Patent Grant
10249976
The specification is generally related to connector housing assemblies and particularly to connector housing assemblies having a dress cover configured to prevent detachment of the dress cover from the connector housing.
In general, connector housing assemblies are configured to house and protect electrical connections. The connector housing assembly includes a dress cover configured to be removably attached to a connector housing. The connector housing is configured to accommodate at least one terminal connection.
Vibrations from the operating environment of the connector housing assembly or torques applied by an operator assembling the connector housing assembly may translate to a wire or a terminal connector within the connector housing assembly. For instance, vibration from the road may cause the wire to rattle against an inner surface of the sidewall of the connector housing assembly. During assembly, the operator may rotate the wire while routing the wire along a predetermined path which may also cause the wire to engage the inner surface of the dress cover or the connector housing. Additionally, the wire may hang from the connector housing, causing the terminal connector to apply a cantilevered force on the dress cover. In some instances, the connector housing is configured to accommodate a relatively large terminal connection. The size of the terminal connection and the wire increase the force applied to the side walls of the dress cover. In some instances the force applied by the terminal connector to the sidewalls is sufficient to decouple the dress cover from the connector housing.
Accordingly, it remains desirable to have a connector housing assembly that decreases the probability of detachment of the dress cover from the connector housing either during or after assembly. As such it is desirable to a have a connector housing assembly that withstands the forces applied to the dress cover by a wire.
In one embodiment the connector housing assembly is configured to prevent detachment of the dress cover and the connector housing by withstanding forces applied to the dress cover by a terminal, wire, and terminal connector, preventing disengagement of the dress cover with the connector housing.
The connector housing assembly includes a dress cover and a connector housing. The connector housing includes a pair of sidewalls, a back wall, and a bottom surface defining a first storage space. The connector housing includes locking nubs and a ridge integrated on the outer surface of the sidewall. The ridge extends along an axis defining the height of the connector housing.
The dress cover has a pair of sidewalls, a front wall, a back wall, and a top surface defining a second storage space. The first and second storage spaces are configured to receive a terminal, a wire, and terminal connector. The dress cover includes locking clips and a tab integrated onto outer surface of the sidewall. The locking clips are configured to engage the locking nubs. The tab is configured to engage the ridge such that when the connector housing assembly is assembled, a planar front edge of the tab contacts a back edge of the ridge. Accordingly, when the connector housing and dress cover are coupled the ridge abuts the side of the tab. As the side of the tab engages the elongated ridge, movement of the tab with respect to the connector housing is prevented. Accordingly, the engagement of the ridge and the tab counteract the cantilevered force applied on the dress cover resulting from the wire hanging from the end of the connector housing.
The connector housing assembly is further configured to prevent rattling of the terminal or wire with the dress cover that may result from vibrations during operation. The dress cover includes at least one pair stabilizing ribs connected to the interior surfaces of the sidewalls having free ends extending into the second storage space. The stabilizing ribs are each disposed on opposite inner surfaces of the dress cover and are spaced apart from each other and opposite of each other so as to form a gap. The gap is configured to accommodate the wire and terminal and is further dimensioned to limit the movement of the terminal and wire caused by rattling or torques applied to the wire during manufacturing or vibrations during operation.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Referring generally to the figures, the embodiments of the present disclosure include a connector housing assembly having a connector housing and a dress cover. The dress cover is removably attached to the connector housing. When coupled together, the dress cover and the connector housing define a storage space to house a terminal, a terminal connector, and a wire. The connector housing assembly is configured to prevent the detachment of the dress cover from the connector housing. In particular, the connector housing assembly is configured to retain the dress cover to the connector housing under predetermined vibration and torque.
The connector housing includes a pair of first sidewalls and a bottom surface defining a first storage space. The connector housing further includes locking nubs and ridges formed on the first sidewalls. The ridges are spaced apart from each other and extend along an axis defining the height of the connector housing. The dress cover includes a pair of second sidewalls, a back wall, and a top surface defining a second storage space. The dress cover further includes locking clips and tabs disposed on the second sidewalls. The locking nubs and the locking clips are configured to engage each other so as to secure the connector housing and the dress cover to each other.
The tab of the dress cover is an elongated member having a front side. The front side extends along an axis defining the height of the dress cover. A front side of the tab is configured to engage a back side of the ridge. The back side of the ridge extends along the axis defining the height of the connector housing. In such a manner, contact between the tab and the ridge restricts forward movement of the tab with respect to the connector housing and withstands the cantilevered force the hanging wire may apply on the dress cover
The dress cover further includes a pair of stabilizing ribs disposed on the interior side of the second sidewalls. The stabilizing ribs are opposite of each other and extend into the second storage space so as to form a gap configured to accommodate terminal, the terminal connector, and the wire. The free ends of the stabilizing ribs are configured to receive a load from the terminal, wire, and/or terminal connector so as to minimize movement of the wire and the terminal connector which reduces the side-to-side load on the terminal.
Accordingly, the connector housing assembly is configured to prevent detachment of the dress cover from the connector housing by withstanding the cantilever forces put on the dress cover by the hanging wire and minimize wear and damage to the terminal connector caused by the side-to-side movement of the wire due to vibrations.
As used herein the term “back” refers to the side of the connector housing assembly through which the wire enters the connector housing assembly and the term “front” refers to the opposite side of the connector housing assembly. References to the terms “top” and “bottom” are made with respect to the orientation of the connector housing assembly as shown in the referenced drawing. The term “height” refers to the dimension of component between the top and bottom of that component as previous defined. Additionally, the terms “outward” or “inward” are made in reference to the relative position of a component with respect to the centerline of the connector housing assembly, wherein the centerline is generally defined by the axial length of the wire and wire terminal as shown in
With reference now to
With reference again to
The connector housing 12 includes a locking nub 38 that is integrally formed on the outer surface of the first sidewall 20. The locking nub 38 is illustratively shown as being ramp shaped including a ramp surface 38a and a planar surface 38b. The ramp surface 38a is generally angled so as to be flush with the upper edge 20a of the first side wall 20, wherein a bottom end of the locking nub protrudes outwardly from the first side wall 20. The figures show the connector housing 12 has four locking nubs 38, two disposed on each of the first sidewalls 20, with one located near the back of the each first sidewall 20 and one located near the front of each first sidewall 20. Each of the four locking nubs 38 has an identical ramp shape as described above. However, it should appreciated that the depiction of the connector housing having four locking nubs 38 is for illustrative purposes and is not limiting to the scope of the claims.
The connector housing 12 further includes a ridge 40 integrally formed on the outer surface of the first sidewall 20. The ridge 40 has a generally elongate shape oriented along an axis defined by a height of the first sidewall 20. The ridge 40 has a planar surface 40a facing towards the front of the connector housing assembly 10. The ridge 40 further includes a top surface 40b.
In one embodiment, the connector housing includes a pair of ridges 40 formed on a first sidewall 20 where one ridge 40 has a planar surface 40a facing the back of the connector housing assembly 10 and the other ridge 40 has a planar surface 40a facing the front of the connector housing assembly 10. Each of the pair the pair of ridges 40 are spaced apart such that the planar surfaces 40a form a slot 40c. It should be appreciated that the locations of the ridges 40 as shown in the figures is for illustrative purposes and is not limiting to the scope of the claims.
With reference again to
In one embodiment, the top surface includes a first portion 50a elevated with respect to a second portion 50b. The first portion 50a and the second portion 50b are generally parallel to each other. An intermediate wall 46 connects the first portion 50a of the top surface 50 to the second portion 50b of the top surface 50 and defines the distance the first portion 50a is elevated from the second portion 50b.
The terminal 16, the wire 18, and the terminal connector 28 are housed within the first storage space 26 and the second storage space 52. The terminal connector 28 and an adjacent portion of the wire 18 have a layer of insulation (not shown) applied to the outer surfaces. For illustrative purposes, the wire 18 is shown as a coaxial wire having a diameter of 9.5 mm, the terminal 16 is a male terminal configured to complete an electrical connection for a 24 volt power supply. As shown, the wire 18 hangs from a back end of the terminal connector 28 creating a cantilevered force.
It should be appreciated that the wire 18 may be formed of multiple individual wires contained within a single sheath and that each of the individual wires may vary in size with respect to one another. The number of wires may also vary such that the collective diameter of the multiple wires is a predetermined diameter. The size and dimension of the wire 18 is provided for illustrative purposes and is not limiting to the scope of the claims.
The dress cover 14 further includes a locking clip 56 disposed on the outer surface of one of the pair of second sidewalls 42. The locking clip 56 includes a first leg 58 and a second leg 60. The first leg 58 and the second leg 60 extended downward from the second sidewall 42 of the dress cover 14 to distal ends 58a and 60a respectively. Opposite the distal ends 58a, 60a are proximate ends 58b, 60b. The distal ends 58a, 60a of the first and second legs 58, 60 are connected by a crossbar 62. The first and second legs 58, 60 are spaced apart such that the first and second legs 58, 60 and the crossbar 62 define a slot 64. The slot 64 has a width configured to slidingly receive the locking nub 38. The locking clip 56 is formed of a resilient material configured to deflect relative to the outer surface of the dress cover 14.
In one embodiment, the dress cover 14 has four locking clips 56 positioned on the second sidewalls 42 of the dress cover 14. Each locking clip 56 is configured to engage a corresponding locking nub 38 of the connector housing 12 so as to secure the connector housing 12 to the dress cover 14. The figures depict two locking clips 56 extending from the first portion 50a of the top surface 50 and two locking clips 56 extending from the second portion 50b of the top surface 50.
Each of the second sidewalls 42 of the dress cover 14 includes a tab 66 extending downward from the lower edge 42a of the second sidewall 42. The tab 66 is an elongated member having a generally rectangular shape with a front edge 66a, a back edge 66b, and a bottom edge 66c. The front edge 66a and the back edge 66b are planar surfaces. An outer surface of the tab 66 may be planar and generally rectangular in shape. The planar surfaces of the front and back edges 66a,66b are generally orthogonal to the outer surface of the tab 66. The tabs 66 are configured to engage at least one of the ridges 40 such that the front edge 66a of the tab 66 is in contact with the planar surface of the ridge 40 when the connector housing assembly 10 is assembled.
With reference now to
When securing the dress cover to the connector housing, the locking clips 56 engage the locking nubs 38, deflecting outwardly as the locking clips 56 slide over the ramp surface 38a of the locking nubs 38. The crossbar 62 of the locking clips 56 slides over the locking nubs 38 until the crossbar 62 passes the planar surface 38b, wherein the resiliency of the locking clips 56 snaps the locking clips 56 against the first sidewall 20 of the connector housing 12. The locking nubs 38 are seated within the respective slots 64.
When the terminal 16, wire 18, and terminal connector 28 are contained within the connector housing assembly 10, an end portion of the wire 18 is free to hang. The weight of the hanging wire 18, shown in
When the connector housing assembly 10 is properly assembled, the tab 66 on the dress cover 14 engages the ridge on connector housing 12. The tab 66 and the ridge 40 are configured such that the front edge of the tab 66 abuts the planar surface 40a of the ridge 40. The contact between the front edge 66a and the planar surface 40a prevents movement of the tabs 66, and consequently the dress cover 14, with respect to the connector housing 12, eliminating or reducing the cantilevered load applied by the terminal connector 28 to the top surface 50.
In one embodiment, the connector housing 12 includes two ridges 40 positioned such that the ridges 40 have a determined space between them, defining the slot 40c, that is configured to slidingly receive the tabs 66. The beveled edges of the ridges 40 and the tabs 66 help guide the tabs 66 into the proper configuration between the two ridges 40. When the connector housing assembly 10 is assembled, the front edge 66a of the tab 66 is in contact if the planar surface 40a of one ridge 40, and the back edge 66b is in contact with the planar surface 40a of the other ridge 40. In another embodiment, when the connector housing assembly 10 is assembled, the lower edge 42a of the second sidewalls 42 rest on the top surface 40b of a ridge 40.
The interior of the dress cover 14 includes a pair of stabilizing ribs 68 extending from one of the second sidewalls 42. The stabilizing ribs 68 may have a generally angled shape extending from a second sidewall 42 towards the interior of the second storage space 52. The stabilizing ribs 68 each have a free end 68a. The free ends 68a of the stabilizing ribs 68 define a gap 70. The width of the gap 70 is configured to provide sufficient space to fit one of the terminal 16, the wire 18, or the terminal connector 28. Each free end 68a is also configured to receive a load from the wire 18 or terminal connector 28 so as to minimize movement of the wire 18 and the terminal connector 28. In one embodiment, the gap 70 is generally centered between the second sidewalls 42. A back rib 72 extends the top surface 50, located rearward of the stabilizing ribs 68. The back rib 72 spans the length between the second sidewalls of the connector housing 12, restricting movement of the dress cover 14 with respect to the connector housing 12.
The interior of the dress cover 14 also includes a reinforcing tab 74 disposed on the interior surface adjacent the locking clip 56. It should be appreciated that although the drawings depict reinforcing tabs 74 extend only from the second portion 50b of the top surface 50 this configuration is provided for illustrative purposes and is not limiting to the scope of the claims.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the connector housing assembly 10 is further configured to receive a strap 200. With reference now to
With reference again to
Accordingly, the connector housing assembly 10 is configured to withstand the forces applied from a terminal 16, a wire 18, or a terminal connector 28 by providing ridges 40 on the outer surface of the connector housing 12 that abut the locking clips 56 and tabs 66 on the dress cover 14 to produce cantilever forces. The connector housing assembly 10 is further configured to reduce disengagement of the dress cover 14 from the connector housing 12 by providing stabilizing ribs 68 and a back rib 72 on the interior of the dress cover 14 that reduce movement of the terminal 16, the wire 18, and the terminal connector 28 with respect to the connector housing 12 and the dress cover 14 and the outward force the terminal 16, wire 18, and terminal connector 28 can apply to the second sidewalls 42 of the dress cover 14 that can occur during use or manufacturing.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
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