Connector
US5997344A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/7032
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In order to detect via an external circuit whether male and female connector housings 1 and 2 have been correctly fitted together, a short-circuiting terminal 19 which bends when a locking arm 10 bends either short circuits or fails to short circuit a pair of detecting terminals 7 located on the male housing 1. The area surrounding the short-circuiting terminal 19 is surrounded by an interior protecting wall which is covered by a flexible sealing cover 27. The sealing cover covers only the short-circuiting terminal and the locking arm remains exposed. The upper face of the interior protecting wall has an opening 25A. When the locking arm 19 is bent while the housings are being fitted, the short-circuiting terminal 19 is moved via the sealing cover 27 and the short-circuiting terminal and the detecting terminals 7 separate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.