US6688907B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector and a connector assembly
Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
•
Filing: 2003-02-27
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Granted: 2004-02-10
•
Expires: 2023-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A connector has first and second housings ( 10, 20 ). The second housing ( 20 ) has a deformable lock arm ( 27 ) that engages the first housing ( 10 ) when the housings ( 10, 20 ) are connected. A slider ( 41 ) is mounted on the first housing ( 10 ) for movement between a position that prevents deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) and a position that permits such deformation. Springs ( 40 ) bias the slider ( 41 ) to the deformation preventing position. The slider ( 41 ) has a resilient piece ( 60 ) that is pushed by the first housing ( 10 ) to move the slider ( 41 ) to the deformation permitting position as the housings ( 10, 20 ) are connected. The resilient piece ( 60 ) is deformed when the housings ( 10, 20 ) are connected and the slider ( 41 ) is propelled by the springs ( 40 ) to the deformation preventing position. The housings ( 10, 20 ) can be separated merely by pulling the slider ( 41 ) backward.
Inventors
- 👤 Atsushi Yamaoka
- 👤 Yukinori Saka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/6272; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H01R13/635; H01R13/64; H01R13/641
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
A connector ( 20 ) connectable with a mating connector ( 10 ) having a locking portion ( 13 ), wherein the connector ( 20 ) comprises: a lock arm ( 27 ) resiliently deformable while moving onto a lock ( 13 ) in the process of connecting the two connectors ( 20 , 10 ) and returning to engage the lock ( 13 ) when the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ) are connected properly; a slider ( 41 ) movable between a deformation preventing position where the slider ( 41 ) enters a deformation space (S) for the lock arm ( 27 ) to prevent resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) and a deformation permitting position where the slider ( 41 ) permits the resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ); and at least one biasing member ( 40 ) which can be compressed while accumulating a biasing force to separate the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ) as the slider ( 41 ) is moved from the deformation preventing position toward the deformation permitting position; wherein: the slider ( 41 ) comprises a resilient member ( 60 ) which is resiliently deformable in a direction intersecting the connecting directions (CD) and can be pushed by a pushing portion ( 10 a ) of the mating connector ( 10 ) to move the slider ( 41 ) from the deformation preventing position to the deformation permitting position in the process of connecting the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ), the connector ( 20 ) further comprises a disengagement guide ( 33 ) for resiliently deforming the resilient member ( 60 ) while disengaging it from the pushing portion ( 10 a ) of the mating connector ( 10 ) as the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ) are connected properly, thereby releasing a biasing force accumulated in the biasing member ( 40 ) to move the slider ( 41 ) toward the deformation preventing position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
A connector ( 20 ) connectable with a mating connector ( 10 ) having a locking portion ( 13 ), wherein the connector ( 20 ) comprises: a lock arm ( 27 ) resiliently deformable while moving onto a lock ( 13 ) in the process of connecting the two connectors ( 20 , 10 ) and returning to engage the lock ( 13 ) when the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ) are connected properly; a slider ( 41 ) movable between a deformation preventing position where the slider ( 41 ) enters a deformation space (S) for the lock arm ( 27 ) to prevent resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) and a deformation permitting position where the slider ( 41 ) permits the resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ); and at least one biasing member ( 40 ) which can be compressed while accumulating a biasing force to separate the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ) as the slider ( 41 ) is moved from the deformation preventing position toward the deformation permitting position; wherein: the slider ( 41 ) comprises a resilient member ( 60 ) which is resiliently deformable in a direction intersecting the connecting directions (CD) and can be pushed by a pushing portion ( 10 a ) of the mating connector ( 10 ) to move the slider ( 41 ) from the deformation preventing position to the deformation permitting position in the process of connecting the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ), the connector ( 20 ) further comprises a disengagement guide ( 33 ) for resiliently deforming the resilient member ( 60 ) while disengaging it from the pushing portion ( 10 a ) of the mating connector ( 10 ) as the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ) are connected properly, thereby releasing a biasing force accumulated in the biasing member ( 40 ) to move the slider ( 41 ) toward the deformation preventing position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The connector of claim 1 , wherein the deformation permitting position is reached by moving the slider ( 41 ) backward from the deformation space to permit the resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member ( 40 ) is between the slider ( 41 ) and a receiving portion ( 32 ) in the connector ( 20 ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member ( 60 ) is metallic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the locking portion ( 13 ) is shaped to semi-lock the lock arm ( 27 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The connector ( 20 ) of claim 1 , wherein the slider ( 41 ) is movable substantially along connecting directions (CD) of the two connectors ( 20 , 10 ) between the deformation preventing position and the deformation permitting position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The connector of claim 6 , wherein the resilient member ( 60 ) can be pushed by a pushing portion ( 10 a ) of the mating connector ( 10 ) to move the slider ( 41 ) from the deformation preventing position to the deformation permitting position in the process of connecting the two connector housings ( 20 , 10 ).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector of claim 7 , wherein the pushing portion ( 10 a ) comprises a front surface ( 10 a ) of the mating connector ( 10 ).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
254 words
A connector comprising: a housing ( 20 ) having opposite front and rear ends and a connecting direction (CD) extending between the ends, a lock arm ( 27 ) and a disengagement guide ( 33 ) being formed on the housing ( 20 ), the lock arm ( 27 ) being configured for resilient deformation into a deformation space (S), the lock arm ( 27 ) having a hook ( 28 ) with a partial locking surface aligned at an acute angle to the connecting direction (CD); a slider ( 41 ) movable along the housing ( 20 ) between a deformation preventing position where the slider ( 41 ) enters the deformation space (S) for the lock arm ( 27 ) to prevent resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) and a deformation permitting position where the slider ( 41 ) is spaced from the deformation space (S) to permit resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ); a metallic resilient member ( 60 ) mounted to the slider ( 41 ) and configured for contacting the disengagement guide ( 33 ) when the slider ( 41 ) moves to the deformation permitting position and being resiliently deformable in a direction intersecting the connecting direction (CD) in response to contact with the disengagement guide ( 33 ); and at least one biasing member ( 40 ) between the slider ( 41 ) and the housing ( 20 ) for biasing the slider ( 41 ) toward the deformation preventing position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
254 words
A connector comprising: a housing ( 20 ) having opposite front and rear ends and a connecting direction (CD) extending between the ends, a lock arm ( 27 ) and a disengagement guide ( 33 ) being formed on the housing ( 20 ), the lock arm ( 27 ) being configured for resilient deformation into a deformation space (S), the lock arm ( 27 ) having a hook ( 28 ) with a partial locking surface aligned at an acute angle to the connecting direction (CD); a slider ( 41 ) movable along the housing ( 20 ) between a deformation preventing position where the slider ( 41 ) enters the deformation space (S) for the lock arm ( 27 ) to prevent resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) and a deformation permitting position where the slider ( 41 ) is spaced from the deformation space (S) to permit resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ); a metallic resilient member ( 60 ) mounted to the slider ( 41 ) and configured for contacting the disengagement guide ( 33 ) when the slider ( 41 ) moves to the deformation permitting position and being resiliently deformable in a direction intersecting the connecting direction (CD) in response to contact with the disengagement guide ( 33 ); and at least one biasing member ( 40 ) between the slider ( 41 ) and the housing ( 20 ) for biasing the slider ( 41 ) toward the deformation preventing position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
331 words
A connector assembly comprising: a first housing ( 10 ) having a front surface ( 10 a ) and a lock ( 11 ); a second housing ( 20 ) connectable with the first housing ( 10 ) along a connecting direction (CD), a lock arm ( 27 ) and a disengagement guide ( 33 ) being formed on the housing ( 20 ), the lock arm ( 27 ) being configured for resilient deformation into a deformation space (S) and having a hook ( 28 ) configured for partial locking with the lock ( 11 ); a slider ( 41 ) movable along the housing ( 20 ) between a deformation preventing position where the slider ( 41 ) enters the deformation space (S) for the lock arm ( 27 ) to prevent resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) and a deformation permitting position where the slider ( 41 ) is spaced from the deformation space (S) to permit resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ); at least one spring ( 40 ) between the slider ( 41 ) and the housing ( 20 ) for biasing the slider ( 41 ) toward the deformation preventing position; a metallic resilient member ( 60 ) mounted to the slider ( 41 ) and configured for contacting the front surface ( 10 a ) of the first housing ( 10 ) during connection of the housings ( 10 , 20 ) for moving the slider ( 41 ) against the spring ( 40 ) and toward the deformation permitting position, the resilient member ( 60 ) further being configured for being deformed by the disengagement guide ( 33 ) out of contact with the front surface ( 10 a ) of the first housing ( 10 ) when the housings ( 10 , 20 ) are connected properly so that the biasing member ( 40 ) propels the slider ( 41 ) to the deformation preventing position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
331 words
A connector assembly comprising: a first housing ( 10 ) having a front surface ( 10 a ) and a lock ( 11 ); a second housing ( 20 ) connectable with the first housing ( 10 ) along a connecting direction (CD), a lock arm ( 27 ) and a disengagement guide ( 33 ) being formed on the housing ( 20 ), the lock arm ( 27 ) being configured for resilient deformation into a deformation space (S) and having a hook ( 28 ) configured for partial locking with the lock ( 11 ); a slider ( 41 ) movable along the housing ( 20 ) between a deformation preventing position where the slider ( 41 ) enters the deformation space (S) for the lock arm ( 27 ) to prevent resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) and a deformation permitting position where the slider ( 41 ) is spaced from the deformation space (S) to permit resilient deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ); at least one spring ( 40 ) between the slider ( 41 ) and the housing ( 20 ) for biasing the slider ( 41 ) toward the deformation preventing position; a metallic resilient member ( 60 ) mounted to the slider ( 41 ) and configured for contacting the front surface ( 10 a ) of the first housing ( 10 ) during connection of the housings ( 10 , 20 ) for moving the slider ( 41 ) against the spring ( 40 ) and toward the deformation permitting position, the resilient member ( 60 ) further being configured for being deformed by the disengagement guide ( 33 ) out of contact with the front surface ( 10 a ) of the first housing ( 10 ) when the housings ( 10 , 20 ) are connected properly so that the biasing member ( 40 ) propels the slider ( 41 ) to the deformation preventing position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connector of claim 10 , wherein the slider ( 41 ) is movable substantially along the connecting directions (CD) between the deformation preventing position and the deformation permitting position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein the slider ( 41 ) is movable substantially along the connecting direction (CD) of the housings ( 20 , 10 ).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector assembly of claim 12 , wherein the resilient member ( 60 ) is substantially a rectangular frame with resiliently deflectable sides ( 61 ) spaced apart sufficiently to receive the disengagement guide ( 33 ) therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The connector assembly of claim 13 , wherein the resilient member further includes a rear end ( 63 ) secured in the slider ( 60 ) and a front end ( 62 ) disposed for engage the disengagement guide ( 33 ).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-02-09 | 2007-08-11 | 2008-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-09 | 2011-08-11 | 2012-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-09 | 2015-08-11 | 2016-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |