Connector assembly having a detection switch which is closed or opened by operation of a locking member

[0001] Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. JP2009-037246 filed Feb. 19, 2009.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector assembly having two connectors with a lock mechanism for locking a mating state of the two connectors.

[0003] For example, this type of connector assembly is disclosed in JP-A 2005-267977, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. JP-A 2005-267977 discloses a pair of connectors including a plug connector having an angular C-shaped pull bar and a substrate connector. Even if a force is applied to the plug connector so as to separate the plug connector from the substrate connector under the mated state of the plug connector with the substrate connector, tips of the pull bar are engaged with engagement portions of the substrate connector. Accordingly, the mating state of those connectors is maintained.

[0004] With the connector assembly disclosed in JP-A 2005-267977, a user has to visually examine whether the mating state has been locked. However, recent reduction of the size of connectors has made it extremely difficult to determine by visual inspection whether the mating state has been locked.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly which can meet demands for reduction in size and allows a user to readily examine whether a mating state is locked.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a connector assembly which comprises a first connector and a second connector matable with the first connector along a mating direction. The second connector includes a lock activation portion movable between a lock position and an unlock position along an activation direction perpendicular to the mating direction under a mating state of the first connector and the second connector. The first connector includes a lock operation portion configured to ensure movement of the lock activation portion in a separation direction opposite to the mating direction when the lock activation portion is located at the unlock position under the mating state and to prevent movement of the lock activation portion in the separation direction so as to lock the mating state together with the lock activation portion of the second connector when the lock activation portion is located at the lock position. The first connector also includes a detection switch configured to be pressed by the lock activation portion located at the lock position under the mating state for detecting that the lock activation portion is located at the lock position.

[0007] An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a receptacle connector (first connector) 200 mounted and fixed on a substrate (not shown) and a plug connector (second connector) 300 matable with the receptacle connector 200 along the Z-direction (mating direction). In this embodiment, cables 400 are connected to the plug connector 300.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the receptacle connector 200 includes a plurality of contacts 210, an insulator (first insulator) 220 configured to hold the contacts 210, a shell 230 covering part of the insulator 220, and detection switches 240 incorporated in the insulator 220.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the insulator 220 includes a receiving portion 222 defining a space to receive a matable portion of the plug connector 300 and side portions 224 provided so as to interpose the receiving portion 222 therebetween in the X-direction (activation direction). Each of the side portions 224 includes a switch holder 226 configured to hold the detection switch 240.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the shell 230 is formed by punching and pressing a sheet metal. The shell includes lock operation portions 232 covering the switch holders 226. Each of the lock operation portions 232 includes a guide portion 234 having a surface extending in a direction that is oblique to both of the X-direction and the Z-direction. The lock operation portion 232 also has a hole 236 extending along the X-direction through the lock operation portion 232. Furthermore, the shell 230 includes a plurality of solder portions 238. The receptacle connector 200 is fixed to a substrate (not shown) by soldering those solder portions 238.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the detection switches 240 includes a stationary member 250 held on the insulator 220 and a movable member 260. The detection switches 240 are set in an off-state under the normal conditions.

[0032] Specifically, the stationary member 250 includes a first contact portion 252 and a solder portion 254. The stationary member 250 is attached to a front wall 226a of the switch holder 226 so that the first contact portion 252 is fixed in place within the switch holder 226.

[0033] Meanwhile, the movable member 260 includes a second contact portion 262, a support portion 264, a push portion 266, and a solder portion 268. The support portion 264 is supported on a rear wall 226b of the switch holder 226 so that the second contact portion 262 is movable within the switch holder 226 along the Z-direction. The second contact portion 262 of the present embodiment is provided on a tip of a spring-like portion of the movable member 260, which extends along the negative Y-direction from the support portion 264. The second contact portion 262 is positioned so as to face the first contact portion 252 of the stationary member 250 in the Z-direction. The push portion 266 is located between the second contact portion 262 and the support portion 264 in the Y-direction. In the present embodiment, a primary portion of the movable member 260 extends along the negative Y-direction. Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to this example. The movable member 260 may extend along another direction. From the viewpoint of demands for reduction in thickness of the connector assembly 100, it is preferable for a primary portion of the movable member 260 to extend along a direction perpendicular to the Z-direction.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the push portion 266 of the present embodiment extends in a direction that is oblique to both of the X-direction and the Z-direction under the state that the support portion 264 is supported on the rear wall 226b of the switch holder 226. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the push portion 266 extends toward the receiving portion 222 from below the guide portion 234 of the shell 230.

[0035] As described above, the push portion 266 of the present embodiment is located between the second contact portion 262 and the support portion 264. Therefore, the second contact portion 262 can be moved to a large extent by a slight movement of the push portion 266. Furthermore, since the push portion 266 extends in the direction that is oblique to both of the X-direction and the Z-direction, the second contact portion 262 of the movable member 260 can be moved in the Z-direction when a force is applied to the push portion 266 along either the X-direction or the Z-direction. When a force is applied to the push portion 266 such that the second contact portion 262 is moved and brought into contact with the first contact portion 252, electrical connection is established between the solder portion 268 of the of the movable member 260 and the solder portion 254 of the stationary member 250. In the present embodiment, conduction and non-conduction between these portions are used to detect a lock state, which will be described later.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plug connector 300 includes a plurality of contacts 310, an insulator (second insulator) 320 configured to hold the contacts 310, an upper shell 330 covering an upper portion of the insulator 320, a lower shell 340 covering a lower portion of the insulator 320, and a lock member 350 pivotally mounted to the insulator 320. The upper shell 330 and the lower shell 340 are formed of metal. The lock member 350 is formed by bending a metal rod made of deformable metal.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, the insulator 320 includes a base portion 322 configured to hold the contacts 310, receptacle portions 324 provided so as to interpose the base portion 322 therebetween in the X-direction, and retainer blocks 326 provided outside of the receptacle portions 324. Each of the retainer blocks 326 has a cam portion 327 formed on a surface near the receptacle portion 324. Furthermore, each of the retainer blocks 326 has a retainer hole 328 extending along the X-direction through the retainer block 326. In other words, the receptacle portion 324 communicates with an outer edge surface 326a of the retainer block 326 via the retainer hole 328 in the X-direction.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the lock member 350 has lock activation portions 352 on opposite ends thereof. The lock member 350 also has retention portions 354 extending linearly, cam followers 356 extending from the retention portions 354, and a base portion 358 extending in parallel to the retention portions 354 from the cam followers 356. Each of the retention portions 354 is held in the retainer hole 328. Thus, the retention portions 354 are rotatable within the retainer holes 328, and the lock activation portions 352 located at tips of the retention portions 354 are movable along the X-direction. The lock activation portion 352 extends outward from the retainer block 326 under the state that the lock member 350 is laid under the normal conditions (see FIG. 6). Each of the cam followers 356 is partially received in the receptacle portion 324. When the base portion 358 is operated to raise the lock member 350, the cam followers 356 follow the cam portions 327 along with the operation of the base portion 358. As the cam followers 356 follow the cam portions 327, the lock activation portions 352 are moved along the X-direction toward the inner sides of the retainer blocks 326, respectively. In other words, upon pivotally raising the lock member 350, the retention portions 354 (the ends of the lock member 350) are forced inwardly by coaction of the cam followers 356 of the lock member 350 (see FIG. 7) with the cam portions 327 of the retainer blocks 326 to permit release of the plug connector 300 from the receptacle connector 200 (See FIG. 8).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, if the plug connector 300 is mated with the receptacle connector 200 under the state that the lock activation portions 352 are received within the retainer holes 328, then the lock operation portions 232 do not prevent the lock activation portions 352 from moving in the negative Z-direction. Therefore, the plug connector 300 can be drawn and separated from the receptacle connector 200 in the negative Z-direction (separation direction). In other words, the mating state of the plug connector 300 with the receptacle connector 200 is not locked in the state shown in FIG. 8. The positions of the lock activation portions 352 at that time are referred to as unlock positions.

[0040] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, if the plug connector 300 is mated with the receptacle connector 200 under the state that the lock activation portions 352 are passed through the holes 236 of the lock operation portions 232 and located within the switch holders 226, then the lock operation portions 232 prevent the lock activation portions 352 from moving in the negative Z-direction. Accordingly, even if a force is applied in the negative Z-direction to the plug connector 300 so as to draw and separate the plug connector 300 from the receptacle connector 200, the plug connector 300 cannot be drawn or separated from the receptacle connector 200. Thus, the mating state of those connectors has been locked. The positions of the lock activation portions 352 at that time are referred to as lock positions.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 8, when the lock activation portions 352 are located at the unlock positions, they do not press the push portions 266. Therefore, the second contact portions 262 of the movable members 260 are not brought into contact with the first contact portions 252 of the stationary members 250. Accordingly, an open circuit is formed between the solder portions 254 of the stationary members 250 and the solder portions 268 of the movable members 260. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 9, when the lock activation portions 352 are located at the lock positions, they press the push portions 266 so as to move the second contact portions 262 of the movable members 260 and bring it into contact with the first contact portions 252 of the stationary members 250. Thus, a short circuit is formed between the solder portions 254 of the stationary members 250 and the solder portions 268 of the movable members 260. Therefore, the positions of the lock activation portions 352, i.e., whether the lock activation portions 352 are at the lock positions or the unlock positions, can be detected by monitoring an electric state between the solder portions 254 of the stationary members 250 and the solder portions 268 of the movable members 260.

[0042] The detection switches 240 of the present embodiment are turned on and off by the lock activation portions 352 and are formed integrally with the lock mechanisms including the lock activation portions 352 and the lock operation portions 232. Therefore, miniaturization can be achieved as compared to a case where a lock mechanism is provided separately from the detection switches 240. Furthermore, since the movable member 260 of each detection switch 240 extends in a direction perpendicular to the Z-direction, which is the mating direction, the detection switch 240 can be provided without rejecting demands for reduction of the thickness.

[0043] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide portions 234, which extend in directions that are oblique to both of the X-direction and the Z-direction, are provided on the receptacle connector 200. Therefore, when the plug connector 300 is to be mated with the receptacle connector 200 under the state that the lock activation portions 352 project outward from the retainer blocks 326, the lock activation portions 352 are momentarily moved toward the inner sides of the retainer blocks 326 by the guide portions 234 and then moved so as to spring out from the retainer blocks 326 into the holes 236. In other words, during insertion of the plug connector 300, the retention Portions 354 (the ends of the lock member 350) are deformed inwardly by engagement with the guide portions 234 of the receptacle connector 200 (see FIG. 5), after which the retention portions 354 snap outwardly to be received in holes 236 of the shell 230 of the receptacle connector 200 to retain the plug connector 300 to the receptacle connector 200 and to press on the push portions 266 to move the second contact portions 262 (movable switch parts) to close the detection switches 240 (see FIG. 9). Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the plug connector 300 is to be mated with the receptacle connector 200 under the state that the lock activation portions 352 project outward from the retainer blocks 326, the lock activation portions 352 do not inhibit the mating process of the plug connector 300 with the receptacle connector 200.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment.

[0045] For example, in the above embodiment, each of the first contact portions 252 is disposed so as to face the corresponding second contact portion 262 in the Z-direction. When the corresponding lock activation portion 352 is moved into the lock position, the second contact portion 262 is moved along the Z-direction into contact with the first contact portion 252. Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a second contact portion 262₁ may be provided so as to be movable in the X-direction.

[0046] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, a hole 236₁ is formed in a lock operation portion 232₁ of a shell 230₁. The lock activation portion 352 of the lock member 350 can be inserted into the hole 236₁. A switch holder 226₁ is formed in a side portion 224₁ of an insulator 220₁. The switch holder 226₁ houses a detection switch 240₁, which includes a stationary member 250₁ and a movable member 260₁. Specifically, the stationary member 250₁ includes a first contact portion 252₁ and a solder portion 254₁. The stationary member 250₁ is held on the insulator 220₁ so that the first contact portion 252₁ is fixed in place within the switch holder 226₁. Meanwhile, the movable member 260₁ includes a second contact portion 262₁, a support portion 264₁, a push portion 266₁, and a solder portion 268₁. The movable member 260₁ is supported on the insulator 220₁ so that the second contact portion 262₁ is movable within the switch holder 226₁ along the X-direction. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the shell 230₁ is not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

[0047] When the lock member 350 is raised as shown in FIG. 11, the lock activation portion 352 does not press the push portion 266₁ of the movable member 260₁. In that state, the second contact portion 262₁ is not held in contact with the first contact portion 252₁. Therefore, an open circuit is formed between the solder portion 254₁ and the solder portion 268₁.

[0048] When the lock member 350 is pushed down (laid down) as shown in FIG. 12, the lock activation portion 352 is passed through the hole 236₁ and inserted in the switch holder 226₁. Then the lock activation portion 352 presses the push portion 266₁ in the X-direction so as to move the second contact portion 262₁ along the X-direction and bring it into contact with the first contact portion 252₁. The contact of the second contact portion 262₁ with the first contact portion 252₁ produces a short circuit between the solder portion 254₁ and the solder portion 268₁. Thus, in this example, the lock state of the lock activation portion 352 can be detected by detection of the short circuit between the solder portion 254₁ and the solder portion 268₁.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 9, each of the detection switches 240 includes two members of the stationary member 250 and the movable member 260. However, the present invention is not limited to that example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the stationary member may be eliminated, and a portion of a shell 230₂ may have a function of the stationary member.

[0050] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, a hole 236₂ is formed in a lock operation portion 232₂ of the shell 230₂. The lock activation portion 352 of the lock member 350 can be inserted into the hole 236₂. A switch holder 226₂ is formed in a side portion 224₂ of an insulator 220₂. The switch holder 226₂ houses a detection switch, which is formed by a movable member 260₂ and a portion of the shell 230₂. A portion of the shell 230₂ is fixed in place within the switch holder 226₂ so as to serve as a first contact portion 252₂. Meanwhile, the movable member 260₂ includes a second contact portion 262₂, a support portion 264₂, a push portion 266₂, and a solder portion 268₂. The movable member 260₂ is supported on the insulator 220₂ so that the second contact portion 262₂ is movable within the switch holder 226₂ along the X-direction. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the shell 230₂ and the portion serving as a stationary member are not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

[0051] When the lock member 350 is raised as shown in FIG. 14, the lock activation portion 352 does not press the push portion 266₂. In that state, the second contact portion 262₂ is not held in contact with the first contact portion 252₂. Therefore, an open circuit is formed between the solder portion 238 and the solder portion 268₂.

[0052] When the lock member 350 is pushed down (laid down) as shown in FIG. 15, the lock activation portion 352 is passed through the hole 236₂ and inserted in the switch holder 226₂. Then the lock activation portion 352 presses the push portion 266₂ in the X-direction so as to move the second contact portion 262₂ along the X-direction and bring it into contact with the first contact portion 252₂. The contact of the second contact portion 262₂ with the first contact portion 252₂ produces a short circuit between the solder portion 238 and the solder portion 268₂. Thus, in this example, the lock state of the lock activation portion 352 can be detected by detection of the short circuit between the solder portion 238 and the solder portion 268₂.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detection switches are set in an off-state under the normal conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to that example. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a detection switch 240₃ may be set in an on-state under the normal conditions.

[0054] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18, a hole 236₃ is formed in a lock operation portion 232₃ of a shell 230₃. The lock activation portion 352 of the lock member 350 can be inserted into the hole 236₃. A switch holder 226₃ is formed in a side portion 224₃ of an insulator 220₃. The switch holder 226₃ houses a detection switch 240₃, which includes a stationary member 250₃ and a movable member 260₃. Specifically, the stationary member 250₃ includes a first contact portion 252₃ and a solder portion 254₃. The stationary member 250₃ is held on the insulator 220₃ so that the first contact portion 252₃ is fixed in place within the switch holder 226₃. Meanwhile, the movable member 260₃ includes a second contact portion 262₃, a support portion 264₃, a push portion 266₃, and a solder portion 268₃. The movable member 260₃ is supported on the insulator 220₃ so that the second contact portion 262₃ is movable within the switch holder 226₃ along the X-direction. In this example, the push portion 266₃ extends so as to stride over the stationary member 250₃. Portions of the movable member 260₃ other than the push portion 266₃ are located farther away from the lock activation portion 352 than the stationary member 250₃ in the X-direction (see FIG. 18). In this regard, for example, the stationary member may be formed with a hole through which the lock activation portion 352 can pass. The push portion may be provided at a position to which the lock activation portion 352 can be moved through that hole; the position of the push portion enables the entire movable member to be located farther away from the lock activation portion than the stationary member. In FIGS. 17 and 18, the shell 230₃ is not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

[0055] When the lock member 350 is raised as shown in FIG. 17, the lock activation portion 352 does not press the push portion 266₃ of the movable member 260₃. In that state, the second contact portion 262₃ is held in contact with the first contact portion 252₃. Therefore, a short circuit is formed between the solder portion 254₃ and the solder portion 268₃.

[0056] When the lock member 350 is pushed down (laid down) as shown in FIG. 18, the lock activation portion 352 is passed through the hole 236₃ and inserted in the switch holder 226₃. Then the lock activation portion 352 presses the push portion 266₃ in the X-direction so as to move the second contact portion 262₃ along the X-direction. Thus, the second contact portion 262₃ is separated from the first contact portion 252₃ and brought out of contact with the first contact portion 252₃. Therefore, an open circuit is formed between the solder portion 254₃ and the solder portion 268₃ in the illustrated state. Thus, in this example, the lock state of the lock activation portion 352 can be detected by detection of the open circuit between the solder portion 254₃ and the solder portion 26.

[0057] In the above embodiment, after the plug connector 300 is mated with the receptacle connector 200, the lock member 350 is rotated to move the lock activation portions 352 from the unlock positions to the lock positions. However, the plug connector 300 may be mated with the receptacle connector 300 under the state shown in FIG. 6, i.e., under the state that each of the lock activation portions 352 projects outward from the outer edge surface 326a of the retainer block 326 (the lock activation portions 352 are located at the lock positions). In this case, during the mating operation of the plug connector 300 with the receptacle connector 200, each of the lock activation portions 352 is guided by the guide portion 234, which elastically deforms the lock member 350 so that the lock activation portions 352 are momentarily withdrawn toward the inner sides of the retainer blocks 326 and then moved into the lock positions to spring out from the retainer blocks 326. Thus, the mating state of the plug connector 300 with the receptacle connector 200 is locked.

[0058] As described above, according to the present invention, when a lock activation portion, which can lock a mating state together with a lock operation portion, is located at a lock position, a detection switch is pressed by the lock activation portion. Therefore, the lock state can be detected with high reliability without increasing the size of the connector assembly.

[0059] Particularly, the detection switch includes two members including a stationary member and a movable member. The movable member is provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction. Therefore, the detection switch can be provided without rejecting demands for reduction of the thickness of connectors.

[0060] The present application is based on a Japanese patent application of JP2009-037246 filed before the Japan Patent Office on Feb. 19, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.