Connector with lock mechanism
AssigneeJ. S. T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
InventorsKazuomi Shimizu, Akihiko Onchi, Daisuke Miyachi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector with a lock mechanism, in which maximum stress generated at a hinge joint as a fulcrum portion of a lock arm is reduced. A lock arm 3 is provided on an outer wall of a plug housing 10. A plug 1 comprises a lock mechanism 11, in which the lock arm 3 is latched on a latch 40 provided on a receptacle 2 for maintaining a state of coupling to the receptacle 2. The lock arm 3 comprises a hook 3A projecting in a direction of insertion of the receptacle 2, a point of pressure 3B (a finger depressing portion) positioned on an opposite side to the hook 3A, and a fulcrum portion 3C. The fulcrum portion 3C has a pair of torque rods 4A, 4B supporting the lock arm 3 at lateral ends so as to allow the hook 3A to swing.
Claims8
A connector with a housing and a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism comprising:
- a lock arm for maintaining a state of being coupled to a mating connector, the lock arm having a hook, a point of pressure with a finger depressing portion, and a fulcrum;
- a pair of torque rods for supporting the lock arm;
- and
- a pair of supports for supporting the fulcrum of the lock arm at both ends thereof;
- wherein the hook projects in a direction of insertion of the mating connector;
- wherein the point of pressure is positioned on an opposite side to the hook;
- wherein the fulcrum is positioned between the hook and the point of pressure;
- wherein the pair of supports project from an outer wall of the housing;
- wherein the lock arm has at least an elliptical or circular cross section, and the lock arm is provided between the supports projecting from the outer wall of the housing to be arranged on both wings of the lock arm;
- wherein each of the pair of supports is joined to an end of each of the pair of torque rods;
- wherein each of the torque rods is formed in a substantially column shape with a non-angular cross section;
- wherein the fulcrum of the lock arm is supported at both sides thereof by the pair of torque rods so as to permit the hook to swing;
- wherein the lock arm further has a pair of flanges opposing each other, for being supported by the torque rods;
- and
- wherein the flanges are provided under the fulcrum portion at the lateral ends across the lock arm so as to permit the hook to swing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.