Connector

• US 5,203,718 A
• Filed: 10/08/1991
• Issued: 04/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Chishima, Masamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US07/773,003
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 439/350, 439/358, 439/488, 439/489
• US Class Current: 439/489
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

A connector constructed such that the front half portions of a pair of connector housings each accommodating a terminal are coupled with each other and are locked and connected together by a pair of first locking means. This connector comprises a detecting spacer locked and connected to one of the pair of connector housings by second locking means and a lock-releasing means provided on the other connector housing for releasing locking between the detecting spacer and the one connector housing when the other connector housing is properly coupled with the one connector housing.

Claims

1. A connector assembly in which the portions of a pair of connector housings each accommodating a terminal are coupled with each other and are locked together by means of a pair of first locking devices, said connector comprising:

a detecting spacer which is locked and removably connected to one of said pair of connector housings by a second locking device; and

a lock-releasing device provided on the other connector housing, said lock releasing device being configured so as to release a locked condition of said detecting spacer to said one connector housing when said other connector housing is properly coupled with said one connector housing.

2. A connector as set forth in claim 1;

wherein said first locking devices constitute a posture locking mechanism including a cantilever type of resilient lock piece formed on the one connector housing and a lock pawl formed on the other connector housing, said lock pawl being adapted to engage with said lock piece by elastically deflecting and recovering said lock piece;

wherein said second locking device constitutes a withdrawal locking mechanism including a pair of resilient fingers formed on said detecting spacer and a pair of lock portions formed on the one connector housing, said lock portions being adapted to engage said resilient fingers to prevent said detecting spacer from withdrawing from the one connector housing;

wherein said detecting spacer has a detecting finger adapted to engage with a free end of said lock piece when said lock piece is elastically deflected by said lock pawl; and

wherein said lock-releasing device includes a pair of release portions which engage with the ends of said resilient fingers so that said lock-releasing device can release said withdrawal locking mechanism when said connector housings are properly coupled with each other.

3. A connector as set forth in claim 2,

wherein each of said resilient fingers has a first downward pawl at its free end, said first downward facing pawl being adapted to engage with said lock portion on the one connector housing;

wherein said detecting finger has a upward facing pawl at its free end, said upward facing pawl being adapted to engage with the free end of said lock piece on the one connector housing when said lock piece is elastically deflected; and

wherein each of said release portions is formed into a tongue projected in the interior of the other connector housing and directed to said first downward facing pawl of said resilient finger.

4. A connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said detecting finger is provided with a window for receiving said lock piece at the front portion and the front edge of said window serves as a stop for the free end of said lock piece.

5. A connector as set forth in any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein said detecting spacer is provided with a barcode-indication portion having given barcodes.

6. A connector as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said second locking means constitute a withdrawal locking mechanism including a pair of resilient fingers formed on said detecting spacer and a pair of lock portions formed on the one connector housing, each of said resilient fingers being provided with an outside pawl at the free end, said lock portions being adapted to engage with said outside pawls respectively to prevent said detecting spacer from withdrawing from the one connector housing;

and

wherein said lock-releasing means is provided with release portions for engaging said outside pawls of said resilient fingers when said connector housings are properly coupled with each other.

7. A connector as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said second locking means constitute a withdrawal locking mechanism including a resilient plate extending from said detecting spacer and a pair of resilient levers formed on the one connector housing, said resilient plate being provided with a recess at the opposite sides, said resilient levers being adapted to engage with said recesses respectively to prevent said detecting spacer from being withdrawn from the one connector housing;

and

wherein said lock-releasing means is provided with release portions for engaging said resilient levers on the one connector housing when said connector housings are properly coupled with each other.

8. A connector as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said second locking means constitute a withdrawal locking mechanism including a resilient plate extending from said detecting spacer and a pair of protrusions formed on the interior of the one connector housing, said resilient plate being provided with a window in the front portion and a pair of outside protrusions at the opposite sides of the rear portion, said window being adapted to receive the end of said lock piece on the one connector housing when said lock piece is elastically deflected by said lock pawl on the other connector housing, said protrusions of the one connector housing being adapted to lightly engage said outside protrusions on said resilient plate respectively to prevent said detecting spacer from withdrawing from the one connector housing;

and

wherein said lock-releasing means can be operated by manually pulling said detecting spacer from the one connector housing when said connector housings are properly coupled with each other.

9. A connector as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said second locking means constitute a withdrawal locking mechanism including a resilient plate extending from said detecting spacer and a pair of resilient levers formed on the one connector housing, said resilient plate being provided with a window in the front portion and a recess at the opposite sides of the medial portion said resilient levers being adapted to engage said recesses respectively to prevent said detecting spacer from being withdrawn from the one connector housing, said window being adapted to receive said lock piece when said lock piece is elastically deflected by said lock pawl on the other housing;

and

wherein said lock-releasing means is provided with release portions for engaging said resilient levers on the one connector housing when said connector housings are properly coupled with each other.

10. A connector as set forth in any one of claims 6 through 9, wherein said detecting spacer is provided with a barcode-indication portion having given barcodes.