US 2024/0222907 A1 · CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH FLEXIBLE LOCK AND EVENT DRIVEN WEDGE

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly terminal modules configured to contain electrical terminals connected to one or more electrical cables, an inner module frame in which terminal modules are secured, and an outer housing having cantilevered locking arms with primary surfaces and secondary surfaces on inner sides of the locking arms to secure the inner module frame to the female outer housing. Latch surfaces of the inner module frame engage the primary surfaces when the inner module frame is inserted within the female outer housing. The female outer housing receives a header having side walls surrounding mating electrical terminals. The locking arms define ramp features on outer sides of the locking arms that push the locking arms inwardly when the side walls contact the ramp features of the locking arms as the header is inserted within the outer housing. A method of assembling such an electrical connector is also provided.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

a plurality of terminal modules, each configured to contain one or more electrical terminals connected to one or more electrical cables;
an inner module frame in which the plurality of terminal modules is secured;
and
a female outer housing having a plurality of cantilevered locking arms with primary surfaces and secondary surfaces on inner sides of the locking arms configured to secure the inner module frame to the female outer housing, wherein latch surfaces of the inner module frame engage the primary surfaces when the inner module frame is inserted within the female outer housing, wherein the female outer housing is configured to receive a header having side walls surrounding a plurality of mating electrical terminals, wherein the locking arms define ramp features on outer sides of the locking arms configured to push the locking arms inwardly when the side walls contact the ramp features of the locking arms as the header is inserted within the outer housing, thereby engaging the secondary surfaces with the latch surfaces.

1 more element

A method of assembling an electrical connector, comprising:

inserting one or more electrical terminals connected to one or more electrical cables within a plurality of terminal modules;
inserting the plurality of terminal modules within an inner module frame;
securing the inner module frame to a female outer housing via a plurality of cantilevered locking arms having primary surfaces and secondary surfaces on inner sides of the locking arms, wherein latch surfaces of the inner module frame engage the primary surfaces when the inner module frame is inserted within the outer housing;
and
inserting a header having side walls surrounding a plurality of mating electrical terminals within the outer housing, wherein the locking arms define ramp features on outer sides of the locking arms configured to push the locking arms inwardly when the side walls contact the ramp features of the locking arms as the header is inserted within the outer housing, thereby engaging the secondary surfaces with the latch surfaces of the inner module frame.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Connector assembly with flexible lock and event driven wedge

Life of this patent

Connector assembly with flexible lock and event driven wedge

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15