US20220200201A1 - Connector housing assembly having a pin protector plate - Google Patents
Connector housing assembly having a pin protector plate Download PDFInfo
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- US20220200201A1 US20220200201A1 US17/131,157 US202017131157A US2022200201A1 US 20220200201 A1 US20220200201 A1 US 20220200201A1 US 202017131157 A US202017131157 A US 202017131157A US 2022200201 A1 US2022200201 A1 US 2022200201A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- catch
- connector housing
- pin protector
- protector plate
- tab
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
- H01R13/6273—Latching means integral with the housing comprising two latching arms
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
- H01R13/447—Shutter or cover plate
- H01R13/453—Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
- H01R13/4538—Covers sliding or withdrawing in the direction of engagement
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
- B60R16/0239—Electronic boxes
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
Abstract
A connector assembly disclosed herein includes a male connector housing, female connector housing and a pin protector plate. The male connector housing includes a resilient finger having an engagement member spaced apart from an upper catch. The female connector housing includes a protruding member axially offset from a retention member. The pin protector plate is disposed between the male connector housing and the female connector housing and includes a tab and a peripheral catch. The tab projects upwardly from the base and is axially offset from the peripheral catch. The pin protector plate is movable from a locked position to a pre-stage position. Wherein the female connector housing is configured to move the pin protector in a pre-stage position when the female connector housing is removed. Accordingly, the male terminal blades remain protected during the servicing of the connector assembly.
Description
- This disclosure relates to a connector housing assembly.
- Connector housings include a male connector housing and a female female housing. The male connector housing is configured to hold terminal blades and the female connector housing includes female connectors configured to receive the blades so as to complete an electric connection. A pin protector is sandwiched between the male and female housings helps maintain the orientation of the terminal blades so as to ensure the terminal blades are registered to a respective connector. As such, the pin protector helps the terminal blades from being bent or otherwise damaged.
- Currently, the pin protector plate is movable from a pre-stage position it a locked position. In the pre-stage position, the pin protector plate is held in suspension above a top surface of the male housing. To move the pin protector plate into the locked position, the female connector housing is pressed onto the pin protector plate and pushes the pin protector plate against the male housing.
- In the locked position, the male connector housing, female connector housing and the pin protector plate are locked together. It should be appreciated that the female connector housing may be removed for servicing. Removal of the female connector housing requires a tool and leaves the male terminals exposed and extending beyond the exposed surface of the pin protector plate.
- Accordingly, it remains desirable to have a connector assembly wherein the pin protector plate may be left in the pre-stage position when the female connector is removed so as to protect the male terminals.
- A connector assembly disclosed herein includes a male connector housing having a wall bounding a space. The male connector housing includes a resilient finger having an engagement member spaced apart from an upper catch. The connector assembly includes a female connector housing and a pin protector plate. The female connector housing includes a protruding member axially offset from a retention member. The pin protector plate is disposed between the male connector housing and the female connector housing. The pin protector plate includes a tab and a base. The base has a peripheral edge defining a peripheral catch. The tab projects upwardly from the base and is axially offset from the peripheral catch.
- The pin protector plate is movable from a locked position to a pre-stage position. In the locked position the peripheral catch of the pin protector plate is disposed beneath the resilient finger and the female connector housing is seated against the pin protector plate the protruding member is also disposed under the engagement member. In the pre-stage position, the pin protector plate is engaged with the engagement member. When the female connector housing is pulled out of the male housing, the female connector housing is configured to: (1) move the pin protector plate from the locked position to the pre-stage position; and (2) disengage from the pin protector plate. Wherein, the protruding member engages the resilient finger and urges the resilient finger outwardly.
- Concurrently, the retention member engages the tab so as to carry the pin protector plate upwardly. The pin protector is carried upwardly by the retention member until the tab engages the upper catch. The upper catch pulls the tab away from the retention member releasing the tab from the retention member. The protruding member is pulled clear of the engagement member so as to place the resilient finger and the tab to a normal state and the peripheral catch of the pin protector plate is engaged with the engagement member.
- In one aspect, the engagement member includes an upper ramp defining a first catch surface and a lower ramp defining a second catch surface.
- In one aspect, the upper catch is elevated with respect to the engagement member.
- In one aspect, the upper catch is axially offset from the engagement member.
- In one aspect, the upper ramp projects inwardly in a direction from a top surface to a bottom surface of the resilient finger, and the lower ramp projects inwardly in a direction from the bottom surface to the top surface of the resilient finger.
- In one aspect, the lower ramp is a pair of lower ramps spaced apart from each other and coaxial to each other.
- In one aspect, the protruding member is a cuboidal member having an arcuate top surface.
- In one aspect, the retention member includes a planar surface generally orthogonal to a side surface of the retention member.
- In one aspect, the female connector housing includes a rib disposed on a side surface of female connector housing, the protruding member and the retention member disposed on an undersurface of the rib.
- In one aspect, the pin protector plate includes a peripheral wall bounding a periphery of the base.
- In one aspect, the catch is defined by an indent disposed on a top surface of the base.
- In one aspect, the tab is a planar member having an inward catch and an outward catch, the inward catch and the outward catch disposed on a top portion of the tab.
- In one aspect, the outward catch projects upwardly at an angle from the top portion of the tab.
- In one aspect, the inward catch is a pair of inward catches, each of the pair of inward catches spaced apart from each other.
- In one aspect, the tab has a travel configured to place the peripheral catch of the pin protector plate into engagement with the engagement member of the resilient finger when the upper catch pulls the tab free of engagement with the retention member of the female connector housing.
- Accordingly, a connector assembly is provided which places the pin protector in a pre-stage position by simply removing the female connector housing, thus the male terminal blades remain protected during the servicing of the connector assembly.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly housing according to the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a view ofFIG. 1 the female connector housings removed; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a female connector housing according to the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 4A is a top down view of the male connector housing shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4B is a close up view of one of the pair of the resilient fingers and upper catches shown inFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 1 taken along line 5-5; -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 2 taken along line 6-6 showing the pin protector plate in a pre-stage position; -
FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the female connector housing and the pin protector plate prior to a pre-stage position; -
FIG. 7B is a close up view ofFIG. 7A showing the position of the female connector housing with respect to the tab of the pin protector plate; -
FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the female connector housing engaging the tab of the pin protector plate; -
FIG. 8B is a close up view ofFIG. 8A showing the female connector housing engaging the tab of the pin protector plate; -
FIG. 8C is a close up view ofFIG. 8A showing the protruding member engaging the engagement feature of the resilient finger; -
FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly in a locked position; -
FIG. 9B is a close up view ofFIG. 9A showing the retention member disposed underneath the tab of the resilient finger; -
FIG. 9C is a close up view ofFIG. 9A showing the base of the pin protector plate disengaged with the engagement feature of the resilient finger; -
FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly being pulled from the locked position; -
FIG. 10B is a close up view ofFIG. 10A showing the retention member engaged with the tab; -
FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly showing the female connector housing moved up relative toFIG. 10A ; -
FIG. 11B is a close up view ofFIG. 11A showing the tab about to engage the upper catch; -
FIG. 11C is a close up view ofFIG. 11A showing the upper catch disengaging the tab from the retention member; -
FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly in a pre-stage position; -
FIG. 12B is a close up view ofFIG. 12A showing the tab disengaged from the upper catch. - Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well known technologies are not described in detail.
- For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. The term “axial” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction extending a length of a part. Also, the term “lateral” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction extending a width of a part. In other words, the lateral direction may extend between opposing sides of a part along an axis orthogonal to the axial length. Furthermore, the term “vertical” or “upwardly” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction generally perpendicular to a lateral and longitudinal direction of the part as shown in the referenced figure. The term “outwardly” refers to a direction extending outward from a center of the part being referenced. Likewise, the term inwardly refers to a direction extending towards a center of the part being referenced. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of a part.
- A connector assembly disclosed herein includes a male connector housing, female connector housing and a pin protector plate. The male connector housing includes a resilient finger having an engagement member spaced apart and axially offset from an upper catch. The female connector housing includes a protruding member axially offset from a retention member. The pin protector plate is disposed between the male connector housing and the female connector housing and includes a tab and a peripheral catch. The tab projects upwardly from the base and is axially offset from the peripheral catch. The pin protector plate is movable from a locked position to a pre-stage position. As the female connector housing is removed, the retention member pulls the tab of the pin protector plate upwardly until the tab engages the upper catch. When the upper catch engages the tab, the tab is released from the retention member. Concurrently, the protruding member urges the resilient finger outwardly, wherein protruding member passes the engagement member of the resilient finger, allowing the resilient finger to return to a normal position wherein the engagement feature is configured to engage the peripheral catch of the pin protector plate, the engagement feature having a tolerance sufficient to allow the pin protector to drop so as to release the tab from engagement with the upper catch and retain the pin protector in a pre-stage position. Accordingly, the female connector housing is configured to move the pin protector in a pre-stage position when the female connector housing is removed. In the pre-stage position, the male terminal blades remain protected during the servicing of the connector assembly.
- With reference first to
FIG. 1 , an illustrative depiction of aconnector assembly housing 10 is provided. Theconnector assembly housing 10 may be integrated into apower distribution box 200. Thepower distribution box 200 is shown as having alower housing 202 mounted to a lower cover 204. It should be appreciated that thelower housing 202 may be covered by an upper cover (not shown). Theconnector assembly housing 10 may include adress cover 300 configured to guide wires (not shown) along a predetermined wire routing path. Thepower distribution box 200 and theconnector assembly housing 10 may be formed of a material suitable for injection molding, illustratively including polypropylene, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate and the like. - The
connector assembly housing 10 includes afemale connector housing 12 mounted onto amale connector housing 14. For illustrative purposes, thepower distribution box 200 is shown as having twoconnector assembly housings 10, eachconnector assembly housing 10 is arranged in a side-by-side relationship with each other. However, it should be appreciated that thepower distribution box 200 may include a singleconnector assembly housing 10 or three or moreconnector assembly housings 10. Theconnector assembly housings 10 are the same and thus a description of theconnector assembly housing 10 disclosed herein will be made with reference to one. - With reference now to
FIG. 2 , a depiction of thepower distribution box 200 is shown with thefemale connector housings 12 removed from themale connector housings 14. Themale connector housings 14 are formed on thelower housing 202. In particular, thelower housing 202 includes aninner wall 16 bounding a space configured to receive thefemale connector housing 12 so as to define themale connector housing 14. Apin protector plate 18 is disposed in themale connector housing 14. - With reference now to
FIG. 3 , a depiction of thefemale connector housing 12 in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein is provided. Thefemale connector housing 12 includes aside wall 12 a defining a generally cuboidal member. Thefemale connector housing 12 includes a plurality ofslots 20 for receiving a female terminal 206 (shown inFIGS. 7A-12C ). Thefemale connector housing 12 may further include features for facilitating an electric connection such as a relay housing or the like. - The
female connector housing 12 includes a protrudingmember 22 axially offset from aretention member 24. The protrudingmember 22 is disposed on a bottom portion of theside wall 12 a of thefemale connector housing 12. In one aspect, the protrudingmember 22 is a cuboidal member having an arcuatetop surface 26. The arcuatetop surface 26 forms a generally bulbous member. A bottom of the protrudingmember 22 may be relatively flat so as to form a right angle with respect to an outer surface of the protrudingmember 22. The protrudingmember 22 is adjacent a back of thefemale connector housing 12 relative to theretention member 24. - The
retention member 24 is a planar member extending from a bottom of theside wall 12 a of thefemale connector housing 12. Theretention member 24 is resilient so as to flex inwardly with respect to thefemale connector housing 12 and return to its natural state. As used herein, the term “natural state” refers to the state of a part when no forces are exerted on the part. The distal end of theretention member 24 is configured to engage apin protector plate 18, as described in more detail below. In one aspect, theretention member 24 includes aplanar surface 28 generally orthogonal to a side surface of theretention member 24 so as to project outwardly from the side surface of theretention member 24. Theplanar surface 28 has a width as measure by the longitudinal length of thefemale connector housing 12 which is greater than a width of the protrudingmember 22. - In one aspect, the
female connector housing 12 includes arib 30 disposed on theside wall 12 a of thefemale connector housing 12. The protrudingmember 22 and theretention member 24 are disposed on an undersurface of therib 30 so as to extend downwardly from therib 30. Preferably, theplanar surface 28 of theretention member 24 is disposed on a plane beneath the bottom surface of the protrudingmember 22. - With reference now to
FIGS. 4A and 4B , a description of themale connector housing 14 is provided. As shown inFIG. 4A , theinner wall 16 of themale connector housing 14 includes a pair ofinner side walls 16 a spaced apart from each other and a frontinner side wall 16 b spaced apart and opposite to a backinner side wall 16 c. Theinner side wall 16 a extends upwardly from alower plate 32. Thelower plate 32 includes a plurality ofterminal slots 34 for receiving maleterminal blades 208. The maleterminal blades 208 are positioned to extend upwardly from the lower plate 32 (as shown inFIGS. 7A-12C ). The depiction of themale connector housing 14 shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B provide an example where each of theinner side walls 16 a includes a pair ofresilient fingers 36 and a pair of upper catches 38. -
FIG. 4B is a close up view of one of the pair of theresilient fingers 36 andupper catches 38. Theresilient finger 36 includes anengagement member 40. Theresilient finger 36 is spaced from theupper catch 38. In particular, theupper catch 38 is axially offset from theengagement member 40. Theresilient finger 36 is configured to deflect outwardly with respect to a center of themale connector housing 14 and return to its natural state as shown inFIG. 4B . - The
upper catch 38 is disposed on theinner side wall 16 a of themale connector housing 14. Theupper catch 38 is a generally rigid member protruding inwardly from theinner side wall 16 a. Theupper catch 38 protrudes inwardly further than theengagement member 40. Theupper catch 38 is elevated with respect to thelower plate 32 and is higher than theengagement member 40 of theresilient finger 36. A bottom surface of theupper catch 38 is angled so as to form an acute angle with respect to theinner wall 16. - The
engagement member 40 includes anupper ramp 42 defining afirst catch surface 42 a and alower ramp 44 defining asecond catch surface 44 a. Thefirst catch surface 42 a and thesecond catch surface 44 a are spaced apart from each other and face each other. Theupper ramp 42 projects inwardly in a direction from a top surface to a bottom surface of theresilient finger 36, and thelower ramp 44 projects inwardly in a direction from the bottom surface to the top surface of theresilient finger 36. In one aspect, theengagement member 40 includes a pair oflower ramps 44 spaced apart from each other and coaxial to each other. The lower ramps 44 are spaced apart from each other a distance equal to or greater than the width of theupper ramp 42. - With reference now to
FIG. 5 , a description of thepin protector plate 18 is provided. Thepin protector plate 18 is disposed between themale connector housing 14 and thefemale connector housing 12, as shown inFIGS. 7A-12C . Thepin protector plate 18 includes aperipheral wall 46 bounding abase 48. A plurality ofterminal slots 18 a are disposed on thebase 48. Theterminal slots 18 a are configured to receive a correspondingmale terminal blade 208. Theperipheral wall 46 includes an opening along the peripheral edge of the base 48 so as define aperipheral catch 50. Thepin protector plate 18 further includes atab 52. Thetab 52 projects upwardly from thebase 48 and is axially offset from theperipheral catch 50. Thetab 52 is configured to deflect outwardly from the peripheral edge of thebase 48. - In one aspect, the
peripheral catch 50 is defined by anindent 54 disposed on a top surface of thebase 48. Theindent 54 has a length and a width configured to receive thefirst catch surface 42 a of theupper ramp 42. In one aspect, thetab 52 is a planar member having aninward catch 56 and anoutward catch 58, theinward catch 56 and theoutward catch 58 disposed on a top portion of thetab 52. Theoutward catch 58 projects upwardly and outwardly from thebase 48 of thepin protector plate 18 and projects at an angle from the top portion of thetab 52. - The
inward catch 56 is a ramp shaped member having an outer surface sloped at a negative angle with respect to the top of thetab 52. Theinward catch 56 includes aninner catch surface 56 a that projects inwardly with respect to the center of thebase 48 and is disposed on a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of thebase 48. In one aspect, theinward catch 56 is an elongated member formed as monolithic piece. In one aspect, theinward catch 56 is a pair ofinward catches 56, each of the pair ofinward catches 56 are spaced apart from each other and disposed on a common plane. - The
pin protector plate 18 is movable from a locked position to a pre-stage position. In the locked position theperipheral catch 50 of thepin protector plate 18 is disposed beneath theresilient finger 36 and thefemale connector housing 12 is seated against thepin protector plate 18. The protrudingmember 22 is also disposed under theengagement member 40. In the pre-stage position, thepin protector plate 18 is engaged with theengagement member 40 as shown in FIG. 6. In particular, theperipheral catch 50 is disposed between thefirst catch surface 42 a and thesecond catch surface 44 a of the correspondingupper ramp 42 andlower ramp 44. - In one aspect, the
tab 52 has a travel configured to place theperipheral catch 50 of thepin protector plate 18 into engagement with theengagement member 40 of theresilient finger 36 when theupper catch 38 pulls thetab 52 free of engagement with theretention member 24 of thefemale connector housing 12. The travel is defined by the distance of a movement of thepin protector plate 18 from a locked position to the engagement of theoutward catch 58 of thetab 52 with theupper catch 38 of themale connector housing 14. It should also be appreciated that the distance between thefirst catch surface 42 a and thesecond catch surface 44 a of theupper ramp 42 andlower ramp 44 is greater than a height of theperipheral catch 50 so as to position thepin protector plate 18 in such a manner that theoutward catch 58 is beneath theupper catch 38 of themale connector housing 14. - With reference now to
FIGS. 6 and 7A-12C a description of the operation of theconnector assembly housing 10 is provided. The connector assembly is configured to place thepin protector plate 18 in the pre-stage position after thefemale connector housing 12 has been removed. In particular, when thefemale connector housing 12 is pulled out of the male housing, thefemale connector housing 12 is configured to: (1) move thepin protector plate 18 from the locked position to the pre-stage position; and (2) disengage from thepin protector plate 18. - The
pin protector plate 18 is moved to the pre-stage position by the protrudingmember 22 engaging theresilient finger 36 and urging theresilient finger 36 outwardly. Concurrently, theretention member 24 engages thetab 52 so as to carry thepin protector plate 18 upwardly. - The
pin protector plate 18 is carried upwardly by theretention member 24 until thetab 52 engages theupper catch 38. Theupper catch 38 pulls thetab 52 away from theretention member 24 releasing thetab 52 from theretention member 24. Concurrently, the protrudingmember 22 is pulled clear of theengagement member 40 so as to place theresilient finger 36 and thetab 52 to a natural state and theperipheral catch 50 of thepin protector plate 18 is engaged with theengagement member 40. - With reference first to
FIGS. 6 and 7A-9B , a description of the insertion of thefemale connector housing 12 into themale connector housing 14 is provided.FIG. 7A shows thepin protector plate 18 in the pre-stage position wherein thepin protector plate 18 is suspended above thelower plate 32 of themale connector housing 14. In the pre-stage position, the maleterminal blades 208 are seated within the terminal slots of thepin protector plate 18. Thepin protector plate 18 is positioned above thelower plate 32 so as to help prevent the maleterminal blades 208 from being bent due to handling.FIG. 6 shows thepin protector plate 18 in the pre-stage position. In the pre-stage position, theperipheral catch 50 is supported by thesecond catch surface 44 a of thelower ramp 44 of theengagement member 40.FIGS. 7A and 7B show thefemale connector housing 12 inserted into themale connector housing 14 with thepin protector plate 18 disposed therebetween.FIG. 7B shows that theretention member 24 of thefemale connector housing 12 is positioned above theinward catch 56 and thetab 52 is free of theupper catch 38 when thepin protector plate 18 is in the pre-stage position. -
FIGS. 8A-8C show thefemale connector housing 12 advanced further downward into themale connector housing 14 relative toFIGS. 7A and 7B .FIG. 8B shows theretention member 24 engages thetab 52 of thepin protector plate 18 so as to deflect thetab 52 outwardly with respect tobase 48 of thepin protector plate 18.FIG. 8C shows the protrudingmember 22 of thefemale connector housing 12 engages theupper ramp 42 so as to deflect theresilient finger 36 outwardly with respect to theinner wall 16 concurrently with the engagement of theretention member 24 and thetab 52. Theengagement member 40 is cleared of theperipheral catch 50 of thepin protector plate 18 so as to allow theperipheral catch 50 of thepin protector plate 18 to be pushed past theengagement member 40 of theresilient finger 36. -
FIG. 9A shows thepin protector plate 18 in the locked position. Thefemale connector housing 12 is fully seated into themale connector housing 14, wherein thepin protector plate 18 is fully seated against thelower plate 32 and the bottom of thefemale connector housing 12 is seated against thebase 48 of thepin protector plate 18.FIG. 9B shows that theretention member 24 is disposed beneath theinward catch 56 of thetab 52 of thepin protector plate 18.FIG. 9C shows thepin protector plate 18 in the locked position, wherein theperipheral catch 50 of thepin protector plate 18 is seated beneath theengagement member 40 of theresilient finger 36. In particular, theresilient finger 36 is returned from its deflected position shown inFIG. 8C to its natural position. Theperipheral catch 50 is seated beneath thelower ramps 44 of theengagement member 40 and the protrudingmember 22 of the female connector is seated between the pair oflower ramps 44 and underneath theupper ramp 42. -
FIGS. 10A-12B provide an illustration of the operation of the connector assembly when thefemale connector housing 12 is removed.FIG. 10A shows thepin protector plate 18 in the locked position. In the locked position, theretention member 24 is seated beneath theinward catch 56 and free of theinward catch 56.FIG. 10B illustrates thefemale connector housing 12 being raised relative toFIG. 10A , wherein thefemale connector housing 12 is raised, theretention member 24 is pulled up into engagement with theinward catch 56 of thetab 52. As thefemale connector housing 12 is raised, theretention member 24 engages theinward catch 56 so as to lift thepin protector plate 18 with thefemale connector housing 12. -
FIG. 11A shows thefemale connector housing 12 advanced upwardly relative toFIG. 10A . As thefemale connector housing 12 is being pulled up, theupper catch 38 of themale connector housing 14 is configured to disengage thetab 52 from engagement with theretention member 24.FIG. 11B shows thefemale connector housing 12 being pulled upward so as to position theoutward catch 58 of thetab 52 into engagement with theupper catch 38 of themale connector housing 14.FIG. 11C shows theupper catch 38 engaging theoutward catch 58 of thetab 52 wherein theoutward catch 58 is pulled outwardly so as to release theinward catch 56 from theretention member 24. -
FIGS. 12A and 12B show thefemale connector housing 12 disengaged from thepin protector plate 18 and thepin protector plate 18 in the pre-stage position.FIG. 12B shows thetab 52 of thepin protector plate 18 in a natural position and theretention member 24 of thefemale connector housing 12 disposed above theinward catch 56 of thetab 52. As thefemale connector housing 12 is pulled out the protrudingmember 22 of thefemale connector housing 12 engages theupper ramp 42 of theresilient finger 36, deflecting theresilient finger 36 outwardly, as shown inFIG. 8C . As the protrudingmember 22 passes theupper ramp 42, theresilient finger 36 is returned to the natural position as shown inFIG. 6 . Concurrently, thepin protector plate 18 is no longer being carried by thefemale connector housing 12 and theperipheral catch 50 of thepin protector plate 18 is seated between thefirst catch surface 42 a andsecond catch surface 44 a of the correspondingupper ramp 42 and thelower ramp 44. Thetab 52 is then positioned underneath theupper catch 38 as shown inFIG. 7 b. - Accordingly, a connector assembly is provided which places the
pin protector plate 18 in a pre-stage position by simply removing thefemale connector housing 12, thus the maleterminal blades 208 remain protected during the servicing of the connector assembly. - While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Claims (15)
1. A connector assembly comprising:
a male connector housing having a wall bounding a space and a resilient finger having an engagement member spaced apart from an upper catch;
a female connector housing having a protruding member axially offset from a retention member;
a pin protector plate disposed between the male connector housing and the female connector housing, the pin protector plate having a tab and a base having a peripheral edge defining a peripheral catch, the tab projecting upwardly from the base and axially offset from the peripheral catch, wherein the pin protector plate is movable from a locked position to a pre-stage position, wherein;
in the locked position the peripheral catch of the pin protector plate is disposed beneath the resilient finger and the female connector housing is seated against the pin protector plate and the protruding member is also disposed under the engagement member;
in the pre-stage position, the pin protector plate is engaged with the engagement member; and
wherein when the female connector housing is pulled out of the male connector housing, the female connector housing is configured to: (1) move the pin protector plate from the locked position to the pre-stage position; and (2) disengage from the pin protector plate; and
wherein the protruding member urges the resilient finger outwardly, the retention member engaging the tab so as to carry the pin protector plate until the tab engages the upper catch, the upper catch pulling the tab away from the retention member, wherein the resilient finger and the tab are returned to a normal state and the peripheral catch of the pin protector plate is engaged with the engagement member.
2. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the engagement member includes an upper ramp defining a first catch surface and a lower ramp defining a second catch surface.
3. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the upper catch is elevated with respect to the engagement member.
4. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the upper catch is axially offset from the engagement member.
5. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the upper ramp projects inwardly in a direction from a top surface to a bottom surface of the resilient finger, and the lower ramp projects inwardly in a direction from the bottom surface to the top surface of the resilient finger.
6. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the lower ramp is a pair of lower ramps spaced apart from each other and coaxial to each other.
7. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the protruding member is a cuboidal member having an arcuate top surface.
8. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the retention member includes a planar surface generally orthogonal to a side surface of the retention member.
9. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the female connector housing includes a rib disposed on a side surface of female connector housing, the protruding member and the retention member disposed on an undersurface of the rib.
10. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the pin protector plate includes a peripheral wall bounding a periphery of the base.
11. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the peripheral catch is defined by an indent disposed on a top surface of the base.
12. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the tab is a planar member having an inward catch and an outward catch, the inward catch and the outward catch disposed on a top portion of the tab.
13. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the outward catch projects upwardly at an angle from the top portion of the tab.
14. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the inward catch is a pair of inward catches, each of the pair of inward catches spaced apart from each other.
15. The connector assembly as set forth claim 14 , wherein the tab has a travel configured to place the peripheral catch of the pin protector plate into engagement with the engagement member of the resilient finger when the upper catch pulls the tab free of engagement with the retention member of the female connector housing.
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US17/131,157 US11349255B1 (en) | 2020-12-22 | 2020-12-22 | Connector housing assembly having a pin protector plate |
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US17/131,157 US11349255B1 (en) | 2020-12-22 | 2020-12-22 | Connector housing assembly having a pin protector plate |
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US20220200201A1 true US20220200201A1 (en) | 2022-06-23 |
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US6846191B2 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2005-01-25 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Electrical connector assembly |
US8038455B1 (en) * | 2010-10-28 | 2011-10-18 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Connector assembly having retractable stabilizer including inward flexing securing member |
JP2019212404A (en) * | 2018-06-01 | 2019-12-12 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
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