Patent Grant
9673553
The present invention generally relates to electrical connector systems utilizing a terminal position assurance (TPA) device which is removable from the connector assembly. More particularly, this invention is directed to a locking mechanism for ensuring the secure engagement of the TPA with the connector assembly.
Electrical connector systems typically include a TPA device which helps to create a more reliable interconnection. This member can be removable from the connector assembly, and thus requires the functionality to lock into place inside the housing. However, as connector systems and assemblies become smaller in size, it has become more difficult to provide an effective locking mechanism without also increasing the necessary size of the TPA.
The present invention provides an effective locking mechanism for a connector system without the necessity to increase the size of the connector assembly.
To fit an effective locking mechanism for a TPA into an electrical connector system, the locking mechanism may be placed in-line with the TPA itself. Further, both a pre-lock and a final-lock mechanism may be employed to ensure a secure engagement of the TPA with the electrical connector assembly. To achieve this, the pre-lock mechanism may be placed above the final-lock mechanism so that the pre-lock mechanism engages first, and the final-lock mechanism engages second as the TPA is inserted into the electrical connector. Further, according to at least one embodiment, it may be preferable to include at least two pre-lock mechanisms and only a single final-lock mechanism to ensure a secure engagement without a false-positive engagement.
Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:
Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.
As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
Referring to exemplary
According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the TPA 100 has only a single final locking head 110 and has only two pre-locking heads 120. According to this embodiment, the single final locking head 110 may face in a first direction, for example towards the front or back of the TPA 100, and the two pre-locking heads 120 may face in a second direction which is opposite the first direction.
Further, the final locking head 110 and the one or more pre-locking heads 120 may be located on the top surface of TPA 100. This configuration may allow for the heads 110, 120 to engage with a connector assembly in line with the insertion direction of TPA 100 into a connector assembly, as described in more detail below.
Referring now to exemplary
Final locking head 110 may have an engaging ridge 112 and a guiding head 115. Engaging ridge 112 may have a flat underside 113 and a topside 114. Engaging ridge 112 may provide the locking mechanism for final locking head 110 as once engaging ridge 112 is above an engaging portion of a connector assembly, flat underside 113 of ridge 112 prevents locking head 110 from moving in a downward direction. For example, flat underside 113 may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular from the insertion direction of TPA 100. Further, topside 114 may be inclined to assist ridge 112 to move past an engaging portion of a connector assembly as locking head 110 moves in an upward direction.
Guiding head 115 may have a flat upper portion 116 and inclined sides 117. The geometry of flat upper portion 116 and inclined sides 117 may assist in guiding final locking head 110 into a connector assembly. The flat upper portion 116 may, for example, extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of TPA 100, and the inclined sides 117 may be inclined relative to flat upper portion 116 to create a convex insertion member.
As previously stated, the foregoing description and accompanying figure refers specifically to final locking head 110. However, it is understood that pre-locking heads 120 may have the same or similar construction.
Referring now to exemplary
By configuring TPA 100 with both of the pre-locking heads 120 and the final locking head 110, further assurance can be had that the TPA is properly and securely inserted into the connector assembly. Further, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is preferable to include only a single final locking head 110 to ensure there is no false-positive engagement of TPA 100 with connector assembly 10, and also to ensure that there is no situation where a half-mating occurs.
The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5252096 | Okada | Oct 1993 | A |
| 6010374 | Miwa | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6036552 | Atsumi | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6648699 | Makino | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6902443 | Hara | Jun 2005 | B2 |
