Multi-click anti-exit electrical connector assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-click anti-exit electrical connector assembly. The multi-click anti-exit electrical connector assembly is provided. An electrical receptacle that receives an electrical plug having a male terminal or a female terminal includes the other of the male terminal or the female terminal and a latch that rides along a serrated portion of a serrated insert in response to movement of the electrical plug toward the electrical receptacle causing the male terminal to move into the female terminal, the latch is configured to engage with one of the serrated portions such that the latch and one of the serrated portions cooperate to resist disengagement of the electrical plug from the electrical socket.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrical connectors. Background Art

[0002] The manufacturing process may have an end-of-line test that ensures that the electrical connectors are fully engaged and that the electrical system functions accordingly. However, after the end-of-line test, some electrical connectors may become loose during the shipping process. Summary of the invention

[0003] An electrical connection assembly has an electrical plug defining a serrated insert and including a terminal, and an electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle receives the electrical plug and includes another terminal and a latch that, in response to movement of the electrical plug toward the electrical receptacle causing movement of the terminal toward the other terminal, rides along a serration of the serrated insert such that the latch and one of the serrations cooperate to resist disengagement of the electrical plug from the electrical receptacle, and the extent to which the latch has ridden along the serrated insert corresponds to the extent to which the terminal and the other terminal engage one another.

[0004] An electrical connection assembly has: an electrical plug, the electrical plug including a male terminal or a female terminal and defining a plug body and a serrated insert depending from the plug body; and an electrical socket, the electrical socket including the other of the male terminal or the female terminal and defining a socket body, the socket body receiving the plug body and a latch, the latch: in response to the plug body moving into the socket body, riding along the serrations of the serrated insert so that the extent to which the latch has ridden along the serrated insert corresponds to the extent to which the male terminal is disposed within the female terminal.

[0005] An electrical connection assembly has: an electrical plug, the electrical plug including a male terminal or a female terminal and defining a recessed portion and a serrated insert disposed within the recessed portion and extending away from the recessed portion; and an electrical receptacle, the electrical receptacle including the other of the male terminal or the female terminal and defining a plurality of latches, the plurality of latches being disposed circumferentially around a central axis of the electrical receptacle such that when the electrical plug is inserted into the electrical receptacle resulting in a connection between the male terminal and the female terminal, the latches surround and engage the serrated insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 One embodiment is shown where the connector assembly includes a single serrated insert and a single latch.

[0007] Figure 2 The cross section shows Figure 1 2 is a side view of the connector assembly.

[0008] Figure 3 One embodiment is shown where the connector assembly includes a single serrated insert and multiple latches.

[0009] Figure 4 The cross section shows Figure 3 2 is a side view of the connector assembly.

[0010] Figure 5 The latch is shown riding along the serrations of the serrated insert.

[0011] Figure 6 and Figure 7 One embodiment is shown in which the electrical plug includes a latch and the electrical receptacle includes a serrated insert.

[0012] Figure 8 One embodiment is shown in partial cross-section with the male terminal adjacent to the serrated insert and the female terminal adjacent to the latch.

[0013] Fig. 9 One embodiment is shown in partial cross-section with a male terminal positioned within a serrated insert. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Embodiments are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art.

[0015] The various features shown and described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings may be combined with features shown in one or more other drawings to produce embodiments not explicitly shown or described. The combinations of features shown provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, for specific applications or implementations, various combinations and modifications of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired.

[0016] Automotive electrical connectors can facilitate the transmission of electrical signals and power between different systems. These connectors are usually designed and constructed to withstand certain environmental conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, moisture, etc. A typical automotive electrical connector assembly includes male and female terminals (e.g., pin and socket, blade and female blade connector, etc.) that fit tightly together to establish an electrical connection. The terminals are usually made of materials such as copper alloys to promote conductivity and resist corrosion.

[0017] Various types of automotive electrical connectors are available, each serving a specific purpose. Some common types include blade or spade connectors, bullet connectors, and multi-pin connectors. Blade connectors, which resemble flat metal blades, are widely used to connect wires to fuses and relays. Bullet connectors, which have a bullet-shaped design, are often found in low-current applications such as motorcycle wiring harnesses. Multi-pin connectors allow for multiple wires to be connected simultaneously.

[0018] The need for higher data transfer rates and increased power handling capacity has driven some advances in automotive electrical connectors. For example, the advent of electric and hybrid vehicles requires connectors that can handle higher voltages and currents. Additionally, the growing demand for infotainment and telematics systems has led to the development of connectors that support high-speed data transmission.

[0019] As electric and autonomous vehicles become more common, demand for high-power connectors that can handle fast charging and high currents has surged. The development of connectors that support fast-charging infrastructure has helped promote electric vehicle adoption.

[0020] The manufacturing process may have an end-of-line test that ensures that the electrical connectors are fully engaged and that the electrical system functions accordingly. As mentioned previously, after the end-of-line test, shipping may loosen some electrical connectors.

[0021] The electrical connector as disclosed herein may vibrate loose less frequently than other electrical connectors. The geometry of the disclosed electrical connector can ensure that vibrations tighten the connection between the electrical plug (one side of the electrical connection) and the electrical receptacle (the other side of the electrical connection).

[0022] Known structures for ensuring an established electrical connection may include connector position assurance ("CPA") connectors and single latch connectors of various configurations. Many known structures may ensure an established electrical connection by providing an audible "click" when the connection is established or by providing a resistance barrier to a release vibration. The electrical connector disclosed herein may provide multiple clicks when the connection is being established and may utilize at least one alternate serration to provide a resistance barrier to a release vibration.

[0023] Additional techniques known to ensure an established electrical connection may include a machine vision system external to the electrical connection or an electronic connection detection circuit internal to or interconnected with the electrical connection. Utilizing an electronic connection detection circuit with the electrical connector disclosed herein may provide a connection with a lower probability of loosening.

[0024] Figure 1One embodiment is shown where the connector assembly includes a single serrated insert and a single latch. Figure 1 An electrical receptacle 102 is shown connected to an electrical plug 122. The respective bodies of the electrical receptacle 102 and the electrical plug are rectangular in shape. The electrical receptacle 102 includes a latch 108 and a tab 106 for lifting the latch 108. The electrical plug 122 includes a serrated insert 124 depending from the body of the electrical receptacle 102 and having serrations 126 configured such that the latch 108 rides along the serrations 126 during insertion of the electrical plug 122 into the electrical receptacle 102. Figure 1 The embodiment includes one latch 108 and one serrated insert 124. Other embodiments may include multiple latches and multiple serrated inserts.

[0025] Figure 2 The cross section shows Figure 1 2 is a side view of the connector assembly. Figure 2 The electrical receptacle 102 is shown fully disposed within the electrical plug 122, and thus the electrical prongs 107 are fully disposed within the electrical socket 118. The latch 108 is arranged such that when the electrical plug 122 is disposed within the electrical receptacle 102, the serrated insert 124 is disposed between the body of the electrical receptacle 102 and the latch 108. The extent to which the latch 108 rides along the serrations 126 corresponds to the extent to which the electrical prongs 107 are disposed within the electrical socket 118. That is, the greater the number of serrations 126 that the latch 108 travels over before the electrical prongs 107 are fully disposed within the electrical socket 118, the further the electrical prongs 107 are disposed within the electrical socket 118.

[0026] Figure 3 One embodiment is shown where the connector assembly includes a single serrated insert and multiple latches. Figure 3 An electrical receptacle 302 is shown connected to an electrical plug 322. The receptacle 302 includes a latch and a tab 306 for lifting the latch (in Figure 3 The electrical plug 322 includes a serrated insert 324, wherein the serrations 326 are configured such that the latch rides along the serrations 326 during insertion.

[0027] Figure 4 The cross section shows Figure 3 2 is a side view of the connector assembly. Figure 4An electrical receptacle 302 is shown disposed within an electrical plug 322. The electrical receptacle 302 includes a latch 308 and four other such latches 308 disposed circumferentially around a central axis of the electrical receptacle 302. The latch 308 is disposed within a recess formed by a cylindrical body of the electrical receptacle 302. Similarly, a serrated insert 324 is disposed within and extends away from a recess formed by a complementary cylindrical body of the electrical plug 322. When the latch 308 engages with the serrated insert 324, the latch 308 surrounds the serrated insert 324. Possible locations of associated male and female terminals are shown in dashed lines. As with all embodiments, these locations may be in different or other locations as dictated by design requirements and packaging constraints.

[0028] Figure 5 The latch is shown riding along the serrations of the serrated insert. Figure 5 The latch 502 is shown riding along the first serrations 506 of the serrated insert 504 as the serrated insert 504 moves in the insertion direction 510 during insertion. As the serrated insert 504 moves in the insertion direction 510, the latch 502 is displaced by the first serrations 506. When riding along the first serrations 506, the latch 502 is configured to generate a force 514 due to latch stiffness, for example, to keep the latch 502 engaged with the serrated insert 504 during insertion. Thus, when the serrated insert 504 moves further in the insertion direction 510, the latch 502 will enter the space 512 defined by the first serrations 506 and the second serrations 508 and will ride along the second serrations 508.

[0029] Figure 5 Also shown is the latch 502 engaged with the serrated insert 504 after insertion. The latch 502 as described above rides along the first serration 506 during insertion to enter the space 512 defined by the first serration 506 and the second serration 508. If one of the serrated insert 504 or the latch 502 receives a release force, the latch 502 and the first serration 506 will be prevented from moving in a direction opposite to the insertion direction 510 via an interference fit. That is, the interference between the latch 502 and the first serration 506 can prevent the electrical connection from being disconnected. In addition, if the latch 502 and the first serration 506 slide instead of interfering, the latch 502 should be caught on the other serration of the serrated surface 504 to prevent further relative movement between the latch 502 and the serrated insert 504 opposite to the insertion direction 510.

[0030] Figure 6An embodiment is shown in which an electrical plug 602 includes a latch 608 and an electrical receptacle 604 includes a serrated insert 606. The serrated insert 606 and latch 608 can be engaged as previously described. A movement direction 610 is depicted that will disengage the latch 608 from the serrated insert 606. For example, this movement direction 610 can be achieved by inserting a tool between the electrical plug 602 and the serrations 606 of the electrical receptacle 604. This embodiment, among other things, demonstrates the interchangeability of the latches and serrations on the plug and receptacle.

[0031] Figure 7 An embodiment is shown in which the electrical plug 702 includes a latch 708 and the electrical receptacle 704 includes a serrated insert 706 and in which the latch 708 depends in a second direction. This embodiment, among other things, demonstrates that the overhang can assume multiple orientations.

[0032] Figure 8 An embodiment is shown in which the electrical prongs are adjacent to the serrated insert and the electrical socket is adjacent to the latch. Figure 8 802, the electrical pin 808 is configured to be disposed within the electrical receptacle 818 by the insertion action of the electrical plug 802 toward the electrical outlet 810. The electrical pin 808 is connected 822 to a circuit, to a power source, or to ground. The electrical receptacle 818 is connected 824 to a circuit, to a power source, or to ground. The electrical plug 802 also includes a serrated insert 820 having two sets of serrations 804, 806. The electrical outlet 810 also includes two latches 814, 816 in a cavity 812 configured to receive the serrated insert 820. The two latches 814, 816 are further configured to ride along the serrations 804, 806, respectively. The electrical plug 802 also includes a detection pin 826, which is connected 828 to a circuit, to a power source, or to ground. The electrical outlet 810 also includes a detection receptacle 830, which is connected 832 to a circuit, to a power source, or to ground. In this embodiment, the detection pin 826 having a length less than the electrical pin 808 is disposed in the detection socket 830 only after the electrical pin 808 is disposed in the electrical socket 818. With this arrangement, the detection pin 826 and the detection socket 830 can indicate whether the electrical pin 808 and the electrical socket 818 have formed a connection. Figure 8 The embodiments particularly illustrate that a serrated insert or latch may be spaced apart from an electrical pin or electrical socket, multiple electrical connections may be established by an electrical plug and an electrical socket, and electronic connection detection circuitry may be included in the electrical plug and the electrical socket.

[0033] Fig. 9 An embodiment is shown in which the electrical pins are disposed within a serrated insert. Fig. 99, the electrical prong 908 is configured to be disposed within an electrical receptacle 918 in a recess 914 by an insertion action of the electrical plug 902 toward the electrical receptacle 912. The electrical prong 908 is connected 922 to a circuit, to a power source, or to ground. The electrical receptacle 918 is connected 922 to a circuit, to a power source, or to ground. The electrical plug 902 also includes a serrated insert 904 having two sets of serrations 906, 910. The electrical receptacle 912 also includes two latches 916, 920 in the recess 914 configured to receive the serrated insert 904 and the electrical prong 908. The two latches 916, 920 are further configured to ride along the serrations 906, 910, respectively. Fig. 9 The embodiments particularly show that the electrical pins can be arranged in a serrated insert.

[0034] can be made by placing the serrated insert with a Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Additional embodiments can be constructed by interchanging the recesses of the serrated inserts in both.

[0035] Although the first four figures show embodiments having rectangular and cylindrical cross-sections, the electrical connector may have any cross-sectional geometry. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The connector shown in includes five latches configured to ride along a single serrated insert, but the electrical connector may have any number of latches or serrated inserts. At least one electrical connection established between the receptacle and the plug may exist within the connector, or may exist adjacent to the connector. The terms receptacle and plug describe the relationship between the parts of the electrical connector assembly and should not be construed to impose any relationship on the electrical connections established thereby.

[0036] While exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. Of course, other forms and variations are contemplated.

[0037] The words used in the specification are descriptive rather than limiting, and it should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of these disclosed materials. For example, some embodiments involve pins and sockets. Of course, these are merely examples of male and female terminals, and various types of male and female terminals can be used. In addition, the terminals need not be male or female: the terminals can be genderless (e.g., identical).

[0038] As previously described, features of the various embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or shown. Although various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system properties, depending on the specific application and implementation. These properties may include, but are not limited to, strength, durability, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, and the like. Therefore, embodiments described as being less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of this disclosure and may be desirable for a particular application.

[0039] According to the present invention, an electrical connection assembly is provided, the electrical connection assembly having: an electrical plug, the electrical plug defining a serrated insert and including a terminal; and an electrical socket, the electrical socket being configured to receive the electrical plug and including another terminal and a latch, the latch being configured to: in response to movement of the electrical plug toward the electrical socket causing movement of the terminal toward the other terminal, ride along a serrated portion of the serrated insert so that (i) the latch and one of the serrated portions cooperate to resist disengagement of the electrical plug from the electrical socket, and (ii) the extent to which the latch has ridden along the serrated insert corresponds to the extent to which the terminal and the other terminal engage with each other.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the electrical plug further comprises a detection terminal, and wherein the electrical socket further comprises another detection terminal, and wherein the terminal and the detection terminal are configured such that in response to the movement of the electrical plug toward the electrical socket, the terminal engages the other terminal, and thereafter the detection terminal engages the other detection terminal.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the detection terminal has a length smaller than that of the terminal.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the serrated insert depends from a body of the electrical plug.

[0043] According to one embodiment, an end of the serrated insert extends beyond an end of the electrical plug.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the electrical socket further comprises an additional latch configured to ride along the serrations.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the serrations are formed around the serrated insert.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the latch and the additional latch are arranged circumferentially around the axis of the electrical socket.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the electrical plug and the electrical socket are cylindrical in shape, and wherein the axis is a central axis of the electrical socket.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the latch and the additional latch are disposed within a recess defined by a body of the electrical socket.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the serrated insert is disposed within a recess defined by a body of the electrical plug.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the latch further comprises a tab configured such that movement of the tab away from the serrated insert releases the latch from the one of the serrations.

[0051] According to the present invention, an electrical connection assembly is provided, which has: an electrical plug, which includes a male terminal or a female terminal and defines a plug body and a serrated insert depending from the plug body; and an electrical socket, which includes the other of the male terminal or the female terminal and defines a socket body, the socket body being configured to receive the plug body and a latch, the latch being configured to: in response to the plug body moving into the socket body, ride along the serrated portion of the serrated insert so that the extent to which the latch has ridden along the serrated insert corresponds to the extent to which the male terminal is set within the female terminal.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the latch is further configured such that the latch and one of the serrations cooperate to resist disengagement of the plug body from the receptacle body.

[0053] According to one embodiment, an end of the serrated insert extends beyond an end of the electrical plug.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the plug body and the socket body are rectangular in shape.

[0055] According to the present invention, an electrical connection assembly is provided, which has: an electrical plug, which is associated with a male terminal or a female terminal and defines a recessed portion and a serrated insert disposed in the recessed portion and extending away from the recessed portion; and an electrical socket, which is associated with the other of the male terminal or the female terminal and defines a plurality of latches, which are circumferentially disposed around a central axis of the electrical socket so that when the electrical plug is inserted into the electrical socket to cause a connection between the male terminal and the female terminal, the latches surround and engage the serrated insert.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the electrical receptacle defines a recessed portion and the latch is disposed within the recessed portion of the electrical receptacle.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the latch and the serrated insert are further configured such that the latch and the serrated insert cooperate to resist disengagement of the electrical plug from the electrical receptacle.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the electrical plug and the electrical socket are cylindrical in shape.

Claims

1. An electrical connection assembly, comprising: an electrical plug defining a serrated insert and including terminals; and An electrical receptacle configured to receive the electrical plug and including another terminal and a latch configured to: in response to movement of the electrical plug toward the electrical receptacle causing movement of the terminal toward the other terminal, ride along the serrations of the serrated insert such that (i) the latch and one of the serrations cooperate to resist disengagement of the electrical plug from the electrical receptacle, and (ii) the extent to which the latch has ridden along the serrated insert corresponds to the extent to which the terminal and the other terminal are engaged with each other.

2. An electrical connection assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the electrical plug further includes a detection terminal, and wherein the electrical receptacle further includes another detection terminal, and wherein the terminal and the detection terminal are configured such that in response to the movement of the electrical plug toward the electrical receptacle, the terminal engages the other terminal, and thereafter the detection terminal engages the other detection terminal.

3. The electrical connection assembly of claim 2, wherein the detection terminal has a length smaller than that of the terminal.

4. The electrical connection assembly of claim 1 wherein the serrated insert depends from a body of the electrical plug.

5. The electrical connection assembly of claim 1, wherein an end of the serrated insert extends beyond an end of the electrical plug.

6. The electrical connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical socket further comprises: An additional latch is configured to ride along the serrations.

7. The electrical connection assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch further comprises: A tab is configured such that movement of the tab away from the serrated insert releases the latch from the one of the serrations.

8. An electrical connection assembly, comprising: an electrical plug including male or female terminals and defining a plug body and a serrated insert depending from the plug body; as well as An electrical socket, the electrical socket including the other of the male terminal or the female terminal and defining a socket body, the socket body being configured to receive the plug body and a latch, the latch being configured to: in response to the plug body moving into the socket body, ride along the serrations of the serrated insert so that the extent to which the latch has ridden along the serrated insert corresponds to the extent to which the male terminal is disposed within the female terminal.

9. The electrical connection assembly of claim 8, wherein the latch is further configured such that the latch and one of the serrations cooperate to resist disengagement of the plug body from the receptacle body.

10. The electrical connection assembly of claim 8, wherein an end of the serrated insert extends beyond an end of the electrical plug.

11. The electrical connection assembly of claim 8, wherein the plug body and the receptacle body are rectangular in shape.

12. An electrical connection assembly, comprising: an electrical plug associated with the male or female terminal and defining a recessed portion and a serrated insert disposed within and extending away from the recessed portion; as well as An electrical receptacle is associated with the other of the male terminal or the female terminal and defines a plurality of latches disposed circumferentially about a central axis of the electrical receptacle such that the latches surround and engage the serrated insert when the electrical plug is inserted into the electrical receptacle resulting in a connection between the male terminal and the female terminal.

13. The electrical connection assembly of claim 12, wherein the electrical receptacle defines a recessed portion and the latch is disposed within the recessed portion of the electrical receptacle.

14. The electrical connection assembly of claim 12, wherein the latch and the serrated insert are further configured such that the latch and the serrated insert cooperate to resist disengagement of the electrical plug from the electrical receptacle.

15. The electrical connection assembly of claim 12, wherein the electrical plug and the electrical receptacle are cylindrical in shape.

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