engagement member 230. Therefore, by the engagement of the latching protrusion engaging member 230 with the latching protrusion 40, the continued insertion of the connector position assurance device 200 will be prevented.

With the elastically deformable beams 204, 205 properly deflected, the connector position ensures that insertion of the device 200 can continue. As insertion continues, the connector position assurance device 200 moves to the mated, second, or insertion position, as shown in fig. 11A and 11B. In this position, movement of the cam member 250 beyond the connector position of the mating connector 100 ensures that the activation region 140 enters the latch receiving opening 114, thereby allowing the cam member 250 and the resiliently deformable beams 204, 205 to return to the unstressed position. In this position, the latch protrusion engagement member 230 moves past the latch protrusion 40 of the connector to a mated, closed, or second position.

The connector position assurance device 200 is held in the mated, closed, or second position by the mating of the cam member 250 with the latch receiving opening 114.

In this fully inserted position, the latch receiving cavity 228 of the connector position assurance device 200 is located below the latch 22. In the fully inserted position, latch mating member 240 of connector position assurance device 200 is positioned below latch 22 to inhibit activation or movement of latch 22, thereby preventing accidental or unintentional disengagement of connector 10 from mating connector 100.

If the connector 10 is to be disconnected from the counterpart connector 100, the connector position assurance device 200 returns to the initial position. A force applied to the connector position assurance device 200 in the opposite direction of insertion forces the cam member 250 out of the latch receiving opening 114, allowing the connector position assurance device 200 to move toward the pre-mated, open, or first position. As the movement continues, the top surface 206 of the connector position assurance device 200 moves away from the latch 22, allowing the latch 22 to be depressed, which in turn disengages the connector 10 from the counterpart connector 100.