This invention relates in general to electrical connector assemblies that facilitate mechanical and electrical connections between two electrically conductive structures. In particular, this invention relates to an improved structure for such an electrical connector assembly that can quickly and easily be secured to an electrically conductive structure, such as a flat flexible cable having multiple electrically conductive traces, without the use of specialized tools and/or methods.
Many electrical systems are known in the art that include one or more electrically operated devices. For example, most automobiles and other vehicles include a variety of electrically operated devices that can be selectively operated for the comfort and convenience of a driver or an occupant. Typically, each of these electrically operated devices is connected to a source of electrical energy (and/or other components of the electrical system) by one or more electrical conductors. In many instances, electrical connector assemblies are provided for facilitating the installation, service, and removal of these electrically operated devices to and from the electrical system.
A typical electrical connector assembly includes an outer housing (which is usually formed from an electrically non-conductive material) and an inner electrical terminal (which is usually formed from an electrically conductive material) that is supported within the housing. The housing usually has first and second openings extending therethrough, and the electrical terminal is supported within the housing adjacent to those first and second openings. The first opening facilitates the passage of an electrical conductor through the housing into engagement with the electrical terminal supported therein. The second opening facilitates the passage of a portion of a mating electrical terminal assembly through the housing into engagement with the electrical terminal.
In the past, the connection of the electrical conductor to the electrical terminal supported within the housing of the electrical connector assembly has been accomplished using a variety of specialized tools and/or specialized methods. Although effective, it has been found that the use of such known specialized tools and/or methods are relatively time-consuming and complicated. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved structure for an electrical connector assembly that can quickly and easily be secured to an electrically conductive structure, such as a flat flexible cable having multiple electrically conductive traces, without the use of specialized tools and/or methods.
This invention relates to an improved structure for an electrical connector assembly that can quickly and easily be secured to an electrically conductive structure, such as a flat flexible cable having multiple electrically conductive traces, without the use of specialized tools and/or methods. The electrically connector assembly includes a housing defining an interior space and a locking arm. The interior space of the housing receives the electrically conductive structure. The locking arm is supported for movement relative to the housing from an unlocked position, wherein the locking arm does not retain the electrically conductive structure within the interior space, to a locked position, wherein the locking arm retains the electrically conductive structure within the interior space. An electrical contact is disposed within the housing and engages the electrically conductive structure retained within the interior space.
Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The illustrated electrically conductive structure 11 is a flat flexible conductor 11 that is conventional in the art and includes a plurality (six in the illustrated embodiment) of electrically conductive traces 12 that are surrounded by an outer electrically non-conductive insulator 13. However, the flat flexible conductor 11 may include a greater or lesser number of such electrically conductive traces 12. For a reason that will become apparent below, a portion of the electrically non-conductive insulator 13 is removed adjacent to an end of the flat flexible conductor 11 so as to expose the electrically conductive traces 12. The illustrated flat flexible conductor 11 is intended to be representative of any conventional type of electrical conductor and, thus, forms no part of this invention.
The electrical connector assembly 10 includes a housing, indicated generally at 20. The housing 20 is preferably formed from an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic. However, the housing 20 may be formed from any desired material. The housing 20 includes a body 21 having an upper panel 21a, a lower panel 21b, a left panel 21c, and a right panel 21d that together define an interior space 22. The interior space 22 extends from a first longitudinal end 23 of the body 21 to a second longitudinal end 24 of the body 21. A first portion of the interior space 22 is located adjacent to the first longitudinal end 23 of the body 21, while a second portion of the interior space 22 is located adjacent to the second longitudinal end 24 of the body 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion of the interior space 22 is relatively large in size in comparison with the second portion of the interior space 22, although such is not required. A first locking member 25 is formed integrally with or otherwise provided on the body 21 and extends into the interior space 22. The purpose for the first locking member 25 will be explained below.
A plurality of dividers 26 is provided within the first portion of the interior space of the body 21, adjacent to the first longitudinal end 23 thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, five of such dividers 26 are formed integrally with the body 21 of the housing 20. Together with the left panel 21c and the right panel 21d, the dividers 26 separate the first portion of the interior space 22 of the body 21 of the housing 20 into six adjacent and parallel slots. As will be explained in detail below, the number of such slots provided in the body 21 of the housing 20 is preferably the same as the number of electrically conductive traces 12 provided on the flat flexible conductor 11. However, a greater or lesser number of such dividers 26 may be provided to separate the first portion of the interior space 22 of the body 21 of the housing 20 into a greater or lesser number of such slots. The purposes for the dividers 26 and the slots defined thereby will be explained in detail below.
A locking arm 27 is also provided on the body 21 of the housing 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking arm 27 is formed integrally with a living hinge 27a that is also formed integrally with the body 21 of the housing 20. Thus, the illustrated locking arm 27 is supported on the body 21 of the housing 20 for pivoting movement relative thereto between an unlocked position (illustrated in
The electrical connector assembly 10 also includes one or more electrical contacts, each indicated generally at 30. Preferably, the number of such electrical contacts 30 is the same as the number of slots provided in the body 21 of the housing 20 (and, as mentioned above, the number of electrically conductive traces 12 provided on the flat flexible conductor 11). Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, six of the electrical contacts 30 are provided. However, a greater or lesser number of such electrical contacts 30 may be provided. As best shown in
Lastly, the electrical connector assembly 10 includes a contact retainer, indicated generally at 40, having an inner end 41. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact retainer 40 is generally flat and planar in shape. However, the contact retainer 40 may have any desired shape. The purposes for the retainer 40 and its inner end 41 will also be explained below.
A method of assembling the electrical connector assembly 10 of this invention will now be described with reference to
In any event, the outer surface of the first contact portion 31 of the electrical contact 30 frictionally engages the inner surface of the upper panel 21a of the body 21 of the housing 20, and the outer surface of the second contact portion 32 of the electrical contact 30 frictionally engages the inner surface of the lower panel 21b of the body 21 of the housing 20. Though not required, such frictional engagement is desirable because the electrical contact 30 is frictionally retained within the slot provided in the body 21 of the housing 20 during the remainder of the assembly process. The other electrical contacts 30 can be inserted within the respective slots in the body 21 of the housing 20 in a similar manner.
After all of the electrical contacts 30 have been inserted within the respective slots in the body 21 of the housing 20, the retainer 40 is inserted within the interior space 22 of the body 21 of the housing 20, as shown in
As best shown in
Next, as shown in
Lastly, as shown in
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20210296822 A1 | Sep 2021 | US |