Patent Publication Number: US-7896668-B2

Title: Electrical connector assembly with a detachable wire routing cover

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly with a detachable wire routing cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many different types of electrical connectors are known in the art. Some types of electrical connectors receive and retain a plurality of individual wires that are provided to the electrical connector in a bundle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,392 to Takahashi et al. discloses a wire retaining clip for use with an electrical connector. The wire retaining clip guides bundled wires extending from an electrical connector mounted to a power distribution box and secures the wires to the box to prevent vibration of the wires thereby preventing separation of the wires from their terminals. The wire retaining clip is molded in a single piece and comprises a connector cover which snaps into attachment with the electrical connector to secure the wire terminals therein and a wire guide member attached to the cover by a living hinge. The wire guide member encloses the wires and routes them around an edge of the power distribution box and along a second surface of the box. The wires are taped or otherwise secured to the wire guide member and a lock mechanism on the wire guide member engages cooperating means on the power distribution box to secure the wires to the box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,796 to Duhr teaches a wire harness and a connector shroud. The shroud secures a wire harness and its attached connector to an electrical power distribution center assembly. The shroud surrounds the end of the wire harness and engages the wire harness connector so as to permit a degree of linear movement of the connector relative to the shroud. The shroud is secured to a power distribution center housing to place the connector in alignment with a mating connector on the power distribution center and a bolt passing through the mating connector is tightened into engagement with a nut molded into the wire harness connector to draw the wire harness connector into electrical connection with the mating connector. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,026 to Gieb et al. reveals an electrical connector with a cable strain relief. An electrical connector assembly terminates the conductors of an electrical cable. A dielectric housing includes a plurality of terminal-receiving passages for receiving a plurality of terminals terminated to the conductors of the cable. A discrete dielectric cover is removably mounted on the housing over a termination end thereof. A discrete dielectric strain relief member is mounted on the housing near the termination end thereof and to which the electrical cable can be fixed. The cover is mounted to the housing independently of the strain relief member whereby the cover can be removed from the housing without removing the strain relief member and the affixed cable. The strain relief member can be mounted on the housing at a plurality of different locations whereby the cable can exit the connector from the housing in different locations and orientations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An electrical connector assembly of the present invention includes a housing body and a wire routing cover. The housing body has a generally box-shaped configuration with a front surface, a rear surface disposed opposite the front surface, a pair of opposing side surfaces connected to and between the front and rear surfaces, an upper surface and a lower surface disposed opposite the upper surface and connected to and between the front and rear surfaces and to and between the pair of side surfaces. The housing body has a plurality of terminal-receiving holes formed through the housing body to and between the front surface and the rear surface, a pair of rail-receiving channels with a respective one of the pair of rail-receiving channels formed into a respective one of the pair of side surfaces and at least one latch projection connected to and projecting from at least one of the pair of side surfaces and the lower surface. 
     The wire routing cover includes a base panel, a pair of rail members and at least one latch element. The base panel has a front base panel surface and an opposing rear base panel surface with a plurality of wire routing holes formed through the base panel between the front and rear base panel surfaces and has a pair of base panel side walls, a base panel upper wall and a base panel lower wall with the pair of base panel side walls interconnecting the base panel upper wall and the base panel lower wall to form a generally rectangular configuration surrounding the plurality of wire routing holes. The pair of rail members extend parallel to one another. Respective ones of the pair of rail members are connected to respective ones of the pair of base panel side walls adjacent the base panel upper wall and extend perpendicularly therefrom in a rearwardly direction. The at least one latch element is connected to the base panel and extends perpendicularly therefrom in a cantilevered manner and in the rearwardly direction. 
     Upon releasably connecting the housing body and the wire routing cover together, respective ones of the pair of rail-receiving channels slidably receive at least a portion of the respective ones of the pair of rail members and the at least one latch projection is releasably captured by the at least one latch element. 
     The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes an electrical connector housing and a wire routing cover disconnected from one another. 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover releasably connected to one another. 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover releasably connected to one another with a wire structure connected thereto. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the wire routing cover of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the electrical connector housing of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the electrical connector housing of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the electrical connector housing of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the wire routing cover of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the wire routing cover of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the wire routing cover of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view of the wire routing cover of the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes an electrical connector housing and a wire routing cover disconnected from one another. 
         FIG. 13  is perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover releasably connected to one another. 
         FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the wire routing cover of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the electrical connector housing of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of the electrical connector housing of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the electrical connector housing of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the wire routing cover of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the wire routing cover of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-section view of the wire routing cover of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention taken along line  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a rear elevational view of the wire routing cover of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover releasably connected to one another and the wire structure connected thereto with a cable tie disposed apart therefrom. 
         FIG. 23  is perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover releasably connected to one another with the cable tie securing the wire structure to the wire routing cover. 
         FIG. 24  is an exploded perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover disconnected from one another with the wiring routing cover having several flashed-over wire routing holes. 
         FIG. 25  is perspective view of the third exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention shown in  FIG. 24  with the electrical connector housing and the flashed-over wire routing cover releasably connected to the one another and with the wire structure connected thereto. 
         FIG. 26  is an exploded perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and a modified wire routing cover disconnected from one another. 
         FIG. 27  is perspective view of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention shown in  FIG. 26  with the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover releasably connected to the one another and with the wire structure connected thereto. 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded perspective view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention that includes the electrical connector housing and another modified wire routing cover disconnected from one another. 
         FIG. 29  is perspective view of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention shown in  FIG. 28  with the electrical connector housing and the wire routing cover releasably connected to the one another and with the wire structure connected thereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The structural components common to those of the prior art and the structural components common to respective embodiments of the present invention will be represented by the same symbols and repeated description thereof will be omitted. Further, the description of the exemplary embodiments employs descriptive terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “forward”, “rearward” and the like to be used relative to the drawing figures for ease in understanding the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art may substitute non-descriptive terms in lieu thereof such as “first”, “second” and the like and therefore the use of the descriptive terms herein shall not be construed to limit or narrow the scope of the invention. 
     A first exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly  10  of the present invention is hereinafter described with reference to  FIGS. 1-11 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the electrical connector assembly  10  includes an electrical connector housing  12  and a wire routing cover  14 . As discussed in more detail below, the electrical connector assembly is adapted for use with an assemblage of wire structures  13  as shown in  FIG. 3 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each wire structure  13  includes a terminal  13   a  and a wire  13   b  electrically connected to the terminal  13   a . The electrical connector housing  12  extends along and about a longitudinal axis L, a lateral axis R and a transverse axis T that perpendicularly intersect one another at a common intersection point I. The longitudinal axis L and the lateral axis R define a longitudinal/lateral plane LR, while the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T define a longitudinal/transverse plane LT and the lateral axis R and the transverse axis T define a lateral/transverse plane TR. 
     As shown in FIGS.  1  and  5 - 7 , the electrical connector housing  12  is a housing body (and is therefore also referred to as housing body  12 ). The housing body  12  has a generally box-shaped configuration and has a front surface  12   a , a rear surface  12   b  disposed opposite the front surface  12   a , a pair of opposing side surfaces  12   c  that are connected to and between the front surface  12   a  and the rear surface  12   b , an upper surface  12   d  and a lower surface  12   e . The lower surface  12   e  is disposed opposite the upper surface  12   d . The lower surface  12   e  and the upper surface  12   d  are connected to and between the front and rear surfaces  12   a  and  12   b  respectively and to and between the pair of side surfaces  12   c . Further, the housing body  12  has a plurality of terminal-receiving holes  12   f . The plurality of terminal-receiving holes  12  extend to and between the front surface  12   a  and the rear surface  12   b.    
     Also, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6 , the housing body  12  also includes a pair of rail-receiving channels  12   g . A respective one of the pair of rail-receiving channels  12   g  is formed into a respective one of the pair of side surfaces  12   c . Each one of the pair of rail-receiving channels commences from the front surface  12   a  and extends rectilinearly towards the rear surface  12   b . Furthermore, the pair of rail-receiving channels  12   g  extend parallel to one another and are disposed in a common rail channel plane RCP that, in turn, extends parallel to the upper surface  12   a  and the lower surface  12   b.    
     Additionally, in  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6 , the housing body  12  also includes a latch projection  12   h , which is more specifically referred to hereinafter as a lower surface latch projection  12   h  since the latch projection  12   h  is connected to and projects from the lower surface  12   e . The lower surface latch projection  12   h  commences at the front surface  12   a  and extends towards the rear surface  12   b . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the lower surface latch projection  12   h  is configured, in cross-section, as a right triangle. Note in  FIG. 5  that the lower surface latch projection  12   h  forms a lower latch ramping surface  12   k  that commencing at the front surface  12   a  and projects away from the lower surface  12   e  as the lower latch ramping surface  12   k  extends towards the rear surface  12   b . In  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the lower surface latch projection  12   h  terminates in a flat ramp surface  12   m  that extends perpendicularly from the lower surface  12   e.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the plurality of terminal-receiving holes  12   f  form a matrix of terminal-receiving holes  12   f  that are arranged in a plurality of rows HR 1  . . . HRx and in a plurality of columns HC 1  . . . HCy. A skilled artisan would appreciate that “x” and “y” can be any integer above 1 and would comprehend that, for the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, “x” is 3, for three rows, and “y” is 6 for six columns. Although not by way of limitation but by example only, each one of the plurality of rows HR 1  . . . HRx extend parallel to one another and each one of the plurality of columns HC 1  . . . HCy of the matrix of terminal-receiving holes  12   f  extend parallel to one another. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  8 - 10 , the wire routing cover  14  includes a base panel  14   a , a pair of rail members  14   b  and a latch element  14   c . The base panel  14   a  has a front base panel surface  14   d  and an opposing rear base panel surface  14   e . A plurality of wire routing holes  14   f  are formed through the base panel  14   a  between the front base panel surface  14   d  and the rear base panel surface  14   e . Also, the base pane  14   a  has a pair of base panel side walls  14   g , a base panel upper wall  14   h  and a base panel lower wall  14   j . The pair of base panel side walls  14   g  interconnect the base panel upper wall  14   h  and the base panel lower wall  14   j . The front base panel surface  14   d , the rear base panel surface  14   e , the pair of base panel side walls  14   g , the base panel upper wall  14   h  and the base panel lower wall  14   j  form a generally rectangular configuration surrounding the plurality of wire routing holes  14   f.    
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wire routing cover forms a matrix of wire routing holes  14   f  that arranged in a plurality of rows CR 1  . . . CRx where x can be any integer above 1 and in a plurality of columns CC 1  . . . CCy. A skilled artisan would appreciate that “x” and “y” can be any integer above 1 and would comprehend that, for the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, “x” is 3, for three rows, and “y” is 6 for six columns. 
     In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  8 - 10 , the pair of rail members  14   b  extend parallel to one another. Respective ones of the pair of rail members  14   b  are connected to respective ones of the pair of base panel side walls  14   g  adjacent the base panel upper wall  14   h  and extend perpendicularly therefrom in a rearwardly direction as depicted by arrow RD in  FIG. 1 . Further, the latch element  14   c  is connected to the base panel  14   a  and extends perpendicularly therefrom in a cantilevered manner ( FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  10 ) and in the rearwardly direction RD. 
     The latch element  14   c  is referred to hereinafter as a lower base panel latch element  14   c  since it is connected to the base panel lower wall  14   j . Note that, although not by way of limitation but by example only, the base panel latch element  14   c  is disposed centrally of the base panel lower wall  14   j  between the pair of base panel side walls  14   g . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower base panel latch element  14   c  has a lower base panel latch hole  14   k  that is formed therethrough. As is known in the art, the lower base panel latch element  14   c  is operative to angularly move at an angle aa as illustrated in  FIG. 10  to an between a normal state (solid line in  FIGS. 4 and 10 ) and a flexed state (dashed line in  FIGS. 4 and 10 ). The lower base panel latch element  14   c  is biased to the normal state. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  8 ,  10  and  11 , each one of the pair of rail members  14   b  includes a side rail wall  14   b   1  and a rail  14   b   2  and the rail  14   b   2  is integrally formed with the side rail wall  14   b   1  to form a right angle ra. As best shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  8  and  10 , respective ones of the side rail walls  14   b   1  extend adjacent the base panel upper wall  14   h  toward the base panel lower wall  14   j . Also, respective ones of the rails  14   b   2  extend from a respective base panel side wall  14   g  towards a respective other base panel side wall  14   g . As best shown in  FIG. 11 , by way of example only, the base panel side walls  14   g  are disposed between respective ones of the side rail walls  14   b   1 . As best shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , respective ones of the rails  14   b   2  are integrally connected to the rear base panel surface  14   e.    
     Upon connecting the housing body  12  and the wire routing cover  14  together as shown in sequence from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2 , respective ones of the pair of rail-receiving channels  12   g  are aligned to slidably receive respective ones of the pair of rails  14   b   2  and the lower surface latch projection  12   h  is aligned to releasably capture the lower base panel latch element  14   c . It is understood by a skilled artisan that the lower base panel latch hole  14   k  is sized to releasably capture the lower surface latch projection  12   h . Further, when the housing body  12  and the wire routing cover  14  are releasably connected together, respective ones of the terminal receiving holes  12   f  and the wire routing holes  14   f  are aligned to register with one another. 
     A second embodiment of an electrical connector assembly  210  of the present invention is introduced in  FIGS. 12-23 . The second embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  210  is similar to the first exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  10  discussed above. The distinguishing features between the two embodiments are hereinafter discussed below. 
     The electrical connector assembly  210  includes an electrical connector housing  212  (also, referred to as housing body  212 ) and a wire routing cover  214 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  15 - 17 , the electrical connector housing  212  includes the lower surface latch projection  12   h  and a pair of side latch projections  212   n . A respective one of the pair of side latch projections  212   n  project from a respective one of the pair of side surfaces  12   c . Each one of the pair of side latch projections  212   n  commences at the front surface  12   a  and extends towards the rear surface  12   b , i.e. in the rearwardly direction RD. Each one of the pair of side latch projections  212   n  is configured, as viewed in side elevation in  FIG. 15 , as a right triangle. In  FIG. 17 , each side latch projection  212   n  forms a side latch ramping surface  212   n   1  that commences at the front surface  12   a  and projects away from the respective side surface  12   c  as the side latch ramping surface  212   n   1  extends towards the back surface  12   b . By example only, respective ones of side latch back surfaces  212   n   2  extend perpendicularly from respective side surfaces  12   c.    
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  16  and  17 , the housing body  212  includes a pair of rib-receiving channels  212   p . Each one of the pair of rib-receiving channels  212   p  is formed into the lower surface  12   e . Respective ones of the pair of rib-receiving channels  212   p  are disposed apart from one another. The lower surface latch projection  12   h  that projects from the lower surface  12   e  is disposed between respective ones of the pair of rib-receiving channels  212   p  as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  16  and  17 . With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 15 , each one of the pair of rib-receiving channels  212   p  commences from the front surface  12   a  and extends rectilinearly towards the rear surface  12   b . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the pair of rib-receiving channels  212   p  extend parallel to one another. Furthermore, note that lower surface latch projection  12   h  is disposed centrally relative to the pair of side surfaces  12   c.    
     In  FIGS. 12-14  and  18 - 23 , the wire routing cover  214  includes a pair of side base panel latch elements  214   m . Respective ones of the pair of side base panel latch elements  214   m  are connected in a cantilevered manner to respective ones of the pair of base panel side walls  14   g  and extend perpendicularly therefrom. Each one of the side base panel latch elements  214   m  has a side base panel latch hole  214   m   1  that is formed therethrough. As is known in the art, each one of the side base panel latch elements  214   m  is operative to angularly move to and between a normal state (solid lines in  FIGS. 14 and 19 ) and a flexed state (dashed lines in  FIGS. 14 and 19 ). Each one of the side base panel latch elements  214   m  are biased to the normal state. 
     In  FIGS. 12-14  and  18 - 23 , the base panel  14   a  includes a pair of rib members  214   n . The pair of rib members  214   n  are connected to the base panel lower wall  14   j  and extend rearwardly therefrom in the rearward direction RD. The pair of rib members  214   n  are disposed apart from one another with the lower base panel latch element  14   c  which is positioned between the pair of rib members  214   n . Furthermore, as best shown in  FIG. 14 , each one of the pair of rib members  214   n  includes a flat plate portion  214   n   1  and a rib portion  214   n   2 . The rib portion  214   n   2  is integrally formed with the flat plate portion  214   n   1  and projects perpendicularly from the flat plate portion  214   n   1  towards the base panel upper wall  14   h . As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  18 ,  20  and  21 , the pair of rib members  214   n  are disposed in a common lower base panel plane LBPP with the lower base panel latch element  14   c.    
     Additionally, the wire routing cover  214  includes a wire retention structure  214   p  that is connected to and depends from the base panel lower wall  14   j . The wire retention structure  214   p  includes a pair of spaced-apart legs  214   p   1  and a first cross-member  214   p   2 . In  FIGS. 12 and 13 , each leg  214   p   1  has a connected leg end portion  214   p   1   a  integrally connected to the base panel lower wall  14   j  and an opposite free leg end portion  214   p   1   b . As best shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the first cross-member  214   p   2  is integrally connected to and extends between the free leg end portions  214   p   1   b . Each one of the legs  214   p   1  includes an angled leg portion  214   p   1   c  and a straight leg portion  214   p   1   d  integrally connected to the angled leg portion  214   p   1   c . Respective ones of the angled leg portions  214   p   1   c  is integrally connected to respective ones of the connected leg end portion  214   p   1   a  and project angularly away and downwardly from the base panel lower wall  14   j . Respective ones of the straight leg portions  214   p   1   d  depend from respective ones of the angled leg portion  214   p   1   c  and extend generally parallel with the pair of base panel side walls  14   g . Respective ones of the straight leg portions  214   p   1   d  are integrally connected to respective ones the free leg end portion  214   p   1   b . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 12-13  and  18 - 21 , the wire retention structure  214   p  includes a flange  214   p   3  that is connected to and extends outwardly of the free leg end portions  214   p   1   b  and a rearward side of the cross-member  214   p   2 . 
     In  FIG. 22 , the wire structure  13  is connected to the electrical connector assembly  210  in which the wire routing cover  214  is releasably connected to the housing body  212 . In this manner, as is known in the art, the terminals  13   a  extend through the wire routing holes  14   f  of the wire routing cover  214  and into the terminal receiving holes  12   f  of the housing body  212 . Note in  FIGS. 22 and 23  that the wires  13   b  depend from the electrical connector assembly  210  in a bundle that extends generally parallel with the wire retention structure  214   p . If desired, a cable tie  16  can be used to secure the bundle of wires to the wire retention structure  214   p . By way of example only and not by way of limitation, the cable tie  16  is a strap member fabricated from a pliable material such as plastic, fabric or rubber that has a fastener  16   a  connected at opposing free ends. Although any conventional fastener such as a clip, a snap, a buckle or the like can be used, the illustrated fastener  16   a  is a conventional hook and loop fastener. In  FIG. 23 , when secured to the wire routing cover  214 , the cable tie  16  wraps around the wires  13   b  and the each leg  214   p   1  and the flange  214   p   3  prevents the cable tie  16  from slipping off the wrapped buddle of wires  13   b.    
     Upon connecting the housing body  212  and the wire routing cover  214  together as shown in sequence from  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 13 , respective ones of the pair of rail-receiving channels  12   g  are aligned to slidably receive respective ones of the pair of rails  14   b   2  and the lower surface latch projection  12   h  is aligned to releasably capture the lower base panel latch element  14   c . The lower base panel latch hole  14   k  is sized to releasably capture the lower surface latch projection  12   h  and each one of the side base panel latch holes  14   k  is sized to releasably capture respective ones of the pair of side latch projections  212   n . Further, each one of the pair of rib-receiving channels  212   p  is sized to slidably receive respective ones of the pair of rib portions xxx 
     A third exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly  310  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . The third exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  310  is similar to the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  210 . This difference is explained hereinbelow. 
     A wire routing cover  314  is similar to the wire routing cover  214  except that several of the wire routing holes  14   f  are covered, blocked, plugged or otherwise flashed over as represented by  14   fx . In this way, if a user desires less than the number of wire routing holes  14   f  as provided, the user could cover, block, plug or other flash-over those wire routing holes  14   f  that are not needed. By covering, blocking, plugging or flashing-over the unnecessary wire routing holes, a whistling noise, that might otherwise occur, can be suppressed. 
     A fourth exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly  410  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . The fourth exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  310  is similar to the second exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  210 . This difference is discussed below. 
     A wire retention structure  414   p  of a wire routing cover  414  includes a band member  414   q . The band member  414   q  has a pair of connected band end portions  414   q   1  that are integrally connected to the base panel lower wall  14   j  and forms a wire passageway  414   q   4  with the base panel lower wall  14   j . Respective ones of the connected band end portions are connected to the base panel lower wall  14   j  adjacent respective ones of the pair of base panel side walls  14   g . By way of example only and not by way of limitation, the band member  414   q  has a pair of angled band member portions  414   q   2  and an inverted C-shaped bridge portion  414   q   3 . Respective ones of the pair of angled band members  414   q   2  interconnect the inverted C-shaped bridge portion  414   q   3  and the base panel lower wall  14   g . In  FIG. 27 , the wire passageway  414   q   4  is sized to receive the bundle of wires  13   b  in order to retain the bundle of wires  13   b  in place without use of the cable tie  16 . 
     A fifth exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly  510  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . The fifth exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  510  is similar to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector assembly  410 . This difference is discussed below. 
     In  FIGS. 28 and 29 , a wire retention structure  514   p  of a wire routing cover  514  includes a band member  514   q . The band member  514   q  has a first band member segment  514   q   1 , a first gate element  514   q   2 , a second band member segment  514   q   3  and a second gate element  514   q   4 . The first band member segment  514   q   1  interconnects one of the connected band end portions  414   q   1  and the first gate element  514   q   2 , the second band member segment  514   q   3  interconnects a remaining one of the connected band end portions  414   q   1  and the second gate element  514   q   4  such that the first gate element  514   q   2  and second gate element  514   q   4  are disposed adjacent one another (solid lines in  FIGS. 28 and 29 ). The first gate element  514   q   2  is hingeably connected to the first band member segment  514   q   1  and is operative to move to and between a first gate closed position (solid line in  FIG. 28 ) and a first gate opened position (dashed line in  FIG. 28 ). In the first gate closed position, the first gate element  514   q   2  blocks entry into the wire passageway  414   q   4 . In the first gate opened position, the first gate element  514   q   2  permits entry into the wire passageway  414   q   4 . The second gate element is hingeably connected to the second band member segment  514   q   3  and is operative to move to and between a second gate closed position (solid line in  FIG. 28 ) and a second gate opened position (dashed line in  FIG. 28 ). In the second gate closed position, the second gate element  514   q   4  blocks entry into the wire passageway  414   q   4 . In the second gate opened position (dashed line in  FIG. 28 ), the second gate element  514   q   4  permits entry into the wire passageway  414   q   4 . Using the first and second gate elements  514   q   2  and  514   q   3 , the wires  13   b  can be inserted into and retained in the wire passageway  414   q   4  as reflected in  FIG. 29 . 
     One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the present invention can be implemented with or without the wire routing cover which is detachable from the electrical connector housing. Thus, cost and packaging size can be reduced. 
     The present invention, may, however, be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein; rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.