ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH MATING LEVER AND CPA

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly has a housing, that houses at least one electrical contact and a mating lever that is arranged pivotable relative to the housing between an alignment position and a mating position. The mating lever is engageable with the electrical counter connector assembly, in order to move the electrical counter connector assembly along a mating direction A relative to the housing into a mated configuration, when being pivoted from the alignment position to the mating position. A connector position assurance member is arranged moveable relative to the housing so as to be moveable into a locked position, and an elastic element. The elastic element is associated with the connector position assurance member and urges the connector position assurance member into the locked position when the mating lever is in the mating position, so that the connector position assurance member locks the mating lever in the mating position.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a housing, that houses at least one electrical contact; a mating lever that is arranged pivotable relative to the housing between an alignment position and a mating position, wherein in the alignment position, the mating lever allows an electrical counter connector assembly to be aligned with the housing of the connector assembly, and in the mating position the mating lever couples the housing of the connector assembly with the electrical counter connector assembly in a mated configuration, wherein the mating lever is configured to be engageable with the electrical counter connector assembly, in order to move the electrical counter connector assembly along a mating direction relative to the housing of the connector assembly into the mated configuration, when being pivoted from the alignment position to the mating position, wherein the electrical connector assembly further comprises a connector position assurance, CPA, member that is arranged moveable relative to the housing so as to be moveable into a locked position, and an elastic element, wherein the elastic element is associated with the connector position assurance member and configured to urge the connector position assurance member into the locked position when the mating lever is in the mating position, so that the connector position assurance member locks the mating lever in the mating position.

2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mating lever includes at least one first slide track that is engageable with a corresponding first slide member of the electrical counter connector assembly, wherein the first slide track is shaped so that the pivoting movement of the mating lever is transferred into an axial movement of the electrical counter connector assembly via the first slide member, if the first slide member is engaged with the first slide track, wherein the first slide track has a curved shape and wherein the curved shape optionally comprises a varying curvature radius, that is chosen so that the pivoting moment for pivoting the mating lever from the alignment position to the mating position is substantially independent of the mating resistance between the connector assembly and the electrical counter connector assembly.

3. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the mating lever includes at least one second slide track that is engaged with a corresponding second slide member of the connector assembly, wherein the mating lever is arranged pivotable around a pivot pin that is supported slidably in a third slide track of the electrical connector assembly, wherein the second slide track is shaped so that the pivoting movement of the mating lever is transferred into an axial movement of the mating lever relative to the housing via the second slide member, wherein the second slide track has a curved shape and wherein the curved shape optionally comprises a varying curvature radius, that is chosen so that the pivoting moment for pivoting the mating lever from the alignment position to the mating position is substantially independent of the mating resistance between the connector assembly and the electrical counter connector assembly.

4. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector position assurance member comprises a locking means and wherein the mating lever comprises a corresponding locking means, the locking means and the corresponding locking means are adapted to engage with each other, when the mating lever is in the mating position and the connector position assurance member is in the locked position, so as to hinder the mating lever from being pivoted out of the mating position.

5. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector position assurance member comprises at least one pre-locking means, that is adapted to engage with a corresponding pre-locking means of the housing, wherein the pre-locking means and the corresponding pre-locking means are adapted to engage with each other, so as to secure the connector position assurance member in a pre-locked position.

6. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the mating lever comprises at least one releasing means that is arranged so as to release the engagement between the pre-locking means and the corresponding pre-locking means, when the mating lever is pivoted from the alignment position to the mating position, and wherein the elastic element is configured to urge the connector position assurance member out of the pre-locked position into the locked position, when the engagement between the pre-locking means and the corresponding pre-locking means is released.

7. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is tensioned, when the connector position assurance member is in the pre-locked position.

8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7 wherein the elastic element is received in a receptacle that is at least partially formed by the housing.

9. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector position assurance member is coupled to the housing, wherein the connector position assurance member comprises at least one retention means and the housing comprises at least one corresponding retention means, and wherein the retention means and the one corresponding retention means are configured to prevent the connector position assurance member to be decoupled from the housing.

10. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector position assurance member can be moved back from the locked position into the pre-locked position, to release the mating lever.

11. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein the connector position assurance member is adapted to pivot the mating lever out of the mating position, when being moved back into the pre-locked position.

12. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector position assurance member gives a tactile and/or acoustic feedback when being urged into the locked position.

13. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mating lever is adapted to urge the connector position assurance member back, so as to tension the elastic element, when the mating lever is moved from the alignment position towards the mating position and subsequently to release the connector position assurance member so that the elastic element can urge the connector position assurance member into the locked position.

14. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mating lever comprises a lever-locking element that is adapted to engage with a corresponding lever-locking element of the electrical counter connector assembly, so as to secure the lever in the mating position.

15. An electrical connector system, comprising an electrical connector assembly according to claim 1; and an electrical counter connector assembly, wherein the electrical counter connector assembly comprises a mating means, wherein the mating lever of the electrical connector assembly is configured to engage with the mating means of the electrical counter connector assembly, in order to move the electrical counter connector assembly along a mating direction relative to the housing of the connector assembly into a mated configuration, when being pivoted from the alignment position to the mating position.

16. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 15, wherein the mating means is a corresponding first slide member.

17. A method for mating an electrical connector system according to claim 13, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing the electrical connector assembly; providing an electrical counter connector assembly; aligning the electrical counter connector assembly with the electrical connector assembly, and engaging the mating lever of the electrical connector assembly with the electrical counter connector assembly; pivoting the mating lever from the alignment position to the mating position, thereby moving the electrical counter connector assembly along a mating direction relative to the housing of the connector assembly into the mated configuration, urging, via the elastic element, the connector position assurance member into the locked position when the mating lever is in the mating position, thereby locking, via the connector position assurance member the mating lever in the mating position.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising; moving the connector position assurance member back from the locked position into a pre-locked position, to release the mating lever.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: pivoting the mating lever out of the mating position via the connector position assurance member, upon moving the connector position assurance member back into the pre-locked position, and pivoting the mating lever into the alignment position to allow separating the electrical connector assembly and the electrical counter connector assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] In the following, the accompanying figures are briefly described:

[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a connector assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a connector assembly, the lever being in an alignment position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of a connector assembly, the lever being in a mating position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a connector system in an alignment position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] FIG. 3B is a schematic view of the connector system in an intermediate position;

[0057] FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the connector system in a mating position;

[0058] FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a CPA-member, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0059] FIG. 4B is a further schematic perspective view of the CPA-member;

[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a connector assembly, defining cutting planes of FIGS. 6A to 7, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0061] FIG. 6A gives schematic cut views of the connector assembly, the lever being in an alignment position;

[0062] FIG. 6B gives schematic cut views of the connector assembly, when the lever is moved from the alignment position to a mating position;

[0063] FIG. 6C gives schematic cut views of the connector assembly, when the lever is in the mating position, and

[0064] FIG. 7 gives schematic cut views of the connector assembly, when the lever is moved out of the mating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0065] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a connector assembly 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical connector assembly 1 comprises a housing 100, that houses at least one electrical contact (not shown). The housing 100 is a female housing that is adapted to, at least partially, receive a housing of a corresponding (male) counter connector 2 (cf. FIGS. 3A to 3C).

[0066] The electrical connector assembly 1 comprises a mating lever 200 that is arranged pivotable relative to the housing between an alignment position (as shown in FIG. 2A) and a mating position (as shown in FIG. 2B).

[0067] The electrical connector assembly 1 further comprises a connector position assurance member, CPA, 300 that is arranged moveable relative to the housing 100 so as to be moveable into a locked position (as shown in FIG. 6C, Section A-A). Particularly, the connector position assurance member 300 is supported by the housing 100 so as to be axially slidable.

[0068] The electrical connector assembly 1 further comprises an elastic element 400, which is a spiral spring in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The elastic element 400 is associated with the connector position assurance member 300 and configured to urge the connector position assurance member 300 into the locked position when the mating lever 200 is in the mating position. In the locked position, the connector position assurance member 300 locks the mating lever 200 in the mating position.

[0069] The alignment position of the mating lever 200 is shown in FIG. 2A. Here, the mating lever 200 is fully opened (alignment position). In the alignment position, the electrical counter connector assembly (not shown) can be aligned with the housing 100 of the connector assembly 1. Further, in the alignment position, the electrical counter connector assembly may be partially inserted into the housing, but not mated yet (as shown in FIG. 3A).

[0070] The mating position of the mating lever 200 is shown in FIG. 2B. Here, the mating lever 200 is fully closed (mating position). In the mating position the mating lever 200 couples the housing 100 of the connector assembly with the electrical counter connector assembly (not shown) in a mated configuration, as shown in FIG. 3C. In the mated configuration, there is an electrical connection between the electrical connector assembly and the counter connector assembly.

[0071] FIGS. 3A to 3C show a pivoting sequence of the mating lever 200 and a respective mating sequence of the connector system, including the connector assembly 1 and the counter connector assembly 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mating lever 200 is configured to be engageable with the electrical counter connector assembly 2, in order to move the electrical counter connector assembly 2 along a mating direction “A” relative to the housing 100 of the connector assembly 1 into the mated configuration, when being pivoted from the alignment position to the mating position. Thus, when the mating lever 200 is closed, the electrical connector assembly 1 and the counter connector assembly 2 are guided into the mated configuration and an electrical connection is established. In FIG. 3A, the mating lever 200 is in the alignment position, i.e. opened. In FIG. 3B, the system is shown, wherein the mating lever 200 is in an intermediate position. In FIG. 3C, the system is shown, wherein the mating lever 200 is in the mating position, i.e. closed.

[0072] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A to 3C the mating lever 200 includes a first slide track 220a that is engaged with a corresponding first slide member 20 of the electrical counter connector assembly 2. The first slide member 20 is formed as a pin, laterally protruding from the electrical counter connector assembly 2 and being received within the first slide track 220a. The first slide track 220a is formed as an elongated through opening and guides the first slide member 20 when the mating lever 200 is pivoted (i.e. opened and/or closed).

[0073] Particularly, the first slide track 220a is shaped so that the pivoting movement of the mating lever 200 is transferred into an axial movement of the electrical counter connector assembly 2 via the first slide member 20. The first slide track 220a has a curved shape that defines a transmission ratio between the pivoting movement of the mating lever 200 and the axial movement of the counter connector assembly 2 relative to the housing 100 of the connector assembly 1. By choosing the curvature radius (respectively curvature radii of different curvature segments), it is possible to provide an essentially constant actuating moment (pivoting moment) that has to be applied when closing the mating lever 200. As for example shown in FIG. 1, the mating lever 200 may comprises multiple first slide tracks 220a, 220b that are arranged laterally on opposing sides of the mating lever (cf. FIG. 1).

[0074] Further, the mating lever 200 includes at least one second slide track 222a that is engaged with a corresponding second slide member 122 of the electrical connector assembly 1, particularly of the housing 100 of the electrical connector assembly 1. In this configuration, the mating lever 200 is arranged pivotable around a pivot pin 225 (cf. FIG. 1) that is supported slidably in a third slide track 125 of the electrical connector assembly 1. The second slide track 222a is shaped so that the pivoting movement of the mating lever 200 is transferred into an axial movement of the mating lever 200 relative to the housing 100 via the second slide member 122. Said axial movement of the mating lever 200 is transferred into an axial movement of the counter connector assembly 2, as the mating lever 200 is engaged with the counter connector assembly 2.

[0075] The second slide track 222a is formed as an elongated through opening and guides the second slide member 122 when the mating lever 200 is pivoted (i.e. opened and/or closed). The second slide track 222a has a curved shape that defines a transmission ratio between the pivoting movement of the mating lever 200 and the axial movement of the mating lever 200 relative to the housing 100 of the connector assembly 1. By choosing the curvature radius (respectively curvature radii of different curvature segments), it is possible to provide an essentially constant actuating moment (pivoting moment) that has to be applied when closing the mating lever 200. As for example shown in FIG. 1, the mating lever 200 may comprises multiple second slide tracks 222a, 222b that are arranged laterally on opposing sides of the mating lever (cf. FIG. 1).

[0076] Thus, when pivoting the mating lever 200 from the alignment position (cf. FIG. 3A) to the mating position (cf. FIG. 3C), the aligned counter connector assembly 2 is guided into the connector assembly 1 and mated to establish an electrical connection. In the mating position, the connector position assurance member 300 is urged into the locked position and locks the mating lever 200 in the mating position.

[0077] FIG. 4A gives a schematic top view of a connector position assurance member, CPA, 300 and FIG. 4B gives is a schematic bottom view of the connector position assurance member 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The functionality of the connector position assurance member 300 and its means is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The connector position assurance member 300 comprises a locking means 320 that is arranged centrally and that protrudes in the mating direction A. The connector position assurance member 300, as shown in FIG. 4A, comprises two pre-locking means 310a, 310b, that are adapted to engage with corresponding pre-locking means of the housing, respectively.

[0078] The pre-locking means 310a, 310b are formed as a locking noses that are each provided on a flexible arm 311a, 311b of the connector position assurance member 300. In this embodiment, each flexible arm 311a, 311b has a 180-degree bent-shape. However, the flexible arm(s) may be shaped differently. The pre-locking means 310a, 310b are arranged so as to sandwich the locking means 320.

[0079] Further, the connector position assurance member 300 may comprise at least one retention means 315a, 315b, formed as locking shoulder. The retention means are configured to prevent the connector position assurance member to be decoupled from the housing.

[0080] For retracting the connector position assurance member 300, the connector position assurance member 300 may comprise an actuating means 360, formed as (finger) recess, a rib and/or the like. Guide grooves 370a, 370b may be provided within the connector position assurance member 300, for supporting the connector position assurance member 300 axially moveable. Further, for supporting the elastic element, the connector position assurance member 300 may comprise a flexible element support means 340, such as a pin, for supporting the elastic element (spring) axially.

[0081] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a connector assembly 1, defining the cutting planes A-A B-B and C-C of FIGS. 6A to 7, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] FIG. 6A gives schematic cut views of the connector assembly 1, wherein the mating lever 200 is in the alignment position, i.e. opened and wherein the connector position assurance member 300 is in the pre-locked position.

[0083] As shown in section A-A, the elastic element 400 is received in a receptacle 140 that is at least partially formed by the housing 100. Further, the elastic element is tensioned between the housing 100 and the connector position assurance member 300 and configured to urge the connector position assurance member 300 out of the pre-locked position into the locked position, when the engagement between the pre-locking means 310a, 310b and the corresponding pre-locking means 110a, 110b is released.

[0084] As shown in section B-B the pre-locking means 310a, 310b and the corresponding pre-locking means 110a, 110b are engaged with each other, so as to secure the connector position assurance member 300 in a pre-locked position. In the pre-locked position, the connector position assurance member 300 is retracted and allows the mating lever 200 to be closed (i.e. moved into the mating position).

[0085] As described above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, each of the pre-locking means 310a, 310b may be formed as a locking nose that is provided on respective a flexible arm 311a, 311b of the connector position assurance member 300. The corresponding pre-locking means 110a, 110b are each formed as a thorough opening, that includes a locking shoulder. The locking shoulder engages with one of the pre-locking means 310a, 310b, as shown in section B-B.

[0086] FIG. 6B gives schematic cut views (each in section B-B) of the connector assembly 1, in different positions of the mating lever 200. In top-most view, the mating lever 200 is in an intermediate position. In the middle view, the mating lever 200 begins to release the connector position assurance member 300 and in the lowermost view, the connector position assurance member 300 is released. In the top-most view, the connector position assurance member 300 is in the pre-locked position, and the pre-locking means 310a and the corresponding pre-locking means 110a are engaged. In the middle view, the mating lever 200 is closed further, and the releasing means 210a, 210b of the mating lever 200 come into contact with the pre-locking means 310a, 310b. When the mating lever 200 is pivoted further into direction of the mating position (lowermost view), the releasing means 210a, 210b deflect flexible arm(s) 110a associated with the pre-locking means 310a, 310b so as to disengage the pre-locking means 310a, 310b and the corresponding pre-locking means 110a, 110b, thereby releasing the connector position assurance member from the pre-locked position. Thus, the elastic element (not shown) can urge the connector position assurance member 300 out of the pre-locked position into the locked position as shown in FIG. 6C (section A-A).

[0087] FIG. 6C gives schematic cut views in sections B-B, A-A and C-C of the connector assembly 1, when the mating lever 200 is in the mating position. As shown in section B B, the engagement between the pre-locking means 310a and the corresponding pre-locking means 110a is released and the connector position assurance member 300 is moved in the locked position.

[0088] In section A-A of FIG. 6C, the locking means 320 of the connector position assurance member 300 is engaged with a corresponding locking means 230 of the mating lever 200 so as to hinder the mating lever 200 from being pivoted out of the mating position. Further, as shown in section C-C the retention means 315a of the connector position assurance member 300 is in engagement with a corresponding retention means 115a of the housing 100. This engagement prevents the connector position assurance member 300 from being decoupled from the housing 100.

[0089] FIG. 7 gives a schematic cut views of the connector assembly, when the mating lever is opened, i.e. moved out of the mating position. In the first view of FIG. 7, the connector position assurance member 300 is retracted and the pre-locking means is brought back in engagement with the corresponding pre-locking means. Thereby, the releasing means is urged upwards (in the orientation shown in FIG. 7) and the mating lever is slightly lifted. In the lower view of FIG. 7, the mating lever is pivoted back in direction of the alignment position and the connector position assurance member 300 is in the pre-locked position again.

[0090] When the mating lever is brought back into the alignment position the electrical connector assembly and the electrical counter connector can be entirely separated. For separating the electrical connector assembly and the electrical counter connector, the electrical counter connector is moved relative to the electrical connector assembly in a direction opposite to the mating direction A.