Connector installation structure for fuel tank

• US 5,941,730 A
• Filed: 11/26/1997
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Ogawa, Shinji, Uchiyama, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/979,058
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 439/544, 439/550, 439/565
• US Class Current: 439/550
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 2037/082 Details of the entry of the current supply lines into the pump housing, e.g. wire connectors, grommets, plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/10 submerged in fuel, e.g. in reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6277 comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/745 separate from the housing

Abstract

An installation structure can carry out a work of attaching a connector (1) to a fuel tank with one touch without using a particular equipment or requiring a great space. A holding sleeve (24) is secured to a lid plate (22) of the fuel tank with the sleeve projecting into an interior of the tank. The holding sleeve (24) is provided in its opposite outer peripheral positions with each of a pair of windows (30). An elastic clip (29) having a substantially U-shaped configuration is mounted on the holding sleeve (24) with each leg (33) of the clip (29) projecting into an interior of the sleeve (24) through each window (30). An inner connection portion (5) of the connector (1) is provided in its opposite outer peripheral position with each of a pair of engaging grooves (36). The portion (5) is also provided in its outer surface below each engaging groove (36) with an inclined guide face (38). When the portion (5) of the connector (1) is being inserted into the holding sleeve (24), the legs (33) are deflected outwardly by the guide faces (38). When the portion (5) is completely inserted in the sleeve (24), the legs (33) fit in the respective grooves (36) by their elastic recovery forces, thereby preventing the connector (1) from coming out of the lid plate (22).

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising a connector and a holding sleeve adapted to be mounted on a surface,

said connector having an inner portion with an inner end and, remote therefrom, an outer portion;

said inner portion fitted in a hollow small diameter portion of said holding sleeve complementary thereto;

a pair of windows in said small diameter portion and a pair of locking grooves in said inner portion, said windows and said locking grooves being in register with each other and positioned opposite each other;

a spring clip having a generally U-shaped configuration with a pair of resilient legs, each of which extend out from a base and are substantially parallel to each other, one of each of said legs projecting through one of said pair of windows and into one of said pair of grooves, wherein said inner portion is retained in said small diameter portion and whereby said windows, said grooves and said spring clip act to correct misalignment between said connector and said holding sleeve.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein there is a body between said outer portion and said inner portion, said body being larger in transverse cross section than said inner portion.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said inner portion and said body are cylindrical and said body has a diameter greater than that of said inner portion.

4. The connector assembly of claim 3 wherein said holding sleeve carries a large diameter portion which has a larger diameter than said small diameter portion and is complementary to said body.

5. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said base of said clip has an arcuate configuration and sand clip has a pair of hook portions each of which is formed by turning a distal end of each leg inwardly.

6. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein a ramp is provided on said inner end, said ramp sloping radially inwardly in a direction of insertion of said inner portion into said holding sleeve.