JP2764161B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector having a beam-shaped latch arm on an outer surface of a side wall and securely and electrically and mechanically latched to a mating connector.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Improper installation of electrical connectors has been problematic for assemblies containing a large number of interconnected electrical circuits. Under normal circumstances, even if a particular electrical connector is performing well, it can still be opened if the terminals are not properly placed in the electrical connector insulation housing or the mating electrical connector is not properly mated. Occurs. It is also important not only to open due to improper mounting, but also to retain terminals and connectors, which are problems encountered during the life of the device. For example, excessive vibration may cause one connector to disengage from another. Furthermore,
Improper retention of contact terminals and connectors can result in an unstable electrical interface and cause corrosion, resulting in slow degradation of electrical connections.

Many steps have been taken to improve the retention of contact terminals in an electrical connector and the fit between two electrical connectors. For example, plastic terminal latches or lances, which form an integral part of an insulated housing, are often used to hold the terminals within the housing. These plastic terminal latches have been replaced by contact terminal metal latches that have been in common use for many years. One of these metal latches
One problem is that they easily overstress during terminal insertion, significantly reducing pull-out resistance. In addition, these metal latches promote harness entanglement, creating problems in the manufacture and handling of the electrical harness. In addition to using plastic terminal latches with an integral part of the insulated housing, it is now common to use secondary retention means to lock the terminals in place. Typically, these secondary locks are inserted into a plastic insulated housing and have independent members that engage the terminal surfaces to provide additional retention. Certain secondary locking members not only independently lock the terminal in place, but can also be attached to the electrical connector when the terminal is in its original insertion position. In addition, certain inserts not only lock the terminal in place independently,
Move the improperly positioned terminal to a sufficient mounting position. These inserts are called terminal position assurance inserts (TPAs). In addition to auxiliary inserts for terminal position assurance, separate inserts have been used to maintain the engagement of two mating connectors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,306 discloses an electrical connector in which a pin is inserted and engages a resilient latch to prevent the resilient latch from disengaging from a mating latch member on a mating connector. I have. The auxiliary device is called a connector position assurance insert (CPA).

[0004]

In the electrical connector as described above, as terminals become smaller and higher in density, stability and accuracy of the dimensions and shape of the insulating housing of the electrical connector generally manufactured by molding a plastic material are required. You. Further, particularly in an environment where a large vibration and impact is applied, such as an automobile, it is necessary to completely maintain the fitted state until the pair of fitted electrical connectors is intentionally released from the fitted state.
In addition, these electrical connectors need to have good workability in an automobile assembly and production line and the like. However, the conventional electrical connector cannot fully or partially satisfy the above-mentioned requirements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized and high-density latch-type electrical connector which has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, has excellent workability and stability.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electric connector according to the present invention comprises a plurality of terminal receiving cavities between a mating surface and a rear surface, and is fixed to an outer surface of a side wall near the mating surface. An electrical connector having an insulative housing having a beam-shaped connector latch extending therethrough and a plurality of terminals inserted into the terminal receiving cavity of the insulative housing, wherein the connector latch stands upright from near the fitting surface of the insulative housing. The beam is formed by a plurality of parallel beams extending to the rear surface side, a common rear portion is formed at a free end of the beam, and a latch shoulder connecting between adjacent beams is formed at an intermediate portion of the beam, and the insulating portion is formed. Separation ribs are formed on both sides of the common rear portion of the connector latch of the housing. Sealed a pair of latch spring loaded connector position assurance insert is disposed in the sidewall of the insulating housing and the common rear part of the connector latch. An electrical connector including a plurality of terminal receiving cavities between a mating surface and a rear surface, an insulating housing having a latch beam formed in the terminal receiving cavities, and terminals inserted into each of the terminal receiving cavities. Each of the latch beams of the insulating housing has a groove formed in a longitudinal direction, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. A terminal is formed by bending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction to form a lug, and having a plurality of fingers abutting on the lug of the lug in a slot formed from the rear surface of the insulating housing toward the final mating surface. An insert is inserted to hold each terminal in the terminal receiving cavity.

[0006]

According to the electric connector of the present invention, the connector latch, which engages with the mating connector, is formed by a plurality of narrow beams rising from the fitting surface side of the side wall of the insulating housing and extending parallel to the rear surface side. The common rear is interconnected by a latch shoulder between adjacent beams in the middle. The connector latch having such a configuration cools relatively uniformly at the time of molding, so that the shape is stable, and it is possible to bend with good elasticity when the common rear portion is pressed. Therefore, it is easily and perfectly flexibly engaged with the mating connector during latch engagement. Further, in order to release the latch with the mating connector, the common rear portion is pressed down to bend flexibly, and the mating connector is easily released by releasing the mating connector. Especially,
The connector latch formed by three or more beams can be maintained at a uniform height with respect to the side wall of the insulated housing, can be securely latched with the mating connector, and is good for a large number of repeated operations. High elasticity can be maintained. Note that the connector latch is latch-engaged with a corresponding engagement shoulder of the mating connector at a plurality of latch shoulders.

A pair of separating ribs formed on both sides of the common rear portion of the connector latch on the outer surface of the side wall of the insulating housing are separated from the common rear portion at predetermined intervals. But,
When an excessive lateral external force is applied to the common rear portion, the common rear portion abuts these separation ribs to prevent overstress of the connector latch exceeding the elastic deformation limit. Furthermore,
It also prevents wires and the like from tangling under the connector latch.

Further, according to another electrical connector of the present invention, the latch beam groove in the terminal receiving cavity is formed to have a substantially U-shaped cross section, so that the cross sectional area of the latch beam is reduced and deformation after molding is performed. And effectively provides a stable primary lock to the terminal. Further, each terminal is formed with an ear perpendicular to the longitudinal direction after standing from the base, and is brought into contact with the finger of the TPA insert in a relatively large area, so that the terminal is secondarily locked with a large holding force.

The TPA insert used in the present invention is insertable into a slot at the rear of the housing and contacts an upwardly extending projection on a terminal in a cavity in an insulating housing. The protrusion is bent such that the front of the TPA insert engages the flat side of the protrusion.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion includes an inwardly formed ear overlapping the base of the terminal. The flat surface on the protrusions significantly increases the achievable holding force for these connectors and provides a means of reliably regenerating over the life of the tool used to manufacture the terminals. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the terminal protrusion is
Extends over the insulation crimp on the wire crimp and terminal and the TPA
The insert is inserted over both the wire crimp and the insulation barrel.

Here, in one embodiment of the connector described above, a receptacle terminal is employed, whereas in another embodiment, a pin terminal is employed. Like the receptacle terminal, the pin terminal includes a protrusion located between the conductor crimp and the contact of the pin terminal, together with the conductor crimp and the insulating barrel. A pin protruding from the front of the connector is insertable into an opening communicating with a housing containing the connector. A thin barrier separates the opening from an opening extending inward from the front of the connector. This barrier is formed using a core pin and forms a plastic latch integrally molded to a housing containing the pin terminal. The latch extends forward toward the mating surface. On the other hand, a latch used with a receptacle terminal and used on an insulated housing has an outer end of the housing and has a cantilever extending rearwardly away from the mating surface of the terminal. .

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The electric connector 2 shown in FIG. 1 can be fitted to a mating (right-angle) pin header 4. The electrical connector 2 includes an insulating housing 6 in which a plurality of terminals 10 are arranged in two parallel rows. The mating pin header 4 also includes an insulated header housing 8 having a plurality of right angle header pins 12.
Is provided. The insulating housing 6 can be manufactured from a conventional engineering plastic such as a glass-filled LCP (liquid crystal polymer). The header housing 8 can also be manufactured from a conventional insulating material such as glass filled PBT. The terminal 10 can be manufactured from a conventional material such as phosphor bronze that has been pre-tinned. The header pins 12 can be manufactured using rectangular parallelepiped brass contacts with tin plated on nickel. The electrical connector 2 also employs an integral terminal position and connector position assurance insert 14 having a TPA insert 16 joined to a CPA 18 by an integral strap 90. The TPA and CPA inserts 14 can be made from a plastic such as acetal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the TPA and CPA insert 14 have the same configuration
Used with a separate TPA insert without PA18. The TPA and CPA inserts 14 are associated with terminals mounted in a row of cavities 20 in the housing located near an integral connector latch on one side of the housing. Only one connector
Because there are two connector latches 32, there is no need for a CPA member to be associated with terminals in another row of cavities 20 in insulating housing 6. The connector shown in FIG. 1 has twenty position connectors with ten cavities 20 placed in each of two rows. It should be noted that electrical connectors with more or less terminal locations can be similarly manufactured.

A plurality of cavities 2 in an insulating housing 6
0 extends from the mating end or mating surface 36 of the insulating housing 6 to the rear surface 38. The cavities 20 are arranged in parallel in two rows. Cavity positions within the spaced rows are offset. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the centerline spacing between cavities in the same row is 3.0 mm. Thus, the lateral spacing between adjacent cavities 20 in different rows is 1.5 mm. Although the present invention is particularly suitable for high-density connectors having terminals with this degree of centerline spacing,
Obviously, it can be applied to lower density large connectors, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that similar configurations can be employed for smaller centerline spacing. Figure 1
Referring to FIG. 4, the primary retaining member that retains the terminal 10 in each cavity 20 comprises a resilient housing latch molded in the form of a cantilever latch beam 22 having a portion of each cavity 20. These mold cantilever latch beams 22 have an integral part of one side wall of the insulating housing 6. These cantilever latch beams 22
Extends rearward from the fitting end 36 toward the rear surface 38. Each latch includes a latch projection 24 on the free end of the cantilever latch beam that projects into the corresponding cavity 20. These cantilever latch beams 22 extend rearward,
The terminal 10 is prevented from being pulled out through the rear surface 38 of the housing 6. Therefore, these cantilever latch beams 22 are loaded only by tensile forces and need not withstand other large compressive loads. The latches 22, which form part of the insulated housing side wall 30, are separated by rigid portions of the side wall 30, and the outward flexure of the latch 22 is prevented by laterally extending overstress ribs. The side wall opening is formed by the free end 26 of the latch beam 22.
It is provided to allow access to. Thus, the free end 26 flexes outwardly with respect to the latch base 28, the flexing being limited by a laterally extending overstress rib 34.

The electrical connector 2 is fitted and engaged with the pin header 4 by a connector latch 32 adjacent to the side wall 30 on the insulating housing 6. The connector latch 32 has an integral part of the insulating housing 6. The connector latch 32 can be pressed inward (downward) to allow the insulating housing 6 to snap into the header housing 8. The connector latch 32 can be pressed down to release the insulating housing 6 from the header housing 8 of the pin header 4 which is the mating connector. The connector latch 32 includes a plurality of deflectable beams 42 extending between a rear surface 38 of the insulating housing and the mating surface 36. These flexible connector latch beams 42 have fixed ends adjacent the mating protrusions of the insulating housing 6 and terminate in a common rear portion 40. The rear portion 40 is disposed between two separation ribs 34 extending upwardly adjacent to the rear surface 38 of the insulating housing 6. These ribs 34 prevent excessive lateral movement of the connector latch 32. A connector latch shoulder 44 is provided between adjacent connector latch beams 42 and has a front sloped surface 46 and a rear vertical surface 48. The forward movement of the insulating housing 6 with respect to the header housing 8 causes the front inclined surface 46 of the
9 to deflect the beam 42 inward. With continued movement of the header housing 8 such that the connector is fully mated, the rear vertical surface 48 of the latch shoulder 44 engages the mating projection 49 of the mating header housing 8. Beam 4
2 can be cammed inward when mating between two connectors.

Now, US Pat. No. 4,722,704 shows an electrical connector using a cantilever as an insulating housing portion. One problem with this type of electrical connector is that the latch beam is deformed during the mold. These cantilever latch beams are prone to distortion and outward bending during cooling of the mold housing. As the cantilever bends, the latching protrusion at the end of the cantilever latch beam is pulled outward from the center of the cavity. There is no problem in compensating for this tendency, since relatively large connectors need only enlarge the latching protrusion. However, as connectors become smaller and denser, there is less room for such compensation. The present invention also provides an electrical connector that solves such a problem.

The electrical connector in the specific embodiment described above is a high density connector having a large number of terminals with adjacent cavities 3 mm apart. Adjacent rows of cavities also have a distance of 3.0
mm. The respective cantilever latch beam in each cavity is therefore relatively small. By the way, the conventional beam shown in FIG. 11A is molded using a solid rectangular cross section. These solid cantilever beams 22a integrated with the housing 6a are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1A, it is easy to bend outward. This outer distortion is
The rough projection 24a is moved outward from its target position. In other words, the latch protrusion 24a is bent outward with respect to the center of the corresponding cavity 20a. Thus, the latch projection 24a forms a smaller fixed locking engagement with the terminal in the cavity 20a. The force required to retract the terminals is less than required. Due to the small dimensions of this cantilever latch and the limited space available in each cavity, it is not possible to simply enlarge the latch projection 24a to compensate for this distortion.

The phenomenon believed to cause this distortion is the uneven cooling of the molded cast plastic which forms the cantilever latch beam with the housing.
This non-uniform cooling is due to the temperature difference between the outside of the mold forming the housing exterior and the core pins used to form the cavity. The core pins are significantly hotter than the rest of the mold. In some cases, the core pin temperature can reach as high as 510 degrees Fahrenheit (266 degrees C.) while the temperature on the outside of the mold cavity is 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
It becomes 0 to 200 degrees (82 degrees C to 93 degrees C). Thus, the cantilever latch beam 22a, adjacent to the mating end 36a (not shown) on the outside of the housing and including the web 31a forming the base of each beam, tends to cool more rapidly. As these portions of the beam cool, they tend to shrink, while at the same time the inner portion of the beam is hotter and not subject to the same stresses as the faster cooling portions. As the beam portion adjacent to the base and on the outside of the beam contracts longitudinally, the beam is distorted and bends outward. This bending tendency,
This is due to different cooling due to non-uniform temperature distribution in the mold.

The cantilever latch beam 2 shown in FIG. 11B
According to the second embodiment, this distortion tendency can be reduced. A groove 92 extending longitudinally on the inside of the cantilever latch beam 22 extends from the base of the beam at the mating surface 36 of the housing 6 toward the latching protrusion 24 on the end of the beam. The cross section through the beam 22 along the length of the groove 92 indicates that the beam has a substantially U-shaped cross section. Groove 9
2 extends through the web 31 and is open on the mating surface 36 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11B, the beam 22 has little distortion or bending. Groove 92 is cavity 2
As formed by the relatively hot core pins forming a zero, the temperature distribution in the beam during cooling changes to minimize the tendency of the beam to contract longitudinally. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, the beam portion on the outer half must be hotter, thus reducing the non-uniform longitudinal contraction and cooling the inside of the beam more rapidly.

In another embodiment of FIG. 11C, groove 94 extends outside beam 22 '. This groove 94 is similar to groove 92 in other respects. By forming a groove 94 on the outside of the housing, the beam 22 'actually bends inward, causing the latch projection 24' to move toward the center of the cavity 20 '. There is a groove 94 in which the shrinkage of the beam adjacent the cooling mating surface 36 'on the inner half of the beam is sufficient to overcome the shrinkage on the outer half and the beam can be drawn inward. It should be noted that there is a smaller cross section on the outer half of beam 22 '.

Details of the receptacle terminal 10 used in the electrical connector 2 are shown in FIGS. Each of the plurality of stamped and molded terminals 10 is disposed in each cavity 20 in the insulating housing 6. Each terminal includes a protrusion 50 at an intermediate portion of its opposite end. Protrusion 50
Extend upward from the opposite terminal side end of the base 54. The protrusions 50 extend upward from the opposite ends of the base 54 between the front surface of the conductor crimp 62 and the insulating barrel 64 and between the conductor crimp 62 and the fitting receptacle contact portion 60. The protrusion 50 is bent, with the flat side extending inwardly over the protrusion to form a lug 52 facing the rear of the terminal 10 on the wire crimp 62 and insulating barrel 64. Ear 5
2 is formed such that it overlaps the base 54 and the flat side of each ear 52 faces the rear part of the terminal 10. The wire crimp 62 has a conventional structure and an insulating barrel 64.
Are higher than the conductor crimp 62 when each is pressed and deformed around the conductor as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 50 and the ear 52 are located above the wire crimp 62 and the insulating barrel 64. The ears 52 are formed inward and the free ends 56 of each ear 52 are in opposing positions.
Receptacle contact portion 60 is of a general conventional construction and includes an inwardly formed resilient contact spring 66 suitable for establishing electrical continuity of a pin inserted into receptacle contact portion 60. . Anti-overstress projections (prevention of excessive distortion) 65 are formed outward at the free ends of the contact springs 66 on the sides of the central box. These anti-overstress projections 65 are formed after the contact springs 66 are formed inward.
It is formed by swaging the sides. These anti-overstress projections 65 prevent plastic deformation of the contact spring 66. The raised portion 67 is disposed along the base of the receptacle contact 60, and the pin inserted into the contact portion 60
The ridge 67 is located between them. When the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 20 behind the insulating housing 6, the resilient housing latch 22 engages with each terminal between the projection 50 and the mating end 58 of the terminal 10. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latch projection 24 is configured such that the terminal 10 is
Engages with receptacle contact portion 60 when fully inserted therein. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the latch projection 24 is engaged with an upper end formed on the receptacle contact portion 60 immediately near the projection 50. The protrusion 5
Note that the leading edge of the zero is configured to avoid the protrusion 24 at the rear of the latch beam 22.

The TPA and CPA members 14 are inserted from the rear of the insulating housing 6. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the integral member includes a substantially flat TPA insert 16 located at one end of the strap 90 and a block-shaped CPA insert 18 located at the other end. TPA insert 16 is engagable with terminal 10 and holds the terminal in the cavity. The TAP insert 16 is inserted from the rear of the insulating housing 6. The substantially flat TPA insert 16 is inserted into a slot provided near the side wall 30 adjacent to the latch beam 22. This slot is formed by a gap between the side wall 30 defining each cavity 20 and the upper end of the inner wall. TPA insert 16 has a plurality of fingers 70, each finger associated with one cavity 20. Each finger engages the rear flat side, that is, the ear 52 of the projection 50 on the corresponding terminal 10. When the terminals 10 are not properly engaged with the terminal latch beams 22, the insertion of the TPA insert 16 forces each terminal 10 into its full seating position. TPA insert 16
It has a substantially flat body 76 with fingers 70 extending from the front end of the flat body. The bar 78 extends laterally along the rear end of the TPA body 76 and forms a stop engageable with a surface on the rear end 38 of the insulating housing 6. Laterally extending TPA bar 78 also provides a means for withdrawing TPA insert 16 from a slot in insulating housing 6.

The slot into which the TPA insert 16 is inserted is at a location occupied by the wire crimp 62 and the insulating barrel 64. Thus, the TPA insert 16 engages the flat side of the ear in front of the wire crimp 62 and the insulating barrel 64. The TPA insert 16 also engages the top of the insulating barrel 64 and lowers the rear of the terminal 10 to the bottom of the corresponding cavity 20. Thus, lateral movement after the terminal 10 is limited. The engagement of the front projection 50 of the finger 70 with the flat ear also increases the retention provided by the TPA insert 16. Over 30 pounds of holding force can be obtained with this configuration. TPA1
The configuration in which 6 engages a flat surface instead of the end of the protrusion increases the holding force from the range of 20-25 pounds to the range of 30-35 pounds, which is significant in the required characteristics of this type of connector. Increase. The TPA insert 16 is held in the insulative housing 6 by a latch spring 74 projecting from its side end and securing the TPA in the housing. These latch springs 74 are inwardly deflectable and have side recesses 77 adjacent the side walls 30 on the ends on the insulating housing 6.
FIG. 1 includes protruding teeth 75 received therein.

The CPA insert 18 is engageable with the rear portion 40 of the connector latch 32 and maintains the engagement between the mating pin header 4 and the latch 32. CPA insert 18
Prevents the rear part 40 of the connector latch 32 from being depressed. However, the resilient beam 42 is able to flex without depressing the rear portion 40 of the connector latch. C
The PA insert 18 is inserted between the rear of the connector latch 32 on the adjacent side wall 30 where the TPA insert 16 is. The CPA insert 18 can be inserted between the two separation ribs 34, and between these ribs 34, the connector latch 32
Trapped between the rear part 40 and the side wall 30. The height of the CPA body 84 is high enough to hold the rear common portion 40 of the connector latch 32 at a predetermined position. A laterally extending CPA bar 86 is located at the rear of the CPA insert 18 and is separated from the CPA body 84 by a laterally recessed portion 88. This lateral recess assists the operator in moving the CPA insert 18 as it provides a convenient gripping surface. For example, an operator may insert a thumb nail into recess 88, exert a pulling force on CPA bar 86, and pull out CPA insert 18 from under rear 40 of connector latch 32. Latch spring 8 engageable with rib 34
0 protrudes from the side end 82 of the CPA insert 18,
Secure the CPA insert 18 in place. TPA insert 16 and CPA insert 18 have laterally projecting latch springs 74 and 80, respectively. The TPA insert 16 and the CPA insert 18 can be juxtaposed side by side by simply bending or deforming the strap 90. As a result, the TPA insert 16 is inserted inside the housing side wall 30 and the CPA insert 18 is inserted.
Can be inserted on one of the side walls 30 on the outside.

FIGS. 12-14 show an electrical connector 2 for use with another embodiment having a pin header 4 '. The pin header 4 'has straight pins 12' extending through the rear surface of the header housing 8 '. Here, another embodiment of the pin header 4 'and the preferred embodiment of the right angle pin header 4 have a central pocket in which the pins 12 and 12' extend. The receptacle type electric connector 2 is insertable into this pocket with the terminal 10 engaged with the right angle pin 12 or the straight pin 12 ′. In each case, the latch shoulder 44 engages a mating surface 49 or 49 'extending into this connector receiving pocket on the header.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 14 shows a receptacle type electrical connector 2 used with a pin header. FIG. 15 shows an embodiment where the receptacle type electrical connector 2 is used with a separate pin connector 102 to form a conductor-to-conductor configuration. The embodiment of the receptacle type electrical connector 2 shown in FIGS.
This is substantially the same as the receptacle type electrical connector 2 shown in FIG. The mating pin connector 102 used with the individual conductor is different from the electrical connector 2 and the pin header 4. Electrical connector 102 has some of the same features as connector 2. Electrical connector 102
Is an insulating housing 1 having a plurality of pin terminals 110 built therein.
06. Each TPA insert 116 ′, which is substantially the same as TPA insert 16 ′, has a pin terminal 1 in a cavity 120 in pin connector housing 106.
Used to hold 10. The pin terminal 110
Through the rear surface 138, it can be inserted into the cavity 120 in the insulating housing 106.

Each pin terminal 110 includes a conductor crimp portion 162 and an insulation barrel 164 identical to the conductor crimp 62 and insulation barrel 64 on the electrical connector 2. Pin terminal 1
10 also has a protrusion 150 identical to the protrusion 50 on the terminal 10.
With. The ear 152 on the projection 150 is bent inward on the base 154, exposing the flat side to the rear of the pin terminal 110 having the same configuration as the terminal 10. Terminal part 110
Has a pin 160 located on the mating end 168 of the terminal. The pin is stamped and dimensioned to be received within the receptacle contact portion of terminal 10.

The housing 106 of the connector 102 is significantly different from the insulating housing 6 of the electrical connector 2. Insulating housing 106 is configured to mate essentially with housing 6. The housing 106 has a plurality of cavities 120 extending from the rear of the housing 106 to an intermediate portion of the housing. Pocket 184 is defined by shroud 182 and is located on the mating end of the housing. The pocket 184 is provided at the mating end 36 of the housing 6.
And are sized to accept An opening 170 having an inner dimension smaller than the corresponding cavity is located at the end of each cavity 120 adjacent the pocket 184. Each opening communicates with a corresponding opening and common pocket 184. Openings 170 are sized to receive pins 160 of each terminal 110. The opening 170 is provided between the center of the cavity 120 and the inner surface of the corresponding cavity. The opening hole 172 is provided near the opening 170 and is provided between the opening and the outer surface or the outer side of the corresponding cavity 120. The opening 172 is aligned with the terminal latch 122 along the opposite side of the cavity from the inside. The terminal latch 122 extends inward from the outer wall of the housing cavity and extends toward the mating end of the housing.

The opening 172 is formed by a core pin used to mold the front surface of the terminal latch 122. The shape of the aperture 172 thus conforms to the outer shape of the core pin and defines the clearance for the core pin used to mold the housing terminal latch 122. A thin barrier 174 separates each opening 170 from a corresponding opening hole 172. Housing terminal latch 122
Is not formed as a housing wall, like the elastic housing latch 22 in the connector 2. this is,
This is because there is a pocket 184 adjacent to the fitting end of the connector 102. A pin extending through the opening 170
The outer shroud or wall 182 extends into a pocket 184 formed in a shape corresponding to the mating end shape of the connector 2. The latch envelope 180 has the pocket 1
Formed on one side of 84 to form a shroud.
This latch envelope 180 is configured to receive the resilient beam 42 over the connector latch 32 on the connector 2. The mating shoulder is the latching envelope 1.
86 are formed on the upper surface. This mating or locking shoulder 188 is configured to engage the latch shoulder 44 on the connector 2. Because the pin 160 extends a predetermined distance through the opening 170 and into the pocket 174, problems with pin alignment or pin movement after mating must be avoided. These problems are related to TPA insert 11
It is solved efficiently by using 6 '. TPA
The insert 116 ′ engages the top of the insulation 164 when positioned over the wire crimp 162 and the insulation barrel 164 to hold the rear end of the terminal below the inner surface of the cavity 120. Thus, the terminal insert 164 '
Not only retains the terminals in the corresponding cavity 120, but also positions the terminals 110 correctly and limits the movement of the terminals once locked in the housing.

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of a two-terminal connector of a conductor-to-conductor electric connector assembly including the electric connector 2 and the mating connector 102. An embodiment of the two-terminal connector will be described. Various components of this two-terminal connector are similar to other connectors. However, one difference is that the TPA insert 14 'is different from the TPA insert 16'.
And two straps 90 'adjacent to the CPA insert 18'.

[0029]

As will be understood from the above description, the electrical connector of the present invention has various remarkable effects. First, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the connector latch is composed of a plurality of parallel beams, it is cooled relatively uniformly at the time of molding, so that deformation due to thermal strain is small and sufficient elasticity can be obtained. Further, the separation ribs on both sides of the common rear portion of the connector latch not only effectively prevent overstress (excessive stress) of the connector latch and entanglement of wires (electric wires) during the manufacture of the electric harness, but also one-way.
Workability is excellent because the CPA having the pair of latch springs can be easily and reliably attached and detached. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the latch beam in each terminal receiving cavity of the insulating housing is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section by forming a longitudinal groove, the shape stability of the molded latch beam is excellent. ing. Furthermore, since the protrusions erecting from the base of the terminal are bent in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and engaged with the fingers of the TPA, the holding force of the terminal can be greatly improved, and the reliability of the electrical connector can be improved. improves.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown with a right angle header.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment receptacle electrical connector of the present invention having a right angle pin header.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the two connectors in a mated state;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an insulating housing of the electric connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a receptacle terminal used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the terminal shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the terminal shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an integrated terminal position and connector position assurance insert.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the terminal position and connector position assurance insert.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a terminal position and connector position assurance insert.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a cantilever latch beam showing unwanted outward bending of the beam.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the cantilever latch beam of the connector shown in FIGS.

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cantilever latch beam.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention using a straight pin header.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 13 in which two connectors are fitted.

FIG. 15 is a view showing another embodiment of a wire-to-wire connector assembly using a receptacle connector similar to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the two mating connectors shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 16 including two mating connectors;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a pin terminal.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the pin terminal shown in FIG. 18;

20 is a side view of the pin terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the insulating housing shown together with the pin terminals.

FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of the wire-to-wire connector assembly shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Electrical Connector 4,102 Mating Connector 6 Insulated Housing 10 Terminal 16 Terminal Position Assurance Insert (TPA) 18 Connector Position Assurance Insert (CPA) 20 Terminal Receiving Cavity 22 Latch Beam 30 Side Wall 32 Connector Latch 34 Separating Rib 36 Fitting Surface 38 Rear Reference Signs List 40 common rear 42 beam 44 latch shoulder 50 projection 52 ear 54 base 70 finger 80 latch spring 92, 94 groove

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Bobbi Jane Ward, U.S.A. 27021 King Maple Rain 1019 (72) Inventor Donald James Tutto, U.S.A., USA 27107 Winston Salem Box 493 Route 16 (56) Reference Literature Japanese Utility Model 60-183380 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 61-7787 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 58-44776 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 58-14684 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 1 135674 (JP, U) Hira 1-111480 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H01R 13/639 H01R 13/64

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An insulating housing having a plurality of terminal receiving cavities between a mating surface and a rear surface, a beam-shaped connector latch fixed to an outer surface of a side wall near the mating surface and extending to the rear surface side; An electrical connector having a plurality of terminals inserted into a terminal receiving cavity, wherein the connector latch is formed by a plurality of parallel beams extending from the vicinity of the fitting surface of the insulating housing and extending toward the rear surface. A common rear portion is formed at a free end of the common housing, a latch shoulder connecting between adjacent beams is formed at an intermediate portion of the beams, and a separation rib is formed on both sides of the common rear portion of the connector latch of the insulating housing. After being mated with the mating connector, the
An electrical connector wherein a pair of latch spring-loaded connector position assurance inserts are disposed in the common rear of the connector latch and in a side wall of the insulating housing. 2. An electrical system comprising: a plurality of terminal receiving cavities between a mating surface and a rear surface; an insulating housing having a latch beam formed in the terminal receiving cavities; and a terminal inserted into each of the terminal receiving cavities. In the connector, each of the latch beams of the insulating housing has a groove formed in a longitudinal direction to have a substantially U-shaped cross section, and each of the terminals has an engaging portion with the latch beam and has a projection rising from a base. The terminal is bent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the terminal to form an ear, and has a plurality of fingers that contact the ear of the terminal in a slot formed from the rear surface of the insulating housing toward the final fitting surface. An electrical connector wherein a terminal position assurance insert is inserted to retain each of said terminals in said terminal receiving cavity.