EP0632536B1 - Vibration proof electrical connector housing - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an electrical connector according to the pre-characterizingpart of claim 1.

Electrical connectors often are situated in an environment where they areexposed to mechanical load caused by shaking or oscillating movementor vibrations and/or stress due to thermal changes. Examples are electricalconnectors used in machines or motor vehicles. If such connectorsare situated in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle, not only doesheavy mechanical load of the above-mentioned kind occur but also highdifferences in temperature occur eespecially during wintertime betweenthe motor vehicle at standstill and being driven.

If the two connectors of a connector pair are attached to different partsor components that move relative to each other due to such mechanicaland/or thermal stress, a corresponding relative motion between theconnectors occurs, for example between contact pins or contact tabs ofone connector and the receiving contacts, for example receiving socketsof the other connector of the connector pair. Such relative motion causesfrictional corrosion leading to an impairment of the electrical contactbetween the pin contacts and the socket contacts.

There is disclosed in EP-A-0 492 479, an electrical connectorcomprising a first electrical terminal having a tubular outer memberreceiving an inner spring member having a forward mating portion formating with a second electrical terminal of a mating electrical connector,the mating portion of the first terminal being connected to a rearwardfixed portion thereof for movement in the tubular outer member.

This capability of axial movement of the mating portion of the firstterminal in the tubular outer member, enables the mating portion to follow movement of the secondelectrical terminal relative thereto, when the connectors are in use underadverse condictions such as those described above. Fretting between themating portion and the second electrical terminal with which it is mated,is thereby avoided. In the case of this known connector, the inner springmember is primarily intended to be mounted on a circuit board, with thefirst terminal being upstanding therefrom.

EP-A-0 125 786 discloses an electrical connector having the features ofthe pre-characterizing part of claim 1. The anti-vibration member is inthe form of a protrusion of a flexible wall, which constitutes the passageof a housing in which the first electrical terminal is received. When theterminal is inserted into the passage, said protusion is deflected and itsnaps into an opening provided in the electrical terminal.

In addition to providing a vibration proof electrical terminal, it is alsorequired to provide that the terminal does not vibrate or chatter withinthe housing, in which it is situated.

It is the object of the invention to solve this problem, that is to avoidfrictional corrosion even in those connector pairs whose connectorsmove relative to each other due to loads of the above mentioned kind.

This is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments aredefined in the dependent claims.

The invention provides an electrical connector housing which preventsvibration of the terminals therein.

The invention also makes a connector having an electrical terminalwithin a passage and an anti-vibration member for engaging the terminalto prevent terminal chattering within the connector.

The electrical terminal is sealed from the environment.

An embodiment of an electrical connector of this invention is characterizedin that the first terminal is received in a passage of an insulatinghousing for mating with the mating connector, the passage having flexiblewall sections which are externally depressible towards each other toproduce an interference fit between said wall sections and the firstterminal.

In one embodiment, the flexible wall sections of the housing are conveniently compressed towards one another bymeans on the, or each, mating connector, when theconnectors are being mated. Such means may comprisecamming surfaces on the housing or on the mating connectoror upon both of these. Each flexible wall section ispreferably provided with an internal recess for receivinga respective detent upon the terminal, better to restrainfretting movement of the tubular outer spring member.Each detent is preferably resiliently compressible by thebase of the recess, so that the detent is continuouslyurged into the recess in the mated condition of theconnectors. To this end, each detent may comprise apair of wings outstanding from the outer member and beingseparated by a slot. The inner surfaces of the flexiblewall sections restrain lateral movement of the outermember.

In another embodiment, an electrical connector iscomprised of a main housing portion and a front housingportion. The front housing portion is snap-latchable tothe main housing portion, whereby the front housingportion has wall portions extending integrally therefromto be positioned intermediate terminal receiving platformsof the main housing portion. A locking slide memberincludes end portions and intermediate rail portions. Asecondary locking member extends from each rail portiontowards the centerline of the housing, for secondarilylocking terminals within the housing. Each rail portionfurther comprises complementary camming members, such thatduring transverse movement of the locking slide, theterminals are secondarily locked in position by members,and concurrently, the flexible wall portions are cammedupwardly, thereby moving rubber gasket portions intorespective sidewall portions of the terminals, therebypreventing any vibratory movement of the terminals.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of asealed, vibration proof, electrical connector assemblycomprising an electrical receptacle connector mated withan electrical pin connector;

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a detailof Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the detail shown in Figure2;

Figure 4 is a side view of the receptacle connector;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of an inner springmember of an electrical terminal of the receptacleconnector;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of aninsulating housing of the receptacle connector;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of thehousing shown in Figure 6 having been taken at rightangles to the view shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a front end view of the housing of thereceptacle connector, drawn to a reduced scale;

Figure 9 is a similar view to that of Figure 7 drawnto the same scale as Figure 8 and showing a sealinggrommet and a retaining ring assembled to the housing;

Figure 10 is a rear end view of the housing drawn tothe same scale as Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 11 is an axial sectional view of the retainingring;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front view of the pinconnector;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side view of the pinconnector;

Figure 14 is a view taken on the lines 14-14 ofFigure 12; and

Figure 15 is a view taken on the lines 15-15 of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a front plan view of the electricalconnector housing of the present invention;

Figure 17 is a top plan view of the housing shown inFigure 16;

Figure 18 is a cross sectional view through lines 18-18of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a cross sectional view through lines 19-19of Figure 16;

Figure 20 is a cross sectional view through lines 20-20of Figure 16;

Figure 21 is a view similar to that of Figure 16showing a portion of the electrical connector housingbroken away to see the internal structure;

Figure 22 is a view similar to that of Figure 21showing the connector in the fully assembled position;

Figure 23 is a view similar to that of Figure 21showing the cut-away section of Figure 21 in greaterdetail; and

Figure 24 is an enlarged view of the cut-away sectionof Figure 22 in greater detail.

As shown in Figure 1, a sealed, vibration proofelectrical connector assembly 2 comprises an electricalreceptacle connector 4 and anelectrical pin connector 6.Theassembly 2, may, when in use, serve to connect a pairof insulated electrical leads L (only one of which isshown) to sensors (not shown) incorporated in thepinconnector 6, in the engine compartment of an automotivevehicle and thus in a vibratory and temperature cyclingenvironment.

The receptacle connector 4 comprises aninsulatinghousing 8, a pair of electrical receptacle terminals 10(only one of which is shown), anelastomeric grommet 9 andagrommet retaining ring 11. Eachterminal 10 comprisesaninner spring member 12 and anouter spring member 14.

Theinner spring member 12 will now be described withparticular reference to Figures 1, 3 and 5. Theinnerspring member 12 which has been stamped and formed from asingle piece of sheet metal stock, comprises a forward,pinreceptacle box portion 16,intermediate box portions18 and 20, respectively, and a lead connectingrearportion 21. Theportion 21 comprises abox portion 23 anda crimping ferrule having awire barrel 22 crimped aboutthe metal core of the respective lead L, and aninsulationbarrel 24 crimped about a bung seal B surrounding theinsulation of the lead L as shown in Figure 1. Thecrimping ferrule is shown in its uncrimped condition inFigure 5. Theportions 16, 18, 20 and 23 are ofsubstantially rectangular cross section. At the ends oftheportions 16 and 18, which are proximate to each other,three side walls of each of theportions 16 and 18 cooperateto define aperipheral slot 26. At the ends oftheportions 18 and 20, which are proximate to each other,three side walls of each of these portions co-operate todefine aperipheral slot 28. At the ends of theportions20 and 23, which are proximate to each other, three sidewalls of each of theportions 20 and 23 co-operate todefine aperipheral slot 30. The remainingside wall 31of theportion 18 is connected to the remainingside wall33 of theportion 20 by afirst web 32, the remainingsidewalls 35 and 37 of theportions 16 and 18 being connectedby a second andsimilar web 39 and the remainingsidewalls 41 and 43 of theportions 20 and 23 being connectedby a third andsimilar web 45. Thebox portions 16, 18and 20 are, by virtue of theslots 26, 28 and 30relatively moveable on thewebs 32, 39 and 45,respectively (in relation to thebox portion 23 which isfixed, as described below), so that thereceptacle portion16 is displaceable along the longitudinal axis X-X of theinner spring member 12, as well as transversely of the axis X-X, in accordance with the general teaching of EP-A-0492479.

Oppositeside walls 34 of thebox portion 16 haveextending from their forward edges,bights 48 from whichin turn extend re-enterant contact springs 36 havingopposed, inwardly bowedcontact surfaces 38 within thereceptacle box portion 16.

Theouter spring member 14, which has been stampedand formed from a single piece of sheet metal stock, is ofrectangular cross section corresponding to that of saidbox portions. Theouter spring member 14 encloses theboxportions 16, 18, 20 and 23 of theinner spring member 12.Theouter spring member 14 has a first pair ofoppositeside walls 40 and a second pair of opposite side walls 42(only one of which is shown) which are adjacent to theside wall 40. A resilient, rearwardly directed latchingtongue 44 stamped out from each of theside walls 40,extends obliquely away therefrom. At the forward end ofthespring member 14,arcuate extensions 46 of thesidewalls 40 overlie thebights 48 of theinner spring member12, to limit forward movement of thereceptacle boxportion 16. Theouter spring member 14 is fixed to theinner spring member 12 by means of tabs 49 (only one ofwhich is shown, in Figure 1), sheared from the rearwardend portions of theside walls 42 and which have beenclinched into respective slots 50 (Figure 5) in theboxportion 23 of thespring member 12. Thespring member 12is thus secured in theouter spring member 14 such thatthebox portions 16, 18 and 20 can move within thespringmember 14 in the direction of the axis X-X.

Eachside wall 40 of theouter spring member 14 hasstamped out therefrom, about midway between therespectivelatching tongue 44 andextension 46, anantifrettingdetent 52 which is best seen in Figures 2 and 3. Eachdetent 52 is shaped substantially as an acute angledtriangle, as seen in plan view, and comprises a pair ofresilientlydepressible wings 54 each of which is shapedsubstantially as a right angle triangle as seen in planview. The inner edges of thewings 54 are slightly spacedfrom each other to define acentral slot 55. The apex ofsaid acute angled triangle is directed towards theextension 46 and its base is directed towards the latchingtongue 44. Eachwing 54 has an arcuatefree base edge 56remote from said apex, so that as seen in the direction oftheextension 46, thedetent 52 has an end view profilewhich is substantially of half moon shape.

Thehousing 8 of the receptacle connector 4, whichhas been moulded in one piece, will now be described withparticular reference to Figures 4 and 6 to 10. Thehousing 8 basically comprises abody 58 to which isconnected aforward hood 60, into which aforward part 62of thebody 58 projects, a peripherallycontinuous socket63 being defined between thehood 60 and theforward part62. There extend through thebody 58, a pair ofterminalreceiving passages 64, each of which opens into aterminalreceiving face 68 of thebody 58 and into amating face 66thereof by way ofpin receiving mouth 70. Eachpassage 64comprises arear part 72 in which the bung seal B of therespective terminal 10 is tightly engaged in sealing tightfashion as shown in Figure 1, and a forward rectangularcross section part 74 extending into thehood 60. Theforward part 74 of eachpassage 64 has therein opposedshoulders 76 each of which is engaged by arespectivelatching lance 44 of theouter spring member 14. Theterminals 10 are thereby restrained against withdrawalfrom thepassages 64. Rearwardly of theshoulders 76, therear part of eachouter spring member 14, enclosing thebox portion 23 of thespring member 12, is snugly receivedin thepart 74 of eachpassage 64. Forwardly of theshoulders 76,opposite side walls 77 of eachpassage part74 are each formed with a pair of slots 78 (Figures 7, 8and 9) so that asection 80 of eachwall 77, between therespective pair ofslots 78 is resiliently flexibleinwardly of therespective passage part 74. As shown inFigure 8, theslots 78 have L-cross section, blindportions opening into themating face 66. Eachwallsection 80 thereby constitutes a flexible beam supportedat both of its ends. Eachside wall section 80 has aforwardly taperedrecess 82 for receiving arespectiveantifretting detent 52 and terminating rearwardly in ashoulder 84. Opposite to eachrecess 82, the outersurface of eachwall section 80 is formed with a rampsurface 86 (Figures 1 and 6) and is of increased thicknessbetween thesurface 86 and an inclinedinternal surface 88of thewall section 80. Theholder 60 is formed withinternal keyways 92.

As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the sealinggrommet 9surrounds theforward part 62 of thebody 58 of thehousing 8 and is engaged between therear wall 90 of thehood 60 and thegrommet retaining ring 11. The grommetretaining ring 11 (Figure 11), which is annular and is ofsubstantially rectangular cross section comprises firstopposedside walls 94 each having thereinslots 96 openinginto aforward edge 97 of thewall 94. Thering 11 hassecond opposedside walls 98 each having an inwardlyinclined latchingtongue 100, the free end of whichlatchingly engages a shoulder 102 (Figure 7) provided byanexternal notch 104 in arespective side wall 106 of theforward part 62 of thehousing body 58. Returning toFigure 11, eachside wall 94 of thering 11 is formed witha rectilineartransverse slot 108 to enhance theresilience of theretainer 11 in the direction of itscentral axis C-C.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, thebody 58 of thehousing 8 comprises a rectangularrear portion 110defining therear part 72 of eachterminal receivingpassage 64, and a rectangularrear frame 112 connected totherear portion 110 bylongitudinal struts 114 andsurrounding the rear end of theportion 110. On each sideof therear portion 110 of thebody 58 is a pair oflatcharms 116, best seen in Figure 4, which are connectedtogether by means of a resilient, U- shapedspring strap118 comprisinglegs 120 connected at their forward ends byabight 122. The centre of thebight 122 of eachstrap118 is connected to therespective strut 114 by way of alateral stub 124 extending therefrom (Figure 7). The rearend of eachleg 120 is connected to the rear end of arespective latch arm 116. Thestub 124 provides a pivotpoint P (Figure 4) about which thelegs 120 are pivotable,thestub 124 being the sole connection between thestrap118 and the remainder of thehousing 8. Thelatch arms116 are not connected to thehousing 8 at all, exceptingby way of thestrap 118. Eachlatch arm 116 comprises arear handle 126 from which projects forwardly, ashank 128into arearwardly opening recess 130 in aside wall 132 ofthehood 60. Eachlatch arm 116 of each pair of thosearms is, as a whole, coplanar with thehood side wall 132and with the other latch arm of the pair, whereby thelatch arms 116 do not project from thehousing 8 but aresubstantially in line therewith. At its forward end, eachlatch arm shank 128 has a latchinghead 134 protrudingbeneath therespective side wall 132 of the hood 60(Figures 7 to 9), and projecting inwardly towards thelatchinghead 134 of the other latch arm of the pair.Each latchinghead 134 has a forwardlyinclined rampsurface 135 and a rearwardly facing latchingshoulder 136.Thelatch arms 126 have a normal closed, latching positionas shown in Figure 4, in which the latching heads 134 ofthelatch arms 116 of each pair are proximate to each other. Thelatch arms 116 can be pivoted to an openposition in which the latching heads 134 are more widelyspaced from each other, by pressing thehandles 126 of thelatch arms 126 of the pair towards each other. Uponrelease of thehandles 126, thelatch arms 116 resile totheir normal position by virtue of the resilience of thestraps 118. Overstress of thelatch arms 116 when theyare pivoted to their open position is prevented byshoulders 138 (Figure 8) of thehood 60, bounding thehoodside walls 132 to limit outward movement of the latchingheads 134. Eachside wall 132 of thehood 60 has arearwardly opening rectangular recess 140 (Figure 4) toallow access for a core pin (not shown) for moulding thelatchingshoulders 136 and for providing thenotch 104 intherespective side wall 106 in theforward part 62 of thehousing 8; as will best be appreciated from Figure 7.

Thepin connector 6 will now be described withreference to Figures 12 to 15. Theconnector 6 comprisesan insulatinghousing 142, shown in fragmentary form,which may contain sensors for connection to the leads L ofFigure 1. There projects from thehousing 142, asubstantially rectangularcross section hood 144 formating reception in thesocket 63 of the connector 4. Thehood 144 is defined by a first pair ofopposed side walls166 and a second pair ofopposed side walls 168. A pairofterminal pins 170 in thehousing 142 havemating endportions 172 projecting into thehood 144 for mating withrespective receptacle terminals 10 of the connector 4.The terminal pins 170 are connected to the sensors, forexample, by means not shown. Eachside wall 166 has apair of spacedcamming ribs 174 projecting into thehood144 and terminating in damming faces 176, as best seen inFigure 15, for cooperation with respective ramp surfaces86 of the housing 8 (Figure 14). Theribs 174 have flatfree ends 177. Eachrib 174 on onewall 166 is opposite to and is aligned with acorresponding rib 174 on theopposite wall 166. Eachwall 168 has a centralexternallatch member 178 having arear latching shoulder 179 andatapered camming nose 180 for cooperation with respectivelatching heads 134 of thehousing 8. Thewalls 166 haveexternal keys 182 for reception inrespective keyways 92of thehousing 8. Eachwall 166 and 168 has a chamferedfree edge 184 for guiding it into thesocket 63 of theconnector 4.

Theconnector 6 is mated with the connector 4 byinserting thehood 144 of theconnector 6 into thesocket63 of the connector 4 as shown in Figure 1, each key 182slidably engaging in arespective keyway 92 of thehousing8. During the mating operation, themating portion 172 ofeachpin 170 enters themouth 70 of a respectiveterminalreceiving passage 64 and is received between the contactsurfaces 38 of the contact springs 36 of the terminal 10in thepassage 64. The inner surfaces of theside walls166 and 168 of theconnector 6 engage the sealinggrommet9 in sealing tight relationship therewith. Also during themating operation, thecamming face 176 of eachcamming rib174 of theconnector 6, engages against therespectiveramp surface 86 of thehousing 8 thereby camming theunderlying wall section 80 resiliently inwardly by virtueof theslots 78, against therespective side wall 40 oftherespective spring member 14, and thedetent 52 thereon,thedetent 52 being received in therespective recess 82and being resiliently depressed to some extent, by thebottom wall of therecess 82. Thefree edge 56 of eachwing 54 of thedetent 52 engages the rear wall of therecess 82. An interference fit is thereby producedbetween thewall sections 80 and theouter spring member14. Further during the mating operation, thecammingnose 180 of eachlatch member 178 engages between thelatching heads 134 of a respective pair of thelatch arms 166 thereby camming them apart against the action of therespective spring strap 118 until, as theconnectors 4 and6 reach their mated position, thearms 116 resile as theshoulders 179 of thelatch members 178 pass the latchingshoulders 136 of theheads 134 so that theshoulders 136are carried inwardly to latch against theshoulders 179thereby securing theconnectors 4 and 6 in their matedrelationship. Theshoulders 179 are drawn tightly againsttheshoulders 136 because the flat free ends 177 of thecamming ribs 174 resiliently and axially compress thesealinggrommet retaining ring 11 by virtue of theslots108 therein, given that thegrommet 9 having beencompressed between theside walls 116 and 118 of thehood114 will have little axial resilience.

As mentioned above, theconnector assembly 2comprising theconnectors 4 and 6, is intended for use ina vibratory and temperature cycling environment, forexample in the engine compartment of an automotivevehicle. Fretting and consequent frictional corrosion ofparts of theconnector assembly 2, which are susceptibleto a fretting action, must, therefore, be avoided.Fretting between thepins 170 and the contact surfaces 38of the contact springs 36 is avoided, because thepinreceptacle portion 16 of eachinner spring member 12 canmove both axially and laterally in itsouter spring member14. Fretting between theouter spring member 14 and thehousing 8 is prevented by virtue of the interference fitbetween thewall sections 80 and thespring member 14.Also, relative movement between theconnectors 4 and 6 isrestrained because thegrommet retaining ring 11 urges thelatchingshoulders 179 firmly against the latchingshoulders 136.

Since thelatch arms 116 are in line with the housing4 and so do not project therefrom, the moulding of thehousing 4 as a one piece item, is simplified, and the latch arms are not free to tangle with the leads L so asto be damaged, when theterminals 10 are being loaded intothe housing 4 or during the assembly of theconnectors 4and 6. Theconnectors 4 and 6 can be released from eachother by pressing thehandles 126 of each pair of latcharms towards each other.

An alternative embodiment of an electrical connectorof the present invention is shown in Figures 16-24. Withrespect first to Figure 16, an electrical connectorhousing is shown generally at 200 and includes afrontmating portion 204, anouter shroud portion 206, arearface 208 and a pivotable latch portion at 210. Theelectrical connector housing 200 is of the type that ismatable with acomplementary connector member 212, forexample as shown in Figure 19, where thelatch member 10is cooperable with a latchinglug 214 on theconnectorhousing 212 to lock the two connectors together.

With reference again to Figure 16, it should be notedthat theelectrical connector housing 200 is comprised offour main components arear housing portion 220, afronthousing portion 222, a lockingslide 224, and aperipheralseal 226. With reference now to Figures 16-21, the rearhousing portion will be described in greater detail.

With reference first to Figure 20, therear housingportion 220 has, in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, threeterminal receiving passageways 230extending through therear surface 208. As shown best inFigure 20, themain housing 220 has outsidewall portions232 which also can be seen from the front in Figure 16.Separating each of the cavities arecentral wall portions234 which do not extend the full height of the housing butare rather short ribs as shown in Figures 18 and 21. Alsoas shown in Figures 20 and 21, terminal platforms areformed at 236 which support the terminal 238, thesupports236 flanking aslot 239, also shown in Figures 20 and 21, which forms a shoulder at 240 to form a locking shoulderfor thelocking lance 242 of the terminal 238 as shown ineither of Figures 19 or 20. As shown in either of Figures19 or 20,walls 245 are formed inside theshroud 206 butspaced above thewalls 236, and form aslot 250 above andbelow, and running parallel to, the row of terminalpassageways.

With reference again to Figures 16-21, thefronthousing portion 222 will be described in greater detail.With reference first to Figures 20 and 21, thefronthousing portion 222 is formed with aperipheral ringportion 252 having a locking lance at 254 which cooperateswith alug 256 on thewall portion 232. Theshroudportion 222 has a plurality of plate members such as 260extending towards a centerline of the connector, as shownbest in Figure 21, behind which project extendingwallportions 262. Thewall portion 262 comprises an outerwide portion 264, anintermediate rubber portion 266 andacentral rib portion 268, as will be described in greaterdetail. Also as shown in Figures 19 and 21,feet portion270 extend from an end of theshroud portion 252 of thefront housing portion 222.

With respect now to Figure 16, a lockingslide 224 isshown includingend plate portions 275 at either endthereof withintermediate rail portions 276 extendingbetween theend portions 275. As best shown in Figure 18,therail portion 276 include aplate portion 277 extendingdownwardly towards the centerline of the cavity includinga secondarylocking plate member 278 attached thereto. Itis worth noting at this point, and as shown in Figures 18and 20, the moulding of therear housing portion 220 formsaslot 280 between theplatform portions 236, and aboveand below thecentral wall portion 234 as shown in Figure18. Finally, and as best shown in Figure 23, therailportions 276 include recessedmembers 282 formed integrally therein forming a camming surface at 282. Itshould be appreciated that each of the upper andlowerrail portions 276 include acutout portion 280 proximateto thecentral wall portions 234 of therear housingportion 220.

With respect now to Figures 16, 18 and 20, anouterseal 226 is provided where the seal is positioned on theouter wall portions 245 and inside theshroud member 206.Theseal 226 further includes a plurality oflongitudinally spaced sealing ribs at 285.

With the connector components as described above, theelectrical connector can be assembled as follows. Theperipheral seal 226 is first slidably received over theouter wall portion 245 as shown in Figures 18 or 20, suchthat the rear edge of the seal contacts aninner wallportion 290 of theshroud member 206. It should beappreciated that theseal member 226 is a ring shapedmember, and is slightly smaller than the periphery aroundwall 245 such that the seal is somewhat stretched and heldin somewhat of a friction fit on thewall 245. Thelockingslide 224 can then be slidably received over thefront of thehousing member 220 such that the lockingmembers 277 and 278 pass within theslots 280 to aposition shown in Figure 20, and when in this position,theend portions 275 come proximate to thewall portions245 and prevent any further movement of theseal member226. It should be noted that in Figure 20, the lockingslide 224 is shown in a fully locked position, however ismovable to an unlocked position, shown in phantom, wherethe lockingmembers 278 will pass within theslots 280 toa position above and below thecentral wall portion 234,as shown in Figure 18.

For assembly of thefront housing portion 222 to thehousing portion 220, the lockingslide 224 should be inthe unlocked position. Thefront housing portion 222 can now be received onto thehousing portion 220, whereby theplurality ofwall portions 264 will be receivedintermediate theplatform portions 236 to a position wherethelatches 254 snap into position against theircorresponding locking lug, as shown in Figure 20. In thisposition, theprojection 265 on theplate portion 264snaps into itscorresponding recess 280 as shown in Figure23.

As assembled, a plurality ofterminals 238 can now bereceived through thepassageways 230 through theface 208,to a position where the lockinglances 242 are snappedagainst their correspondingshoulders 240. The lockingplate 224 can now be transversely slid between theposition shown in phantom in Figure 20 to its fully lockedposition, where each of the locking lugs 278 are movedtransversely against a lockingshoulder 295 of theterminal 238. However simultaneously and moreimportantly, the transverse movement of the lockingmember224 causes the corresponding camming surfaces 269 and 282(Figure 23) to cooperate which moves theflexible wallportion 264 upwardly from a position shown in Figure 23 toa position shown in Figure 24 which causes a cammingupward of theplate portion 264, and a concurrent movementof therubber member 266 against an outer periphery of theterminals 238. This also causes the movement of theflexible portion 268 against thecentral rib portion 234.It should be appreciated that an identicalflexible wallportion 264 is positioned above theintermediate rib 234as shown in Figure 23. Thiscauses each corner of the terminal to be held in a fixedposition against therubber member 266 thereby preventingany vibration of the terminal within the correspondinghousing.

Advantageously, an electrical connector according tothe present invention includes a housing having a passage for receiving a terminal where wall sections of thepassage are movable into an interfering relationship withthe terminal, thereby preventing vibration or chatter ofthe terminal within the passage. This aids in theavoidance of frictional corrosion even in connector pairswhere the two connectors move relative each other. Aconnector according to this invention is also sealable toprotect the interconnection of the terminals from theenvironment.

The above described invention may be incorporatedinto devices utilizing contacts different than thosedescribed herein. Furthermore, the invention is applicableto devices having one or more passages arranged in atleast one row having at least one passage per row withoutdeparting from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. An electrical connector (4, 200) for mating with a mating electricalconnector (6, 212), comprising an insulating housing (8, 220 and222) and a first electrical terminal (10, 238) mounted within apassage (64, 230) of the housing (8, 220 and 222), the first electricalterminal (10, 238) having a forward mating portion (16) formating with a second electrical terminal (170) of the mating electricalconnector (6, 212); wherein an anti-vibration member (80,264) is provided in the passage (64, 220), characterized in that theanti-vibration member (80, 264) includes a ramp surface (86, 269)engageable by a camming surface (176, 282) to deflect the anti-vibrationmember (80, 238) and to displace it into the passage toproduce an interference fit between said anti-vibration member (80,264) and the first electrical terminal (10, 238), and that the anti-vibrationmember (80, 264) engages opposing surfaces of the firstelectrical terminal (10, 238).
2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thatthe first terminal (10, 238) comprises an outer member (14) receivingan inner spring member (12) having the forward mating portion(16) extending therefrom, the forward mating portion (16) beingconnected to a rearward fixed portion (23) for movement in theouter member (14), where the anti-vibration member (80, 264) isdisplaceable to form the interference fit with the outer member (14).
3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in thatthe first electrical terminal (10) includes a detent (52) engageable bythe anti-vibration member (80).
4. An electrical connector of any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized inthat the anti-vibration member (80, 238) includes a resilient pad(266) for engaging the terminal (10, 238).
5. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 4,characterized in that the anti-vibration member is a flexible wallportion (80, 238).
6. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 5, characterized in thatthe flexible wall sections (80) are defined by pairs of spaced, longitudinal,through slots (78) in respective opposite side walls of thepassage (64), each flexible wall section (80) being a resilient beamsupported at both ends.
7. An electrical connector as claimed in any of claims 1 - 6, characterizedin that the camming surface (176) is part of the matingconnector (6).
8. An electrical connector as claimed in any of claims 1 - 6, characterizedin that the camming surface (282) is positioned on amovable rail (276) of the connector (200).
9. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in thatthe rail (276) is movable transversely of the flexible wall member(264).
10. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized inthat the rail (276) includes a locking lug (278) which engages alocking shoulder of the terminal (238) when the anti-vibration member(264) is interfering with the terminal (238), whereby secondarylocking is provided.
11. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 10,characterized in that the anti-vibration member (80, 264) includes aresilient pad (266) for pressing against the first terminal (10, 238).
12. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 11,characterized in that the connector includes a plurality of passageways(64, 230).

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