Patent ID: 6482047
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector comprising:electrical cables having electrical terminals at one end; a connector body having a divider wall with opposite sides, terminal cavities on opposite sides of the divider wall, and partitions separating adjacent terminal cavities with each of the terminal cavities being adapted to receive one of the electrical terminals; the divider wall having bifurcated portions that provide a first set of cavity flex lock arms that extend part way into the terminal cavities on one side of the divider wall and a second set of cavity flex arms that extend part way into the terminal cavities on an opposite side of the divider wall, such that the cavity flex lock arms flex inwardly to releasably receive the electrical terminals in the terminal cavities and return to an unflexed position to retain the electrical terminals; the connector body having substantially parallel first and second passages extending through the length of the connector body generally transverse to the direction of insertion of the terminals and passing through the partitions on opposite sides of the divider wall; the connector body having a third passage extending through the length of the connector body between the first and second sets of cavity flex lock arms and generally transverse to the direction of insertion of the terminals; at least one terminal position assurance and lock device having three elongate fingers, with a first finger and a second finger each slidably received in a separate one of the first and second passages to act as stops directly behind receptacle portions of the electrical terminals to prevent the electrical terminals from being removed from the terminal cavities, and a third finger which is slidably received in the third passage between the first and second sets of cavity flex lock arms to prevent the cavity flex lock arms from flexing inwardly and releasing the electrical terminals from the terminal cavities, and a support plate integral with the three fingers of the terminal position assurance and lock device, and a locking tab on the support plate for releasably securing the terminal position assurance and lock device to the connector body after the three fingers are inserted into the first, second, and third passages of the electrical connector.