GB2371153A

GB2371153A - Two-part connector indicating full engagement

Info

Publication number: GB2371153A
Application number: GB0130881A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Ludwig; Oliver Hackel
Original assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2001-01-16
Filing date: 2001-12-24
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-24
Also published as: GB0101110D0; GB0130881D0; GB2371153B

Abstract

An electrical or optical connector (10) comprising a first part (12); and a second part (14) mateable with the first part; wherein the first part comprises a receptacle housing (16) and biasing means (26), the receptacle housing having a first portion (30) for receiving a connector position assurance device (24) in a sliding fit in the mating direction from one side (32) of the receptacle housing, and a second portion (34) for receiving a telescopic housing (18) in a sliding fit in the mating direction from the opposite side (36) of the receptacle housing, the first part having a pre-assembled position in which a locking tab (42) on the connector position assurance device makes a snap fit behind a first shoulder (44) on the receptacle housing, in which side ribs (38) on the telescopic housing make a snap fit in corresponding slots (40) in the receptacle housing, and in which the biasing means is positioned between the telescopic housing and the connector position assurance device; and wherein, during mating of the first and second parts, the second part engages and moves with the telescopic housing, the telescopic housing compresses the biasing means against the connector position assurance device, and a tab (48) on the telescopic housing disengages the locking tab from the first shoulder; and the first and second parts having a fully mated position in which the locking tab engages a second shoulder (50) on the receptacle housing which is axially spaced from the first shoulder in the mating direction. Provides a visual indication of the fully mated position.

Description

TWO-PART CONNECTOR

Technical Field The present invention relates to a two-part electrical or optical connector.

Background of the Invention It is known to provide a two-part connector in which the two parts slide together to mate electrical and/or optical contacts in each part. It is also known to provide a two-part connector with a connector-positionassurance device for ensuring full and correct mating of the two parts.

Further, it is also known to provide a visual indication of full and correct mating.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement to known arrangements.

An electrical or optical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a first part; and a second part mateable with the first part; wherein the first part comprises a receptacle housing and biasing means, the receptacle housing having a first portion for receiving a connector position assurance device in a sliding fit in the mating direction from one side of the receptacle housing, and a second portion for receiving a telescopic housing in a sliding fit in the mating direction from the opposite side of the receptacle housing, the first part having a pre-assembled position in which a locking tab on the connector position assurance device makes a snap fit behind a first shoulder on the receptacle housing, in which side ribs on the telescopic housing make a snap fit in corresponding slots in the receptacle housing, and in which the biasing means is positioned between the telescopic housing and the connector position assurance device; and wherein, during mating of the

first and second parts, the second part engages and moves with the telescopic housing, the telescopic housing compresses the biasing means against the connector position assurance device, and a tab on the telescopic housing disengages the locking tab from the first shoulder; and the first and second parts having a fully mated position in which the locking tab engages a second shoulder on the receptacle housing which is axially spaced from the first shoulder in the mating direction.

The movement of the connector position assurance device from the pre-assembly position to the fully mated position provides a clear visual indication of full mating between the first and second parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a two-part connector in accordance with the present invention in the fully mated position; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the two-part connector of Figure 1 (with the electrical/optical contacts omitted for clarity); Figure 3 is perspective view of the first part of the two-part connector of Figure 1 in a pre-assembled position; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the two-part connector of Figure 1 just prior to full mating; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the two-part connector of Figure 1 after full mating.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings, the two-part connector 10 comprises a first part 12 and a second part 14. The first and second parts 12,14 retain complementary electrical and/or optical contacts (not shown) which connect together on full mating of the first and second parts.

The first part 12 comprises a receptacle housing 16, a telescopic housing 18, an annular seal 20, and seal and contact retaining device 22, a connector position assurance (CPA) device 24, and a pair of coil springs 26. The annular seal 20 makes a sliding fit on a corresponding portion 28 of the receptacle housing 18, and the seal and contact retaining device 22 is slid into place (in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction) to retain the seal in position, and to retain the contacts of the first part 12. On mating of the first and second parts 12,14, the seal 20 engages the second part.

The CPA device 24 makes a sliding fit, in the mating direction, in a corresponding portion 30 of the receptacle housing 16, from one side 32 of the receptacle housing. The telescopic housing 18 makes a sliding fit, in the mating direction, in a corresponding portion 34 of the receptacle housing 16, from the opposite side 36 of the receptacle housing to the one side 32.

The telescopic housing 18 has side ribs 38 which make a sliding fit in corresponding, axially extending, slots 40 in the receptacle housing 16.

In the pre-assembled position, a resilient locking tab 42 on the CPA device 24 makes a snap-fit behind a first shoulder 44 on the receptacle housing 16 adjacent the opposite side 36 thereof. The side ribs 38 of the telescopic housing 18 make a snap fit in the slots 40 in the receptacle housing 16. The springs 26 are positioned between the CPA device 24 and the telescopic housing 18. The first part 12 is then in the pre-assembled position as shown in Figure 3.

On mating of the first and second parts 12,14, the second part engages the telescopic housing 18 and the second part and the telescopic housing move together, relative to the receptacle housing 16. During this sliding movement, radially spaced tabs 46 on the telescopic housing 18 engage and compress the springs 26. The springs 26 therefore act on the CPA device 24 to provide a biasing force on the CPA device in an axial direction away from the receptacle housing 16. As the second part 14 reaches the fully mated position relative to the first part 12, a tab 48 on the telescopic housing 18

engages the locking tab 42 on the CPA device 24 to disengage the locking tab from the first shoulder 44. The bias of the springs 26 moves the CPA device 24 until the locking tab 42 engages a second shoulder 50 on the receptacle housing 16, the second shoulder being axially spaced from the first shoulder 44. The position of the CPA device 24 therefore provides a visual confirmation that the first and second parts 12,14 are fully mated. The springs 26 act on the telescopic housing 18 to prevent mating of the first and second parts, until the first and second parts have reached the fully mated position.

The receptacle housing 16 and the second part 14 may have locking means (not shown) for retaining the first and second parts 12,14 in the mated position. In order to disconnect the first and second parts 12,14, the CPA device 24 may include means (not shown) which, when the CPA device is pushed towards the opposite side 36 of the receptacle housing 16, disengages the locking means on the receptacle housing and the second part.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical or optical connector comprising a first part ; and a second part mateable with the first part; wherein the first part comprises a receptacle housing and biasing means, the receptacle housing having a first portion for receiving a connector position assurance device in a sliding fit in the mating direction from one side of the receptacle housing, and a second portion for receiving a telescopic housing in a sliding fit in the mating direction from the opposite side of the receptacle housing, the first part having a pre-assembled position in which a locking tab on the connector position assurance device makes a snap fit behind a first shoulder on the receptacle housing, in which side ribs on the telescopic housing make a snap fit in corresponding slots in the receptacle housing, and in which the biasing means is positioned between the telescopic housing and the connector position assurance device; and wherein, during mating of the first and second parts, the second part engages and moves with the telescopic housing, the telescopic housing compresses the biasing means against the connector position assurance device, and a tab on the telescopic housing disengages the locking tab from the first shoulder; and the first and second parts having a fully mated position in which the locking tab engages a second shoulder on the receptacle housing which is axially spaced from the first shoulder in the mating direction.
2. An electrical or optical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the biasing means comprises a pair of coil springs.
3. An electrical or optical connector as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the telescopic housing has a pair of radially spaced tabs which engage the coil springs.
4. An electrical or optical connector as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a seal is positioned inside the receptacle housing and engages the second part when the first and second parts are fully mated.
5. An electrical or optical connector as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the seal is retained in position in the receptacle housing by a retaining device which makes a sliding fit in the receptacle housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction.
6. An electrical or optical connector substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.