ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE

• US 20120282791A1
• Filed: 05/03/2012
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Beck, Hoy Smith Jr., BROWN, MICHAEL DALE
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/157
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

An electrical connector comprising a housing having at least one terminal receiving passageway, an opening positioned proximate at least one terminal receiving passageway, a primary latch for latching the electric connector to a mating connector, and a slot extending longitudinally along side the primary latch. The connector has a connector position assurance member (CPA) positionable in the opening and having a locking latch which is laterally offset from the primary latch of the housing. The CPA has first and second longitudinal positions. The first position where the CPA is in a partially inserted position and a second position where the housing is in a fully mated position within a mating connector housing and the CPA is in a fully inserted position.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

a housing;

having at least one terminal receiving passageway,

an opening positioned proximate the at least one terminal receiving passageway,

a primary latch for latching the electric connector to a mating connector; and

a slot extending longitudinally along side the primary latch;

a connector position assurance member (CPA) being positionable in the opening and having a locking latch which is laterally offset from the primary latch, the CPA having first and second longitudinal positions, a first position where the CPA is in a partially inserted position, and a second position where the housing is in a fully mated position within a mating connector housing, and the CPA is in a fully inserted position.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the CPA comprises a planar body portion having a longitudinal centerline and wherein the locking latch extends upwardly from the planar body portion at a position laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the primary latch extends from an upper wall of the housing and is positioned adjacent to a lateral centerline of the housing.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the opening is positioned intermediate the upper wall and the terminal receiving passageway.

5. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the locking latch is aligned to move longitudinally within the slot.

6. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein a stop member is positioned across the slot, the stop being profiled for abutment of the CPA locking latch in the first position.

7. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein the stop member is formed integral with the primary latch.

8. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the CPA further comprises one or more latch arms wherein the latch arms comprises one or more lugs extending out from the latch arms.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein when the CPA is moved from the first position to the second position the lugs reside within complimentary openings in the housing.