Vehicular wiring system with first and second connector housings and identifying member that is removable only when first and second connector housings are connected properly

• US 10,644,452 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2016
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyamura, Tetsuya, Takeda, Kazuaki, Tabata, Masaaki, Omori, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chambers, Travis S
• Application Number:
  US15/781,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20180358750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 439626, 439488, 439489, 439491
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0207 Wire harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/465 Identification means, e.g. labels, tags, markings H01R9/2475, H01R9/2683 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/645 by exchangeable elements on case or base
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles

Abstract

A wiring system includes a plurality of connectors (C1 to C9). Each connector includes a first connector housing (10), a second connector housing (20) and a connector identifying member (30). The first connector housing (10) includes an identifying member holding portion for holding the connector identifying member (30). The second connector housing (20) includes a restraint releasing portion for releasing the restraint of the connector identifying member (30) only when the first and second connector housings (10, 20) are connected properly. Each connector identifying member (30) holds identification information for distinguishing the connector to which the connector identifying member belongs.

Claims

1. A vehicular wiring system to be provided in a vehicle, comprising a plurality of connectors, wherein:

each of the connectors includes a first connector housing, a second connector housing to be electrically connected to the first connector housing and a connector identifying member to be held in the first connector housing;

the first connector housing includes an identifying member holding portion configured for holding the connector identifying member, the identifying member holding portion includes a restraining portion that is releasably engageable with a restrained portion of the connector identifying member for restraining the connector identifying member to prevent separation of the connector identifying member from the first connector housing, a fitting locking piece on a side of the identifying member holding portion opposite the restraining portion, the fitting locking piece having a locked projection;

the second connector housing includes a locking projection configured to engage the locked projection of the fitting locking piece when the first and second connector housings are connected properly, a restraint releasing portion spaced from the locking projection and configured for releasing the restrained portion of the connector identifying member from the restraining portion of the identifying member holding portion of the first connector housing to allow the separation of the connector identifying member only when the first and second connector housings are connected properly and not releasing the restraint when the first and second connector housings are not connected properly; and

the connector identifying member includes an identification information holding portion with identification information that identifies the connector to which the connector identifying member belongs, wherein

the second connector housing has a front end, a receptacle open into the front end of the second connector housing and configured for receiving the first connector housing, the releasing portion projecting forward from a rear wall of the receptacle, the locking projection projecting from a wall of the receptacle adjacent the front end of the second connector housing.

2. The vehicle wiring system of claim 1, wherein the connector identifying member includes a body with opposite front and rear ends, the restraining portion being disposed on the front end of the body of the connector identifying member, a covering portion projecting from the rear end of the body of the connector identifying member, the covering portion being configured for covering a side of the fitting locking piece opposite the identifying member holding portion, the connector identifying member further including an operated portion projecting rearward of the body of the connector identifying member and configured to be gripped for pulling the connector identifying member out of the identifying member holding portion, the identifying information being disposed on the operated portion.

3. The vehicle wiring system of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a housing body having at least one terminal accommodation chamber formed therein, the identifying member holding portion being disposed adjacent the housing body, the fitting locking piece being supported deflectably on a side of the identifying member holding portion opposite the housing body, the locked projection being disposed on a side of the fitting locking piece facing away from the identifying member holding portion.

4. The vehicle wiring system of claim 3, wherein the identifying member restraining portion is formed on a side of the housing body facing toward the identifying member holding portion and the fitting locking piece.

5. A vehicle wiring system to be provided in a vehicle, comprising a plurality of connectors, wherein:

each of the connectors includes a first connector housing, a second connector housing to be electrically connected to the first connector housing and a connector identifying member to be held in the first connector housing;

the first connector housing includes a housing body having at least one terminal accommodation chamber formed therein, an identifying member holding portion disposed adjacent the housing body and configured for holding the connector identifying member, the identifying member holding portion includes a restraining portion that is releasably engageable with a restrained portion of the connector identifying member for restraining the connector identifying member to prevent separation of the connector identifying member from the first connector housing, a fitting locking piece supported deflectably on a side of the identifying member holding portion opposite the housing body and opposite the restraining portion, the fitting locking piece having a locked projection on a side of the fitting locking piece facing away from the identifying member holding portion;

the second connector housing includes a locking projection configured to engage the locked projection of the fitting locking piece when the first and second connector housings are connected properly, a restraint releasing portion spaced from the locking projection and configured for releasing the restrained portion of the connector identifying member from the restraining portion of the identifying member holding portion of the first connector housing to allow the separation of the connector identifying member only when the first and second connector housings are connected properly and not releasing the restraint when the first and second connector housings are not connected properly; and

the connector identifying member includes an identification information holding portion with identification information that identifies the connector to which the connector identifying member belongs, wherein

the first connector housing has a front end configured for connection with the second connector housing, the fitting locking piece being cantilevered rearward from the front and of the first connector housing, the identifying member having a covering portion disposed a side of the fitting locking piece opposite the identifying member holding portion to prevent inadvertent deflection of the fitting locking piece.

6. The vehicle wiring system of claim 5, wherein the second connector housing has a front end, a receptacle open into the front end of the second connector housing and configured for receiving the first connector housing, the releasing portion projecting forward from a rear wall of the receptacle, the locking projection projecting from a wall of the receptacle adjacent the front in of the second connector housing.