[0001] The present invention relates to a first connector housing for connecting to a mating
second connector housing. The present invention further relates to a second housing
for accommodating electrical contacts and for connecting to a mating first connector
housing.
[0002] Common connectors are mated by pressing a first connector housing, such as a plug,
against a second connector housing or header, such as a socket, until a certain minimum
contact pressure and/or a minimum contact surface between the electrical contacts
accommodated in the plug and socket housings is reached. This configuration should
be stable over time so as to assure a reliable electrical connection. Moreover, especially
for connector assemblies of large dimensions, the contact pressure necessary to assure
a reliable connection causes a certain amount of friction when the two connector parts
are mated and un-mated. The friction force to be overcome when coupling and uncoupling
the connector becomes quite significant in the case of multi-conductor connectors
containing a large number of individual contacts.
[0003] Prior art connectors include a handle or lever mechanism that facilitate the connection
of the plug and socket housings. An example of such a mechanism is schematically illustrated
in figure 31.
[0004] Figure 31 shows a portion of a connector assembly 300 including a lever 310, a first
connector housing and a header or second connector housing 301. The lever 310 includes
an engaging element 311, such as a toothed head, adapted to be engaged with a corresponding
toothed portion 302, such as a rack, on the first housing 301. By operating the lever
310, such as by pivoting the lever 310 around a pivotal axis or pivot 312, the rotational
movement of the lever 310 is transferred to the second connector housing 301, which
is moved with respect to the first connector housing along a mating direction of the
connector assembly 300.
[0005] However, because of the reaction force perpendicular to the mating direction resulting
from the gear pressure angle of single lever 310 and rack 302 mating assist designs,
coupled with the sliding friction of the pinion bearing on its axle 312, the system
efficiency is reduced.
[0006] For example, in a configuration as that depicted in figure 31, the load on the pivotal
axle 312 of the lever 310 is the total force needed to mate/un-mate the connector
housings. The friction on the axle 312 can be derived as the mating force divided
by the lever ratio times the friction coefficient:
[0007] The applied mating force will be given by the force applied by the lever 310 times
the cosine of the gear pressure angle on the teeth of the rack 302. Considering a
normalized lever force, or in other words a lever force of 1 F where F is a constant
with the dimensions of a Force, and a gear pressure angle of 20 deg., the mating force
applied will be 0.94 F.
[0008] Equation (1) above may be used for calculating the friction effect on the axle. For
a lever ratio of 25 and a friction coefficient of 0.5, considering an applied mating
force of 0.94 as calculated above, the friction force on the axle 312 will be approximatively
0.07 F.
[0009] The perpendicular reaction force will be given by the component of the lever force
perpendicular to the mating force times the friction coefficient. This is given by:
1
F · sin(20 deg) = 0.34
F, where 20 deg. is the gear pressure angle.
[0010] In the case of a unitary force applied by the lever for a friction coefficient of
0.5, for a gear pressure angle of 20 deg., the reaction force due to the friction
between the connector housings to be overcome is given by the perpendicular reaction
force times the friction coefficient: 0.34
F · 0.5 = 0.17
F, where F is a constant having the dimensions of a Force.
[0011] Summarizing, the extra torque required on the lever to compensate for mechanical
inefficiencies due to axle friction and reaction force or pressure angle losses is
0.17 (pressure angle loss) plus 0.07 (axle friction), for a total loss of 0.24. The
force to be applied to the lever for connecting/disconnecting the first and second
housings results to be 24% more than for a frictionless system.
[0012] Simple transverse slide and cam track mate assist designs suffer significant frictional
losses. This is due to the fact that the mating force has to be reacted on a transverse
flat bearing surface between the slide and the mating connector housing, and between
the slide cam track and the mating header engagement structure, which usually takes
the form of a peg. Apart from very shallow cam angles to increase mechanical advantage,
the frictional losses can be addressed by constructing the mechanism from low sliding
friction materials, or the application of lubricant grease.
[0013] There are however practical limits to this approach. In particular, low friction
materials can be expensive and difficult to process, as well a having potentially
reduced mechanical properties. Consequently, indentation of the sliding surfaces could
occur at high loads, leading to system failure. This effect is known as 'Brinelling'.
On the other hand, grease application is expensive and difficult to control. Further
grease attracts dust and other undesirable debris. Moreover, it can melt away at high
temperatures, freeze at low temperatures and degrade over time, thereby leading to
a reduced functionality of the mate assist structure.
[0014] In addition, once the plug and socket housings are fully mated, the connector assembly
may be exposed to high mechanical stress and vibrations, especially in automotive
applications. Another problem of common connectors, such as those described above
is that, once connected and put in place, the connector parts (i.e. the plug and socket
housings) may move apart from each other due to high vibrations, thereby mining the
reliability of the electrical connection. Moreover, relative movement of the connector
housings during operation may expose the electrical contacts and the connector housings
to mechanical stresses, such as side stresses, which said parts are not designed to
withstand. This may cause failures and ruptures that may in the worst case, require
the replacement of the entire connector. Finally, also a cable mounted in the connector
housings may suffer from excessive vibration levels and movement of the cable with
respect to the connector housing, especially in a position proximate to the entering
side of the cable into the connector housing, may result in a faster deterioration
of the cable and therefore in a shorter life of the connector.
[0015] US 5 564 935 A shows a connector assembly in which a first connector housing has a first and a second
operation cam members and an operation lever. Mating occurs by operating the lever.
DE 198 28 414 A1 shows a connector assembly with a first and second lever, including a hook. The hook
can be engaged with a corresponding pin on the mating connector housing.
US 5 658 162 A and
WO 2010/130584 A1 show a connector assembly, including two levers mounted on a first connector housing
and including a hook portion.
[0016] US 2002/025712 A1 discloses a lever structure on a first connector housing including a cam protrusion
as disclosed by the preamble of independent claim 1, which engages with a corresponding
receiver on the side face of the second housing.
WO 2009/137615 A1 shows a connector assembly in which a first housing can be connected to a second
housing by operating a lever. Connection of the first and second connector housing
is obtained by engaging a cam protrusion in the first connector housing with a cam
groove on an outer face of the second connector housing.
[0017] EP 2 110 895 A1 discloses a lever-type connector with a sector-shaped pinion and a cam follower gliding
inside a cam groove.
[0018] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a mating design for an
electrical connector that overcomes the drawbacks described above. In particular,
it is an object of the present invention to provide a design for a connector housing
that allows reducing the frictional losses during mating and un-mating operations
due to the reaction force as described above. Further, the present invention aims
at providing a design for an electrical connector including a fixing structure that
provides for tolerance removal for housing and wire against heightened vibration levels.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector that
can withstand high vibration levels and that can assure a reliable connection in applications
where the connector is exposed to high vibration levels, such as establishing electrical
connection for parts of a vehicle close to the engine.
[0019] This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim 1. Preferred
embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
[0020] It is the particular approach of the present invention to add a second lever system
opposing to the lever system of a common connector design to be operated together
so as to cancel out the reaction force due to the component of the force applied to
the lever perpendicular to the mating force. In addition or in alternative, the so
obtained twin lever system may be adapted to fix the first and second housing in the
mated configuration so as to withstand high vibration levels. According to a first
aspect, it is provided a first connector housing for accommodating electrical contacts
for connecting to a mating second connector housing. The first connector housing comprises
a first lever structure including a first lever portion pivotally engageable with
a first engaging member on a side face of the first connector housing. Further, a
second lever structure includes a first lever portion pivotally engageable with a
second engaging member on a side face of the first connector housing so as to be opposing
the first lever structure. Each of the first lever structure and the second lever
structure further comprises a gear member, each gear member including a plurality
of teeth for engagement with the second connector housing, wherein the gear member
comprises at least two gear teeth of different lengths to provide a high initial gear
ratio and a lower final gear ratio, respectively.
[0021] Thus, the lever ratio corresponding to the first tooth is higher than the lever ratio
corresponding to the second tooth.
[0022] In other words, each of the first and second lever structures comprises a first lever
portion adapted to be respectively pivotally engaged with the first and second engaging
element on the side face or mounting face of the first connector housing so as to
pivotally mount the first and second lever structures to the first connector housing.
[0023] The first second lever structure may further include a second lever portion or first
lever body pivotally movable with respect to the first lever portion. Similarly, the
second lever structure may as well include a second lever portion or second lever
body pivotally movable with respect to the first lever portion. The second lever portion
is adapted to be respectively engaged to the corresponding first and second engaging
element on the mating second connector housing.
[0024] The first and second lever bodies may include on two side faces thereof a curved
cam groove adapted to be engaged with a cam portion on a side face of the second lever
portion. This provides a constraint that reduces the movement of the first lever portion
with respect to the second lever portion.
[0025] According to a further aspect, the first lever structure may comprise a first synchronization
element adapted to engage a corresponding second synchronization element of the second
lever structure. The first and second synchronization elements are adapted to synchronize
the relative pivotal movement of the first and second lever structures. This configuration
allows transferring the rotational movement of one of the first and second lever structures
to the opposing one. This configuration assures an over-centre mating of the first
and second connector housings, thereby avoiding exerting side pressures on the contacts
due to an uneven operation of the lever structures.
[0026] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first and second synchronization
elements are a gear members included in the first lever portion.
[0027] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the gear member of at least
one of the first and second lever structures is adapted to engage a corresponding
toothed element on a side face of the second connector housing, the toothed element
being one of the first or second engaging element on the second connector housing.
[0028] The gear elements may be integrally formed with the first and second lever structures.
[0029] Alternatively, the gear elements, which may be toothed heads, may be mountable on
the first and second lever structures so as to rotate with respect to the first and
second housings together with the first and second lever structures.
[0030] Each of the gear elements may be pivotably mountable on the side face of the first
connector housing mounting the respective first or second lever structures and further
fixed to the respective lever structure. Accordingly, existing connector housings
might be modified to include a synchronization mechanism.
[0031] The gear element comprises at least two gear teeth of different lengths, so that
the lever ratio corresponding to the first tooth is higher than the lever ratio corresponding
to the second tooth.
[0032] The gear elements may be made of plastic or any suitable material with the necessary
stiffness for withstanding the forces applied to the first and second lever structures
in order to mate and un-mate the first and second connector housings.
[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the first lever structure
is adapted to be pivoted simultaneously with the second lever structure, respectively
so as to move the first connector housing toward the second connector housing.
[0034] According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a second
connector housing for accommodating electrical contacts and for connecting to a mating
first connector housing, such as the first connector housing described above. The
second connector housing comprises a first engaging element on a first side face of
the second connector housing, said first engaging element is for engagement to a corresponding
first lever structure on a mating first connector housing. The first engaging element
is such that the first lever structure is adapted to exert a pressure on the first
connector housing and the second connector housing through the first engaging element.
[0035] The second connector housing may further comprise a second engaging element on a
second side face opposing the first side face, said second engaging element for engagment
to a corresponding second lever structure on the mating first connector housing. The
first and second engaging element are such that at least one of the first and second
lever structures is adapted to exert a pressure on at least one of the first connector
housing and the second connector housing.
[0036] The first engaging element comprises a tooth adapted to be engaged with a gear element
on the first lever structure. Similarly, the second engaging element comprises a toothed
element adapted to be engaged with a gear on the second lever structure, wherein a
first tooth of the toothed element has a higher lever ratio than a second tooth of
the toothed element.
[0037] That is to say that, a first tooth of the toothed element may be chosen so that the
lever ratio defined by the first tooth is higher than the level ratio defined by a
second tooth of the toothed element.
[0038] According to an aspect of the present invention, the toothed element may be a rack
adapted to be engaged with a circular pinion on the first and/or second lever structure.
[0039] In this manner, engagement of the first pinion tooth with the corresponding rack
tooth with a high gear ratio allows to overcome peak mating forces, while the second
and further gear teeth engaged with the corresponding second and further rack teeth
with a lower gear ratio serves to complete mating in the required lever angular rotation.
Here, the high gear ratio of the first gear and rack teeth is defined relative to
the gear ratio of the second and further gear and rack teeth.
[0040] The corresponding rack tooth may have a form adapted to be mated and to cooperate
to the corresponding gear tooth.
[0041] The rack angle of a first rack tooth may be chosen so that the lever ratio defined
by the first rack tooth is higher than the level ratio defined by the second rack
tooth. In alternative to the rack any other toothed element adapted to co-operate
with the gear element on the first and second lever structures may be used.
[0042] The rack may alternatively be at an angle with respect to the mating direction of
the first connector housing with the second connector housing. Such a configuration
would eliminate the perpendicular reaction load upon mating of the first and second
connector housings.
[0043] A first rack tooth of the rack may be at an angle so that rotation of the lever is
at a higher level ratio when the gear element engages the first rack tooth. This design
creates a mechanical advantage during initial mating.
[0044] The present invention further relates to a connector system for establishing an electrical
connection. The connector system may include a first connector housing for accommodating
electrical contacts and a second connector housing for accommodating electrical contacts,
whereas the first and second connector housings are designed as described in the previous
paragraphs. The second connector housing is adapted to be connected to the first connector
housing so as to establish an electrical contact.
[0045] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of a specification
to illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. These drawings together
with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings
are only for the purpose of illustrating preferred and alternative examples of how
the invention can be made and used, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention
to only the illustrated and described in the embodiments. Further features and advantages
will become clear from the following and more particular description of the various
embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
the same reference numbers refer to the same elements and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly including a first and a second
housing;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a connector assembly including a first and a
second housing according to a further embodiment that does not form part of the invention;
Figures 3 to 5 show different perspective views of a particular mate-assist mechanism
for a connecting assembly according to the embodiment that does not form part of the
invention of figure 2; figures 3 and 5 are longitudinal cuts along a side of a guard
member;
Figures 6 and 7 respectively show a second and a first lever portion of a lever structure;
Figure 8 shows a particular of the lever structure;
Figures 9 and 10 show a perspective view of a connection between a connector housing
and a lever structure and a section thereof, respectively;
Figures 11 and 12 show the connector assembly of figure 2 in an open and a closed
position, respectively;
Figures 13 and 14 show a connector assembly including a lever structure in an open
and closed position, respectively;
Figures 15 to 17 show a connector assembly including a lever structure according to
the main
embodiment of the present invention in an open and in two intermediate positions;
Figure 18 shows a schematic drawing illustrating the working principle of the lever
structure according to the present invention;
Figure 19 shows the working principle of a meting design according to
the present invention;
Figure 20 is a schematic drawing illustrating a particular of a lever pinion and rack
mating mechanism according to an example;
Figures 21 and 22 show a connector assembly including a first and a second lever structure;
Figures 23 to 26 illustrate a sequence of an operation for closing the first and second
lever structures on a fully connected connector assembly;
Figures 27 to 29 show a top view of the closing sequence described with reference
to figures 23 to 26;
Figure 30 shows a side view of a fully connected connector assembly;
Figure 31 shows a schematic drawing illustrating a mate-assist structure according
to the prior art.
[0046] In the following description, for explanatory purposes, specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the principle of the invention.
It may be evident, however, that the present invention can be practiced without these
specific details. Furthermore, well known structures and devices are only described
in a more general form in order to facilitate the description.
[0047] In the following description, the expression "lever structure" or "lever assembly"
is used to indicate a structure adapted to assist the mating of first and second connector
housings; in addition or alternatively, the lever structure may be a structure for
keeping the first and second connector housings under tension when connected.
[0048] Furthermore, the terms "first connector housing" and "second connector housing" are
used to indicate a housing for receiving electrical contacts, such as a plug housing,
and a corresponding mating housing, such as a socket housing, of a connector assembly.
These terms are interchangeable.
[0049] The problem underlying the present invention is based on the observation that common
connector assemblies are not specifically designed for withstanding high vibration
levels, such as those experienced by those parts of a car that are close to the engine.
Moreover, the present invention is based on the further observation that electrical
connectors operated by a single lever structure, especially those having big dimensions,
require a high-applied force for fully connecting the connector housings. This is
due to the reaction force perpendicular to the mating direction resulting from the
operation of the lever structure, coupled with the sliding friction of the lever structure
with its engaging counterpart on the connector housing.
[0050] According to the present invention a connector housing is designed to have a first
and a second lever structure mountable on a mounting face of the first connector housing
and opposing each other. The first and second lever structures can be operated simultaneously
so as to cancel the reaction force perpendicular to the mating direction during mating
of the connector. Moreover, the connector housing of the present invention allows
to respectively lock the first and second lever structures to the first and second
connector housings so as to keep the latter under tension, when the connector is fully
mated.
[0051] Those figures are however described below for explanatory purposes increasing the
comprehensibility of the embodiments according to the invention, which will be described
based on Figs. 15 to 20.
[0052] Figure 1 illustrates a connector assembly 1000 including a first connector housing
1010 and a second connector housing 1020. A first and a second lever assembly 1100
can be rotatably mounted on a side face of a first connector housing 1010 of the connector
assembly 1000. The side face 1012 will be referred herein also as the mounting side
face. The lever assembly 1100 includes a first lever portion 1120 and a second lever
portion 1110. The first lever portion 1120 is adapted to be rotatably mounted, at
a bottom end of the mounting side face 1012 of the first connector housing 1010. A
top end 1122 of the first lever portion 1120 is adapted to be pivotally mounted to
an inner face of the second level portion 1110 facing the first connector housing
1010. The first lever portion 1120 has a front face 1125 and two side faces 1124 perpendicular
to the front face 1125 and opposed to each other. The first lever portion 1120 is
pivotally mounted to the first connector housing 1010 by inserting at least one pivot
1011 on the mounting side face 1012 of the first connector housing 1010 into a corresponding
pivot receiving hole 1123 on each side face 1124 of the second lever portion 1120.
The pivot receiving hole 1123 is formed on the side face 1124 in a position toward
the bottom end portion 1121 of the first lever portion 1120.
[0053] The second lever portion 1110 includes at the bottom end thereof a latch element
1111, such as a hook, that is adapted to be engaged with a corresponding latch portion
1021 on a side face of a second connector housing 1020. In this context, the bottom
part of the second lever portion 1110 is the part closer to the second connector housing
1020. The corresponding engaging element 1021 on the second connector housing 1020
may be a hook portion adapted to lock to an opening or to a corresponding hook portion
on the bottom end portion of the second lever portion 1110. The first lever portion
1120 is pivotally connected, at a top end portion 1122 to a face of the second lever
portion 1110 and is adapted to rotate with respect to the first and second connector
housings about the pivot 1011 and with respect to the second lever portion 1110 about
a pivotal point on an inner face of the second lever portion 1110.
[0054] Figure 2 shows a connector assembly. The part of the connector assembly 2000 already
described with reference to Figure 1 will not be described again. The second connector
assembly 2000 includes a first and a second lever structures 2100 adapted to be mounted
on a side face of the first connector housing 1010. Mounting of the lever structure
2100 to the first connector housing 1010 is obtained in a similar manner as already
described with reference to figure 1. Further, each of the first and second lever
structures 2100 includes a first lever portion 2120 and a second lever portion 2110.
A bottom end portion 2121 of the first lever portion 2120 includes a toothed head
such as a gear element 2122. The gear element 2122 is an example of a synchronization
element. The gear element 2122 on the first lever assembly 2100 is adapted to engage
a corresponding gear element on the first lever portion of the second lever assembly.
The second lever assembly, in this embodiment, is the same as the first lever assembly.
By means of the gear element 2122, a rotational movement obtained by applying a force
to the first lever structure 2100 is transferred to the second lever structure so
that movement of the second lever structure is synchronized with the movement of the
first lever structure.
[0055] The lever structure 2100 includes on two side faces 2114 of the second lever portion
2110, a curved cam groove 2117 adapted to be engaged with a cam portion 2127 on a
side face 2124 of the first lever portion 2120. This provides a constraint that reduces
the movement of the first lever portion 2120 with respect to the second lever portion
2110.
[0056] The design described with reference to figure 2 allows operation of the first and
second lever structures 2100 in a bi-directional lever system in a synchronized manner,
so that the two lever structures cannot be operated out of phase. This prevents exerting
side loads which may damage the connector housings and the contacts in the connector
housings. Moreover, the mating mechanism of the connector assembly 2000 is over-centre
due to the synchronization of the first and second lever structures 2100.
[0057] The first connector housing 1010 includes a guard element 2200 adapted to be mounted
on a side face of the first connector housing on which the first and second lever
assembly 2100 are mounted. The guard element 2200 has a substantially flat shape and
extends from a bottom end of the first connector housing 1010 to a position substantially
in the middle of the mounting side face 1012 of the first connector housing 1010 so
as to cover the gear elements 2122 of the first and second lever assembly 2100 and
to keep them against the mounting side face 1012. The guard element 2200 has the function
of keeping the gear elements of the first and second lever assembly 2100 aligned and
correctly engaged, and to prevent accidental disengagement of said gear elements.
The guard element or guard member 2200 can be fixed to the side face 1012 by means
of a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may include a latch element 1013 protruding
from the side face 1012 and a corresponding latch aperture 2210 formed in the guard
element 2200. This guard element 2200 may be locked pressing same against the mounting
side face 1012 so as to lock the latch mechanism.
[0058] A side face of the first connector housing 1010 opposing the mounting side face 1012,
not shown in the figure, may have the same design of the mounting side face 1012 and
may therefore also include pivots for mounting a side face 1124 of the first lever
portion 1120 and a safety element 2200 for keeping gear elements 2122 in position
as described above.
[0059] Figure 3 shows a detail of a mounting side face 1012 of a first connector housing
as described in relation with figure 2. From this figure, it is possible to have a
closer view of the pivots 1011 that are inserted into the pivot receiving holes 1123
of the first lever portion 2120.
[0060] Figure 3 further shows a detail of the engaging mechanism of the second lever portion
2110 with the second connector housing 1020. The engaging mechanism includes a latch
element, such as a hook 2111, formed on a bottom portion of the lever portion 2110.
The latch element 2111 may be a folded sheet part of a front face 2115 of the second
lever portion 2110. The hook 2111 may be engaged with a corresponding hook portion
1021 on the second connector housing 1020.
[0061] The guard element 2200 has on the surface facing the mounting side face 1012 a recess
shaped so as to tightly encase the gear elements 2122. In this manner, only the rotational
movement needed to operate the lever assembly 2100 to move the first connector housing
towards or away from the second connector housing 2020 is allowed. Figure 3 shows
a section of the guard element 2200 so as to highlight its internal structure and
the recess adapted to encase the gear elements 2122.
[0062] Figures 4 and 5 show a particular of a mounting side face 1012 on which the gear
elements 2122 and the safety element 2200 are mounted. From these figures, it is possible
to clearly see the recess portion on an inner face 2220 of the safety element 2200
and how the gear elements 2122 are positioned inside the recess.
[0063] Figures 6 and 7 show a particular of the second lever portion 2110 and first lever
portion 2120. The first and second lever portions are in this example independent
pieces and may be mounted together to form a lever structure 2100. The second lever
portion 2110 in figure 6 comprises front face 2115 and two side faces 2114 perpendicular
to the front face 2115. The dimensions of the second lever portion 2110 are chosen
so that in a closed state the lever structure 2100 at least partially encases the
first and/or second connecting housings. A top end portion of the second lever portion
2110 includes a first pivot guide 2116, which may have a hollow cylindrical shape.
The pivot guide 2116 is adapted to receive a removable pivot element (not shown) used
for pivotally connecting the second lever portion 2110 to the first lever portion
2120. Each of the side faces 2114 of the second lever portion 2110 includes a cam
guide 2117 having a curved shape and adapted to receive a corresponding cam portion
2127 formed on a side face 2124 of the first lever portion 2120.
[0064] A top end portion of the first lever portion 2120 as depicted in figure 7 comprises
two second pivot guides 2126 adapted to be aligned to the first pivot guide 2116 on
the second lever portion 2110, and to receive a pivot for rotatably fixing the first
and second lever portions. Each of the side faces of the first lever portion includes
a cam portion 2127 adapted to be inserted in the cam groove 2117 of the second lever
portion 2110. The cam portions 2127 may be formed by cutting and folding a corresponding
part of the side face 2124 of the first lever portion 2120. In the paragraph above,
the term top end portion indicates the part of the first lever portion 2120 that is
to be mounted to the second lever portion 2110.
[0065] Figure 8 shows a particular of the lever structure 2100 illustrating engagement of
the cam guide 2117 with the cam portion 2127. Since the cam portion 2127 on the first
lever portion 2120 is kept inside the cam groove 2117 of the second lever portion
2110, the rotational movement of the second lever portion 2110 with respect to the
first lever portion 2120 and to the first and second connector housings is reduced.
Such a constraint on the movement of the second lever portion 2110 prevents damaging
the lever structure 2100 and the first and second connector housings by positioning
the lever structure 2100 at an excessive angle with respect to the connector housings
and the first lever portion at an excessive angle with respect to the second lever
portion.
[0066] Figure 9 shows a detail of an engaging system of the second lever portion 2110 with
the corresponding hook portion 1021 of the second connector housing 2020. The hook
portion 2111 of the second lever portion 2110 is obtained by inwardly folding a sheet
part of the front face 2115 towards the bottom edge of the front face 2115 so as to
form a hook 2111 with a roughly flattened cylindrical section. Such a configuration
increases the strength of the hook portion 2111 and therefore the reliability of the
mating design. In the description above, the term inwardly indicates a direction going
from the first lever body 2115 towards the side face of the first and second connector
housings. Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section of a detail of the engaging mechanism
of the second lever portion 2110 and the second connector housing 2120.
[0067] Figures 11 and 12 show a mating sequence of the connector assembly 2000. Figure 11
shows the connector assembly in an open position. By pushing the first and second
lever structures 2100 towards the connector housings a pressure is exerted from the
hook portion 2111 of the second lever portion 2110 on the corresponding hook element
2021 of the second connector housing 2020 so as to move the first connector housing
towards the second connector housing. Similarly, the first lever portion 2120 pushes
the first connector housing towards the second connector housing in the mating direction
of the connector assembly 2000. The movement of the first lever structure 2100 is
synchronized with the movement of the second lever structure. Figure 12 shows a connector
assembly 2000 in a fully connected position. The first and second lever structures
2100 partially encase the connector housings 1010 and 1020.
[0068] Moreover, a top edge of the first and second lever structures 2100, opposing the
edge of the lever structures on which the hook element 2111 and the gear elements
2122 are formed, may be designed so as to be locked on a top surface of the first
connector housing so as to keep the first connector housing and the second connector
housing under tension. This allows to have a reliable connection even in solutions
where the connector is exposed to high vibrations.
[0069] Figures 13 and 14 show a connector assembly 3000. While in the lever structures 2100
described with reference to figures 2 to 12 the gear elements 2122 are integrally
formed with the second lever portion 2120, in the embodiment of figures 13 and 14
the gear elements 3122 are independent parts that can be mounted on pivots on a mounting
side of the connector housing, such as the pivots 1011 on which the second lever portion
3120 is mounted, and then fixed to the second lever portion 3120.
[0070] More precisely, the connector assembly 3000 includes a first connector housing 1010
and a second connector housing 1020. Each of a first and a second lever structure
3100 comprises a first lever portion 3120 and second lever portion 3110. The structure
of the lever assembly 3100 is similar to that as described with reference to the example
of figure 1 and will not be described further. A first end side 3121 of the first
lever portion 3120 includes a pivot receiving hole 1123. The first lever potion 3120
can be mounted on a mounting side face 1012 of the first connector housing by inserting
a pivot 1011 formed on a bottom side of the mounting side face 1012 into the pivot
receiving hole 1123. The lever structure 3100 further includes a gear element 3122.
The gear element 3122 has a toothed head 3123 having a semi-circular shape and a lobe
protruding from an edge opposing the toothed head 3123. The lobe 3124 has an opening
so as to form a ring through which the gear element 3122 can be mounted on the pivot
1011. The gear element 3122 can be then fixed to the first lever portion 3120 by a
latching mechanism so as to rotate with respect to the first and second connector
housing together with the first lever portion as a single body. The toothed head 3123
of the gear element 3122 mounted on the first lever portion 3120 of the first lever
structure 3100 is orientated so as to face a corresponding toothed head 3123 of the
gear element 3122 mounted on the first lever portion of the second lever structure
and to engage therewith.
[0071] The second lever portion 3110 is pivotally engageable with the second connector housing
1020 by means of a hook element 3111 to be mounted in a corresponding hook portion
1021 of second connector housing. The hook portion 3111 is formed by folding a free
bottom edge of the second lever portion 3110 on itself so as to form a cylindrical
engaging element adapted to fit into a corresponding curved recess on a mounting side
face of the second connector housing. Alternatively, the hook portion 3111 may be
formed as previously described with reference to figures 9 and 10.
[0072] By operating the first and second lever structures 3100, for instance by pushing
them towards the first and second connector housings, the first connector housing
is moved towards the second connector housing. Figure 14 shows a fully connected connector
assembly 3000. In this position, the first and second lever structures 3100 are leaned
against a side face of the first connector housing perpendicular to the mounting side
1012 and partially encase same. A top edge of the second lever portion 3110 opposing
the edge of the second lever portion including the hook 3111 can be formed so as to
lock with a corresponding element on a top face of the first connector housing, such
as a groove, so that the lever structure 3100 exerts a tension on the first and second
connector housing, thereby keeping them firmly connected, as already described with
reference with the previous figures.
[0073] The gear elements 3122 may be made of plastic material. Clearly, other materials
may be considered based on the specific field of application of the connector assembly.
[0074] Figures 15 to 17 show a connector assembly 4000 according to the present invention.
The connector assembly 4000 includes a first connector housing 4010 and a second connector
housing 4020. A first and a second lever structure 4100, 4200 are mounted on the first
connector housing 4010 so as to face two opposing side faces 4013 the first connector
housing 4010. Each of the first and second lever structures 4100, 4200 includes a
lever body or lever front face 4115 and two side faces 4114 perpendicular to the lever
body and opposing to each other. The lever body 4115 may be curved at one end portion
so as to form a handle. One top end portion of the side faces 4114 is joined to the
curved end portion of the lever body 4115 and a bottom end portion of each side face
4114 opposing the top end portion shows a toothed head 4122, and a pivot receiving
hole 4123 adapted to receive a pivot formed on a bottom portion of the first connecting
housing 4010. The first lever structure 4100 is mounted so that the teeth of the gear
element are orientated towards the gear element of the opposing second lever structure
4200 and are adapted to engage therewith.
[0075] The second connector housing 4020 includes on a side thereof a rack 4040. The teeth
of the rack are adapted to be engaged with the teeth of a mating gear element 4124
on the second lever portion 4200. The mating gear element 4124 may be for instance
a circular pinion. On one side the circular pinion engages with the teeth on the rack,
while on the other side the circular pinion engages the gear element 4122 so as to
synchronize the movement of the first lever with the movement of the second lever
4200. Upon pushing the first and second lever 4100 and 4200 towards the first connector
housing, the pinion 4222 engages the teeth of the rack formed on a side face of the
second connector housing 4020 thereby moving the second connector housing towards
the first connector housing until the connector assembly 4000 is fully connected.
Two intermediate positions between a fully unmated state and a fully mated state are
shown in figures 16 and 17.
[0076] Figure 18 schematically illustrates working principle of the present invention according
to an embodiment thereof. In the illustrated configuration, the levers 4100 are attached
to the first connector housing 4010 trough rotation axles or pivots. The gear element
of each of the first lever structure 4100 and second lever structure 4200 engages
a corresponding rack 4040 of the second connector housing or header 4020. By using
two opposing rack and pinion arrangements and assuming negligible rack and pinion
rolling friction, the 0.17F loss due to keyway sliding friction is eliminated because
the reaction forces cancel. The remaining loss is the axle friction, which in some
practical developments, may be about 7%. The last figure results from the fact that
there are two axles, each taking 50% of the load. Therefore the overall loss due to
axle friction would be the same as that of a single axle.
[0077] The torque required on each lever is halved for a given mating force. This may be
important in a design where the levers can be squeezed together with one hand, for
instance in the design described with reference to figures 2 and ff. The net effect
for a given mating force would be reducing the mating force per lever compared to
a single lever of 50% (because each of the lever takes 50% of the load) plus 17% (due
to cancelling of the reaction forces as described above), thereby leading to a total
reduction of 67% for the mating force required for closing or opening the connector
assembly. This approach is ergonomically efficient because the force applied on a
single lever structure, such as the first or second lever, for squeezing the lever
against the connector housings (for instance if the hand squeezed against the cover)
wastes the reaction load on the housing of one half of the force applied on the lever.
[0078] Further, the connector would be locked at 4 points: the gear element of the first
lever structure (or first gear element) and the corresponding first rack 4040 on one
side the gear element of the second lever structure (or second gear element) and the
corresponding second rack 4040 on the other side. This prevents rocking during service,
which is especially desirable for wide high circuit count designs.
[0079] Rocking during service may alternatively or in addition be prevented by providing
the top end portion of each lever structure 4100, 4200 with a locking element, such
as a top latch (not shown), adapted to be locked to a corresponding counterpart on
the top face of the first connector housing 4010, such as a groove or a latch counterpart.
In this context a top end portion of the lever structure is the portion opposing the
side on which the gear elements are formed. Further, a top face of the first connector
housing is the face further from the second connector housing during mating.
[0080] Figure 18 is only a schematic drawing and does not show that the gear elements of
the first and second lever structures can be engaged with each other, but it has to
be understood that such a configuration can be foreseen for the assembly of figure
18. Further, the connector assembly of figure 18 refers to the design described with
reference to figures 15 to 17. However, it has to be understood that the principles
described above also apply to the other examples, and in particular to those described
with reference to figures 1 to 14. Finally, although figure 18 shows a two rack and
gear system, a mating design working with only one rack may also be developed.
[0081] Figure 19 is a schematic drawing illustrating an embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the first lever portion comprises a gear element that is adapted to engage
a corresponding first rack on the header 4020 and the corresponding gear element of
the second lever portion, which in turn is adapted to engage a corresponding second
rack on the header.
[0082] In an alternative embodiment, if the gear element on the first lever portion is synchronously
connected by a 1:1 spur gear arrangement to a second gear element adapted to rotate
about an axle, then the mechanical efficiency of the twin lever arrangement can be
maintained with only one lever, with the addition of the rolling resistance of the
synchronising gears. For a given mating load, the force applied to the single lever
is twice that applied to twin levers. The lever can be lengthened in compensation.
[0083] Figure 20 show in a schematic drawing a detail of a gear element 4122 or 4222 engaged
with a corresponding rack 4040. Involute tooth systems with any pressure angle can
be theoretically designed for the gear and rack pair. The smaller the angle, the smaller
the teeth have to be for a given pitch circle diameter. In most of the practical applications,
connectors have levers that only rotate pinions less than 90 degrees, and consequently
the rack form usually has one or two teeth. Therefore, unconventional rack forms may
be employed.
[0084] For example, a rack angle on a first rack tooth may be designed so that the initial
rotation of the lever is at a higher lever ratio. This configuration creates a greater
mechanical advantage during initial mating. This is particularly beneficial in connector
mating because the peak force is generated when contacts are being opened up upon
insertion. Similarly, also the radial tooth pitching may be modified.
[0085] The example of figure 20 shows a toothed head of pinion as an example of gear element
4222 or 4122, wherein at least two conventional pinion teeth of differing pitch circle
diameter are arranged to engage a rack with cooperative conventional tooth forms.
This configuration provides a high initial gear ratio to overcome peak mating forces,
then a lower ratio to complete mating in the required lever angular rotation.
[0086] According to an example, the rack may be aligned with the connector mating direction.
This concept can be incorporated into single lever or twin lever arrangements, wherein
both the first and second levers both engage trough a pinion a corresponding rack
4040 on the header 4020.
[0087] Alternatively, in a design including only one engaging rack 4040 adapted to cooperate
with a pinion on one of the first or second lever structures, providing the rack 4040
at an angle with respect to the mating direction of the connector assembly would eliminate
perpendicular reaction loads on mating. The rack may for instance be angled at 20
deg relative to the mating direction. In addition, the arrangement described above
may employ a modified involute pinion form to compensate for the varying distance
of the rack to the pinion pivot axis, due to the inclination angle of the rack relative
to the mating direction. Further, this design may be incorporated into simple or compound
rack and pinion arrangements.
[0088] Figure 21 shows a connector assembly 5000. The connector assembly 5000 includes a
first connector housing 5010 and second connector housing 5020. The connector assembly
further comprises a first and a second lever structure 5100, 5200.
[0089] Each lever structure 5100, 5200 includes a first lever portion or cover portion 5110,
5210, which also functions as the body of the lever structure 5100, 5200, and a second
lever portion 5120, 5220 which may be a clip. In the following only the parts relative
to the first lever structure 5100 will be described, but it has to be understood that
the same description is also valid for the second lever structure 5200. The clip is
pivotally mounted on both sides of the cover portion 5110 into pivotal points. In
particular, two opposing free ends of the lever clip 5120 are inserted into corresponding
holes on the cover portion 5110, so that the lever clip 5120 can be rotated with respect
to the cover portion 5110. The cover portion5110 comprises a front face and two opposing
side faces 5104 perpendicular to the front face. The pivotal points of the lever clip
5120 are formed on the side faces 5104.
[0090] Further, the cover portion includes, on the two opposing side faces 5104, a first
protrusion 5112 and a second protrusion 5111. The first protrusion 5112 and the second
protrusion 5111 define a first rest position of the lever clip 5120. In the first
rest position, the clip element 5120 is locked between the first and second protrusions.
The cover portion further includes a third protrusion 5115 formed by an outwardly
protruding edge of the side face 5104 of the cover portion 5110 facing the first connector
housing 5010, so that the first protrusion 5112 is positioned between the second and
the third protrusions. The first protrusion 5112 and the third protrusion 5115 are
adapted to lock the lever clip 5120 in a second predefined rest position with respect
to the cover portion 5110. In particular, in the second predefined rest position an
upper portion of the clip element 5120 is latched between the first and the third
protrusion. A top portion of the lever clip 5120 is in this contest a portion close
to the free ends of the lever clip pivotally mounted on the side faces of the cover
portion.
[0091] The cover portion 5110 has an elongated shape and includes a bottom portion 5116
configured to be pivotally engaged on a mounting side face 5120 of the first connector
housing, and a top portion 5117.
[0092] The top portion 5117 is shaped so as to tightly enclose a portion proximate to the
first connector housing 5010. More specifically, the top portion of the cover portion
5110 extends over the first connector housing 5110, has a cylindrical section and
is shaped as to so as to tightly fit and at least partially encase an electrical cable
500 entering the first connector housing.
[0093] The bottom portion is shaped so as to at least partially encase the top portion of
the first connector housing 5010. Here the top portion of the first connector housing
is the part closed to the cable 500 entering the first connector housing 5010. A bottom
edge 5114 of the bottom portion 5116 has a semi-circular section and has the function
of an engaging member. The engaging member 5114 is adapted to be pressed into an engaging
portion 5011 on a mounting face 5012 of the first connector housing 5010. The engaging
portion 5011 may comprise a receiving groove having a semi-circular section in which
the bottom edge 5114 of the cover portion 5110 can abut and a latch element or fastening
latch adapted to hold the cover portion 5110 in position. Since both the bottom edge
5114 and the receiving groove of the engaging member 5011 on the first connector housing
have a semi-circular section, the first lever portion 5100 can pivot with respect
to the first connector housing.
[0094] A first side face of the second connector housing aligned to the mounting side face
5012 of the first connector housing includes a hook 5021. The hook 5021 has the function
of an engaging element adapted to engage with an end portion of the clip 5120. A side
face opposing the first side face 5012 also includes a hook 5021, having the function
a second engaging element 5021, and adapted to engage the clip portion 5120 of a second
lever structure 5200. The second lever structure 5200 essentially has the same design
of the first lever structure 5100. However, the cover portion of the second lever
structure or second cover portion 5210 includes latching elements corresponding to
latching elements on the first cover portion5110. The corresponding latching elements
on the first and second cover portion form a cooperating clip mechanism for fastening
the first and second lever structures 5100 and 5200 about the first and second connector
housings.
[0095] Although in the example described with reference to figure 21 the engaging portion
5011 includes an engaging groove and a fastening latch for securing the cover portion
5110 on the mounting face of the first connector housing 5010, the fastening latch
is not essential for carrying out the principles of the invention. The first and second
lever structures may indeed be kept in position on the fully connected connector assembly
5000 by the cooperating clip mechanism on the cover portion 5110 of the first and
second lever structures and by the tension exerted by the cover portion 5110 and the
lever clip 5120 on the first and second connector housings.
[0096] Figures 22 to 26 show a closing sequence of the first and the second lever structures
5100 and 5200 on the first and second connector housings 5010 and 5020 so as to enclose
part of the first connector housing 5010 and a portion of the cable 500 proximate
to the first connector housing 5010. The first and second lever structures 5100, 5200
can be mounted on the first connector housing by pressing the bottom edge 5114 of
the first lever portion 5110 into the latching element 5011. Although the latching
element 5011 comprises a base portion or receiving groove, formed by a step in the
first connector housing 5010 on which the first lever portion abuts, and a latch element
to keep the first lever portion 5110 in place, such a configuration is optional and
the latch element 5011 may also include only the receiving groove. In this case, the
lever structure 5100 will be kept in place once closed, by the tension exerted from
first lever portion on the first connector housing 5010 and from the clip portion
5120 on the second connector housing 5020.
[0097] Figure 23 shows a connector assembly 5000, wherein the first lever structure 5100
and the second lever structure 5200 are pivotally mounted on the mounting side face
5012 and are positioned in an open position. An open position of the lever structure
means in this case that the clip portions 5120 are not engaged with the hook portions
5021 on the second connector housing 5020 and the first cover portion 5110 and the
second cover portion 5210 are not locked to each other.
[0098] Figure 24 shows an intermediate position, wherein the clip portion 5120 of the first
and second lever structures are engaged with the corresponding respective hook 5021
of the second connector housing. In this position, the clip element 5120 is locked
in a predefined position with respect to the first lever portion 5110. In particular,
the clip element 5120 is locked between the first protrusion 5112 and the second protrusion
5111.
[0099] Figure 25 shows a further intermediate locking position of the first and second lever
structures. In this position, the cover portion 5110 and the clip element 5120 respectively
exert a tension on the first connector housing and on the second connector housing.
In this intermediate position, the clip element 5120 is locked in the second predefined
rest position with respect to the cover portion 5110. In particular an upper portion
of the clip element 5120 is latched between the first protrusion 5112 and the outwardly
protruding edge 5115 of the side face of the cover portion 5110.
[0100] Fastening of the clip element 5120 in the second rest position is additionally or
in alternative guaranteed by the tension on the clip portion 5120 due to the over-travel
of the clip portion 5120 with respect to its equilibrium position. When the first
and second lever portions 5100 and 5200 are closed on the first and second connector
housings 5010 and 5020, the clip portion 5120 is designed to lie in a position, in
which it is overstressed and pushed against the protruding edge 5115 by the tension
exerted by the pivot points on the respective second lever portion 5510 or 5210 and
by the hook portion on the second housing 5021. Said position defines the over-travel
of the clip portion 5120, 5220.
[0101] Figure 26 shows a situation where the first and second lever structures 5100 and
5200 are fully closed and keep under tension the second connector housing 5020 through
the clip elements 5120 and the first connector housing through the pressure exerted
from the cover portion 5110 and, in particular from the bottom portion 5114, on the
receiving groove of the latch element 5011.
[0102] The upper part of the cover portion 5110 encases completely a portion of the cable
500 proximate to the first connector housing and prevents the latter to vibrate or
bend. The first and second lever structures 5100, 5200 are locked to each other by
means of locking structures formed on the cover portion 5110. In particular, a top
edge of the cover portion 5110 includes a fastening protrusion 5118 and a locking
hole 5119. The fastening protrusion 5118 on a first side of the cover portion5110
of the first lever structure 5100 is adapted to be locked by means of a corresponding
fastening hook 5218 on the cover portion 5210 of the second lever structure 5200.
Similarly, the locking hole 5119 is adapted to be locked to a corresponding fastening
pivot 5219 on the cover portion5210 of the second lever structure 5200. The fastening
protrusion 5118 and the locking hole 5119 are also provided on a side of the cover
portion5210 of the second lever structure 5200. In a similar manner, a corresponding
fastening hook 5218 and fastening pivot 5219 are provided on the cover portion 5110
in a position corresponding to the fastening protrusion and fastening hole on the
cover portion 5210.
[0103] Figure 27 shows a top view of a connector structure 5000, where the lever structure
are in an open position In this position, the lever clip 5120 is locked in the first
rest position between the first protrusion 5111 and the second protrusion 5112. Figure
28 shows an intermediate stage of the closing sequence of the first and second lever
structures 5100, 5200. In this position, the clip portion 5120 is locked in the second
rest position between the protruding edge, or third protrusion 5115, of the side face
5104 of the cover portion 5110 and the latching protrusion or first protrusion 5112.
[0104] In figure 29 the first and second lever structures are locked together. From this
figure it is possible to see how the fastening protrusion 5118 is firmly locked to
the fastening hook 5218. Although the locking mechanism described with reference to
figure 27 to 29 comprises a fastening protrusion and a fastening hole and a respective
corresponding fastening hook and fastening pivot, any kind of locking mechanism such
as a click-stop mechanism may be used for fastening the first lever structure 5100
to the second lever structure 5200. Alternatively, the first and second lever structures
may be fastened by using a cable tie tied around the cover portion 5210. As an example,
the cable tie may be provided on the top edge of the cover portion, in a position
where the cover portion closes about the cable 500.
[0105] Figure 30 shows a side view of a completely locked connector assembly 5000. The clip
portion 5120 together with the corresponding cover portion 5110 or 5210 keeps the
first connector housing 5010 and the second connector housing 5020 under constant
tension so that mating electrical contacts housed in the first and second connector
housing remain firmly and reliably mated even in presence of high vibrations. Moreover,
the top portion of the first and second lever structures completely encloses the portion
of cable 500 close or proximate to the first connector housing so as to reduce vibrations
in proximity of the first connector housing. With the term close or proximate it is
here intended a portion of the cable entering the first connector housing having a
length that allows forming a bend in the cable. Thus, the top portion of the first
and second lever structures, prevents by encasing the cable 500, bending of the cable
in proximity of the first connector housing, thereby improving the reliability of
the connection and increasing the life time of the assembly. Additionally, the lever
structure 5000 further serves to relieve the stress exerted on the first and second
connector housings and the contacts housed therein. Indeed, the exerted tension or
the pulling force will be transferred to the connector assembly directly by the clip
portion 5120 and not through the connector coupling.
[0106] In a particular example, only the first and second lever structures 5200, 5100 may
be provided. Indeed, due to their simple structure, the first and second lever structures
can be retrofitted and fastened on already installed connector assemblies so as to
improve their reliability and stability.
[0107] The first and second lever assemblies generally have the same shape and structure.
However, these may also be different as for the case described in relation with figures
15 to 17 or as in the example of figures 21 to 30. In the embodiments of figures 15
to 17 the first lever structure includes a circular pinion for engaging a corresponding
rack on the second connector housing, while the second lever structure merely includes
a toothed head for engaging the corresponding circular pinion of the first lever portion.
Clearly it is also possible to conceive an embodiment in which each of the first and
second lever structures include a circular pinion adapted to engage with a corresponding
rack on the second connector housing. Similarly, in the example of figures 21 to 30
the first and second lever portions show mating latch elements so as to form a fastening
mechanism.
[0108] In summary, the present invention relates to a first connector housing designed to
have a first and a second lever structure mountable on a mounting face thereof and
opposing each other. The first and second lever structures may be operated simultaneously
in order to mate the connector. This has the effect of cancelling the reaction force
perpendicular to the mating direction, thereby reducing the losses due to friction
during mating.
Reference Numeral |
Description |
1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 300 |
Connector assembly |
1010, 4010, 5010 |
First connector housing |
1012, 5012 |
Mounting side face |
1013 |
Latch element for the guard member |
1011, 5011 |
Mounting pivot/ engaging element |
4013 |
Opposing side faces of first connector housing |
1100, 2100, 3100, 5100 |
First second lever assembly/structure |
1100, 2100, 3100, 4200, 5200 |
Second lever assembly/structure |
311 |
Lever engaging element |
312 |
Pivot |
1120, 2120, 3120, 5110, 5210 |
First lever portion |
1110, 2110, 3110, 5120 |
Second lever portion |
1122 |
Top end portion of the second lever portion |
1124, 2124 |
Side face of the first lever portion |
2127 |
Cam portion |
2126 |
Second pivot guides of the first lever portion |
1114, 2114, 3114 |
Side face of the second lever portion |
1123, 4123 |
Pivot receiving holes |
1121, 2121, 3121 |
Bottom end portion of the second lever portion |
2122, 3122 |
Gear element |
4122, 4222 |
Toothed head of the lever structure 4100, 4200 |
4124 |
Rack-mating gear element |
3123 |
Toothed head of gear element |
3124 |
Lobe of the gear element |
4114, 5104 |
Lever structure side face |
1111, 2111, 3111 |
Latch hook of the second lever portion |
2115, 4115 |
Lever structure front face |
2116 |
First pivot guide of the second lever portion |
2117 |
Cam guide |
5112 |
First protrusion |
5111 |
Second protrusion |
5115 |
Third protrusion |
5116 |
Bottom portion of the second lever portion 5110 |
5117 |
Top portion of the second lever portion 5110 |
5114 |
Engaging member of the first lever portion 5120 |
5118 |
Fastening protrusion |
5119 |
Locking/fastening hole |
5218 |
Fastening hook |
5219 |
Fastening pivot |
1020, 4020, 5020, 301 |
Second connector housing/ header |
1021, 5021 |
Hook portion of the second connector housing |
302, 4040 |
Rack |
2200 |
Guard member |
2210 |
Latch aperture corresponding to the latch element 1013 |
500 |
Electric cable |