Connector position assurance device, a connector apparatus having male and female connector assemblies with connector position assurance device, a male connector assembly, a female connector assembly, and a method for assembling the connector apparatus
First Claim
1. A connector apparatus, comprising:
- a female connector assembly for receiving a set of terminals, wherein the female connector assembly has an opening at one end thereof;
a male connector assembly for receiving another set of terminals, wherein the male connector assembly receives therein the female connector assembly for engagement thereto; and
a connector position assurance (CPA) device for entering the opening of the female connector assembly, and assures the full engagement of the male and female connector assemblies when the CPA device is at a full-lock position,wherein the CPA device includes at least a flexible member having a substantially elongated slot for accommodating therein a substantially ramp-like member of the female connector assembly when the CPA device is at a full-lock position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector position assurance (CPA) device for assuring the full engagement of a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly in a connector apparatus, and the connector apparatus having the female connector assembly and the male connector assembly engaged together when the CPA device is at a full-lock position. Prior to the CPA device being at a full-lock position, the female connector assembly, with the CPA device at a pre-lock position therein, enters the male connector assembly for engagement thereto. At such time, protruding members of a flexible member of the female connector assembly enter a side elongated slot of the male connector assembly. When the CPA device, at the pre-lock position, is further pushed into the female connector assembly, a set of side ledges extending from the CPA device prevents the flexible member of the female connector assembly from being moved or pushed; thus, with the CPA device at the full-lock position, it is assured that the male and female connector assemblies remain fully engaged.
48 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A connector apparatus, comprising:
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a female connector assembly for receiving a set of terminals, wherein the female connector assembly has an opening at one end thereof; a male connector assembly for receiving another set of terminals, wherein the male connector assembly receives therein the female connector assembly for engagement thereto; and a connector position assurance (CPA) device for entering the opening of the female connector assembly, and assures the full engagement of the male and female connector assemblies when the CPA device is at a full-lock position, wherein the CPA device includes at least a flexible member having a substantially elongated slot for accommodating therein a substantially ramp-like member of the female connector assembly when the CPA device is at a full-lock position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A connector position assurance (CPA) device for engaging female and male connector assemblies together in one of a pre-lock position and a full-lock position, the CPA device comprising:
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a first flexible member; and a second flexible member, wherein the second flexible member has a substantially elongated slot for accommodating therein a substantially ramp-like member of the female connector assembly when the CPA device is at a full-lock position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for assembling a male connector assembly and a female connector assembly, comprising the steps of:
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inserting a connector position assurance (CPA) device and a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device, at pre-lock positions, into the female connector assembly; inserting a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device, at a pre-lock position, into the male connector assembly; inserting the female TPA device and the male TPA device, at full-lock positions, into the female connector assembly and the male connector assembly, respectively; inserting the female connector assembly into the male connector assembly; and further inserting the CPA device into the female connector assembly at a full-lock position to assure that the male and female connector assemblies remain engaged, wherein the step of inserting the CPA device into the female connector assembly at a full-lock position includes the step of a substantially elongated slot of at least a flexible member of the CPA device accommodating therein a substantially ramp-like member of the female connector assembly. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification