HK1050082B - Electrical connector assembly comprising locking part - Google Patents

Description

Electrical connector including locking member

Technical Field

The present invention belongs to the technical field of electric connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical connector comprising a first component and a second component with a locking member that short-circuits electrical contacts of the first component when the first and second components are not sufficiently connected to each other, and releases the short-circuit condition when the components are sufficiently connected to each other.

Background

An airbag system includes an airbag device and an electrical or electronic control system installed in a dark space of a cab of an automobile. The control system is connected with the airbag device through a wire harness. The harness is provided with a standard connector assembly of an electrical plug and socket so that the airbag device and the control system can be electrically connected to each other in a simple manner after being separately installed.

Such connectors are provided with so-called shorting tabs. A shorting tab is a small piece of metal that can electrically short the wires in a plug or receptacle to each other before the plug is engaged with the receptacle. The shorting tab serves as a safety device for preventing the erroneous operation of the airbag device, which may be caused by electric leakage or incorrect connection during production.

Safety devices that utilize shorting tabs to create an electrical short must transition to a non-shorted state when the electrical connectors are properly connected. U.S. patent No.5,275,575 and japanese patent No.2647336 disclose electrical connectors with latches designed to release an electrical short circuit condition created by a safety device. The construction of such an electrical connector is such that it cannot be operated until the two assemblies are in the fully engaged condition and the locking member is switched to the locked condition. In addition, the locking member also serves to prevent the two components of the connector from being accidentally disconnected after being joined.

However, to bring the electrical connector into a fully connected state requires a two-step action, wherein the first step is to bring the two components into mating relationship with each other and the second step is to insert the locking member into a locked position in the two components. Also, the locking member is integrally mounted to one of the components by the flexible arm, thus increasing the size of one of the components and making it difficult to operate the electrical connector.

Furthermore, U.S. patent No.5,314,345 and japanese patent No.2647335 also disclose an electrical connector designed such that an electrical short formed by a shorting tab can be released by proper connection of two elements, and that the connection between the two elements can be prevented from being accidentally broken by inserting a locking member.

However, in these references, a two-step action is also required to bring the electrical connector into the correct connected state, as is the case in us patent No.5,275,575. Furthermore, the locking member provided may increase the size of one of the components, making it difficult to operate the electrical connector.

Thus, both types of electrical connectors as described above employ substantially the same basic structure, wherein the two components are self-engaging with each other and the locking element is used only to assist in the engagement between the two components. Therefore, these two types of electrical connectors do not have special structures for preventing the connection between the two components from being accidentally broken, such as when external forces are applied to the plug.

Disclosure of Invention

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having features that the action of connecting two modules and the action of pressing a locking member to release a short-circuit condition of a short-circuit element in one of the modules can be performed in the same action, the overall connector can be designed more compact, and the accidental disconnection of the connection between the two modules when an external force is applied to the electrical connector can be prevented.

According to the present invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising: a first assembly supporting a first electrical terminal; a second assembly supporting a second one of the first electrical contacts inserted in mating relation therewith; a shorting member mounted to said first assembly for electrically shorting said first electrical connector; and a locking member lockingly engaged with said second assembly, said locking member being movable back to a non-short circuit position when said second assembly is inserted into said first assembly with which it is mated, and said locking member being further movable forward to engage said first assembly, wherein said locking member has a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, said first pair of legs and said second pair of legs being disposed in planes that intersect substantially at right angles, and said first pair of legs being symmetrically spaced apart and facing each other; wherein each of said first pair of legs has a locking portion on a side opposite to the side facing each other, said first pair of legs being deflected and then resiliently restored when said locking portion is biased to engage said locking portion with a locking notch provided in the first component so as to be mountable therein for engaging said locking member with said first component; and wherein the first pair of legs have opposed recesses located substantially on the back of the locking portion, and the portion of the second member sandwiched between the first pair of legs facing each other and having elasticity has a lug portion extending along a part of the recess, so that when the locking portion is in a state of being engaged with the lock catch, if an external force acts on the second member, the elastic portion will be flexed, and then the lug portion can press the recesses in a direction to mutually engage the locking portion with the lock catch, and the first member and the second member are locked against separation.

According to the present invention there is also provided an electrical connector connectable to a first component carrying a first electrical terminal, the electrical connector comprising: a second assembly supporting a second electrical connector insertable into mating said first electrical connector; a shorting member mounted in said first assembly for electrically shorting said first electrical connector; and a locking member pre-engaged with the second component in a locking manner, the locking member being movable back to a non-short-circuit position when the second component is inserted into the first component with which it is mated, and the locking member being also movable forward to engage the first component; wherein the locking member has a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs being disposed in planes that intersect substantially at a right angle, and the first pair of legs being symmetrically spaced apart and facing each other; wherein each of said first pair of legs has a locking portion on a side opposite to the side facing each other, said first pair of legs being deflected and then resiliently restored when said locking portion is biased to engage said locking portion with a locking notch provided in the first component so as to be mountable therein for engaging said locking member with said first component; and wherein the first pair of legs have opposed recesses located substantially on the back of the locking portion, and the portion of the second member sandwiched between the first pair of legs facing each other and having elasticity has a lug portion extending along a part of the recess, so that when the locking portion is in a state of being engaged with the lock catch, if an external force acts on the second member, the elastic portion will be flexed, and then the lug portion can press the recesses in a direction to mutually engage the locking portion with the lock catch, and the first member and the second member are locked against separation.

According to the configuration of the present invention, the engagement of the two components can be locked by the locking member to prevent the separation, and the electrical connection between the two components can be realized. In addition, the release of the short-circuit state of the short-circuit element in the other component can be realized by the locking piece. Furthermore, the locking member projects from one of the components only to a length necessary to allow it to be depressed for engagement with the other component, thereby making the electrical connector as a whole more compact. In addition, the action of connecting the two assemblies and the action of pressing the locking member to release the short-circuit condition of the short-circuit element in one of the assemblies can all be realized in the same action.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall construction of a connector or electrical connector for an airbag system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the bottom of the second assembly with the locking member in a locked condition;

fig. 3 is a perspective view from the top of the locking element;

fig. 4 is a perspective view from the bottom of the locking element;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shorting element;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a shorting tab;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the initial connection of the second component to the first component with the locking member in its first position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate connection state of the second member with the first member;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate connection state of the second member with the first member;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the second assembly fully connected to the first assembly;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the initial connection of the second assembly to the first assembly with the locking member in its second position;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing an initial connection of the second component to the first component;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10, showing the second component in a fully connected state with the first component; and

fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a function of preventing the accidental disconnection between the two components when an external force is applied to the second component.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the drawings illustrate only a certain preferred embodiment of the invention for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

The invention is particularly applicable to air-bag systems used to protect occupants of motor vehicles and, therefore, the use of air-bag systems is referred to herein as an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention is broadly applicable in a variety of different environments and for a variety of intended purposes and is not limited to application in airbag systems.

Referring specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 details of the overall construction of a connector or electrical connector for an airbag system. In this figure, a connector 1 is shown before connection, comprising a first component 2 in the form of a socket and a second component 3 in the form of a plug, wherein the second component 3 can be inserted into the first component 2 mated therewith.

The first component 2 forms part of an airbag igniter (sometimes referred to as a squib) that is electrically connected to a control system in the airbag system. The igniter is a detonating device that burns when sufficient electrical energy is applied to it through the two wires 33. The combustion of the igniter causes the gas generating material to ignite, resulting in the expansion of the airbag.

The short-circuit element 4 is mounted in the first component 2 by press-fitting. The short-circuit element 4 puts the contacts of the first component 2 in a short-circuit state until the components 2 and 3 are mechanically and electrically connected.

The second assembly 3 is electrically connected to the control system. It may also be connected to the first module 2. The locking member 5 in the locked state is fixed in the second module 3.

The function and interrelationship of these various components will become more apparent from the description below. It will also be understood from the following description that the second module 3, the short-circuit element 4 and the locking element 5 are preferably made of a non-conductive plastic material, in addition to the various wires and contacts.

With particular reference to the first module 2, the module 2 comprises a cylindrical body 10 in which an opening or receptacle 11 is provided. The first assembly 2 is shown in detail in figures 1 and 7-14. Fig. 7 to 11 and 14 show the state in which the second module 3 is attached to the first module 2 in cross-sections taken in the transverse direction of the second module 3. Similarly, fig. 12 and 13 show the connected state of the second module 3 and the first module 2 in cross section, but these cross sections are taken along the longitudinal direction of the second module 3. The body 10 in which the socket 11 is provided may be formed directly in the relevant structure, such as the igniter housing. Alternatively, the receptacle 11 may be formed as a separate component that may be placed into the associated structure. In either configuration, the body 10 in which the receptacle 11 is provided is bounded by a bottom wall 12, such as shown in fig. 7. Extending from bottom wall 12 are a pair of electrically conductive first male connectors or pins 13 formed of metal, which pins 13 are connected to corresponding wires in an airbag igniter (not shown) in any conventional manner. The igniter is powered by pins 13 so that ignition can be achieved.

The receptacle 11 is provided with a chamfer 14 formed at its entrance. The receptacle 11 is also provided with a locking groove 15 formed in its inner surface and extending continuously in the circumferential direction. As best shown in fig. 7 and 11, the inclined surface 14 is adapted to receive the locking portion 52 provided on the first pair of legs 51 of the locking member 5 and to generate a deforming moment to move the locking portion 52 toward the center. The locking pockets 15 are adapted to receive and retain the locking portions 52 of the locking members 5 in an engaged condition, as best shown in fig. 10.

Further, the receptacle 11 is provided with a semicircular concave portion near the inlet thereof, although this is not shown in any of the drawings. The semi-circular concave portion is shaped such that it can cooperate with a corresponding semi-circular protrusion (not shown) provided in the short-circuit element 4 when the short-circuit element 4 is placed in the receptacle 11. This allows to determine the orientation of the short-circuit element 4, as shown in fig. 1.

The short-circuit element 4 is mounted in the plug socket 11. The short-circuit element 4 forms a short circuit by maintaining the electrical connection between the male connectors 13 until the second module 3 is fully inserted into the first module 2 and the locking member 5 locked in the second module 3 is engaged with the first module 2.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the short-circuit element 4. The short-circuit element 4 is provided with a substantially cylindrical moulded plastic body 21 dimensioned to fit snugly into the receptacle 11. The body 21 of the short-circuit element 4 is provided on its top side with a somewhat downwardly extending semi-cylindrical projection corresponding in position and size to the recess provided in the receptacle 11, so that the projection can just be received in the recess, which is not shown in fig. 5, however. These projections serve to determine the orientation of the short-circuit element 4 with respect to the receptacle 11. In addition, the body 21 of the short-circuit element 4 has an opening 23 in it through which the male connector or pin 13 can be passed. The opening 23 is located in the central part of the short-circuit element 4 and faces the top and both sides of the short-circuit element 4. Fig. 7-11 and 14 show cross-sectional views including a cross-section of the opening 23.

The shorting tab 24 is snapped into the body 21 of the shorting element 4. The shorting tab 24 is made of a conductive material with elasticity, such as spring steel. A portion of the shorting tab 24 is deflected in a direction to engage the pin 13. The engagement of the shorting tabs 24 with the pins 13 creates an electrical short therebetween.

A perspective view of the shorting tab 24 is shown in fig. 6. The short-circuiting piece 24 includes a flat-plate-shaped base plate 25, a pair of legs 26 folded back at the top end of the base plate 25 and extending downward, and a pair of joining portions 27 bent at an angle of 90 degrees at the lower end portions of the legs 26. Each leg 26 is bent and deflected stepwise away from the base 25. The engaging portions 27 of the shorting tab 24 engage with the side surfaces of the two pins 13 to form an electrical connection therewith. As shown in fig. 5, the shorting strip 24 is snapped into the body 21 of the shorting element 4, with its base plate 25 inserted into the slot-shaped recess 28 to prevent slipping.

The shorting member 4 is placed in the receptacle 11 in a position such that the sides of the two pins 13 engage the engagement portions 27 of the lower portion of the shorting tab 24 to form an electrical connection therewith. Two pins 13 extend upwardly in the opening 23. In the longitudinal sectional view shown in fig. 12, an initial connection state of the second module 3 and the first module 2 is shown in which the engagement portions 27 of the shorting tabs 24 are in contact with the pins 13.

The second component 3 in the connector or electrical connector 1 will be better understood with reference to fig. 1, 2 and 7-14. As shown in these figures, the second assembly 3 comprises a main body portion 32 and a central insert portion 31 extending downwardly and supporting a pair of electrodes 30, wherein the electrodes 30 are in the form of second female plugs (see fig. 2, 7 and 12). The electrode 30 is electrically connected to a lead 33. The electrodes 30 are shaped and dimensioned to receive the pins 13 of the first component 2 therein.

For example, as shown in fig. 7 and 12, each electrode 30 in the central insertion portion 31 extends upward from the tubular end portion constituting the second female plug and is bent into a substantially L-shape so as to be connected to two lead wires 33. The conductor 33 is an insulated sheathed conductor. The ends of these wires are stripped of their outer covering for electrical and mechanical connection to the electrodes 30. The fixation of the lead is generally accomplished by pressing a portion of the electrode 30 around the end of the bare lead in any conventional manner.

In fig. 1, 2 or 12, the second component 3 comprises a central insertion portion 31 and a box-shaped body portion 32 arranged substantially in an L-shape with respect to the central insertion portion 31, as previously mentioned. The body portion 32 includes an upper body portion 32a and a lower body portion 32b, which are connected at their ends by a movable coupling portion 34 so as to be separable from each other. The upper and lower body portions 32a and 32b may be joined by a coupling portion 34 to form a generally rectangular parallelepiped shaped uniting body. Specifically, the two body portions 32a and 32b may be formed into a generally rectangular parallelepiped united body by engaging a pair of elastic connecting piece extensions 37 spaced apart from each other and extending downward from the distal end of the upper body portion 32a with a pair of engaging portions (not shown) provided at the distal end of the lower body portion 32 b. This maintains the proper engagement between the two body portions 32a and 32b of the second assembly 3 as shown in figures 1 and 2.

In fig. 12, the second module 3 has a box-shaped space 32c between the upper body part 32a and the lower body part 32 b. The space 32c has a ferrite bead 35 disposed therein through which the lead wire 33 can pass. The ferrite bead 35 is a substantially square homogeneous body with two tubular through-holes extending parallel to each other, the lead wires 33 passing through the through-holes in the ferrite bead 35.

The central insertion portion 31 is generally cylindrical with a constant diameter and is provided with a ridge 43, as best shown in fig. 2. The ridge 43 is sized and positioned to engage the notch 29 on the top of the shorting member 4 shown in fig. 1. The engagement of the ridge 43 with the notch 29 ensures a proper connection between the two electrodes 30 of the second assembly 3 and the two pins 13 of the first assembly 2.

As best shown in fig. 1, the top surface of the upper body portion 32a of the second module 3 is provided with a wide shallow recess 45, which is located corresponding to the central insertion portion 31. Although not shown, a through hole is also formed in the shallow recess 45, and the first pair of legs 51 and the second pair of legs 53 of the locking member 5 are inserted from the shallow recess 45 to the central insertion portion 31. When the locking piece 5 is inserted into the second component from the through hole, the side of the central insertion portion 31 is sandwiched between the locking pieces 5. As shown clearly in fig. 2 and 7, the central insertion portion 31 is provided on its electrode fixing portions 31a which fix the electrodes 30 and are laterally spaced from each other with outwardly projecting lug portions 31b which extend along a part of a recessed portion 54 (to be mentioned later) in the locking member 5.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a perspective view of the locking element 5. The locking member 5 includes a head or pressing portion 50, a first pair of legs 51 extending downwardly from both lateral sides of the pressing portion 50, and a second pair of legs 53 extending downwardly from one longitudinal end of the pressing portion 50 in a side-by-side arrangement. The first and second pairs of legs 51, 53 are arranged in planes that intersect substantially at right angles. Specifically, the first pair of legs 51 and the second pair of legs 53 are arranged such that the first pair of legs 51 are spaced apart from and face each other and the second pair of legs 53 are symmetrical with respect to the slit 58. These legs are sized and positioned to be inserted into through holes provided in the upper body portion 32a of the second module 3. This maintains the locking member 5 in the proper engaged relationship as shown in fig. 1.

The lower portion of each of the first pair of legs 51 is provided with an outwardly projecting locking portion 52 on the side opposite to the mutually facing side. The locking portion 52 is sized and positioned to engage the locking slot 15 provided in the receptacle 11, as best shown in fig. 10. Then, when the locking member 5 is pressed in a direction of connecting the first and second components 2 and 3 to each other, the two components are engaged in a locking manner by the locking member 5 to prevent separation.

As best shown in fig. 4, the first pair of legs 51 are provided with recesses 54 located substantially opposite the back of the locking portion 52. When the locking portion 52 is fitted into the locking notch 15, the recessed portion 54 is shaped such that the recessed portion 54 engages with the lug portion 31b provided on the electrode fixing portion 31a of the central insertion portion 31, wherein the central insertion portion 31 is located between the first pair of legs 51 spaced apart from each other. This ensures that the first component 2 and the second component 3 are more securely connected together. This connected state is clearly shown in fig. 14. When the locking portion 52 is engaged with the lock slot 15, if an external force is applied to the second member 3, the electrode fixing portion 31a having elasticity is deflected, and then the lug portion 31b presses the recess portion 54 in a direction to engage the locking portion 52 with the lock slot 15. Thus, the first pair of legs 51 facing each other are pressed from the inside to be expanded outward. As a result, the first and second components 2 and 3 are securely locked even when an external force acts on the electrical connector 1, and the connection between the two components can be prevented from being accidentally broken. The relative action of the lug portions 31b with the first pair of legs 51 is indicated by the arrows in figure 14. With this configuration, the connection between the two components can be easily prevented from being accidentally disconnected.

In fig. 3 and 4, the first pair of legs 51 is provided with two rectangular recesses 55 in the middle portion above the locking portion 52 thereof, which are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction or the direction in which the second member 3 is inserted into the first member 2 and face outward. Each of the recessed portions 55 includes, in order from bottom to top, a first recessed portion 55a and a second recessed portion 55 b. These two recesses 55 are each able to engage with a stop lug 56 of the second component 3, as clearly shown in fig. 7 and 11. This allows the locking member 5 to be locked in two positions when inserted into the second component 3. It should be noted that the relevant position when the locking member 5 is locked in the first recess 55a is defined as the first position, and the relevant position when the locking member 5 is locked in the second recess 55b is defined as the second position. When the locking member 5 is in the first position, the first recessed portion 55a can be locked with the pressing portion 50 of the locking member 5 and the front ends of the first pair of legs 51 projecting from the second member 3 in opposite directions, thus forming a substantially T-shape (see fig. 7). When the locking member 5 is in the second position, the second recessed portion 55b can be locked with the pressing portion 50 almost falling into the shallow recess 45 of the second member 3 and only the front ends of the first pair of legs 51 protruding from the second member 3, thus forming a substantially L-shape (see fig. 1, 11 and 12).

As best shown in fig. 3 and 4, each of the second pair of legs 53 is plate-like and extends side-by-side downwardly with a slot 58 therebetween. A slot 58 extends from the back of the head or pressing portion 50 to the end of the second pair of legs 53. When the second pair of legs 53 is inserted through the hole as far as its root, the head 50 is fully received in the shallow recess 45. The slit 58 may provide sufficient mechanical strength of the electrical connector by inserting the locking member 5 even if the second component 3 is provided with a through hole in its upper body portion 32 a. As best shown in fig. 12 and 13, when the locking member 5 is pressed into the first module 2, the second pair of legs 53 are pushed forward until they meet the bent portion of the short-circuiting piece 24. This may cause the engagement portion 27 to move away from the pin 13 to break the electrical connection with the pin 13.

As mentioned above, the locking member 5 has a first pair of legs 51 and a second pair of legs 53, and the first pair of legs 51 and the second pair of legs 53 are arranged in planes that intersect substantially at right angles. Further, the first pair of legs 51 and the second pair of legs 53 are arranged in such a manner that the first pair of legs 51 are spaced apart from each other and face each other. This configuration enables the locking piece 5 to engage and lock the two components 2 and 3 with each other to prevent separation, and also to electrically connect the two components 2 and 3 with each other, and also to easily release the short-circuit state by the short-circuit element 4 in the first component 2.

As will be mentioned later, when the locking member 5 is pressed in, the first pair of legs 51 with the locking portions 52, which locking portions 52 are located on the sides of the first pair of legs 51 opposite to the sides facing each other, can be deflected and then resiliently restored into engagement with the locking notches 15 provided in the first member 2, so as to be mounted therein. This configuration enables the locking piece 5 to engage and lock the two components 2 and 3 with each other to prevent separation, and also to electrically connect the two components 2 and 3 with each other, and also to easily release the short-circuit state by the short-circuit element 4 in the first component 2.

The connector or electrical connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is constructed in the manner described above. The connection process of the electrical connector 1 will now be described with reference to figures 1 and 7-13. As shown in fig. 1, the short-circuit element 4 is pre-fitted in the receptacle 11 of the first component 2 to electrically short-circuit the pin 13 and the locking member 5 is also pre-locked in place in the second component 3. Although the locking member 5 is shown locked in the second position in fig. 1, the locking member 5 may be locked in the first position. Furthermore, the locking member 5 can be pressed into engagement with the first component 2 from any one of a number of positions, as will be mentioned later.

Fig. 7 shows a state where the operator holds both sides of the body portion 32 of the second module 3 by hand and inserts the lower ends of the parallel sections of the insertion portion 31 deep into the insertion hole 11 of the first module 2. In fig. 7, the locking member 5 is locked in the first position with respect to the second assembly 3. In this position, the locking member 5 is locked in a substantially T-shaped form, with the pressing portion 50 projecting upwardly, whereby the operator can visually conclude that the electrical connection between the first and second components has not been completed. This can improve the efficiency of the fitting work of the electrical connector 1.

In such an electrical connector 1, regardless of whether the locking member 5 is in the first position or the second position, the action of engaging the second component 3 into the first component 2 and the action of engaging the locking member 5 into the first component 2 can be performed in a continuous motion by pressing the locking member 5 from either position. Thus, even when the locking member 5 is accidentally pressed by an external force or the like during transport of the electrical connector 1, so that the locking member 5 is moved out of the first position and into the second, substantially L-shaped position, the connection between the components 2 and 3 can be achieved by just pressing the locking member 5 as it is, without having to return it to the first position. Fig. 11 shows an initial state of inserting the locking member 5 into the first module 2, wherein the locking member 5 is locked in the second position. Both fig. 7 and 11 show an initial state of inserting the second module 3 into the first module 2. In this initial state, the locking portion 52 of the locking member 5 abuts against the inclined surface 14 at the entrance of the insertion hole 11.

When the pressing portion 50 of the lock member 5 is pressed by the thumb from this state, an inward moment acts on the first pair of legs 51. Fig. 8 shows an intermediate connection resulting from pressing the locking element 5 from the initial state shown in fig. 7, wherein the locking element 5 of fig. 7 is locked in the first position. In this state, the first pair of legs 51 are deflected inward by the locking portion 52 being subjected to reaction force from the entrance of the insertion hole 11. At the same time, the deflection of the first pair of legs 51 causes the engaged state between the first recess portion 55a and the stopper projection 56 to be released. This intermediate state is shown in fig. 9. In the state shown in fig. 9, the stopper projection 56 in the first recess 55a is released, and thus the relative position of the stopper projection 56 is changed so that the stopper projection 56 and the second recess 55b are generally high. When the pressing portion 50 is pressed from the state shown in fig. 11 where the locking member 5 is locked at the second position, the locking member 5 is shifted from that state to the intermediate state shown in fig. 9.

Then, the first pair of legs 51 elastically returns after being deflected to fit the locking portions 52 into the locking notches 15 as shown in fig. 10, thereby achieving the engaged state between the locking member 5 and the first member 2. As a result, the first module 2 and the second module 3 are completely connected together. At the same time, the pin 13 is inserted into the electrode 30 fitted in the insertion portion 31 of the second module 3, so that electrical connection is also made therebetween.

By the same pressing action of the locking member 5, not only the connection between the first module 2 and the second module 3 is achieved, but also the short circuit condition between the pins 13 formed by the short-circuit tabs 24 of the short-circuit element 4 is released. The release of the short circuit condition is shown in fig. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to fig. 11, showing an initial connection state of the second module 3 with the first module 2. In fig. 12, the short-circuited state of the pin 13 formed by the shorting tab 24 is still maintained. On the other hand, in fig. 13, which shows a state after the pressing action of the locking piece 5 is completed, the second pair of legs 53 of the locking piece 5 advances to the bent portion of the shorting tab 24 to thereby separate the engaging portion 27 from the pin 13, releasing the short-circuited state of the pin 13.

As described above, by the same pressing action of the locking member 5, the mechanical engagement and the electrical connection between the first component 2 and the second component 3 can be completely achieved. For example, when the first module 2 and the second module 3 are in the connected state, if an external force is applied to the second module 3 through the multicore wire 33, the electrode fixing portion 31a of the central insertion portion 31 is deflected, and the lug portions 31b of the electrode fixing portion 31a cause the recessed portions 54 provided on the first pair of legs 51 of the locking member 5 to be displaced in a direction in which the locking portions 52 and the locking notches 15 are engaged with each other. As a result, the first component 2 and the second component 3 can be locked more firmly to prevent the accidental disconnection between the two components (see fig. 14).

Once the connection of the second component 3 to the first component 2 has been completed, it is not possible to remove the second component 3 from the first component 2 unless the locking element 5 is lifted, for example by inserting a lever, a pointed clip or similar tool between the pressing portion 50 of the locking element 5 and the shallow recess 45 of the second component 3.

As described above, according to such an electrical connector 1, the locking member 5 can lock the engagement of the two components 2 and 3 to prevent separation, and can realize the electrical connection between the two components 2 and 3, and further, the release of the short-circuit state of the short-circuit element 4 in the first component 2 can be realized by the locking member 5. Moreover, the electrical connector 1 as a whole can be made more compact, since the locking member 5 projects only from the second component 3 to the length necessary for pressing it down for engagement with the first component 2.

In addition, the action of connecting the two assemblies 2 and 3 and the action of pressing the locking member 5 to release the short-circuited state of the short-circuit element 4 can be realized in the same action.

Moreover, the action of connecting the two assemblies 2 and 3 and the action of pressing the locking member 5 to release the short-circuit condition of the short-circuit element 4 can all be realized in a single action.

In summary, according to the electrical connector 1 in the illustrated embodiment, the action of connecting the two assemblies and the action of pressing the locking member to release the short-circuit condition of the short-circuit element in one of the assemblies can be carried out in the same action; the whole connector can be designed to be more compact; it is also possible to prevent the connection between the two components from being accidentally broken when an external force acts on the electrical connector.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by reading and understanding the present specification that the present invention includes all modifications, alterations, applications, and equivalents of the appended claims insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the pair of legs 26 of the shorting tab 24 may be in the form of a sheet. The pair of engaging portions 27 formed by bending the front ends of the legs 26 at an angle of 90 degrees may be any suitable shape capable of directly contacting the pins 13, and is not limited to the shape shown in the illustrated embodiment.

Furthermore, the locking element 5 may be shaped such that there is no slit 58 between the second pair of legs 53. This means that the locking member 5 may be of such a shape that a single plate-shaped second leg 53 is provided between the first pair of legs 51, so that the first pair of legs 51 and the second leg 53 may form a substantially U-shape.

In addition, the locking member 5 according to the present invention is applicable not only to the electrical connector 1 according to the present invention, but also to the locking action and the releasing action of the short-circuit state in the same action; but also to conventional electrical connectors in which the locking action and the release action of the short circuit condition are accomplished by different actions.

Claims (8)

1. An electrical connector comprising:

a first assembly supporting a first electrical terminal;

a second assembly supporting a second one of the first electrical contacts inserted in mating relation therewith;

a shorting member mounted in said first assembly for electrically shorting said first electrical connector; and

a locking member lockingly engaged with the second component, the locking member being movable back to a non-short-circuit position when the second component is inserted into the first component with which it is mated, and the locking member being further movable forward to engage with the first component,

wherein the locking member has a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs being disposed in planes that intersect substantially at a right angle, and the first pair of legs being symmetrically spaced apart and facing each other;

wherein each of said first pair of legs has a locking portion on a side opposite to the side facing each other, said first pair of legs being deflected and then resiliently restored when said locking portion is biased to engage said locking portion with a locking notch provided in the first component so as to be mountable therein for engaging said locking member with said first component; and

wherein the first pair of legs have opposed recesses located substantially on the back of the locking portion, and the portion of the second member sandwiched between the first pair of legs facing each other and having elasticity has a lug portion extending along a part of the recess, so that when the locking portion is in a state of being engaged with the lock catch, if an external force acts on the second member, the elastic portion will be flexed, and then the lug portion can press the recesses in a direction of engaging the locking portion with the lock catch, and the first member and the second member are locked against separation.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the direction of insertion of said second component into said first component coincides with the direction of movement of said locking member when engaged with said first component.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the act of inserting said second component into said mating first component and the act of moving said locking member into engagement with said first component are performed continuously during the act of pressing said locking member.

4. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein said locking member is engageable with said second assembly in a locking manner including two positions, a first position and a second position, said first position and said second position being spaced from each other in a direction of insertion of said second assembly into said first assembly.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein the act of inserting said second component into said first component mated therewith and the act of moving said locking member into engagement with said first component are performed sequentially in the act of pressing said locking member from either of said first and second positions.

6. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein when said locking member is in an engaged state with said first member, if an external force for disengaging said second member from said first member in an insertion direction thereof acts on said second member, a portion of said second member sandwiched between said first pair of legs facing each other will be deflected, whereupon said first pair of legs facing each other are deflected inwardly and outwardly to be spread outwardly, whereby said first member and said second member are more securely locked against separation.

7. An electrical connector connectable with a first assembly supporting a first electrical terminal, the electrical connector comprising:

a second assembly supporting a second electrical connector insertable into mating said first electrical connector;

a shorting member mounted in said first assembly for electrically shorting said first electrical connector; and

a locking member pre-engaged with the second component in a locking manner, the locking member being movable back to a non-short-circuit position when the second component is inserted into the first component with which it is mated, and the locking member being further movable forward to engage the first component;

wherein the locking member has a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs being disposed in planes that intersect substantially at a right angle, and the first pair of legs being symmetrically spaced apart and facing each other;

wherein each of said first pair of legs has a locking portion on a side opposite to the side facing each other, said first pair of legs being deflected and then resiliently restored when said locking portion is biased to engage said locking portion with a locking notch provided in the first component so as to be mountable therein for engaging said locking member with said first component; and

wherein the first pair of legs have opposed recesses located substantially on the back of the locking portion, and the portion of the second member sandwiched between the first pair of legs facing each other and having elasticity has a lug portion extending along a part of the recess, so that when the locking portion is in a state of being engaged with the lock catch, if an external force acts on the second member, the elastic portion will be flexed, and then the lug portion can press the recesses in a direction of engaging the locking portion with the lock catch, and the first member and the second member are locked against separation.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the direction of insertion of said second component into said first component coincides with the direction of movement of said locking member when engaged with said first component, such that the action of inserting said second component into said first component with which it is mated and the action of moving said locking member into engagement with said first component are performed continuously in the action of pressing said locking member.