Patent ID: 11876324
Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
Field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H | IPC H

Claim 17:
18. A method of disconnecting an electrical connector system which includes:
a first connector body defining a locking fin,
a second connector body configured to receive the first connector body,
a flexible locking arm defined by the second connector body configured to releasably engage the locking fin,
a plunger slidably attached to the second connector body and moveable from an engaged position in which the plunger holds the locking arm in engagement with the locking fin to a disengaged position in which the plunger disengages the locking arm from the locking fin, and a spring disposed between the plunger and the second connector body and configured to urge the plunger into the engaged position, comprising;
moving the plunger from the engaged position to the disengaged position;
moving the flexible locking arm to a released position to pass by the locking fin as the plunger moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position;
compressing the spring as the plunger moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position;
withdrawing the first connector body from the second connector body; and
moving the plunger from the disengaged position to the engaged position as the spring decompresses, thereby separating the first connector body from the second connector body via contact between a push surface on a flexible arm of the plunger and a forward end of the first connector body.