Wire connector with integrated coaxial connection and front loaded terminal position assurance structures

#The invention relates to terminal connectors and with more particularity to multi-cavity terminal connectors including coaxial and terminal cavities.

#In the prior art, coaxial connections are separate from terminal connections in connector assemblies. Typically, the male coaxial component gets locked into a female component and then connects to a clip slot that may attach to a connector or a wire harness. There is therefore a need for a wiring connector that has a compact packaging space requirement that includes both terminal connectors and a coaxial terminal connection. There is also a need for a wiring connector that includes both terminal connectors and a coaxial terminal connection with a terminal position assurance structure that locks both the terminal and coaxial connections.

#In one aspect, there is disclosed a connector assembly that includes a male housing having at least one coaxial cavity and terminal cavities. At least one female housing is shaped to be disposed in the male housing when in a connected position. The at least one female housing includes a corresponding coaxial cavity relative to the male housing and corresponding terminal cavities relative to the male housing. At least one front loaded male terminal position assurance structure is disposed in the male housing. At least one front loaded female terminal position assurance structure is connected to the at least one female housing. The front loaded male and female terminal position assurance structures lock coaxial connections and terminal connections within the male and female housings when in the connected position.

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly;

#FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of a connector assembly;

#FIG. 3A is an end view of a female housing;

#Referring to the various figures, there is detailed a connector assembly 12 that may be utilized for wire routing through vehicle openings particularly through vehicle doors. The connector assembly 12 may include a male housing 14 that includes at least one coaxial cavity 16 and terminal cavities 18. At least one female housing 20 is shaped to be disposed in the male housing 14 when in a connected position. The at least one female housing 20 includes a corresponding coaxial cavity 16 relative to the male housing 14 and corresponding terminal cavities 18 relative to the male housing 14. At least one front loaded male terminal position assurance structure 24 is disposed in the male housing 14. At least one front loaded female terminal position assurance structure 26 is connected to the at least one female housing 20. The front loaded male and female terminal position assurance structures 24, 26 lock coaxial connections 28 and terminal connections 30 within the male and female housings 14, 20 when in the connected position.

#In the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the at least one female housing 20 includes two female housings 20. The female housings 20 may have differing numbers of terminal connections 30 with one including a coaxial cavity 16 in the depicted embodiment. The male housing 14 may be formed of a unitary structure and receives the two female housings 20. In this manner, the male housing 14 may be utilized in various vehicle platforms by switching the number of terminals within the female housings 20 while reusing the common male housing 14. Additionally, in the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 1-2 and 4, two male and female terminal position assurance structures 24, 26 are provided. It should be realized that various numbers of terminal connections or terminals 30 may be provided in the female housing 20 which will also have a corresponding male housing 14 and will also include a corresponding number of terminal position structures in the male and female terminal position assurance structures 24, 26. In one aspect, the connector assembly 12 may further include a grommet 32 attached to the male housing 14, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

#In the depicted embodiments, the connector assembly 12 includes a coaxial cavity 16 and additional terminal cavities 18. The terminals may include various types of systems such as a Tyco Gen Y and FCI Apex type terminals. Additionally, in the depicted embodiments the two female housings 20 allow potential flexibility in design with differing numbers of terminals. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 3A there is detailed an 18-terminal connector including a coaxial cavity 16 for receiving a coaxial terminal or connection 28 and 18 terminal connections 30 while in FIG. 3B, there is depicted a 25-terminal connector that does not include a coaxial cavity 16. It should be realized that various numbers of terminal connections 30 and coaxial connections 28 may be included.