Connector system with connector position assurance
US9680256B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R24/38
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical connector includes a housing and a connector position assurance (CPA) element. The CPA element includes a beam that is deflected from a blocked position to a clearance position by a mating connector that is loaded into a cavity of the housing. When the beam is in the blocked position, movement of the CPA element from an extended position to an inserted position is mechanically blocked by a protrusion of the housing that abuts the beam. The beam of the CPA element, when moved to the clearance position, clears the protrusion to allow the CPA element to move from the extended position to the inserted position. The housing may include a pair of such deflectable beams, each with a slot having an opening at its distal end. The opening of one of the beams aligns with the protrusion when the beam is deflected to its clearance position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.