Electrical connector having first and second connector members and locking structure therefor
First Claim
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1. An electrical connector, comprising:
- a first connector member and a second connector member connectable with the first connector member in a connected state;
said first connector member having a first housing and at least one first electrical terminal, said first housing having a front end, at least one forwardly projecting portion in which said at least one first electrical terminal is housed and a forwardly projecting cantilevered rod-like locking projection that is located within a projected outer peripheral surface of the first housing, including a first locking element, extending alongside said at least one forwardly projecting portion; and
said second connector member having a second housing and at least one second electrical terminal, said second housing having a front end, at least one rearwardly extending terminal recess in which said at least one second electrical terminal is housed and a rearwardly extending locking recess, including a second locking element, extending alongside said at least one terminal recess, wherein, in said connected state, said at least one forwardly projecting portion of said first housing is received in said at least one terminal recess of said second housing whereby said at least one first electrical terminal and said at least one second electrical terminal engage so as to make electrical connection, and said locking projection is received in said locking recess so that said first and second locking elements interengage thereby locking said first and second connector members together and said first locking element is housed within said locking recess in said connected state so as not to project outwardly of said second housing.
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Abstract
An electrical connector has first and second connector members containing one or respective pairs of terminals. In the housing of the first member, the terminals are projections. In the housing of the second member the terminals are recesses which receive the projections. A locking projection on the first member is received in a separate recess of the second member, and does not project outside the second member in the connected state. The connector is compact and has a smooth exterior shape.
73 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrical connector, comprising:
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a first connector member and a second connector member connectable with the first connector member in a connected state;
said first connector member having a first housing and at least one first electrical terminal, said first housing having a front end, at least one forwardly projecting portion in which said at least one first electrical terminal is housed and a forwardly projecting cantilevered rod-like locking projection that is located within a projected outer peripheral surface of the first housing, including a first locking element, extending alongside said at least one forwardly projecting portion; and
said second connector member having a second housing and at least one second electrical terminal, said second housing having a front end, at least one rearwardly extending terminal recess in which said at least one second electrical terminal is housed and a rearwardly extending locking recess, including a second locking element, extending alongside said at least one terminal recess, wherein, in said connected state, said at least one forwardly projecting portion of said first housing is received in said at least one terminal recess of said second housing whereby said at least one first electrical terminal and said at least one second electrical terminal engage so as to make electrical connection, and said locking projection is received in said locking recess so that said first and second locking elements interengage thereby locking said first and second connector members together and said first locking element is housed within said locking recess in said connected state so as not to project outwardly of said second housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An assembly of solar panels, comprising:
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at least first and second solar panels; and
an electrical connector connecting the first and second panels, comprising;
a first connector member and a second connector member connectable with the first connector member in a connected state;
said first connector member having a first housing and at least one first electrical terminal, said first housing having a front end, at least one forwardly projecting portion in which said at least one first electrical terminal is housed and a forwardly projecting cantilevered rod-like locking projection that is located within a projected outer peripheral surface of the first housing, including a first locking element, extending alongside said at least one forwardly projecting portion; and
said second connector member having a second housing and at least one second electrical terminal, said second housing having a front end, at least one rearwardly extending terminal recess in which said at least one second electrical terminal is housed and a rearwardly extending locking recess, including a second locking element, extending alongside said at least one terminal recess, wherein, in said connected state, said at least one forwardly projecting portion of said first housing is received in said at least one terminal recess of said second housing whereby said at least one first electrical terminal and said at least one second electrical terminal engage so as to make electrical connection, and said locking projection is received in said locking recess so that said first and second locking elements interengage thereby locking said first and second connector members together and said first locking element is housed within said locking recess in said connected state so as not to project outwardly of said second housing.
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20. An electrical connector, comprising:
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a first connector member and a second connector member connectable with the first connector member in a connected state;
said first connector member having a first housing and at least one first electrical terminal, said first housing having a front end, at least one forwardly projecting portion extending at least a length of said at least one first electrical terminal in which said at least one first electrical terminal is housed, and a forwardly projecting cantilevered rod-like locking projection, that is located within a projected outer peripheral surface of the first housing including a first locking element extending alongside said at least one forwardly projecting portion; and
said second connector member having a second housing and at least one second electrical terminal, said second housing having a front end, at least one rearwardly extending terminal recess extending at least a length of said at least one second electrical terminal in which said at least one second electrical terminal is housed and a rearwardly extending locking recess, including a second locking element, wherein, in said connected state, said at least one forwardly projecting portion of said first housing is received inside at least one terminal recess of said second housing whereby said at least one first electrical terminal and said at least one second electrical terminal engage so as to make electrical connection, and said locking projection is received in said locking recess so that said first and second locking elements interengage thereby locking said first and second connector members together. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification