Connector position assurance device for a connector assembly

• US 8,926,355 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Heil, Stefan Rudolf, Celiker, mit, Klawinski, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US13/537,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20140004732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

A connector assembly is provided with a first member and a second member that is removably connected to the first member. The second member has a deflectable latch that secures the first and second members together. A connector position assurance device is movably supported on the second member. The connector position assurance device includes a body portion and a deflectable locking arm that extends from the body portion. The connector position assurance device is movable between a first position, wherein the locking arm is in contact with the latch to lock the connector position assurance device in the first position and to deflect the locking arm when the latch is deflected, and a second position, wherein the body portion is positioned adjacent to the latch to prevent deflection of the latch, only after the first and second members are secured together by the latch.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising:

a first member including a window defining an edge;

a second member removably connected to the first member, the second member having a deflectable latch that secures the first and second members together; and

a connector position assurance device movably supported on the second member, the connector position assurance device including a body portion and a deflectable locking arm that extends from the body portion, the connector position assurance device being movable between a first position, wherein the locking arm is in contact with the latch to lock the connector position assurance device in the first position and to deflect the locking arm when the latch is deflected, and a second position, wherein the body portion is positioned adjacent to the latch to prevent deflection of the latch, only after the first and second members are secured together by the latch, wherein the latch contacts the edge of the window to secure the first and second members together.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member has an internal chamber for receiving a portion of the second member.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the window extends through a wall of the first member for communication with the internal chamber.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch on the second member has a bifurcated end.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the locking arm of the connector position assurance device is disposed between the bifurcated end of the latch.

6. The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the latch includes a cross-member that extends between the bifurcated end thereof.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the cross-member defines a contact surface that extends outwardly in a generally perpendicular manner from outer surfaces of the bifurcated end.

8. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the second member further includes at least one rib that overlaps with an outer surface of the latch to limit movement of the latch.

9. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector position assurance device is supported for sliding movement within a guide channel on the second member.

10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the guide channel includes at least one stop tab that prevents the connector position assurance device from being removed from the guide channel.

11. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the connector position assurance device includes at least one guide section having a projection that extends outwardly from a surface thereof.

12. The connector assembly of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the guide section is deflectable relative to the body portion.

13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the body portion includes a cavity located adjacent to the guide section such that the guide section is deflectable between a relaxed position and a flexed position.

14. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking arm of the connector position assurance device includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface that extend outwardly from a surface thereof and intersect one another to form a protrusion.

15. The connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the locking arm further includes a third contact surface that extends inwardly from the second contact surface and is generally perpendicular to the locking arm.

16. The connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the locking arm further includes a fourth contact surface that extends from the third contact surface and is generally parallel with the locking arm.

17. A connector position assurance device comprising:

a body portion having a surface and at least one guide section,

a projection that extends outwardly from the guide section; and

a single locking arm extending from the body portion and including a surface that, in a relaxed position, extends generally parallel with the surface of the body, wherein the locking arm has a protrusion that extends outwardly from the surface of the locking arm and includes a first contact surface that extends at an relative to the surface of the locking arm, a second contact surface that extends from the first contact surface at a second angle relative to the surface of the locking arm, a third contact surface that extends from the second contact surface and is generally perpendicular to the surface of the locking arm, and a fourth contact surface that extends from the third contact surface and is generally parallel with the locking arm.

18. The connector position assurance device of claim 17, wherein the body portion includes a cavity that is located adjacent to the guide section such that the guide section is deflectable between a relaxed position and a flexed position.

19. A connector assembly comprising:

a first member having an internal chamber and a window that extends through a wall thereof for communication with the internal chamber;

a second member removably inserted within the first member, the second member including;

a guide channel;

a deflectable latch having a bifurcated end that extends within the guide channel;

a cross-member extending between the bifurcated end of the latch that is configured to contact an edge of the window in the first member to secure the first and second members together; and

a rib that overlaps with an outer surface of the latch to limit pivotal movement of the latch; and

a connector position assurance device movably supported on the second member, the connector position assurance device including;

a body portion having at least one guide section that is disposed for sliding movement within the guide channel on the second member; and

a single locking arm extending from the body portion between the bifurcated end of the latch, the locking arm including a protrusion having a first contact surface that extends at a first angle from the locking arm, a second contact surface that extends at a second angle from the locking arm and intersects with the first contact surface to form the protrusion, a third contact surface that extends from the second contact surface and is generally perpendicular to the locking arm, and a fourth contact surface that extends from the third contact surface and is generally parallel with the locking arm.

20. The connector assembly of claim 19, wherein the connector position assurance device is movable between a first position, wherein the third contact surface of the locking arm is in contact with the cross-member of the latch to lock the connector position assurance device in the first position and the fourth contact surface is in contact with the cross-member of the latch to deflect the locking arm when the latch is deflected, and a second position, wherein the body portion is positioned adjacent to the bifurcated end of the latch to prevent deflection of the latch, only after the first and second members are secured together by the latch.