Electrical connector header with stabilizing features - Patents.com

Abstract

The electrical connector (10) includes a housing having a pin plate holder (12) and a pin block holder (14). The pin block holder (14) has a pin block holder stabilizer (30). The pin plate holder (12) has a pin plate holder stabilizer (62). When the pin block holder (14) and the pin plate holder (12) are fully mated, the pin block holder stabilizer (30) engages with the pin plate holder stabilizer (62) to prevent the pin plate holder (12) from moving in multiple directions relative to the pin block holder (14).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector with a stabilizing mechanism that prevents components of the electrical connector from moving relative to one another. [Background technology]

[0002] When an electrical connector is assembled to a mating electrical connector or panel, the positioning of the male blades of the terminals of the electrical connector must be controlled to ensure that the terminals of the electrical connector properly mate with the mating terminals of the mating electrical connector or panel. Proper control of the positioning of the male blades of the terminals minimizes the chance of collision between the terminals and the mating terminals when mating occurs. This is especially important in connectors containing a large number of terminals.

[0003] When components of an electrical connector are mated together, a locating latch feature of one component cooperates with a mating locating latch feature of the other component to allow for proper assembly of the components. Known locating latch features are manufactured to facilitate easy assembly by facilitating some movement or play between the components. In many situations, movement between components is not detrimental, but in other situations, such as those with very tight tolerances, component movement is unacceptable.

[0004] To more precisely control the position of the terminals and components, the assembled electrical connector can be overmolded into an overmolded module, where the position of the terminals and components can be controlled. Additionally, in vibration environments, the overmolded module prevents unwanted movement of the terminals or components during use. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved is to provide an electrical connector having components that, when assembled, are prevented from moving relative to one another without the need for overmolding. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide an electrical connector having a stabilizing mechanism that prevents the components of the electrical connector from moving relative to one another. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by an electrical connector including a housing having a pin plate holder and a pin block holder. The pin block holder has a pin block holder stabilizing portion having a stabilizing recess extending from a first wall of the pin block holder. A rib extends from a wall of the stabilizing recess into the stabilizing recess. The pin plate holder has a pin plate holder stabilizing portion having a stabilizing protrusion. The stabilizing protrusion has a first wall, an oppositely facing second wall, and a third wall extending between the first and second walls. A terminal is positioned in a terminal receiving opening of the pin block holder and has a mating portion positioned in the terminal receiving opening. When the pin block holder and pin plate holder are fully engaged, the rib of the pin block holder stabilizing part engages with the stabilizing protrusion of the pin plate holder stabilizing part to prevent the stabilizing protrusion and the pin plate holder from moving in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rib relative to the stabilizing recess and pin block holder.

[0007] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary pin block holder of an exemplary electrical connector of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the pin block holder of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an exemplary pin plate holder of the electrical connector of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the pin plate holder of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 1 is an exploded front perspective view of the electrical connector showing the pin plate holder removed from the pin block holder; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded rear perspective view of the electrical connector showing the pin plate holder removed from the pin block holder; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an assembled electrical connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] As shown in Figures 5-7, the electrical connector assembly 10 includes a pin plate holder 12 and a pin block holder 14 that are mated together as shown in Figure 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, male blade terminals 18 are positioned in the pin block holder 14 and extend through the pin plate holder 12. The particular configuration and number of terminals 18 may vary without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0010] During assembly, the fastening portions 20 (FIG. 2) of the terminals 18 are inserted into the terminal receiving openings 22 of the pin block holder 14. The fastening portions 20 may have mating portions (not shown) or other attachment devices for properly securing the terminals 18 in the terminal receiving openings 22 of the pin block holder 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal receiving openings 22 of the pin block holder 14 may be provided in rows spaced apart at different heights on the pin block holder 14, although other configurations of the terminal receiving openings 22 may be used. Cooperation between the fastening portions 20 of the terminals 18 and the terminal receiving openings 22 of the pin block holder 14 fixedly positions and maintains the terminals 18 relative to the pin block holder 14.

[0011] With the terminals 18 properly positioned in the terminal receiving openings 22 of the pin block holder 14, the terminals 18 are bent into the position shown in Figure 2. In this position, when the plate holder 12 is in place in the pin block holder 14, the mating portions 24 of the terminals 18 are inserted into the terminal receiving openings 26 (Figures 4 and 6) of the pin plate holder 12. In the fully assembled position, the mating portions 24 of the terminals 18 cooperate with the terminal receiving openings 26 of the pin plate holder 12 to fixedly position and maintain the terminals 18 relative to the plate holder 12.

[0012] 1 and 2, the exemplary pin block holder 14 has a stabilizing portion 30 positioned proximate the longitudinal center of the pin block holder 14. However, the stabilizing portion 30 may be located at other locations on the pin block holder 14, and more than one stabilizing portion 30 may be provided.

[0013] The stabilizing portion 30 has a stabilizing recess 32 extending from a front wall 34 (FIG. 2) toward a rear wall 36 (FIG. 1) of the pin block holder 14. The stabilizing recess 32 extends in a direction essentially parallel to the plane of the mating portion 24 of the terminal 18. As seen in FIG. 8, the stabilizing recess 32 has a first or top wall 38, an opposite second or bottom wall 40, and a side wall 42. A slot 44 extends from the top wall 38 away from the bottom wall 40. A rib or projection 46 extends from the top wall 38 toward the bottom wall 40. A rib or projection 48 extends from the bottom wall 40 toward the top wall 38. A rib or projection 50 extends from each of the side walls 42 toward the opposite side wall 42.

[0014] 9, the stabilizer 30 has a latch arm 52 extending from the rear wall 36 toward the front wall 34 of the pin block holder 14. The latch arm 52 extends in a direction essentially parallel to the plane of the mating portion 24 of the terminal 18 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The latch arm 52 has a side wall 54. A lead-in surface 56 is provided on the side wall 54 of the latch arm 52. A space or slot 58 is provided adjacent a free end 60 of the latch arm 52 to allow the latch arm to resiliently move relative to the remainder of the stabilizer 30.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6, the pin block holder 14 has a top wall 31 and an oppositely facing bottom wall 33. An opening or cavity 35 extends from the top wall 31. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cavity 35 has a dovetail configuration such that an open end 37 (Figure 2) of the cavity 35 is smaller than a closed end 39. The cavities 35 are positioned at spaced intervals along the length of the top wall 31.

[0016] 2, the fixed openings 41 are positioned proximate the bottom wall 33 of the pin block holder 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fixed openings 41 have a cylindrical configuration. The fixed openings 41 are positioned at spaced intervals along the length of the bottom wall 33 and extend from the rear wall 36 toward the front wall 34.

[0017] A locking lug receiving recess 43 is provided in a shoulder 51 which extends from the side wall 45 of the pin block holder 14 adjacent to the bottom wall 33 of the pin block holder 14. The locking lug receiving recess 43 has a locking surface 49 which extends in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of the bottom wall 33. A fixing lug 55 extends from the shoulder 51 in a direction towards the top wall 31. The fixing lug 55 has an arcuate bend 69 from which a fixing shoulder 70 projects.

[0018] 3-6, the exemplary pin plate holder 12 has a stabilizing portion 62 positioned proximate the longitudinal center of the pin plate holder 12. However, the stabilizing portion 62 may be located at other locations on the pin plate holder 12 that are aligned with the stabilizing portion 30 of the pin block holder 14. Additionally, more than one stabilizing portion 62 may be provided.

[0019] The stabilizing portion 62 has a rib receiving portion 64 extending in a direction from a first or top wall 66 toward a bottom or second wall 68. The rib receiving portion 64 has opposing side walls 71 positioned proximate a rib receiving slot 73. Extending from the rib receiving slot 73 is an enlarged region 75. The rib receiving portion 64 is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 872,658, entitled Modular Housing Assembly With Stabilizing Features, filed on even date herewith, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0020] A stabilizing projection 74 is positioned below the rib receiving portion 64. As shown in FIG. 8, a connecting portion 76 connects the stabilizing projection 74 to the rib receiving portion 64. The stabilizing projection 74 has a first or top surface 78, an opposite second or bottom surface 80, and a side surface 82. The connecting portion 76 extends from the first or top surface 78 of the stabilizing projection 74 in a direction away from the second or bottom surface 80 of the stabilizing projection 74. The stabilizing projection 74 extends in a direction essentially parallel to the plane of the mating portion 24 of the terminal 18. An over-insertion prevention wall 84 (FIGS. 6 and 9) is provided adjacent the connecting portion 76 and the stabilizing projection 74. The over-insertion prevention wall 84 extends in a plane essentially perpendicular to the plane of the connecting portion 76 and the stabilizing projection 74.

[0021] 9, the stabilizing portion 62 has latching projections 86 extending from a wall 88 of the pin plate holder 12. Each of the latching projections 86 extends in a direction toward the stabilizing projection 74. The latching projections 86 have a lead-in surface 90 and a locking surface 92.

[0022] 3 and 5, the pin plate holder 12 has a top wall 57 and an oppositely facing bottom wall 59. A protrusion 61 extends from near the top wall 57. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the protrusion 61 has a dovetail configuration in which a first end 65 of the protrusion 61 is larger than a second end 67. The protrusions 61 are positioned periodically along the length of the top wall 57. The spacing and positioning of the protrusions 61 correspond to the spacing and positioning of the cavities 35 of the pin block holder 14.

[0023] Fixation projections 77 are positioned proximate the bottom wall 59 of the pin plate holder 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fixation projections 77 have a cylindrical configuration. The fixation projections 77 are positioned at spaced intervals along the length of the bottom wall 59 and extend from a rear surface 79 of the pin plate holder 12 in a direction away from the front surface 72 of the pin plate holder 12. The spacing and positioning of the projections 77 correspond to the spacing and positioning of the fixation openings 41 in the pin block holder 14.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, crush ribs 91 extend from and around the fixation protrusions 77. In the exemplary embodiment shown, four crush ribs 91 are provided around each fixation protrusion 77, with the ribs 91 being equally spaced apart from one another. The diameter of the fixation protrusions 77 measured at the crush ribs 91 is greater than the diameter of the fixation opening 41 (Figure 2) in the pin block holder 14.

[0025] A locking projection 81 extends from the bottom wall 59 of the pin plate holder 12. The locking projection 81 is disposed adjacent a side wall 83 of the pin plate holder 12. The locking projection 81 has an inclined surface or lead-in surface 85 and a locking shoulder 87 that extends from the lead-in surface 85 to the bottom wall 59. The locking shoulder 87 extends in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of the bottom wall 59. A slot 89 is disposed in the side wall 83 and extends in a direction from the rear surface 79 toward the front surface 72 (FIG. 4).

[0026] When the pin plate holder 12 is assembled to the pin block holder 14, the pin plate holder 12 moves toward the pin block holder 14 in a direction essentially parallel to the plane of the mating portions 24 of the terminals 18. As this occurs, the mating portions 24 of the terminals 18 are inserted first into the terminal-receiving openings 26 of the pin plate holder 12. As assembly continues, the connection portions 76 of the pin plate holder 12 enter the slots 44 of the pin block holder 14 and the stabilizing projections 74 of the pin plate holder 12 enter the stabilizing recesses 32 of the pin block holder 14.

[0027] When the pin plate holder 12 and the pin block holder 14 are fitted together, the protrusions 61 of the pin plate holder 12 enter the cavities 35 of the pin block holder 14. In addition, the fixing protrusions 77 of the pin plate holder 12 enter the fixing openings 41 of the pin block holder 14, and the crush ribs 91 are deformed when inserted into the fixing openings 41.

[0028] As mating or insertion continues, the mating portions 24 of the terminals 18 are inserted further into the terminal receiving openings 26 of the pin plate holder 12, the connecting portions 76 of the pin plate holder 12 are inserted further into the slots 44 of the pin block holder 14, and the stabilizing projections 74 of the pin plate holder 12 are inserted further into the stabilizing recesses 32 of the pin block holder 14. As the insertion continues, as shown in FIG. 9, the lead-in surface 90 of the latch projection 86 of the pin plate holder 12 engages the lead-in surface 56 of the latch arm 52 of the pin block holder 14, causing the latch arm 52 to resiliently deform toward the stabilizing recesses 32. In addition, the lock projection 81 of the pin plate holder 12 enters the lock projection receiving recess 43 of the pin block holder 14. The lock shoulder 70 of the lock projection 55 of the pin block holder 14 also enters the slot 89 of the pin plate holder 12.

[0029] In the fully inserted position, the latching projections 86 of the pin plate holder 12 clear the latching arms 52 of the pin block holder 14, allowing the latching arms 52 to resiliently return to their unstressed position, as shown in FIG. 9. In this position, the locking surfaces 92 of the latching projections 86 engage the free ends 60 of the latching arms 52 to prevent the pin plate holder 12 from being undesirably removed from the pin block holder 14. In addition, the locking surfaces 49 of the locking projection receiving recesses 43 of the pin block holder 14 engage the locking shoulders 87 of the locking projections 81 of the pin plate holder 12 to prevent the pin plate holder 12 from being undesirably removed from the pin block holder 14.

[0030] 9, the locking surface 92 of the latch projection 86 engages the free end 60 of the latch arm 52, and the over-insertion prevention wall 84 engages the tip 53 of the latch arm 52 positioned adjacent the rear wall 36 of the pin block holder 14. In this position, the pin block holder 14 is prevented from moving relative to the pin plate holder 12 in two directions parallel to the plane of insertion. In other words, the pin block holder 14 is precisely positioned in the pin plate holder 12 and prevented from unwanted movement in directions toward either the rear face 79 or the front face 72.

[0031] In the fully inserted position, the stabilizing projection 74 is positioned in the stabilizing recess 32, as shown in FIG. 8. In this position, the ribs 46, 48, and 50 engage the stabilizing projection 74 to prevent the stabilizing projection 74 and the pin plate holder 12 from moving relative to the stabilizing recess 32 and the pin block holder 14 in four directions perpendicular to the plane of insertion. In other words, the pin block holder 14 is precisely positioned in the pin plate holder 12 and is prevented from unwanted movement in any of the directions toward the side wall 83, toward the top wall 57, or away from the top wall 57. This allows the pin block holder 14 to be properly positioned relative to the pin plate holder 12, thereby eliminating the need for overmolding of a part or component.

[0032] In the fully inserted position, the projections 61 of the pin plate holder 12 enter the cavities 35 of the pin block holder 14. In this position, the shape of the projections 61 and cavities 35 also prevents movement of the projections 61 and pin holder 12 relative to the cavities 35 and pin block holder 14 in four directions perpendicular to the plane of insertion, as previously described.

[0033] In the fully inserted position, the fixing projections 77 of the pin plate holder 12 are positioned in the fixing openings 41 of the pin block holder 14. The crush ribs 91 are deformed when inserted into the fixing openings 41, so that an interference fit is provided between the fixing projections 77 and the fixing openings 41. In this position, the cooperation of the fixing projections 77 and the fixing openings 41 also prevents the fixing projections 77 and the pin holder 12 from moving relative to the fixing openings 41 and the pin block holder 14 in four directions perpendicular to the plane of insertion, as previously described. In addition, the interference fit provided between the fixing projections 77 and the fixing openings 41 helps to fix the pin holder 12 relative to the pin block holder 14 in the plane of insertion, preventing unwanted removal of the pin plate holder 12 from the pin block holder 14.

[0034] The cooperation and interaction of the fixed components of the pin block holder 14 and the pin plate holder 12 provides a stable mating of the pin block holder 14 and the pin plate holder 12 in six directions (the two previously mentioned and the four previously mentioned), thereby minimizing movement of the pin plate holder 12, the pin block holder 14 and the terminals 18 relative to one another when assembled. The fixed components are positioned at different locations of the electrical connector assembly, i.e., ends, top, bottom and center, which allows all parts of the electrical connector assembly 10 to be precisely and accurately located and secured, and allows the electrical connector assembly 10 to be properly positioned relative to a module or mating connector, thereby eliminating the need for overmolding of parts or components.

Claims

1. An electrical connector (10), comprising: A housing having a pin plate holder (12) and a pin block holder (14), the pin block holder (14) has a pin block holder stabilizer (30) having a stabilizing recess (32) extending from a first wall (66) of the pin block holder (14), with ribs (46, 48) extending from walls (38, 40) of the stabilizing recess (32) into the stabilizing recess (32); the pin plate holder (12) has a pin plate holder stabilizing portion (62) having a stabilizing projection (74) having a first wall (66), an opposing second wall (68) and a third wall (82) extending between the first wall (66) and the second wall (68); A terminal (18) is positioned in the terminal receiving opening (22) of the pin block holder (14), and the terminal (18) has a mating portion (24) positioned in the terminal receiving opening (22) of the pin plate holder (12); When the pin block holder (14) and the pin plate holder (12) are fully engaged, the ribs (46, 48) of the pin block holder stabilizing portion (30) engage the stabilizing projection (74) of the pin plate holder stabilizing portion (62) to prevent the stabilizing projection (74) and the pin plate holder (12) from moving in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ribs (46, 48) relative to the stabilizing recess (32) and the pin block holder (14); the pin block holder stabilizer (30) of the pin block holder (14) includes a latch arm (52) having a free end (60); the pin plate holder stabilizer (62) of the pin plate holder (12) having a latch projection (86) extending from a wall (88) of the pin plate holder (12); a free end (60) of the latch arm (52) configured to engage a locking surface (92) of the latch projection (86) when the pin block holder (14) and the pin plate holder (12) are fully engaged; An electrical connector (10).

2. An electrical connector (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the latch arm (52) extends in a direction essentially parallel to the plane of the mating portion (24) of the terminal (18).

3. 3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the latch arm has a side wall facing away from the stabilizing recess, a lead-in surface is provided on the side wall of the latch arm, a space is provided adjacent a free end of the latch arm, and the latch arm moves resiliently relative to a remainder of the pin block holder stabilizing portion when the pin block holder and the pin plate holder are mated together.

4. 4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the stabilization recesses extend from the first wall of the pin block holder in a direction essentially parallel to a plane of the mating portions of the terminals.

5. The electrical connector (10) of claim 1, wherein the pin block holder stabilizer (30) is positioned adjacent a longitudinal center of the pin block holder (14).

6. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the pin block holder has a top wall and an oppositely facing bottom wall, with cavities positioned periodically along a length of the top wall, the cavities having a dovetail configuration.

7. Fixed openings (41) are positioned periodically along a length of the bottom wall (33) of the pin block holder (14), the fixed openings (41) having a cylindrical configuration; Fixation projections (77) are positioned periodically along a length of the bottom wall (59) of said pin plate holder (12), the spacing and positioning of said fixation projections (77) corresponding to the spacing and positioning of said fixation openings (41) of said pin block holder (14), said fixation projections (77) having a cylindrical configuration; The electrical connector (10) of claim 6.

8. 7. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein a locking projection receiving recess (43) is provided on a shoulder (51) that extends from a side wall (45) of the pin block holder (14) adjacent to the bottom wall (33) of the pin block holder (14), and the locking projection receiving recess (43) has a locking surface (49).

9. 4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the pin plate holder stabilizer portion has a rib receiving portion extending in a direction from the first wall of the pin plate holder toward the second wall of the pin plate holder, the rib receiving portion having a rib receiving slot opening toward the first wall of the pin plate holder.

10. 10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein the stabilizing projection (74) is positioned below the rib receiving portion (62) and a connecting portion (76) connects the stabilizing projection (74) to the rib receiving portion (62).

11. 11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein an over-insertion prevention wall is provided adjacent to the connecting portion and the stabilizing projection, the over-insertion prevention wall extending in a plane essentially perpendicular to the plane of the connecting portion and the stabilizing projection.

12. 3. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the pin plate holder stabilizer has latch projections extending from a wall of the pin plate holder, each of the latch projections extending in a direction toward the stabilizing projection.

13. 13. The electrical connector (10) of claim 12, wherein the latch projection (86) has an introduction surface (90) and a locking surface (92), and when the pin block holder (14) and the pin plate holder (12) are fully mated, the latch arm (52) of the pin block holder (14) is prevented from moving in the insertion direction relative to the pin plate holder (12) by the locking surface (92) of the latch projection (86) engaging with the free end (60) of the latch arm (52) and by the over-insertion prevention wall (84) engaging with the tip of the latch arm (52).

14. 9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the pin plate holder has a top wall and an oppositely facing bottom wall, with projections positioned periodically along a length of the top wall, the spacing and positioning of the projections corresponding to the spacing and positioning of the cavities of the pin block holder, and the projections having a dovetail configuration.

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