The field of the invention relates to connector assemblies such as electrical connector assemblies and the like, and, in particular, to latching devices for such connector assemblies.
A latch system for a connector assembly, such as an electrical or fiber-optic connector assembly, includes a latch arm extending from one connector housing for engaging a corresponding catch of a mating connector housing. In one embodiment, the latch arms can be selectively installed on a connector housing of either a plug (male) connector or a socket (female) connector, with catch pins extending across corresponding lateral slots in a mating connector housing of a connector assembly of the opposite gender. Other than the latch arms and catch configuration, the connector housings of the plug and socket connector assemblies may be identical, with latch hooks and catch pins that are interchangeable. In another embodiment, each of the plug and socket connector assemblies may include both a latch arm that engages a catch of another connector housing and a catch that is engaged by an opposing latch arm of another connector housing. In such an embodiment, the connector housing and mating connector housings may be substantial mirror images.
Some embodiments include tactile features on the connector housing of a first connector and the latch arm of the mating connector which align when the latch system is securely latched to thereby provide tactile and/or visual feedback to a user.
For convenience, certain embodiments are described herein in the context of electrical connector assemblies, such as the D-Sub connectors illustrated in the drawings. However, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the embodiments described herein may be implemented with different kinds of connectors and coupling devices.
With reference to
However, latch arms 56 and catches 62 may be interchangeable, to allow reversal of the arrangement shown, or for each connector housing 40 to have both a latch arm and a catch. In the latter embodiment, one connector housing 40 may have both a catch 62 and a latch arm 56. As such, a connector housing 40 may both engage a catch 62 of another connector housing 40 and be engaged by a latch arm 56 of another connector housing 40. Such an arrangement indicates that the mirror image of connector housing 40 may mate with connector housing 40.
With particular reference to
Within the scope of this disclosure, latch arms 56 may alternatively be formed as extensions of a connector housing 40 without being either pivotable or retained within slots 66. For instance, extension of latch arms 56 could be molded of one-piece construction with housing 40 of a material sufficiently flexible so as to allow latch arms 56 to bend when engaging catches 62 of a corresponding mating connector. As discussed previously, each connector assembly may include both a catch 62 and a latch arm 56 to mate with a mirror image of itself. Therefore, such a connector housing 40 may include only one slot 66 having a catch 62 therein, and a separate, opposing latch arm 56 extending from connector housing 40. Substantially the mirror image of such a connector housing 40 may mate with such a connector housing 40.
With further reference to
Hook ends 78 may include inner-tapered surfaces 86 (
Springs 80 may be retained at one end thereof in depressions 96 (
Latch device 50 may also provide audible, visible, and/or tactile feedback when the connectors are properly mated and the spring latches engage. One or more housing ribs 110 or other tactile and/or visible features may be positioned along outer side surfaces 82 of connector housings 40, which may include two such features in alignment and straddling slots 66. Corresponding latch ribs 114 or other tactile and/or visible features may be provided along outer surfaces of latch arms 56 of a mating connector assembly 12 near hook ends 78, and positioned so that when spring latch device 50 is properly engaged and securely latched, housing ribs 110 and latch ribs 114 of mating connector assemblies 20 and 30 are aligned, as shown in
In another aspect, the connector housing includes a reconfigurable strain relief that is connected to a main backshell portion of the connector housing in one of multiple predetermined positions that define discrete, angularly offset exit paths for a cable (e.g. electrical cable) or wires that terminate at the connector body. The strain relief may thereby be configured and reconfigured in the field to accommodate routing of the cable away from the connector assembly in any direction desired. The strain relief may include a pair of first and second mating clamshell sections that are joined together around the cable by pins, screws, or other fasteners generally rearward of the connector body and the main backshell portion. To provide a positive connection with the main backshell portion, the clamshell sections may also include inwardly-extending lip sections that engage one or more grooves or outwardly-extending flanges of the main backshell portion along its cable-exit end or around a cable-exit opening thereof.
A cable-engaging collar formed by the joinder of the first and second clamshell sections may be sized to securely grasp the cable and thereby prevent the cable or individual conductors thereof from being pulled loose from the connector body. The positions of the first and second clamshell sections can be switched to reverse the cable exit path. The strain relief and main backshell portion may be made of die cast or molded metal to inhibit electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding). The strain relief may be used with many different sizes of main backshell portion (for different sizes and types of connectors), resulting in reduced manufacturing costs by simplifying product design and reducing part inventories required for different sizes and types of connector assemblies.
With reference primarily to
Clamshell sections 162 and 164 are interchangeable and reversible for changing the exit path of the cable. Clamshell sections 162 and 164 may also be used with many different sizes of main backshell portion 156 (for different sizes and types of connectors), which may reduce manufacturing costs by simplifying product design and reducing part inventories required for different sizes and types of connector assemblies. Other reconfigurable strain relief structures may also be used with connector assemblies 12. An example of other designs for a reconfigurable strain relief is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/764,402, filed Jan. 23, 2004, and titled “Electrical Connector Assembly with Reconfigurable Strain Relief,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Main backshell portion 156 and clamshell sections 162 and 164 of strain relief may be made of metal or another electrically or magnetically conductive material to provide EMI shielding (i.e. to inhibit electromagnetic interference). Preferred materials include die cast aluminum alloy 380 or die cast zinc alloy ZAMAK 3. However, housing 40 may also be formed of machined or injection molded metal, plastic, or other materials.
Connector housings 40 may include various mounting holes 192 and mounting screws 194 for retaining connector bodies 24, 34 to housings 40, for connecting connector assemblies 12 to mounting structures, such as printed circuit boards or patch panels, and for coupling a pair of mating connectors together.
It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure. For example, alternative embodiments (not shown) may be implemented with optical fiber couplings and connectors, and with other kinds of data transmission cables or power transmission cables. Embodiments of the latch device 50 may also be employed in connectors for coupling other rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible objects such as printed circuit boards, flex circuits, and other non-cable items. Consequently, while the embodiments described herein make reference to connectors for electrical cables and wires, nothing herein should be construed to limit the invention to electrical cables or wires. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
The present application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/625,367 entitled “Spring Latch and Reconfigurable Backshell for Electrical Connector Assembly” and filed on Nov. 4, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60625367 | Nov 2004 | US |