Connector

• US 7,275,951 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2006
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Hiroshi, Tsuruta, Akihiro, Kubota, Hiromasa, Nishida, Atsushi, Shigeta, Yoshinori, Minakata, Masato
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US11/588,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20070099496A1
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 439/350, 439/352, 439/353, 439/354, 439/357, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/502 composed of different pieces H01R13/514 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6271 Latching means integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7032 making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals

Abstract

The present invention is to provide a connector which is not subjected to an excess force when a locking securing unit is operated to remove engagement. The connector includes a male housing, a locking arm for engaging with a locking projection of a mating connector, a locking securing unit, and deformation switching portions. The locking securing unit is movably disposed between a regulation position to regulate a resilient deformation of the locking arm and an allowance position to allow the resilient deformation thereof. The deformation switching portions have a first interfering portion disposed on the locking arm and a second interfering portion disposed on the locking securing unit. When the locking securing unit is in the allowance position, the first and second interfering portions interfere each other and the locking arm resiliently deforms to remove engagement with the locking projection. When the locking securing unit is in the regulation position, the first and second interfering portions separate each other.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a connector housing for receiving a terminal;

a locking arm connected with the connector housing, the locking arm having a front end to be engaged with an engaging portion of a mating connector, and an operating portion at a rear end thereof;

a locking securing unit movably attached to the connector housing, the locking securing unit being movable between a regulation position to regulate a resilient deformation of the locking arm and an allowance position to allow the resilient deformation thereof; and

deformation switching portions disposed on the locking arm and the locking securing unit for allowing and regulating the resilient deformation of the locking arm, wherein

when the locking securing unit is in the allowance position and the operation portion is operated, the deformation switching portions interfere each other and the locking arm resiliently deforms so that the front end of the locking arm moves upwardly to disengage from the engaging portion, and

when the locking securing unit is in the regulation position and the operation portion is operated, the deformation switching portions separate each other and the locking arm is regulated to resiliently deform so that the front end of the locking arm is regulated to move upwardly to disengage from the engaging portion.

2. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the deformation switching portions have a first interfering portion disposed on the locking arm and a second interfering portion disposed on the locking securing unit,

the first and second interfering portions interfere each other when the locking securing unit is in the allowance position, and

the first and second interfering portions separate each other when the locking securing unit is in the regulation position.

3. The connector as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a position regulating portion for regulating a displacement between the first and second interfering portions when the locking securing unit is in the allowance position and the operation portion is operated.

4. The connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the position regulating portion has a first projection on the first interfering portion and a second projection on the second interfering portion.

5. The connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein

the first interfering portion projects from the locking arm and the second interfering portion projects from the locking securing unit,

the first projection is disposed on a front end of the first interfering portion and the second projection is disposed on a rear end of the second interfering portion, and

the second projection is positioned between the locking arm and the first projection and the first projection is positioned between an inner wall of the locking securing unit and the second projection when the locking securing unit is in the allowance position.

6. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking arm comprises:

a pair of supporting arms having a cantilever shape, each supporting arm having a rear end connected with the connector housing and a free front end,

a locking beak interconnecting the front ends of the supporting arm, and

an unlocking arm connected with the front end of the supporting arm and extending toward a rear end of the supporting arm.