Electrical connector and connector assembly

• US 5,603,632 A
• Filed: 02/09/1995
• Issued: 02/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Johannes, Richard A., Henderson, Kevin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, YONG KI
• Application Number:
  US08/386,022
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/489, 439/357, 439/358, 439/188
• US Class Current: 439/357
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly comprises a first housing supporting an array of first contacts and defining a passage for receipt of a CPA (connection positive assurance) component, a second housing matable with the first housing by movement along a connection axis and having an array of second contacts for mating engagement with the array of first contacts, a CPA member having a first portion movable in the first housing passage and a having a second portion, and first and second latch members respectively with the first and second housings and engageable in the course of mating thereof, the first latch means being disposed in a path of movement of the CPA member second portion. The first and second latch members effect a first measure of securement of the first and second housings, and the CPA is engageable with the first latch member for effecting a second, cumulative measure of securement of the first and second housings.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

(a) a first housing supporting an array of first contacts and defining a passage for receipt of a CPA component;

(b) a second housing matable with said first housing by movement along a connection access and having an array of second contacts for mating engagement with said array of first contacts;

(c) a CPA member having a first and second portion, said first portion being movable in said first housing passage; and

(d) first and second latch means respectively with said first and second housings and engageable in the course of mating thereof, said first latch means being disposed in a path of movement of said CPA member second portion and wherein said first housing and said first latch means define mutually engageable means for retaining said first latch means with said first housing.

2. The connector assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein said mutually engageable means comprises first and second projections on said first housing restraining said first latch means from movement along said connection axis.

3. The connector assembly claimed in claim 2, wherein said mutually engageable means further comprises nesting means on said first housing cooperative with said first and second projections for restraining said first latch means from movement transversely of said connection axis.

4. The connector assembly claimed in claim 3, wherein said nesting means comprises first housing structure partially circumscribing said first latch means.

5. The connector assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein said first latch means includes a first end portion extending upwardly of an uppermost surface of said first housing adjacent said first housing passage.

6. The connector assembly claimed in claim 5, wherein said CPA member engages said first latch means first end portion in the course of CPA member movement in said first housing passage.

7. The connector assembly claimed in claim 6, wherein said first latch means further includes a second end portion having a detent in facing relation with said second housing, said second latch means extending from said second housing into said first latch means detent.

8. The connector assembly claimed in claim 1, wherein said first housing and said CPA member are mutually configured such that said CPA member may take plural different positions relative to said first housing.

9. The connector assembly claimed in claim 8, wherein said CPA member includes a toothed leg residing in said first housing passage and wherein said first housing includes at least one tooth disposed in said first housing passage.

10. An electrical assembly, comprising:

(a) a first housing supporting an array of first contacts and defining a passage for receipt of a CPA component;

(b) a second housing matable with said first housing by movement along a connection axis and having an array of second contacts for mating engagement with said array of first contacts;

(c) first and second latch means respectively with said first and second housing and engageable for effecting a first measure of securement of said first and second housing, and wherein said first housing and said first latch means define mutually engageable means for retaining said first latch means with said first housing; and

(d) a CPA member movable in said first housing passage and engageable with said first latch means for effecting a second measure of securement of said first and second housing.

11. The connector assembly claimed in claim 10, wherein said mutually engageable means comprises first and second projections on said first housing restraining said first latch means from movement along said connection axis.

12. The connector assembly claimed in claim 11, wherein said mutually engageable means further comprises nesting means on said first housing cooperative with said first and second projections for restraining said first latch means from movement transversely of said connection axis.

13. The connector assembly claimed in claim 12, wherein said restraining means comprises first housing structure partially circumscribing said first latch means.

14. The connector assembly claimed in claim 10, wherein said first latch means includes a first end portion extending upwardly of an uppermost surface of said first housing adjacent said first housing passage.

15. The connector assembly claimed in claim 14, wherein said CPA member engages said first latch means end portion in the course of CPA member movement in said first housing passage for effecting said second measure of securement of said first and second housings.

16. The connector assembly claimed in claim 15, wherein said first latch means further includes a second end portion having a detent in facing relation with said second housing, said second latch means extending from said second housing into said first latch means detent.

17. An electrical connector comprising:

(a) a housing defining a passage for receipt of a CPA component;

(b) a plurality of electrical contacts supported in said housing along a connection axis;

(c) a CPA member supported by said housing; and

(d) a latch member having first and second opposed ends,

said latch member being supported by said housing for pivotal movement at a location between said first and second opposed ends, and wherein said housing and said latch member define mutually engageable means for retaining said latch member with said housing and for effecting the pivotal movement support for said latch member.

18. The connector claimed in claim 17, wherein said mutually engageable means comprises first and second projections on said housing restraining said latch member from movement along said connection axis.

19. The connector claimed in claim 18, wherein said mutually engageable means further comprises nesting means on said housing cooperative with said first and second projections for restraining said latch member from movement transversely of said connection axis.

20. The connector claimed in claim 19, wherein said nesting means comprises housing structure partially circumscribing said latch member.

21. The connector claimed in claim 17, wherein said latch member includes a first end portion extending upwardly of an uppermost surface of said housing adjacent said housing passage.

22. The connector claimed in claim 21, wherein housing defines a passage for movement of said CPA member and wherein said CPA member engages said latch member first end portion in the course of CPA member movement in said housing passage.

23. The connector claimed in claim 22, wherein said latch member further includes a second end portion having a detent for receipt of a latching projection of another connector.

24. The connector claimed in claim 17, wherein said housing and said CPA member are mutually configured such that said CPA member may take plural different positions relative to said housing.

25. The connector claimed in claim 24, wherein said CPA member includes a toothed leg residing in said housing passage and wherein said housing includes at least one tooth disposed in said first housing passage.