Connector with terminal position assurance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016248188-A1
Application number	US-201615050168-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 22, 2016
Priority date	Feb 20, 2015
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism ( 10 ) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch ( 50 ) and attached latch lock ( 54 ) after the latch lock ( 54 ) has been engaged to secure the first connector to a second connector. The latch stop ( 10 ) mechanism may be attached to the connector housing ( 80 ) and have a series of hinges ( 12 ), ( 16 ) that allow a latch stop ( 10 ) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch ( 50 ) and latch lock ( 54 ). A terminal position assurance (TPA) ( 30 ) may be located on the bottom of the connector main body and when engaged, ensures proper positioning of the engaged wire terminal.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A connector terminal position assurance comprising:
(a) a terminal position assurance (“TPA”) lock comprising:
a TPA locking insertion contact surface; and
a TPA locking offset surface; and
(b) a terminal blocking feature comprising:
a TPA cavity guide; an improper terminal detection surface; and a TPA anti-stubbing feature.

2 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 1 further comprising: a TPA locking retention contact surface; and an additional terminal blocking offset surface disposed on the terminal blocking feature.

3 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 1 wherein:
the TPA locking retention contact surface is substantially orthogonal to the TPA locking offset surface.

4 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 1 wherein:
the TPA locking retention contact surface is at an angle slightly acute to the TPA locking offset surface.

5 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one TPA cavity guide disposed adjacent to the improper terminal detection surface.

6 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 1 wherein: the terminal blocking feature extends from a terminal blocking base; the TPA lock projects substantially orthogonally from the terminal blocking feature; and an additional terminal blocking offset surface is disposed on the terminal blocking feature opposite to the TPA lock.

7 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 1 wherein: the TPA locking retention contact surface is disposed on a surface of the terminal blocking base; the TPA locking offset surface is disposed on the TPA lock and substantially parallel to the surface of the terminal blocking base; the TPA locking insertion contact surface is disposed between the TPA locking offset surface and an additional terminal blocking offset surface disposed on the terminal blocking feature; the improper terminal detection surface is disposed between the additional terminal blocking offset surface and the TPA anti-stubbing feature.

8 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 7 , wherein: the improper terminal detection surface is angled such that if a terminal is not fully engaged and the improper terminal detection surface contacts a surface of the terminal, the improper detection surface is flush with the surface of the terminal.

9 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 7 further comprising a TPA main body connected to a main body of a connector by a hinge, wherein a terminal blocking base is disposed on the TPA main body, and a TPA lock is disposed on the terminal blocking base.

10 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 2 , wherein the terminal position assurance is attached to a main body of a connector, the connector comprising:
a connector housing, a latch stop mechanism adjoining the connector housing, and a latch adjoining the connector housing;
the latch stop mechanism comprising a proximal hinge, a distal hinge, a proximal section between the proximal hinge and the distal hinge, a distal section situated on a side of the distal hinge opposite the proximal section, and a latch stop disposed on the distal section; and
the latch comprising a latch stop contact surface whereby when the latch stop contact surface contacts the latch stop, movement of the latch is limited.

11 . A connector terminal position assurance comprising: a terminal position assurance (“TPA”) terminal blocking feature comprising:
(a) a terminal blocking base disposed on a portion of the TPA, the terminal blocking base having a rear surface and a top surface;
(b) an improper terminal detection surface substantially orthogonal to the terminal blocking base rear surface; and
(c) a TPA cavity guide disposed on a side of the improper terminal detection surface.

12 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 11 , further comprising: a TPA anti-stubbing feature, and wherein the improper terminal detection surface has a front, a rear, and two sides, with the rear of the terminal detection surface adjoining the terminal blocking base rear surface, and wherein each side of the improper terminal detection surface adjoins a TPA cavity guide angled at between 30 and 60 degrees with the terminal blocking base top surface.

13 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 11 , further comprising: multiple terminal blocking features, each projecting from the terminal blocking base in a line across the width of the TPA, and wherein a TPA cavity guide is disposed on more than one side of the improper terminal detection surface.

14 . The connector terminal position assurance of claim 11 further comprising a TPA main body connected to a main body of a connector by a hinge, wherein the terminal blocking base is disposed on the TPA main body, and a TPA lock is disposed on the terminal blocking base.

15 . A method of assuring terminal position for a connector comprising:
(1) inserting a terminal into the opening of a terminal cavity; (2) contacting a primary lock with a terminal tang; (3) engaging the primary lock; (4) applying a force on a terminal position assurance (“TPA”) such that the TPA having a TPA lock pivots around a hinge; (5) contacting a TPA locking insertion contact surface with a TPA engagement guide; (6) continuing to exert force on the TPA until a TPA locking surface on the TPA lock contacts a TPA lock contact surface located on a bottom terminal cavity wall.

Assignees

• J S T Corp

Inventors

• Upson Gwendolyn
• Chen Ping
• Blankinship Eric

Classifications

• H01R13/4361

  Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion · CPC title

• H01R13/432

  by stamped-out resilient tongue snapping behind shoulder in base or case · CPC title

• Y10T29/53209

  Terminal or connector · CPC title

• H01R13/6272

  comprising a single latching arm · CPC title

• H01R13/639 Primary

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