Connector housing having terminal holding recesses with stop surfaces

Abstract

An electrical connector has a housing with at least one contact receiving channel extending from an insertion face to a mating face. The contact receiving channel has a wall extending around a perimeter of the contact receiving channel. A contact can be inserted into the contact receiving channel from the insertion face toward the mating face. The contact has a mounting portion positioned in the contact receiving channel. The contact has a shank extending outwardly from the mounting portion. A recess extends from the contact receiving channel into the wall of the contact receiving channel. The recess has a stop surface and a lead-in surface. The shank cooperates with the stop surface of the recess to properly position and retain the contact in the at least one contact receiving channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector housing having a terminal retaining recess with a stop surface. In particular, the invention relates to a terminal retaining recess that cooperates with a terminal spear to properly position and retain the terminal within the connector housing. Background Technology

[0002] Contacts that can be inserted into the channels of a connector housing require a reliable mechanism to retain them within the contact receiving channel after insertion. Each stamped contact typically relies on the cooperation of a spear and a shoulder along one or more walls of the contact receiving channel to resist withdrawal of the contact in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. The spear is typically deflectable during insertion until it passes the shoulder of the contact receiving channel, at which point the spear elastically returns to a stress-free position. However, because the dimensions of the contact receiving channel differ from the dimensions of the contact, a large gap or space can be provided between the shoulder and the spear, preventing the spear from properly positioning the contact within the contact receiving channel.

[0003] In other connector housings, the spearhead of the contact engages the wall of the contact receiving channel. In connector housings made of softer housing materials, the spearhead can move slightly or penetrate the housing material, causing the housing to be held in place within the wall of the contact receiving channel. This allows the spearhead to provide sufficient holding force to properly position and maintain the contact receiving channel. However, in housings made of harder materials, such as glass-filled resin, the spearhead cannot move or penetrate the housing material. Therefore, the spearhead slips across the wall of the contact receiving channel, resulting in a lower holding force and causing the spearhead to fail to properly position the contact within the contact receiving channel.

[0004] The desired solution is to provide a spear-receiving recess in a contact receiving channel that overcomes the problems of the prior art. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide a spear-receiving recess that cooperates with the spear of the contact to provide suitable terminal retention force, regardless of the material of the connector housing. It is also advantageous to provide a spear-receiving recess that cooperates with the spear of the contact to properly position the contact in the contact receiving channel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following provides an overview of some illustrative embodiments of the invention. This overview is not a comprehensive summary and is not intended to identify key or core aspects or elements of the invention, nor is it intended to define its scope.

[0006] The embodiment relates to an electrical connector having a housing having at least one contact receiving channel extending from an insertion surface to a mating surface. The contact receiving channel has a wall extending around its perimeter. A contact can be inserted into the contact receiving channel from the insertion surface toward the mating surface. The contact has a mounting portion positioned within the contact receiving channel. The contact has a spear-like portion extending outward from the mounting portion. A recess extends from the contact receiving channel into the wall of the contact receiving channel. The recess has a stop surface and a guide surface. The spear-like portion cooperates with the stop surface of the recess to properly position and retain the contact within the contact receiving channel.

[0007] This embodiment relates to an electrical connector having a housing having at least one contact receiving channel extending from an insertion surface to a mating surface. The contact receiving channel has a mating contact receiving cavity extending from the mating surface. The mating contact receiving cavity has a retaining wall spaced apart from and extending parallel to the mating surface. A spear receiving recess is provided on the retaining wall. The spear receiving recess extends from the mating contact receiving cavity into the retaining wall of the mating contact receiving cavity. The spear receiving recess has a stop surface. A contact can be inserted into the contact receiving channel from the insertion surface toward the mating surface. The contact has a mounting portion positioned in the mating contact receiving cavity. The contact has a spear extending outward from the mounting portion. The free end of the spear is moved into the spear receiving recess and cooperates with the stop surface of the spear receiving recess to properly hold and maintain the position of the contact in the contact receiving channel.

[0008] This embodiment relates to an electrical connector having a housing with a contact receiving channel extending from an insertion surface to a mating surface. The contact receiving channel has a retaining wall projecting from a side wall into the contact receiving channel. A spear receiving recess is provided on the retaining wall. The spear receiving recess extends from a surface of the retaining wall. The spear receiving recess has a stop surface and a guide surface. A contact is positioned within the contact receiving channel. The contact has a mounting portion positioned near the retaining wall of the contact receiving channel. A spear extends outward from the mounting portion. The spear has a free end spaced apart from the mounting portion. A force applied to the contact in a direction opposite to the direction of contact insertion into the contact receiving channel causes the free end of the spear to be moved into the spear receiving recess, wherein the spear cooperates with the stop surface of the spear receiving recess to properly retain and maintain the position of the contact within the contact receiving channel.

[0009] After reading and understanding the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the additional features and aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the drawings and related descriptions should be considered illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, schematically illustrate one or more illustrative embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an illustrative electrical connector with contacts inserted into it.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The electrical connector is shown in the cross-sectional view along line 2-2.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of region 3 shows the spear near the spear receiving recess.

[0014] Figure 4 It is similar to Figure 3 The view shows the guide surface of the spear engagement spear receiving recess.

[0015] Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 3 The view shows the stop surface where the spear engages with the spear receiving recess.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the first alternative spear receiving recess.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the receiving recess of the second alternative spear. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The description of illustrative embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered an integral part of the entire written description. References to any orientation or direction in the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are for convenience of description only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” and their derivatives (e.g., “horizontally,” “downward,” “upward,” etc.) should be interpreted as referring to the orientation as described or shown in the drawings discussed. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require the equipment to be installed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms such as “attach,” “fix,” “connect,” “join,” “interconnect,” and similar terms refer to a relationship in which structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other via an intermediate structure, and to a movable or rigid attachment or relationship, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, features and advantages of the invention are illustrated by reference to preferred embodiments. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to these preferred embodiments, which illustrate possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

[0019] Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description includes numerous details for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that many variations and modifications to these details are within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without losing the generality of the claimed invention or imposing limitations upon it.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the illustrative electrical connector 10 has a contact receiving channel 12 in which contacts 14 are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 10 has five contact receiving channels in a single row, but other configurations and other numbers of contact receiving channels 12 can be used.

[0021] like Figure 2As shown, the electrical connector 10 has a housing 16 with at least one contact receiving channel 12 extending from an insertion surface 18 to a mating surface 20. The contact receiving channel 12 includes a mating contact receiving cavity 22 extending from the mating surface 20 and a conductor receiving cavity 24 extending from the insertion surface 18. A retaining wall 26 is provided at the end of the mating contact receiving cavity 22, which is spaced apart from the mating surface 20 of the housing 16. The retaining wall 26 is the transition between the mating contact receiving cavity 22 and the conductor receiving cavity 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining wall 26 extends around the circumference of the mating contact receiving cavity 22 and is parallel to the mating surface 20.

[0022] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, at least one spear-receiving recess 28 is provided on the retaining wall 26. The spear-receiving recess 28 extends from the mating contact receiving cavity 22 into the retaining wall 26 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22. The spear-receiving recess 28 has an introduction surface 30 and a stop surface 32. The spear-receiving recess 28 extends from near the side wall 34 of the conductor receiving cavity 24 toward the side wall 36 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22. The stop surface 32 is positioned closer to the side wall 36 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22, and the introduction surface is positioned closer to the side wall 34 of the conductor receiving cavity 24.

[0023] The guide surface 30 extends from the surface of the retaining wall 26 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22. The end 38 of the guide surface 30 is spaced apart from the surface of the retaining wall 26 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22 and is adjacent to or abuts the end 40 of the stop surface 32, which is spaced apart from the surface of the retaining wall 26 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22.

[0024] The middle portion 42 of the guide surface 30 of the spear receiving recess 28 extends in a direction away from the end 40 of the stop surface 32 and away from the side wall 36 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22. Figures 3 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the middle portion 42 of the guide surface 30 of the spear receiving recess 28 is planar. However, in other embodiments, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the middle portion 42 of the guide surface 30 of the spear receiving recess 28 is non-planar.

[0025] The stop surface 32 extends at an angle 44 from the surface of the retaining wall 26 of the receiving cavity 22 of the mating contact. Angle 44 can be an acute angle (e.g., ...). Figure 6 and Figure 7 (as shown) or right angle (such as) Figures 3 to 5 (As shown). The stopping surface can be planar (e.g., Figures 3 to 5 ,as well as Figure 7 (As shown) or it can be non-planar, such as Figure 6 As shown.

[0026] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, contact 14 is a male contact pin. However, other embodiments can be used. For example, contact 14 can be a female socket contact. Contact 14 has a mounting portion 50, and a mounting spear 52 extends outwardly from the mounting portion 50. The end 54 of the spear 52 has a first surface 56 and a second surface 58.

[0027] In use, the contact 14 is inserted into the contact receiving channel 12 of the housing 16 through the insertion surface 18 toward the mating surface 20. When this happens, the mounting portion 50 is moved through the conductor receiving cavity 24 of the contact receiving channel 12. Because the mounting portion 50 of the contact 14 has a diameter similar to that of the conductor receiving cavity 24, the spear portion 52 of the mounting portion 50 elastically deforms inward.

[0028] The insertion of contact 14 continues until the mounting portion 50 of contact 14 is moved into the mating contact receiving cavity 22 of the contact receiving channel 12, as shown. Figure 3 As shown. In this position, the spear 52 moves past the sidewall 34 of the conductor receiving cavity 24, allowing the spear 52 to elastically return to its stress-free position and move toward the sidewall 36 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22.

[0029] With the contact 14 correctly positioned in the contact receiving channel 12, the end of the contact 14 must remain in place adjacent to the mating surface 20, thereby enabling the auxiliary connector 10 and the mating connector (not shown) to be correctly electrically connected. Therefore, if a force is applied to the contact 14 in the direction toward the insertion surface 18, such as... Figure 2 The middle arrow 60 indicates that it is necessary to prevent the contact 14 from being withdrawn from the mating contact receiving cavity 22 of the contact receiving channel 12.

[0030] When force is applied, the mounting portion 50 of the contact 14 moves toward the conductor receiving cavity 24, as... Figure 4 As shown. When this occurs, the second surface 58 of the end 54 of the spear 52 engages with the retaining wall 26.

[0031] If the force is sustained, the second surface 58 of the end 54 of the spear 52 is moved into the spear receiving recess 28 provided on the retaining wall 26. With the force sustained, the second surface 58 engages and slides across the guide surface 30 of the spear receiving recess 28 until the second surface 58 engages the stop surface 32. The guide surface 30 of the spear receiving recess guides the end 54 of the spear 52 toward the stop surface 32. Figure 5As shown, in this position, the second surface 58 of the spear 52 engages the stop surface 32 to prevent further movement of the spear 52 and the contact 14 toward the wall 36 of the mating contact receiving cavity 22 of the contact receiving channel 12. Also in this position, the first surface 56 of the end portion 54 of the spear 52 engages the guide surface 30 of the spear receiving recess 28 to prevent further movement of the spear 52 and the contact 14 toward the conductor receiving cavity 24 of the contact receiving channel 12 and the mating surface 20.

[0032] The end 54 of the spear 52 cooperates with the guide surface 30 and the stop surface 32 of the spear receiving recess 28 to properly maintain and retain the position of the contact 14 in the mating contact receiving cavity 22 of the contact receiving channel 12.

[0033] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and equivalent technical solutions can replace its technical features. Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be used, or practiced, with many modifications to its structure, arrangement, proportions, dimensions, materials, and components, particularly suitable for specific environments and operational requirements, without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the currently disclosed embodiments are considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and is not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: A housing, the housing including at least one contact receiving channel extending from an insertion surface to a mating surface, the at least one contact receiving channel having a mating contact receiving cavity extending from the insertion surface, the mating contact receiving cavity having a sidewall extending from the mating surface; A retaining wall is disposed in the receiving cavity of the mating contact, the retaining wall being spaced apart from the mating surface and extending parallel to the mating surface; A contact capable of being inserted into at least one contact receiving channel from the insertion surface toward the mating surface, the contact having a mounting portion disposed in the at least one contact receiving channel, and a spearhead extending outward from the mounting portion; A spear receiving recess extends from the mating contact receiving cavity into the retaining wall. The spear receiving recess has a stop surface and a guide surface, and the stop surface is spaced apart from the sidewall of the mating contact receiving cavity. The spear portion cooperates with the stop surface of the spear portion receiving recess to prevent further movement of the contact and to properly position and hold the contact in the at least one contact receiving channel.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The end of the guide surface is away from the sidewall of the mating contact receiving cavity of the at least one contact receiving channel, and the end of the guide surface is adjacent to the end of the stop surface.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The middle portion of the guide surface of the spear receiving recess extends from the end of the guide surface in a direction toward the stop surface.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The import surface is a non-planar surface.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The stop surface is a planar surface that extends at an acute angle from the retaining wall of the at least one contact receiving channel.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The stop surface is a planar surface extending perpendicular to the retaining wall of the at least one contact receiving channel.

7. An electrical connector, comprising: A housing having at least one contact receiving channel extending from an insertion surface to a mating surface, the at least one contact receiving channel having a mating contact receiving cavity extending from the mating surface, the mating contact receiving cavity having a retaining wall spaced apart from and extending parallel to the mating surface, and the mating contact receiving cavity having a sidewall extending from the mating surface. A spear receiving recess is provided on the retaining wall. The spear receiving recess extends from the mating contact receiving cavity into the retaining wall of the mating contact receiving cavity. The spear receiving recess has a stop surface that is spaced apart from the side wall of the mating contact receiving cavity. A contact capable of being inserted from the insertion surface toward the mating surface into at least one contact receiving channel, the contact having a mounting portion disposed in the mating contact receiving cavity, and the contact having a plurality of spear-shaped portions extending outward from the mounting portion; The free ends of the plurality of spears are moved into the spear receiving recess and cooperate with the stop surface of the spear receiving recess to properly maintain and hold the position of the contact in the mating contact receiving cavity of the at least one contact receiving channel.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein, The spear receiving recess has a guide surface that guides the free end of the spear toward the stop surface.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein, The stop surface is configured to be closer to the sidewall than the guide surface.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein, The inlet surface extends from the surface of the retaining wall.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein, The end of the guide surface spaced apart from the surface of the retaining wall of the mating contact receiving cavity, and the end of the stop surface spaced apart from the surface of the retaining wall of the mating contact receiving cavity.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein, The middle portion of the spear receiving recess extends to the end of the guide surface, and the end is spaced apart from the surface of the retaining wall of the mating contact receiving cavity.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein, The import surface is a non-planar surface.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein, The stop surface is a planar surface that extends at an acute angle from the surface of the retaining wall of the receiving cavity of the mating contact.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein, The stop surface is a planar surface extending perpendicular to the surface of the retaining wall of the mating contact receiving cavity.

16. An electrical connector, comprising: A housing having a contact receiving channel extending from an insertion surface to a mating surface, the contact receiving channel having a mating contact receiving cavity extending from the mating surface and a conductor receiving cavity extending from the insertion surface, the mating contact receiving cavity having a sidewall extending from the mating surface and a retaining wall protruding from the sidewall of the mating contact receiving cavity into the contact receiving channel; A spear receiving recess is provided on the retaining wall, the spear receiving recess extends from the surface of the retaining wall, the spear receiving recess has a stop surface and a guide surface, the stop surface is spaced apart from the side wall of the mating contact receiving cavity; A contact located in the contact receiving channel, the contact having a mounting portion disposed adjacent to the retaining wall of the contact receiving channel, a spear extending outward from the mounting portion, the spear having a free end spaced apart from the mounting portion; Wherein, a force is applied to the contact in a direction opposite to the direction in which the contact is inserted into the contact receiving channel, causing the free end of the spear to be moved into the spear receiving recess; The stop surface of the spear portion cooperates with the spear portion receiving recess to prevent further movement of the contact and to properly hold and maintain the position of the contact in the mating contact receiving cavity of the contact receiving channel.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein, The stop surface of the spear receiving recess is configured to be closer to the sidewall of the mating contact receiving cavity than the guide surface.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein, The import surface is a non-planar surface.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein, The stop surface is a planar surface extending perpendicular to the surface of the retaining wall of the mating contact receiving cavity.

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