Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system of electrical connectors.

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] Conventional connector assemblies used to connect electrical terminals typically include a main body which is adapted to mount about a clip having a series of electrical terminals. Each of the electrical terminals is designed to receive an opposing electrical terminal to create an electrical connection. Each electrical component is normally connected to the electronic control unit by an electrical connector which has a plurality of male connectors which engage with corresponding female connectors which are connected to the electronic control unit. The information regarding which components and which male or female connector are associated with which component signals or functions must be programmed into the electronic control unit.

[0004] Further, these mating electrical connectors have latches to hold the connectors in a latched state to prevent accidental release of these connectors. Typically, the electrical connector that is plugged on to the other electrical connector comprises a lever that is rotated to assist in mating of the connectors. There is a latch engaged with these levers as a pre-lock that does not allow the lever to rotate until the two corresponding electrical connectors are assembled. Often due to mishandling, unintended rotation of lever occurs from the pre-stop which can lead to damage of the connector. The present invention proposes a solution to the above problem by introducing an electrical connector assembly that prevents the unintended movement of lever from the pre-lock position before assembling the electrical connector on the other electrical connector (mating part).

[0005] The prior art JP3074644U provides an electrical connector provided with a unique latch mechanism for performing a latch release operation generally in parallel with a mating axis of the connector. The electrical connector includes a housing fitted to a complementary electrical device along a fitting axis. Latches 40, 46 are provided on the housing to latch the connector to the complementary electrical device. The latch is movable B in a generally lateral direction of the mating axis C relative to the housing. The actuator 20 is mounted on the housing and moves D generally parallel to the mating axis C relative to the housing. The actuator is coupled 66, 68 to the latch to convert axial movement of the actuator into lateral movement of the latch.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0006] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings:
[0007] Figure 1 depicts an electrical connector assembly in a pre-mating state.
[0008] Figure 2 depicts the electrical connector assembly in a post-mating state.

Detailed description of the drawings:

[0009] The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to accompanying drawings. Throughout all the figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations, and fragmentary views. In predetermined instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.
[0010] Referring to Figure (1), the same depicts an electrical connector assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, 1A depicts a side view, 1B represents the bottom view and 1C depicts an auxiliary view of the electrical connector assembly in a pre-mating state.
[0011] The electrical connector assembly comprises a first connector housing (1). Said first connector housing comprises at least one latch (4) comprising a first and a second flexible arm (4b, 4a). Said at least one latch is pivoted on the first connector housing at a point between said first and second flexible arm.

[0012] The electrical connector assembly comprises at least one lever (3) pivoted on the first connector housing (1). Said at least one lever comprising a tooth (5), said tooth (5) engaged in a locking arrangement with the first flexible arm (4b) of the at least one latch.
[0013] The electrical connector assembly comprises a second connector housing (2) slidable into the first connector housing. According to the present invention a lever-type electrical connector assembly is described. The connectors (1), (2) are shown in a pre-mated or "ready to mate" position in FIG.1 and in a post-mated or mated position in FIG. 2. According to the present invention, the electrical connector assembly may be used in a sealed or unsealed application.

[0014] Characteristic of said connector assembly, said first flexible arm (4b) is adapted to disengage with the tooth (5) of the at least one lever (3) when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to a pre-defined length. The second connector housing (2) comprises at least one rib with a protruded portion (6), said protruded portion adapted to push the second flexible arm of the at least one latch in a pre-defined direction when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to the pre-defined length. The pre-defined direction has been indicated by an upwards arrow alongside the reference numeral (8) in Figure 2.

[0015] Referring to Figure 2, the same depicts an electrical connector assembly in a post mating state. According to an embodiment of the present invention, 2A depicts a side view and 2B represents the bottom view of the electrical connector assembly in a post-mating state. Typically, the ribs (7) in the second connector housing are received by corresponding receiving slots on the first connector housing when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing. In the present disclosure, the structure of the ribs(7) on the said second connector housing is protruded at a region to form the protruded portion(6) such that said protruded portion adapted to push the second flexible arm of the at least one latch in a pre-defined direction(8) when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to the pre-defined length. This helps the latch to disengage (or unlock) with the tooth (5) of the lever, so that the lever is free to rotate from a first position (11) [SEE FIGURE 1] to a second position (12) as shown in the Figure 2.

[0016] The said first flexible arm is adapted to disengage with the tooth and move in a direction opposite (9) to the pre-defined direction, when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to the pre-defined length. The pre-defined length is determined based on a length of the protruded portion (6) of the at least one rib (7).

[0017] The second flexible arm moves in a direction opposite (9) to the pre-defined direction and the first flexible arm moves in the pre-defined direction(8) when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing for a first length greater than the length of the protruded portion (6) of the at least one rib(7).
[0018] The first flexible arm of the at least one latch (4) has a first extension(4b1) that engages with the tooth in a locking arrangement. The second flexible arm of the at least one latch has a second extension(4a1) that engages with said protruded portion when the second connector housing (2) slides into the first connector housing (1) up to the pre-defined length.
[0019] Said second extension (4a1) disengages with the protruded portion when the second connector housing (2) slides into the first connector housing(1) for the first length greater than the length of the protruded portion(6) of the at least one rib(7). According to the present invention, as soon as the second extension (4a1) loses contact (or disengages) with the protruded portion (6) of the second connector housing, it (the second extension) again comes back to its original position which was a position before the at least one latch came into contact with the rib of the second connector housing. This unlocks the lever (disengages the tooth from the first extension) and allows it to rotate (from the first position (11) to the second position (12)) when the second connector housing slides fully into the first connector housing .

[0020] Advantageously in the present invention, the movement of lever due mishandling of lever is prevented. The at least one latch in the first connector housing will always lock the lever in pre-lock position and the lever can only be released by the protruded rib on the second connector housing when it is assembled with the first connector housing in pre-lock position.

, Claims:We Claim:
1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

-a first connector housing comprising:

- at least one latch comprising a first and a second flexible arm, said at least one latch pivoted on the first connector housing at a point between said first and second flexible arm, and

-at least one lever pivoted on the first connector housing, said at least one lever comprising a tooth, said tooth engaged in a locking arrangement with the first flexible arm of the at least one latch; and

-a second connector housing slidable into the first connector housing,

characterized in that:

-said first flexible arm adapted to disengage with the tooth of the at least one lever when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to a pre-defined length.

2. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein, the second connector housing comprises at least one rib with a protruded portion, said protruded portion adapted to push the second flexible arm of the at least one latch in a pre-defined direction when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to the pre-defined length.

3. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein, the said first flexible arm is adapted to disengage with the tooth and move in a direction opposite to the pre-defined direction, when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to the pre-defined length.

4. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, the pre-defined length is determined based on a length of the protruded portion of the at least one rib.

5. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the second flexible arm moves in a direction opposite to the pre-defined direction and the first flexible arm moves in the pre-defined direction when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing for a first length greater than the length of the protruded portion of the at least one rib .

6. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, the first flexible arm of the at least one latch has a first extension that engages with the tooth in a locking arrangement.

7. The electrical connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, the second flexible arm of the at least one latch has a second extension that engages with said protruded portion when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing up to the pre-defined length.

8. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein, said second extension disengages with the protruded portion when the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing for the first length greater than the length of the protruded portion of the at least one rib