Abstract
The connector assembly includes a terminal position assurance (TPA) device, and a seal retainer. A downwardly extending notch member of the seal retainer engages with a recess on an upper surface of an upper portion of the TPA device to form a cam linkage mechanism or a cam mechanical linkage for the TPA device and the seal retainer. The seal retainer, when pushed or inserted towards an outer housing, by way of the cam linkage mechanism with the TPA device, pushes the TPA device to one side such that the terminals within the outer housing remain unlocked. The seal retainer, when further pushed or inserted toward the outer housing, by way of the cam linkage mechanism, moves the TPA device laterally to an opposite side such that the TPA device blocks the terminals within the outer housing. A lower portion of the seal retainer is, at a pre-lock or full-lock position, engaged with mating locking members at a bottom portion of a terminal guidance member.
Claims
1. A connector assembly, comprising: a terminal position assurance (TPA) device having a recess on a surface thereof and at least a terminal blocking member extending therefrom; a seal retainer having a notch that fits inside said recess of said TPA device; at least a terminal; and a housing for accommodating therein said terminal, wherein said seal retainer is operably connected to said TPA device via a cam linkage mechanism, and wherein said spring retainer moves along in a first direction and activates said TPA device so as to move along in a second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said TPA device moves from a first position to a second position in the second direction, wherein said first position of said TPA device is at a pre-lock position such that said terminal remains unblocked inside said housing, and wherein said second position of said TPA device is at a full-lock position such that said TPA device blocks said terminal inside said housing.
3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein said recess of said TPA device extends at an angle relative to said first direction along which said seal retainer travels.
4. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein said recess of said TPA device extends at an angle relative to said second direction along which said TPA device travels.
5. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein said TPA device provides at least a terminal passageway for said terminal when said terminal remains at an unblocked state and said TPA device is at a pre-lock position.
6. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein said TPA device comprises at least a terminal blocking member that blocks said terminal when said notch of said TPA device is at said second position within said recess of said TPA device and when said TPA device is at a full-lock position.
7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein said terminal has a front portion having a first vertical height and a second portion having a second vertical height, wherein said first vertical height is larger than said second vertical height.
8. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein said terminal blocking member of said TPA device blocks a transition portion of said terminal, said transition portion of said terminal is located between said front portion and said rear portion thereof.
9. A method for cam actuating a terminal position assurance (TPA) device by a seal retainer in a connector assembly, comprising the steps of: installing a notch portion of said seal retainer into a recess on an outside surface of said TPA device, said recess extending along a first direction; pushing or inserting said seal retainer along a second direction into a housing of said connector assembly; moving said notch of said seal retainer from a first end of said recess towards a second end of said recess; moving said TPA device along a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction along which said seal retainer is pushed or inserted; and locking at least a terminal by a terminal blocking member of said TPA device.
10. The method for cam actuating said TPA device by said seal retainer in said connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein said TPA device is at a pre-lock position when said notch of said seal retainer is at said first end of said recess of said TPA device, and wherein said TPA device is at a full-lock position when said notch of said seal retainer is at said second end of said recess of said TPA device.
11. The method for cam actuating said TPA device by said seal retainer in said connector assembly according to claim 10, further comprising the step of locking said TPA device onto an inner housing at a first locking position when said TPA device is at a pre-lock position.
12. The method for cam actuating said TPA device by said seal retainer in said connector assembly according to claim 11, further comprising the step of locking said TPA device onto said inner housing at a second locking position when said TPA device is at a full-lock position.
13. The method for cam actuating said TPA device by said seal retainer in said connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein said terminal remains unblocked within said housing when said TPA device is at said pre-lock position.
14. The method for cam actuating said TPA device by said seal retainer in said connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein said terminal is locked with said housing when said TPA device is at said full-lock position.
15. The method for cam actuating said TPA device by said seal retainer in said connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein said first direction along which said recess extends on said outside surface of said TPA device, said second direction along which said seal retainer is pushed or inserted into said housing of said connector assembly, and said third direction along which said TPA device moves are different directions.
16. A method for cam actuating a device by a component in an assembly, comprising the steps of: installing a notch portion of said component into a recess on an outside surface of said device, said recess extending along a first direction; pushing or inserting said component along a second direction into said assembly; moving said notch of said component from a first end of said recess towards a second end of said recess; and moving said device along a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction along which said component is pushed or inserted.
17. The method for cam actuating said device by said component in said assembly according to claim 16, wherein said device is at a pre-lock position when said notch of said component is at said first end of said recess of said device, and wherein said device is at a full-lock position when said notch of said component is at said second end of said recess of said device.
18. The method for cam actuating said device by said component in said assembly according to claim 17, further comprising the step of locking said device onto said assembly at a first locking position when said device is at a pre-lock position.
19. The method for cam actuating said device by said component in said assembly according to claim 18, further comprising the step of locking said device onto said assembly at a second locking position when said device is at a full-lock position.
20. The method for cam actuating said device by said component in said assembly according to claim 16, wherein said first direction along which said recess extends on said outside surface of said device, said second direction along which said component is pushed or inserted into said assembly, and said third direction along which said device moves are different directions.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a terminal position assurance (TPA) device of the relevant art, while FIG. 1B is a front elevational view of the TPA device of FIG. 1A.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner housing of the relevant art showing an opening passing through an upper portion of the inner housing through which the TPA device of FIGS. 1A and 1B is inserted or pushed into.
[0018] FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the connector of the relevant art illustrating the TPA device of FIGS. 1A and 1B being inserted or pushed into the inner housing at a pre-lock position, while FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the connector of the relevant art illustrating the TPA device of FIGS. 1A and 1B being inserted or pushed into the inner housing at a full-lock position. FIG. 3C shows a lower member of the TPA device of the relevant art in a pre-lock position inside a male inner housing and actuated by a tool force approximately perpendicular to the direction of the motion of the TPA device as it moves from a pre-lock position to a full-lock position. FIG. 3D shows the lower member of the TPA device of the relevant art in a full-lock position inside the male inner housing having moved therein by the above-mentioned tool force.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a connector assembly of this invention showing various parts or elements thereof, including a terminal position assurance (TPA) device that is CAM actuated by a seal retainer and locks, and locks, either pre-lock or full-lock, at a bottom thereof.
[0020] FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a seal retainer of this invention, while FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the seal retainer of this invention showing a downwardly extending notch, which is a part of a CAM linkage mechanism in the operation of the connector assembly system of this invention.
[0021] FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a TPA device of this invention showing a substantially oblong recess on an upper surface thereof, which is also a part of the CAM linkage mechanism in the operation of the connector assembly of this invention, while FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the TPA of this invention, which shows a bottom front portion used in blocking terminals when the terminals are in full-lock positions inside an inner housing of the connector assembly of this invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective cut-off view of the connector assembly of this invention illustrating the downwardly extending notch of the seal retainer within the substantially oblong recess on the upper surface of TPA device at a position where the TPA device with the terminals of the connector assembly of this invention remain at a pre-lock position.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7 showing the TPA device with a terminal of the connector assembly of this invention at a pre-lock position.
[0024] FIG. 9A shows an internal view illustrating the relative locations of the terminals, the downwardly extending notch member of the seal retainer, and the TPA device with the terminals at a pre-lock position, while FIG. 9B shows an internal view illustrating the relative locations of the terminals, the downwardly extending notch member of the seal retainer, and TPA device with the terminals at a full-lock position.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective cut-off view of the connector assembly of this invention illustrating the downwardly extending notch of the seal retainer within the substantially oblong recess on the upper surface of TPA device at a position where the TPA device with the terminals of the connector assembly of this invention remain at a full-lock position.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10 showing the TPA device with a terminal of the connector assembly of this invention at a full-lock position.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of a terminal guidance member showing a mating locking member thereon for receiving therein a set of barb-like hook members extending from a lower portion of the seal retainer of this invention.
[0028] FIG. 13 shows a mating view of the set of barb-like hook members extending from the lower portion of the seal retainer when engaged with the mating locking member of the terminal guidance member when the TPA device is at a pre-lock position.
[0029] FIG. 14 shows a mating view of the set of barb-like hook members extending from the lower portion of the seal retainer when engaged with the mating locking member of the terminal guidance member when the TPA device is at a full-lock position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the connector assembly of this invention, generally referred to as reference number 100, showing various parts or elements thereof, including a terminal position assurance (TPA) device 108 that is CAM actuated by a seal retainer (preferably, a secondary seal retainer) 105, an inner housing 110, a seal 112, a terminal guidance member 114, terminals 120, 121, an outer housing 124, gaskets 126, seals 130, 132, cable guide members 140, 142, cables 150, and connecting members 153, 155.
[0031] FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the seal retainer 105 of this invention. The seal retainer 105 includes an end surrounding portion 155 with an opening 157, an upper portion 158, and a lower portion 160. The upper portion 158 includes a centrally extending portion 165, while the lower portion 160 includes a pair of extensions 170, each extension 170 of the lower portion 160 includes, at an end thereof, a barb-like hook member 175. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the centrally extending portion 165 of the upper portion 158 of the seal retainer 105 of this invention includes a downwardly extending notch member 180, which is a part of the CAM linkage mechanism in the operation of the connector assembly system 100 of this invention, as more fully discussed below.
[0032] FIG. 6A shows an upper perspective view of the TPA device 108 of the connector assembly 100 of this invention. The TPA device 108 includes an upper portion 190 having an upper surface 195. The upper surface 195 of the upper portion 190 of the TPA device 108 includes thereon a recess 200, which is, although not limited thereto, a substantially oblong-shaped recess 200. At a lower portion 205 of the TPA device 108, at an end thereof, is a first terminal blocking member 210, the function of which is discussed in more detail below. Also illustrated in FIG. 6A is a central downward extending member 215.
[0033] FIG. 6B shows a lower perspective view of the TPA device 108, which further shows the lower portion 205, the first terminal blocking member 210, a second terminal blocking member 220, and the central downward extending member 215 thereof. Also illustrated in FIG. 6B are a side 230 of the first terminal blocking member 210 and a terminal passageway 240, which, as more fully explained below, respectively provide the terminals 120, 121 with openings to pass through when the TPA device 108 with the terminals 120, 121 is at a pre-lock position.
[0034] FIG. 7 is an inside view that looks downwards onto the TPA device 108 (more particularly, onto the upper surface 195 of the upper portion 190 of the TPA device 108) relative to the positions of the upper portion and centrally extending portion 165 of the seal retainer 105 above the TPA device 108 (see FIG. 5B). As illustrated in FIG. 7, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the centrally extending portion 165 of the seal retainer 105 (see also FIG. 5B) is fitted inside the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 above the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. As further illustrated in FIG. 7, the terminals 120, 121 are inserted inside the terminal guidance member 114 (see also FIG. 4), the forward end of each of the terminals 120, 121 (or the front portions 120a, 121a; see FIG. 4) being seen in FIG. 7. When the TPA device 108 is the pre-lock position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the terminals 120, 121 may still be removed or dislodged from the terminal guidance member 114. The shape of each of the terminals 120, 121 is such that the vertical height of its front portion 120a, 121a is larger than the vertical height of its rear portion 120b, 121b (see FIGS. 4 and 8).
[0035] Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7 showing the terminal 120 of the connector assembly 100 of this invention at a pre-lock position when the TPA 108 device is at a pre-lock position. Prior to explaining, in more detail, what is shown in FIG. 8, reference is first made to FIG. 6B, which is the bottom perspective view of the TPA device 108 and shows the first terminal blocking member 210 and the second terminal blocking member 220. Also illustrated in FIG. 6B are the side 230 of the first terminal blocking member 210 and a terminal passageway 240, which, as more fully explained below, respectively provide the terminals 120, 121 with openings to pass therethrough when the TPA device 108 with the terminals 120, 121 is at a pre-lock position. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the seal retainer 105, when inserted into the inner and outer housings 110, 124, has its downwardly extending notch member 180 positioned, as shown, at an end 201 of the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 on the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. At this position, the TPA device 108 has been pushed or directed towards the left, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 7. With the TPA device 108 positioned towards the left, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 7, the side 230 of the first terminal blocking member 210 (see FIG. 6B) of the TPA device 108 provides for a terminal passageway 242 for the terminal 120 to pass therethrough (i.e., the terminal 120 is not blocked) a passageway 242 alongside the side 230 of the first terminal blocking member 210. Simultaneously, with the TPA device 108 positioned towards the left, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 7, the second terminal blocking member 220 of the TPA device 108 (see FIG. 6B) similarly does not block the terminal 121, and allows the terminal 121 to pass therethrough the terminal passageway 240 (see FIG. 6B) prior to the TPA device 108 being locked at a pre-lock position.
[0036] FIG. 9A shows an internal view illustrating the relative locations of the terminals 120, 121, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the seal retainer 105, and the TPA device 108 (with the terminals 120, 121) at a pre-lock position, while FIG. 9B FIG. shows an internal view illustrating the relative locations of the terminals 120, 121, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the seal retainer 105, and the TPA device 108 (with the terminals 120, 121) at a full-lock position.
[0037] The method or operation of the connector assembly 100 of this invention is hereinafter described. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the centrally extending portion 165 of the seal retainer 105 (see also FIG. 5B) is fitted inside the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 above the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. More particularly, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the seal retainer 105 is at an end 201 of the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 on the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108, which consequently, shifts or moves the TPA device 108 towards the left (as seen in FIG. 9A), such that the terminals 120, 121 are, generally, not blocked by the TPA device 108. In FIG. 9A, the forward end of each of the terminals 120, 121 (or the respective front portions 120a, 121a thereof) can be seen. At this pre-lock position of the TPA device 108, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the terminals 120, 121 may still be removed or dislodged from the terminal guidance member 114 through the terminal passageway 240 (for the terminal 121) or the terminal passageway 242 (for the terminal 120).
[0038] In other words, the seal retainer 105, when inserted into the inner and outer housings 110, 124 has its downwardly extending notch member 180 positioned, as shown in FIG. 9A, at the end 201 of the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 on the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. At this position, the TPA device 108 has been pushed or directed towards the left, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 9A. With the TPA device 108 positioned towards the left, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 9A, the side 230 of the first terminal blocking member 210 of the TPA device 108 provides for a terminal passageway 242 for the terminal 120 to pass through (i.e., the terminal 120 being unblocked) the terminal passageway 242 alongside the side 230 of the first terminal blocking member 210 (see also FIG. 6B). Simultaneously, with the TPA device 108 positioned towards the left, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 9A, the second terminal blocking member 220 of the TPA device 108 (see FIG. 6B) does not block the terminal 121, and allows the terminal 121 to pass through the terminal passageway 240 (see FIG. 6B) when the TPA device 108 is at a pre-lock position.
[0039] FIG. 9B shows the same internal view as in FIG. 9A illustrating the relative locations of the terminals 120, 121, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the seal retainer 105, and the TPA device 108 (with the terminals 120, 121) at the full-lock position. That is, as is clearly illustrated in FIG. 9B, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the centrally extending portion 165 of the seal retainer 105 (see also FIG. 5B) is fitted inside the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 above the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. More particularly, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the seal retainer 105 is at an end 202 of the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 on the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108, which consequently, shifts or moves the TPA device 108 towards the right (as seen in FIG. 9B), such that the terminals 120, 121 are, generally, blocked by the TPA device 108. In FIG. 9B, the forward end of each of the terminals 120, 121 can be seen, but at this full-lock position of the TPA device 108, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the terminals 120, 121 cannot be removed or dislodged from the terminal guidance member 114.
[0040] In other words, the seal retainer 105, when further inserted into the inner and outer housings 110, 124 has its downwardly extending notch member 180 positioned, as shown in FIG. 9B, at the end 202 of the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 on the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. At this position, the TPA device 108 has been pushed or directed towards the right, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 9B. With the TPA device 108 positioned towards the right, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 9B, the first terminal blocking member 210 (see FIG. 6B) of the TPA device 108 blocks the transition portion 250 (see FIGS. 4 and 11) between the front portion 120a and the rear portion 120 of the terminal 120, while the second terminal blocking member 220 (see FIG. 6B) of the TPA device 108 simultaneously blocks the transition portion 260 (see FIG. 4) between the front portion 121a and the rear portion 121b of the terminal 121.
[0041] FIG. 10 is an inside view that looks downwards onto the TPA device 108 (more particularly, onto the upper surface 195 of the upper portion 190 of the TPA device 108) relative to the positions of the upper portion and centrally extending portion 165 of the seal retainer 105 above the TPA device 108. As is clearly seen in FIG. 10, the downwardly extending notch member 180 of the centrally extending portion 165 of the seal retainer 105 (see also FIG. 5B) is fitted inside the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 above the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. As further illustrated in FIG. 10, the terminals 120, 121 are inserted inside the terminal guidance member 114 (see also FIGS. 4, and 12-14), the forward end of each of the terminals 120, 121 (or the front portion 120a, 121a thereof) being seen in FIG. 10. At the full-lock positions, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and as more fully discussed below, the terminals 120, 121 become locked within the terminal guidance member 114 and the outer housing 124. It is again important to note that the shape of each of the terminals 120, 121 is such that the vertical height of its front portion 120a, 121a is larger the vertical height of its respective rear portion 120b, 121b (see FIGS. 4 and 11).
[0042] Illustrated in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10 showing the TPA device 108 with the terminal 120 of the connector assembly 100 at a full-lock position. Prior to explaining, in more detail, what is shown in FIG. 11, reference is again made to FIG. 6B, which is the bottom perspective view of the TPA device 108, which shows the first terminal blocking member 210 and the second terminal blocking member 220. Also illustrated in FIG. 6B are the side 230 of the first terminal blocking member 210 and the terminal passageway 240, which, as discussed above, respectively provide the terminals 120, 121 with openings to pass through when the TPA device 108 with the terminals 120, 121 is at a pre-lock position. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the seal retainer 105, when inserted into the inner and outer housings 110, 124 has its downwardly extending notch member 180 positioned, as shown, at an end 202 of the substantially oblong-shaped recess 200 on the upper surface 195 of the TPA device 108. At this position, the TPA device 108 has been pushed or directed towards the right, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 10. With the TPA device 108 positioned towards the right, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 10, the second terminal blocking member 220 of the TPA device 108 blocks the front portion 121a of the terminal 121. More particularly, a transition portion 250 between the front portion 121a and the rear portion 121b of the terminal 121 is blocked by the second terminal blocking member 220 of the TPA device 108.
[0043] At this position of the TPA device 108 with the TPA device 108 positioned towards the right, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 10, the first terminal blocking member 210 of the TPA device 108 similarly and simultaneously blocks the front portion 120a of the terminal 120. More particularly, a transition portion 260 between the front portion 120a and the rear portion 120b of the terminal 120 is blocked by the first terminal blocking member 210 of the TPA device 108. In other words, with the TPA device 108 positioned towards the right, as shown in the arrow in FIG. 10, the first terminal blocking member 210 and the second terminal blocking member 220 of the TPA device 108 (see FIG. 6B) simultaneously block the front portion 120a of the terminal 120 and the front portion 121a of the terminal 121, respectively. Consequently, the TPA device 108 and the terminals 120, 121 are at full-lock positions.
[0044] FIG. 12 shows the bottom perspective view of the terminal guidance member 114 having a pair of mating locking members 280 thereon for receiving therein a pair of barb-like hook members 175 extending from the lower portion 160 of the seal retainer 105 (see also FIGS. 5A and 5B). Also shown in FIG. 12 are terminal passageways 240, 241 for accommodating therein the terminals 121, 120, respectively. The pair of mating locking members 280 of the terminal guidance member 114 operates in such a way that the front members 280a thereof receive the pair of barb-like hook members 175 when the TPA device 108 (and thus, the terminals 120, 121) is pushed or inserted into the inner housing 110 (or the outer housing 124) at a pre-lock position (see FIGS. 7, 8, and 13). That is, at pre-lock positions of the TPA device 108 and the terminals 120, 121, the pair of barb-like hook members 175 extending from the lower portion 160 of the seal retainer 105 engages with the front members 280a of the pair of mating locking members 280 of the terminal guidance member 114, as illustrated in FIG. 13. Consequently, at this time, the TPA device 108 (and thus, the terminals 120, 121) is locked at a pre-lock position (see also FIGS. 7 and 8).
[0045] When the TPA device 108 (and thus, the terminals 120, 121) is pushed or inserted further into the inner housing 110 (or the outer housing 124) at a full-lock position (see FIGS. 10, 11, and 14), the pair of mating locking members 280 of the terminal guidance member 114 continue to receive the pair of barb-like hook members 175 of the TPA device 108, and the pair of barb-like hook members 175 extending from the lower portion 160 of the seal retainer 105 engages with the rear members 280b of the pair of mating locking members 280 of the terminal guidance member 114, as illustrated in FIG. 14. Consequently, at this time, the TPA device 108 (and thus, the terminals 120, 121) is at a full-lock position (see also FIGS. 10 and 11).
[0046] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments; and various modifications in design, structural arrangement or the like may be used without departing from the scope or equivalents of the present invention.
