Lever-type connector assembly for automated assembly

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a lever-type connector assembly. [Solution] The plug connector (102) comprises a rotatable lever (110) that is operable to rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a first housing (106) including a slewing bearing (108). The rotatable lever (110) includes an actuation element (116) that can engage with a drive element located on the mating connector, and the actuation element (116) disengages the plug connector (102) from the mating connector by rotating the rotatable lever (110) from the locked position to the unlocked position. The rotatable lever (110) has a latching mechanism, which locks the plug connector to the corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the lever in the locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lever-type connector assembly. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a plug connector for fitting into a mating connector, a mating connector, a connector assembly, and a method of fitting the connector assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Connector assemblies having levers are known in the industry. Generally, this type of electrical connector assembly includes a plug connector that can be fitted into a pin header, and the pin header has a surrounding plate that surrounds an array of pins on a printed circuit board.

[0003] A rack and pinion and a lever are used, for example, to provide a mechanical advantage when two electrical connectors are mated or unmated.

[0004] The rack is disposed on the plug connector, and the plug connector generally includes terminals attached to wires. For example, teeth forming a pinion are disposed on the lever, and thus, when the lever rotates around a pivot pin, the rack teeth and the pinion teeth engage. Thus, rotation of the lever mates or unmates the two electrical connectors.

[0005] However, in the case of an automated connector assembly, the automatic assembly of the connector involving the angular or pivotal movement of the lever is complex and does not meet the requirements of automatic assembly, so the lever-operated connector is disadvantageous. [[ID=二十六]]

[0006] In the automotive application field, the presence of a lever is essential to reduce the mating force of the connector when reinstalling a larger connector during manual maintenance. Thus, the connector assembly requires a lever for later maintenance, but should not rely on the function of the lever during automatic mating, i.e., during the manufacturing and assembly process.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, a lever-type connector assembly is needed that is designed to allow automated assembly, but nevertheless meets the requirements for manual mating and unmating. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This objective is resolved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Favorable examples of the present disclosure are the subject matter of several dependent claims.

[0009] This disclosure is based on the idea of ​​designing a lever to have two functions. First, the lever functions as an actuator that assists in mating and unmating the plug connector and the mating connector by rotating between an unlocked position and a locked position. Second, the lever also has the additional function of forming a latching mechanism for securing the plug connector and the mating connector in a connected state when the lever is in the locked position. In other words, when the lever is in the end-locked position, the lever-operated plug and the header can be mated without rotating the lever. Thus, the lever incorporates a latching function.

[0010] This disclosure provides a connector comprising a pivot lever, wherein the connector is locked to a mating connector in multiple ways without rotating the lever. For example, in one embodiment, the plug may have a lever comprising a pair of elastic lever arms and a cam slot, and the header has a pin that engages with the cam slot. The end lock portion of the cam slot is designed as a latch that overcomes the pin. The rim of the end lock portion provides an inclined surface that engages with the inclined surface of the pin. While the lever is mating in the end lock position, the inclined surface of the pin presses the rim of the end lock portion of the lever onto the pin. In a second embodiment, the plug may have a lever comprising a gear, and the header has an elastic gear rack. The gear rack is designed as a latch that overcomes the end lock of the lever and engages directly with the gear of the lever. The end lock of the lever provides an inclined surface that engages with the inclined surface at the end of the gear rack. While the lever is engaged in the end-locked position, the inclined surface of the lever pushes the gear rack onto the end lock of the lever, and the teeth of the gear rack engage with the teeth of the gear of the lever.

[0011] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a plug connector is provided for mating with a mating connector, comprising a rotatable lever operable to rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a first housing including a swivel bearing for rotatably supporting the rotatable lever. The lever includes an actuation element that can engage with a drive element located on the mating connector, the actuation element operable to dismatch the plug connector from the mating connector by rotating the lever from a locked position to an unlocked position. Furthermore, the rotatable lever has a latching mechanism, which is operable to lock the plug connector to a corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the lever when the lever is in the locked position.

[0012] It is advantageous for connectors to be designed so that they can be mated with the lever in the end-locked position. In addition, the lever can be used for manual mating and unmating of the connector assembly. Thus, during the manufacturing process, lever-operated connectors can be assembled without the assistance of the lever in automated assembly, and nevertheless, mating and unmating can be performed with the assistance of the lever, thus satisfying the respective requirements of manual assembly and disassembly. In particular, the lever is essential for manual maintenance to reduce the mating force of larger connectors.

[0013] It is advantageous that existing connectors can be modified to meet automated assembly requirements with only minor changes to the design and tools. The concepts described herein can be implemented for both cam lever connectors and gear lever connectors.

[0014] In a favorable example, the lever may include two elastic lever arms, which are interconnected by a bridge that partially encloses the first housing and is accessible for acting the lever, and the swivel bearing includes two shafts, each supporting one of the lever arms. This configuration allows for particularly symmetrical and uniform force transmission and mechanical stability.

[0015] In a favorable example, the lever may include at least one cam slot, which forms an actuation element and is engageable with a corresponding cam follower pin located on the mating connector. This design can be adapted to a concept suitable for improved automation, particularly easily and cost-effectively, simply by replacing the lever. To facilitate the automated assembly of the plug connector, the latching mechanism may include an inclined peripheral region, which allows for the formation of a snap-fit ​​connection between the cam slot and the cam follower pin when mating the plug connector with the mating connector. The accompanying cam follower pin may have a corresponding inclined region to reduce the mating force that needs to be applied for assembly.

[0016] Alternatively, the actuation element may include a gear element that can engage with a corresponding gear rack located in the mating connector. Compared to cam-actuated connectors, the interaction between the lever gear and the gear rack in the mating connector housing allows for the uniform transmission of much greater forces, for example, in the case of larger connectors that have more electrical conductors mated.

[0017] In a favorable example, the latching mechanism includes an inclined peripheral region, which allows for the formation of a snap-fit ​​connection between the gear element and the gear rack when the plug connector and the mating connector are mated. Thus, the gear element and the gear rack can slide over each other until the gear element and the gear rack engage and form a locked connection. In contrast to the actuating connector, the gear rack portion of the housing of the mating connector can form an elastic (i.e., flexible) arm that flexes as the lever slides through during mating.

[0018] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a mating connector for mating to a plug connector according to the present disclosure is provided. The mating connector comprises a second housing including a drive element, the drive element being engageable with an actuation element located on a rotatable lever of the plug connector, the drive element being operable to dismatch the plug connector from the mating connector by rotating the lever from a locked position to an unlocked position. The drive element is further formed as a locking element operable to lock the mating connector to the plug connector without rotating the lever when the lever is in the locked position.

[0019] When a connector assembly is based on a cam-operated design, the locking element of the mating connector may include at least one cam follower pin, which has an inclined upper region, allowing the lever to slide over the cam follower pin during mating. However, it should be noted that the cam follower pin does not necessarily have to have an inclined upper region, and therefore may rely solely on the inclined entry chamfer of the lever. Providing inclined regions on both parts facilitates the mating process.

[0020] In a further example, the locking element includes at least one cam follower pin, the cam follower pin being operable to flex the snap hook, and thus the snap hook can slide on the cam follower pin during mating.

[0021] As described above, the locking element can include at least one flexible gear rack, and it is advantageous for the gear rack to enable the gear element of the lever to slide and engage with the gear rack during the fitting operation.

[0022] To further facilitate the fitting process, the flexible gear rack can have chamfered ends, enabling the gear element of the lever to slide and engage with the gear rack during the fitting operation.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a connector assembly comprising a plug connector according to the present disclosure and a mating connector.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of fitting a connector assembly is provided, the method comprising: aligning the plug connector and the mating connector so that they can be fitted in the fitting direction; moving the plug connector along the fitting direction relative to the mating connector until the final fitting position is reached; and during the moving step, the lever is in the locked position and slides to the latched position along the fitting direction, and at the latched position, the plug connector locks to the corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the lever.

[0025] This method can be executed in a fully automated manner, which is advantageous in that it does not involve complex angular rotational movements of the lever. This significantly reduces assembly costs and improves reliability. For later maintenance, the connection between the plug connector and the mating connector (also called the header) can be loosened by rotating the lever from the end-locked position to the unlocked position. Further, the plug connector can be manually reinstalled by aligning the two connectors relative to each other and then manually pivoting the lever from the unlocked position to the end-locked position.

[0026] According to the first example, the lever may be flexible and slide on a cam follower pin disposed on the mating connector. Thus, the cam follower pin engages a cam slot disposed in the lever. This is a relatively simple design suitable for connectors with a smaller insertion force.

[0027] According to the second example, the mating connector can include at least one flexible gear rack, which flexes in a direction intersecting the mating direction to enable the gear element of the lever to slide and engage the gear rack. This design is also suitable for larger connector assemblies with a large insertion force due to the need to connect a large number of electrical conductors.

[0028] According to a further example, the connector includes a lock slider having a snap hook, the snap hook being flexible in a direction intersecting the mating direction so as to slide on a cam follower pin disposed on the mating connector. Thus, the cam follower pin engages a cam slot disposed in the lock slider. The slider further includes a gear rack that can be actuated by the gear element of the lever. Thus, the slider converts the pivoting movement of the lever into a uniform translational movement for manually mating and unmating the connector and the mating connector. When automatically assembling the connector and the mating connector, the snap hook can flex easily, thus avoiding the movement of the lock slider and the lever.

[0029] As described above, the lever in the final mounting position (i.e., the end lock position) can be rotated to disconnect the plug connector and the mating connector. Thus, the requirements regarding manual maintainability are met. Thereafter, the mating can also be performed manually by rotating the lever back to the end lock position.

[0030] The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and form part of this specification to illustrate some examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, are helpful in illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are merely to illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the present disclosure can be formed and used, and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Furthermore, some aspects of the examples can form solutions according to the present disclosure, individually or in different combinations. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following more detailed description of various examples of the present disclosure, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and in the figures, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a plug connector forming a receptacle. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of the mating connector that forms the tab. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2 show schematic perspective views of the assembly with the receptacle and tab. [Figure 4] This is a detailed diagram of the tab. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view of the lever. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the mating process. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a further schematic perspective view of the fitted assembly. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the mating release process. [Figure 9] This is a schematic perspective view of the lever and mating connector housing according to the second example. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the assembly mating process according to the second example. [Figure 11] This is a schematic perspective view of a mated assembly according to the second example. [Figure 12] This is a detailed view of Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the disengagement process of the assembly. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the assembly mating process according to the third example. [Figure 15] This is a schematic perspective view of a mated assembly according to the third example. [Figure 16] This is a schematic perspective view of the slider provided by the third example. [Figure 17] This is a detailed view of Figure 16. [Figure 18] This is a partially cross-sectional schematic diagram of the assembly mating process according to the third example. [Figure 19] This is a detailed view of Figure 18. [Figure 20] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the assembly's disengagement process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Figures 1 to 8 are schematic perspective views showing a connector assembly 100 of the first example.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, a plug connector 102 is shown, designed to mate with a mating connector 104 shown in Figure 2. The plug connector 102 is, for example, a receptacle, and the mating connector 104 is a tab connector. The plug connector 102 includes a first housing 106, which has two protruding columns 108 that form a swivel bearing for rotatably supporting a rotatable lever 110.

[0035] The lever 110 has an essentially U-shaped cross-section and includes two flexible arms 112A and 112B, and a bridge 114 that interconnects the arms 112A and 112B. By touching the lever 110 at the bridge 114, the lever 110 can be rotated around the swivel bearing 108. As will become apparent from further consideration of Figures 2 and 3, each of the arms 112A includes a cam slot 116.

[0036] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mating connector 104, which is connected to the battery, for example, by a tab 118 of the mating connector 104. Of course, the tab 118 is merely an illustrative electrical connection part of the mating connector 104.

[0037] When the mating connector is mated to the plug connector in the mating direction, the second housing 120 is partially surrounded by the first housing 106, and the two cam follower pins 122 extend through the first housing 106 and can engage with the cam slot 116 in the fully assembled state of the connector assembly 100.

[0038] Figure 3 shows the fully assembled connector assembly 100. As can be seen from this figure, the cam follower pin 122 is located within the curved cam slot 116. The lever 110 is in the end-locked position. As shown in Figure 3, the bridge 114 may include a snap-fit ​​connector for securing the lever 110 in the end-locked position in the first housing 102. The state shown in Figure 3 is the final mounting stage, which may be achieved, for example, at the end of an automated assembly process. For manual maintenance and separation of the plug connector and the mating connector 104, the lever 110 can be manually swung around the bearing 108, thereby forcing the cam follower pin 122 to loosen the mating connector from the plug connector 102 by the swung cam slot 116.

[0039] Therefore, the connector assembly 100 in this position has the same function as a conventional cam-type lever connector assembly. However, as is evident from Figures 4 to 7, the lever 110 and cam follower pin 122 also perform the additional function of providing a snap-fit ​​latch between the plug connector 102 and the mating connector 104. This latch is achieved by simply pressing the two parts 102 and 104 of the connector assembly 100 together along the mating direction without rotating the lever 110.

[0040] Figures 4 to 6 show details of the latch mechanism. In particular, Figure 4 is a side view of the second housing 120 having a cam follower pin 122. According to this disclosure, the cam follower pin 122 has a chamfered area 124, which facilitates pressing the arm 112 of the lever 110 onto the cam follower pin 122 when the plug connector 102 and the mating connector 104 are pressed together.

[0041] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 5, the lever 110 has inclined entrance chamfers 126A and 126B located in the peripheral region of the arm 112. With the help of the inclined region 126 and the chamfered region 124, and the elasticity of the arms 112A and 112B, when the plug connector is moved toward the mating connector 104, the arm 112 spreads apart, and thus the cam follower pin 122 latches the plug connector 102 and the mating connector 104 by engaging within the cam slot 116.

[0042] This latching function is performed without rotating the lever 110 when the lever 110 is in the end-locked position. Figure 6 shows the position just before the lever 110 is forced to slide on the cam follower pin 122.

[0043] Figure 7 shows the connector assembly 100 in its final mounting position. The arm 112 slides over the cam follower pin 122, which is currently located within the cam slot 116. Thus, the plug connector 102 and the mating connector 104 are firmly locked together.

[0044] To manually loosen this connection, the lever 110 can be manually actuated. This step is shown in Figure 8. As indicated by arrow 130, the operator can grasp the rotatable lever 110 with the bridge 114 and pivot it around the protruding column 108. The movement of the cam slot 116 actsuates the cam follower pin 122, which moves the second housing 120 in the opposite direction to the mating direction. The mating and unmating directions are shown in Figure 8 by arrow 128. Arrow 130 indicates the pivoting motion of the lever 110 for unmating the connector assembly 100.

[0045] The dual-function concept of the lever can be used not only with cam-actuated connectors but also with gear-actuated connectors. This second advantageous example will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 9 to 13. In this example, the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 are shown illustratively as a plug and a header.

[0046] Figure 9 shows the essential components of the connector assembly 200 according to the second example, namely the lever 210 and the second housing 220.

[0047] According to this disclosure, the lever 210 is a gear lever having a gear element 216 including one tooth 215. The lever 210 is a single molded lever mounted, for example, in a first housing 206 (see Figure 10). The lever 210 includes two substantially parallel lever arms 212A, 212B joined at one end by a bridge or handle 214. Each lever arm 212 includes a substantially circular hub portion 217 located at the free end of the arm, with an opening 218 located in the center of this hub portion 217. The dimensions of each opening 218 are determined to accommodate the respective columns 208 located in the first housing 206. Thus, the lever 210 can be mounted in the first housing 206. The tooth 215 extends from the hub portion 217.

[0048] According to the second example, the second housing 220 includes a flexible gear rack 222, each gear rack 222 positioned on one side of the second housing 220 and capable of interacting with the gear elements 216. Hereinafter, for reasons of symmetry, we assume that the plug connector 202 has a lever including symmetrical lever arms 212A, 212B having gear elements 216, and the mating connector 204 has a corresponding symmetrically formed gear rack 222. However, it is also possible to use the principles of this disclosure in an asymmetric design including only one lever arm with gear elements and one corresponding gear rack.

[0049] The gear rack 222 first forms a rack for operating the mating connector 204 by rotating the lever 210, similar to conventional gear-actuated connectors. However, the elastic design of the gear rack 222 allows the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 to be automatically assembled while the lever 210 is in the end-locked position. The hub portion 217 slides over the gear rack 222, bending the elastic gear rack 222 outward (intersecting the mating direction) until the gear element 216 and the gear rack 222 are fitted together and locked into place. Thus, a latching mechanism is provided that secures the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 to each other without the need to rotate the lever 210. The final connection position of the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 is shown in Figure 11.

[0050] A chamfered area 224 is further provided on the gear rack 222 to facilitate latching during mating between the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204. An inclined area 226 may be provided on the lever arm 212. As can be seen from Figure 12, which shows the point in time before the gear element 216 engages with the gear rack 222, an inclined area 226 is provided on the hub portion 217 and a chamfered area 224 is provided on the gear rack 22. Therefore, as the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 are further pushed toward the final connection position, the gear element 216 can slide over the gear rack 222, causing the elastic gear rack 222 to flex outward intersecting the mating direction 228.

[0051] When the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 are in their final connection position, the gear racks 222 on both sides of the mating connector 204 can engage with the gear element 216. The gear racks 222 spring back like snap hooks, locking the plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 together. For all the steps shown in Figures 10 to 13, the rotatable lever 210 remains in the end-locked position. Therefore, in the case of automated assembly, the actuation function of the gear element 216 and gear racks 222 as a power transmission device is ignored. Instead, the gear racks 222 function as snap hooks, and the gear element 216 functions as a corresponding snap-fit ​​component.

[0052] Nevertheless, the lever 210 can be manually operated to disengage the plug connector 202 from the mating connector 204 (as indicated by arrow 230 in Figure 13). The plug connector 202 and the mating connector 204 can then be manually reconnected using another pivoting motion in the opposite direction.

[0053] Therefore, the lever 210 and gear rack 222 have a dual function similar to the lever 110 and cam follower pin 122 in the first example above. One of the differences between the two examples is that in the first example, the lever arm flexes to achieve a snap-fit ​​action, whereas in the second example, the lever arm remains stationary but the gear rack flexes.

[0054] Referring to Figures 14 to 20, a third example of a connector assembly 300 comprising a plug connector 302 and a mating connector 304 will be described. Many aspects of the connector assembly 300 according to the third example are similar to those described above with respect to the connector assembly 200 of the second example, but the important difference is that the connector assembly 300 further comprises a lock slider 332 that is displaceable in a direction intersecting the mating / unmating direction 328.

[0055] Figure 14 shows the connector assembly 300 before the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 are mated. Arrow 328 indicates the mating direction. As will be more apparent from the following figures, the second housing 320 includes a number of cam follower pins 323 that also serve to lock the plug connector 302 into the mating connector 304. In the illustrated example, four cam follower pins 323 are provided. However, of course, any other suitable number may be used. To apply force as symmetrically as possible, it is preferable that the cam follower pins 323 are evenly distributed.

[0056] The plug connector 302 includes a lock slider 332 that can engage with a cam follower pin 323 of the second housing 320. Furthermore, a rotatable lever 310 is provided, which has a gear element 316 and is held in the housing 306 of the plug connector 302, similar to the lever shown in relation to the second example. In particular, the lever 310 is a gear lever and has a gear element 316 including a plurality of teeth 315. The lever 310 is, for example, a single molded lever mounted on the first housing 306. The lever 310 includes two substantially parallel lever arms 312 joined at one end by a bridge or handle 314. Each lever arm 312 includes a substantially circular hub portion 317 located at the free end of the arm, with an opening 318 located in the center of this hub portion 317. The dimensions of each opening 318 are determined to accommodate each column 308 located in the first housing 306. This allows the lever 310 to be attached to the first housing 306. The teeth 315 extend from the hub portion 317.

[0057] In contrast to the examples shown in Figures 10 to 13, the gear element 316 interacts with the gear rack 322 located on the lock slider 332. Therefore, by moving the rotatable lever 310, the lock slider 332 moves in a direction intersecting the mating direction Figure 328. As is evident from Figure 16, the movement of the lock slider 332 disengages the connection between the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 through the interaction of the cam follower pin 323 and the corresponding cam slot 319 located on the lock slider 332.

[0058] According to this disclosure, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the rotatable lever 310 is in the end-locked position. When the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 are automatically mated, the rotatable lever 310 remains deactivated, and by displacing the elastic snap hook 334 (see Figures 16 and 17), the cam follower pin 323 enters the end-locked position in the cam slot 319. This facilitates automatic mating. Nevertheless, the lever 310 can be manually activated to dismatch the plug connector 302 from the mating connector 304 (as indicated by arrow 330 in Figure 20). The plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 can then be manually reconnected using another pivoting motion in the opposite direction.

[0059] The lock slider 332 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 16 and 17. The lock slider 332 has a substantially U-shaped contour with two arms, which can slide within the guide rail housing 336 in the direction indicated by arrow 338. The guide rail housing 336 is attached to the first housing 306 of the plug connector 302 (see Figures 14 and 15).

[0060] The lock slider 332 includes four cam slots 319, each positioned to engage with one of the cam follower pins 323. As the lock slider 332 moves along the sliding direction 338, the interaction between the cam follower pins 323 and the cam slots 319 converts this movement into movement along the mating / unmating direction of the plug connector 302 relative to the mating connector 304.

[0061] To facilitate the operation of the lock slider 332, the lock slider 332 has a gear rack 322 that can engage with the gear element 316 of the rotatable lever 310. Thus, by pivoting the rotatable lever 310 around the bearing 308, the lock slider 332 can move in translational motion along direction 338.

[0062] When the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 are automatically mated, the elastic snap hook 334 allows the cam follower pin 323 to pass through by bending the snap hook 334 outward. On the other hand, to manually unmating the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304, the cam slot 219 has a chamfered area 324 that allows the cam follower pin 323 to exit the cam slot 319. When manually assembling the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304, the chamfered area 324 also allows the cam follower pin 323 to enter the cam slot 319.

[0063] Figures 18 and 19 are two cross-sectional views showing the steps and mating state for connecting the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304. As can be seen in Figure 18, as the plug connector is automatically assembled and moves along direction 328 toward the mating connector 304, the snap hook 334 is bent outward by the cam follower pin 323. In the final assembled state shown in Figure 19, the snap hook 334 elastically springs back, and thus the cam follower pin 323 is securely held within the cam slot 319. From this state, separation of the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 can only be achieved by translating the lock slider 332 to the unlocked position (i.e., to the left in Figure 19). Simultaneously, the interaction between the cam follower pin 323 and the cam slot 319 pushes the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 apart in the opposite direction to the mating direction 328.

[0064] Figure 20 illustrates the unmating process. The rotatable lever 310 is rotated in direction 330 around the bearing 308 to move the lock slider 332 to the unmated position along direction 338. This causes the gear element 316 to engage with the gear rack 322, converting the rotational motion of the rotatable lever 310 into the sliding motion of the lock slider 332 along direction 338, which is converted into a separation motion opposite to the mating direction 328 by the interaction of the cam follower pin 323 and the cam slot 319. Thus, the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 are manually separated from each other.

[0065] When it is necessary to manually reconnect the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304, the rotatable lever 310 must be swung upward to the unlocked position, so that the lock slider 332 is partially positioned outside the guide rail housing 336. To mate the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304, the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 are aligned with each other and brought close together so that the cam follower pin 323 can enter the cam slot 319 through the chamfered area 324. The rotatable lever 310 is then rotated to the end-locked position, thereby retracting the lock slider 332 into the guide rail housing 336, and the plug connector 302 and the mating connector 304 are drawn together by the interaction between the cam follower pin 323 and the cam slot 319. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100 Connector Assembly 102 Plug Connector, Receptacle 104. Mating connector, tab 106 First Housing 108 Protruding column forming the bearing 110° rotatable lever 112, 112A, 112B lever arms 114 Bridge 116 Cam slot, operating element 118 tabs 120 Second Housing 122 Cam follower pin, drive element 124 Chamfered area 126, 126A, 126B Lever tilt area 128 Engagement / Disengagement Direction 130 Turning direction 200 Connector Assembly 202 Plug Connector 204 Mating connector, header 206 First Housing 208 Protruding column forming the bearing 210° rotatable lever 212, 212A, 212B lever arms 214 Bridge 215 teeth 216 Gear elements, operating elements 217 Hub section 218 Opening 220 Second Housing 222 Gear rack, drive element 224 Chamfered area of ​​gear rack 226 Lever tilt area 228 Mating / Unmating Direction 230 Turning direction 300 Connector Assembly 302 Plug Connector 304 Mating connector, header 306 First Housing 308 Protruding column forming the bearing 310 Rotatable Lever 312 Lever Arm 314 Bridge 315 teeth 316 Gear elements, operating elements 317 Hub section 318 Opening 319 Cam slot, drive element 320 Second Housing 322 Gear Rack 323 Cam follower pin of the second housing 324 Chamfered area of ​​cam slot 328 Mating / Unmating Direction 330 Turning direction 332 Rock Slider 334 Snap Hook 336 Guide rail housing 338 Sliding direction

Claims

1. Plug connectors (102, 202, 302) for mating with mating connectors (104, 204, 304), wherein the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) are, Rotatable levers (110, 210, 310) that can rotate between the unlocked position and the locked position, A first housing (106, 206, 306) including slewing bearings (108, 208, 308) for rotatably supporting the rotatable levers (110, 210, 310) and Equipped with, The levers (110, 210, 310) include actuation elements (116, 216; 316, 332) that can engage with drive elements (122, 222, 323) located on the mating connectors (104, 204, 304), and the actuation 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. A plug connector in which the rotatable levers (110, 210, 310) have latching means, the latching means being operable to lock the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) to the corresponding locking elements 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 lever (110, 210) includes two elastic lever arms (112, 212), the lever arms (112, 212) partially enclosing the first housing (106, 206) and interconnected by a bridge (114, 214) accessible to actuate the lever (110, 210), and the swivel bearing includes two shafts (108, 208) each supporting one of the lever arms.

3. The plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever (110) includes at least one cam slot (116), the cam slot (116) forming the actuation element and engaging with a corresponding cam follower pin (122) located on the mating connector (104).

4. The plug connector according to claim 3, wherein the latching means includes an inclined peripheral region (126) which enables the formation of a snap-fit ​​connection between the cam slot (116) and the cam follower pin (122) when the plug connector (102) and the mating connector (104) are mated.

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

6. The plug connector according to claim 5, wherein the latching means includes an inclined peripheral region (226) which enables the formation of a snap-fit ​​connection between the gear element (216) and the gear rack (222) when the plug connector (202) and the mating connector (204) are mated.

7. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the latching means includes a snap hook (334), the snap hook (334) is positioned on a lock slider (332) and is flexible in a direction intersecting the mating direction (328) so as to slide on a cam follower pin (323) positioned on the mating connector (304), so that the cam follower pin (323) engages with a cam slot (319) positioned on the lock slider (332).

8. A mating connector for mating with a plug connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mating connector (104, 204) is The plug connector comprises a second housing (120, 220) including drive elements (122, 222), the drive elements (122, 222) being engageable with actuation elements (116, 216) located on the rotatable levers of the plug connector, and the drive elements (122, 222) being operable to disengage the plug connector from the mating connector by rotating the levers (110, 210) from a locked position to an unlocked position. The mating connector is further formed as a locking element that can operate to lock the mating connector (104, 204) onto the plug connector (102, 202) without rotating the lever (110, 210) when the lever is in the locked position.

9. The locking element includes at least one cam follower pin (122), the cam follower pin (122) having an inclined upper region (124), the inclined upper region (124) allowing the lever to slide on the cam follower pin (122) during the engagement operation, or The mating connector according to claim 8, wherein the locking element includes at least one cam follower pin (323), the cam follower pin (323) being operable to flex a snap hook (334), and so the snap hook (334) is able to slide on the cam follower pin (323) during the mating operation.

10. The mating connector according to claim 8, wherein the locking element includes at least one flexible gear rack (222), the gear rack (222) allowing the gear element (216) of the lever to slide and engage with the gear rack (222) during mating operation.

11. The mating connector according to claim 10, wherein the flexible gear rack (222) has a chamfered end (224), allowing the gear element (216) of the lever to slide and engage with the gear rack (222) during the mating operation.

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

13. A method for mating a connector assembly according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the method is: The steps include aligning the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) and the mating connectors (104, 204, 304) so ​​that they can be mated in the mating direction (128, 228, 328), The steps include moving the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) along the mating direction (128, 228, 328) relative to the mating connectors (104, 204, 304) until they reach the final mating position, and Includes, During the moving step, the levers (110, 210, 310) are in a locked position and slide along the mating direction to a latched position, and in the latched position, the plug connector is locked to the corresponding locking element of the mating connector without rotating the levers, in a method.

14. The lever (110) is flexible and slides on a cam follower pin located on the mating connector, so that the cam follower pin engages with a cam slot located on the lever, or The mating connector includes at least one flexible gear rack (222), the gear rack (222) flexes in a direction intersecting the mating direction (228) to allow the gear element (216) of the lever to slide and engage with the gear rack (222), or The method according to claim 13, wherein the connector (302) includes a lock slider (332) having a snap hook (334), the snap hook (334) being flexible in a direction intersecting the mating direction (328) so as to slide on a cam follower pin (323) located on the mating connector (304), and so the cam follower pin (323) engages with a cam slot (319) located on the lock slider (332).

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the levers (110, 210) in the final connection position can be rotated to disengage the plug connectors (102, 202, 302) and the mating connectors (104, 204, 304).

Images