Electrical connector with connector position assurance

Abstract

Electrical connector assembly (10) comprising: a housing (14); an auxiliary lever (20) mounted on the housing (14) for relative rotational movement and including a notch (66); a lock (32) which holds the auxiliary lever (20) in an end position relative to the housing (14); a connector position lock (30) mounted on the housing (14) for relative movement between a pre-lock position and a lock position, wherein, when the connector position lock (30) is in the lock position, the connector position lock (30) extends into the notch (66) in the auxiliary lever (20) and prevents rotation of the auxiliary lever (20) relative to the housing (14); and a locking shield (70) on the connector position assurance (30), wherein the lock (32) is adapted to be moved in a release direction (38) from a closed position to an open position, and wherein, when the connector position assurance (30) is in the locking position, the locking shield (70) is arranged opposite to the release direction (38) of the lock (32).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to an electrical plug connector. More particularly, this invention relates to a lever-assisted electrical connector having a connector position assurance.An electrical connector typically serves to hold a plurality of electrical terminals in selected positions. The electrical connector may be mated with a corresponding connector to connect each of the electrical terminals to its corresponding terminal. Thus, an operator can establish multiple electrical connections at a time by plugging the electrical connector into the corresponding connector.Conventional vehicles include an increasing number of electrical components, which in turn require an increasing number of electrical connections. As a result, electrical connectors in conventional vehicles have an increasing number of electrical terminals. This increased number of terminals increases the force required to connect the electrical connector to the corresponding connector. In order to make it easier for the operator to plug the plug connectors together, it is known to provide electrical plug connectors with an auxiliary lever, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,281,614 B1, in order to offer the operator a mechanical advantage when plugging the plug connectors together.It is also known to provide a connector position assurance so that the operator is able to ensure that the electrical connector is properly mated with the corresponding connector. The connector position assurance is typically attached to either the electrical connector or the corresponding connector and initially held in position by a latch. When the electrical connector is plugged together with the corresponding connector, the locking is released, so that the position securing of the connector can be displaced. The connector position securing means can be brought into an end position when the electrical connector is correctly plugged together with the corresponding connector. However, if the two connectors are not fully plugged together, the position securing of the connector is blocked and cannot move into the end position. When the operator connects the connectors and brings the connector position assurance to the end position, it is confirmed that the connectors and all the electrical terminals are properly connected.DE 10 2018 217 838 A1 relates to an electrical connector with an auxiliary lever which can be used to connect two halves of the electrical connector.KR 10 1 462 664 B1 shows a safety connector capable of turning off the entire power source of a vehicle for safety of an operator when performing maintenance work or the like on an automobile in a vehicle at a relatively high voltage.CN 1 05 846 242 A discloses a high-voltage plug connector with handle for connecting a high-voltage cable and in particular a handle holding mechanism for a high-voltage plug connector with handle.KR 10 2019 0 073 679 A relates to a safety plug connector for the jerk-free disconnection of an electrical connection between a high-voltage battery and an electrical component during the maintenance of an electric vehicle.TECHNICAL TASK AND SOLUTION OF THE INVENTIONIt would be advantageous to have an electrical plug connector with a plug connector position securing device which is improved compared to the prior art. This object is achieved by an electrical plug connector arrangement having the features of claim 1.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes a housing. For the relative rotational movement, an auxiliary lever is mounted on the housing. The auxiliary lever includes a notch. The electrical connector assembly includes a latch. The lock holds the auxiliary lever in an end position relative to the housing. The electrical connector assembly also includes a connector position assurance. The connector position assurance is mounted on the housing for relative movement between a pre-locking position and a locking position. When the connector position assurance is in the locking position, it protrudes into the notch in the auxiliary lever and prevents rotation of the auxiliary lever relative to the housing. The electrical connector assembly further includes a lock shield on the connector position assurance. The lock is configured to be moved in a release direction from a closed position to an open position. When the connector position assurance is in the locking position, the lock shield is disposed opposite the direction of release of the lock.Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.Brief Description of the DrawingsFIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly and header shown in a pre-lock position. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the electrical connector assembly and a header in a mating position. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1, showing a cover and an assist handle secured to the cover in a home position. FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a connector position lock attached to the cover in a pre-lock position. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector position assurance. FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the connector position assurance. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the assist lever. FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the auxiliary lever in an end position. FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the connector position assurance in a locking position. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10- 10 in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11- 11 in FIG. 9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTReferring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly generally designated 10 and a header generally designated 12. The electrical connector assembly 10 is shown in a pre-mating position relative to the header 12. The electrical connector assembly 10 includes a housing 14 and a cover 16 secured to the housing 14. The cover 16 serves as a wire guide and receives a wire outlet, generally indicated at 18, suitable for guiding wires (not shown) connected to terminals (not shown) held in the housing 14. The electrical connector assembly 10 also includes an auxiliary lever 20 shown in a home position.The auxiliary lever 20 includes two plates 22 connected by a handle 24. Each of the plates 22 is supported on the cover 16 for relative rotation about a handle axis 26. Each of the plates 22 includes a cam channel 28 (one visible in FIG. 1 ) configured to receive a corresponding cam follower (not shown) on the head piece 12. The auxiliary lever 20 is adapted to be moved from the initial position as shown in Fig. 1 to an end position as shown in Fig. 2. When the auxiliary lever 20 is moved from the initial position to the end position, the electrical connector assembly 10 is moved from the pre-mating position to a mating position. In the mating position, the terminals in the electrical connector assembly 10 mate with the corresponding electrical terminals (not shown) in the header.The electrical connector assembly 10 also includes a connector position assurance, generally indicated at 30. The illustrated connector position assurance 30 is attached to the cover 16, but may be attached to any desired portion of the electrical connector assembly 10. The connector position assurance 30 is movable relative to the cover 16 between a pre-locking position (shown in FIG. 1 ) and a locking position (shown in FIG. 2 ). As will be described below, the connector position assurance 30 is locked in the pre-locking position and is released from the pre-locking position when the auxiliary lever 20 is moved to the end position. Further, the connector position assurance 30 engages with the auxiliary lever 20 to keep the auxiliary lever 20 in the end position.The electrical connector assembly 10 includes a latch 32 that holds the auxiliary lever 20 in the final position. The latch 32 includes a cantilevered arm 34 that includes a pressing end 36. The latch 32 is normally in a closed position. When a force is applied to the pressing end 36 in a release direction 38 (shown in FIG. 1 ), the latch 32 is deflected to an open position. In the depicted embodiment, the release direction 38 is toward the header 20, but may be any direction.When the auxiliary lever 20 is moved from the starting position to the end position, the auxiliary lever 20 engages the pressing end 36 of the latch 32 and pushes it in the release direction 38 into the open position. As a result, the auxiliary lever 20 can be moved past the locking mechanism 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 24 of the assist lever 20 engages the latch 32, but any other desired portion of the assist lever 20 may engage the latch 32. When the auxiliary lever 20 is moved to the end position, the latch 32 returns to the closed position and locks to the auxiliary lever 20 to prevent the auxiliary lever 20 from being moved from the end position.Referring to FIG. 3, an enlarged plan view of a portion of the electrical connector assembly 10 is shown showing a portion of the cover 16 and the attached auxiliary lever 20 in the initial position. The electrical connector assembly 10 includes a connector position assurance mount, generally designated 40. The connector position assurance mount 40 is defined in the cover 16 and supports the connector position assurance 30 in the pre-locking position and the locking position. The connector position assurance mount 40 includes two guide channels 42 located on opposite sides of the connector position assurance mount 40. The latch 32 is located within the connector position assurance mount 40 and the guide channels 42 are located on opposite sides of the latch 32. Each of the depicted guide channels 42 is longer than the cantilevered arm 34 and the pressing end 36 of the latch 32, but the guide channels 42 may have any desired length. Each of the guide channels 42 includes a position assurance lock 44 that extends over the respective guide channel 42. The purpose of the position lock 44 will be described below.The cover 16 also includes an optional handle seat 46. when the assist lever 20 is in the final position, a portion of the handle 24 is in the handle seat 46. the handle seat 46 is in a securing direction 48 from the latch 32, and each of the guide channels 42 extends into the handle seat 46.Referring to FIG. 4, a similar view to FIG. 3 is shown with the connector position assurance 30 shown secured to the cover 16 in the pre-locking position. Referring to FIG. 5, an enlarged perspective view of the connector position assurance 30 is shown, while FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the connector position assurance 30. The illustrated connector position assurance 30 is molded from plastic, but may be made from any desired material and method. The connector position assurance 30 includes a body 50. two guides 52 extend from the body 50 on a mounting side 54 of the body 50. the mounting side 54 is the side of the connector position assurance 30 that faces the cover 16 when the connector position assurance 30 is secured thereto. When the connector position assurance 30 is attached to the connector position assurance mount 40, each of the guides 52 is located in one of the guide channels 42. In addition, each guide 52 includes a pawl 56 (visible in FIG. 6 ), and each of the pawls 56 snaps into the cover 16 to retain the connector position assurance 30 to the connector position assurance mount 40.The connector position assurance 30 also includes two locking arms 58 extending from the mounting side 54 of the body 50. Each of the locking arms 58 continues to extend in the securing direction 48. When the connector position assurance 30 is attached to the connector position assurance mount 40, each locking arm 58 is located in one of the guide channels 42. Each locking arm 58 also includes a release tab 62 that extends from the locking arm 58 opposite the release direction 38. As shown in FIG. 4, when the connector position assurance 30 is in the pre-lock position, each locking tab 60 locks into the position assurance catch 44 in the respective guide channel 42 to prevent the locking tabs 60 from being moved in the securing direction 48 relative to the connector position assurance mount 40. This prevents the connector position assurance 30 from being moved in the securing direction 48 relative to the connector position assurance holder 40. In addition, each of the release tabs 62 extends out of the respective guide channel 42 and is disposed in the handle seat 46.Referring now to Fig. 7, a perspective view of a portion of the assist lever 20 is shown showing the handle 24. As described above, when the auxiliary lever 20 is in the end position, a part of the handle 24 is in the handle seat 46. the handle 24 includes two protrusions 64 which will be in the handle seat 46 when the auxiliary lever 20 is in the end position. In addition, the handle 24 comprises two notches 66 oriented opposite to the securing direction 48 when the auxiliary lever 20 is in the end position. The purpose of the protrusions 64 and the notches 66 will be described below.Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown a view similar to Fig. 4 with the auxiliary lever 20 shown brought to the final position. Although not visible in FIG. 8, each of the protrusions 64 on the handle 24 snaps into one of the release tabs 62, and both release tabs 62 are pushed out of the handle seat 46 in the release direction 38. In addition, each of the resilient locking arms 48 is urged in the release direction 38, thereby moving the locking tabs 60 in the release direction 38 such that the locking tabs 60 do not engage the position assurance locks 44. Alternatively, the auxiliary lever 20 may engage with any desired part of the connector position assurance 30 when the auxiliary lever 20 is in the end position. For example, each of the protrusions 64 may engage one of the locking tabs 60 to move the locking tabs 60 in the release direction 38. When the auxiliary lever 20 is in the end position, the connector position assurance 30 can be moved in the assurance direction 48 relative to the connector position assurance holder 40.Referring now to FIG. 9, a similar view to FIG. 8 is shown with the connector position assurance 30 shown placed in the locking position. Referring to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view taken along line 10- 10 of FIG. 9 along one of the guide channels 42 is shown. As shown, when the connector position assurance 30 is in the locking position, the release tabs 62 are in the securing direction 48 of the protrusions 64 and the locking arms 58 may rebound against the release direction 38. This cancels any load on the locking arm 58. Additionally, the locking tabs 60 are located in the securing direction 48 of the position securing lock 44 and will engage the position securing lock 44 to prevent movement of the connector position securing means 30 counter to the securing direction 48.Referring to Figure 11, a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 9 is shown through one of the notches 66 on the handle 24. The connector position assurance 30 includes lever holders 68 that extend from the body 50 in the assurance direction 48. As best seen in FIG. 8, the connector position assurance 30 includes two lever holders 68. When the connector position assurance 30 is in the locking position, each lever holder 68 is in one of the notches 66 in the handle 24. It should be noted that the connector position assurance 30 prevents movement of the handle 24 and the assist lever 20 either toward the home position or in an opposite direction.As shown in FIG. 9, the connector position assurance 30 also includes a locking shield 70. the illustrated locking shield 70 extends from the body 50 in the securing direction 48 and extends between two lever holders 68. when, as shown in FIG. 9, the connector position assurance 30 is in the locking position, the locking shield 70 is opposite the releasing direction 38 of the pressing end 36 of the latch 32. thus, the locking shield 70 prevents an operator from pressing on the latch 32 when the connector position assurance 30 is in the locking position. Referring again to FIG. 2, when the connector position assurance 30 is in the locking position, the latch 32 is enclosed by the connector position assurance to prevent actuation of the latch 32 to the open position.The electrical connector assembly 10 can be removed from the header 12 by reversing the process described above. The connector position securing means 30 is brought from the locking position (illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9 ) to the prelock position (illustrated in FIG. 8 ). This moves the latch shield 70 away from the latch 32. Then, the latch 32 is pushed and the auxiliary lever 20 is moved from the end position to the initial position, whereby the electrical connector assembly 10 is brought into the plug-in position relative to the header 12.The principle and operation of this invention have been illustrated and explained in its preferred embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and illustrated without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Claims

An electrical connector assembly (10) comprising: a housing (14); an auxiliary lever (20) mounted to the housing (14) for relative rotational movement and including a notch (66); a latch (32) holding the auxiliary lever (20) in an end position relative to the housing (14); a connector position assurance (30) mounted to the housing (14) for relative movement between a pre-latch position and a latch position, wherein when the connector position assurance (30) is in the latch position, the connector position assurance (30) extends into the notch (66) in the auxiliary lever (20) and prevents rotation of the auxiliary lever (20) relative to the housing (14); and including a locking shield (70) on the connector position assurance (30), wherein the lock (32) is configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position in a releasing direction (38), and wherein when the connector position assurance (30) is in the locking position, the locking shield (70) is arranged opposite the releasing direction (38) of the lock (32).The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary lever (20) includes two notches (66), the connector position assurance (30) further including a body (50) and two lever holders (68) extending from the body (50), the two lever holders (68) extending into the corresponding notches (66) in the auxiliary lever (20) when the connector position assurance (30) is in the locking position.The electrical connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking shield (70) extends from the body (50) of the connector positioning fuse (30).The electrical connector assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the locking shield (70) extends between the two lever holders (68).

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