Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Grant Michael Wheeler

Jesus R Morales

Andrew Joseph Jozwiak

Daniel S Eichorn

Mark Wayne Smith

Steven P Ragalyi

Brian Skolnik

A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.

Method for reducing spatial gaps in snap locking features

A mechanically assisted electrical connector including a lever and a slider. The slider is coupled to the lever such that movement of the lever moves the slider. The slider defines a slot that is configured to cooperate with a post of a mating connector in a manner effective to urge the electrical connector and the mating connector together when the lever is moved from a first position to a second position. A ramp angle of the slot is varied to reduce a peak value of an applied force to advance the lever from the first position to the second position when connecting the electrical connector to the mating connector.

Electrical connector with mechanically assisted engagement

An electrical distribution center assembly having a connector including a plurality of terminals and a terminal stabilizer plate engaging the tips of the terminals to hold the terminals in position and resist bending prior to inserting a mating connector into the electrical distribution center assembly. The terminal stabilizer plate is held in a ready position by a releasable latch means until an axial force applied to the releasable latch means by the mating connector body exceeds a force threshold, whereby the terminal stabilizer plate is released from the ready position and is moved to a seated position. The releasable latch means may include a flexible beam or other resilient member to hold the terminal stabilizer plate in the ready position until it is released.

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El Paso, TX, United States of America

Grant Michael Wheeler