Abstract:
An assembly may include a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, a fourth connector, and a staged-release member. The second connector may be configured to matingly engage the first connector. The fourth connector may be configured to matingly engage the third connector. The staged-release member may include first and second portions. The first portion may be secured relative to the first and third connectors. The second portion may be movable relative to the first portion between a first position restricting axial separation of the second connector from the first connector and a second position allowing axial separation of the second connector from the first connector. The fourth connector may restrict movement of the second portion from the first position to the second position while the fourth connector is matingly engaged with the third connector.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art. 
     An electrical device may receive electrical power from a power source (e.g., a battery) and one or more signals from one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a control device, a sensor, and/or a communication device). First and second power connectors may be utilized to connect the electrical device to the power source for electrical communication therebetween. First and second signal connectors may be utilized to connect the electrical device to the one or more peripheral devices for electrical communication therebetween. In some circumstances, disconnecting the power connectors from each other prior to disconnecting the signal connectors from each other can result in electrical arcing across the power connectors, which can damage the connectors and/or the electrical device. Therefore, it may be desirable to disconnect the signal connectors from each other prior to disconnecting the power connectors from each other to break a signal circuit before breaking a power circuit to reduce a risk of arcing across the power connectors. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     In one form, the present disclosure provides an assembly that may include a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, a fourth connector, and a staged-release member. The second connector may be configured to matingly engage the first connector. The fourth connector may be configured to matingly engage the third connector. The staged-release member may include first and second portions. The first portion may be secured relative to the first and third connectors. The second portion may be movable relative to the first portion between a first position restricting axial separation of the second connector from the first connector and a second position allowing axial separation of the second connector from the first connector. The fourth connector may restrict movement of the second portion from the first position to the second position while the fourth connector is matingly engaged with the third connector. 
     In another form, the present disclosure provides a device for ensuring a sequenced disconnection of an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly may include first and second connectors adapted to engage third and fourth connectors, respectively. The device may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may include a body and first and second engagement features extending from the body. The first and second engagement features may be adapted to removably engage the first and second connectors, respectively. The second portion may be connected to the first portion and may include a first stop member and a second stop member. The first stop member may be movable relative to the first portion between a first position restricting axial separation of the third connector from the first connector and a second position allowing axial separation of the third connector from the first connector. The second stop member may be configured to restrict movement of the first stop member from the first position to the second position while the fourth connector is matingly engaged with the second connector. 
     In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a method that may include coupling first and second connectors to facilitate electrical communication between first and second electrical conductors housed within the first and second connectors, respectively. The method may also include coupling third and fourth connectors to facilitate electrical communication between third and fourth electrical conductors housed within the third and fourth connectors, respectively. A staged-release member may be coupled to the first and third connectors. The fourth connector may be axially separated from the third connector. At least a portion of the staged-release member may be moved relative to the second connector from a first position to a second position after axially separating the fourth connector from the third connector. The second connector may be axially separated from the first connector after at least the portion of the staged-release member is moved to the second position. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembly including a pair of connector assemblies and a staged-release member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembly taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the staged-release member engaging a retainer; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the portion of the assembly shown in  FIG. 6  in an assembled condition; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the portion of the assembly in a first disassembly stage, in which a connector is disconnected from the rest of the assembly and the staged-release member is in a connector-retaining position; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the portion of the assembly in a second disassembly stage, in which the staged-release member is in a connector-releasing position; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the portion of the assembly in a third disassembly stage, in which another connector is disconnected from the rest of the assembly. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An example embodiment will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     An example embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to 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 the example embodiment may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies may not be described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . The assembly  10  can include a first connection  12 , a second connection  14 , and a staged-release member  16 . The first connection  12  can include a first connector assembly  18 , one or more first insulated wires  20 , and one or more second insulated wires  22 . The first connector assembly  18  may engage and electrically connect the first and second insulated wires  20 ,  22  for electrical communication therebetween. The second connection  14  can include a second connector assembly  24 , one or more third insulated wires  26 , and one or more fourth insulated wires  28 . The second connector assembly  24  may engage and electrically connect the third and fourth insulated wires  26 ,  28  for electrical communication therebetween. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the first connector assembly  18  can include a first connector  30 , one or more first terminals  32 , a second connector  34 , and one or more second terminals  36 . The first and second connectors  30 ,  34  may be disposed along a first engagement axis A 1  and may engage each other by a snap or press fit, for example. 
     The first connector  30  can be a male power connector such as a YES/YESC Kaizen Connector sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7282-5595-10, for example, or any other suitable connector. The first connector  30  may be formed from a thermoplastic material, for example, and may include a body  38  having a first end  40 , a second end  42 , a first latch member  43  and a lip member  45 . The first latch member  43  and the lip member  45  may be disposed between the first and second ends  40 ,  42 . The lip member  45  may include an abutment surface  47  that is perpendicular to the first engagement axis A 1  and faces away from the second connector  34 . The body  38  may also include a recess  44  extending from the second end  42  toward the first end  40 . One or more receptacles  46  may extend through the body  38  in a direction substantially parallel to the first engagement axis A 1  from the first end  40  through to the recess  44 . Each receptacle  46  may be partially defined by a resiliently flexible lock arm  48  having a barbed portion  50 . 
     The first terminals  32  can be male terminals of the type sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7114-4140-02, for example, or any other suitable terminal. The first terminals  32  may be electrically conductive members including a first end  52 , a second end  54 , and a notch  56  disposed between the first and second ends  52 ,  54 . The first end  52  of each first terminal  32  may be electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the first insulated wires  20  for electrical communication therebetween. The first terminals  32  may be received in the receptacles  46  such that the barbed portion  50  of each lock arm  48  engages the notch  56  of the corresponding terminal  32  via a snap fit to fixedly but releasably couple the first terminals  32  to the body  38 . The second end  54  of the first terminals  32  may extend out of the receptacles  46  into the recess  44 . 
     The second connector  34  can be a female power connector such as a YES/YESC Kaizen Connector sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7283-5595-10, for example, or any other suitable connector. The second connector  34  may be formed from a thermoplastic material, for example, and may include a body  58  having a first end  60 , a second end  62 , and a second latch member  63  disposed between the first and second ends  60 ,  62 . The body  58  may include a recess  64  extending from the second end  62  toward the first end  60 . One or more receptacles  66  may extend through the body  58  in a direction substantially parallel to the first engagement axis A 1  from the first end  60  through to the recess  64 . Each receptacle  66  may be partially defined by a resiliently flexible lock arm  68  having a barbed portion  70 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the body  58  of the second connector  34  may also include a pair of ribs  73  that may extend parallel to each other and parallel to the first engagement axis A 1 . Each of the ribs  73  may include a slot  71  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) formed therein that extends parallel to the first engagement axis A 1 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an engagement feature  75  may be disposed between the ribs  73 . The engagement feature  75  may extend outward from the body  58  in a direction perpendicular to the ribs  73  and may include an inclined surface  77  and a latch surface  79 . An included angle between the inclined surface  77  and the latch surface  79  can be less than or equal to about ninety degrees, for example. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the second terminals  36  can be female terminals of the type sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7114-4141-02, for example, or any other suitable terminal. The second terminals  36  may be electrically conductive members including a first end  72 , a second end  74 , and a notch  76  disposed between the first and second ends  72 ,  74 . The first end  72  of each second terminal  36  may be electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the second insulated wires  22  for electrical communication therebetween. The second terminals  36  may be received in the receptacles  66  such that the barbed portion  70  of each lock arm  68  engages the notch  76  of the corresponding terminal  36  via a snap fit to fixedly but releasably couple the second terminals  36  to the body  58 . The second end  74  of the second terminals  36  may include an aperture  78 . The aperture  78  of each second terminal  36  may be adapted to slidably receive the second end  54  of a corresponding one of the first terminals  32  such that the first terminals  32  can be slid into and electrically engage the second ends  74  of the second terminals  36 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second connector assembly  24  can include a third connector  80 , one or more third terminals  82 , a fourth connector  84 , and one or more fourth terminals  86 . The third and fourth connectors  80 ,  84  may be disposed along a second engagement axis A 2 , which may be parallel to the first engagement axis A 1 , and may engage each other by a snap or press fit, for example. 
     The third connector  80  can be a male signal connector such as a YES/YESC Kaizen Connector sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7286-3915-30, for example, or any other suitable connector. The third connector  80  may be formed from a thermoplastic material, for example, and may include a body  88  having a first end  90  and a second end  92 . The body  88  may include a recess  94  extending from the second end  92  toward the first end  90 . One or more receptacles  96  may extend through the body  88  in a direction substantially parallel to the second engagement axis A 2  from the first end  90  to the recess  94 . Each receptacle  96  may be partially defined by a resiliently flexible lock arm  98  having a barbed portion  100 . 
     The third terminals  82  can be male terminals of the type sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7114-4102-02, for example, or any other suitable terminal. The third terminals  82  may be electrically conductive members including a first end  102 , a second end  104 , and a notch  106  disposed between the first and second ends  102 ,  104 . The first end  102  of each third terminal  82  may be electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the third insulated wires  26  for electrical communication therebetween. The third terminals  82  may be received in the receptacles  96  such that the barbed portion  100  of each lock arm  98  engages the notch  106  of the corresponding terminal  82  via a snap fit. The second end  104  of the third terminals  82  may extend out of the receptacles  96  into the recess  94 . 
     The fourth connector  84  can be a female signal connector such as a YES/YESC Kaizen Connector sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7287-1598-30, for example, or any other suitable connector. The fourth connector  84  may be formed from a thermoplastic material, for example, and may include a body  108  having a first end  110  and a second end  112 . The body  108  may include a recess  114  extending from the second end  112  toward the first end  110 . One or more receptacles  116  may extend through the body  108  in a direction substantially parallel to the second engagement axis A 2  from the first end  110  through to the recess  114 . Each receptacle  116  may be partially defined by a resiliently flexible lock arm  118  having a barbed portion  120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the body  108  of the fourth connector  84  may also include a pair of ribs  123  and an engagement feature  125 . The ribs  123  may extend parallel to each other and parallel to the second engagement axis A 2 . A slot  121  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 ) extending parallel to the second engagement axis A 2  may be formed in each of the ribs  123 . The engagement feature  125  may be disposed generally between the second end  112  and the ribs  123 . The engagement feature  125  may extend outward from the body  108  in a direction perpendicular to the second engagement axis A 2  and may include an inclined surface  127  and a latch surface  129 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an included angle between the inclined surface  127  and the latch surface  129  can be less than or equal to about ninety degrees, for example. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the fourth terminals  86  can be female terminals of the type sold by Yazaki North America, Inc. under the model number 7116-4102-02, for example, or any other suitable terminal. The fourth terminals  86  may be electrically conductive members including a first end  122 , a second end  124 , and a notch  126  disposed between the first and second ends  122 ,  124 . The first end  122  of each fourth terminal  86  may be electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the fourth insulated wires  28  for electrical communication therebetween. The fourth terminals  86  may be received in the receptacles  116  such that the barbed portion  120  of each lock arm  118  engages the notch  126  of the corresponding terminal  86 . The second end  124  of the fourth terminals  86  may include an aperture  128 . The aperture  128  of each fourth terminal  86  may be adapted to slidably receive the second end  104  of a corresponding one of the third terminals  82  such that the third terminals  82  can be slid into and electrically engaged with the fourth terminals  86 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the staged-release member  16  can be molded from a thermoplastic material, for example, and may include a body  130 , a first engagement member  132 , a second engagement member  134 , a first stop member  136 , a second stop member  138 , and a retaining portion  140 . The body  130  may be a thin and flat elongated member having first and second sides  142 ,  144  and first and second portions  146 ,  148 . The first portion  146  may include a barb  149  having an inclined surface  151  and a latch surface  153 . An included angle between the inclined surface  151  and the latch surface  153  may be less than or equal to ninety degrees. The body  130  may be relatively rigid, yet resiliently flexible so that the second portion  148  of the body  130  can be repeatedly bent between a connector-retaining position (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) and a connector-releasing position (shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). 
     The first engagement member  132  may include a base portion  150  and an engagement arm  152 . The base portion  150  may extend outward from the first side  142  of the body  130  along the second portion  148  of the body  130 . The base portion  150  may have a generally T-shaped profile (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) including a pair of flanges  154  that extend outward from the base portion  150  and parallel to each other. The engagement arm  152  may extend from the base portion  150  toward the first portion  146  of the body  130  and may be cantilevered above the first side  142  of the body  130 . The engagement arm  152  may be resiliently flexible and may include a barbed distal end  156  having an inclined surface  158  and a latch surface  160 . The latch surface  160  may face away from the first portion  146  of the body  130 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , an included angle between the inclined surface  158  and the latch surface  160  can be less than or equal to about ninety degrees, for example. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the second engagement member  134  may include a base portion  162  and an engagement arm  164 . The base portion  162  may extend outward from the second side  144  of the body  130  along the second portion  148  of the body  130 . The base portion  162  may have a generally T-shaped profile (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) including a pair of flanges  166  that extend outward from the base portion  162  and parallel to each other (best shown in  FIG. 5 ). The engagement arm  164  may extend from the base portion  162  toward the first portion  146  of the body  130  and may be cantilevered from the base portion  162  such that the engagement arm  164  is spaced apart from the second side  144  of the body  130  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The engagement arm  164  may be resiliently flexible and may include a barbed distal end  168  having an inclined surface  170  and a latch surface  172 . The latch surface  172  may face away from the first portion  146  of the body  130 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an included angle between the inclined surface  170  and the latch surface  172  can be less than or equal to about ninety degrees, for example. 
     The first stop member  136  may be integrally formed with the first portion  146  and the retaining portion  140  and may extend from the first side  142  of the body  130  in a direction perpendicular to the engagement axes A 1 , A 2 . The first stop member  136  may include a first side  174  and a second side  176 . The first stop member  136  can include a flange  178  integrally formed with the first side  174  and the retaining portion  140  to provide additional rigidity for the first stop member  136 . 
     The second stop member  138  may be integrally formed with the first portion  146  and the retaining portion  140  and may extend from the second side  144  of the body  130  in a direction perpendicular to the engagement axes A 1 , A 2  and opposite the first stop member  136 . The second stop member  138  can be aligned with the first stop member  136  and may include a distal end  180 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the retaining portion  140  may include a body portion  184  and a pair of ribs  186 . The body portion  184  may be perpendicular to the body  130  and the first and second stop members  136 ,  138 . The ribs  186  may extend from the body portion  184  and may be spaced apart from each other and parallel to each other. A slot  188  may be formed in each of the ribs  186 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base portion  150  may be slidably received between the ribs  73  of the second connector  34  such that the flanges  154  are received in the slots  71  formed in the ribs  73  (as shown in FIG.  5 ). As the first engagement member  132  is slid between the ribs  73  toward the second end  62  of the second connector  34  in a direction parallel to the first engagement axis A 1 , the inclined surface  158  of the first engagement member  132  may slide along the inclined surface  77  of the engagement feature  75  of the second connector  34 , which may cause the engagement arm  152  to flex toward the first side  142  of the body  130 . When the base portion  150  is fully received between the ribs  73 , the engagement arm  152  may snap back into the position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , whereby the barbed distal end  156  is engaged with the engagement feature  75  of the second connector  34 . In this position, the latch surface  160  of the barbed distal end  156  may abut the latch surface  79  of the engagement feature  75 . In this manner, the staged-release member  16  and the second connector  34  may be securely retained to each other. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 , the base portion  162  may be slidably received between the ribs  123  of the fourth connector  84  such that the flanges  166  are received in the slots  121  formed in the ribs  123 . As the second engagement member  134  is slid between the ribs  123  toward the second end  112  of the fourth connector  84  in a direction parallel to the second engagement axis A 2 , the inclined surface  170  of the second engagement member  134  may slide along the inclined surface  127  of the engagement feature  125  of the fourth connector  84 , which may cause the engagement arm  164  to flex toward the second side  144  of the body  130 . When the base portion  162  is fully received between the ribs  123 , the engagement arm  164  may snap back into the position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , whereby the barbed distal end  168  is engaged with the engagement feature  125  of the fourth connector  84 . In this position, the latch surface  172  of the barbed distal end  168  may abut the latch surface  129  of the engagement feature  125 . In this manner, the staged-release member  16  may be securely retained to the fourth connector  84 , and the fourth connector  84  may be securely retained to the second connector  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the retaining portion  140  can slidably engage a retainer  190 . The retainer  190  may include first and second legs  192 ,  194 , an aperture  196 , and one or more fastening members  198 . The fastening members  198  may be adapted to engage a structure (not shown) such as a vehicle into which the assembly  10  is incorporated. The retaining portion  140  may slidably engage the retainer  190  such that first and second legs  192 ,  194  of the retainer  190  are received in the slots  188 . The barb  149  extending from the body  130  may engage an aperture  196  of the retaining portion  140  via a snap fit such that the latch surface  153  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the barb  149  abuts a mating surface of the aperture  196 . In this manner, the barb  149  and the retaining portion  140  may cooperate to engage the retainer  190 , thereby securing the assembly  10  to the retainer  190  and the structure. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the assembly  10  can be placed in the fully assembled condition by snap fitting the first and second engagement members  132 ,  134  to the second and fourth connectors  34 ,  84 , respectively, in the manner described above. The staged-release member  16  can be bent or resiliently deflected into the connector-releasing position (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to provide clearance for the first connector  30  to move along the first engagement axis A 1  into engagement with the second connector  34 . Once the first and second connectors  30 ,  34  are fully engaged with each other, the staged-release member  16  can be bent back or released to resiliently return to the connector-retaining position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 ). When the staged-release member  16  is in the connector-retaining position (e.g.,  FIGS. 7 , and  8 ), the second side  176  may abut the abutment surface  47  of the lip member  45  of the first connector  30 . With the staged-release member  16  in the connector-retaining position, there is sufficient clearance for the third connector  80  to move along the second engagement axis A 2  into engagement with the fourth connector  84 . When the staged-release member  16  is in the connector-retaining position and the assembly  10  is in a fully assembled condition (e.g.,  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  7 ), the distal end  180  of the second stop member  138  may abut a surface  182  of the body  88  of the third connector  80 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7-10 , once the assembly  10  has been placed in the fully assembled condition (shown in  FIG. 7 ) and a user wants to disconnect one or both of the first and second connections  12 ,  14 , the staged-release member  16  may control the disassembly process such that the second connection  14  is disconnected prior to before disconnecting the first connection  12 . Such a configuration may be advantageous in an embodiment where the first connection  12  is a power connection and the second connection  14  is a signal connection, and it is desirable to disconnect the signal connection before disconnecting the power connection to prevent or reduce a potential for electrical arcing between the first and second connectors  30 ,  34  of the power connection in some situations. Accordingly, the assembly  10  may be disconnected in stages, including a first stage (shown in  FIG. 8 ), a second stage (shown in  FIG. 9 ), and a third stage (shown in  FIG. 10 ). 
     As described above, when the assembly  10  is in the fully assembled condition ( FIG. 7 ), the first and second engagement members  132 ,  134  may be engaged with the second and fourth connectors  34 ,  84 , respectively, the first stop member  136  may abut the lip member  45  of the first connector  30 , and the second stop member  138  may abut the surface  182  of the third connector  80 . The engagement between the first stop member  136  and the lip member  45  prevents the first connector  30  from being moved along the first engagement axis A 1  away from the second connector  34  to disconnect the first and second connectors  30 ,  34  from each other. The engagement between the second stop member  138  and the surface  182  of the third connector  80  prevents the body  130  of the staged-release member  16  from being bent into the connector-releasing position (shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , in a first disconnection stage, the third connector  80  may be disconnected from the fourth connector  84  by moving the third connector  80  away from the fourth connector  84  along the second engagement axis A 2 . The third connector  80  may be moved away from the staged-release member  16  such that the second stop member  138  is no longer engaged with the third connector  80 , and movement of the staged-release member  16  between the connector-retaining position and the connector-releasing position is no longer restricted by the third connector  80 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , in a second disconnection stage, the body  130  of the staged-release member  16  may be bent into the connector-releasing position. That is, the first portion  146  of the body  130  may be bent downward relative to the second portion  148  and the first, second and fourth connectors  30 ,  34 ,  84 . With the staged-release member  16  in the connector-releasing position, the first stop member  136  is spaced apart from the lip member  45  of the first connector  30  and provides clearance for the lip member  45  in a direction parallel to the first engagement axis A 1 . Therefore, when the staged-release member  16  is in the connector-releasing position, the first connector  30  can be moved into the third disconnection stage (shown in  FIG. 10 ). That is, the first connector  30  can be moved away from the second connector  34  along the first engagement axis A 1  to disconnect the first connector  30  from the second connector  34 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.