Patent Publication Number: US-2023155312-A1

Title: Method for improving clearance and creepage in a high voltage connector assembly using a male or female terminal position assurance (tpa) device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application having U.S. Ser. No. 62/810,179 filed Feb. 25, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application U.S. Ser. No. 63/014,576 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Due to the high voltage that a high voltage connector assembly is required to meet, and the use of terminal position assurance (TPA) devices within a connector assembly, there exists a desire to improve traditional shielded automotive connectors or housings for use with high voltage terminals, thereby it is desired that clearance and creepage of an electrical path, that of a possible associated shorting current when the connector assembly is in operation or use, from at least a high voltage electrical terminal to another high voltage electrical terminal, element/circuit, and additionally it is desired that clearance and creepage from at least a high voltage electrical terminal to an electrically conducting outer housing, to an electrical element/circuit, or to a traditional stamped metal shield for shielding, is to he improved or increased. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a method for improving the path of clearance and creepage of an electrical path in a high voltage connector assembly using a male or female terminal position assurance (TPA) device and housing. The electrical path may be comprised of or associated with a shorting current. The high voltage connector assembly in this invention is highly suitable for high voltage electrical terminals, which are larger terminals. The female TPA device in this invention includes frontward extending members, while the female housing includes a front portion in which terminals reside, and rear portions. The male TPA device in this invention includes wing-like shape members having intermediate members that extend substantially and respectively downward from the wing-like shape members and enter into the male inner housing thereof during use and operation. The male TPA device in this invention also includes a lower member residing between the high voltage electrical terminals when the male TPA device resides in the housing during use and operation. With the above-described characteristics of this invention, “creepage” (a measurement of the shortest path along the surface from any given circuit in a connector to any (usually adjacent) other circuit), and “clearance” (defined as, e.g., a measurement of the shortest electrical path from any exposed electrically conducting element in a given circuit of a connector to any other electrically conducting element in a different circuit in the same connector) are advantageously increased, therefore modifying or influencing the electrical path comprised of or of an associated shorting current when the connector assembly is in operation or use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device of this invention for use in a female high voltage connector assembly. 
         FIG.  2    is a side elevational view of the female TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a top elevational view of the female TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevational view of the female TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the female TPA device of this invention fitted or installed, in a female housing, at a pre-lock position, and further illustrating thereon on the female housing a clearance or creepage for an electrical path from a high voltage electrical terminal to another high voltage electrical terminal. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the female TPA device of this invention fitted or installed, in a female housing, at a full-lock position, and further illustrating thereon on the female housing the clearance or creepage for the electrical path from the high voltage electrical terminal to another high voltage electrical terminal. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view taken along cross-sectional line  7 - 7  in  FIG.  5    showing a corresponding high voltage terminal with a corresponding front downward extending member of a corresponding frontward extending member of the female TPA device in a pre-lock position inside the female housing, and further illustrating the clearance or creepage for the electrical path extending from the high voltage electrical terminal, as shown in a vertical arrow. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view taken along cross-sectional line  8 - 8  in  FIG.  6    showing the corresponding high voltage terminal with the corresponding front downward extending member of the corresponding frontward extending member of the female TPA device in a full-lock position inside the female housing, and further illustrating the clearance or creepage for the electrical path extending from the high voltage electrical terminal, as shown in a vertical arrow. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates the clearance or creepage for the electrical path extending from the high voltage electrical terminal, as shown in a dashed line, and further extending across the female housing and into another high voltage electrical terminal, as shown in the dashed lines, and further extending into another high voltage electrical terminal. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a front elevational view of the female housing, showing the clearance or creepage for the electrical path extending from the high voltage electrical terminal, as shown in dashed lines, and further extending across the female housing and into another high voltage electrical terminal, as shown in dashed lines, and further extending into another high voltage electrical terminal. 
         FIG.  11    is a front perspective view of a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device of this invention for use in a male high voltage connector assembly. 
         FIG.  12    is a front elevational view of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  13 A  is a perspective view of the male TPA device of this invention fitted or installed, in a male inner housing, at a pre-lock position. 
         FIG.  13 B  is a perspective view of the male IPA device of this invention fitted or installed, in a male inner housing, at a full-lock position. 
         FIG.  14    is a cross-sectional view of a high voltage connector assembly having a high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and capable of receiving the male TPA device of this invention within a TPA window, as shown in the dashed-lines isolated squared portion. 
         FIG.  15    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly, having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein, capable of receiving the male TPA device of this invention within the TPA window and illustrating therein a clearance for the electrical path from the high voltage electrical terminal to a male outer housing, as shown in a vertical arrow. 
         FIG.  16    is cross-sectional view of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within the TPA window, the male TPA device being in a full-lock position. 
         FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within the TPA window and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view is a perspective view of the male inner housing of the present invention with high voltage electrical terminals therewithin. 
         FIG.  19 A  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a pre-lock position. 
         FIG.  19 B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a full-lock position. 
         FIG.  20 A  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a pre-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  20 B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a full-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  21 A  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a pre-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  21 B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a full-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  22 A  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a pre-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  22 B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a full-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  23 A  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a pre-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
         FIG.  23 B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly having the high voltage electrical terminal inserted therein and the male TPA device of this invention within in a full-lock position and illustrating therein a clearance or creepage for the electrical path substantially along a surface of the male TPA device of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a front perspective view of the female terminal position (TPA) device, generally referred to as reference numeral  1 . The female TPA device  1  includes a middle member  3  and a rounded member  5 . The middle member  3  extends from an upper portion  7  to a lower portion  9  of the rounded member  5 . The rounded member  5  has, on opposite sides thereof, frontward extending members  10 ,  12  extending therefrom. 
     Illustrated in  FIG.  2    are an upper backward extending member  3  and a lower backward extending member  15 . At a front end of each of the frontward extending members  10 ,  12  is a corresponding front downward extending member  20 ,  22 . Also each of the frontward extending members  10 ,  12  has a corresponding upper member  25 ,  27 ; and each of the upper members  25 ,  27  has a corresponding ramp-like front end  29 ,  30 . 
     Shown in  FIG.  3    is a top elevational view of the female TPA device  1 , which illustrates the frontward extending members  10 ,  12 , the corresponding upper members  25 ,  27  respectively extending therefrom, and the ramp-like front ends  29 ,  30 , respectively, thereof. Also shown are the upper backward extending member  13  and the lower backward extending member  15 . The upper backward extending member  13  has an upper barb-like member  35  extending therefrom, while the lower backward extending member  15  has a lower barb-like member  37  extending therefrom. Passing through both sides of the female TPA device  1  are openings  40 ,  42  with the middle member  3  therebetween, as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates the female TPA device in a pre-lock position while inserted into and mounted onto a female housing  50 . The female housing  50  has a front portion  53  and a rear portion  55 .  FIG.  6    illustrates the female TPA device  1  in a full-lock position while inserted into and mounted onto the female housing  50 . 
     This invention is directed to a d for improving clearance and creepage using the female TPA device  1 . This invention is also highly suitable for high voltage electrical terminals  60 , which are larger terminals. Further illustrated in each of  FIGS.  5  and  6   , on the female housing  50 , and around the female TPA device  1  is a clearance or creepage, for an electrical path  110 , from an exposed high voltage electrical terminal  60  extending along and across the top surface of front portion  53  of the female housing  50 , and extending toward another exposed high voltage electrical terminal  60  inside the front portion  53 . 
     With the above-described characteristics of this invention, as described above and shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the “creepage” (a measurement of the shortest electrical path along the surface from any given circuit, here one of a high voltage electrical terminals  60 , traveling in a direction or extending along the surface, here the surface of the frontward extending members  10 ,  12  of the female TPA, device  1  and top surface of front portion  53  of the female housing  50 , to any (usually adjacent) other circuit, here another high voltage electrical terminal  60 ), and the “clearance” (a measurement of the shortest electrical path from any exposed electrically conducting element, here a high voltage electrical terminal  60 , in a given circuit of a connector to any other electrically conducting element in a different circuit in the same connector, here another high voltage electrical terminal  60 ) are advantageously increased, therefore modifying or influencing the electrical path comprised of or of an associated shorting current when the connector assembly is in operation or use. Further, as seen by the dashed line L on  FIG.  10   , the clearance or creepage for an electrical path  110  may additionally be increased, by an another embodiment of the present invention having the location of the exposed portion of one of the high voltage electrical terminals  60  and the frontward extending member  10  above, as operable on an opposite side end on the front portion  53 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , a protruding member  62  extends from a lower portion of the female housing  50  The protruding member  62  includes a ramp-like leading end  65 . A leading portion  68  of the terminal  60 , in turn, has a notch  70  such that when the terminal  60  is fully inserted into the female housing  50 , the notch  70  readily passes over the ramp-like leading end  65  of the protruding member  62 . Upon the terminal  60  being fully inserted into the female housing  50 , the protruding member  62  of the female housing  50  snaps into the notch  70  of the leading end portion  68  of the terminal  60 , thereby locking (primary lock) the terminal  60  inside the female housing  50 . 
       FIG.  7    further shows a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG.  5   , wherein the female TPA device  1  is at a pre-lock position. As discussed above, the terminal  60  is locked (primary lock) when the protruding member  62  inside the female housing  50  snaps into or enters the notch  70  of the leading end portion  68  of the terminal  60 . Consequently, the terminal  60  cannot be pulled out from the female housing  50 ; and such time, an upper notch  80  of the terminal  60  becomes available for receiving or accommodating therein a corresponding one of the front downward extending members  20 ,  22 . That is, unless the terminal  60  is in the primary lock inside the female housing  50  and the upper notch  80  of the terminal  60  is available to receive or accommodate therein a corresponding one of the front downward extending members  20 ,  22 , the front downward extending members  20 ,  22  are unable to provide the necessary secondary lock to the terminal  60  inside the female housing  50 . In other words, if the terminal  60  is not in the primary lock inside the female housing  50 , the female TPA device  1  is prevented, by an upper portion  85  of the leading portion  68  of the terminal  60 , from being further pushed downward. Consequently, if the upper portion  85  of the leading portion  68  of the terminal  60  blocks the female TPA device  1  (more particularly, blocks the front downward extending members  0   22  of the female TPA device  1 ), the female TPA device  1  is able to detect that it is unable to be further pushed downward, and therefore unable to provide the secondary lock for the terminal  60  inside the female housing  50  (i.e., the female TPA device  1  cannot be further pushed downward to the full-lock position). 
       FIG.  8    illustrates the female TPA device  1  being in the full-lock position inside the female housing  50 . Here, the upper notch  80  of the terminal  60  becomes available for accommodating therein the corresponding one of the front downward extending members  20 ,  22  of the female TPA device  1 ; and therefore, when inserted inside a respective one of the upper notches  80  of the terminals  60 , the front downward extending members  20 ,  22  of the female TPA device  1  respectively block the terminals  60  from being pulled out from the inner housing  50 , and thus able to provide the secondary lock for the terminals  60  inside the female housing  50 . 
     As further shown in each of  FIG.  7    pre-lock female TPA device  1  and  FIG.  8    full-lock female TPA device  1 , as the female TPA device  1  is oriented on or into the female housing  50 , the creepage or clearance for the electrical path  110  (see, arrow) is shown, substantially extending vertically, from the high voltage electrical terminal  60 , further along or between a corresponding one of the front downward extending members  20 ,  22  (of the frontward extending members  10 , respectively of the female TPA device  1 ) and along a vertical and or substantially slanted or angled portion or portions of the front portion  53  of the female housing  50 . The front downward extending members  20 ,  22  are substantially directly behind a portion of the corresponding high voltage electrical terminals  60 , respectively. 
     Illustrated in, for example,  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the female TPA device  1  is in the pre-lock position in the female housing  50 . Shown in  FIGS.  9  and  10    are the frontward extending members  10 ,  12  of the female TPA device  1 , above and partially inserted into the front portion  53  of the female housing  50 . In  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the creepage or clearance for the electrical path  110  (see, dashed lines) is shown, substantially extending vertically, from one of the high voltage electrical terminals  60 , further exiting partially along or between one of the front downward extending members  20  (of the frontward extending member  10 , respectively of the female TPA device  1 ) and exiting along and from a vertical and or substantially slanted or angled portion or portions of the front portion  53  of the female housing  50 , further traveling in a direction or extending along and across the top surface the front portion  53  of the female housing  50  and further substantially extending vertically, into another one of high voltage electrical terminals  60 , along or between one of the front downward extending members  22  (of the frontward extending members  12 , respectively of the female TPA device  1 ) and along a vertical and or substantially slanted or angled portion or portions of the front portion  53  of the female housing  50  (see, FIG,  6 ), the above also having the order vice versa between the terminals  60 , and the above also additionally present in a full-lock orientation of the female TPA device  1  with female housing  50  (see,  FIGS.  6 ,  8   ). 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a front perspective of the male terminal position (TPA) device, generally referred to as reference numeral  201 , of this invention. The male TPA device  201  includes an upper member  203  and a lower member  205 . The upper member  203  has a substantially wing-like shape having sides  210 ,  214 . The lower member  205  includes a flexible arm member  218  in a front portion thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG.  12   , the flexible arm member  218  includes at least a protruding member or nub member  220 . Although the number of protruding members or nub members  220  shown in  FIG.  12    is two, it is not limited thereto. An upper front portion  211  of the flexible arm member  218  is, as shown in  FIG.  11   , at an incline. Also, a lower front portion  212  of the flexible arm member  218  is, as shown in  FIG.  11   , at an incline. 
     Further illustrated in  FIG.  12   . are end members  224 ,  226  extending substantially downward from the wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214 , respectively. Also extending substantially downward from the wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214  are intermediate members  228 ,  229 , respectively. Each intermediate member  228 ,  229  has a corresponding nub  231 ,  233 , respectively, extending downward therefrom. 
     The male TPA device  1  of this invention is shown, in  FIG.  13 A  as being in a pre-lock position, and in  FIG.  13 B  as being in a full-lock position, the male TPA device  201  being inserted through an opening  208  passing through an upper portion of a male inner housing  230  of a high voltage connector assembly (generally referred to as reference number  200 , in  FIGS.  14  and  16   ), and fitted or installed, in the male inner housing  230 , in a lower opening  400  (see,  FIGS.  18 ,  21 A,  21 B ). Also shown in  FIG.  13 A,  13 B  are fitting grooves  232 ,  234 ,  236  on the external surfaces of the inner male housing  230  for allowing the male TPA device  201  to be installed or inserted into a male outer housing  260  (see,  FIGS.  14 - 17   ) of the high voltage connector assembly  200 . 
       FIG.  14    is a cross-sectional view of a high voltage connector assembly having the male inner housing  230  with a male TPA device  201  in a pre-lock position or orientation.  FIG.  14    further illustrates the male inner housing  230  and male TPA device  201  in a male outer housing  260 . The high voltage connector assembly  200  has a high voltage electrical terminal  265  inserted therein and capable of receiving the male TPA device  201  of this invention within a TPA window  272 , as shown in the dashed-lines isolated squared portion. 
       FIG.  15    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly  200 , having the high voltage electrical terminal  265  inserted therein, capable of receiving the male TPA device  201  of this invention within the TPA window  272  and illustrating therein a clearance for an electrical path  210  from at least the high voltage electrical terminal  265  to the male inner housing  230  of the high voltage connector assembly  200  through the opening  208  passing through the upper portion of the male inner housing  230 , and to the male outer housing  260 , as shown in a vertical arrow in  FIG.  15   . 
     This invention is directed to a method for improving clearance and creepage in a high voltage connector assembly  200  using the male TPA device  201 . The high voltage connector assembly  200  is highly suitable for the high voltage electrical terminals  265 , which are larger terminals. The male TPA device  201  in this invention includes the wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214  with intermediate members  228 ,  229  substantially downward from the wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214 , respectively. Each intermediate member  228 ,  229  has a corresponding nub  231 ,  233 , respectively, extending downward therefrom. 
     With the above-described characteristics of this invention, “creepage” (a measurement of the shortest path along the surface from a circuit, here the high voltage electrical terminal  265 , traveling in a direction or extending along the surface, here the surface of male TPA device  201  and male inner housing  230 , to any (usually adjacent) other circuit, here an electrically conducting male outer housing  260  or a traditional stamped metal shield (not shown)), and “clearance” (a measurement of the shortest electrical path from any exposed electrically conducting element, here the high voltage electrical terminal  265 , in a given circuit of a connector to any other electrically conducting element in a different circuit in the same connector, here the male outer housing  260  or a traditional stamped metal shield (not shown)) are advantageously increased, therefore modifying or influencing the electrical path comprised of or of an associated shorting current when the connector assembly is in operation or use. 
     More particularly,  FIG.  16    is a cross-sectional view of the high voltage connector assembly  200  of this invention having the high voltage electrical terminal  265  inserted into the male inner housing  230 , and the male TPA device  201  of this invention inserted therein in a full-lock position or orientation. The corresponding wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214  residing in the opening  208  (see also,  FIG.  13 B ), and the intermediate members  228 ,  229  thereof residing in the TPA window  272 . As illustrated in  FIG.  16   , the intermediate member  228  is located substantially directly behind a portion of the high voltage electrical terminal  265 . 
       FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the high voltage connector assembly  200  having the high voltage electrical terminal  265  inserted therein, as well as the male IPA device  201  of this invention. The intermediate members  228 ,  229  reside in the TPA window  272  and substantially directly behind a portion of the high voltage electrical terminal  265 , illustrating therein the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  210  from at least the high voltage electrical terminal  265 , substantially along an outer surface of the male TPA device  201  of this invention, traveling to the male outer housing  260 . As illustrated in  FIG.  17   , the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  210  extends, for example, from at least the high voltage electrical terminal  265  along or between the surface or surfaces of at least one of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  and the surface or surfaces of the male inner housing  230 , and further along or between the surface or surfaces of an at least one of the corresponding wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214 , and the surface or surfaces of the male inner housing  230 , and yet further along the opening  208  passing through the upper portion of the male inner housing  230  and passing substantially straight, directly to, the male outer housing  260  of the high voltage connector assembly  200 . 
     Further illustrated in  FIG.  18   , is the male inner housing  230 , having a first and second channel  501 ,  502 , respectively. The first and second channels  501 ,  502  may accommodate therein a respective one of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  of the male TPA device  201 . The first and second channels  501 ,  502  are each respectively provided with an open portion exiting and extending to the middle channel  400 . The first and second middle notches  601 ,  602  define the open portion and a lower portion of the first and second channels  501 ,  502 , where each of the first and second channels  501 ,  502  enter into and extend into the middle channel  400 , respectively. The respective upper portions of the first and second channels  501 ,  502  are defined by the opening  208 . As discussed later, when the male TPA device  201  resides in a pre-lock position in the male inner housing  230 , the lower surface of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  additionally further define the upper portions of the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively (see,  FIG.  19 A,  19 B ). 
     Further illustrated in  FIG.  18   , is the male inner housing  230  having the terminals  265  residing therein. Absent or without a male TPA device  201  inserted or residing therein, the male inner housing  230 , in operation has a clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  from one of the high voltage terminals  265  extending, into a corresponding first and second channels  501 ,  502 . respectively, substantially directly across a top portion of the first and second notches  601 ,  602 , and respectively substantially directly across the middle channel  400  of the male inner housing  230 , further toward and into another high voltage terminal  265  as indicated by an electrical path  310 . 
     As will be discussed below, with the TPA of the present invention, the “creepage” (a measurement of the shortest path along the surface from a circuit, here the high voltage electrical terminal  265 , traveling in a direction or extending along the surface, here the surface of the lower portion  205  of the male TPA device  201  and the male inner housing  230 , to any (usually adjacent) other circuit, here another high voltage electrical terminal  265 , and “clearance” (a measurement of the shortest electrical path from any exposed electrically conducting element, here the high voltage electrical terminal  265 , in a given circuit of a connector to any other electrically conducting element in a different circuit in the same connector, here another high voltage electrical terminal  265 ) are advantageously increased, therefore modifying or influencing the electrical path comprised of or of an associated shorting current when the connector assembly is in operation or use. 
       FIG.  19 A , is a cross-section view of the male TPA device  200 , clearly showing the terminal  265  residing inside the male inner housing  30  at a pre-lock position. The lower member  205  of the male TPA device  200  is residing in a portion of the middle channel  400  of the male inner housing  230  (see,  FIGS.  20 A,  21 A and  22 A ). When the male TPA device  201  is at a pre-lock position, the lower member  205  is inserted into and resides in a portion of a middle channel  400 . A portion of the elongated slot  225 , of lower member  205 , is exposed in the opening  208  of the male inner housing  230  and substantially above the first and second channel  501 ,  502 . Further, the pre-lock orientation consequently aligns a first and second channel  501 ,  502  of the male inner housing  230  beneath a corresponding one of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  (with a corresponding one of the nubs  231 ,  233 ) of the male TPA device  1 . The first and second channels  501 ,  502  thereby may accommodate a corresponding one of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  and be inserted thereinto (see,  FIG.  22 B ). Further, in a pre-lock position of the male TPA device  1 , the intermediate members  228 ,  229  are residing within a portion thereof of the opening  208 , and above and further defining the corresponding upper portions of the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively. 
     Illustrated in  FIG.  19 B  is the male TPA device  201  at a full-lock position. As shown, and described previously, the male TPA device  201  here further been pushed downward from pre-lock position to full-lock position with the corresponding intermediate members  228 ,  229  of the male TPA device  201 , having been fully inserted or accommodated within the first and second channels  501 ,  502  and a corresponding slot  270  of the corresponding terminal  265  (also see,  FIG.  22 A ). Consequently, with the male TPA device  1  in a full-lock position inside the male inner housing  230 , the terminal  265  cannot be removed from the male inner housing  230  (i.e., the male TPA device  1  acting as a the secondary lock for the terminals  65  inside the male inner housing  30 ). Here, the male TPA device  1  is at a full-lock position whereby the lower member  205  is inserted further into and resides further into the middle channel  400  of the male inner housing  230 , compared to the male TPA device  1  at the pre-lock position. Thus, as shown in  FIG.  21 B , when the TPA is at full-lock, the elongated slot  225 , of lower member  205 , is therefore lowered further and resides substantially in the middle channel  400  (see  FIG.  22 B ). An upper portion and smaller portion thereof, of the elongated slot  225  is above and even with the first and second channel  501 ,  502  when in the male TPA device  1  is at a full-lock position, thereby accommodating the clearance and or creepage path of the electrical path  310 , as further discussed below (see,  FIG.  21 B,  22 B ). 
     As seen in more detail in  FIGS.  21 A and  21 B , the lower member  205  acts as a type of “wall” or “barricade” within the male inner housing  230 , and is substantially between the high voltage electrical terminals  265 , when the male TPA device  201  is in operation and within the male inner housing  230  (also see,  FIG.  22 A,  22 B ). When in operation, the lower member  205  further and substantially adds a surface in a lengthwise direction of the male inner housing, and. within the middle channel  400  of male inner housing  230  in which the electrical path  310 , is substantially directed around as previously discussed (see,  FIGS.  18 ,  19 A,  19 B ). Consequently, the lower member  205 , therefore increases creepage, and consequently the clearance of the electrical path  310  (see also,  FIGS.  22 A,  22 B ). Comparatively, and as previously described above, if the male inner housing  230  is in operation, absent a lower member  205  and male TPA device  201  of the present invention, the electrical path  310  has a smaller clearance from one high voltage electrical terminal  265  to another high voltage electrical terminal  265 , than when the male TPA device  201  resides in a pre-lock or full-lock orientation (see eg.  FIG.  18 ,  22 A,  22 B ), Additionally, and advantageously, the wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214  prevent the electrical path  310 , between the high voltage electrical terminals  265 , from traveling or traversing over the top of the male TPA device  201  (see,  13 A,  13 B). The inner and outer surface of the wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214 , have a surface distance between the high voltage electrical terminals  265 , greater than the creepage or clearance surface provided by the surface along the lower member  205  and with male inner housing  230 . Thereby, the clearance and creepage of the electrical path  310  extending and along the male TPA device  201  is directed around the lower member  205  (also see,  FIGS.  23 A,  23 B ). 
     As further illustrated in  FIG.  22 A , the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  from one of the high voltage terminals  265  substantially extends to another one of the high voltage terminals  265 . As in  FIG.  20 A , the electrical path is emitted from one of the high voltage electrical terminals  265  and into a portion of one of the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively. The clearance and or creepage of the electrical path  310  further directs within or extends within the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively, and exits into the middle channel  400  (see  FIG.  21 A ). As in  FIG.  21 A , the electrical path  310  is exited from the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively, along and through corresponding side surfaces of one of a first and second notches  601 ,  602  and may also be directed along and through a corresponding portion of the top surface of the one of the first and second notches  601 ,  602 , respectively (see  FIG.  20 A ). As detailed in  FIG.  21 A , the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  is further directed between and along the surface of a side of the lower member  205  and the inner surface of the middle channel  400 . Further, as in  FIGS.  21 A and  22 A , the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  enters into and through a portion the elongated slot  225  at one end of the male TPA device  201 . Additionally, at the end opposite the elongate slot  225 , the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  passes along and between the opposite end of the lower member  205  of the male TPA device  200  and surface of the middle channel  400  of the male inner housing  230 . The clearance and or creepage of the electrical path  310 , further passes along and between the opposite surface of a side of the lower member  205  and the inner surface of the middle channel  400  (see,  FIG.  22 A ). The electrical path  310  then enters the opposite one of the first and second channels  501 ,  502 , respectively, and from the middle channel  400  (see  FIG.  23 A ) As seen in detail in FIG,  23 A, the electrical path  310  enters the opposite one of the first and second channels  501   502 , respectively, substantially passing along corresponding side surfaces of, and may pass along a top portion of, an opposite one of the a first and second notches  601 ,  602 , respectively. Once the electrical path  310  further enters in the opposite one of the first and second channels  501 ,  502 , respectively, the electrical path  310  finally passes directly towards and into another one of the high voltage electrical terminals  265  (see,  FIG.  22 A,  23 A ). The above also having the order of the electrical path  310  vice versa between the terminals  265 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  19 B and  20 B , is a cross-section view of the male TPA device  201  residing in the male inner housing  230  at a full-lock position or orientation therein. Additionally, the lower member  205  of the male TPA device  200  is residing further into a portion of the middle channel  400  of the male inner housing  230  than the pre-lock position, as previously discussed. Further, the intermediate members  228 ,  229  are residing within a corresponding portion thereof of the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively, as previously discussed. Here, the wing-like shape side members  210 ,  214  are substantially in and residing within the opening  208 , as previously discussed. Here, detailed in  FIG.  20 B , at a full-lock position, the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  from one of the high voltage terminals  265 , substantially extends from one of the high voltage electrical terminals  265  and into a portion of one of the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively (see  FIG.  22 B ). In the full-lock position or orientation, the electrical path  310  is further directed and or extends thereon and along the side surfaces of one of the intermediate members  228 ,  229 , and additionally on the lower surface of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  (see,  FIG.  21 B ). As also in  FIG.  20 B , the clearance and or creepage of the electrical path  310  is further directing through and or exits the first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively, toward the middle channel  400  (also see  FIG.  22 B ). Here, with the male TPA device  201  at full-lock, the intermediate members  228 ,  229  reside substantially into the first and second channels  501 ,  502 , respectively, and into the first and second notches  601 ,  602  (see,  FIG.  22 B ). This orientation thus, forming a substantially small gap between the side surfaces of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  and the side surfaces of the first and second notches  601 ,  602 , respectively as compared to the pre-lock orientation of male TPA device  201  (see  FIG.  20 B,  23 B ). As seen in  FIGS.  20 B and  23 B , the intermediate members  228 ,  229  substantially contact the top surface of the notches  601 ,  602  and therebetween at a portion of the top surface of the notches  601 ,  602  thereof. The substantially small gap formed, thereby further directs the clearance and creepage along and to the lower member  205  at a point substantially meeting and or aligned at the side surfaces of the first and second notches  601 ,  602 , and a lesser or smaller portion of the corresponding top surface of the first and second notches  601 ,  602 , as compared to the pre-lock orientation. Thus, the electrical path  310  continues as directing through and or exiting the one of a first and second channels  501 ,  502  respectively, and substantially between and along corresponding side surfaces and a small portion of the top surface of the one of a first and second notches  601 ,  602  thereof, respectively, and the side surfaces of one of the intermediate members  228 ,  229  (see,  FIGS.  22 B,  23 B ). Further, the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  is further directed between and along the surface of a side of the lower member  205  and the inner surface of the middle channel  400  (see  FIG.  21 B,  22 B ). As in  FIG.  22 B , the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  enters into and through a portion the elongated slot  225  at one end of the male TPA device  201 . Additionally, at the end opposite the elongate slot  225 , the clearance and or creepage for the electrical path  310  passes along and between the opposite end of the lower member  205  of the male TPA device  201  and surface of the middle channel  400  of the male inner housing  230 . The clearance and or creepage of the electrical path  310  further passes along and between the opposite surface of a side of the lower member  205  and the inner surface of the middle channel  400  (see  FIG.  22 B ). As seen in  FIG.  23 B , the clearance and or creepage of the electrical path  310  further passes along and enters the opposite one of the first and second channels  501 ,  502 , respectively, from the middle channel  400 . The electrical path  310  enters the opposite one of the first and second channels  501 ,  502 , respectively, substantially between and along the corresponding side surfaces, and a portion of the top surface thereof, of an opposite one of the first and second notches  601 ,  602 , respectively, and the side surfaces of an opposite one of the intermediate members  228 ,  229 , respectively (see,  FIGS.  22 B,  23 B ). Further, once the electrical path  310  further enters in the opposite one of the first and second channels  501 ,  502 , respectively, the electrical path  310  finally passes directly towards and into another high voltage electrical terminals  265  (see  FIGS.  22 B,  23 B ). The above also having the order of the electrical path  310  vice versa between the terminals  265 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments; and various modifications in design, structural arrangement or the like may be used without departing from the scope or equivalents of the present invention.