Patent · US Expired

Electrical connector assembly

US6599150B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
7References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 22, 2002
Grant dateJul 29, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 3, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/4364
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly comprising includes a housing having a plurality of terminal receiving passages. Each terminal passage has an opening configured to permit an electrical terminal to be inserted into the passage and a deflectable latch for securing the terminal within the passage. A terminal position assurance device (TPA) is matable with the housing for movement between a partially engaged position and a fully engaged position. The TPA defines an overstress features that cooperates with the latches when the TPA is at its preset position to prevent the latches from deflecting beyond a predetermined point as the terminals are inserted into and/or removed from the passages. The overstress features may include wedge members that are insertable into the housing at locations adjacent the latches. The terminal passages may be arranged in adjacent pairs. In this configuration, the housing includes a longitudinal gap extending between the terminal latches of given pair of adjacent passages. Each wedge member is position for insertion into one of the longitudinal gaps. The wedge member has a reduced sized distal portion which mates with the longitudinal gap when the TPA is at…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.