This invention relates to a rack and pinion type of locking means for the coupling of complementary connectors.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
The objects of this invention have been achieved by providing a connector assembly according to claim 1.
The preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, whereby;
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.
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.
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.
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.