Connector Arrangement

Abstract

To provide a highly reliable fit detection device.SOLUTION: In a connector arrangement having a connector (3) and a corresponding mating connector, the connector (3) includes a first locking feature (1) for engaging a housing (18) with a corresponding second locking feature (2) of the mating connector, and the connector (3) further includes a mating detection device (5) for detecting the mating state between the first locking feature (1) and the second locking feature (2), and the mating detection device (5) has an electrical circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a connector arrangement having a connector and a corresponding mating connector, the connector having a housing and a first locking feature for engaging a corresponding second locking feature of the mating connector, the connector further having a mating detection device for detecting an engaged state between the first locking feature and the second locking feature, and the mating extension device having an electrical circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] To solve the problem of connectors appearing connected even when they are not, connector arrangements have been proposed to confirm that the connectors are fully mated with one another. In addition to mechanical means, electrical circuits located in both connector parts are known that close a circuit upon mating of the connector parts, signaling a locked state.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a connector assembly including a first connector having a first locking feature, a second connector having a second locking feature that cooperates with the first locking feature, and a mating detection device adapted to assume a first electrical state when the first and second connectors are in a locked state, wherein the mating detection device is mechanically prevented from assuming the first state until the first and second locking features lock the first and second connectors together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2008 / 142490 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object may be to provide a highly reliable mating detection device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This object is achieved by a connector arrangement according to claim 1. Embodiments are described in the dependent claims. The connector arrangement includes a connector and a corresponding mating connector, the connector having a housing and a first locking feature for engaging a corresponding second locking feature of the mating connector, and the connector further including a mating detection device for detecting an engaged state between the first locking feature and the second locking feature. The first locking feature includes a resilient member that is deflected by the second locking feature during the mating process and released when the mating process is completed and the locked state is established. The mating detection device includes an electrical circuit with a spring contact for opening and closing the electrical circuit, the spring contact including two resilient contact arms, both of which are moved from an initial position to a displaced position by the resilient member when the resilient member is deflected during the mating process. In the engaged state, the second locking feature prevents only one of the contact arms from returning to its initial position when the resilient member is released.

[0007] The transition of both contact arms from the initial position to the displaced position by the resilient member is advantageous because it avoids premature signaling that the connector and mating connector are mated. Actuating both contact arms with the resilient member prevents relative movement of the contact arms. The transition of the contact arms from the initial position to the displaced position is synchronized by the resilient member, so the state of the electrical circuit remains unchanged during the mating process until the resilient member is released and the first locking feature enters a locking relationship with the second locking feature of the mating connector, i.e., when the connector and mating connector actually mate. Because even slight relative movement of the contact spring arms during the mating process would cause premature signaling of the locked state, the connector arrangement is advantageously applicable to electrical circuits adapted to be disconnected when the locked state is reached. Furthermore, the mating detection device can be provided as a modular device because it is integrally disposed on the connector. The corresponding mating connector has only mechanical features and therefore the connector arrangement can be produced in a simpler and more cost-effective manner compared to an arrangement in which both connector parts comprise parts of an electrical circuit. One of the contact arms that is inhibited from returning to its initial position is also referred to as the inhibiting side of the contact arm, while the other is referred to as the non-inhibiting side of the contact arm.

[0008] The electrical circuit is adapted to signal the event of closing or breaking the electrical circuit in a suitable manner, such as by transmitting a signal or ceasing to transmit a signal, and the transmission may be performed wirelessly. A change in the state of the electrical circuit may result in a change in the signal. Closing or breaking the electrical circuit may also result in mating or unmating of a transmitting antenna or logic block. The electrical circuit may comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and an RFID antenna. Closing or breaking the electrical circuit results in a change in the RFID tag state, thus sending a different response. The RFID antenna may be mated or unmated, and the RFID tag may be mated or unmated.

[0009] The two resilient contact arms may have respective contact portions that overlap in a direction from the initial position to the displaced position. When the non-restraining side of the contact arm springs back to the initial position, the contact portions make contact to connect an electrical circuit or break contact to disconnect an electrical circuit. The non-restraining side of the contact arm does not necessarily return to the initial position because it may be blocked by the inhibiting side. At least the non-restraining side of the contact arm may be preloaded to the initial position by moving to the displaced position to close the spring switch after the resilient member is released. The inhibiting side of the contact arm may or may not be preloaded in the same manner.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a protrusion is disposed on the inhibiting side of the contact arm, which in the initial position extends into the space occupied by the second locking feature in the locked state, thus inhibiting the inhibiting side of the contact arm from returning to the initial position when the resilient member is released. The protrusion formed on the spring may be referred to as a spring contact protrusion.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, at least one of the two resilient contact arms may be made of metal, for example, spring steel or copper. At least one of the two resilient contact arms may be, for example, one of a semi-finished metal strip, a solid wire, and a flat wire. Advantageously, the spring contact protrusion can be formed on the inhibiting contact arm by bending or pressing the semi-finished product. Furthermore, at least one of the two resilient contact arms may be made of plastic and have a metallic conductive lead disposed thereon. The conductive lead may be prepared in the form of a foil, such as a sprayed metallic conductive paint and / or a conductive plastic, and the foil may be provided with a printed circuit. The two contact arms may be made of different semi-finished products and / or materials.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the electrical circuit is disposed on a circuit board, and the two resilient contact arms have respective base portions connected to the circuit board by, for example, mechanical connection, adhesive bonding, or soldering. The circuit board can be disposed in the housing. At least one of the two resilient contact arms can have a leg portion attached to the resilient member.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, two resilient contact arms are disposed on a base plate, and the base plate is attached to the resilient member. The protrusion may be disposed on the base plate so that, in the initial position, it extends into the space occupied by the second locking feature in the locked state. Advantageously, the circuit board in this embodiment is disposed on the base plate, and the mating detection device is mounted completely on the base plate, thus forming a modular component independent of the connector housing. The protrusion formed on the base plate may be referred to as a base plate protrusion.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, two resilient plastic contact arms are integrally formed, with a contact bridge formed on the restraining side of the resilient contact arms and two spaced apart conductive leads connected to an electrical circuit. In the initial position, the restraining side of the resilient contact arms extends into the space occupied by the second locking feature in the locked state. The electrical circuit may be disposed in the connector housing. Alternatively, the two resilient contact arms and a base plate may be integrally formed, with the electrical circuit disposed on the base plate, also forming a module mating detection device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 shows an exploded view of a connector of a first embodiment of a connector arrangement. [Figure 2] 2 shows the fitting detection device of the embodiment of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2 shows a detail of the connector of FIG. 1 in an assembled state in a different view. [Figure 4] 2 shows a detail of the connector of FIG. 1 in an assembled state in a different view. [Figure 5] 1A-1C show different views of a first embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 6]1A-1C show different views of a first embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 7] 1A-1C show different views of a first embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 8] 1A-1C show different views of a first embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 9] 1 shows the spring contact of the first embodiment from different perspectives; [Figure 10] 1 shows the spring contact of the first embodiment from different views; [Figure 11] 10 shows a spring contact of the second embodiment from a different perspective. [Figure 12] 10 shows a spring contact of the second embodiment from a different perspective. [Figure 13] The electrical circuit is shown in two forms. [Figure 14] The electrical circuit is shown in two forms. [Figure 15] 10 is a perspective view of a spring contact according to a third embodiment; FIG. [Figure 16] 10 illustrates a third embodiment of a connector arrangement in cross section. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spring contact according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a connector arrangement in cross section. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spring contact according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a connector arrangement in cross section. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spring contact according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 22] 10A-10C show a sixth embodiment of a connector arrangement at different stages of the mating process. [Figure 23] 10A-10C show a sixth embodiment of a connector arrangement at different stages of the mating process. [Figure 24] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing two forms of a module fitting detection device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 25]10A and 10B are perspective views showing two forms of a module fitting detection device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 26] 26A-26C show a seventh embodiment of a connector arrangement at different stages of the mating process by the modular mating detection device of FIG. 25; [Figure 27] 26A-26C show a seventh embodiment of a connector arrangement at different stages of the mating process by the modular mating detection device of FIG. 25; [Figure 28] 26A-26C show a seventh embodiment of a connector arrangement at different stages of the mating process by the modular mating detection device of FIG. 25; [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a spring contact according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 30] 10A-10C show different views of an eighth embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 31] 10A-10C show different views of an eighth embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 32] 10A-10C show different views of an eighth embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 33] 10A-10C show different views of an eighth embodiment of a connector arrangement at various stages of the mating process; [Figure 34] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a module fitting detection device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 35] 10 shows a ninth embodiment of a connector arrangement from different views. [Figure 36] 10 shows a ninth embodiment of a connector arrangement from different views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1 shows an exploded view of a connector 3 according to a first embodiment of a connector arrangement. The connector 3 includes a housing 18 and a first locking feature 1 for engaging a corresponding second locking feature 2 (shown in FIG. 5). The connector 3 further includes a mating detection device 5 for detecting the mating state between the first locking feature 1 and the second locking feature 2, which will be further described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0017] 2 shows a mating detection device 5. The mating detection device 5 includes an electric circuit 8 having a spring contact 7 for opening and closing the electric circuit 8, and the spring contact 7 includes two resilient contact arms 9, 10. The two resilient contact arms 9, 10 may be made of metal, particularly spring steel or copper. In the illustrated embodiment, the two resilient contact arms 9, 10 are formed of metal strips. The electric circuit 8 is disposed on a circuit board 16, and the two resilient contact arms 9, 10 have respective base portions 17 connected to the circuit board 16.

[0018] 3 and 4 show details of the connector 3 of FIG. 1 in assembled state in longitudinal and transverse cross-sections, which will be described collectively. In the following figures of each embodiment of the connector 3 and connector arrangement, only details are depicted, including, where applicable, the mating detection device 5 and the electrical circuit 8 with the spring contact 7 for opening and closing the electrical circuit. The spring contact 7 includes two resilient contact arms 9, 10, shown in an initial position. The first locking feature 1 includes a resilient member 6 that deflects toward the spring contact 7 during the mating process. In the initial position, i.e., before the mating process begins, one of the contact arms 9 includes a protrusion 14 that extends into a window in the resilient member that forms a free space 15. The protrusion 14 formed on the spring contact 7 may be referred to as the spring contact protrusion 14. The mating process is described below with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

[0019] 5 and 6 depict a first embodiment of a connector arrangement in longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional views, showing the positions of a connector 3 and a corresponding mating connector 4 during the mating process. A first locking feature 1 for engaging a corresponding second locking feature 2 includes a resilient member 6 that is deflected by the second locking feature 2 during the mating process and released when the mating process is completed and the locked state is established. For a spring contact 7 for opening and closing an electrical circuit 8, both of two resilient contact arms 9 and 10 are moved by the resilient member 6 from the initial position shown in FIG. 3 to a displaced position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. At this time, the two resilient contact arms 9 and 10 are preloaded to their initial positions.

[0020] 7 and 8 depict the first embodiment of the connector arrangement in a locked state in longitudinal and transverse cross-sections, showing that when the second locking feature 2 reaches and occupies the space 15, the resilient member 6 is released, thus locking the connector arrangement in the mating direction. At this time, because the protrusion 14 is located on the inhibiting side of the contact arm 9 abutting the second locking feature 2, only one of the contact arms 9 is inhibited from returning to its initial position by the second locking feature 2 in the space 15 in the locked state. Thus, unlike the previous mating process, the non-inhibiting contact arm 10 moves relative to the inhibiting contact arm 9, resulting in contact between the two resilient contact arms 9, 10 and closing the electrical circuit 8 of the mating detection device 5. The contact is further illustrated with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0021] 9 and 10 show the spring contact 7 of the first embodiment as a single component from different perspectives, which will be described collectively. The spring contact 7 is shown in its closed, locked state. Two resilient contact arms 9, 10 have respective contact portions 11, 12 that overlap each other in the direction from the initial position to the displaced position, and the contact portion 11 of the inhibiting contact arm 9 is disposed between the contact portion 12 of the non-inhibiting contact arm 10, which abuts against the contact portion 11 on the way to the initial position, so that the contact portions 11, 12 come into contact when the non-inhibiting side of the contact arm 10 springs back to the initial position.

[0022] 11 and 12 show the spring contact 7 of the second embodiment as a single component, depicted from different perspectives and described together. Because a different contact logic is used in the second embodiment, the spring contact 7 is shown in its open, locked state. When the contact arrangement reaches the locked state, the electrical circuit 8 of the mating detection device 5 is disconnected. The contact portions 11 and 12, which overlap each other in the direction from the initial position to the displaced position, are arranged in an interchangeable relationship compared to the first embodiment. The contact portion 12 of the non-restraining contact arm 10 is arranged between the contact portion 11 of the restraining contact arm 9 and the elastic member 6 (not shown), so that the contact portions 11 and 12 are in contact during the mating process. When the non-restraining side of the contact arm springs back to its initial position, the contact portion 12 is lifted from the contact portion 11 of the restraining contact arm 9 and cannot follow it.

[0023] 13 and 14 show two forms of electrical circuitry 8, which will be described collectively. The electrical circuitry 8 is disposed on a circuit board 16 that includes two contact pads 25 for resilient contact arms 9, 10 (not shown). An RFID tag 2 and an RFID antenna 27 are disposed on the circuit board. The RFID antenna 27 of FIG. 13 advantageously includes side pieces 28 that are positioned at right angles to a central piece 29, allowing the increased area of ​​the RFID antenna 27 to extend to three adjacent walls of the housing 18 (not shown).

[0024] 15 to 20, an alternative embodiment of the spring contact 7 is described, in which the two resilient contact arms 9, 10 are made of metal, in particular spring steel or copper, and the two resilient contact arms 9, 10 are metal strips, solid wires or flat wires.

[0025] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the spring contact 7 as a single component. The inhibiting contact arm 9 is a metal strip with a protrusion 14 formed thereon. The non-inhibiting contact arm 10 is a solid or flat wire. FIG. 16 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the connector arrangement with the spring contact 7 in its closed, initial position. A circuit board 16 is disposed in a housing 18. The protrusion 14 extends into a space 15. The non-inhibiting contact arm 10 is bent so that a contact portion 12 is formed between the inhibiting contact arm 9 and the resilient member 6. A retaining portion 30 connects the non-inhibiting contact arm 10 to the resilient member 6. After the mating process, when the inhibiting contact arm 9 cannot return to its initial position, only the non-inhibiting contact arm 10 returns to its initial position, causing the opening spring switch 7 to break the electrical circuit 8.

[0026] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the spring contact 7 as a single piece. The inhibiting contact arm 9 is again a metal strip with a protrusion 14 formed thereon, and the non-inhibiting contact arm 10 is a solid or flat wire. FIG. 18 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the connector arrangement with the spring contact 7 in its open, initial position. The circuit board 16 is disposed in the housing 18. The protrusion 14 extends into the space 15. The non-inhibiting contact arm 10 is bent so that the contact portion 12 is located between the inhibiting contact arm 9 and the displaced position assumed by the resilient contact arms 9, 10 during the mating process. The retaining portion 30 connects the non-inhibiting contact arm 10 to the resilient member 6. When the non-inhibiting contact arm 9 fails to return to its initial position after the mating process, the spring contact 7 closes the electrical circuit 8 when the non-inhibiting contact arm 10 returns to its initial position.

[0027] FIG. 19 shows a fifth embodiment of the spring contact 7 in a perspective view as a single part. FIG. 20 shows the fifth embodiment of the connector arrangement in a longitudinal section with the spring contact 7 in the closed, initial position. Two resilient contact arms 9, 10 are formed as metal strips. The inhibiting contact arm 9 has an additional leg portion 19 attached to the resilient member 6. The non-restraining contact arm 10 has a contact portion 12 formed between the inhibiting contact arm 9 and the resilient member 6. When the inhibiting contact arm 9 fails to return to its initial position after the mating process, only the non-restraining contact arm 10 returns to its initial position, so that opening the spring switch 7 breaks the electrical circuit 8. A circuit board 16 is disposed in a housing 18.

[0028] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the spring contact 7. FIGS. 22 and 23 show the sixth embodiment of the connector arrangement at different stages of the mating process. FIGS. 21-23 are collectively described. Two resilient contact arms 9, 10 are disposed on a base plate 20, which is attached to the resilient member 6 by a hook portion 31. In the initial position of FIG. 22, a protrusion 21 is disposed on the base plate 20, extending into the space 15 occupied by the second locking feature 2 in the locked state of FIG. 23. The protrusion 21 formed on the base plate 20 may be referred to as a base plate protrusion 21. A circuit board 16 is disposed in the housing 18. When the contact arrangement reaches the locked state, the base plate protrusion 21 is prevented from returning to the space 15, thereby restraining only one of the resilient contact arms 9, which contacts the non-restraining contact arm 10 and closes the electrical circuit 8.

[0029] 24 and 25 show perspective views of two configurations of a module mating detection device 5 according to the seventh embodiment. A circuit board 16 having an electric circuit 8 is disposed on a base plate 20, and the mating detection device 5 is completely independent of the connector housing 18. Two resilient contact arms 9 and 10 are disposed on the base plate 20, and the base plate 20 has a hook portion 31 for attachment to the resilient member 6. A protrusion 21 is disposed on the base plate 20. The difference between the two configurations of the module mating detection device 5 is that the circuit board 16 in FIG. 24 has a larger area to accommodate, for example, a larger RFID antenna.

[0030] 26 to 28 show a seventh embodiment of a connector arrangement at different stages of the mating process with the module mating detection device 5 of FIG.

[0031] FIG. 26 shows the connector 3 in a longitudinal cross-section in its initial position. The protrusion 21 is disposed on the base plate 20 and extends into the space 15. FIG. 27 depicts a seventh embodiment of the connector arrangement in a longitudinal cross-section, showing the position of the connector 3 during the mating process with the corresponding mating connector 4. The resilient member 6 is deflected by the second locking feature 2, and both of the resilient contact arms 9, 10 are moved by the resilient member 6 from the initial position of FIG. 26 to the displaced position. In FIG. 28, once the mating process is completed and the locked state is established, the resilient member 6 is released. The second locking feature 2 occupies the space 15. The protrusion 21 disposed on the base plate 20 abuts the second locking feature. Thus, unlike during the previous mating process, the non-restraining contact arm 10 moves relative to the restraining contact arm 9, resulting in the two resilient contact arms 9, 10 coming into contact and closing the electrical circuit 8 of the mating detection device 5.

[0032] 29 shows a perspective view of the spring contact 7 of the eighth embodiment. Two resilient contact arms 9, 10 are made of plastic with metal conductive leads 22 disposed thereon. The two resilient contact arms 9, 10 are integrally formed, with a contact bridge 23 formed on the restraining side of the resilient contact arm 9 and two spaced apart conductive leads 22 on the non-restraining side of the resilient contact arm 10 that can be connected to an electrical circuit 8. The spring contact 7 has a ledge 32 for mounting the spring contact 7 to the resilient member 6.

[0033] 30-33 show an eighth embodiment of the connector arrangement from different perspectives at various stages of the mating process. Two spaced apart conductive leads 22 on the unrestrained side of the resilient contact arm 10 are connected to an electrical circuit 8 located in the housing 18.

[0034] Figures 30 and 31 show connector 3 in a longitudinal cross-section and a cross-section in an initial position. In the initial position, the restraining side of resilient contact arm 9 extends into space 15 occupied by second locking feature 2 in the locked state. Spring contact 7 is secured to resilient member 6 by shelf 32. Figure 32 depicts an eighth embodiment of a connector arrangement in a longitudinal cross-section, showing the position during the mating process between connector 3 and its corresponding mating connector 4. Resilient member 6 is deflected by second locking feature 2, and spring contact 7, including both resilient contact arms 9 and 10, moves with resilient member 6 from the initial position to the displaced position. In Figure 33, resilient member 6 is released when the mating process is completed and the locked state is established. Second locking feature 2 occupies space 15. The restraining side of the resilient contact arm 9 abuts the second locking feature 2 and, unlike the previous mating process, deflects as the non-restraining contact arm 10 returns to its initial position, resulting in contact between the two resilient contact arms 9, 10. A contact bridge 23 formed on the restraining side of the resilient contact arm 9 connects the two spaced apart conductive leads 22 on the non-restraining side of the resilient contact arm 10, thus closing the electrical circuit 8.

[0035] Figure 34 shows a perspective view of a further modular mating detection device 5 according to a ninth embodiment. Figures 35 and 36 show longitudinal and cross-sectional views of the ninth embodiment of the connector arrangement. The two resilient contact arms 9, 10 and the base plate 24 are integrally formed. The spring contact 7 has a ledge 32 for mounting the spring contact 7 to the resilient member 6, and the base plate 24 has a base ledge 33 for mounting the base plate 24 to the housing 18. The resilient contact arms 9, 10 of the mating detection device 5 and the single base plate 24 with the electrical circuit 8 disposed thereon form the modular mating detection device 5 independent of the housing 18 of the connector 3. In the initial position, the restraining side of the resilient contact arm 9 extends into the space 15 occupied by the second locking feature 2 in the locked state. When the second locking feature 2 occupies the space 15 in the locked state, the inhibiting side of the resilient contact arm 9 abuts the second locking feature 2 and deflects when the non-inhibiting contact arm 10 returns to its initial position, resulting in contact between the two resilient contact arms 9, 10. A contact bridge 23 formed on the inhibiting side of the resilient contact arm 9 connects the two spaced apart conductive leads 22 on the non-inhibiting side of the resilient contact arm 10, thus closing the electrical circuit 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. First Locking Feature 2 Second Locking Feature 3 Connectors 4 Mating connector 5. Mating detection device 6 Elastic member 7 Spring Contacts 8 Electrical Circuits 9 Deterrent contact arm 10 Non-restraining contact arm 11 Contact part of the inhibiting contact arm 12 Contact portion of non-restraining contact arm 14 Protrusion, spring contact protrusion 15 Space 16 Circuit Board 17 Base part 18 Housing 19 Leg-shaped part 20 base plate 21 protrusion, base plate protrusion 22 Metal conductive lead 23 Contact Bridge 24 base plate 25 contact pads 26 RFID tags 27 RFID antenna 28 Side parts 29 Central part 30 Holding part 31 Hook part 32 Shelf part 33 Base shelf

Claims

1. A connector arrangement having a connector (3) and a corresponding mating connector (4), the connector (3) having a first locking feature (1) for engaging a housing (18) with a corresponding second locking feature (2) of the mating connector, the connector (3) further having a mating detection device (5) for detecting a mating state between the first locking feature and the second locking feature; the first locking feature comprises a resilient member (6) that is deflected by the second locking feature (2) during the mating process and released when the mating process is complete and the locked state is established; The mating detection device (5) comprises an electric circuit (8) having a spring contact (7) for opening and closing an electric circuit, the spring contact having two elastic contact arms (9, 10), and when the elastic member (6) is deflected during the mating process, both of the contact arms are actuated by the elastic member to move from an initial position to a displaced position while being prevented from moving relative to each other; In the locked state, when the elastic member (6) is released, the second locking feature prevents only one of the contact arms (9) from returning to the initial position; The two elastic contact arms (9, 10) have respective contact portions (11, 12) that overlap in a direction from the initial position to the displaced position, and the respective contact portions (11, 12) are maintained in one of a spaced-apart state and a contacting state when the elastic member (6) is deflected during the mating process, and are switched to the other of the spaced-apart state and the contacting state when the non-restrained side of the contact arm (10) springs back to the initial position. Connector arrangement configuration.

2. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least the non-restrained side of the contact arm (10) is preloaded to the initial position upon transition to the displaced position.

3. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion (14) is arranged on the restraining side of the contact arm (9), the protrusion extending in the initial position into a space (15) occupied by the second locking feature (2) in the locked state.

4. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two resilient contact arms (9, 10) is made of spring steel, and at least one of said two resilient contact arms is one of a metal strip, a solid wire, and a flat wire.

5. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit (8) is disposed on a circuit board (16), and the two resilient contact arms (9, 10) have respective base portions (17) connected to the circuit board (16).

6. 6. A connector arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the circuit board (16) is disposed in the housing (18).

7. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two resilient contact arms (9, 10) has a leg-like portion (19) attached to said resilient member (6).

8. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said two resilient contact arms (9, 10) are arranged on a base plate (20), said base plate being attached to said resilient member (6).

9. 9. A connector arrangement according to claim 8, wherein a protrusion (21) is arranged on the base plate (20) which in the initial position extends into a space (15) occupied by the second locking feature (2) in the locked state.

10. The electrical circuit (8) is disposed on a circuit board (16), and the two resilient contact arms (9, 10) have respective base portions (17) connected to the circuit board (16); 10. The connector arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the circuit board (16) is disposed on the base plate (20).

11. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two resilient contact arms (9, 10) is made of plastic and a metallic conductive lead (22) is disposed thereon.

12. 12. A connector arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the two resilient contact arms (9, 10) are integrally formed, the restraining side of the resilient contact arm (9) is formed with a contact bridge (23), and the non-restraining side of the resilient contact arm (10) has two spaced apart conductive leads (22) connected to the electrical circuit (8).

13. 2. A connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the restraining side of the resilient contact arm (9) extends in the initial position into a space (15) occupied by the second locking feature (2) in the locked state.

14. A connector arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the two resilient contact arms (9, 10) and the base plate (24) are integrally formed.

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