Rod connector assembly for automated assembly

Abstract

This disclosure relates to rod-type connector assemblies. In particular, this disclosure relates to plug connectors, mating connectors, connector assemblies, and methods of assembling mating connector assemblies for mating with mating connectors. A plug connector for mating with a mating connector includes: a rotatable rod operable to rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position; and a first housing including a pivot bearing for rotatably supporting the rotatable rod. The rod includes an actuating element engageable with a drive element disposed at the mating connector, the actuating element operable to disengage the plug connector from the mating connector by rotating the rod from a locked position to an unlocked position, wherein the rotatable rod has a latching device operable to lock the plug connector at a corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the rod when the rod is in the locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to rod-type connector assemblies. In particular, this disclosure relates to plug connectors, mating connectors, connector assemblies, and methods of assembling mating connector assemblies for mating with mating connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Connector assemblies with pins are known in the industry. Typically, this type of electrical connector assembly includes a plug connector that mates with pin headers, the pin headers having a shield surrounding an array of pins on a printed circuit board.

[0003] For example, racks, pinions, and rods are used to provide mechanical advantages when two electrical connectors mate or dismate.

[0004] A rack is located on a plug connector, which typically includes terminals attached to wires. For example, teeth forming a pinion are located on a rod such that the rack and pinion teeth mesh with each other as the rod rotates about a pivot pin. Thus, rotation of the rod causes the two electrical connectors to engage or disengage.

[0005] However, for automated connector assembly, lever-operated connectors are disadvantageous because the automated assembly of connectors involving angular or rotational movements of levers is complex and does not meet the requirements for automated assembly.

[0006] In automotive applications, the presence of a lever is mandatory to reduce the mating force on larger connectors when reattaching them during manual servicing. Therefore, connector assemblies require levers for later servicing, but should not rely on the lever's function during automated mating, i.e., during manufacturing and assembly.

[0007] Therefore, a rod-type connector assembly is needed that is designed to allow for automated assembly while still meeting the requirements for manual mating and disassembly. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This objective is achieved through the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous examples of this disclosure are the subject matter of several dependent claims.

[0009] This disclosure is based on the concept of designing a lever with two functions: first, the lever acts as an actuator to assist in the engagement and disengagement of the plug connector and mating connector by rotating between an unlocked position and a locked position. Second, in its locked position, the lever also has the additional function of forming a latching device for securing the plug connector and mating connector in the connected state. In other words, when the lever is in its locked position at its end, the lever-actuated plug and head can engage without rotating the lever. Therefore, the lever integrates a latching function.

[0010] This disclosure provides a connector including a pivot rod that locks the connector to a mating connector in various ways without rotating the rod. For example, in one embodiment, the plug may have a rod including a pair of resilient rod arms and a cam groove, and a headstock having a pin that engages with the cam groove. The end locking portion of the cam groove is designed to overcome the latching of the pin. The edge of the end locking portion provides a beveled surface that engages with a beveled surface on the pin. During engagement with the rod in its end-locked position, the beveled surface of the pin pushes the edge of the end locking portion of the rod against the pin. In a second embodiment, the plug may have a rod including a gear, and the headstock having a resilient rack. The rack is designed to latch, overcoming the end locking portion of the rod and directly snapping onto the gear of the rod. The end locking portion of the rod provides a beveled surface that engages with a beveled surface on the end of the rack. During engagement with the rod in its end-locked position, the beveled surface of the rod pushes the rack against the end locking portion of the rod, and the teeth of the rack snap onto the teeth of the rod gear.

[0011] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a plug connector for mating with a mating connector is provided, the plug connector including a rotatable lever operable to rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position; and a first housing including a pivot bearing for rotatably supporting the rotatable lever. The lever includes an actuating element engageable with a drive element disposed at the mating connector, the actuating element operable to disengage the plug connector from the mating connector by rotating the lever from the locked position to the unlocked position. Furthermore, the rotatable lever has a latching device operable to lock the plug connector at a corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the lever when the lever is in the locked position.

[0012] Advantageously, the connector is designed to allow engagement with the lever in a locked position at the end. Furthermore, the lever can be used for manual engagement and disengagement of the connector assembly. Therefore, during manufacturing, lever-operated connectors can be assembled automatically without the lever's assistance, while engagement and disengagement can still be performed with the lever's aid, thus meeting the requirements for manual assembly and disassembly. In particular, the lever is mandatory for manual maintenance to reduce the engagement force on larger connectors.

[0013] Advantageously, existing connectors can be modified to meet automated assembly requirements with only minor design and tooling changes. Connectors for cam rod and gear rod designs can be implemented according to the concepts of this disclosure.

[0014] According to an advantageous example, the rod may include two resilient arms that partially surround the first housing and are interconnected by a bridging member that is accessible for actuating the rod, and a pivot bearing therein comprising two shafts, each supporting one arm. This configuration allows for particularly symmetrical and uniform force transmission and mechanical stability.

[0015] According to an advantageous example, the lever may include at least one cam groove forming an actuating element and engaging with a corresponding cam follower pin disposed at the mating connector. This design can be adapted to an improved automation-friendly concept in a particularly easy and cost-effective manner by simply replacing the lever. To facilitate automated assembly of the plug connector, the latching device may include a tilted peripheral region that allows a snap-fit ​​connection between the cam groove and the cam follower pin when the plug connector and mating connector are mated. The associated cam follower pin may have a corresponding tilted region to reduce the mating force that must be applied for assembly.

[0016] Alternatively, the actuating element may include a gear element that engages with a corresponding rack disposed at the mating connector. Compared to cam-actuated connectors, the interaction between the gear at the rod and the rack at the housing of the mating connector allows for the uniform transmission of much larger forces, for example, for larger connectors with more electrical conductors to mate.

[0017] According to an advantageous example, the latching device includes a tilted peripheral region that, when the plug connector and the mating connector are mated, allows a snap-fit ​​connection to be formed between the gear element and the rack. Thus, the gear element and the rack can slide past each other until they engage to form a locking connection. Compared to the actuated connector, the rack portion at the housing of the mating connector can form a resilient (i.e., deflectable) arm that is deflected as the rod slides past during mating.

[0018] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a mating connector is provided for mating with a plug connector according to this disclosure. The mating connector includes a second housing comprising a drive element engageable with an actuating element disposed at a rotatable lever of the plug connector, wherein the drive element is operable to disengage the plug connector from the mating connector by rotating the lever from a locked position to an unlocked position. The drive element is also configured as a locking element, operable to lock the mating connector at the plug connector without rotating the lever when the lever is in the locked position.

[0019] If the connector assembly is based on a cam-actuated design, the locking element at the mating connector may include at least one cam follower pin with an inclined upper region that allows the lever to slide on the cam follower pin during mating operation. However, it should be noted that the cam follower pin may also lack an inclined upper region, thus relying solely on the inclined inlet chamfer of the lever. Providing inclined regions on both components facilitates the mating process.

[0020] According to another example, the locking element includes at least one cam follower pin operable to deflect a snap hook such that the snap hook can slide on the cam follower pin during engagement.

[0021] As described above, the locking element may advantageously include at least one deflectable rack, which allows the gear element of the lever to slide into engagement with the rack during engagement operation.

[0022] To further facilitate the mating process, the deflectable rack may have chamfered ends to allow the gear elements of the rod to slide into engagement with the rack during mating operations.

[0023] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a connector assembly is provided, which includes a plug connector and a mating connector according to this disclosure.

[0024] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for mating a connector assembly is provided, the method comprising the following steps:

[0025] Align the plug connector and the mating connector so that they can mate in the mating direction;

[0026] Move the plug connector relative to the mating connector along the mating direction until it reaches the final mating position;

[0027] During the moving step, the lever is in the locked position and slides along the mating direction into the latched position. In the latched position, the plug connector is locked at the corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the lever.

[0028] Advantageously, this method can be performed in a fully automated manner and does not involve any complex angular rotational movements of the rod. This significantly reduces assembly costs and improves reliability. For future maintenance, the connection between the plug connector and the mating connector (also known as the headstock) can be loosened by rotating the rod from the end-locked position to its unlocked position. Furthermore, the plug connector can be manually reattached by aligning the two connectors relative to each other and then manually pivoting the rod from the unlocked position to the end-locked position.

[0029] According to the first example, the rod can be deflectable and slide on a cam follower pin arranged at the mating connector, such that the cam follower pin engages with a cam groove arranged at the rod. This is a relatively simple design suitable for connectors involving lower insertion forces.

[0030] According to the second example, the mating connector may include at least one deflectable rack that deflects in a direction intersecting the mating direction to allow the gear element of the rod to slide into engagement with the rack. This design is also suitable for larger connector assemblies involving high insertion forces due to the need to connect a large number of electrical conductors.

[0031] According to another example, the connector includes a locking slider having a snap hook deflectable in a direction intersecting the mating direction to slide on a cam follower pin disposed at the mating connector, such that the cam follower pin engages with a cam groove disposed at the locking slider. The slider also includes a rack actuated by a gear element at the lever. Thus, the slider converts the rotational motion of the lever into a uniform translational motion for manually mating and dismounting the mating connector and the mating connector. When the connector and the mating connector are automatically assembled, the spring hook can be easily deflected, thereby bypassing the movement of the locking slider and the lever.

[0032] As described above, the lever in the final installed position (i.e., the end-locked position) can be rotated to disengage the plug connector and the mating connector. This satisfies the requirement for manual maintainability. Furthermore, the mating can then be manually performed by rotating the lever back to the end-locked position. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of this disclosure. These drawings, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only, showing preferred and alternative examples of how this disclosure is made and used, and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure to the examples shown and described. Furthermore, several aspects of the examples may individually or in different combinations form solutions according to this disclosure. As illustrated in the drawings, further features and advantages will become apparent from the following more detailed description of various examples of this disclosure, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0034] Figure 1 A perspective view of a plug connector forming a socket is schematically shown;

[0035] Figure 2 A perspective view of a mating connector forming a tab is schematically shown;

[0036] Figure 3 It shows including Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the socket and connector components;

[0037] Figure 4 Details of the splicing are shown;

[0038] Figure 5 A schematic perspective view of the rod is shown;

[0039] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the mating process is shown;

[0040] Figure 7 It shows Figure 3 Another schematic perspective view of the cooperating components;

[0041] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the disengagement process is shown;

[0042] Figure 9 A schematic perspective view of the rod and housing of the mating connector according to the second example is shown;

[0043] Figure 10 The assembly process of the components according to the second example is illustrated schematically;

[0044] Figure 11 A schematic perspective view of the mating components according to the second example is shown;

[0045] Figure 12 It shows Figure 11 Details;

[0046] Figure 13 It shows Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the disengagement process of the components;

[0047] Figure 14 The assembly process of the components according to the third example is illustrated schematically;

[0048] Figure 15 A schematic perspective view of the mating components according to the third example is shown;

[0049] Figure 16 A schematic perspective view of the slider provided according to the third example is shown;

[0050] Figure 17 It shows Figure 16 Details;

[0051] Figure 18 The assembly process of the components according to the third example is schematically shown in a partial sectional view;

[0052] Figure 19 It shows Figure 18 Details;

[0053] Figure 20 It shows Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the process of disengaging the components. Detailed Implementation

[0054] This disclosure will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figures 1 to 8 A schematic perspective view of the connector assembly 100 of the first example is shown.

[0056] refer to Figure 1The diagram shows a plug connector 102, which is designed to mate with a mating connector 104, wherein the mating connector 104 is in... Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. The plug connector 102 is, for example, a socket, and the associated mating connector 104 is a tab connector. The plug connector 102 includes a first housing 106 having two protruding posts 108 that form a pivot bearing for rotatably supporting the rotatable rod 110.

[0057] The rod 110 has a generally U-shaped cross-section and includes two flexible arms 112A and 112B and a bridging member 114 connecting the arms 112A and 112B. The rod 110 can rotate about the pivot bearing 108 by contacting the pivot bearing 108 at the bridging member 114. As further considered... Figure 2 and Figure 3 It will be obvious that each arm 112A includes a cam groove 116.

[0058] Figure 2 The mating connector 104 is shown in perspective, which is connected to the battery, for example, via its tab 118. Of course, tab 118 is merely an exemplary electrical connection of the mating connector 104.

[0059] When the mating connector is fitted into the plug connector in the mating direction, the second housing 120 is partially surrounded by the first housing 106, wherein two cams extend from the moving pin 122 through the first housing 106 and can engage with the cam groove 116 in the fully assembled state of the connector assembly 100.

[0060] Figure 3 The connector assembly 100 is shown in its fully assembled state. As can be seen from the figure, the cam follower pin 122 is located within the curved cam groove 116. The rod 110 is in the end-locked position. Figure 3 As shown, the bridging member 114 may include a snap-fit ​​connector for securing the rod 110 at its end in a locked position at the first housing 102. Figure 3 The state shown is the final installation stage, as it can be achieved, for example, at the end of the automated assembly process. For manual maintenance and disconnection of the plug connector and mating connector 104, the lever 110 can be manually rotated about the bearing 108, thereby pressing the cam follower pin 122 by the rotating cam groove 116 to release the mating connector from the plug connector 102.

[0061] Therefore, the connector assembly 100 in this position has the same function as a conventional cam-type rod connector assembly. However, as from Figures 4 to 7As is evident, lever 110 and cam follower pin 122 also provide the additional function of providing a snap-fit ​​latch between plug connector 102 and mating connector 104. This latch is achieved simply by pushing the two parts 102, 104 of connector assembly 100 together along the mating direction without rotating lever 110.

[0062] Figures 4 to 6 Details of the latching mechanism are shown. Specifically, Figure 4 A side view of a second housing 120 with a cam follower pin 122 is shown. According to this disclosure, the cam follower pin 122 has a chamfered region 124 that helps to push the arm 112 of the lever 110 through the cam follower pin 122 when the plug connector 102 and the mating connector 104 are pushed into each other.

[0063] In addition, from Figure 5 As can be seen, the rod 110 has inclined inlet chamfers 126A and 126B, which are arranged in the peripheral area of ​​the arm 112. By means of the inclined area 126 and the chamfered area 124, as well as the elasticity of the arms 112A and 112B, when the plug connector is moved toward the mating connector 104, the arm 112 unfolds, causing the cam to engage from the moving pin 122 into the cam groove 116, thereby latching the plug connector 102 and the mating connector 104.

[0064] The latching function is performed when the lever 110 is in the end-locked position and the lever 110 is not rotated. Figure 6 The position is shown shortly before the lever 110 is forced to slide on the cam follower pin 122.

[0065] Figure 7 The connector assembly 100 is shown in its final installed position. The arm 112 has slid past the cam follower pin 122, which now rests within the cam groove 116. Thus, the plug connector 102 and the mating connector 104 are securely locked together.

[0066] To manually release the connection, lever 110 can be manually actuated. The procedure is as follows: Figure 8 As shown. As indicated by arrow 130, the operator can grasp the rotatable rod 110 at the bridging member 114 and rotate it about the protruding post 108. The moving cam groove 116 actuates the cam from the moving pin 122, which in turn causes the second housing 120 to move in the opposite direction to the engagement direction. The engagement and disengagement directions are in... Figure 8 Arrow 128 is used to indicate this. Arrow 130 indicates the rotational movement of rod 110, used to disengage the connector assembly 100.

[0067] The dual-function design of the lever allows it to be used not only with cam-actuated connectors but also with gear-actuated connectors. References will now be made. Figures 9 to 13 The second advantageous example is explained in detail. According to this example, the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 are exemplarily shown as a plug and a head.

[0068] Figure 9 The main parts of the connector assembly 200 according to the second example are shown, namely the rod 210 and the second housing 220.

[0069] According to this disclosure, the rod 210 is a gear rod and has a gear element 216 including a tooth 215. The rod 210 is, for example, a single molded rod mounted on the first housing 206 (see [link]). Figure 10 The lever 210 includes two generally parallel lever arms 212A and 212B, connected at one end by a bridge or handle 214. Each lever arm 212 includes a generally circular hub 217 located at the free end of the arm, and an opening 218 is centrally located within the hub 217. Each opening 218 is sized to receive a corresponding post 208 disposed on the first housing 206. Thus, the lever 210 can be mounted on the first housing 206. Teeth 215 extend from the hub 217.

[0070] According to the second example, the second housing 220 includes deflectable racks 222, each rack arranged on one side of the second housing 220, which can interact with gear elements 216. Hereinafter, for reasons of symmetry, it will be assumed that the plug connector 202 has a rod with symmetrical rod arms 212A, 212B with gear elements 216, and that the mating connector 204 has correspondingly symmetrically formed racks 222. However, the principles of this disclosure with asymmetrical designs may also be used, involving only one rod arm with a gear element and a corresponding rack.

[0071] The rack 222 is initially formed to actuate the mating connector 204 via the rotating rod 210, as with conventional gear-actuated connectors. However, due to the resilient design of the rack 222, the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 can automatically assemble while the rod 210 remains in the end-locked position. The hub 217 slides over the rack 222 and deflects the resilient rack 222 outward (across the mating direction) until the gear element 216 and the rack 222 engage in a locking engagement. Thus, a latching mechanism is provided to hold the plug connector and mating connectors 202, 204 together without requiring the rotating rod 210. Figure 11 The final connection position of the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 is depicted in the figure.

[0072] The rack 222 is further provided with a chamfered region 224 to facilitate latching during engagement of the plug connector and mating connectors 202, 204. The arm 212 of the rod may also be provided with a tilting region 226. Figure 12It can be seen that, Figure 12 The diagram shows that, prior to engagement of the gear element 216 and rack 222, the hub 217 has an inclined region 226, and the rack 22 has a chamfered region 224. Therefore, as the plug connector 202 and mating connector 204 are further pushed towards their final engagement position, the gear element 216 can slide across the rack 222, causing the resilient rack 222 to deflect outwards, intersecting the mating direction 228.

[0073] Once the plug connector 202 and mating connector 204 are in their final connected position, the racks 222 on both sides of the mating connector 204 can engage with the gear element 216. The racks 222 spring back like snap hooks and lock the plug connector 202 and mating connector 204. Figures 10 to 13 In all the steps shown, the rotatable lever 210 remains in the locked position at its end. Therefore, for automated assembly, the actuation function of the gear element 216 and rack 222 as a transmission device is ignored. Instead, the rack 222 serves as a snap-fit ​​hook, and the gear element 216 serves as a matching snap-fit ​​counterpart.

[0074] However, lever 210 can still be manually actuated (e.g. Figure 13 (As indicated by arrow 230) to disengage the plug connector 202 from the mating connector 204. The plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 can then be manually reconnected using another rotational movement in the opposite direction.

[0075] Therefore, lever 210 and rack 222 have a dual function similar to lever 110 and cam follower 122 in the first example described above. One difference between the two examples is that, in the first example, the lever arm is deflected to achieve a snap-fit ​​operation, while in the second example, the lever arm remains stationary, but the rack is deflected.

[0076] Reference Figures 14 to 20 A third example of a connector assembly 300 having a plug connector 302 and a mating connector 304 is explained. While many aspects of the connector assembly 300 according to the third example are similar to those explained above with respect to the connector assembly 200 of the second example, the important difference is that the connector assembly 300 also includes a locking slider 332, which is displaceable in a direction across the mating / unmatting direction 328.

[0077] Figure 14The connector assembly 300 is shown before the plug connector 302 and mating connector 304 are mated. Arrow 328 indicates the mating direction. As will become more apparent from the following figures, the second housing 320 includes a plurality of cam follower pins 323, which also serve to lock the plug connector 302 to the mating connector 304. In the example shown, four cam follower pins 323 are provided. However, of course, any other suitable number can be used. Preferably, the cam follower pins 323 are evenly distributed to apply force as symmetrically as possible.

[0078] The plug connector 302 includes a locking slider 332 that can engage with a cam follower pin 323 at the second housing 320. Additionally, a rotatable rod 310, having a gear element 316 and held at the housing 306 of the plug connector 302, is provided, similar to the rod shown in the second example. Specifically, the rod 310 is a gear rod and has a gear element 316 comprising a plurality of teeth 315. The rod 310 is, for example, a single molded rod mounted on the first housing 306. The rod 310 includes two generally parallel rod arms 312 connected at one end by a bridging member or handle 314. Each rod arm 312 includes a generally circular hub 317 located at the free end of the arm, and an opening 318 centrally located within the hub 317. Each opening 318 is sized to receive a corresponding post 308 arranged at the first housing 306. Thus, the rod 310 can be mounted on the first housing 306. Teeth 315 extend from the hub 317.

[0079] and Figures 10 to 13 In the opposite example shown, the gear element 316 interacts with a rack 322 arranged on the locking slider 332. Therefore, moving the rotatable rod 310 causes the locking slider 332 to move in a direction intersecting the mating direction diagram 328. Figure 16 It can be clearly seen that, due to the interaction between the cam follower pin 323 and the corresponding cam groove 319 arranged at the locking slider 332, the movement of the locking slider 332 causes the connection between the mating plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 to be released.

[0080] According to this disclosure, the rotatable rod 310 is in the position as follows: Figure 14 and Figure 15 The end-locked position is shown. When the automatic mating plug connector 302 and mating connector 304 are engaged, the rotatable rod 310 remains stationary, and the cam follower pin 323 enters its end-locked position within the cam groove 319 by displacing the resilient snap hook 334 (see [link]). Figure 16 and Figure 17 Therefore, it facilitates automatic operation. However, lever 310 can still be manually actuated (e.g., Figure 20(As indicated by arrow 330) so as to disengage the plug connector 302 from the mating connector 304. The plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 can then be manually reconnected using another rotational movement in the opposite direction.

[0081] Now go to Figure 16 and Figure 17 The locking slider 332 will be described in more detail. The locking slider 332 has a generally U-shaped profile and two arms that can slide within the guide housing 336 in the direction shown by arrow 338. The guide housing 336 is attached to the first housing 306 of the plug connector 302 (see...). Figure 14 and Figure 15 ).

[0082] The locking slider 332 includes four cam grooves 319, each arranged to engage with one of the cam follower pins 323. As the locking slider 332 moves along the sliding direction 338, the interaction between the cam follower pin 323 and the cam grooves 319 converts this motion into movement of the plug connector 302 relative to the mating connector 304 in the mating / unmatting direction.

[0083] To facilitate actuation of the locking slider 332, the locking slider 332 has a rack 322 that can engage with the gear element 316 at the rotatable rod 310. Thus, by rotating the rotatable rod 310 about the bearing 308, the locking slider 332 can move in a translational motion along the direction 338.

[0084] When the plug connector 302 and mating connector 304 automatically engage, the resilient snap hook 334 allows the cam to pass through the moving pin 323 by bending the snap hook 334 outward. On the other hand, for manual disengagement of the plug connector 302 and mating connector 304, the cam groove 219 has a chamfered area 324 that allows the cam to leave the moving pin 323 from the cam groove 319. When the plug connector 302 and mating connector 304 are manually assembled, the chamfered area 324 also allows the cam to enter the cam groove 319 from the moving pin 323.

[0085] Figure 18 and Figure 19 Two cross-sectional views are shown, illustrating the steps and mating states of connecting the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304. From Figure 18 As can be seen, when the plug connector automatically assembles and moves along direction 328 toward the mating connector 304, the latch hook 334 bends outward from the moving pin 323 via a cam. Figure 19In the final assembled state shown, the latch hook 334 has springed back elastically, allowing the cam follower pin 323 to be securely held within the cam groove 319. From this state, the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 can only be separated by translating the locking slider 332 to the unlocked position (i.e., in...). Figure 19 (From center to left) to achieve this. At the same time, the interaction between the cam follower pin 323 and the cam groove 319 pushes the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 away in the opposite mating direction 328.

[0086] Figure 20 The disengagement process is illustrated. To move the locking slider 332 to the unlocked position along direction 338, the rotatable lever 310 rotates about its bearing 308 in direction 330. Therefore, the gear element 316 engages with the rack 322, converting the rotational motion of the rotatable lever 310 into a sliding motion of the locking slider 332 along direction 338. This sliding motion is further converted into a disengagement motion against the engagement direction 328 by the interaction of the cam from the moving pin 323 and the cam groove 319. Thus, the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 are manually separated from each other.

[0087] When the plug connector 302 and mating connector 304 must be manually reconnected, the rotatable lever 310 must rotate upward in its unlocked position, causing the locking slider 332 to be partially positioned outside the guide rail housing 336. To mate the plug connector 302 and mating connector 304, they are aligned and brought close together, allowing the cam follower pin 323 to enter the cam groove 319 via the chamfered area 324. The rotatable lever 310 then rotates to its end-locked position, whereby the locking slider 332 is pulled into the guide rail housing 336, and the plug connector 302 and mating connector 304 are pulled together by the interaction of the cam follower pin 323 and the cam groove 319.

[0088] List of reference numerals

[0089] 100 connector assembly

[0090] 102 plug connector; socket

[0091] 104 mating connector; contact piece

[0092] 106 First Shell

[0093] 108 forms the protruding column of the bearing

[0094] 110 rotatable rod

[0095] 112; 112A, 112B lever arms

[0096] 114 Bridging component

[0097] 116 Cam Slots; Actuating Element

[0098] 118 stitching

[0099] 120 Second Housing

[0100] 122 Cam Follower Pin; Drive Element

[0101] 124 chamfered area

[0102] The inclined areas of rods 126; 126A and 126B

[0103] 128 Coordination / Discoordination Direction

[0104] 130 rotation direction

[0105] 200 connector assembly

[0106] 202 plug connector

[0107] 204 mating connector; headstock

[0108] 206 First Shell

[0109] 208 forms the protruding column of the bearing.

[0110] 210 Rotatable Rod

[0111] 212; 212A, 212B lever arms

[0112] 214 bridging component

[0113] 215 teeth

[0114] 216 Gear components; Actuating components

[0115] 217 hub

[0116] 218 opening

[0117] 220 Second Housing

[0118] 222 rack; drive element

[0119] Chamfered area at rack 224

[0120] 226-bar slope area

[0121] 228 Coordination / Discoordination Direction

[0122] 230 rotation direction

[0123] 300 connector assembly

[0124] 302 plug connector

[0125] 304 mating connector; headstock

[0126] 306 First Shell

[0127] 308 forms the protruding column of the bearing.

[0128] 310 Rotatable Rod

[0129] 312 lever arm

[0130] 314 bridging component

[0131] 315 teeth

[0132] 316 gear components; actuating components

[0133] 317 hub

[0134] 318 opening

[0135] 319 Cam groove; Drive element

[0136] 320 Second Housing

[0137] 322 rack

[0138] 323 Cam follower pin at the second housing

[0139] Chamfered area at cam groove 324

[0140] 328 Coordination / Discoordination Direction

[0141] 330 rotation direction

[0142] 332 Locking Slider

[0143] 334 Clip Hook

[0144] 336 guide rail housing

[0145] 338 sliding direction

Claims

1. A plug connector for mating with mating connectors (104, 204, 304), the plug connector (102, 202, 302) comprising: Rotatable lever (110, 210, 310) operable to rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position; The first housing (106, 206, 306) includes a pivot bearing (108, 208, 308) for rotatably supporting a rotatable rod (110, 210, 310); The levers (110, 210, 310) include actuating elements (116, 216; 316, 332) that can engage with drive elements (122, 222, 323) arranged at mating connectors (104, 204, 304). The actuating elements (116, 216; 316, 332) are operable to disengage the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) from the mating connectors (104, 204, 304) by rotating the levers (110, 210, 310) from the locked position to the unlocked position. The rotatable levers (110, 210, 310) have a latching device that can be operated to lock the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) at the corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the levers when the levers (110, 210, 310) are in the locked position.

2. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein, The rods (110, 210) include two resilient lever arms (112, 212) that partially surround the first housing (106, 206) and are interconnected by bridging members (114, 214) that are accessible for actuating the rods (110, 210), and wherein the pivot bearing includes two shafts (108, 208), each shaft supporting one lever arm.

3. The plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The rod (110) includes at least one cam groove (116) which forms the actuating element and can engage with a corresponding cam follower pin (122) arranged at the mating connector (104).

4. The plug connector according to claim 3, wherein, The latching device includes an inclined peripheral region (126) that, when mated with the plug connector (102) and the mating connector (104), allows a snap-fit ​​connection to be formed between the cam groove (116) and the cam follower pin (122).

5. The plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The actuating element includes a gear element (216) that can engage with a corresponding rack (222) arranged at the mating connector (104).

6. The plug connector according to claim 5, wherein, The latching device includes an inclined peripheral region (226) that, when mated with the plug connector (202) and the mating connector (204), allows a snap-fit ​​connection to be formed between the gear element (216) and the rack (222).

7. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein, The latching device includes a latch hook (334) disposed at the locking slider (332) and deflectable in a direction intersecting the mating direction (328) to slide on a cam follower (323) disposed at the mating connector (304), such that the cam follower (323) engages with a cam groove (319) disposed at the locking slider (332).

8. A mating connector for mating with a plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the mating connector (104, 204) comprising: The second housing (120, 220) includes a drive element (122, 222) that can engage with an actuation element (116, 216) disposed at a rotatable rod of the plug connector, wherein the drive element (122, 222) is operable to disengage the plug connector from the mating connector by rotating the rod (110, 210) from a locked position to an unlocked position; The drive elements (122, 222) are also configured as locking elements. When the lever is in the locked position, the locking elements are operable to lock the mating connectors (104, 204) at the plug connectors (102, 202) without rotating the levers (110, 210).

9. The mating connector according to claim 8, wherein, The locking element includes at least one cam follower (122) having an inclined upper region (124) that allows the lever to slide on the cam follower (122) during engagement, or The locking element includes at least one cam follower (323) operable to deflect a latch hook (334) such that the latch hook (334) can slide on the cam follower (323) during engagement.

10. The mating connector according to claim 8, wherein, The locking element includes at least one deflectable rack (222) that allows the gear element (216) of the rod to slide into engagement with the rack (222) during engagement operation.

11. The mating connector according to claim 10, wherein, The deflectable rack (222) has a chamfered end (224) to allow the gear element (216) of the rod to slide into engagement with the rack (222) during engagement operation.

12. A connector assembly (100, 200) comprising a plug connector (102, 202) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a mating connector (104, 204) according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

13. A method of mating a connector assembly according to claim 11 or 12, the method comprising the steps of: Align the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) and mating connectors (104, 204, 304) so ​​that they can mate in the mating directions (128, 228, 328); Move the plug connector (102, 202, 302) relative to the mating connector (104, 204, 304) along the mating direction (128, 228, 328) until it reaches the final mating position; During the moving step, the levers (110, 210, 310) are in the locked position and slide along the mating direction into the latched position. In the latched position, the plug connector is locked at the corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the lever.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The rod (110) is deflectable and slides on a cam follower pin arranged at the mating connector, such that the cam follower pin engages with a cam groove arranged at the rod, or The mating connector includes at least one deflectable rack (222) that deflects in a direction intersecting the mating direction (228) to allow the gear element (216) of the rod to slide into engagement with the rack (222), or The connector (302) includes a locking slider (332) having a snap hook (334) deflectable in a direction intersecting the mating direction (328) to slide on a cam follower (323) disposed at the mating connector (304), such that the cam follower (323) engages with a cam groove (319) disposed at the locking slider (332).

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein, The rods (110, 210) in the final connected position can be rotated to disengage the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) and the mating connectors (104, 204, 304).

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