EP0789425A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector
Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1997-01-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-01-06
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly includes two connector housings. One of the housings has a locking arm engageable with the other housing in the fully fitted condition. A spring member urges the housings apart unless in the fully fitted state. The locking arm is deflected to compress the spring member during fitting. In the fully fitted state the locking arm moves to an undeflected condition and the spring member consequently adopts a position which blocks further movement of the locking arm to the deflected state, thereby latching the connector housings with certainty against forcible separation on the engagement axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoru c/o Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd. Nishide
- 👤 Takahiro c/o Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Yoneda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/64; H01R13/641; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/6272; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; H01R13/7031; H01R13/7032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A connector assembly having a first connector housing (10) and a second connector housing (20) engageable therewith in an engagement direction, the first connector housing (10) having a locking arm (12) and the second connector housing (20) having a spring member (27,28) resiliently movable in the engagement direction and having a movement envelope, and a guiding member (23) adapted to deflect the locking arm (12) into said envelope, whereby in a semi-fitted state of said housings (10,20) the locking arm (12) is deflected by said guiding member (23) into said envelope for contact with said spring member (27,28), movement of the connector housings (10,20) in the engagement direction causing said locking arm (12) to move said spring member (27,28) in said envelope against resilient bias, and in the fully-fitted state the locking arm (12) being movable to a latched condition outside said envelope, the spring member (27,28) returning under resilient bias to prevent return movement of said locking arm (12) into said envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spring member (27,28) comprises a spring (27) having an abutment member (28) at a free end thereof for contact with the free end of said locking arm (12).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said abutment member (28) has a tapered guide face (31) for contact with said locking arm (12) thereby to urge said locking arm (12) smoothly out of said envelope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3 and comprising two parallel coil compression springs (27), said abutment member (28) bridging said springs (27).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly according to any of claims 2-4 wherein the second housing (20) further includes a stopping abutment (29) for said abutment member (28) to normally retain said abutment member (28) in a condition whereby movement of said locking arm (12) into said envelope from the latched condition is prevented.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim whereby said locking arm (12) protrudes from the first connector housing (10) in the disengagement direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein in the semi-fitted condition said spring member (27,28) biases said locking arm (12) to the latched condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said guiding member (23) is elongate in the engagement direction and has a tapered guide face (24) adapted to urge said locking arm (12) towards said envelope in response to relative movement in the engagement direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said guiding member (23) has a tapered guide face (24,25) at both ends thereof, each guide face (24,25) being adapted to urge said locking arm (12) towards said envelope in response to relative movement in the engagement direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly according to claim 9 wherein said locking arm (12) includes a fitting member (13) having opposed angled faces (14,15) for respective abutment with said tapered guide faces (24,25).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to claim 10 wherein said angled faces (14,15) are immediately adjacent to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly according to claim 10 wherein said locking arm (12) has fitting members (13) on either side thereof, and said second connector (20) has opposite guiding members (23) for respective engagement each with one of said fitting members (13).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said spring member (27,28) is adapted for contact with said first housing (10), thereby to urge said connector housings (10,20) apart other than in the fully fitted state.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPH04306575A
Cited
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