Abstract
A connector assembly including a connector housing having a plug-in portion and two primary latching arms arranged on opposite sides of the plug-in portion. Secondary locking means are connected to the connector housing and movable relative to the connector housing from an open position to a locked position. The locking means includes blocking arms configured to block a release movement of the latching arms when the locking means is in its locked position. The secondary locking means has two separate locking members each of which is connected to one of the primary latching arms to block a release movement of the assigned latching arm. Each of the two separate locking members is configured to be independently moveable between the open position and the locked position. Each locking member comprise actuating release handles to allow an un-latching of the actuating arms. The release handles are arranged adjacent to each other.
Claims
1. A connector assembly, comprising: a connector housing comprising: a plug-in portion; and two primary latching arms, arranged on opposite sides of the plug-in portion, and secondary locking means attached to the connector housing and arranged relatively movable to the connector housing from an open position to a locked position, wherein the secondary locking means comprises blocking arms that are configured to block a release movement of the two primary latching arms when the secondary locking means is in the locked position, wherein the secondary locking means comprises two separate locking members and each of the two separate locking members is attached to one of the two primary latching arms and configured to block the release movement of the respective latching arm, wherein each of the two separate locking members is independently moveable between the open position and the locked position, wherein each locking member comprises actuating release handles to allow an un-latching of the two primary latching arms, wherein the release handles are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the two separate locking members have an elongated body extending along the mating axis, wherein the two separate locking members comprise a block spring shaft that protrudes perpendicular to the mating axis, wherein a center axis of the block spring shaft and the mating axis of the connector assembly define a mirror plane and wherein each locking member is symmetrical with respect to the mirror plane, wherein a first wall extends perpendicular from the elongated body along the mating axis, and wherein a second wall extends perpendicular and along the mating axis from a portion of a free end of the first wall.
2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a third wall extends perpendicular and along the mating axis from a portion of a free end of the second wall.
3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first wall or the second wall comprises sloped portions that are sloped relative to the mating axis, wherein the walls increase in size along the mating direction.
4. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein a free end of the second wall or a free end of the third wall facing toward a counter connector defines the actuating release handles.
5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a cover at least partly surrounding the secondary locking means along a mating axis, wherein the cover has at least one elongated opening in a mating direction and wherein a portion of the secondary locking means closes the at least one elongated opening in the open position and the locked position.
6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein a length of the first wall along the mating axis is configured to enclose the at least one elongated opening.
7. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an outer surface that defines a channel extending along the mating axis and wherein the at least one elongated opening is located in the channel.
8. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the release handles are fully received in the channel.
9. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the two separate locking members comprise at least two guiding protrusions and the cover comprises guiding areas on inner walls of the cover to guide the two separate locking members while mating to a counter connector.
10. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongated opening extends contrary to the mating direction from an end of the cover that is adjacent to the plug-in portion of the connector assembly.
11. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the two separate locking members are identical to each other.
12. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the two separate locking members have an elongated body extending along the mating axis.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
(1) The present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector comprising two separate release handles in accordance with the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention;
(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 wherein the cover is removed to show the inner parts according to an embodiment of the invention;
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 wherein the cover is partly removed to show the inner parts and the arrangement of the cover according to an embodiment of the invention;
(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 wherein one of locking members is the removed to show the opening in the cover according to an embodiment of the invention;
(6) FIG. 5 is a cut away view of the connector of FIG. 1 wherein the cut layer is arranged perpendicular to the mating direction as shown in FIG. 4 (cut along line C1) according to an embodiment of the invention;
(7) FIG. 6 is a cut away view of the connector of FIG. 1 wherein the cut layer is arranged perpendicular to the mating direction as shown in FIG. 4 (cut along line C2) according to an embodiment of the invention;
(8) FIG. 7 is a cut away view of the connector of FIG. 1 wherein the cut layer is arranged along the mating axis to show the position of the release handles concerning the opening according to an embodiment of the invention;
(9) FIG. 8 is perspective view of the locking members according to an embodiment of the invention;
(10) FIG. 9 is a side view of the locking members according to an embodiment of the invention;
(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of a locking member according to an embodiment of the invention wherein a mirror virtual plane is displayed; and
(12) FIG. 11 is a top view of the locking members according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(13) A non-limiting example of a connector 10 suitable for use in a motor vehicle is illustrated in FIG. 1. The connector housing comprises a main body 12 and a cover 11 which is removable latched to the main body 12 by means of latch connections. At the top side of the cover 11 electrical wires 14 fed through the cover 11. At the bottom side of the main body 12 a cylindrical plug-in portion 13 is provided. The skilled person will recognize, that the plug-in portion 13 is configured to cooperate with typical airbag squib sockets and that the device shown is thus an airbag squib connector. On opposite sides of the plug-in portion 13, two latching arms 20a, 20b are arranged. In other words, the two latching arms 20a, 20b are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the plugging portion 13. The latching arms provide the primary locking of the connector. The cover 11 comprising a slot 17 in an outer surface 11b wherein the slot 17 extends from the outer surface 11b inwards to the cover 11 and along a mating axis X, defining a channel 18, wherein two elongated openings 16 are located in the channel 18. Two actuating release handles 134a, 134b are located inside the channel 18.
(14) FIG. 2 shows the same device whereby the cover 11 is removed to allow a view of the interior construction of the connector. Indicated by the reference number 130, a secondary locking means is arranged moveable inside of the main body 12 of the connector housing 10. Secondary locking means 130 is shown in its locked position and consists of two distinct locking members 130a and 130b. When coupled or mated to a corresponding counter connector, the secondary locking means 130 will prevent an unintentional un-mating of the two connector parts, when in the position shown in FIG. 1. The skilled person will find in EP2966735 detailed information about how the connector interacts with the retainer of an airbag. In the open view of FIG. 2 one can see two coil springs 40a, 40b aligned along the mating axis X. The springs 40a, 40b each comprises two hook shaped end portions that are operationally connected to a locking member 130a, 130b on one end and to the main body 12 on the other end. Each locking member 130a, 130b provides a block spring shaft 138a, 138b and the main body 12 provides two body spring shafts 15a, 15b. The spring force urges the parts towards each other by pulling on the shafts. The locking members 130a, 130b are urged towards the main body 12 in mating direction Y. As can be seen the springs 40a, 40b are tensioned when the locking members 130a, 130b are in their open position. Upon mating, the springs 40a, 40b will automatically move the locking members 130a, 130b in the locked position. It is clear for the skilled person, that the shown springs 40a, 40b are only one example and that it is possible to use also other constructions without deviating from the core idea thereof.
(15) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a connector. The channel 18 in the cover 11 is defined by a slot 17 in an outer surface 11b of the cover 11. The channel 18 has two channel walls 18a, 18b and a channel bottom wall 18c. In the bottom wall 18c are two openings 16. For better visibility only one locking member 130a is assembled in the connector. The position where a second locking member 130b usually is located, shows an empty opening 16. The openings 16 are in this embodiment elongated slits. The part of the locking member 130a that defines the release handle 134a is located inside the channel 18. The release handle 134a is connected to the remaining locking member 130a by a portion that passes through the opening 16.
(16) FIG. 5 illustrates a cut view of the connector whereby the cut layer is arranged perpendicular to the mating direction. The layer is defined by a cut along the line C1 as shown in FIG. 4. In this view the skilled person sees that the release handles 134a, 134b are arranged deep in the channel 18. This position of the release handles 134a, 134b protects the handles from unwanted pull actions.
(17) FIG. 6 shows a cut view of the connector whereby the cut layer is arranged perpendicular to the mating direction. The layer is defined by a cut along the line C2 as shown in FIG. 4. This view demonstrates the guiding of the locking members 130a, 130b inside the cover. The locking members 130a, 130b have guiding protrusions 137 arranged on surfaces that are in contact with guiding surfaces 11d on inner surfaces 11c of the cover 11. The guiding protrusions 137 are arranged close to the block spring shafts 138a, 138b of the locking members 130a, 130b because the spring force pulls on the shafts and presses the guiding protrusions 137 against the guiding surfaces 11d.
(18) FIG. 7 shows a cut view of the connector whereby the cut layer is arranged along the mating axis to show the position of the release handles in relation to the opening. This view explains why the opening 16 is closed by locking members 130a, 130b if the connector is connected or disconnected. A first wall 131 of the locking members 130a, 130b is positioned in front of the opening 16. Only in a short moment while connecting or disconnecting the first wall 131 will be moved and uncover the opening 16.
(19) FIG. 8 shows in a perspective view of the locking members 130a, 130b. The locking members 130a, 130b have an elongated shape aligned along the mating axis X when assembled in the connector 10. At the end close to the counter connector there is a latching arm 20a for purpose of locking the connector 10 to the counter connector. On the opposite end the block spring shafts 138a, 138b protrude, perpendicular, designed to carry the hooked end of the springs 40a, 40b. Opposite to the shaft side a structure of walls grows. Beginning with the first wall 131 protruding opposite to the block spring shafts 138a, 138b direction. Perpendicular to the first wall 131 a second wall 132 extends from the end of the first wall 131. Perpendicular to the second wall 132 a third wall 133 extends from the end of the second wall 132. Portions of the second wall 132 and the third wall 133 defining the release handles 134a, 134b. Portions of the second wall 132 and the third wall 133 are sloped 135 in relation to the mating axis X.
(20) FIG. 9 shows a side view of the locking members 130a, 130b. The above mentioned features may be understood better with help of this view.
(21) FIG. 10 shows a side view of a locking member whereby a virtual mirror plane is displayed. The purpose of this view is to visualize that the locking members 130a, 130b have a mirror symmetric shape. The mirror has to be imaged in this figure. A first mirror axis is defined by the center axis of the block spring shafts 138a, 138b and the second mirror axis is defined by the mating axis X, that is perpendicular to the center axis of the block spring shafts 138a, 138b.
(22) FIG. 11 shows a top view of the locking members 130a, 130b. The above mentioned features may be understood better with help of this view.
(23) In an embodiment, the secondary locking means comprises a blocking arm 31a that blocks the primary latching arm 20a when in the locked position. When the secondary locking means is moved from the locked position to the open position, the blocking arm 31a is correspondingly moved and unlatches or unblocks the primary latching arm 20a.
(24) While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to configure a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely prototypical embodiments.
(25) Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
(26) In the following claims, the terms including and in which are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms comprising and wherein. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. does not denote any order of importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Additionally, directional terms such as upper, lower, etc. do not denote any particular orientation, but rather the terms upper, lower, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another and locational establish a relationship between the various elements.
(27) Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 USC 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase means for followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
