Connector position assurance device, a connector apparatus having male and female connector assemblies with terminal position assurance devices and the connector position assurance device, a male connector assembly, a female connector assembly, and a method for assembling the connector apparatus
First Claim
1. A connector apparatus, comprising:
- a female connector assembly having a set of terminal apertures for receiving therein at least a set of terminals, wherein the female connector assembly comprises a top side having a top slot and a side having a side slot, and wherein the female connector assembly further comprises a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device accommodated within the side slot and a connector position assurance (CPA) device accommodated within the top slot; and
a male connector assembly having a set of terminal apertures for receiving therein a set of other terminals, wherein the male connector assembly comprises an opening for receiving a male terminal assurance (TPA) device and the female connector assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector position assurance (CPA) device for assuring and for informing a user of the engagement of a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly in a connector apparatus, and the connector apparatus having the female connector assembly and the male connector assembly engaged together, when in full-lock position, by the CPA. The female and male connector assemblies having a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device and a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device. During transport, the female TPA is engaged, in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, to the female connector assembly, while the male TPA is engaged, in a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, to the male connector assembly. Also during transport, a connector position assurance (CPA) device is, at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position, with the female connector assembly (FIG. 13A). At least a set of terminals is provided into each of the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly when each of their respective male TPA and female TPA is at a pre-set position or a pre-lock position. The set of terminals provided for the male connector assembly is secured thereto when the male TPA thereof is placed at a full-lock position. Similarly, the set of terminals provided for the female connector assembly is secured thereto when the female TPA thereof is placed at a full-lock position. Thereafter, the male connector assembly and female connector assembly are engaged together, and the engagement thereof is assured when the CPA device is pushed downward and placed at a full-lock position (FIG. 13B) and when a leg of the CPA blocks the inward movement of a flexible member of the female connector assembly.
29 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A connector apparatus, comprising:
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a female connector assembly having a set of terminal apertures for receiving therein at least a set of terminals, wherein the female connector assembly comprises a top side having a top slot and a side having a side slot, and wherein the female connector assembly further comprises a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device accommodated within the side slot and a connector position assurance (CPA) device accommodated within the top slot; and a male connector assembly having a set of terminal apertures for receiving therein a set of other terminals, wherein the male connector assembly comprises an opening for receiving a male terminal assurance (TPA) device and the female connector assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A female connector assembly, comprising:
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a top side having a top slot; a side having a side slot; a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device accommodated within the side slot; and a connector position assurance (CPA) device accommodated within the top slot. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A male connector assembly, comprising:
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a first end; and a second end, having a set of apertures for accommodating therein a set of terminals, wherein the first end includes at least an opening for receiving therein a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device, wherein the second end includes a slot passing through at least one side thereof, wherein the male TPA device includes a pair of protrusions on at least one side thereof, wherein when one protrusion of the pair of protrusions is inserted through the slot, the male TPA device is at a pre-lock position with the male connector assembly, and wherein when the pair of protrusions is inserted through the slot, the male TPA device is at a full-lock position with the male connector assembly. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A connector position assurance (CPA) device for engaging a female connector assembly and male connector assembly in a connector apparatus, comprising:
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an upper portion; and a plurality of legs extending from the upper portion, wherein a number of the plurality of legs are inserted into a side of a connector apparatus for securing the engagement of female and male connector assemblies, wherein at least one leg among the plurality of legs blocks the movement of a flexible member of the female connector assembly, when the CPA device is in full-lock position, for assuring that the female connector assembly remains engaged with the male connector assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for assembling a connector apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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providing a female connector assembly having a set of terminal apertures for receiving therein at least a set of terminals; accommodating a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device within a side slot of the female connector assembly; accommodating a connector position assurance (CPA) device within a top slot of the female connector assembly; providing a male connector assembly having a set of terminal apertures for receiving therein a set of other terminals; accommodating a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device within an opening at an end portion of the male connector assembly; and accommodating the female connector assembly into the male connector assembly. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification