Abstract: A locking and unlocking structure for terminal connector housings of the type used in vehicle electrical systems, especially where terminals in the housings are unmated in staggered order. An axial locking member on one housing engages a locking receptacle on the other housing in a single-step locking connection, but can only be released through a series of alternating unlocking steps and connector separation steps in which the unmating of pilot and primary terminals is separated by one of the unlocking steps. The mechanical delay between the terminal unmating steps prevents arcing in high voltage or high current circuits.

Abstract: A rear cover for use in waterproof connectors and a process for forming a resilient sealing member molded in one piece in the rear cover are provided. The rear cover, in which an electric wire is inserted through a base wall, has a hollow holder pattern on an outer surface of the base wall and a molded-in resilient sealing member containing: a holder formed in the holder pattern; a sealing body extended from the holder, which protrudes toward an inner side of the base wall and has a through hole for the electric wire to pass therethrough; and a plurality of sealing lips formed around the through hole, wherein a portion of periphery of the holder pattern is notched to form a hollow of injection inlet for molding the resilient sealing member in one piece in the rear cover. Thus, the rear cover according to the present invention improves a property of mold releasing and maintenance of a mold.

Abstract: Beveled, chamfered portions are formed at one or both of front and rear ends of each of projected portions including a box-like electrical contact portion and wire-clamping portions, or all of edges of a terminal. A slanting wall, slanting in a direction of withdrawal of the waterproof rubber plug, is provided at a rear side of the projected portion. Annular protective portions are provided adjacent to front and rear ends of the conductor-clamping portion, respectively, the annular protective portions being larger in outer diameter than raised front and rear ends of the conductor-clamping portion after compressive clamping of the conductor-clamping portion. A generally semi-annular projection for preventing an inverted insertion of the terminal is provided at a bottom plate portion of the terminal, and an arch-like curved portion, extending in a direction of the width of the terminal, is formed at an apex portion of the projection.

Abstract: A connector housing has a terminal-accommodating chamber (4) and a mount opening (6) for a terminal-locking device, which communicates to the terminal-accommodating chamber (4). A terminal-locking device (2) with a resilient locking member (8) is mounted in the mount opening (6) to cause the resilient locking member (8) to engage with a terminal inserted into the terminal-accommodating chamber to lock the same in place in the chamber. The terminal-locking device, when mounted to the connector housing, reliably prevents the terminal from slipping rearwardly out of the terminal-accommodating chamber.

Abstract: An electric connector includes a connector housing (A) having a plurality of terminal receiving chambers (5) aligned side by side in at least one lateral row, a through-path (9) formed through one side wall (8) of the housing so as to communicate with the respective terminal receiving chambers and a terminal lock member (B) inserted into the through-path through two stages of a temporary lock position and a normal lock position, the terminal lock member having flexible lock arms (19) for allowing terminals (C) to be inserted into the terminal receiving chambers at the temporary lock position, having lock protrusions for engaging with the terminals at a normal insertion position to prevent the terminals from coming off, and further having fixing lock rods (23) for engaging with the terminals which are in the normal insertion position at the normal lock position, wherein each of the lock protrusions (20) of the flexible lock arms is formed so as to be wide enough to be engageable with two adjacent terminals (C)

Abstract: A sealing packing comprises an annular body, plural sealing projecting stripes formed in an upper surface of the annular body, and a plurality of ribs properly spaced between the sealing projecting stripes and extending from one edge of both inner and outer surrounding edges of the upper surface to the other edge to connect to each of the sealing projecting stripes. Plural small sealing chambers are formed in the upper surface by the sealing projecting stripes and the ribs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting and crimping connecting terminals which are to be fitted in a connector housing installed in an automobile. The device includes a crimping unit and a cutting unit. The crimping unit includes a shaping die, a cover-squeezing-protrusion crimping punch, and a core-squeezing-protrusion crimping punch, and receives a plurality of connecting terminals connected through coupling protrusions to a carrier plate, to crimp the cover squeezing protrusions and the core squeezing protrusion of each connecting terminal respectively over the cover and the core of a covered conductor. The cutting unit includes a cutting die, and a cutting punch, and cuts the coupling protrusions of the connecting terminals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproof connector which is capable of controlling the inserting posture of the terminal members with respect to the connector housing in the earlier stages of terminal insertion. The waterproof connector includes: a plurality of terminal members having inserting posture controlling protrusions; and a connector housing having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating the terminal members. A waterproof plug which has a plurality of sealing insertion holes corresponding to the terminal accommodating chambers is fitted into the rear section of the connector housing, and a waterproof plug retaining cover is mounted on the rear end section of the housing. The waterproof plug retaining cover has terminal insertion holes corresponding to the sealing insertion holes, and the terminal insertion holes have inserting posture controlling recesses allowing passage of the inserting posture controlling protrusions formed on the terminal members.

Abstract: Beveled, chamfered portions are formed at one or both of front and rear ends of each of projected portions including a box-like electrical contact portion and wire-clamping portions, or all of edges of a terminal. A slanting wall, slanting in a direction of withdrawal of the waterproof rubber plug, is provided at a rear side of the projected portion. Annular protective portions are provided adjacent to front and rear ends of the conductor-clamping portion, respectively, the annular protective portions being larger in outer diameter than raised front and rear ends of the conductor-clamping portion after compressive clamping of the conductor-clamping portion. A generally semi-annular projection for preventing an inverted insertion of the terminal is provided at a bottom plate portion of the terminal, and an arch-like curved portion, extending in a direction of the width of the terminal, is formed at an apex portion of the projection.

Abstract: A connector for a printed circuit board, having a terminal guide for guiding lead terminals, improved to suppress cracking or separation caused by a temperature change in the regions where the lead terminals are soldered to the printed circuit board. The connector has a housing having side walls on both longitudinal ends thereof, the side walls being provided with engaging grooves. The housing mounts a plurality of lead terminals which are led therefrom. The connector also has a terminal guide which is a substantially tabular member made from an insulating material provided on both longitudinal ends thereof with projections for engagement with the engaging grooves of the housing. The terminal guide has a plurality of lead terminal insertion holes formed at the same pitch as the lead terminals so as to receive these lead terminals.

Abstract: A connector comprises: a plurality of male housings each having terminal receiving chambers for receiving and retaining a female terminal; a female housing in which the male housings are fittingly received; a lock lever pivotally provided to the female housing, the lock lever being closed only when each of the male housing is completely lockingly fitted in the female housing; a first locking member provided to each of the male housings and the female housing for locking each other; a second locking member provided to each of the male housings and the lock lever for locking each of the male housings and the female housing each other; and electrical detecting member whether each of the male housings and the female housing are completely fitted and locked to each other or not.

Abstract: A perfect coupling confirming mechanism for an electric connector having a first connector housing and a second connector housing, employing two electrical contactors, among those accommodated in contactor chambers formed in the second connector housing, as check contactors for the confirmation of the perfect coupling of the first and second connector housings. The first connector housing is provided with a principal locking arm provided with a first and second locking projections. A locking slider and a short-circuiting member are provided movably in the second connector housing. When the first and second connector housings are coupled perfectly, the first locking projection and the second connector housing are engaged to lock the first and second connector housings to each other in a primary locked state.

Abstract: A coupling confirming mechanism for an electric connector having a first and second connector housings, capable of confirming the proper coupling of the first and second connector housings and double-locking the first and second connector housings. The coupling confirming mechanism comprises: a locking arm having a locking projection formed on the first connector housing; a locking lever pivotally joined at its rear end to the first connector housing and provided at its front end with an insulating projection, and at its front end with locking fingers; locking projections formed on the second connector housing; a break contact formed of a pair of short-circuiting terminals disposed in a short-circuiting terminal chamber formed in the second connector housing.