Serviceable fixing system for connectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9590348-B2
Application number	US-201514852713-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 14, 2015
Priority date	Sep 16, 2014
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

A connector assembly configured to be mounted through an opening in a panel for providing a connection between different harnesses of a vehicle. The connector assembly includes a connector housing and a fixing element. The fixing element is configured to lock the connector housing to the panel when the connector housing is inserted into the opening in the panel and the fixing element is attached to the connector housing. The fixing element is configured to be releasably attached to the connector housing.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A connector assembly configured to be mounted through an opening in a panel of a vehicle, the connector assembly comprising:
a connector housing;
a fixing element configured to be releasably attached to the connector housing and configured to lock the connector housing to the panel when the connector housing is inserted into the opening in the panel and the fixing element is attached to the connector housing, wherein the fixing element further comprises a guiding channel; and
an overstress pad, wherein the overstress pad interacts with the guiding channel to limit movement of the fixing element during attachment and detachment of the fixing element to the connector housing.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing element is separate from the connector housing.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member arranged on the connector housing, wherein the sealing member comprises a sealing ring.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the sealing member is in contact with the panel when the connector assembly is mounted through the opening in the panel and wherein the fixing element and the sealing member are provided on opposite sides of the panel when the connector assembly is mounted through the opening in the panel.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the connector housing does not comprise integrally formed locking means for locking the connector housing onto the panel.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing element has a U-shape comprising two parallel arms being connected by a common portion, such that the fixing element can be clamped onto the connector housing for attachment thereto.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing element comprises an arm having engaging means configured to engage respective counter-engaging means of the connector housing to attach the fixing element onto the connector housing and wherein the engaging means comprises a hook.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the engaging means is provided on a flexible portion of the arm.

9. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the guiding channel is provided on the flexible portion of the arm of the fixing element.

10. The connector assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the guiding channel comprises two side walls that are inclined with respect to each other such that the channel narrows in longitudinal direction.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 10 , wherein an inclination angle between the two side walls is in a range of 0.5° to 5°.

12. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing element is configured to be releasably attached to the connector housing when the connector assembly is not mounted through the opening in the panel.

13. A fixing element releasably attached to a connector housing for locking said connector housing to a panel of a vehicle, the fixing element comprising:
an arm having a flexible portion;
an engaging means provided on the flexible portion of the arm configured to engage the connector housing when the fixing element is attached thereto; and
a guiding channel provided on the flexible portion of the arm configured to interact with the connector housing when the fixing element is attached to or detached from the connector housing, wherein the guiding channel comprises two side walls that are inclined with respect to each other such that the channel narrows in longitudinal direction and wherein an inclination angle between the two side walls is in a range of 0.5° to 5°.

14. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing element comprises an arm having engaging means configured to engage respective counter-engaging means of the connector housing to attach the fixing element onto the connector housing, wherein the engaging means comprises a ramp.

15. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the overstress pad of the connector housing is in contact with a side wall of the guiding channel during attachment and detachment of the fixing element to the connector housing.

16. The connector assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing element is configured to be releasably attached to the connector housing, such that the connector housing can be locked and unlocked for at least 1000 times.

17. The connector assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the inclination angle between the two side walls is in a range of 1° to 3°.

18. The connector assembly according to claim 17 , wherein the inclination angle between the two side walls is about 2°.

19. The connector assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the inclination angle between the two side walls is in a range of 1° to 3°.

20. The connector assembly according to claim 19 , wherein the inclination angle between the two side walls is about 2°.

Assignees

• Delphi Tech Inc

Inventors

• Grudzewski Michal
• Lesniak Pawel
• Pitala Krzysztof

Classifications

• H01R13/74

  Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel · CPC title

• B60R16/0215 Primary

  Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor · CPC title

• B60R16/0222

  Grommets · CPC title

• H01R13/5202 Primary

  Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings · CPC title