Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Aptiv Technologies Limited

Bart N Caldwell

Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari

Christopher Adrian Margrave

John D Schneider

Sivakumar Niranjan

Erika M Hocevar

James D Daugherty

Sivakumar Jogula

Michael Bashkin

Erika M Garver

Kevin S Turner

John L Jablonski

A connector assembly includes a first-connector-housing, an inner-housing, a terminal-stabilizer, and a second-connector-housing. The inner-housing is disposed within a cavity defined by the first-connector-housing. The inner-housing includes an opposed flexible-lock moveable from a locked-position to an unlocked-position. The terminal-stabilizer is disposed within the cavity and is movable from a pre-stage-position to a seated-position. The terminal-stabilizer defines a stop configured to engage an end of the opposed flexible-lock when the opposed flexible-lock is in the locked-position. The second-connector-housing includes an unlocking-feature configured to move the opposed flexible-lock from the locked-position to the unlocked-position. When the second-connector-housing is mated with the first-connector-housing the unlocking-feature moves the opposed flexible-lock to the unlocked-position, whereby the stop on the terminal-stabilizer moves past the opposed flexible-lock and the second-connector-housing moves the terminal-stabilizer from the pre-stage-position to the seated-position.

Connector assembly with terminal-stabilizer

A connector assembly includes a connector-body having electrical-terminals. The electrical-terminals are inserted into cavities defined by the connector-body through apertures defined in a rear-face of the connector-body. The connector-body includes a lock feature configured to releasably lock the electrical-terminals within the cavities. The lock feature has a planar-member with a first-end and a second-end. The first-end defines a flex-lock feature. The second-end is attached by a hinge to a leading-edge of the outer-surface of the connector-body proximate the front-face. The flex-lock feature defines a hook-side and a wall-side disposed within a slot defined by the connector-body. The hook-side is configured to releasably engage a locking-shelf partially enclosing the slot. The wall-side engages the electrical-terminals when the hook-side engages the locking-shelf. When a removal-force is applied to the electrical-terminals, the removal-force is transferred through the hook-side to the locking-shelf, thereby inhibiting removal of the electrical-terminals from the cavities.

Connector assembly with locking feature

An electrical connector-assembly includes a first-housing and a second-housing. The first-housing has first-walls that include opposed gear-racks extending beyond an outer-surface. The opposed gear-racks are configured to engage a mate-assist device. The first-walls include opposed locking-fins extending beyond the outer-surface. The opposed locking-fins have first-fins and second-fins. The second-housing includes the mate-assist device which is moveable from an unlocked-position to a locked-position and is pivotable about the lateral-axis. The mate-assist device has gear-teeth configured to engage the opposed gear-racks of the first-housing. The second-housing has a skirt configured to slideably engage the outer-surface of the first-housing. The skirt includes flex-locks configured to engage the first-fins and retain the second-housing in a prestage-position. When the mate-assist device is moved from the unlocked-position to the locked-position, the second-housing is moved from the prestage-position to a seated-position, whereby the flex-locks engage the second-fins, thereby inhibiting a movement between the second-housing and the first-housing.

Electrical connector with high vibration resistant locks

A connector assembly includes a first-connector-housing, an inner-housing, a terminal-stabilizer, and a second-connector-housing. The inner-housing is disposed within a cavity defined by the first-connector-housing. The inner-housing includes a pair of opposed flexible-locks moveable from a locked-position to an unlocked-position. The terminal-stabilizer is disposed within the cavity and movable from a pre-stage-position to a seated-position. The terminal-stabilizer defines a pair of stops configured to engage ends of the opposed flexible-locks when the opposed flexible-locks are in the locked-position. The second-connector-housing includes a pair of unlocking-features configured to move the pair of opposed flexible-locks from the locked-position to the unlocked-position. When the second-connector-housing is mated with the first-connector-housing the pair of unlocking-features move the pair of opposed flexible-locks to the unlocked-position, whereby the pair of stops on the terminal-stabilizer move past the pair of opposed flexible-locks and the second-connector-housing moves the terminal-stabilizer from the pre-stage-position to the seated-position.

A connector assembly includes a first-connector and a second-connector. The first-connector has a locking-lug. The second-connector has a cantilevered latch configured to slideably engage the locking-lug. The cantilevered latch includes a pair of parallel latch-arms. The pair of parallel latch-arms terminate at a first cross-beam that spans the pair of parallel latch-arms. The cantilevered latch further includes a second cross-beam parallel to the first cross-beam. The second cross-beam is configured to releasably lock the locking-lug when the first-connector is mated with the second-connector. The pair of parallel latch-arms includes a rib extending beyond a bottom-surface of each individual latch-arm. The locking-lug deflects the pair of parallel latch-arms toward an outer-surface of the second-connector when first-connector is moved from an unmated-position to a mated-position, whereby the rib contacts the outer-surface and limits a deflection of the pair of parallel latch-arms.

Electrical connector with connector lock

A connector system including a first connector body, a second connector body configured to mate with the first connector body, a locking feature configured to secure the second connector body to the first connector body, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device that, when engaged, inhibits operation of the locking feature. A portion of the second connector body and the CPA device cooperate to form a box to completely enclose the locking feature, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the CPA device from the locking feature. The CPA device has a flexible lock arm configured to secure the CPA device to the second connector body. A portion of the CPA lock arm may be configured to be frangible. The second connector body and/or the CPA device may define an aperture configured to provide access to the CPA lock arm. The aperture is at least partially blocked by a frangible tab.

Connector system with disconnection evident connector position assurance feature

A connector assembly includes a first connector that includes a ramp. A second connector has a pump handle that includes laterally spaced legs joined at a hook. The hook is configured to interlock with the ramp in an intermediate assembled condition that provides continuity between the first and second connectors. The pump handle has a lower surface. A positional assurance element is movably supported on the second connector and includes a tongue that is arranged between the legs. The tongue includes an upper surface that extends beyond the lower surface such that the tongue and the pump handle overlap one another with the first and second connectors in a nested but unassembled condition. The positional assurance element is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position while in the intermediate assembled condition to provide a fully assembled condition.

Connector assembly with positional assurance

An electrical connection system and method includes a first connector housing matable to a second connector housing along a mating axis. The first connector housing contains a mating assist lever (MAL) that rotationally pivots between an INOPERATIVE position and a CLOSED position and includes a locking means. When the MAL is positionally rotatable to the CLOSED position the first connector housing and the second connector housing are mated together such that the locking means is disposed adjacent an external surface of the second connector housing. A sufficiently applied force against the locking means actuates the locking means so that the locking means latchingly secures the first connector housing to the second connector housing. A CPA member, also disposed on the MAL, slidingly communicates with the latched locking means transverse to the mating axis and ensures the latched locking means does not become unlatched so that electrical connection system remains mated.

Electrical connection system including mating assist lever that contains locking means and connector position assurance member that interacts therewith

Growing community of inventors

West Farmington, OH, United States of America

Bart N Caldwell