WATER-TIGHT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH LATERALLY COMPRESSED O-RING
First Claim
1. A water-tight connector housing system, comprising:
- a receptacle housing configured for housing at least one receptacle electrical contact;
a plug housing configured for housing at least one plug electrical contact, the plug housing being configured for mating with the receptacle housing in a mating direction so as to create an electrical connection between the receptacle electrical contact and the plug electrical contact;
a latch mechanism which can be transitioned between an unlatched configuration and a latched configuration, the latch mechanism in the latched configuration being able to inhibit separation of the plug housing from the receptacle housing when the plug housing is mated to the receptacle housing, the latch mechanism including a plurality of latch tabs extending outward from the overlapping shell of the plug housing, a plurality of latch slots formed in the outer shell of the receptacle housing and configured to accept insertion therein of the latch tabs when the plug housing is mated with the receptacle housing, and a plurality of latch sliders mounted in the receptacle housing and slidable between latched positions and unlatched positions, the latch sliders being configured so as to pass behind the latch tabs and thereby trap the latch tabs within the latch slots when the plug housing is mated with the receptacle housing and the latch sliders are moved to the latched positions;
a receptacle contact support structure contained within the receptacle housing and configured for supporting the at least one receptacle electrical contact, the receptacle contact support structure being substantially planar and oriented perpendicular to the mating direction, the receptacle contact support structure being supported by a curved wall surrounding a perimeter of the receptacle contact support structure and extending rearward from the receptacle contact support structure;
an o-ring groove formed in an outward-facing surface of the curved wall, the o-ring groove lying in a plane that is perpendicular to the mating direction;
a plug contact support structure contained within the plug housing and configured for supporting the at least one plug electrical contact, the plug contact support structure being substantially planar and oriented perpendicular to the mating direction; and
an overlapping shell surrounding a perimeter of the plug contact support structure and extending forward from the plug contact support structure in the mating direction, the overlapping shell being configured so as to overlap and surround the curved wall and compress an o-ring located in the o-ring groove when the plug housing is mated with the receptacle housing, the o-ring being thereby compressed in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction so as to apply substantially no reactive force to the latch mechanism in the latched configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical connector housing system provides a water-tight o-ring seal between a receptacle housing and a plug housing without compressing the o-ring in the mating direction. The housing system includes at least two latch sliders that can be engaged to trap latch tabs within latch slots. The latch sliders are substantially unaffected by the o-ring compression, and are compatible with housing systems of almost any size and/or shape. Embodiments include a connector region surrounded by a curved wall having an o-ring groove in its outer surface, and the plug housing includes a shell which overlaps the curved wall and compresses the o-ring perpendicular to the mating direction. The housings can include integral electrical contacts and/or can accept one or more insertable contacts. The latch sliders. The latch mechanism can include a detent mechanism, and can require a tool for disengagement.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A water-tight connector housing system, comprising:
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a receptacle housing configured for housing at least one receptacle electrical contact; a plug housing configured for housing at least one plug electrical contact, the plug housing being configured for mating with the receptacle housing in a mating direction so as to create an electrical connection between the receptacle electrical contact and the plug electrical contact; a latch mechanism which can be transitioned between an unlatched configuration and a latched configuration, the latch mechanism in the latched configuration being able to inhibit separation of the plug housing from the receptacle housing when the plug housing is mated to the receptacle housing, the latch mechanism including a plurality of latch tabs extending outward from the overlapping shell of the plug housing, a plurality of latch slots formed in the outer shell of the receptacle housing and configured to accept insertion therein of the latch tabs when the plug housing is mated with the receptacle housing, and a plurality of latch sliders mounted in the receptacle housing and slidable between latched positions and unlatched positions, the latch sliders being configured so as to pass behind the latch tabs and thereby trap the latch tabs within the latch slots when the plug housing is mated with the receptacle housing and the latch sliders are moved to the latched positions; a receptacle contact support structure contained within the receptacle housing and configured for supporting the at least one receptacle electrical contact, the receptacle contact support structure being substantially planar and oriented perpendicular to the mating direction, the receptacle contact support structure being supported by a curved wall surrounding a perimeter of the receptacle contact support structure and extending rearward from the receptacle contact support structure; an o-ring groove formed in an outward-facing surface of the curved wall, the o-ring groove lying in a plane that is perpendicular to the mating direction; a plug contact support structure contained within the plug housing and configured for supporting the at least one plug electrical contact, the plug contact support structure being substantially planar and oriented perpendicular to the mating direction; and an overlapping shell surrounding a perimeter of the plug contact support structure and extending forward from the plug contact support structure in the mating direction, the overlapping shell being configured so as to overlap and surround the curved wall and compress an o-ring located in the o-ring groove when the plug housing is mated with the receptacle housing, the o-ring being thereby compressed in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction so as to apply substantially no reactive force to the latch mechanism in the latched configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A water-tight connector housing system, comprising:
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a receptacle housing configured for housing at least one receptacle electrical contact; a plug housing configured for housing at least one plug electrical contact, the plug housing being configured for mating with the receptacle housing in a mating direction so as to create an electrical connection between the receptacle electrical contact and the plug electrical contact; an o-ring groove configured within the receptacle housing so as to cause an o-ring located in the o-ring groove to be compressed in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction when the plug housing is mated with the receptacle housing, so that substantially no compressive force is required to maintain the plug housing in mated relationship with the receptacle housing; and a latch mechanism which can be transitioned between an unlatched configuration and a latched configuration, the latch mechanism including a plurality of latch sliders cooperative with one of the plug housing and the receptacle housing and a corresponding plurality of latch tabs cooperative with the other of the plug housing and the receptacle housing, the latch sliders being able to trap the latch tabs when the latch mechanism is in the latched configuration so as to inhibit separation of the plug housing from the receptacle housing when the plug housing is mated to the receptacle housing, said compression of the o-ring applying substantially no reactive force to the latch mechanism in the latched configuration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification