CN116581580A

CN116581580A - Connector assembly with dislocating terminal detection function

Info

Publication number: CN116581580A
Application number: CN202310116455.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·桑达拉克里什纳马切拉; D·马诺哈兰; S·玛尼卡姆; J·施奈德
Original assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Anbofu Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-10
Filing date: 2023-02-09
Publication date: 2023-08-11

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly (100) includes a connector body (106) defining a terminal cavity (108) for receiving an electrical terminal (104) therein, the connector body having a flexible primary terminal locking arm (110) configured to secure the terminal (104) within the cavity (108) and having a tab (116) extending from a free end of the primary terminal locking arm (110). The assembly (100) further includes a separate secondary lock (112) defining a window (118) therein, attached to the connector body (106), and movable from a ready position (120) to an operative position (122). When the ISL (112) is in the operational position (122), the tab (116) of the primary terminal locking arm (110) is received within the window (118) when the primary terminal locking arm (110) is in the undeflected state. The tab (116) and the window (118) cooperate to inhibit flexing of the primary terminal locking arm (110) when the ISL (112) is in the operating position (122). Alternatively, the primary terminal locking arms (210, 310) may define windows (218, 318) and the ISLs (212, 312) may define tabs (216, 316).

Description

Connector assembly with dislocating terminal detection function

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 18/104,485, filed on 1 month 2 of 2023, which claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/308,698, filed on 10 month 2 of 2022, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present provisional patent application is directed to a connector assembly having features that can be used to detect if a terminal in the connector assembly is dislocated, i.e., not properly positioned, within the connector.

Background

In automotive connectors, a separate secondary lock (ISL) is used as a backup for the primary terminal locking arm that holds the terminals within the connector. The independent secondary lock is positioned in a ready position that allows the primary terminal locking arm to flex when the terminal is inserted into the connector housing. Then, after terminal insertion, the independent secondary lock is moved to an operative position in which deflection of the primary terminal locking arm is inhibited. In addition to the primary terminal locking arm, the separate secondary lock also provides a positive stop as a back-up.

In addition to the backup primary terminal locking arm, a separate secondary lock may also be used to detect dislocated and/or partially seated terminals. Before the connector engages with the mating connector, it is necessary to verify that the terminals are fully seated and secured in place to ensure proper connection between the terminals and the mating terminals. If the terminals are not properly positioned, there is a possibility that the terminals are pushed out of the connector and/or the terminals may not meet the requirements of terminal scraping, i.e., overlapping the mating terminals.

In conventional connectors, the arrangement of the independent secondary lock does not allow the independent secondary lock to be switched from the ready position to the working position when the terminals are not or partially disposed. In the case of a microconnector (e.g., a microconnector), the length of travel to move the independent secondary lock from the ready position to the operative position is short. Such conventional independent secondary lock arrangements do not provide reliable feedback to the assembly operator to detect dislocated or partially seated terminals. Due to the small size of miniature coaxial connectors, these options are limited to providing robust terminal misalignment detection, and many current miniature coaxial connectors do not have a misalignment detection feature.

A solution is presented herein for detecting dislocated or partially seated terminals in a connector having a separate secondary lock with a short stroke length. The connector includes locking fingers that are designed to not allow the independent secondary lock to move to an operative position when the terminal portions are seated.

Disclosure of Invention

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relates to an electrical connector assembly comprising: a connector body defining a terminal cavity for receiving an electrical terminal therein and having a flexible primary terminal locking arm configured to secure the terminal within the cavity and having a tab extending from a free end of the primary terminal locking arm; and a separate secondary lock defining a window therein, the separate secondary lock being attached to the connector body and movable from a ready position to an operative position, when the separate secondary lock is in the operative position, the tab of the primary terminal locking arm being received within the window when the primary terminal locking arm is in an undeflected state. The tab and window cooperate to inhibit flexing of the primary terminal locking arm when the independent secondary lock is in the operative position.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly in which the tab and window are misaligned when the flexible primary terminal locking arm is in a flexed state, thereby preventing the independent secondary lock from moving from the ready position to the working position due to interference between the tab and the independent secondary lock.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly in which the tabs and windows are sized, shaped, and arranged such that the tabs are received within the windows only when the primary terminal locking arms are in an undeflected state.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly in which the independent secondary lock defines a pair of lugs on opposite sides of the independent secondary lock that engage pairs of notches in the connector body to secure the independent secondary lock in an operative position.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly in which the pair of notches are a pair of grooves formed in the connector body.

In some aspects, the devices described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly in which the window is a hole extending through the independent secondary lock.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly, wherein the aperture has a generally rectangular shape.

In some aspects, the devices described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly, wherein the tab has a trapezoidal shape.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relates to an electrical connector assembly in which the connector body defines four terminal cavities and four primary terminal locking arms arranged in a 2 x 2 array.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly, wherein the electrical connector assembly includes two independent secondary locks disposed on opposite sides of a connector body. Each individual secondary lock defines two separate windows.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relates to an electrical connector assembly comprising: a connector body defining a terminal cavity for receiving an electrical terminal therein and having a flexible primary terminal locking arm defining a window in a free end of the primary terminal locking arm and configured to secure the terminal within the cavity and having a tab extending from the free end of the primary terminal locking arm; and a separate secondary lock having a tab extending therefrom, the tab being attached to the connector body and movable from a ready position to an operative position. When the secondary independent lock is in the operative position, the tab of the secondary independent lock is received within the window of the primary terminal lock arm when the primary terminal lock arm is in the undeflected state. The tab and window cooperate to inhibit flexing of the primary terminal locking arm when the independent secondary lock is in the operative position.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relates to an electrical connector assembly in which the tabs and windows are sized, shaped, and arranged such that the tabs are received within the windows only when the primary terminal locking arms are in an undeflected state.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relates to an electrical connector assembly wherein the window is a hole extending through the primary terminal locking arm.

In some aspects, the apparatus described herein relate to an electrical connector assembly, wherein the electrical connector assembly includes two independent secondary locks disposed on opposite sides of a connector body. Each individual secondary lock defines two separate tabs.

Drawings

The connector assembly will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments;

fig. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a connector body of the electrical connector assembly of fig. 1, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 4B illustrates a detailed view of a tab defined by a primary terminal locking arm of the connector body of fig. 4A, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an Independent Secondary Lock (ISL) of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1 with the independent secondary lock in a ready position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6B illustrates a detailed top view of the stand-alone secondary lock of FIG. 6A in a ready position according to some embodiments;

fig. 7A illustrates a top view of the electrical connector assembly of fig. 1 with the self-contained secondary lock in a ready position and with the primary terminal locking arms deflected when the terminals are inserted into the connector body, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 7B illustrates a detailed top view of the primary terminal locking arm and independent secondary lock of fig. 7A, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1 with a stand-alone secondary lock in an operative position in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 8B illustrates a detailed top view of the primary terminal locking arm and independent secondary lock of fig. 8A, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 9 illustrates a detailed side view of a tab of a primary terminal locking arm properly disposed within a hole in a separate secondary lock, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 10 illustrates a cut-away end view of a connector showing the positions of primary terminal locking arms and a separate secondary lock when the terminals are properly positioned, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1 when the terminals are improperly positioned, according to some embodiments;

fig. 12 illustrates a cut-away top view of the electrical connector assembly of fig. 1 when the terminals are improperly positioned, according to some embodiments;

fig. 13 illustrates a detailed side view of the tab of the primary terminal locking arm and the aperture in the separate secondary lock when the terminal is improperly positioned, according to some embodiments;

fig. 14 illustrates a cut-away end view of a connector showing the positions of primary terminal locking arms and a separate secondary lock when the terminals are improperly positioned, according to some embodiments;

fig. 15A illustrates a perspective view of a connector body of an electrical connector assembly according to some embodiments;

fig. 15B illustrates a detailed view of a hole defined in the primary terminal locking arm of the connector body of fig. 15A, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a stand-alone secondary lock of an electrical connector assembly defining a tab, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tab of the stand-alone secondary lock of fig. 16 properly disposed within the aperture of the primary terminal locking arm of fig. 15B, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 18A illustrates a perspective view of a connector body of an electrical connector assembly according to some embodiments;

fig. 18B illustrates a detailed view of a hole defined in the primary terminal locking arm of the connector body of fig. 18A, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a stand-alone secondary lock of an electrical connector assembly defining a tab, in accordance with some embodiments; and

fig. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tab of the stand-alone secondary lock of fig. 19 properly positioned within the aperture of the primary terminal locking arm of fig. 18B, in accordance with some embodiments.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 generally illustrate a non-limiting example of an electrical connector assembly 100 having a primary lock and a secondary lock. The example shown in fig. 3 is a connector assembly 100 for miniaturized coaxial cables that includes four coaxial cables 102 terminated by coaxial terminals 104 and an electrically insulating connector body 106 defining four terminal cavities 108 in which the coaxial terminals 104 are received. The connector body 106 is preferably formed of an electrically insulating engineering polymer. The connector body 106 includes four integrally formed cantilevered primary terminal locking arms 110 arranged in a 2 x 2 array, each configured to secure the coaxial terminal 104 within the terminal cavity 108. Alternative embodiments of the connector assembly may have a single terminal cavity, two terminal cavities, or more than four terminal cavities, preferably arranged in an X2 array.

The primary terminal locking arms 110 have cantilevered flexible arms that allow the terminals 104 to be inserted into the terminal cavities 108 and then snap back into their original position to retain the terminals 104 within the cavities 108. The connector assembly 100 also includes two separate secondary locks 112 that are also configured to secure the coaxial terminals 104 within the terminal cavities 108. These independent secondary locks 112 are also configured to inhibit flexing of the primary terminal locking arms 110 once the terminals 104 are properly positioned within the terminal cavities 108. The illustrated connector assembly 100 also includes a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) device 114 configured to maintain a connection between the connector assembly 100 and a corresponding mating connector assembly (not shown). Alternative embodiments of connector assemblies that do not include CPA device 114 are contemplated.

The primary terminal locking arm 110 and the independent secondary lock 112 are arranged to detect dislocated/partially seated terminals even for connectors having short independent secondary lock stroke lengths. The primary terminal locking arm 110 includes a trapezoidal tab 116 protruding from the free end of the primary terminal locking arm 110, as shown in fig. 4A and 4B. While the shape of the trapezoidal shaped tab 116 is preferred, other embodiments of the connector assembly are contemplated wherein the tab has one of a rectangular, triangular, circular, oval or many other shapes. Each individual secondary lock 112 defines a rectangular window 118, as shown in fig. 5. While the shape of the pair of rectangular windows 118 is preferred, other embodiments of the connector assembly are contemplated in which the individual secondary locks define a single rectangular window or two windows having one of a rectangular, triangular, circular, oval or many other shapes. As used herein, each window 118 may be an aperture extending through the individual secondary lock 112, as shown in fig. 5, or it may be a recess or notch in the inner surface of the individual secondary lock. In the ready position 120, there is sufficient clearance between the primary terminal locking arm 110 and the independent secondary lock 112 such that the independent secondary lock 112 does not interfere with or inhibit flexing of the primary terminal locking arm 110 when the terminal 104 is inserted into the terminal cavity 108, as shown in fig. 7A and 7B.

Fig. 8A and 8B illustrate the primary terminal locking arm 110 when the terminal 104 is properly positioned within the terminal cavity 108 and the independent secondary lock 112 is in the operative position 122. When the independent secondary lock 112 is moved from the ready position 120 to the working position 122 by a manual or machine assembly operator, the tab 116 is received in a window 118 of the independent secondary lock 112, as shown in fig. 9, allowing the independent secondary lock 112 to reach the working position 122. Once in the operative position 122, a tab 124 on an end of the independent secondary lock 112 engages a recess 126 in the connector body 106 to maintain the independent secondary lock 112 in the operative position 122. Further, when the terminal 104 is properly positioned, as shown in fig. 10, the primary terminal locking arm 110 and the separate secondary lock 112 both cover the end 128 of the terminal 104 to secure the terminal 104 within the terminal cavity 108, thereby preventing the terminal 104 from being pulled out of the cavity 108.

Fig. 11 and 12 show the state of the primary terminal locking arm 110 when the terminal 104 is improperly seated within the cavity 108. In this case, as shown in fig. 13, the tab 116 is not aligned with the window 118 in the independent secondary lock 112 and the tab 116 contacts the independent secondary lock 112, thereby interfering with the independent secondary lock 112 and preventing the independent secondary lock 112 from moving from the ready position 120 to the working position 122. As shown in fig. 14, when the terminal 104 is improperly positioned, the primary terminal locking arm 110 and the independent secondary lock 112 do not cover the end 128 of the terminal 104 and may not secure the terminal 104 within the terminal cavity 108.

The blocking of the movement of the independent secondary lock 112 from the ready position 120 to the working position 122 may be visually and tactilely observed by an assembly operator to identify and detect the presence of an improperly seated terminal. Thus, even in a connector assembly having a short-stroke independent secondary lock, dislocated or partially seated terminals may be detected.

Another embodiment of the connector body and the separate secondary lock is shown in fig. 15A-17. In the embodiment of the connector body 206 shown in fig. 15A and 15B, the primary terminal locking arms 210 define a trapezoidal window 218 at the free ends of the primary terminal locking arms 210. As shown in fig. 16, each individual secondary lock 212 defines a trapezoidal tab 216 protruding from an inner surface of the individual secondary lock 212, as shown in fig. 16. As used herein, each window 218 may be a hole extending through the primary terminal locking arm 210, as shown in fig. 15A and 15B, or it may be a recess or notch in the outer surface of the primary terminal locking arm. When the individual secondary locks 212 are moved from the ready position to the working position by a manual or machine assembly operator, the tabs 216 are received in the windows 218 of the primary terminal locking arms 210 as shown in fig. 17.

A further embodiment of the connector body and the separate secondary lock is shown in fig. 18A-20. In the embodiment of the connector body 306 shown in fig. 18A and 18B, the primary terminal locking arms 310 define rectangular windows 318 in the free ends of the primary terminal locking arms 310. As shown in fig. 16, the individual secondary locks 312 each define a rectangular tab 316 protruding from an inner surface of the individual secondary lock 312, as shown in fig. 19. As used herein, each window 318 may be a hole extending through the primary terminal locking arm 310, as shown in fig. 18A and 18B, or it may be a recess or notch in the outer surface of the primary terminal locking arm. When the individual secondary lock 312 is moved from the ready position to the working position by a manual or machine assembly operator, the tab 316 is received in a window 318 of the primary terminal locking arm 310, as shown in fig. 20.

While a combination of the shapes of the trapezoidal window 218 and the trapezoidal tab 216 or the rectangular window 318 and the rectangular tab 316 may be preferred, more alternative embodiments of the connector assembly are contemplated wherein the tabs on the individual secondary locks have one of a triangle, a circle, an oval, or many other shapes and the primary lock arms define windows having one of a triangle, a circle, an oval, or many other shapes.

The interface of the tabs 216, 316 on the independent secondary locks 212, 312 and the windows 218, 318 in the primary terminal locking arms 210, 310 are similar in function to the tabs 116 on the primary terminal locking arms 110 and the windows 118 in the independent secondary locks 112 and provide similar benefits.

While the examples shown herein are directed to coaxial electrical connector assemblies, alternative embodiments of connector assemblies configured as interconnecting cables, fiber optic cables, pneumatic tubes, hydraulic tubes, or hybrid connector assemblies having any combination of these types of conductors are also contemplated.

While the application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the application without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the application not be limited to the embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the application will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

As used herein, "one or more" includes a function performed by one element, a function performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion, several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.

It will be further understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements in some cases, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first contact may be referred to as a second contact, and similarly, a second contact may be referred to as a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contacts.

The terminology used in the description of the various embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the specification of the various described embodiments and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term "if" is optionally interpreted to mean "when … …" or "at … …" or "responsive to a determination" or "responsive to detection", depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if detected [ the state or event ]" is optionally interpreted to mean "upon determination … …" or "in response to determination" or "upon detection [ the state or event ]" or "in response to detection [ the state or event ]", depending on the context.

In addition, although ordinal or directional terms may be used herein, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Unless otherwise indicated, all rules or orientations are used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another and do not denote any particular order, sequence of operations, direction, or orientation unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly (100), comprising:

a connector body (106) defining a terminal cavity (108) for receiving an electrical terminal (104) therein and having a flexible primary terminal locking arm (110) configured to secure the terminal (104) within the cavity (108) and having a tab (116) extending from a free end of the primary terminal locking arm (110); and

a separate secondary lock (112), the separate secondary lock (112) defining a window (118) therein, attaching the connector body (106) and being movable from a ready position (120) to an operative position (122), the tab (116) being received within the window (118) when the primary terminal locking arm (110) is in an undeflected state when the separate secondary lock (112) is in the operative position (122), and wherein the tab (116) and window (118) cooperate to inhibit deflection of the primary terminal locking arm (110) when the separate secondary lock (112) is in the operative position (122).

2. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the tab (116) and window (118) are misaligned when the flexible primary terminal locking arm (110) is in a flexed state, thereby preventing the independent secondary lock (112) from moving from the ready position (120) to an operative position (122) due to interference between the tab (116) and the independent secondary lock (112).

3. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the tab (116) and window (118) are sized, shaped, and arranged such that the tab (116) is received within the window (118) only when the primary terminal locking arm (110) is in an undeflected state.

4. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the independent secondary lock (112) defines a pair of lugs (124) on opposite sides of the independent secondary lock that engage a pair of notches (126) in the connector body (106) to secure the independent secondary lock (112) in the operative position (122).

5. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 4, wherein the pair of notches (126) are a pair of grooves (126) formed in the connector body (106).

6. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the window (118) is a hole (118) extending through the separate secondary lock (112).

7. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 6, wherein the aperture (118) has a generally rectangular shape.

8. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the tab (116) has a trapezoidal shape.

9. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the connector body (106) defines four terminal cavities (108) and four primary terminal locking arms (110) arranged in a 2 x 2 array.

10. The electrical connector assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector assembly (100) includes two separate secondary locks (112) disposed on opposite sides of the connector body (106), and wherein each separate secondary lock (112) defines two separate windows (118).

11. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

a connector body (206, 306) defining a terminal cavity that receives an electrical terminal therein and having a flexible primary terminal locking arm (210, 310) configured to secure the terminal within the cavity and having a window (218, 318) in a free end of the primary terminal locking arm (210, 310); and

a separate secondary lock (212, 312) having a tab (216, 316) extending therefrom, the tab being attached to the connector body (206, 306) and being movable from a ready position to an operative position, wherein the tab (216, 316) of the separate secondary lock (212, 312) is received within the window (218, 318) of the primary terminal locking arm (210, 310) when the primary terminal locking arm (210, 310) is in an undeflected state, and wherein the tab (216, 316) and window (218, 318) cooperate to inhibit deflection of the primary terminal locking arm (210, 310) when the separate secondary lock (212, 312) is in the operative position.

12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the tab (216, 316) and window (218, 318) are misaligned when the flexible primary terminal locking arm (210, 310) is in a flexed state, thereby preventing the independent secondary lock (212, 312) from moving from the ready position to the operative position due to interference between the tab (216, 316) and the primary terminal locking arm (212, 312).

13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the tab (216, 316) and window (218, 318) are sized, shaped, and arranged such that the tab (216, 316) is received within the window (218, 318) only when the primary terminal locking arm (210, 310) is in an undeflected state.

14. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the independent secondary lock (212, 312) defines pairs of lugs on opposite sides of the independent secondary lock (212, 312), the pairs of lugs engaging pairs of notches in the connector body (206, 306) to secure the independent secondary lock (212, 312) in the operative position.

15. The electrical connector assembly of claim 14, wherein the pair of notches are a pair of grooves formed in the connector body (206, 306).

16. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the window (218, 318) is a hole (218, 318) extending through the primary terminal locking arm (210, 310).

17. The electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the aperture (210, 310) has a generally rectangular shape.

18. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the tabs (216, 316) have a trapezoidal shape.

19. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the connector body (206, 306) defines four terminal cavities and four primary terminal locking arms (210, 310) arranged in a 2 x 2 array.

20. The electrical connector assembly of claim 11, comprising two separate secondary locks (212, 312) disposed on opposite sides of the connector body (206, 306), and wherein each separate secondary lock (212, 312) defines two separate tabs (216, 316).