[0001] This invention relates to a rack and pinion type of locking means for the coupling
of complementary connectors.
[0002] A rack and pinion mechanism for coupling mating connectors together is known from
German Utility Model G 8714016 and shown in Figure 1, whereby a receptacle connector
assembly 4' comprises a gear 10' pivotable about an axis and attached to a lever arm
14'; and a pin header connector assembly 3' comprises a rack 11' along a wall of a
cavity 13' receiving the receptacle connector 4'. Mating of the connectors 2' and
3' is effectuated by simply inserting the receptacle connector into the cavity of
the pinheaded connector whereby engagement of the rack 11' and pinion 10' causes the
gear arm 14' to rotate and allow full insertion of the receptacle connector into the
male housing cavity. Uncoupling of the mating connectors 2', 3' is effectuated by
simply rotating the lever 14' in the opposite sense.
[0003] In order to ensure locking of the mated connectors, the lever can be latched in it's
final position by some resilient latching means. In the open position however, the
lever arm 20 should be held in a fixed position such that coupling of the connectors
is rapidly done by merely inserting the connectors and snapping them together. The
gear lever arm of the Utility Model engages the receptacle housing with a dimple thereon
for resiliently holding the lever in the fully open position, the lever being rotatable
into the closed position by simply exerting sufficient torque to the gear (which occurs
when firmly pressing the mating connectors together).
[0004] One of the problems associated with the prior art open-position retention means,
is that after a few connections and disconnections, the dimple may wear and be less
effective in holding the gear lever open. Furthermore, as the retention means must
be releasable with a reasonable force, the gear lever may also be accidently rotated
from the open position, the operator then requiring to first open the lever prior
to mating.
[0005] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a rack and pinion coupling
means for mating connectors that is reliable, reduces handling costs and is cost-effective
to manufacture.
[0006] It is a further object of this invention to provide a rack and pinion coupling means
for mating connectors that allows reliable and rapid coupling of the mating parts
whilst requiring low coupling forces.
[0007] The objects of this invention have been achieved by providing a first connector housing
having a gear member thereon interengageable with a pinion member of a mating second
connector housing, whereby the gear member comprises a lever arm fixed in the open
position by a resilient latching member of the first housing, the latching member
cooperable with the second connector housing during coupling between the first and
second connector housings to release the engagement of the latching member and gear
lever arm thereby allowing full coupling of the first and second connector assemblies.
[0008] The preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described in detail with reference
to the figures, whereby;
Figure 1 is a side view of mating connector assemblies of the prior art;
Figure 2 is a side view of part of a connector assembly comprising a gear member according
to the preferred embodiment of this invention;
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views through line 3-3 of Figure 2 but including
a second connector assembly matable with the first, showing, respectively, different
steps during coupling therebetween; and
Figure 6 is an isometric view of part of the connector housing without the gear member
showing more clearly the gear retention member.
[0009] Referring first to Figure 2, a receptacle connector assembly 3 comprising a housing
4 having a main housing 6 for receiving electrical terminals therein, and a gear member
8 comprising a pinion 10 with gear teeth 12, and a lever arm 14. The gear member 8
is pivotly attached to an axis 16 of the housing 4. The terminals mountable in the
main housing section 6 project towards a mating face 18 thereof, the connector assembly
3 being matable to a complementary connector assembly 2 (see Figure 3) similar to
the connector assembly 2' of the prior art. The mating connector assembly would thus
comprise a rack similar to the rack 6' for engagement with the gear teeth 12 of the
pinion 10 during mating and unmating of the connector assemblies. Similarly to the
prior art shown in Figure 1, the connector housing 4' would be inserted into a cavity
of the complementary connector assembly whereby the pinion 10 and rack would engage
causing the gear member 8 to pivot until the fully mated position indicated by the
gear lever member 8 shown in dotted lines.
[0010] Referring to Figures 1-6, the connector housing 4 further comprises a resilient latching
member 20 attached to the main housing section 6 proximate the mating face 18 and
extending rearwardly therefrom to a free end 22. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the
resilient retention arm 20 is shown comprising, proximate the free end 22, a retention
shoulder 24 engageable against a retention shoulder 26 of the lever arm 14 when in
the fully opened position, and a tapered portion 23 for engaging the lever arm during
opening thereby biasing the retention arm prior to locking engagement therewith. Intermediate
the free end 22 and attached end 21, the retention arm 20 comprises a camming portion
28 projecting outwardly therefrom and engageable with a wall 30 of the complementary
connector housing for biasing of the resilient retention arm 20 out of locking engagement
with the lever arm retention shoulder 26 as can be seen in Figure 4.
[0011] Figure 4 shows initial insertion of the connector housing 4 into a cavity 32 of a
complementary connector housing 34. During this initial insertion, the retention arms
20 are resiliently biased and release the lever arm 14 such that when the gear teeth
12 engage the rack of the complementary connector, the gear member 8 is free to rotate
and allow full insertion of the connector housing 4 into the cavity 32 as shown in
Figure 5. Camming of the resilient retention arms 20 during mating, thus allows a
low mating force between the complementary connector assemblies 2, 3 whilst nevertheless
providing a very secure retention means that does not suffer from wear during coupling
and uncoupling.
[0012] Advantageously therefore, the gear member coupling means is securely and reliably
maintained in the open position ready for coupling, and automatically released during
the coupling without significantly increasing the mating forces required.
1. An electrical connector assembly (3) matable to a complementary connector assembly
(2), the connector assembly (3) comprising a housing (4) having a main housing section
(6) for receiving electrical terminals therein matable with electrical terminals of
a complementary connector assembly (2), the connector housing (4) further comprising
a rotatable gear member (8) having a lever arm (14) and a pinion (10) attached to
one end of the lever arm, the pinion having gear teeth (12) engageable with a rack
of the complementary connector assembly (2), characterized in that the connector housing
(4) comprises a resilient retention arm (20) securely locking the gear member (8)
to the main housing section (6) in an open position prior to mating, the retention
arm (20) comprising a camming portion (28) engageable against a wall portion (30)
of the complementary connector assembly (2) during mating for allowing the gear member
(8) to rotate.
2. The connector assembly of claim 1 characterized in that the retention arm (20) is
a cantilevered beam.
3. The connector assembly of any preceding claim characterized in that the retention
arm (20) is integrally attached to the main housing section (6) proximate a mating
face (18) thereof.
4. The connector assembly of any preceding claim characterized in that a free end (22)
of the retention arm (20) comprises a tapered portion (23) for engaging the lever
arm (14) during opening thereof to resiliently bias the retention arm prior to locking
engagement therewith.