EP4597760A1

EP4597760A1 - Position assurance member with facilitated removal

Info

Publication number: EP4597760A1
Application number: EP24155694.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norbert Dobernig; Nithish Sukumar
Original assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
Current assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
Priority date: 2024-02-05
Filing date: 2024-02-05
Publication date: 2025-08-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to a position assurance, PA, member (20), such as a terminal position assurance, PA, member or a connector position assurance, CPA, member, for an electrical connector assembly (1), the PA (20) being configured to assure a position of one or more terminals in the electrical connector assembly, the PA (20) comprising: a locking arm (21, 21a) extending from a base member (28); wherein the PA member (20) is adapted to be mounted to a connector housing (10) of the electrical connector assembly (1) and being movable relative to the connector housing (10) between a pre-lock position and a final-lock position along a PA movement direction (MD), when mounted; wherein the locking arm comprises a first protrusion (22) for providing a resistive force against movement from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position along the PA movement direction; wherein the locking arm (21, 21a) comprises a second protrusion (24) for providing a resistive force against movement from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position; wherein the base member (28) comprises a recess (30) for receiving a removal element (40), wherein the recess is dimensioned such that upon receiving the removal element, the PA member is adapted to be moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position by moving the received removal element opposite to the PA movement direction.

Description

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a position assurance (PA) member, in particular a terminal position assurance (TPA) member or a connector position assurance (CPA), which can be easily removed from a connector housing. The present invention further relates to an electrical connector assembly comprising such a PA member.

2. Technical background

Electrical connectors and electrical connector assemblies are commonly used to connect various cables, such as for example telecommunication cables, common networking cables, signaling cables or in general any electrical wiring. In this context electrical connectors are particularly used for joining electrical circuits, wherein a male ended plug of an electrical connector may be adapted to be connected to a respective female ended jack of a corresponding counter connector.
Many electrical connector assemblies are provided with a so-called terminal position assurance (TPA) member, which allows for assuring that a terminal or contact is fully inserted into an electrical connector housing to form the electrical connector. To such an electrical connector, a corresponding connector may be mated from an end opposite to and end at which the terminal is inserted.
An electrical connector is typically assembled by inserting one or more electrical terminals connected to electrical wires into a housing of the electrical connector. Then the TPA is assembled or moved to a locking position to hold or secure electrical terminals within an electrical connector. After the TPA is assembled or brought into its locking position, the electrical terminal is fixed within the housing of the electrical connector such that the electrical connector can be used.
A TPA member is often utilized for electrical connectors to detect incomplete insertion of contact terminals into a connector housing. They also assist in assuring that the contact terminals are properly positioned in the respective housing. A TPA member may thereby be mounted movably to the connector housing and may secure the terminal within the connector housing when being fully inserted.
Similarly, connector position assurance (CPA) members are often employed in electrical and electronic connectors, especially in the automotive industry and other applications where secure and reliable electrical connections is important. A CPA member is a feature or mechanism designed to ensure that a connector is properly and securely mated or engaged, preventing it from unintentional disconnection or loosening due to vibration, shock, or other external forces. CPA members can take various forms, but their primary purpose is to provide mechanical locking or latching to maintain the connection's integrity.
Conventional TPA members and also CPA members have various different ways of locking with the housing. In many conventional electrical connectors, it poses difficulties to remove a position assurance member from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position and from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position. Oftentimes, tools are used by users in order to remove a TPA/CPA member. However, this could lead to damages to the TPA/CPA member, which makes reusability of the TPA/CPA member during its lifetime more difficult. Further, often it cannot be ensured that the PA member is securely held in the housing and does not disconnect from the electrical connector housing by a pull.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a position assurance member (e.g., a TPA member and/or a CPA member) for an electrical connector assembly which overcomes the above outlined disadvantages at least partially. It is in particular an object of the present invention to provide a position assurance member for an electrical connector assembly, which facilitates that it can be easily removed by a user without the risk of damaging the PA member. TPA and CPA functionality should be easy to be performed by a user without requiring much effort or personnel. It is also an object to provide a respective electrical connector assembly.

3. Summary of the invention

The above-mentioned objects are at least partially achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims, and the skilled person finds hints for other suitable aspects of the present invention through the overall disclosure of the present application.
An aspect of the invention relates to a position assurance, PA, member, such as a terminal position assurance, TPA, member or a connector position assurance, CPA, member, for an electrical connector assembly, the PA member preferably being configured to assure a position of one or more terminals in the electrical connector assembly, the PA member comprising: a locking arm extending from a base member; wherein the PA member is adapted to be mounted to a connector housing of the electrical connector assembly and being movable relative to the connector housing between a pre-lock position and a final-lock position along a PA movement direction, when mounted; wherein the locking arm comprises a first protrusion for providing a resistive force against movement from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position along the PA movement direction; wherein the locking arm comprises a second protrusion for providing a resistive force against movement from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position; wherein the base member comprises a recess for receiving a removal element, wherein the recess is dimensioned such that upon receiving the removal element, the PA member is adapted to be moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position by moving the received removal element opposite to the PA movement direction.
In this manner, the present disclosure provides an improved PA member, which facilitates easy removal thereof by a user without the risk of damaging the PA member. This increases service lifetime and reusability of the PA member. In particular, due to the design of the recess, any damages to the PA member may be mitigated during removal thereof. It may also be possible that the recess could be used for insertion of the PA member to the final-lock position. For instance, the removal element may be received in the recess, such that the PA member can be moved from the pre-lock position to the final-lock position. Further, no slider or any other means need to be provided for movement of the PA member. Thus, costs can be reduced.
The PA member proposed according to this invention overcomes issues associated with conventional TPA and CPA members, which, although providing various different ways of locking with the housing, are cumbersome to handle. Such cumbersome handling particularly applies during removal of the PA member, e.g., when moving the PA member from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position and/or from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position. Conventionally, tools are used by users without a respective recess, which could lead to damages to the TPA/CPA member. This poses a problem in terms of reusability of the TPA/CPA member. For instance, often times screwdrivers have been used in the past, which led to damage.
The PA member is adapted to be mounted to the connector housing and which is movable relative to the connector housing between a pre-lock position and a final-lock position when the PA member is in a mounted condition with the connector housing. The PA member may be pre-mounted to the connector housing. The PA member may facilitate securing and/or locking the positioning of one or more electrical terminals within the connector housing when the PA member is in the final-lock position. When the PA member is in the pre-lock position, the PA member may facilitate insertion or removal of one or more electrical terminals. By moving the PA member between the pre-lock position and the final-lock position, the locking function of the PA member for one or more electrical terminals can be set and unset. The direction of movement of the PA member may be along a lateral direction relative to the connector housing. The skilled person may be aware of determining the lateral direction when looking at the connector housing.
The connector housing may comprise at least one opening to receive one or more electrical terminals. The housing may form the main housing of the connector and may in general have any shape adapted to be connected to a corresponding counter connector. It is not precluded according to the present disclosure that the connector housing includes means for locking the housing to the corresponding counter connector.
The PA member comprises a locking arm extending from a base member. The locking arm may extend perpendicularly from the base member. The locking arm having the first protrusion may act as a compressible loaded latch. This may facilitate operating the PA member. The locking arm and the base member may be integrally formed, or they may be provided as separate parts that are attached to one another. The locking arm may have a free end pointing in an opposite direction as the base member.
The first protrusion provides a resistive force against movement from the pre-lock to the unmounted position. Thus, it can be ensured that the PA member may not be moved unintentionally from the pre-lock to the unmounted position. This resistive force may be easily overcome by way of a force of the user. In one example, the force may be overcome by a removal element as described in here.
The second protrusion provides a resistive force against movement from the final-lock to the pre-lock position. The second protrusion may hold the PA member securely in place, such that it can provide its position assurance functionality. This resistive force may be easily overcome by way of a force of the user. In one example, the force may be overcome by a removal element as described in here. Alternatively or additionally, the second protrusion provides a resistive force against movement from the pre-lock position to the final-lock position. This may prevent accidental movement of the PA member.
The recess may be an indentation or the like, it may not necessarily be a through hole. It may be sufficient to provide the recess such that the removal element can be received. Due to the insertion of the removal element, the PA member can be moved along the PA movement direction. The force provided to the removal element and, thereby to the PA member may be greater than the resistive force of the second protrusion against movement from the final-lock to the pre-lock position.
In view of the foregoing, it is understood that when the PA member is mounted to the connector housing, the said PA member can be easily removed by way of the removal element.
It is understood that the described advantages may apply also for the following preferred embodiments.
In a preferred embodiment, the recess is a through-hole. This may reduce material consumption. The PA member may thereby be lighter without compromising its mechanical robustness.
Preferably, the recess defines a receiving axis along which the removal element can be received, the receiving axis being inclined with respect to the PA movement direction.
This has the advantage that the removal element can more easily transmit a force to the PA member, when the removal element is moved along the PA movement direction.
Preferably, the receiving axes defines an angle with the PA movement direction of at least 10°, preferably at least 20°, more preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°, more preferably at least 50°, more preferably at least 60°, and/or at most 80°, preferably at most 70°, more preferably at most 60°.
These angles have proven to be advantageous, as a good compromise can be made between easy insertion of the removal tool (lower angles are desired) and a good transmission of forces for removal (higher angles are desired).
Preferably, the base member comprises an inclined surface defining a boundary of the recess, the inclined surface being inclined with respect to the PA movement direction.
This has the advantage that the base member can be efficiently designed so as to facilitate insertion of the removal tool. The inclined surface may form an integral part with the base member, which makes manufacturing of the PA member easier. The inclined surface may be specifically designed to adjust the transmission of forces from the removal element to the PA member. The inclined surface may act as a slope feature facilitating receipt of the removal element. The inclined surface may be smooth so as to reduce friction upon insertion of the removal element.
Preferably, the recess is dimensioned such that by moving the received removal element, a force greater than the resistive force against movement from the final-lock to the pre-lock position is provided.
This has the advantage that the recess simplifies removal of the PA member, which is appreciated by the user.
Preferably, the PA member is further comprising a terminal locking arm configured to engage with an opening for a terminal of the housing of the connector assembly, when the PA member is in the final-lock position, wherein the terminal locking arm extends from the base member in a direction substantially parallel to the locking arm, wherein the terminal locking arm preferably extends to at most 100%, preferably at most 90%, preferably at most 80%, preferably at most 70%, preferably at most 60% of the extension of the locking arm.
The terminal locking arm engaging with the opening may be understood such that the terminal locking arm protrudes the opening. This may provide for the position assurance functionality. The terminal locking arm being shorter than the locking arm has the advantage that handling of the PA member can be simplified. This particularly applies when the PA member is being handled outside the connector housing.
Preferably, the locking arm is configured such that upon providing a pressure to the locking arm in a lateral direction, the first protrusion is configured to be moved in a direction of the force. This may be the case for instance during disassembly (e.g., from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position).
The lateral direction may be substantially perpendicular to the PA movement direction. This has the advantage that the PA member can be removed from the pre-lock position. The force can be provided by means of a tool, it could be the removal element or the like. The movement of the first protrusion has the effect that the PA member substantially disengages with the housing, such that the PA member can be moved easily from the pre-lock to an unmounted position.
Preferably, the first protrusion has an inclined surface with respect to the movement direction of the PA member, wherein the first protrusion preferably has an abutting surface, substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the PA member, so as to abut a first projection of a housing of an electrical connector assembly, preferably when moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position.
The inclined surface has the advantage that a force can be received more easily. The force may be provided by means of a tool, such as the removal element. The abutting surface has the advantage that movement from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position can be mitigated and/or prevented. However, upon providing the respective force to the locking arm in a lateral direction as described elsewhere herein, the abutting surface may disengage with the first projection.
Preferably, the second protrusion has an inclined surface with respect to the movement direction of the PA member, so as to at least partially enclose a respective second projection of a housing of an electrical connector assembly, when in the final-lock position.
This facilitates securing and/or locking the positioning of one or more electrical terminals within the connector housing when the PA member is in the final-lock position.
Preferably, the first protrusion and the second protrusion extend in opposite directions.
This makes it easier to secure the positioning of the PA member in two opposite directions.
Preferably, the locking arm extends substantially perpendicular from the base member, such that the locking arm and the base member define an L-shape as seen from a lateral view, wherein the PA member preferably comprises a further locking arm shaped in correspondence to the locking arm, such that the locking arm, the base member, and the further locking arm define a U-shape as seen from a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane spanned by the PA movement direction and the lateral direction.
Regarding the features and/or advantages of the further locking arm, the same passages apply as set forth with respect to the locking arm. The locking arm and the further locking arm may be integrally formed with the base member (which is preferred) or they may be provided as separate parts but attached to one another.
The U-shape has the advantage that the PA member can encompass/surround an internal portion of the housing, thereby holding together parts of the housing substantially firmly, when in the final-lock position. Deviations from a U-shape are encompassed in the present disclosure. For instance, the PA member may be bent or the like, which could lead to such deviations.
A further aspect is related to an electrical connector assembly comprising: a connector housing adapted to receive one or more electrical terminals, preferably through one or more openings of the housing; a position assurance, PA, member as described in here, the PA member configured to be mounted to the connector housing and being movable relative to the connector housing between a pre-lock position and a final-lock position along a PA movement direction when mounted.
The PA movement direction may be essentially perpendicular to a receiving direction of the one or more electrical terminals.
Since the electrical connector assembly comprises the PA member as described elsewhere herein, it is understood that the features and/or advantages described with reference to the PA member may also apply to the electrical connector assembly and vice versa.
Preferably, the connector housing comprises a first projection, and a second projection, the first projection preferably projecting along the PA movement direction from the pre-lock to the final-lock position, the second projection preferably projecting in a lateral direction, wherein the second projection is preferably at least partially provided in a periphery of the opening for receiving one or more electrical terminals.
Both projections may facilitate that the PA member can provide its locking functionality. The PA member may interact with both projections. The PA member may interact with the first projection in such a manner that over stressing of the PA member can be diminished during service and/or removal. In this manner, the first projection may act as a barrier feature of the housing.
Preferably, when in the final-lock position, the second protrusion of the locking arm at least partially encloses the second projection of the housing.
Enclosing provides a further advantage in providing a firm locking functionality of the PA member. Enclosing may mean that the second projection of the housing is at least partially received in a recess defined by the second protrusion.
Preferably, when in the pre-lock position, the first protrusion of the locking arm substantially abuts, preferably with the abutting surface of the first protrusion, the first projection of the housing, wherein the first projection of the housing preferably comprises an abutting surface substantially perpendicular to the PA movement direction.
This further contributes to the advantages mentioned elsewhere herein, e.g., that an improved PA functionality is provided.
Overall, the PA member thus provided facilitates variably located locking snaps (e.g., by way of the first and the second protrusion) in order to ensure a secure fit in the pre-lock and final-lock position. This aids in that an unintentional removal of the PA member from the housing can be avoided. At least, the risk thereof is reduced. It is appreciated that the PA member as proposed in here does not need any slider and/or extra component for it to be operated, i.e., moved between respective position.

4. Brief description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed by reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1:: illustrates a PA member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2:: illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 1 in a different perspective.
Fig. 3:: illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 1 in a cross-section cut from a top view with a connector housing, the PA member being in the final-lock position.
Fig. 4:: illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 3 in a cross-section cut from a lateral view with a removal element upon moving the PA member from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position.
Fig. 5:: illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 4 in the pre-lock position.
Fig. 5a:: illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 5 during disassembly.
Fig. 6:: illustrates a PA member of Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional cut through a midplane from a lateral view.

5. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the subsequent passages, the invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures in more detail. It is noted that further embodiments are certainly possible, and the below explanations are provided by way of example only, without limitation. Throughout the present figures and specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The figures may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the figures may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
It is noted that when features, aspects, and/or embodiments are described herein by the term "substantially", manufacturing tolerances must be taken into consideration. In this manner, minor deviations during any kind of manufacturing, assembling or the like may pertain. Further, manufacturing tolerances, aging effects, or other minor defects or the like may pertain. These are all encompassed by the term "substantially". Although not always explicitly expressed by using the term "substantially", it is understood that the elements, parts, units, shapes, and / or the like described herein may nevertheless comprise such manufacturing tolerances.
Figs. 1 , 2 , and 6 illustrates a PA member 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 1 in a different perspective. Fig. 6 illustrates a PA member 20 of Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional cut through a midplane from a lateral view.
The PA member 20 is configured to assure a position of one or more terminals (not shown in the figures) in the electrical connector assembly 1. The PA member 20 comprises a locking arm 21 extending from a base member 28. The PA member 20 is adapted to be mounted to a connector housing 10 of the electrical connector assembly 1 and being movable relative to the connector housing 10 between a pre-lock position (Fig. 5) and a final-lock position (Fig. 3) along a PA movement direction (indicated as MD in Fig. 1), when mounted. The locking arm 21 comprises a first protrusion 22 for providing a resistive force against movement of the PA member 20 from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position along the PA movement direction MD. The locking arm 21 comprises a second protrusion 24 for providing a resistive force against movement of the PA member 20 from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position. The base member 28 comprises a recess 30 for receiving a removal element 40 (indicated in Fig. 4), wherein the recess 30 is dimensioned such that upon receiving the removal element 40, the PA member 20 is adapted to be moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position by moving the received removal element 40 opposite to the PA movement direction MD.
As best seen in Fig. 1 and 6, the recess 30 is a through-hole. Further, the recess 30 defines a receiving axis along which the removal element 30 can be received. The receiving axis is inclined with respect to the PA movement direction MD. The inclination may be best seen in Fig. 4, which shows the assembly 1 from a lateral perspective. Further, the receiving axes defines an angle with the PA movement direction MD as best seen in Fig. 4. Fig. 2 and 6 show that the base member 28 comprises an inclined surface 31 defining a boundary of the recess 30, the inclined surface being inclined with respect to the PA movement direction MD.
Fig. 3 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 1 in a cross-section cut from a top view with a connector housing 10, the PA member 20 being in the final-lock position. Fig. 4 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 3 in a cross-section cut from a lateral view with a removal element 40 upon moving the PA member 20 from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position. Fig. 5 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 4 in the pre-lock position. Fig. 5a illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 5 during disassembly, e.g., during removal of the PA member 20 from the housing 10 to an unmounted position.
As can be seen, the recess 30 is dimensioned such that by moving the received removal element 40, a force greater than the resistive force against movement from the final-lock to the pre-lock position is provided.
The PA member 20 further comprises a terminal locking arm 27 configured to engage with an opening 11 for a terminal of the housing 10 of a connector assembly 1, when the PA member is in the final-lock position. The opening 11 is provided in the housing 10. The terminal locking arm 27 extends from the base member 28 in a direction substantially parallel to the locking arm 21. The terminal locking arm 27 preferably extends to at most 100%, preferably at most 90%, preferably at most 80%, preferably at most 70%, preferably at most 60% of the extension of the locking arm 21.
The locking arm 21 is configured such that upon providing a pressure to the locking arm 21 in a lateral direction, the first protrusion 22 is configured to be moved in a direction of the force. This is shown in greater detail in Fig. 5a, in which the further locking arm 21a is exemplarily depicted in a bent shape (indicated by way of reference numeral 21a'), due to the pressure provided to the further locking arm 21a in a lateral direction. In the example of Fig. 5a, this pressure is provided by a removal element 40.
The first protrusion 22 has an inclined surface (i.e., the surface to the top of protrusion 22 in Figs. 3 and 5) with respect to the movement direction MD of the PA member 20. The first protrusion 22 also has an abutting surface (i.e., the surface to the bottom of protrusion 22 in Figs. 3 and 5), substantially perpendicular to the movement direction MD, so as to abut a first projection 12 of the housing 10, when moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position. The abutting surface is opposite to the inclined surface. The inclined surface has the advantage that a force can be received more easily from a lateral direction so as to push the first protrusion 22 inwardly in order to move the PA member 20 from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position.
The second protrusion 24 has an inclined surface with respect to the movement direction MD, to at least partially enclose a respective second projection 13 of the housing 10, when in the final-lock position (as best seen in Fig. 3).
The first protrusion 22 and the second protrusion 24 extend in opposite directions (as best seen in Fig. 3).
The PA member 20 and/or the connector housing 10 may be of any kind of suitable material. Preferably, the PA member 20 and/or the connector housing 10 may be made of a polymer and may preferably be injection-molded polymer parts.
The locking arm 21 extends substantially perpendicular from the base member 28, such that the locking arm 21 and the base member 28 define an L-shape as seen from a lateral view (best seen in Fig. 6). The PA member 20 comprises a further locking arm 21a shaped in correspondence to the locking arm 21, such that the locking arm 21, the base member 28, and the further locking arm 21a define a U-shape as seen from a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane spanned by the PA movement direction MD and the lateral direction (e.g., as seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5). The further locking arm 21a may be substantially similar to the locking arm 21 described elsewhere herein (e.g., it may comprise a further first protrusion 22a, and a further second protrusion 24a, just to name two examples) and the description thereof is not repeated for brevity and conciseness only.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 also show an embodiment of the connector assembly 1 described elsewhere herein according to a further aspect. The assembly 1 comprises a connector housing 10 adapted to receive one or more electrical terminals (these could be received in the opening 11 indicated exemplarily in Fig. 3). The assembly 1 comprises the PA member 20 as described elsewhere herein. The PA movement direction MD is essentially perpendicular to the receiving direction of one or more electrical terminals.
The connector housing 10 comprises a first projection 12, and a second projection 13, the first projection 12 preferably projecting along the PA movement direction MD from the pre-lock to the final-lock position (as best seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5). The second projection 13 is projecting in a lateral direction. The second projection 13 is at least partially provided in a periphery of the opening 11 for receiving one or more electrical terminals.
As seen in Fig. 3, when in the final-lock position, the second protrusion 24 of the locking arm 21 (and/or the further second protrusion 24a of the further locking arm 21a as understood) at least partially encloses the second projection 13 of the housing 10.
As seen in Fig. 5, when in the pre-lock position, the first protrusion 22 of the locking arm 21 substantially abuts with the abutting surface of the first protrusion 22 the first projection 12 of the housing 10. The first projection 12 of the housing 10 comprises an abutting surface (the surface to the top of projection 12 in Fig. 5) substantially perpendicular to the PA movement direction MD.
As seen from Fig. 5 and Fig. 3, the second protrusion 24 may provide additionally or alternatively a resistive force against movement from the pre-lock position to the final-lock position. This may prevent accidental movement of the PA member 20.
The PA member described in here may refer to a device, component, and/or mechanism that may ensure the correct and secure alignment and engagement of connectors, terminals, or contacts, in particular as used in the context of electrical vehicles. These PA members help prevent unintended disconnection or misalignment of electrical connections, which is crucial for maintaining reliability and safety in various applications. As particular examples for PA members, a terminal position assurance (TPA) and a connector position assurance (CPA) member may be mentioned. These facilitate to keep connectors and terminals securely mated and in their intended positions.
It is to be noted that the scope of protection is determined by the claims and is not limited by the embodiments disclosed in the above figures.

List of reference signs

1: electrical connector assembly
10: connector housing
11: opening for one or more electrical terminal
12: first projection of the housing
13: second projection of the housing
20: PA member
21: locking arm
21a: further locking arm
21a': further locking arm in a bent shape
22: first protrusion
22a: further first protrusion
24: second protrusion
24a: further second protrusion
27: terminal locking arm
28: base member
30: recess
31: inclined surface
40: removal element
MD: movement direction of the PA member

Claims

A position assurance, PA, member (20), such as a terminal position assurance, PA, member or a connector position assurance, CPA, member, for an electrical connector assembly (1), the PA member (20) being configured to assure a position of one or more terminals in the electrical connector assembly, the PA member (20) comprising:
a locking arm (21, 21a) extending from a base member (28);

wherein the PA member (20) is adapted to be mounted to a connector housing (10) of the electrical connector assembly (1) and being movable relative to the connector housing (10) between a pre-lock position and a final-lock position along a PA movement direction (MD), when mounted;

wherein the locking arm comprises a first protrusion (22) for providing a resistive force against movement from the pre-lock position to an unmounted position along the PA movement direction;

wherein the locking arm (21, 21a) comprises a second protrusion (24) for providing a resistive force against movement from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position;

wherein the base member (28) comprises a recess (30) for receiving a removal element (40), wherein the recess is dimensioned such that upon receiving the removal element, the PA member is adapted to be moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position by moving the received removal element opposite to the PA movement direction.
The PA member (20) of claim 1, wherein the recess is a through-hole.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess defines a receiving axis along which the removal element can be received, the receiving axis being inclined with respect to the PA movement direction.
The PA member (20) of claim 3, wherein the receiving axes defines an angle with the PA movement direction of at least 10°, preferably at least 20°, more preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°, more preferably at least 50°, more preferably at least 60°,
and/or at most 80°, preferably at most 70°, more preferably at most 60°.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base member comprises an inclined surface (31) defining a boundary of the recess (30), the inclined surface being inclined with respect to the PA movement direction.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is dimensioned such that by moving the received removal element, a force greater than the resistive force against movement from the final-lock to the pre-lock position is provided.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a terminal locking arm (27) configured to engage with an opening (11) for a terminal of the housing of the connector assembly, when the PA member is in the final-lock position,
wherein the terminal locking arm extends from the base member in a direction substantially parallel to the locking arm, wherein the terminal locking arm preferably extends to at most 100%, preferably at most 90%, preferably at most 80%, preferably at most 70%, preferably at most 60% of the extension of the locking arm.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking arm is configured such that upon providing a pressure to the locking arm in a lateral direction, the first protrusion (22) is configured to be moved in a direction of the force.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first protrusion (22) has an inclined surface with respect to the movement direction of the PA member,
wherein the first protrusion (22) preferably has an abutting surface, substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the PA member, so as to abut a first projection (12) of the housing (10) of the electrical connector assembly (1), preferably when moved from the final-lock position to the pre-lock position.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second protrusion (24) has an inclined surface with respect to the movement direction of the PA member, so as to at least partially enclose a respective second projection (13) of the housing (10) of the electrical connector assembly (1).
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first protrusion (22) and the second protrusion (24) extend in opposite directions.
The PA member (20) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking arm extends substantially perpendicular from the base member, such that the locking arm and the base member define an L-shape as seen from a lateral view,
wherein the PA member preferably comprises a further locking arm shaped in correspondence to the locking arm, such that the locking arm, the base member, and the further locking arm define a U-shape as seen from a direction substantially parallel to the PA movement direction and the lateral direction.
An electrical connector assembly (1) comprising:
a connector housing (10) adapted to receive one or more electrical terminals, preferably through one or more openings (11) of the housing (10);

a position assurance, PA, member (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, the PA member configured to be mounted to the connector housing (10) and being movable relative to the connector housing (10) between a pre-lock position and a final-lock position along a PA movement direction (MD) when mounted.
The electrical connector assembly of the preceding claim 13, wherein the connector housing comprises a first projection (12), and a second projection (13),
the first projection (12) preferably projecting along the PA movement direction from the pre-lock to the final-lock position,

the second projection (13) preferably projecting in a lateral direction, wherein the second projection (13) is preferably at least partially provided in a periphery of the opening (11) for receiving one or more electrical terminals.
The electrical connector assembly of the preceding claims 13 or 14, wherein, when in the final-lock position, the second protrusion (24) of the locking arm (21) at least partially encloses the second projection (13) of the housing (10).