Electrical connector assembly with improved latching mechanism

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector assembly, more particularly to an electrical connector assembly with improved latching mechanism.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Small and low-profile connectors, such as those used in SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable) applications are desired in electronic devices in which space is a premium. Such connectors are widely used to make connections with routers and servers. However, the connectors are often separated from the component of the aforementioned device, unintentionally.

[0005] Connectors, and particularly plug connectors, can be made more reliable and drawn out less likely by latching them together. U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,987 issued Jun. 29, 1999 to Reed et al. entitled, “Latched Electrical Connector” discloses a plug-receptacle connector assembly with a latching mechanism incorporated into the housing of the plug connector. One problem with the latching mechanism such as that disclosed in the '987 patent can not be applied to low-profile, high-density receptacle connectors. Their size and the side locations of the actuators for the latching mechanisms of such plug connectors would increase the size required in a system. Such connector also requires a tailored-designed housing to receive the plug connector. As connectors become smaller and as the density of receptacle connectors in electronic devices increases, the simple act of disengaging a plug connector latch mechanism becomes increasingly more difficult.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,937, issued Oct. 16, 2007 discloses a small, low-profile plug connector provides a latching mechanism, including a latching member with a pair of hooks that engage mating holes in a metal shell of an opposing connector, and which can be easily detached from the opposing connector, by way of a simple ramp and lobe mechanism in the plug connector. The ramp and lobe mechanism converts horizontal movement of a pull tab-like actuator into vertical movement of a latching member such that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the metal shell of the opposing connector. Sufficient pull force must be exerted to the actuator to make the hooks to be lifted upward to leave the engaging mating holes in the metal shell of the opposing connector. However, the lobe mechanism may be sandwiched between a top surface of the plug and the latching member as incorrect operation, and it is unable to restore automatically. Further more, the latching member trends to be deformed, which causes hooks unable to lock the opposing connector.

[0007] Hence, an improved latching mechanism for an electrical connector assembly is highly desired to overcome the disadvantages of the related art.

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly with improved latching mechanism which is durable and operated easily.

[0009] In order to achieve the object set forth, an electrical connector assembly interconnection system in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing having an outer peripheral; a latching mechanism assembled to the outer peripheral of the housing, said latching mechanism including a latching member pivotally engaging with the housing and a pull member having an actuator portion beneath the latching member; a cap member assembled to the housing, with a spring member thereof substantially pressing the latching member; and whereby movement of the actuator portion causes the latching member rotating upwardly.

[0010] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, an electrical connector assembly comprises a housing 1, a printed circuit board (PCB) 2 received in a hollow portion 10 enclosed by the housing 1, a latching mechanism 3 assembled to the housing 1, a cap member 4 partially covering the latching mechanism 3, a cable 5 coupled to rear end of the PCB 2, and an anti-EMI gasket 6.

[0018] The housing 1 includes a first piece 1a and a second piece 1b combined together to form the hollow portion 10. Both the first piece 1a and the second piece 1b are die-cast member.

[0019] The first piece 1a is composed of a base segment part 11 and a mating segment part 12 extending forward from lower front edge of the base segment part 11. A top outer peripheral of the base segment part 11 defines a first cavity portion 111, a second cavity portion 112 located at back of the first cavity portion 111. The first cavity portion 111 is deeper than the second cavity portion 112 and further has a front opening (not numbered). A pair of spaced protruding members 1111 are disposed in the front portion of the first cavity portion 111. Two mounting slots 114 recessed downward from top surface of the base segment part 11 are arranged two lateral sides of and communicate with the second cavity portion 112, each having an arched inward surface (not numbered). A shallow channel portion 113 is located at back of the second cavity portion 112, with a back opening (not numbered). A pair of broader first recess portions 1131 are laterally defined in a middle area of the top outer peripheral of the base segment part 11 and further communicate with the channel portion 113. A pair of second recess portions 1132 are disposed in front of the first recess portions 1131, communicating with the channel portion 113 and the second cavity portion 112.

[0020] The mating segment part 12 includes a pair of first keyways 121 arranged in transversal sides thereof, a front cutout 123 in a middle section of top side thereof and three juxtaposed keyways 122 at back of and communicating with the front cutout 123.

[0021] The second piece 1b is composed of a base segment part 13 and a mating segment part 14 extending forward from upper front edge of the base segment 11. A pair of narrow cutouts 141 are laterally defined in front segment of the mating segment part 14.

[0022] The latching mechanism 3 includes a latching member 31 and a pull member 32 for actuating the latching member 31. A pair of hook portions 311 are laterally formed at front section of the latching member 31 and protrude downward. A pair of through holes 312 are defined in a middle section of the latching member 31. A pair of projecting members 313 are formed on lateral sides of rear section of the latching member 31, each having a ramp surface 3131 thereof. The pair of projecting members 313 are spaced from one another, with a passageway 315 formed therebetween. A rod member 314 engages with rear edge of the latching member 31, with two lobe portions 3141 outward extending beyond side faces of the latching member 31, respectively.

[0023] The pull member 32 includes a main body 320, a pull portion 322 extending rearward from end edge of the main body 320 and an actuator portion 321 extending forwardly from front edge of the main body 320. The main body 320 is of L-shaped viewed laterally, including a horizontal segment 320a and a shorter vertical segment 320b extending downward from a front end of the horizontal segment 320a. A pair of cutouts 3204 are defined in lateral sides of a front section of the horizontal segment 320a, with a pair of sinuate spring members 3203 formed at front portions of the cutouts 3204, respectively. A pair of stop members 3202 are formed at lateral sides of the horizontal segment 320a, in front of the spring member 3023 and proximate to front end of the horizontal segment 320a. The actuator portion 321 is configured to substantially T-shaped, including a neck portion 3211 extending forward from lower middle portion of the vertical segment 320b and a pair of stub portions 3212 arranged lateral sides of a front section of the neck portion 3211. The stub portion 3212 further has an arched and smooth top surface (not numbered).

[0024] The cap member 4 is made of sheet metal and includes a planar top wall 40, a pair of transversal walls 41 extending downwardly from lateral edges of the top wall 40 and a back wall 42 extending downwardly from rear edges of the top wall 40. The back wall 42 defines a rectangular-shaped outlet 421 in the middle section thereof. A spring member 44 extends forwardly from front section of the top wall 40, with a downwardly inclined free end 441.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, when the latching mechanism 3 is assembled to the housing 1, the pull member 32 is firstly mounted on the base segment part 11, with a front segment of the horizontal segment 320a thereof located in the channel portion 113, the vertical segment 320b thereof located in the second cavity portion 112, the spring members 3203 located in the first recess portions 1131, the stop members 3202 located in the second recess portions 1132. The neck portion 3211 of the actuator portion 321 is received in the second cavity portion 112, and the pair of stub portions 3212 thereof are received in the first cavity portion 111. Then, the latching member 31 is assemble to the housing 1, with the two lobe portions 3141 thereof respectively received in the two mounting slots 114 of the base segment part 11, the stub portions 3212 arranged beneath and contacting the ramp surfaces 3131 of the pair of projecting members 313, the neck portion 3211 being disposed in the passageway 315, the two protruding members 1111 inserting into the two through holes 312, and the pair of hook portions 311 disposed on a top surface of the mating segment part 12. Finally, the cap member 4 is assembled to the housing 1, with the pair of transversal walls 41 and the back wall 42 arranged in a pair of notches 115 of two lateral and rear sides of the base segment part 11, a front edge of the cap member 4 abutting against a pair of ridge portions 116 in the front of the housing 1, the free end 441 of the spring member 44 substantially pressing onto a top surface of the latching member 31, a rear portion of the main body 320 exiting outwardly through the outlet 421 of the rear wall 42, with the pull portion 322 disposed outward. A pair of first screws 71 and another pair of second screws 72 pass through a pair of first through holes 431 and another pair of second through holes 432 of the top wall 40 of the cap member 4, inserted into corresponding screw holes 117, 118 of the base segment parts 11 and 12 to combine the cap member 4 and the housing 1 together.

[0026] When the electrical connector assembly 100 mates with an opposing connector (not shown), the hook members 311 of the latching member 31 locking into mating holes in a metal shell of an opposing connector, to keep them combining together reliably. When the electrical connector assembly 100 disengages the opposing connector, a pull force exerted onto the pull portion 322 to make the actuator portion 321 move backward, causing the pair of stub portions 3212 sliding along ramp surfaces 3131 of the two projecting members 313 to urge the latching member 31 upwardly rotating around two lobe portions 3141, thus, the hook members 311 are lifted to disengage the mating holes of the metal shell of the opposing connector. When the pull force is released, the free end 441 of spring member 44 presses onto the latching member 31 to make it return to an original place, and the spring members 3023 of the pull member 32 offer a restore force to make it return to an original place. The pair of stop members 3202 only slide in the second recess portions 1113 to inhibit the pull member 32 rearward moving excessively.

[0027] The latching member 31 is pivoted with the housing 1, compared with the latching member fixed to the housing, just a small pull force is needed to actuate it disengaging the opposed connector. Further more, some inhibition method can prevent the pull member 32 rearward moving overmuch.

[0028] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrated only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.