A connector includes a housing insertable into a receptacle of a mating connector so as to form a connection and a connector position assurance (CPA) element which is movable relative to the housing between a pre-latching and a final latching position. The CPA element prevents the connection from becoming released in the final latching position. The connector further includes a retainer with a receptacle in a connection direction and an opening transverse thereto. The CPA element is insertable into the receptacle of the retainer. A protrusion is formed on the CPA element, wherein movement of the CPA element from the pre-latching to the final latching position is blocked in a case that the protrusion is engaged with the opening, and the movement of the CPA element is permitted in a case that the protrusion is not engaged with the opening.

An electrical connector includes a connector shell, a coupling nut, and an indicator surrounding the connector shell. The indicator includes a clamp member and a check member. The clamp member includes a ring and a coupling structure extending from the ring to the check member and coupling the ring to the check member. The indicator may assist a user in determining if the electrical connector is in a fully-mated state.

An electrical connector includes a connector shell, a coupling nut, and an indicator surrounding the connector shell. The indicator includes a clamp member and a check member. The clamp member includes a ring and a coupling structure extending from the ring to the check member and coupling the ring to the check member. The indicator may assist a user in determining if the electrical connector is in a fully-mated state.

An insulated connection system for connecting a first busbar and a second busbar to at least a first connector and a second connector. The second busbar including a bar orifice to connect the first connector to the first busbar. The insulated connection system including an electrically insulating casing defining: a first recess portion for accommodating a first connecting portion of the first busbar, a second recess portion for accommodating a second connecting portion of the second busbar, and a sleeve portion for accommodating a portion of the second busbar provided with the bar orifice. The insulated connection system further including a busbar positioning assurance (BPA) member of electrically insulating material configured to accommodate a portion of the first connector and to be received in the connector passage and the bar orifice.

An insulated connection system for connecting a first busbar and a second busbar to at least a first connector and a second connector. The second busbar including a bar orifice to connect the first connector to the first busbar. The insulated connection system including an electrically insulating casing defining: a first recess portion for accommodating a first connecting portion of the first busbar, a second recess portion for accommodating a second connecting portion of the second busbar, and a sleeve portion for accommodating a portion of the second busbar provided with the bar orifice. The insulated connection system further including a busbar positioning assurance (BPA) member of electrically insulating material configured to accommodate a portion of the first connector and to be received in the connector passage and the bar orifice.

The present invention is a system and method using a hand-mounted force sensor to verify installation of a CPA-enabled electrical connector. The system has at least one CPA-enabled electrical connector with a locking button; at least one hand-mounted force sensor; an interface board; a transmission channel; a system processor; a non-transitory computer readable memory element; a display; and an input. The hand-mounted force sensors have an electrical output that is proportional to the force. The method is accomplished with the steps of mounting at least one force sensor so that it will record the force exerted when depressing a locking button of a CPA-enabled electrical connector; depressing the locking button; measuring the force; recording the force; comparing the force to a pre-determined threshold; passing the CPA-enabled electrical connector if the force was less than the pre-determined threshold and otherwise failing it.

The present invention is a system and method using a hand-mounted force sensor to verify installation of a CPA-enabled electrical connector. The system has at least one CPA-enabled electrical connector with a locking button; at least one hand-mounted force sensor; an interface board; a transmission channel; a system processor; a non-transitory computer readable memory element; a display; and an input. The hand-mounted force sensors have an electrical output that is proportional to the force. The method is accomplished with the steps of mounting at least one force sensor so that it will record the force exerted when depressing a locking button of a CPA-enabled electrical connector; depressing the locking button; measuring the force; recording the force; comparing the force to a pre-determined threshold; passing the CPA-enabled electrical connector if the force was less than the pre-determined threshold and otherwise failing it.

The present invention is an RFID-enabled electrical connector with connector position assurance (“CPA”) features, comprised of an electrical connector having a plug, a socket, and a CPA feature; a strategically located electrically conductive material, such as a conductive polymer or metalized plastic; and an RFID tag. The present invention can be fabricated using a standard RFID tag, or a mini-RFID tag that has no antenna. The lack of antenna gives the mini-RFID tag an effective transmission distance of less than 25 mm. In the illustrated embodiments, until the CPA feature has been fully deployed, the RFID tag or mini-RFID tag cannot be read because of the strategic placement of the electrically conductive material. The RFID tag can only be properly read after the CPA feature has been fully deployed.

The present invention is an RFID-enabled electrical connector with connector position assurance (“CPA”) features, comprised of an electrical connector having a plug, a socket, and a CPA feature; a strategically located electrically conductive material, such as a conductive polymer or metalized plastic; and an RFID tag. The present invention can be fabricated using a standard RFID tag, or a mini-RFID tag that has no antenna. The lack of antenna gives the mini-RFID tag an effective transmission distance of less than 25 mm. In the illustrated embodiments, until the CPA feature has been fully deployed, the RFID tag or mini-RFID tag cannot be read because of the strategic placement of the electrically conductive material. The RFID tag can only be properly read after the CPA feature has been fully deployed.

A connector unit comprises: a connector having terminals connected to the terminal parts of wires, and a housing for holding the terminals; and a cylindrical connector cover that is made of an elastic material and that covers the housing. The connector has a connector position guarantee component for guaranteeing correct fitting into a counterpart connector. The connector cover has an open window for exposing the connector position guarantee component to the exterior of the connector cover, and a lid part for covering the open window in an openable/closable manner.