Electrical connector with automatic latching
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsGregory K. Harmelink, Jon T. Jacobson, Michael A. Hajicek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical connector comprises a first housing member that engages a second housing member engages to form an enclosure. In the enclosure, a substrate supports a central set of conductive members in a second tubular portion. A first arm is pivotably attached to the second housing member. The first arm is resiliently biased inwardly toward the second base portion. A second arm is pivotably attached to the second housing member and spaced apart from the first arm. The second arm is resiliently biased inwardly toward the second base portion. In accordance with one aspect, the arms support automatic latching of the connector portion to a mating connector.
Claims16
An electrical connector comprising:
- a first housing member having a first base portion, a first tubular portion extending outward from the first base portion;
- a second housing member having a second base portion, a second tubular portion extending outward from the second base portion;
- the second housing member engaging the first housing member to form an enclosure;
- in the enclosure, a substrate supporting a central set of conductive members within the second tubular portion to form a connector portion;
- a plurality of protruding hinges projecting from an exterior of the electrical connector;
- a first arm pivotably attached to an exterior of the electrical connector at one of the protruding hinges, the first arm resiliently biased inwardly toward the exterior;
- and
- a second arm pivotably attached to the exterior at another one of the protruding hinges and spaced apart from the first arm, the second arm being on an opposite side of the connector portion from the first arm, the second arm resiliently biased inwardly toward the exterior.
An electrical connector comprising:
- a first housing member having a first base portion, a first tubular portion extending outward from the first base portion;
- a second housing member having a second base portion, a second tubular portion extending outward from the second base portion;
- the second housing member engaging the first housing member to form an enclosure with a set of pockets;
- in the enclosure, a substrate comprising a circuit board and supporting a central set of conductive members within the second tubular portion to form a connector portion on an outer side of the electrical connector;
- a plurality of integral hinges projecting from the outer side;
- a first arm pivotably attached to the outer side at one of the integral hinges, the first arm resiliently biased inwardly toward the outer side;
- and
- a second arm pivotably attached to the outer side at another one of the integral hinges and spaced apart from the first arm, the second arm being on an opposite side of the connector portion from the first arm, the second arm resiliently biased inwardly toward the outer side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.