Connector position assurance element with lock protection feature
First Claim
1. A connector assembly comprising:
- a first connector housing having an open end, an inner cavity and a locking protrusion extending from an upper wall into the inner cavity;
a second connector housing having a top wall and a flexible lock arm extending along the top wall, the second connector housing and lock arm being sized to be received in the inner cavity of the first connector housing, the lock arm having a locking aperture for receiving the locking protrusion when the second connector housing is fully inserted in the first connector housing, the lock arm further having a free end terminating in a release tab which remains outside the first connector housing when the second connector housing is fully inserted in the first connector housing, the release tab being in a raised position when the locking protrusion on the first connector housing is in the locking aperture on the lock arm, the release tab capable of being depressed so as to move the lock arm downwardly and disengage the locking aperture from the locking protrusion; and
an assurance element adapted to be inserted between the top wall and lock arm to a preset position and adapted to be fully inserted between the top wall and lock arm to a fully locked position, the assurance element including a seat adapted to be positioned under the release tab to prevent the release tab from being depressed so as to disengage the locking aperture from the locking protrusion when the second connector housing is fully inserted in the first connector housing and the assurance element is fully inserted between the top wall and lock arm.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector position assurance (CPA) element and lock arm structure for mating connector housings in which the CPA element has three-stage insertion and two-stage withdrawal with complementary locking and release-preventing engagement with the lock arm and connector housing in each of the positions. The CPA element is first inserted partway underneath the lock arm on the first housing to a pre-set position in which it is not easily removed from the housing. The connector with the pre-set CPA element is next inserted into a second connector housing, in which the CPA element is released from the pre-set position to a pre-locked position. The CPA element can then be fully inserted underneath the lock arm from the pre-locked position to a fully-locked position in which it provides both a visual indication of complete connector mating and strengthens the locking engagement between the connector housings.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A connector assembly comprising:
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a first connector housing having an open end, an inner cavity and a locking protrusion extending from an upper wall into the inner cavity;
a second connector housing having a top wall and a flexible lock arm extending along the top wall, the second connector housing and lock arm being sized to be received in the inner cavity of the first connector housing, the lock arm having a locking aperture for receiving the locking protrusion when the second connector housing is fully inserted in the first connector housing, the lock arm further having a free end terminating in a release tab which remains outside the first connector housing when the second connector housing is fully inserted in the first connector housing, the release tab being in a raised position when the locking protrusion on the first connector housing is in the locking aperture on the lock arm, the release tab capable of being depressed so as to move the lock arm downwardly and disengage the locking aperture from the locking protrusion; and
an assurance element adapted to be inserted between the top wall and lock arm to a preset position and adapted to be fully inserted between the top wall and lock arm to a fully locked position, the assurance element including a seat adapted to be positioned under the release tab to prevent the release tab from being depressed so as to disengage the locking aperture from the locking protrusion when the second connector housing is fully inserted in the first connector housing and the assurance element is fully inserted between the top wall and lock arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A connector position assurance element comprising:
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a horizontal base portion having an insertion end and a withdrawal end;
a stem extending vertically from the withdrawal end of the base portion;
a finger-graspable crossbar on an end of the stem distal from the base portion;
a deflectable arm extending from the withdrawal end of the base portion at an upward acute angle and terminating in a free end adjacent and above the insertion end; and
,a shoulder located between the stem and the deflectable arm, the shoulder defining a horizontal seat above the base portion and below the crossbar. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A connector assembly comprising:
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a first connector housing having an open end, an inner cavity and a locking protrusion extending from an upper wall into the inner cavity adjacent the open end;
a second connector housing having a top wall and a flexible, cantilevered lock arm extending along the top wall from an insertion end toward a withdrawal end, the second connector housing and lock arm being sized to be received in the inner cavity of the first connector housing, the lock arm further including a locking aperture for receiving the locking protrusion when the second connector housing and lock arm are fully inserted in the first connector housing, the lock arm further including a finger-operable release tab at the withdrawal end of the second connector housing, the release tab remaining outside the inner cavity when the second connector housing and lock arm are fully inserted in the first connector housing;
an assurance element adapted to be inserted between the top wall and lock arm from the withdrawal end of the second connector housing, the assurance element including a portion adjacent its withdrawal end adapted to rest under and block downward movement of the finger-operable tab, and a raised, deflectable arm adjacent its insertion end adapted to engage the lock arm in an insertion-preventing and withdrawal-hindering pre-set position when the assurance element is inserted partway underneath the lock arm and prior to the tab-blocking portion arriving under the finger-operable tab, the deflectable arm further being adapted to be moved out of the insertion-preventing, withdrawal-hindering pre-set position by the locking protrusion on the first connector when the second connector housing is inserted in the inner cavity of the first connector to the fully inserted position thereby defining a pre-locked position, the deflectable arm further being adapted to engage the lock arm in a fully locked position when the assurance element is inserted fully under the lock arm with the tab-blocking portion resting under the finger-operable tab.
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Specification