Hermaphroditic electrical connectors
US6074230A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R24/84
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical connector assembly includes a pair of hermaphroditic connectors having opposed mating faces which are juxtaposed generally along a plane when the connectors are mated. The connectors are adapted for mating in either opposite direction generally parallel to the plane of the mating faces. Each connector includes a housing having a plurality of spaced-apart ribs defining respective grooves between adjacent ribs. The ribs of each connector are interleaved with the ribs of the other connector when the two connectors are mated. The housing of each connector includes complementary interengaging latches to lock the connectors against unmating in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the mating faces. A plurality of terminals are mounted on each housing and have contact portions of at least some of the terminals between the ribs for engaging the contact portions of the terminals on the housing of the other connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.