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Electrical connector having finger-actuated retainer

A technology of connectors and retainers, which is applied in the direction of connection, components of connection devices, circuits, etc., and can solve the problem of increasing the space required for TPA connectors

Active Publication Date: 2011-08-24
MOLEX INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] However, such TPA connectors with lever locking arms cause the ends of the arms to pivot outward away from the connector body, which increases the space required for the TPA connector

Method used

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  • Electrical connector having finger-actuated retainer
  • Electrical connector having finger-actuated retainer
  • Electrical connector having finger-actuated retainer

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0020] It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in different forms. Therefore, details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously implement the innovative features disclosed herein in virtually any suitable way and combination.

[0021] figure 1 and figure 2 One embodiment of a TPA connector 10 is shown. Connector 10 may be a female connector for mating with a mating connector (not shown), which may have a connector body 12 and a retainer 14 connected to the body. Body 12 and retainer 14 may be made of a rigid plastic, such as PBT, to provide insulating properties. The retainer 14 may be connected to the body 12 at a butt end 16 , which may be a terminal entry end 18 opposite the butt end 16 .

[0022] The connector body 12 may have an upper row of chambers 20a aligned with a lower row of chambers 20b ...

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PUM

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Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to TPA connectors. The TPA connectors of the present disclosure can have a connector body that can include a plurality of cavities for receiving terminals. The TPA connectors can also include a retainer for locking the terminals in their seated position and for locking to the connector body to prevent unwanted removal thereof. The connector body can include posts with stop surfaces which can prevent the retainer from moving from a pre-lock position to a fully locked position by engaging contact surfaces on the locking arms of the retainer. The locking arms can be cantilevered and have outwardly directed projections to engage the posts for locking the retainer to the connector body. The locking arms can be deflected inwardly with a squeezing or pinching motion to disengage the contact surfaces from the stop surfaces of the posts and permitting the retainer to move to the fully locked position by pushing retainer towards the connector body. Once the projects pass the post, locking arms can be release to allow the projections to engage the posts to lock the retainer to the connector body.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 083,923, filed July 26, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0002] The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly, the connectors disclosed herein have a terminal position assurance (TPA) element. In particular, the present invention relates to TPA connectors with finger actuated retainers. Background technique [0003] TPA connectors have originally been developed to ensure proper seating of the terminals mounted within the cavities of the connector housing, typically by the end user. Improper seating of the terminals within the cavity can occur if the terminals are not fully inserted into the housing during assembly of the connector. Typically, TPA connectors allow someone to determine if the inserted contacts are properly seated. The TPA connector also holds these terminals in place for mating with th...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): H01R13/436
CPCH01R13/4365
Inventor 布莱德里·M·迪克克里斯多夫·狄龙马修·贝利思考特·马尔索
Owner MOLEX INC