Connector assemblies for vehicle charging

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10014615-B2
Application number	US-201615269006-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 19, 2016
Priority date	Sep 19, 2016
Publication date	Jul 3, 2018
Grant date	Jul 3, 2018

Abstract

A connector subassembly is provided with a terminal housing portion, an electrical components housing portion, a strain relief and a seal. A first retainer is provided on the terminal housing portion and is sized to be retained within a handle housing outlet end. At least one socket extends from the receptacle housing portion forward of the handle housing outlet end. A plurality of conductive terminals is oriented within the at least one socket. A cord extends through a proximal end of the electrical components housing portion through a retaining feature and seal, in electrical communication with the plurality of conductive terminals on the outlet end within the terminal housing portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector assembly comprising:
a terminal housing portion sized to be oriented partially within a handle housing outlet end, with a first retainer sized to be retained within the handle housing outlet end;
a plurality of conductive terminals oriented within the terminal housing portion;
a secondary housing portion in cooperation with the terminal housing portion, with a second retainer;
a cord extending through a proximal end of the secondary housing portion in cooperation with the second retainer;
a plurality of wires extending through the cord in electrical communication with the plurality of conductive terminals; and
a handle housing forming an exterior, an outlet end in cooperation with the terminal housing portion and the first retainer, and a proximal handle housing cable inlet end in cooperation with the cord;
wherein the second retainer is enclosed within the handle housing; and
wherein the second retainer comprises a threaded fastener.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cable management system in cooperation with the proximal handle housing cable inlet end and the cord.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the cable management system comprises a grommet.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the first retainer comprises an annular ring extending about the terminal housing portion.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4 wherein the handle housing is formed with a groove sized to receive the annular ring of the terminal housing portion.

6. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the handle housing provides an external grip surface that extends relative to the terminal housing portion.

7. A method to assemble a modular connector assembly comprising:
providing the connector assembly according to claim 1 ;
selecting one of a plurality of handle housings comprising single handle housings, multiple housings, and mold-over construction housings, each sized to receive the connector assembly; and
retaining the connector assembly within the handle housing.

8. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the secondary housing portion comprises an electrical components housing portion.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Mueller Mark Anthony
• Richards Arthur Lawrence
• Hinds Jason
• Hein David A
• Castellani Paul

Classifications

• H01R13/5221

  having cable sealing means · CPC title

• H01R31/06

  Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94) · CPC title

• H01R13/502 Primary

  composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R2201/26

  for vehicles · CPC title

• H01R13/639

  Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap} · CPC title