Apparatus for detecting and locking electrical connector terminals
US5816856A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/4223
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A spacer for an electrical connector which detects the presence of electrical terminals inserted into terminal accommodating chambers in the connector and which locks the terminals in the chambers only when the terminals are fully inserted. The spacer preferably has a lock arm for each chamber. Each lock arm has a stop which holds the spacer in a pre-set position by abutting against the chamber. As the terminal is inserted into the chamber, the terminal contacts the lock arm and deflects it to a position where the stop no longer engages the chamber. The spacer can only be moved to a full-lock position when all terminals are completely inserted into the chambers. Each lock arm preferably includes a terminal-detecting projection which rides along a surface of the terminal until it reaches an engagement aperture in the surface of the terminal. The projection is then securely received by the engagement aperture as the lock arm returns to an at rest position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.