Connector assemblies and related methods

Abstract

The connector assembly includes a connector body defining a cavity and having an edge extending around the cavity. The connector assembly includes a terminal housing removably disposed in the cavity. The connector assembly includes a cover removably coupled to the connector body. The cover includes a shoulder and a track disposed adjacent the shoulder. In the assembly orientation, the shoulder is configured to engage the edge, and the rail is disposed in the cavity and configured to engage the terminal housing to secure the terminal housing in the cavity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 601,342, filed on November 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly having a position assurance member for fixing the position of a terminal module relative to a connector body. Background Art

[0003] Modern vehicles (e.g., automobiles) rely on electrical wires and electrical connections to facilitate communication between various electronic components within the vehicle. Connection systems (e.g., connectors and terminals) play an important role in ensuring the integrity of these electrical connections and the reliability and performance of the vehicle. Some connector assemblies use a connector body with a modular terminal receiving body. In some cases, it may be desirable to positionally fix the terminal receiving body relative to the connector body to ensure proper alignment between the connector body, the terminal receiving body, and the terminals. Current designs may require position assurance locking members to positionally fix the connector body relative to the terminal receiving body. These known locking members can cause assembly technicians to be inefficient during the assembly process. In view of the above, known position assurance locking members for vehicle connection systems have been proven to be useful for their intended purposes, but related fields still need to be continuously improved to address the challenges of efficiently locking the terminal receiving body relative to the connector body.

[0004] The background technology provided here is for the purpose of presenting the present disclosure in general. The work of the presently designated inventors within the scope described in this background technology section and the various aspects of the specification that were not otherwise considered as prior art at the time of filing the application are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art to the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a system and method for fixing the position of a terminal receiving body relative to a connector body. One or more terminal receiving bodies can be inserted into the connector body to a final position. The terminal receiving body can be filled with terminated wires before or after insertion into the connector body. A wire insulation layer covering can be attached to the connector body to fix the position of the terminal receiving body relative to the connector body. For example, the wire insulation layer covering can include features (e.g., tracks) to engage the terminal receiving body and fix the position of the terminal receiving body.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a connector assembly including a connector body defining a cavity and having an edge extending around the cavity. The connector assembly includes a terminal housing removably disposed in the cavity. The connector assembly includes a cover removably coupled to the connector body. The cover includes a shoulder and a track disposed adjacent to the shoulder. In an assembled orientation, the shoulder is configured to engage an edge, and the edge is disposed in the cavity and is configured to engage the terminal housing to secure the terminal housing in the cavity.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure also provides a connector assembly including a connector housing having a first upper surface facing a first direction. The connector assembly includes a terminal housing that is removably disposed in the connector housing and includes a second upper surface facing the first direction. The connector assembly includes a cover that is removably coupled to the connector housing. The cover includes a shoulder and a track that deviates from the shoulder. In an assembled orientation, the shoulder is configured to engage the first upper surface, and the track is disposed in a cavity of the connector housing and is configured to engage the second upper surface to secure the terminal housing in the cavity.

[0008] Additional aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of assembling a connector assembly. The method includes disposing a terminal housing in a connector housing. The method includes coupling a cover to the connector housing. The method includes engaging a shoulder of the cover with an edge of the connector housing. The method includes disposing a track of the cover in the connector housing. The method includes engaging the track with the terminal housing to prevent movement of the terminal housing relative to the connector housing.

[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings.The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the connector assembly.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a connector assembly.

[0014] Figure 4 is a flow chart depicting an example method for assembling a connector assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0015] Among the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION introduction

[0016] Reference Figure 1-3 , a connector assembly 10 is shown. As will be explained in more detail below, the connector assembly 10 can be installed in a vehicle (e.g., an automobile) to facilitate electrical transmission between various electronic components within the vehicle. For example, the connector assembly 10 can be removably coupled to a mating connector assembly (not shown) so that electricity is transmitted between the connector assemblies and to various electronic components within the vehicle during operation of the vehicle.

[0017] Reference now Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the connector assembly 10 can include a connector body 20, a plurality of terminal housings 30 (e.g., terminal housings 30a-30f), and / or a cover 40, among other things. In various embodiments, the connector body 20 can define a cavity 50 and can include an edge 52 extending along the cavity 50. Each of the plurality of terminal housings 30 can be removably disposed within the cavity 50. The cover 40 can be removably coupled to the connector body 20. In an assembled orientation, portions of the cover 40 can engage the edge 52 of the connector body 20 and / or portions of the terminal housing 30 to secure the terminal housing 30 in the cavity 50. Connector body

[0018] In various embodiments, the connector body 20 (i.e., the connector housing) may include a first end 60a, a second end 60b spaced apart from the first end 60a, a first end wall 62a, a second end wall 62b spaced apart from the first end wall 62a, a first side wall 64a disposed between the first end 62a and the second end 60b, and / or a second side wall 64b spaced apart from the first side wall 64a, etc. The first end wall 62a may be disposed near the first end 60a, and the second end wall 62b may be disposed near the second end 60b. The first end wall 62a, the second end wall 64, the first side wall 64a, and the second side wall 64b may collectively define the cavity 50.

[0019] In various embodiments, the connector body 20 may include a first stop 66a, a second stop 66b, a first protrusion 68a, and a second protrusion 68b. The first stop 66a may be disposed near the first end 60a and / or may extend from the first side wall 64a. The second stop 66b may be disposed near the first end 60a and / or may extend from the second side wall 64b. In the assembled orientation, the first stop 66a and / or the second stop 66b may engage portions of the cover 40 to removably secure the cover 40 to the connector body 20.

[0020] In various embodiments, the first protrusion 68a can be disposed near the second end 60b and / or can extend from the second side wall 64a. The second protrusion 68b can be disposed near the second end 60b and / or can extend from the second side wall 64b. In some examples, the first groove 70a can be disposed between the surface S72 of the second side wall 62b and the first protrusion 68a, and / or the second groove 70b can be disposed between the surface S72 and the second protrusion 68b. In the assembly orientation, the first protrusion 68a and / or the second protrusion 68b can engage portions of the cover 40, and / or the first groove 70a and / or the second groove 70b can receive portions of the cover 40 to removably fix the cover 40 to the connector body 20. Terminal housing

[0021] refer to Figure 2 , the connector assembly 10 may include a first terminal housing 30a, a second terminal housing 30b, a third terminal housing 30c, a fourth terminal housing 30d, a fifth terminal housing 30e and / or a sixth terminal housing 30f, etc. Each terminal housing (e.g., terminal housings 30a-30f) may include a plurality of terminal cavities 82 and / or an outer edge 84, etc. Each terminal cavity of the plurality of cavities 82 may receive a terminal (not shown) that is connected to a corresponding terminal of a mating connector assembly to electrically connect the mating connector assembly to the connector assembly 10. The connector assembly 10 is shown as including six terminal housings, however, the connector assembly 10 may also include a plurality of or less than six terminal housings. Cover

[0022] Continue to refer Figure 2 In various embodiments, the cover 40 can define an internal cavity 88 that receives and / or accommodates at least a portion of the mating connector assembly. The cover 40 can secure the mating connector assembly to the connector body 20. The cover 40 can include a first end 90a, a second end 90b spaced apart from the first end 90a, a first side wall 92a disposed between the first end 90a and the second end 90b, a second side wall 92b spaced apart from the first side wall 92a, a first shoulder 94b, a second shoulder 94b, a first track 96a, a second track 96b, a first extension 98a, a second extension 98b, a first stop 100a, a second stop 100b, a first end wall 102 disposed between the first side wall 92a and the second side wall 92b, a first protrusion 104a and / or a second protrusion 104b, etc. The first side wall 92a, the second side wall 92b, and the second end wall 102 can at least partially define the internal cavity 88.

[0023] In various embodiments, the first shoulder 94a can extend from the first sidewall 92a, and / or the second shoulder 94b can extend from the second sidewall 92b. In some examples, the first shoulder 94a can extend continuously and uninterruptedly along the entire length of the first sidewall 92a, and / or the first shoulder 94a can extend in a direction toward the second sidewall 92b. The second shoulder 94b can extend continuously and uninterruptedly along the entire length of the second sidewall 92b, and / or the second shoulder 94b can extend in a direction toward the first sidewall 92a. The second shoulder 94b can be substantially (e.g., + / - 10 degrees) parallel to the first shoulder 94a.

[0024] The first track 96a and the second track 96b can be arranged to be adjacent to the first shoulder 94a and the second shoulder 94b, respectively. In various embodiments, the first track 96a can extend from the first shoulder 94a, and / or the second track 96b can extend from the second shoulder 94b. In some examples, the first track 96a can extend in a direction perpendicular to the first shoulder 94a, and / or the second track 96b can extend in a direction perpendicular to the second shoulder 94b. The second track 96b can be roughly (e.g., + / - 10 degrees) parallel to the first track 96a. In some cases, the first track 96a can deviate from the first shoulder 94a, and / or the second track 96b can deviate from the second shoulder 94b. In the assembly orientation, the first track 96a and / or the second track 96b can be arranged in the cavity 50 of the connector body 20. The first track 96a can engage the outer edge 84 of the first terminal housing 30a, the second terminal housing 30b, and / or the third terminal housing 30c to secure the terminal housings 30a-30c in the cavity 50 of the connector body 20. The second track 96b can engage the outer edge 84 of the fourth terminal housing 30d, the fifth terminal housing 30e, and / or the sixth terminal housing 30f to secure the terminal housings 30d-30f in the cavity 50 of the connector body 20.

[0025] In various embodiments, the first extension 98a can be disposed near the first end 90a and / or can extend from the first sidewall 92a. The second extension 98b can be disposed near the first end 90a and / or can extend from the second sidewall 92b. At least a portion of the first extension 98a can be substantially (e.g., + / - 10 degrees) parallel to the second extension 98b.

[0026] In various embodiments, the first stop 100a can extend from the first extension 98a, and / or the second stop 100b can extend from the second extension 98b. In some examples, the first stop 100a can be approximately (e.g., + / - 10 degrees) parallel to the second stop 100b. The first stop 100a can be approximately (e.g., + / - 10 degrees) parallel to the first shoulder 94a, and / or the second stop 100b can be approximately (e.g., + / - 10 degrees) parallel to the second shoulder 94b. In the assembly orientation, the first stop 100a can engage the first stop 66a of the connector body 20, and / or the second stop 100b can engage the second stop 66b of the connector body 20 to removably secure the cover 40 to the connector body 20.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first end wall 102 can be disposed near the second end 90b, and / or the first end 90a of the cover 40 can be open so that the internal cavity 88 is accessible. In some examples, the first protrusion 104a and / or the second protrusion 104b can extend from the end wall 102. The first protrusion 104a can be spaced apart from the second protrusion 104b. The first protrusion 104a can be disposed near the first side wall 92a, and / or the second protrusion 104b can be disposed near the second side wall 92b. In the assembled orientation, the first protrusion 104a can be disposed in the first groove 70a of the connector body 20, and / or the second protrusion 104b can be disposed in the second groove 70b of the connector body 20 to removably secure the cover 40 to the connector body 20. Assembly Orientation

[0028] refer to Figure 3 In the assembled orientation, a plurality of terminal housings 30 (e.g., terminal housings 30a-30f) can be removably disposed in the cavity 50 of the connector body 20. The cover 40 can be removably coupled to the connector body 20 such that the shoulders 94a, 94b of the cover 40 engage the edges 52 of the connector body 20 and the rails 96a, 96b of the cover 40 engage the outer edges 84 of the terminal housings 30 to secure the terminal housings 30 in the cavity 50.

[0029] In various embodiments, the connector housing 20 may include a first upper surface S110 facing the first direction 112, each terminal housing (e.g., 30a-30f) may include a second upper surface S114 facing the first direction 112, each shoulder of the cover 40 (e.g., shoulders 94a, 94b) may include a first engagement surface S116 facing the second direction 118, and / or each track of the cover 40 (e.g., tracks 96a, 96b) may include a second engagement surface S120 facing the second direction 118. In the assembled orientation, the first upper surface S110 of the connector housing 20 may engage the first engagement surface S116 of the first shoulder 94a and / or the second shoulder 94b. The second upper surface S114 of each terminal housing 30 may engage the second engagement surface S120 of the first track 96a or the second track 96b. flow chart

[0030] Figure 4 4 is a flow chart of an example method 400 for assembling the connector assembly 10. The method 400 may begin at 404. At 404, a user may place the terminal housing 30 in the connector housing 20. The method 400 may proceed to 408. At 408, a user may couple the cover 40 to the connector housing 20. The method 400 may proceed to 412. At 412, a user may engage the shoulders 94a, 94b of the cover 40 with the edges 52 of the connector housing 20. The method 400 may proceed to 416.

[0031] At 416, the user may position the tracks 96a, 96b of the cover 40 in the connector housing 20. The method 400 may proceed to 420. At 420, the user may engage the tracks 96a, 96b with the terminal housing 30 to prevent movement of the terminal housing 30 relative to the connector housing 20. In some embodiments, the user may engage the tracks 96a, 96b with the outer edge 84 of the terminal housing 30. In particular, in some embodiments, the user may engage the first engagement surface S116 of the shoulders 94a, 94b with the first upper surface S110 of the connector housing 20 and the second engagement surface S120 of the tracks 96a, 96b with the terminal housing 30. The user may also engage the catches 66a, 66b and / or the protrusions 68a, 68b of the connector housing 20 with the catches 100a, 100b and / or the second protrusions 104a, 104b of the cover 40 to removably secure the cover to the connector housing. Method 400 may then end.

[0032] The following technical solutions provide exemplary configurations of the connector assembly and related methods described above.

[0033] Technical Solution 1: A connector assembly, comprising: a connector body, which defines a cavity and includes an edge extending around the cavity; a terminal housing, which is removably disposed in the cavity; and a cover, which is removably connected to the connector body, the cover including a shoulder and a track disposed adjacent to the shoulder, wherein, in an assembly orientation, the shoulder is configured to engage the edge, and the track is disposed in the cavity and is configured to engage the terminal housing to secure the terminal housing in the cavity.

[0034] Technical Solution 2: The connector assembly according to Technical Solution 1, wherein the terminal housing includes an outer edge, and wherein the track is configured to engage the outer edge.

[0035] Technical Solution 3: A connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 2, wherein the track extends from the shoulder.

[0036] Technical Solution 4: The connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 3, wherein the cover comprises a second shoulder and a second track extending from the second shoulder.

[0037] Technical Solution 5: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 4, wherein the second shoulder is substantially parallel to the shoulder.

[0038] Technical Solution 6: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 4, wherein the second track is substantially parallel to the track.

[0039] Technical Solution 7: A connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 6, wherein the shoulder includes a first engagement surface extending along a first direction and is configured to engage an edge, and the track includes a second engagement surface extending along the first direction and is configured to engage a terminal housing.

[0040] Technical Solution 8: A connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 7, wherein: the connector body includes a wall and a first locking portion extending from the wall; and the cover includes a second locking portion configured to engage the first locking portion to removably secure the cover to the connector body.

[0041] Technical Solution 9: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 8, wherein the wall at least partially defines the cavity.

[0042] Technical Solution 10: The connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 1 to 9, further comprising a second terminal housing removably disposed in the cavity, wherein, in an assembled orientation, the track is configured to engage the second terminal housing.

[0043] Technical Solution 11: A connector assembly, comprising: a connector housing, the connector housing including a first upper surface facing a first direction; a terminal housing, the terminal housing being removably disposed in the connector housing and including a second upper surface facing the first direction; and a cover, the cover being removably connected to the connector body, the cover including a shoulder and a track offset relative to the shoulder, wherein, in the assembly orientation, the shoulder is configured to engage the first upper surface, and the track is disposed in a cavity of the connector housing and is configured to engage the second upper surface to fix the terminal housing in the cavity.

[0044] Technical Solution 12: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 11, wherein the terminal housing includes an outer edge, and wherein the track is configured to engage the outer edge.

[0045] Technical Solution 13: A connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 11 to 12, wherein the track extends from the shoulder.

[0046] Technical Solution 14: A connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 11 to 13, wherein the cover includes a second shoulder and a second track extending from the second shoulder.

[0047] Technical Solution 15: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 14, wherein the second shoulder is substantially parallel to the shoulder.

[0048] Technical Solution 16: A connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 14 to 15, wherein the second track is substantially parallel to the track.

[0049] Technical Solution 17: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 16, wherein the shoulder includes a first engagement surface extending along a first direction and is configured to engage a first upper surface, and wherein the track includes a second engagement surface extending along the first direction and is configured to engage a terminal housing.

[0050] Technical Solution 18: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 11, wherein: the connector body includes a wall and a first locking portion extending from the wall; and the cover includes a second locking portion, which is configured to engage the first locking portion to removably secure the cover to the connector body.

[0051] Technical Solution 19: A connector assembly according to Technical Solution 18, wherein the wall at least partially defines the cavity.

[0052] Technical Solution 20: The connector assembly according to any one of Technical Solutions 11 to 19, further comprising a second terminal housing removably disposed in the cavity, wherein, in the assembled orientation, the track is configured to engage the second terminal housing.

[0053] Technical Solution 21: A method for assembling a connector assembly, the method comprising: setting a terminal housing in a connector housing; connecting a cover to the connector housing; engaging a shoulder of the cover with an edge of the connector housing; setting a track of the cover in the connector housing; and engaging the track with the terminal housing to prevent movement of the terminal housing relative to the connector housing.

[0054] Technical Solution 22: A method according to Technical Solution 21, wherein the terminal housing includes an outer edge, and wherein the method further comprises engaging the track with the outer edge.

[0055] Technical Solution 23: A method according to Technical Solutions 21 to 22, wherein the shoulder includes a first joining surface extending along a first direction, and the track includes a second joining surface extending along the first direction, and wherein the method further includes: joining the first joining surface with the edge; and joining the second joining surface with the terminal housing.

[0056] Technical Solution 24: A method according to any one of Technical Solutions 21 to 23, wherein the connector body includes a wall and a first locking portion extending from the wall, and the cover includes a second locking portion, and wherein the method further includes engaging the first locking portion with the second locking portion to removably fix the cover to the connector body.

[0057] Technical Solution 25: The method according to any one of Solutions 21 to 24 further includes: disposing a second terminal housing in the connector body; and engaging the track with the second terminal housing.

[0058] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, although the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited, because other modifications will become apparent after studying the drawings, the specification and the following claims. In the written description and the claims, one or more steps in the method can be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. Similarly, one or more instructions stored in a non-transient computer-readable medium can be executed in a different order (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise stated, the numbering or other markings of the instructions or method steps are for ease of reference, not for indicating a fixed order.

[0059] In addition, although each embodiment is described above as having certain features, any one or more of these features described for any embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in and / or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the arrangement of one or more embodiments with each other is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific example configurations only and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an", and "the" may be intended to include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "including", and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations of these. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be understood as necessarily requiring execution in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically determined as an order of execution. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0061] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., spatial and functional relationships between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected", "engaged", "coupled", "adjacent", "close to", "next to", "on", "above", "below", and "set". Unless explicitly described as "directly", when the relationship between a first element and a second element is described in the above disclosure, the relationship covers both direct and indirect relationships, in which there are no other intermediate elements between the first element and the second element, and in indirect relationships, there are one or more intermediate elements between the first element and the second element. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0062] The term "set" does not necessarily exclude the empty set - in other words, in some cases, a "set" may have zero elements. The term "non-empty set" may be used to represent the exclusion of the empty set - in other words, a non-empty set will always have one or more elements. The term "subset" does not necessarily require a proper subset. In other words, a "subset" of a first set may be of equal scope to (equal to) the first set. Furthermore, the term "subset" does not necessarily exclude the empty set - in some cases, a "subset" may have zero elements.

[0063] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in this article to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms used herein do not mean order or sequence unless clearly indicated by the context. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the teaching of the example construction.

[0064] The phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or, and should not be construed to mean at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, comprising: a connector body defining a cavity and including a rim extending around the cavity; a terminal housing, the terminal housing being removably disposed in the cavity; as well as A cover is removably connected to the connector body, the cover including a shoulder and a track disposed adjacent to the shoulder, the shoulder being configured to engage the edge in an assembled orientation, and the track being disposed in the cavity and configured to engage the terminal housing to secure the terminal housing in the cavity in an assembled orientation.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal housing includes an outer edge, and wherein the track formation engages the outer edge.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track extends from the shoulder.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover includes a second shoulder and a second track extending from the second shoulder.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second shoulder is generally parallel to the shoulder.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shoulder includes a first engagement surface extending in a first direction and configured to engage the edge, and wherein the track includes a second engagement surface extending in the first direction and configured to engage the terminal housing.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector body includes a wall and a first stop extending from the wall; and The cover includes a second latch configured to engage the first latch to removably secure the cover to the connector body.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a second terminal housing removably disposed in the cavity, wherein in the assembled orientation, the track is configured to engage the second terminal housing.

9. A connector assembly comprising: A connector body, the connector body comprising a first upper surface facing a first direction; a terminal housing, the terminal housing being removably disposed in the connector body and comprising a second upper surface facing the first direction; as well as A cover member is removably connected to the connector body, the cover member includes a shoulder and a track offset relative to the shoulder, the shoulder is configured to engage the first upper surface along the assembly orientation, and the track is disposed in a cavity of the connector body and is configured to engage the second upper surface to secure the terminal housing in the cavity along the assembly orientation.

10. The connector assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that The terminal housing includes an outer edge, and wherein the track is configured to engage the outer edge.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that The track extends from the shoulder.

12. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The cover includes a second shoulder and a second track extending from the second shoulder.

13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that The second shoulder is generally parallel to the shoulder.

14. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The connector body includes a wall and a first stop extending from the wall; and The cover includes a second latch configured to engage the first latch to removably secure the cover to the connector body.

15. The connector assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a second terminal housing removably disposed in the cavity, wherein: In the assembled orientation, the track is configured to engage the second terminal housing.

16. A method of assembling a connector assembly, the method comprising: disposing a terminal housing in a connector body; coupling a cover to the connector body; engaging a shoulder of the cover with an edge of the connector body; disposing the track of the cover in the connector body; as well as The track is engaged with the terminal housing to prevent movement of the terminal housing relative to the connector body.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The terminal housing includes an outer edge, and wherein the method further comprises engaging the track with the outer edge.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The method comprises a first engagement surface extending in a first direction, and the track comprises a second engagement surface extending in the first direction, and wherein the method further comprises: engaging the first engagement surface with the edge; and The second engagement surface is engaged with the terminal housing.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The connector housing includes a wall and a first latch extending from the wall, and the cover includes a second latch, and wherein the method further includes engaging the first latch with the second latch to removably secure the cover to the connector body.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: disposing a second terminal housing in the connector body; as well as The rail is engaged with the second terminal housing.

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