Patent Description:
The present disclosure also generally relates to a connector position assurance (CPA) device for assuring the engagement of male and female connector assemblies, a connector apparatus having the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly, the male connector assembly having a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device for connecting thereto at least a set of terminals, and the female connector assembly having a female terminal position (TPA) device for connecting thereto at least a set of terminals. The female connector assembly further includes the CPA device for locking the male and female connector assemblies together.

Generic connector assemblies having the features of the preamble of claim <NUM> are known from <CIT> and <CIT>.

Further connector assemblies including CPA members which can be moved from a pre-locked to a full-locked position and provide audible sounds as an indication of engagement are known from <CIT>.

A connector apparatus of the present invention is set out in claim <NUM>. Further advantageous developments of the present invention are set out in the dependent claims.

A connector position assurance (CPA) device for assuring the engagement of male and female connector assemblies is inserted into the female connector assembly, at a pre-lock position and then, at a full-lock position. Further, to ensure that the female terminal position assurance (TPA) device is made available for connecting to the female connector assembly during transport thereof, the female TPA is engaged, in a pre-lock position, to the female connector assembly. A male terminal position assurance (TPA) device may be made available for connecting to the male connector assembly during transport thereof, the male TPA being able to be engaged, in a pre-lock position, to the male connector assembly. In addition to the female TPA at a pre-lock position engagement with the female connector assembly, the female connector assembly engages thereto, during the transport thereof, with the connector position assurance (CPA) device at a pre-lock position.

At least a terminal is provided into each of the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly, when each of their respective male TPA and female TPA is at a pre-lock position. The male connector assembly and female connector assembly are engaged together, and the engagement thereof is assured when the CPA device is placed at a full-lock position. The set of terminals provided for the male connector assembly is secured thereto when the male TPA thereof is placed at a full-lock position. Similarly, the set of terminals provided for the female connector assembly is secured thereto when the female TPA device thereof is placed at a full-lock position.

With the female TPA device being at a full-lock position, the female connector assembly can enter the inside of the male connector assembly, and both the male and female connector assemblies can be fully engaged together with the CPA device and the full engagement thereof is assured when the CPA device is at a full-lock position.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanations without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

<FIG> illustrates, in an exploded perspective view, the connector apparatus, generally referred to by reference number <NUM>, which includes a female connector assembly <NUM> and a male connector assembly <NUM>. The female connector assembly <NUM> includes a female terminal position assurance (TPA) device <NUM> and a connector position assurance (CPA) device <NUM>.

<FIG> show the female connector assembly having an upper side <NUM>, a lower side <NUM>, a first side <NUM>, a second side <NUM>, a front end side <NUM>, and a back end side <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the female connector assembly <NUM>, which includes a side slot <NUM> on the first side <NUM> thereof and a top slot <NUM> on the upper side <NUM> thereof. As explained later, the side slot <NUM> receives the female terminal assurance (TPA) device <NUM>. Between the side slot <NUM> and the top slot <NUM> is an elongated member <NUM>. Passing through a portion of the back end side <NUM> is a set of terminal slots <NUM>.

Further illustrated in <FIG> is a flexible member <NUM> extending along the second side <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>, a front end <NUM> of the flexible member <NUM> extending near an opening <NUM> of the front end side <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>. At an intermediate portion of the flexible member <NUM> are protruding members <NUM> extending therefrom. Also passing through the front end side <NUM> is another set of terminal slots <NUM>. Bounded at an upper portion of the opening <NUM> is a substantially U-shaped member <NUM>.

As will be explained later in more detail, the female connector assembly <NUM> includes a substantially ramp-like member <NUM> with a substantially flat portion <NUM> at an upper portion thereof continuing with an elongated guide member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, passing through the lower side <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> are a first window <NUM> and a second window <NUM>. Therebetween the first and second windows <NUM>, <NUM> is a bridge member <NUM>.

<FIG> are perspective views of the CPA device <NUM> for locking the female connector assembly <NUM> and the male connector assembly <NUM> together, at a pre-lock position or at a full-lock position. Shown in <FIG> are a flexible side member <NUM> with a side end portion <NUM> and a set of side ledges <NUM>. The CPA device <NUM> further includes a flexible bottom side member <NUM> with a wedge-like member <NUM> at an end thereof. Adjacent the base of the wedge-like member <NUM> is a front ledge <NUM> and a back ledge <NUM>. The CPA device <NUM> has an end portion <NUM>.

Further shown in <FIG> is the CPA device <NUM> further including an inner flexible member <NUM> attached to an end <NUM> thereof to the flexible bottom side member <NUM>. The inner flexible member <NUM> provides a spring-like action or an essential resilience property for the flexible bottom side member <NUM>, as will later be discussed. Further shown in <FIG> is an opening <NUM>, preferably elongated, the opening <NUM> passing through an inner portion of the flexible side member <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the back ledge <NUM> near the wedge-like member <NUM> and the wedge-like member <NUM> form a substantially U-shaped portion on the bottom side member <NUM>, the significance of which will later be discussed. The flexible bottom side member <NUM> is flexible towards the flexible side member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the TPA device <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>. The TPA device <NUM> is substantially L-shaped, although the general shape thereof is not limited thereto. Extending from a top portion <NUM> of the female TPA device <NUM> are a pair of elongated members <NUM>, <NUM>.

Generally shown in <FIG> is the male connector assembly <NUM>, shown in a generic form, having a one end portion <NUM> and another end portion <NUM>. The male connector assembly <NUM> includes a second side elongated slot <NUM>. An opening <NUM>, for accommodating therein the female connector assembly <NUM>, has an opening portion <NUM> with a wider width. When shown at a side end elevational view of the male connector assembly <NUM> (i.e., when viewed from the opening <NUM>), <FIG> illustrates an internal space <NUM> for accommodating therein the female connector assembly <NUM>, and further illustrates a set of terminal apertures <NUM> at the end portion <NUM> of the male connector assembly <NUM>.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, the opening portion <NUM> includes substantially U-shaped side portions <NUM> for guiding the entry of the female connector assembly <NUM> through the opening <NUM> of the male connector assembly <NUM>. Further, although not shown in the drawings, the internal space <NUM> may accommodate therein a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device for securing therein a set of terminals passing through the set of terminal apertures <NUM>.

The method for assembling the connector apparatus <NUM> of this invention is hereinafter explained and discussed.

As shown in <FIG>, the TPA device <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> is inserted into the side slot <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> such that the elongated member <NUM> passes beneath the elongated member <NUM> and becomes positioned within the top slot <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>, the TPA device <NUM> being in a pre-lock position. As shown in <FIG>, the CPA device <NUM> is in a pre-lock position with the female connector assembly <NUM>, while the TPA device <NUM> is similarly in a pre-lock position. With the TPA device and the CPA device <NUM> in pre-lock positions, the female connector assembly <NUM> is ready for transport.

When a set of terminals (not shown) is inserted through the set of terminal slots <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>, the TPA device <NUM> is further pushed inward through the side slot <NUM> with the elongated member <NUM> of the TPA device <NUM> being pushed past the elongated member <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> and passes into the top slot <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>. The TPA device <NUM> is then at a final-lock position, as shown in <FIG>.

As further shown in the cross-sectional views of <FIG> (and as discussed above with respect to <FIG>), the TPA device <NUM> is at a pre-lock position when, as shown in <FIG>, the elongated member <NUM> of the TPA device <NUM>, while the TPA device <NUM> is being pushed through the side slot <NUM>, passes the elongated member <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> and into the top slot <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>. When the TPA device <NUM> is further pushed inside the female connector assembly <NUM>, through the side slot <NUM>, the elongated member <NUM> of the TPA device <NUM> passes the elongated member <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> and into the top slot <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the TPA device <NUM> is fully inserted into the female connector assembly <NUM> so that no part of the TPA device <NUM> extends beyond pass the first side <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>. When the TPA device <NUM> is in a full-lock position within the female connector assembly <NUM>, the TPA device <NUM> has secured the set of terminals (not shown) intended to be joined with the female connector assembly <NUM>, and the female connector assembly <NUM> is ready to be inserted into the male connector assembly <NUM> for coupling thereto. That is, no part of the TPA device <NUM> extends beyond the first side <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> to permit the female connector assembly <NUM> to fully enter, unimpeded, through the openings <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>) and into the male connector assembly <NUM>. After the female connector assembly <NUM> (with its TPA device <NUM> in a full-lock position therein) has been fully inserted into the male connector assembly <NUM>, the CPA device <NUM> (at a pre-lock position inside the female connector assembly <NUM>) can be further inserted into the female connector assembly <NUM> at a full-lock position therein to ensure that the female and male connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> become fully engaged.

Hereinafter described is the method for locking the female connector assembly <NUM> and the male connector assembly <NUM> with the CPA device <NUM>, at a pre-lock position and subsequently, at a full-lock position. It is hereby noted that it is preferable that only two assemblies are to be transported to a location for full assembly; namely: (<NUM>) the female connector assembly <NUM> with its TPA device <NUM> at a pre-lock position therein and the CPA device <NUM> similarly at a pre-lock position therein, and (<NUM>) the male connector assembly <NUM> with its TPA device (not shown in the drawings) at a pre-lock position therein.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate the female connector assembly <NUM> and the male connector assembly <NUM> being engaged, while the CPA device <NUM> is at a pre-lock position. Here, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the protruding members <NUM> extending from the flexible member <NUM> (as discussed above in describing <FIG>) of the female connector assembly <NUM> has entered the second side elongated slot <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>) of the male connector assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the CPA device <NUM>, at a pre-lock position, has its wedge-like member <NUM> of its flexible bottom side member <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>) enter the first window <NUM> (as discussed above in describing <FIG>) of the female connector assembly <NUM>. To signify completed entry of the wedge-like member <NUM> into the first window <NUM>, a sound (preferably, a clicking sound or the like) may be heard. The ease in ensuring that the wedge-like member <NUM> can readily travel into the first window <NUM> and later traverse the bridge member <NUM> (as discussed later), between the first and second windows <NUM>, <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>), the front face of the wedge-like member <NUM> is preferably in an inclined shape, and the inner flexible member <NUM> (attached at an end <NUM> thereof to the flexible bottom side member <NUM> of the CPA device) provides the spring-like action or the essential resilience property of the flexible bottom side member <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>).

Also, at a pre-lock position (as illustrated in <FIG>), the side end portion <NUM> of the flexible side member <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>) of the CPA device <NUM> has traversed the elongated guide member <NUM> and the ramp-like member <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>) of the female connector assembly <NUM> and the side end portion <NUM> rests upon the substantially flat portion <NUM> of the ramp-like member <NUM>. Upon the resting of the side end portion <NUM> onto the substantially flat portion <NUM>, a sound (also preferably a clicking sound or the like) may be heard. At this time, the wedge-like member <NUM> of the CPA device <NUM> (fitted inside the first window <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>) prevents the CPA device <NUM> from traversing further forward, while the side end portion <NUM> of the CPA device <NUM> mounted onto the substantially flat portion <NUM> of the ramp-like member <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> prevents the CPA device <NUM> from traversing backwards.

With the CPA device <NUM> now at a pre-lock position inside the female connector assembly <NUM> (and the TPA device <NUM> also now at a pre-lock position inside the female connector assembly <NUM>), the female connector assembly <NUM> is ready to be transported to a location where both the female connector assembly <NUM> can be engaged with the male connector assembly <NUM> (preferably with its male TPA device (not shown) at a pre-lock position inside the male connector assembly <NUM> when being transported or the male TPA device (not shown) at a full-lock position when engaging therein the set of terminals (also not shown) and then inserted into the female connector assembly <NUM> for engagement thereto).

Hereinafter described in reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> is the manner in which the CPA device <NUM> is placed at a full-lock position with the female connector assembly <NUM> to ensure that the female and male connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> become fully engaged and locked together.

As discussed above, when the female connector assembly <NUM> enters the male connector assembly <NUM>, the protruding members <NUM> of the flexible member <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> enter the second side elongated slot <NUM> of the male connector assembly <NUM>. When the CPA device <NUM> is at a pre-lock position, the flexible member <NUM> may still be pushed so that the protruding members <NUM> may be similarly pushed to clear the side of the male connector assembly <NUM> and thereafter, if desired, the female connector assembly <NUM> may be still be pulled away from the male connector assembly <NUM>. However, when the CPA device <NUM> is at a full-lock position, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the set of side ledges <NUM> (see, <FIG>) of the CPA device <NUM> will prevent the flexible member <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> from being pushed and thus, prevent the protruding members <NUM> thereof from being pushed and will therefore be unable to clear the side of the male connector assembly <NUM> when pulled, and the female connector assembly <NUM> cannot therefore be pulled away from the male connector assembly <NUM>.

The CPA device <NUM> is at a full-lock position with the female connector assembly <NUM> when the CPA device <NUM> (at a pre-lock position) is further pushed into the female connector assembly <NUM>. At such time, the wedge-like member <NUM> of the CPA device <NUM> traverses the bridge member <NUM> (between the first and second windows <NUM>, <NUM>) and into the second window <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> (see, <FIG>). Upon entry of the wedge-like member <NUM> into the second window <NUM>, a sound (preferably a clicking sound or the like) may be heard. On or about the time the wedge-like member <NUM> enters the second window <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the side end portion <NUM> of the flexible side member <NUM> of the CPA device <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>) traverses the substantially flat portion <NUM> of the ramp-like member <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM>, and the substantially flat portion <NUM> enters the opening <NUM> that passes through the inner portion of the flexible side member <NUM> (see, also, <FIG>) of the CPA device <NUM>. Upon entry of the substantially flat portion <NUM> of the female connector assembly <NUM> inside the opening <NUM> of the flexible side member <NUM> of the CPA device <NUM>, a sound (also preferably a clicking sound or the like) may be heard, and the CPA device <NUM> is at a full-lock position. In addition, when the CPA device <NUM> is at a full-lock position, the set of side ledges <NUM> of the CPA device <NUM> are positioned beneath the flexible member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, and thus, the flexible member <NUM> cannot be pushed and consequently, the protruding members <NUM> of the flexible member <NUM> cannot clear the side within the second side elongated slot <NUM> of the male connector assembly <NUM>. Thus, with the CPA device <NUM> at a full-lock position, the female connector assembly <NUM> cannot be pulled away from the male connector assembly <NUM>, and thereby ensuring that the female and male connector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, when engaged, remain fully locked together.

Claim 1:
A connector apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
a female connector assembly (<NUM>) for receiving a set of terminals, wherein the female connector assembly (<NUM>) has an opening (<NUM>) at one end thereof, a ramp-like member (<NUM>) having an upper part (<NUM>), at least a first window (<NUM>) passing through a lower side (<NUM>) of the female connector assembly (<NUM>), a second window (<NUM>) passing through the lower side (<NUM>) of the female connector assembly (<NUM>), and a bridge member (<NUM>) disposed between the first and second windows (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a male connector assembly (<NUM>) for receiving another set of terminals, wherein the male connector assembly (<NUM>) is configured to receive therein the female connector assembly (<NUM>) for engagement thereto; and
a connector position assurance (CPA) device (<NUM>) for entering the opening (<NUM>) of the female connector assembly (<NUM>), and configured to assure the full engagement of the male and female connector assemblies (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the CPA device (<NUM>) is at a full-lock position, wherein
the CPA device (<NUM>) includes a first flexible member (<NUM>) having a wedge-like member (<NUM>) at an end thereof,
the CPA device (<NUM>) includes a second flexible member (<NUM>) that forms an elongated opening (<NUM>) passing through an inner portion of the second flexible member (<NUM>), wherein the second flexible member (<NUM>) has a side end portion (<NUM>),
the wedge-like member (<NUM>) is configured to enter the first window (<NUM>) when the CPA device (<NUM>) is at a pre-lock position, wherein the side end portion (<NUM>) rests upon the upper part (<NUM>) when the CPA device (<NUM>) is at the pre-lock position, and
the upper part (<NUM>) is configured to enter the elongated opening (<NUM>) of the second flexible member (<NUM>) when the CPA device (<NUM>) is at the full-lock position wherein
the wedge-like member (<NUM>) of the first flexible member (<NUM>) of the CPA device (<NUM>) is configured to enter the second window (<NUM>) of the female connector assembly (<NUM>) when the CPA device (<NUM>) is at the full-lock position, and
the wedge-like member (<NUM>) is configured to traverse the bridge member (<NUM>) and enter the second window (<NUM>) when the CPA device (<NUM>) is moved from the pre-lock position to the full-lock position.