Electrical connector with interlock

• US 6,056,577 A
• Filed: 05/18/1998
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Air-Lb GmbH
• Original Assignee: Air-Lb GmbH
• Inventors: Blanchet, Lucien
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): Byrd, Eugene G.
• Application Number:
  US09/080,219
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/321, 439/320, 439/350
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap

Abstract

Electrical connector with interlock, including a first part carrying at least one contact and a second part carrying at least one contact, each part having a housing in which the corresponding contact is held. An axially movable locking ring is mounted on the housing of the second part for locking the second part on the first part. The connector includes a retainer that retains the locking ring in the retracted position on the housing of the second connector part, a member for blocking the locking ring in the retracted position at the commencement of the fitting together of the housings of the two parts, a member for eliminating the effect of retaining the locking ring, a member for snap-fastening the two housings one on the other and unblocking the locking ring at the end of the fitting together of the two housings, and a member for locking the two housings in a snap-fastened position as a result of the axial advance of the locking ring.

Claims

1. Electrical connector comprising:

a first connector part carrying at least one contact and a second connector part carrying at least one contact, each said connector part comprising a housing in which the corresponding said contact is held by an insulator, the housing of the second connector part being capable of fitting onto the housing of the first connector part upon coupling of said connector parts for interconnecting said contacts;

a locking ring mounted on the housing of the second connector part so as to be axially movable on said housing of the second connector between an inactive retracted position and an active advanced position;

retaining means for retaining said locking ring in said inactive retracted position so long as said housings are not interfitted;

blocking means for blocking said locking ring in said inactive retracted position at the beginning of an interfitting movement of the housings of said two connector parts;

releasing means for eliminating the action of said retaining means after blocking of the locking ring by said blocking means during interfitting of said housing;

snap-fastening and unblocking means for snap-fastening the two housings on one another and for unblocking the locking ring from the housing of said second connector part at the end of the interfitting movement of said two housings; and

locking means for locking the two housings in the snap-fastened position upon shifting the locking ring into said active advanced position on the housing of said second connector part.

2. Connector according to claim 1, further comprising holding means for holding said locking ring in said active advanced position on the housing of said second connector part.

3. Connector according to claim 2, further comprising locking ensuring means preventing angular movability of said locking ring with respect to the housing of said second connector part except in said active advanced position of said locking ring.

4. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said retaining, blocking, releasing, snap-fastening and unblocking, and locking means are each integrally moulded with said housings and said locking ring from plastics material without any re-machining.

5. Connector according to claim 2, wherein said retaining, blocking, releasing, snap-fastening and unblocking, and locking means are integrally moulded with said housings and said locking ring from plastics material without any remachining.

6. Connector according to claim 3, wherein said retaining, blocking, releasing, snap-fastening and unblocking, and locking means are integrally moulded with said housings and said locking ring from plastics material without any remachining.

7. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprise at least one tab protruding inwardly on said locking ring and co-operating by elasticity with an outer groove of the housing of said second connector part.

8. Connector according to claim 7, wherein said releasing means comprise at least one axially extending external key on the housing of said first connector part, for pushing said tab outwardly and releasing it from said groove during interfitting of said two housings.

9. Connector according to claim 7, wherein said releasing means comprise at least one stud movable radially on the housing of said second connector part between an inner position, in which it is brought by elasticity and projects radially inwards beyond said housing, and an outer position, in which it is brought by the housing of said first connector part and in which it pushes outwardly said tab on said locking ring.

10. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said snap-fastening and unblocking means comprise at least one stud movable radially on the housing of said second connector part between a position, in which said stud projects radially outwards by an elasticity effect, and a position, in which it projects radially inwards counter to the elasticity effect, an inner groove provided in the locking ring, for receiving said stud when the latter is pushed outwardly by the housing of said first connector part, at the beginning of said interfitting movement, and an outer groove in the housing of said first connector part, for receiving said stud by snap-fastening at the end of said interfitting movement.

11. Connector according to claim 9, wherein said stud is formed at the free end of an elastic lug protruding on the housing of said second connector part.

12. Connector according to claim 9, wherein said stud is formed on an elastic collar retained in an outer groove of the housing of said second connector part.

13. Connector according to claim 10, wherein the said stud is formed on an elastic collar retained in an outer groove of the housing of said second connector part.