Tyco Electronics Corporation

The Whitaker Corporation

Wolfgang Hoelscher

Bobby Gene Ward

Shawn Phillip Tobey

Joseph Edward Geniac

Darryl Craig Martin

Yuvette Tate Peterson

Robert David Greiner

Paul P Siwinski

A connector assembly comprising a cap member having a plurality of fixed cap terminal position assurance mechanisms defined thereon, and a plug member having one or more of fixed plug terminal position assurance mechanisms defined thereon, wherein each of the cap terminal position assurance mechanisms fixably mate with each of the plug terminal position assurance mechanisms, wherein each of the cap and plug terminal position assurance mechanisms comprise a post projecting outwardly from each of the cap member and the plug member, and a cutout configured to fixably mate to the post. The cutout maybe configured adjacent the post, wherein the cap/plug terminal position assurance mechanisms are arranged proximate an outer rim of the cap/plug member or the cap/plug terminal assurance mechanism may be located generally in the center of the interface manifold.

Terminal position assurance with forward interlocking face keying

Electrical connector apparatus is provided having a cap and a plug which can be mated together, each of the cap and plug having a respective terminal position assurance device associated therewith, wherein each of the cap, plug and terminal position assurance devices has a box-like configuration, such that when assembled, the connector has a box-in-box-in-box-in-box construction which assures that mechanical and electrical connections will be maintained in high vibration environments.

Electrical connector apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture

An electrical connector assembly includes a plug connector assembly matable with a pin header by rack and pinion means. The plug connector assembly includes a shield in which an inner connector housing containing receptacle terminals is mounted. A lever is mounted on the shield , and the lever includes pinion gear members that protrude from the side of lever arms . The pinion gear members engage rack gear members located on the interior of header walls . The rack gear members are laterally offset so that they can be molded using straight action mold tooling with no undercuts or side action. The lever pinion gears protrude so that they can engage the laterally offset rack gear members

Rack and pinion electrical connector with offset gear teeth

A stabilization alignment mechanism and method thereof for providing stalility for an electrical connector assembly, wherein the stabilization alignment mechanism comprises a cap housing having at least one stepped member protruding from an inner wall of the cap housing, wherein the stepped member comprises a first portion and a second portion; a terminal position assurance member having a guide slot configured therein for receiving the first portion of the stepped member; and a plug housing having a receiving slot configured therein for receiving the first portion of the stepped member, wherein the second portion of the stepped member sits on an outer wall of the plug housing. The plug housing slidably and stably mounts inside the cap housing. Moreover, the terminal position assurance member is a movable component within the electrical connector assembly. Furthermore, the first portion of the stepped member stably mounts between two surfaces of the plug housing.

Stepped/keying interface stabilization alignment mechanism

A terminal position housing ( ) is used with an alignment plate ( ) to align male terminals or blades ( ) extending from a printed circuit board assembly ( ). A plug connector ( ) having multiple female terminals or receptacles ( ) is mated to the blades ( ) with the assistance of the terminal position housing ( ) and the alignment plate ( ). The terminal position housing ( ) includes a stationary plate ( ) having apertures ( ) through which the blades ( ) are inserted. The stationary plate apertures ( ) are aligned with apertures ( ) in the movable alignment plate ( ), and these aligned apertures keep the blades ( ) aligned with the receptacles ( ) even if the blades ( ) may be deflected due to forces applied by mechanical assist members, such as bolts ( ).

Terminal position housing assembly

An electrical connector assembly (,) is primarily intended for use in connecting portable electronic devices (,), such as cellular telephones, to the electrical system of a motor vehicle. The electrical connector assembly (,) includes a plug connector (,) that can be attached to a cord (,) for connection to the portable electronic device. A mating receptacle connector (,) is permanently mounted in the motor vehicle and is attached to an automotive wiring harness. The receptacle connector (,) includes a secondary lock or terminal position assurance member (,) that forms the front cover of the receptacle connector (,) when properly positioned. Primary terminal latches (,) securing receptacle terminals (,) in a housing (,) are exposed on the top and bottom surfaces and the secondary lock (,) surrounds these primary latches (,) when properly positioned on the connector. Terminals (,) can therefore be positioned on the relatively close centerlines characteristic of electrical connectors used with portable electronic devices.

Growing community of inventors

Stokesdale, NC, United States of America

Wolfgang Hoelscher