Lever mated connector assembly with a latching and overstress mechanism

Abstract

A lever mated connector assembly including a housing configured to mate with a header, a wire guide mounted to the housing having a latch with a retaining surface, a lever having a catch with a retaining surface and being coupled to the housing for rotational movement between an unlocked position and a locked position wherein the catch retaining surface engages the latch retaining surface to inhibit movement of the lever out of the locked position. The wire guide is provided with an overstress mechanism to prevent over extension of the latch to a position where the latch is plastically deformed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a lever mated connector assembly according to the present invention depicting the lever in an unlocked position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the lever in a position, just prior to the locked position, with the CPA retracted;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the lever in a position, just prior to the locked position, with the CPA retracted;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wire guide showing the CPA attached to the wire guide in an unlocked position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 3 with the CPA removed;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the latch portion of the wire guide of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view through lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a underside perspective view of the wire guide;

FIG. 9 is a front, top-side perspective view of the CPA shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is a front, underside perspective view of the CPA of FIG. 9.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, including: a wire guide having a latch with a retaining surface;an overstress cooperatively provided between the latch and wire guide;a lever having a catch with a retaining surface, the lever being movable between an unlocked position and a locked position wherein the catch retaining surface engages the latch retaining surface to inhibit movement of the lever out of the locked position.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said latch is cantilevered from said wire shroud.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein said latch moves resiliently within a channel formed in said wire shroud.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said channel is formed with upstanding walls to protect the latch.

5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein an overstress mechanism is provided on said latch preventing overextension of said latch.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein said over stress mechanism is comprised of wings which overlap said walls and engage said walls, upon a selected deflection amount to prevent overstress of said latch.

7. An electrical connector system of the type have a lever rotatably connected to a wire dress housing, said wire dress housing having a wire shroud against which said lever rests when in a fully mated position, and said wire shroud having a latch to lock said lever in said fully engaged position, said latch and said lever rotating in opposite senses when moved into said fully engaged position, and an overstress assembly preventing said latch from over-deflection.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein said latch is cantilevered from said wire shroud.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein said latch moves resiliently within a channel formed in said wire shroud.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said channel is formed with upstanding walls to protect the latch.

11. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein said latch has said overstress mechanism provided thereon, preventing overextension of said latch.

12. The electrical connector of claim 11, wherein said over stress mechanism is comprised of wings which overlap said walls and engage said walls, upon a selected deflection amount to prevent overstress of said latch.