Electrical connector

• US 10,461,472 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2018
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Italia Distribution S.r.l. (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP Italia S.r.l.
• Inventors: Genta, Alessandro, Spincich, Demis
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Truc T
• Application Number:
  US15/988,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20180342835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6277 comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

An electrical connector comprises a first connector, a second connector matable with the first connector, an elastic clip mounted on the first connector and movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position, and a safety locking member slidably mounted on the first connector and movable between a pre-locking position and a locking position. The elastic clip is coupled to the second connector in the engagement position to keep the second connector mated with the first connector. The elastic clip enables decoupling of the first connector and the second connector in the disengagement position. The safety locking member contacts the elastic clip in the locking position and prevents movement of the elastic clip from the engagement position toward the disengagement position.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

a first connector;

a second connector matable with the first connector;

an elastic clip mounted on the first connector and movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position, the elastic clip is coupled to the second connector in the engagement position to keep the second connector mated with the first connector, and the elastic clip enables decoupling of the first connector and the second connector in the disengagement position, the elastic clip is U-shaped and has a central portion and a pair of elastic branches each having an end portion; and

a safety locking member slidably mounted on the first connector and movable between a pre-locking position and a locking position, the safety locking member has a central elastic arm with an engagement tooth, the central elastic arm is disposed on a rear face of the safety locking member opposite a front face of the safety locking member, the front face of the safety locking member contacting the central portion of the elastic clip in the locking position and preventing movement of the elastic clip from the engagement position toward the disengagement position.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the first connector and the second connector each include a body and a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in the body.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein, in the pre-locking position of the safety locking member, the engagement tooth engages in a matching seat of the first connector and prevents movement of the safety locking member from the pre-locking position to the locking position.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the first connector has a plurality of guide portions guiding the safety locking member between the pre-locking position and the locking position.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein the safety locking member has a plurality of grooved portions extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the safety locking member, the grooved portions engaging the guide portions.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein each of the grooved portions has a slit receiving an inclined tooth disposed on each of the guide portions.

7. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein each of the slits has a matching surface engaging with the inclined tooth of one of the guide portions and preventing the safety locking member from being decoupled from the first connector.

8. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein, when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the second connector moves the engagement tooth out of engagement with the matching seat and the safety locking member is capable of being moved out of the pre-locking position.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the end portions of the elastic branches each engage an inclined surface of the second connector in the engagement position.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein, when a force is applied to the central portion of the elastic clip, the elastic branches spread apart from each other into the disengagement position and are disengaged from the inclined surfaces of the second connector.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein, when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the safety locking member is disposed between the elastic clip and the second connector.

12. The electrical connector of claim 11, wherein decoupling the first connector from being mated with the second connector requires sliding the safety locking member from the locking position to the pre-locking position and pressing the central portion of the elastic clip to spread the elastic branches apart from each other.

13. An electrical connector, comprising:

a first connector;

a second connector matable with the first connector;

an elastic clip mounted on the first connector and movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position, the elastic clip is coupled to the second connector in the engagement position to keep the second connector mated with the first connector, and the elastic clip enables decoupling of the first connector and the second connector in the disengagement position; and

a safety locking member slidably mounted on the first connector and movable between a pre-locking position and a locking position, the safety locking member contacting the elastic clip in the locking position and preventing movement of the elastic clip from the engagement position toward the disengagement position, the first connector has a plurality of guide portions guiding the safety locking member between the pre-locking position and the locking position and the safety locking member has a plurality of grooved portions extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the safety locking member, the grooved portions engaging the guide portions, each of the grooved portions has a slit receiving an inclined tooth disposed on each of the guide portions.

14. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein each of the slits has a matching surface engaging with the inclined tooth of one of the guide portions and preventing the safety locking member from being decoupled from the first connector.

15. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the safety locking member has a central elastic arm with an engagement tooth.

16. The electrical connector of claim 15, wherein, in the pre-locking position of the safety locking member, the engagement tooth engages in a matching seat of the first connector and prevents movement of the safety locking member from the pre-locking position to the locking position.

17. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein, when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the second connector moves the engagement tooth out of engagement with the matching seat and the safety locking member is capable of being moved out of the pre-locking position.

18. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein the elastic clip is U-shaped and has a central portion and a pair of elastic branches each having an end portion.

19. The electrical connector of claim 18, wherein the end portions of the elastic branches each engage an inclined surface of the second connector in the engagement position.

20. The electrical connector of claim 19, wherein, when a force is applied to the central portion of the elastic clip, the elastic branches spread apart from each other into the disengagement position and are disengaged from the inclined surfaces of the second connector.

21. The electrical connector of claim 20, wherein, when the first connector is mated with the second connector, the safety locking member is disposed between the elastic clip and the second connector.

22. The electrical connector of claim 21, wherein decoupling the first connector from being mated with the second connector requires sliding the safety locking member from the locking position to the pre-locking position and pressing the central portion of the elastic clip to spread the elastic branches apart from each other.