CONNECTOR WITH TPA

• US 20160322736A1
• Filed: 07/07/2016
• Published: 11/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molex LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Molex LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: LUTHY, John, SOUSEK, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 9,966,687 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4361 Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4364 Insertion of locking piece from the front

Abstract

A connector is provided which has a housing and a terminal position assurance (TPA) member. The housing has a base which includes a first side, a second side and a top surface that extends between the first and second side. The base further includes a channel. The TPA member extends from the top surface of the base. The TPA member has a hinge that substantially extends from the first side to the second side of the base. The hinge extends from the top surface and connects the TPA member to the top surface. The TPA member includes a rear edge that is configured to rotate approximately one-hundred eighty (180) degrees so as to press against the base. The TPA member includes a pushing flange that extends past the rear edge. The pushing flange is configured to be inserted into the channel.

Claims

1. A connector, the connector comprising:

a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side and having a top surface that extends between the first and second side, the base including a channel; and

a terminal position assurance (TPA) member extending from the top surface of the base, the TPA member having a hinge that substantially extends from the first side to the second side of the base, the hinge extending from the top surface and connecting the TPA member to the top surface, the TPA member including a rear edge that is configured to rotate approximately one-hundred eighty (180) degrees so as to press against the base, the TPA member including a pushing flange that extends past the rear edge, the pushing flange being configured to be inserted into the channel.

2. A connector, the connector comprising:

a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side and having a top surface that extends between the first and second side, the base including a channel; and

a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is operatively associated with the housing, the TPA member having a hinge which extends from the top surface of the base, the TPA member including a rear edge that is configured to rotate more than ninety (90) degrees so as to press against the base, the TPA member including a pushing flange that extends past the rear edge, wherein the pushing flange is configured to be inserted into the channel.

3. The connector as defined in claim 2, wherein the rear edge of the TPA member is configured to rotate approximately one-hundred eighty (180) degrees so as to press against the base.

4. The connector as defined in claim 2, wherein the hinge substantially extends from the first side to the second side of the base.

5. The connector as defined in claim 2, wherein the TPA member has only one hinge.

6. The connector as defined in claim 2, wherein the hinge extends a first distance from the top surface to the base, and wherein the pushing flange extends past the rear edge a second distance, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

7. A connector, the connector comprising:

a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side and having a top surface that extends between the first and second side, the base including a channel; and

a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is operatively associated with the housing, the TPA member being hingedly secured to the top surface of the base proximate to both the first and second sides thereof, the TPA member including a rear edge that is configured to rotate more than ninety (90) degrees so as to press against the base, the TPA member including a pushing flange that extends past the rear edge, wherein the pushing flange is configured to be inserted into the channel.

8. The connector as defined in claim 7, wherein the rear edge of the TPA member is configured to rotate approximately one-hundred eighty (180) degrees so as to press against the base.

9. The connector as defined in claim 7, wherein the TPA member is hingedly secured to the top surface of the base by one hinge.

10. The connector as defined in claim 9, wherein the one hinge substantially extends from the first side to the second side of the base.

11. A connector, the connector comprising:

a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side and having a top surface that extends between the first and second side, the base including a channel, the first side including an angled retention flange with a sloped surface; and

a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is operatively associated with the housing, the TPA member including a locking tab with an angled surface, wherein when the TPA member is moved to be secured to the housing and at least partially positioned within the channel, the locking tab engages the angled retention flange and the sloped surface and the angled surface aid in allowing the TPA member to move into the desired secured position.

12. The connector as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the first and second sides include an angled retention flange with a sloped surface, and wherein the TPA member includes a pair of locking tabs with angled surfaces, wherein when the TPA member is moved to be secured to the housing and at least partially positioned within the channel, each locking tab engages a respective one of the angled retention flanges and the sloped surfaces and the angled surfaces aid in allowing the TPA member to move into the desired secured position.

13. The connector as defined in claim 11, wherein the TPA member is hingedly connected to the housing.

14. The connector as defined in claim 13, wherein the TPA member is connected to the housing by one hinge.

15. A connector, the connector comprising:

a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side, the base including a pair of channels, wherein the channels are separated from one another by a wall; and

a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is operatively associated with the housing, the TPA member including a pair of fingers, wherein when the TPA member is moved to be secured to the housing, the pair of fingers engage the wall.

16. The connector as defined in claim 15, wherein the pair of fingers is curved.

17. The connector as defined in claim 15, wherein the wall has an enlarged end.

18. The connector as defined in claim 17, wherein the pair of fingers snap over the enlarged end of the wall.

19. The connector as defined in claim 15, wherein the TPA member further includes first and second pushing flanges which are positioned rearward of the pair of fingers, the pair of fingers being offset from the first and second pushing flanges such that the first pushing flange is positioned on one side of the pair of fingers and such that the second pushing flange is positioned on an opposite side of the pair of fingers.

20. The connector as defined in claim 15, wherein the wall is positioned generally equidistantly between the first and second sides.

21. A connector, the connector comprising:

a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side, the base including a plurality of channels, wherein adjacent channels are separated from one another by a wall, the base including a forward top surface that extends between the first and second sides which covers a forward portion of each channel such that a rearward portion of each channel is open both upwardly and rearwardly; and

a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is operatively associated with the housing, wherein when the TPA member is moved to be secured to the housing, the TPA member covers the rearward portion of each channel such that each channel is only open rearwardly.