# US 11,309,650 B2 · Sealed connector assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,309,650 B2 - Document ID: US11309650B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/631,385 - Filed: 2018-07-19 - Published: 2020-05-07 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-01 - Assignees: Aptiv Technologies AG - Applicants: Aptiv Technologies Limited - Inventors: Terry A. George; Eric E. Shasteen; William G. Strang; Daniel F. McNally; Patrick J. Reedy; Bruce D. Taylor; Peter T. Bucco; Kevin Gualandi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11309650B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/187: with spring member in the socket - H01R 13/052: {co-operating with sockets having a circular transverse section} - H01R 13/113: {co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section} - H01R 13/193: Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part {, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction} - H01R 13/26: Pin or blade contacts for sliding co-operation on one side only {(for modular jack type connectors H01R24/62)} - H01R 13/28: Contacts for sliding cooperation with identically-shaped contact, e.g. for hermaphroditic coupling devices {(H01R24/84 takes precedence)} - H01R 13/44: Means for preventing access to live contacts {(making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036)} - H01R 13/502: composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) - H01R 13/5202: {Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings} - H01R 13/5208: {having at least two cable receiving openings} - H01R 13/5219: {Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal} - H01R 13/53: Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases {for high voltage} with means for preventing corona or arcing - H01R 13/5812: {the cable clamping being achieved by mounting the separate part on the housing of the coupling device} - H01R 13/62: Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement - H01R 13/6215: {using one or more bolts} - H01R 13/665: {with built-in electronic circuit (H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence)} - H01R 24/66: with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall - H01R 43/16: for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending - H01R 4/5091: {combined with a screw} - H01R 13/207: by screw-in connection - H01R 13/6335: {comprising a handle} - H01R 13/6683: {with built-in sensor} - H01R 2201/26: for vehicles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A connector assembly includes a female connector body and a male connector body defining a shroud configured to receive the female connector body. The electrical connector assembly further includes a resilient seal axially surrounding a portion of the female connector body. The seal is disposed intermediate the female connector body and the shroud. The connector assembly additionally includes a seal retainer attached to the female connector body. The female connector body defines an outwardly extending retaining ledge on the forward portion of the female connector body. The seal defines an inwardly extending retaining hook engaging the retaining ledge. A portion of the retaining hook is disposed intermediate the female connector body and the seal retainer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector assembly, comprising: a female connector body; a male connector body defining a shroud configured to receive a forward portion of the female connector body; a resilient seal axially surrounding the forward portion, said resilient seal disposed intermediate the forward portion and the shroud and in compressive contact with the forward portion and the shroud, wherein the resilient seal defines a seal lip extending forward of a forward retaining hook, wherein the forward portion defines a forward retaining ledge on the forward portion, said forward retaining ledge extending inwardly from the forward portion, and the resilient seal defines a forward retaining hook extending outwardly and engaging said forward retaining ledge, and wherein the resilient seal is symmetrical about a lateral axis of the female connector body; and a seal retainer that is attached to the forward portion, wherein the seal lip is disposed intermediate the forward portion and the seal retainer and is in compressive contact with the forward portion and the seal retainer, wherein the forward portion defines a rearward retaining ledge on a rearward end of the forward portion, said rearward retaining ledge extending outwardly from the forward portion and wherein the resilient seal defines a rearward retaining hook extending inwardly and engaging said rearward retaining ledge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a cavity is provided rearward of the resilient seal into which a rearward portion of the resilient seal can expand. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the female connector body defines a retaining wall circumferentially surrounding the forward portion and configured to receive a portion of the shroud of the male connector body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal lip and the forward retaining hook is formed integrally with the resilient seal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the forward portion defines a rearward retaining ledge on a rearward end of the forward portion, said rearward retaining ledge extending outwardly from the forward portion and wherein the resilient seal defines a rearward retaining hook extending inwardly and engaging said rearward retaining ledge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient seal is asymmetrical about a lateral axis of the female connector body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the forward retaining hook is formed integrally with the resilient seal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the forward retaining ledge is forwardly angled, and the forward retaining hook is rearwardly angled. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the forward retaining hook is in intimate contact with the forward retaining ledge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a cavity is provided rearward of the resilient seal into which a rearward portion of the resilient seal can expand. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the female connector body defines a retaining wall circumferentially surrounding the forward portion and configured to receive a portion of the shroud of the male connector body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal lip and the forward retaining hook is formed integrally with the resilient seal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rearward retaining ledge is forwardly angled, and the rearward retaining hook is forwardly angled. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rearward retaining hook is in intimate contact with the rearward retaining ledge.