METHOD OF OPERATING A CONNECTOR LATCH FOR A HOUSING

• US 20190312382A1
• Filed: 06/22/2019
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JST Corporation (JST Manufacturing Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: JST Corporation (JST Manufacturing Company Limited)
• Inventors: AZAD, Vikas
• Granted Patent: US 11,005,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629

Abstract

Method of operating a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus, wherein the connector apparatus has at least a first housing and a second housing which can be mated together. Initially, after the connector latch is manufactured, the connector latch is in an undeflected position. After manufacture, the connector latch is subjected to a pre-mating deflection process, in order to deflect the connector latch into a preloaded position. After the pre-mating deflection process has been completed, the connector latch is locked in the preloaded position. The preloaded connector latch provides a number of desirable characteristics, including at least an extra loud “click” sound when the connecting latch is operated to mate the first housing with the second housing.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A method of operating a connector latch, comprising:

coupling a first housing with a second housing,

wherein said first housing includes a first surface and an upper surface, a button having at least a first surface and an upper surface, at least one latch beam in communication with said button, and a latch surface disposed on said at least one latch beam,

wherein said second housing forms an aperture and a protrusion,

wherein said first surface of said button engages with said first surface of said first housing when said button is in a preloaded position,

wherein said upper surface of said button is below said upper surface of said first housing when said button is in said preloaded position, and

wherein said protrusion engages with said latch surface and disengages from said latch surface when said coupling is performed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first surface of said button does not engage with said first surface of said first housing when said button is in an undeflected position.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said first housing has a first frame, and said first surface of said first housing is on said first frame.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said button, said at least one latch beam, and said latch surface form an aperture.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising emitting an audible sound when said coupling is performed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said emitting is performed when said protrusion disengages from said latch surface.

18-20. -20. (canceled)