Electrical connector having a two-piece socket portion
US6290539A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/506
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A connector component includes a housing portion and an insert portion. The insert portion includes a plurality of terminal-receiving passages. Conductive terminals may be inserted into the passages, and a ramped fixed shoulder is formed on each passage surface for retaining the terminals in the passage. Additionally, a flexible finger is provided for each passage for holding the terminals in position in the passage. A terminal may be loaded into each passage and disposed in front of the shoulder. The housing portion of the invention includes a generally box-shaped casing having a hollow cavity for receiving the insert portion of the invention. Each of the upper and lower walls includes a transverse step formed along the expanse between the side walls. The upper and lower walls further include a transverse ramped locking area which also extends between the side walls. The transverse step serves as part of a terminal position assurance ("TPA") system for preventing assembly of the insert portion into the housing if a terminal is not properly seated in its passage. When a terminal is not properly seated, the finger for that passage will extend outward more than the remaining fingers,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.