Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector having an assembly received in a common housing.SOLUTION: The connector 10 is provided with a common housing 400 and a first assembly 100 received in an assembly receiving passage 408 of the common housing, and has a first housing 110, a first terminal 140 positioned in a first terminal receiving passage, and a first primary lock 120 formed from a part of an outer surface of the first housing. The first primary lock has a free end that is deflectable relative to the first housing to engage the first terminal in the first terminal-receiving passage. The common housing limits deflection of the first primary lock when the first assembly is positioned in the assembly-receiving passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to connectors, and more particularly to connectors having assemblies received in a common housing. [Background technology]

[0002] Connectors often include a housing and terminals positioned in the housing that mate to electrically connect the terminals and to electrically connect components of an electrical system. Connectors are typically designed for specific applications and for different numbers and sizes of terminals, requiring different housing shapes, components, seals, and rear accessories. Thus, typical connector designs result in many separate components for each product family, increasing complexity, cost, and reducing flexibility. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The connector includes a common housing and a first assembly received in the assembly-receiving passage of the common housing. The first assembly includes a first housing and a first terminal positioned in the first terminal-receiving passage of the first housing. The first housing has a first primary lock formed from a portion of the outer surface of the first housing. The first primary lock has a free end that is flexible relative to the first housing and engages with the first terminal in the terminal-receiving passage. The common housing limits the flexibility of the first primary lock when the first assembly is disposed in the assembly-receiving passage.

[0004] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first assembly of the connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second assembly of the connector. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a secondary lock of the connector. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the secondary lock in the inserted position. [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the secondary lock in the locked position. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a connector comprising a plurality of first assemblies and a second assemblies. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector having a pair of backshells. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one half of the backshell of the first assembly. [Figure 8C] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one half of the backshell of the first assembly of another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a common housing of a connector according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like elements. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will convey the concepts of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Additionally, in the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details.

[0007] Throughout the drawings, for clarity of the drawings, only one of several identical elements may be labeled in the drawings, but the detailed description of the elements herein applies equally to each of the elements appearing identically in the drawings. Throughout the specification, directional descriptors such as "longitudinal," "heightwise," and "widthwise" are used. These descriptors are merely for clarity of description and to distinguish between various directions. These directional descriptors do not suggest or require a particular orientation of the disclosed elements.

[0008] A connector 10 according to an embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The connector 10 comprises a first assembly 100, a second assembly 200, a plurality of interchangeable parts 300 used with the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200, and a common housing 400. The first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 are matable with each other in the common housing 400.

[0009] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first assembly 100 includes a first housing 110, a plurality of first terminals 140 positioned in the first housing 110, and a first cap 150 positioned on an end of the first housing 110.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first housing 110 extends along a longitudinal direction L between a cap end 112 and a mating end 114 opposite the cap end 112. The first housing 110 has a seal cavity 113 extending within the cap end 112 and a mating cavity 115 extending within the mating end 114. The first housing 110 has an outer surface 116. A seal groove 118 extends within the outer surface 116 and around the first housing 110 between the cap end 112 and the mating end 114. At the cap end 112, the first housing 110 has a pair of first fasteners 119 on either side of the first housing 110, the fasteners 119 extending from the outer surface 116 in a width direction W perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0011] 2 and 3, the first housing 110 has a plurality of first primary locks 120 each formed from a portion of the outer surface 116 of the first housing 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the first primary locks 120 each extend along a longitudinal direction L from a fixed end 122 to a free end 124. At the free end 124, each of the first primary locks 120 has a lip 126 extending along the longitudinal direction L and a stop surface 128 extending along a height direction H perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first housing 110 has a plurality of first terminal-receiving passages 132 extending through the first housing 110 along the longitudinal direction L between the sealing cavity 113 and the mating cavity 115. At each end of the first terminal-receiving passages 132, the first housing 110 has a positioning mechanism 134. One of the first primary locks 120 is positioned corresponding to each of the first terminal-receiving passages 132, with the stop surface 128 of the first primary lock 120 extending into the corresponding first terminal-receiving passage 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 110 has four first terminal-receiving passages 132 and four first primary locks 120. In other embodiments, described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7 , the first housing 110 can have fewer or more than four first terminal-receiving passages 132 and corresponding first primary locks 120.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, first housing 110 has first locking passageways 136 extending in the width direction W within first housing 110. As shown in Figure 3, first locking passageways 136 are positioned between first terminal-receiving passageways 132 and at least partially overlap each of first terminal-receiving passageways 132.

[0014] In the mating cavity 115 of the mating end 114, the first housing 110 has a plurality of first alignment features 138. The first alignment features 138 extend along the longitudinal direction L and protrude into the mating cavity 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 110 has four alignment features 138 in the mating cavity 115. In other embodiments, the first housing 110 can have fewer or more than four alignment features 138.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 110, including the first primary lock 120, the positioning feature 134 for the first terminal-receiving passage 132, and the first alignment feature 138, is integrally formed in a single piece from an insulating material such as plastic. The first primary lock 120 is part of the exterior surface 116 of the first housing 110 and is connected only at the fixed end 122. The first primary lock 120 is flexible relative to the first housing 110 about the fixed end 122, causing the free end 124 and stop surface 128 on the free end 124 to move into and out of the corresponding first terminal-receiving passage 132.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first assembly 100 includes a plurality of first terminals 140 positioned in the first housing 110. The first terminals 140 are round terminals and each extend along a longitudinal direction L from a connecting end 142 to a mating end 144. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first terminals 140 is formed as a pin at the mating end 144. Each of the first terminals 140 has a shoulder 146 extending circumferentially around the first terminal 140 between the connecting end 142 and the mating end 144. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first terminals 140 is integrally formed in a single piece from a conductive material, such as copper or aluminum. In another embodiment, the first terminals 140 described herein can be formed from multiple pieces assembled together.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the first assembly 100 includes a first cap 150. The first cap 150 has a first cover wall 152 and a first shroud 160 extending from the first cover wall 152 along a longitudinal direction L. The first cover wall 152 is positioned in a plane defined by a height direction H and a width direction W, and has a plurality of first cap passages 154 extending through the first cover wall 152 along the longitudinal direction L. The number of first cap passages 154 corresponds to the number of first terminal-receiving passages 132 in the first housing 110.

[0018] 1 and 2, the first shroud 160 has a first shroud groove 162 extending around a portion of the first shroud 160. The first shroud 160 has a plurality of first recesses 164 extending through the first shroud 160 and positioned in the first shroud groove 162. As shown in FIG. 3, the first cap 150 has a first latch arm 166 extending from the first cover wall 152 and positioned within the first shroud 160. The first latch arm 166 is flexible relative to the first cap 150.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the first cap 150, including the first cover wall 152, the first shroud 160, and the first latch arm 166, is integrally formed in a single piece from an insulating material such as plastic.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the second assembly 200 includes a second housing 210, a plurality of second terminals 240 positioned in the second housing 210, and a second cap 250 positioned on an end of the second housing 210.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the second housing 210 extends along a longitudinal direction L between a cap end 212 and a mating end 214 opposite the cap end 212. The second housing 210 has a seal cavity 213 extending into the cap end 212. The second housing 210 has an outer surface 216. A seal groove 218 extends in the outer surface 216 and around the second housing 210 between the cap end 212 and the mating end 214. At the cap end 212, the second housing 210 has a pair of second fasteners 219 on either side of the second housing 210, the fasteners 219 extending in a width direction W from the outer surface 216.

[0022] 2 and 4, the second housing 210 has a plurality of second primary locks 220 each formed from a portion of the outer surface 216 of the second housing 210. As shown in FIG. 4, the second primary locks 220 each extend along a longitudinal direction L from a fixed end 222 to a free end 224. At the free end 224, each of the second primary locks 220 has a lip 226 extending along the longitudinal direction L and a stop surface 228 extending along a height direction H.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second housing 210 has a plurality of second terminal-receiving passages 232 extending therethrough along the longitudinal direction L between the seal cavity 213 and the mating end 214. One of the second primary locks 220 is positioned corresponding to each of the second terminal-receiving passages 232, with the stop surface 228 of the second primary lock 220 extending into the corresponding second terminal-receiving passage 232. In the illustrated embodiment, the second housing 210 has four second terminal-receiving passages 232 and four second primary locks 220. In other embodiments, described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7 , the second housing 210 can have fewer or more than four second terminal-receiving passages 232 and corresponding second primary locks 220.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, second housing 210 has second locking passages 236 that extend in width direction W within second housing 210. As shown in Figure 4, second locking passages 236 are positioned between second terminal-receiving passages 232 and at least partially overlap each of second terminal-receiving passages 232.

[0025] At the mating end 214, the second housing 210 has a plurality of second alignment features 238. The second alignment features 238 are grooves that extend along the longitudinal direction L in the outer surface 216 of the second housing 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the second housing 210 has four second alignment features 238. In other embodiments, the second housing 210 can have fewer or more than four second alignment features 238, as long as the number of second alignment features 238 corresponds to the number of first alignment features 138.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the second housing 210, including the second primary lock 220 and the second alignment feature 238, is integrally formed in a single piece from an insulating material, such as plastic. The second primary lock 220 is part of the exterior surface 216 of the second housing 210 and is connected only at the fixed end 222. The second primary lock 220 is flexible relative to the second housing 210 about the fixed end 222, causing the free end 224 and the stop surface 228 of the free end 224 to move into and out of the corresponding second terminal-receiving passage 232.

[0027] 2-4, the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 are similarly formed and have similar components. The seal cavities 113, 213 are similarly formed in the cap ends 112, 212 of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210, the seal grooves 118, 218 are similarly formed in the outer surfaces 116, 216, and the first primary lock 120 is identical to the second primary lock 220.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second assembly 200 includes a plurality of second terminals 240 positioned in the second housing 210. The second terminals 240 are round terminals and each extend along a longitudinal direction L from a connecting end 242 to a mating end 244. In the illustrated embodiment, each second terminal 240 is formed as a socket at the mating end 244. Each second terminal 240 has a shoulder 246 extending circumferentially around the second terminal 240 between the connecting end 242 and the mating end 244. In the illustrated embodiment, each second terminal 240 is integrally formed in a single piece from a conductive material, such as copper or aluminum. In another embodiment, the second terminals 240 described herein can be formed from multiple pieces assembled together.

[0029] 1, 2, and 4, the second assembly 200 includes a second cap 250. The second cap 250 has a second cover wall 252 and a second shroud 260 extending from the second cover wall 252 along a longitudinal direction L. The second cover wall 252 is positioned in a plane defined by a height direction H and a width direction W and has a plurality of second cap passages 254 extending through the second cover wall 252 along the longitudinal direction L. The number of second cap passages 254 corresponds to the number of second terminal-receiving passages 232 in the second housing 210.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second shroud 260 has a second shroud groove 262 extending around a portion of the second shroud 260. The second shroud 260 has a plurality of second recesses 264 extending through the second shroud 260 and positioned in the second shroud groove 262. As shown in FIG. 4 , the second cap 250 has a second latch arm 266 extending from the second cover wall 252 and positioned within the second shroud 260. In FIG. 4 , the second cap 250 is shown schematically and partially transparent to facilitate illustration of other details of the drawing. The second latch arm 266 is flexible relative to the second cap 250. The second cap 250 has a connector position assurance (CPA) device 268 insertable into the second shroud 260 to limit the flexibility of the second latch arm 266.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the second cap 250, including the second cover wall 252, the second shroud 260, and the second latch arm 266, is integrally formed in a single piece from an insulating material such as plastic. As shown in Figures 2-4, the second cap 250 and the first cap 150 are similarly formed and have similar components, including the cover walls 152, 252, the shrouds 160, 260, and the latch arms 166, 266 within the shrouds 160, 260.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, replaceable part 300 includes a secondary lock 310 that is replaceably positionable in first housing 110 and second housing 210, an inner seal 350, and an outer seal 360.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5A , the secondary lock 310 includes a base 312, a fixed arm 314 extending from the base 312, and a deflectable arm 320 extending from the base 312. The fixed arm 314 and the deflectable arm 320 extend from the base 312 in a width direction W, are generally parallel, and are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction L. The fixed arm 314 has a plurality of recesses 316 extending therein. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the recesses 316 has a semicircular shape. In other embodiments, each of the recesses 316 can have any shape as long as the shape corresponds to the shape of a portion of the terminal 140, 240. The deflectable arm 320 has a flex opening 322 extending therethrough, which allows a pair of legs 326 of the deflectable arm 320 to resiliently flex toward each other. 5A, one of the legs 326 has a plurality of protrusions 324 extending therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary lock 310 is integrally formed in a single piece from an insulating material.

[0034] 2-4, inner seal 350 has a plurality of seal passages 352 extending therethrough. In each of seal passages 352, inner seal 350 has a plurality of inner ribs 354 extending into seal passage 352. Inner seal 350 is integrally formed in a single piece from an elastomeric material.

[0035] 2-4, outer seal 360 has a plurality of outer ribs 362 extending outwardly from outer seal 360. Outer seal 360 is integrally formed in a single piece from an elastomeric material.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the common housing 400 extends along a longitudinal direction L from a first end 402 to a second end 404. The common housing 400 has an inner surface 406 and an outer surface 410 opposite the inner surface 406. An assembly-receiving passage 408 in the common housing 400 is defined by the inner surface 406 and extends between the first end 402 and the second end 404. On the outer surface 410, the common housing 400 has a pair of fasteners 412 protruding from the outer surface 410. The fasteners 412 include a first fastener 414 positioned adjacent the first end 402 and a second fastener 416 positioned adjacent the second end 404. In the illustrated embodiment, the common housing 400 is integrally formed in a single piece from an insulating material.

[0037] A more detailed description will now be given of the assembly of the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200. As will be described in detail below, the replaceable part 300 can be used in either the first assembly 100 or the second assembly 200.

[0038] 3 , in the first assembly 100, the inner seal 350 is positioned in the seal cavity 113 of the first housing 110, and the outer seal 360 is positioned in the seal groove 118 on the outer surface 116 of the first housing 110. The inner seal 350 resiliently abuts against the first housing 110 in the seal cavity 113, and each of the seal passages 352 of the inner seal 350 is aligned along the longitudinal direction L with one of the first terminal-receiving passages 132.

[0039] The second assembly 200 contains an inner seal 350 and an outer seal 360 formed identically to the inner seal 350 and outer seal 360 of the first housing 110 described above. As shown in FIG. 4 , in the second assembly 200, the inner seal 350 is positioned in the seal cavity 213 of the second housing 210, and the outer seal 360 is positioned in the seal groove 218 on the outer surface 216 of the second housing 210. The inner seal 350 resiliently abuts against the second housing 210 in the seal cavity 213, and each of the seal passages 352 of the inner seal 350 is aligned with one of the second terminal-receiving passages 232 along the longitudinal direction L. The inner seal 350 and the outer seal 360 are interchangeably positionable components in either the first assembly 100 or the second assembly 200.

[0040] 3, in the first assembly 100, the first terminals 140 are inserted into one of the first terminal-receiving passages 132 of the first housing 110 through one of the seal passages 352 of the inner seal 350. The connection end 142 of each first terminal 140 can be connected, e.g., crimped, to a cable, and the inner rib 354 resiliently abuts against the cable after insertion to seal the cable. When the first terminal 140 is inserted along the longitudinal direction L, the shoulder 146 abuts against the first primary lock 120 extending into the first terminal-receiving passage 132, causing the first primary lock 120 to resiliently deflect outward.

[0041] 3 during insertion along longitudinal direction L, first primary lock 120 resiliently returns to retain first terminal 140 in first terminal-receiving passage 132. At this position, stop surface 128 on free end 124 of first primary lock 120 engages shoulder 146 to prevent first terminal 140 from moving along longitudinal direction L. At this position, a portion of first terminal 140 abuts positioning mechanism 134, which positions and aligns first terminal 140 within first terminal-receiving passage 132.

[0042] 4, in the second assembly 200, the second terminals 240 are inserted into one of the second terminal-receiving passages 232 of the second housing 210 through one of the seal passages 352 of the inner seal 350. The connection end 242 of each second terminal 240 can be connected, e.g., crimped, to a cable, and the inner rib 354 resiliently abuts against the cable after insertion to seal the cable. When the second terminal 240 is inserted along the longitudinal direction L, the shoulder 246 abuts against the second primary lock 220 extending into the second terminal-receiving passage 232, causing the second primary lock 220 to resiliently deflect outward.

[0043] 4 during insertion along the longitudinal direction L, the second primary lock 220 resiliently returns to retain the second terminal 240 in the second terminal-receiving passage 232. In this position, the stop surface 228 on the free end 224 of the second primary lock 220 engages the shoulder 246 to prevent movement of the second terminal 240 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0044] 3 and 4, the primary locks 120, 220 formed from the exterior surfaces 116, 216 of the housings 110, 210 allow for easy removal of the terminals 140, 240 by inserting a tool under the lips 126, 226 and using the tool to deflect the primary locks 120, 220 outward, unlocking the terminals 140, 240.

[0045] The secondary lock 310 that provides secondary locking of the first terminal 140 and the second terminal 240 is identical and interchangeable in the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200. The secondary lock 310 is movable from an inserted position 330 to a secured position 340 in both the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 in the same manner, described in detail below. While Figures 5B and 5C show the movement of the secondary lock 310 relative to the second housing 210 and the second terminal 240, the same movement and engagement applies to the secondary lock 310 in the first housing 110 that provides secondary locking of the first terminal 140.

[0046] The first terminal 140 is inserted into the first terminal-receiving passage 132 to a position secured by the first primary lock 120, as shown in FIG. 3 , and the second terminal 240 is inserted into the second terminal-receiving passage 232 to a position secured by the second primary lock 220, as shown in FIG. 4 , with the secondary lock 310 in the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 in an insertion position 330. In the insertion position 330 shown in FIG. 5B , each of the recesses 316 is aligned with one of the first terminal-receiving passage 132 or the second terminal-receiving passage 232. The alignment of the recesses 316 with the terminal-receiving passages 132, 232 prevents the insertion of the terminals 140, 240 from being obstructed.

[0047] With terminals 140, 240 fully inserted, secondary lock 310 moves in locking passages 136, 236 of first housing 110 and second housing 210 from an insertion position 330 to a fixed position 340, shown in FIG. 5C. Secondary lock 310 moves in a width direction W, which is perpendicular to first terminal-receiving passage 132 and second terminal-receiving passage 232, from the insertion position 330 to the fixed position 340. As shown in FIG. 5C, at the fixed position 340, fixed arm 314 overlaps first terminal-receiving passage 132 or second terminal-receiving passage 232. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the locked position 340, the locking arm 314 abuts the shoulder 146, 246 of the first terminal 140 or the second terminal 240 to provide additional locking of the terminal 140, 240 along the longitudinal direction L that complements the locking of the primary lock 120, 220 and secures the terminal 140, 240 in the respective receiving passage 132, 232.

[0048] The deflectable arm 320 of the secondary lock 310 holds the secondary lock 310 in both an insertion position 330 and a fixed position 340 in the first housing 110 or the second housing 210. One of the protrusions 324 of the deflectable arm 320 engages with the first housing 110 of the second housing 210 in each of the insertion position 330 and the fixed position 340. The deflection of the deflectable arm 320 fixes the secondary lock 310 in the first housing 110 or the second housing 210 in each of these positions 330, 340, and allows it to move along the width direction W between the positions 330, 340.

[0049] 3, in the first assembly 100, the first cap 150 is positioned on the cap end 112 of the first housing 110. The first cover wall 152 of the first cap 150 abuts the cap end 112, and each of the first cap passages 154 is aligned with one of the seal passages 352 of the inner seal 350 and one of the first terminal-receiving passages 132 of the first housing 110. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the first fasteners 119 engages with one of the first recesses 164 of the first cap 150 to secure the first cap 150 to the cap end 112.

[0050] The second cap 250 is assembled to the second housing 210 in a manner similar to the first cap 150 of the first housing 110. As shown in FIG. 4 , in the second assembly 200, the second cap 250 is positioned on the cap end 212 of the second housing 210. The second cover wall 252 of the second cap 250 abuts the cap end 212, and each of the second cap passages 254 is aligned with one of the seal passages 352 of the inner seal 350 and one of the second terminal-receiving passages 232 of the second housing 210. As shown in FIG. 1 , each of the second fasteners 219 engages with one of the second recesses 264 of the second cap 250 to secure the second cap 250 to the cap end 212.

[0051] 3 and 4, the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 are inserted into a common housing 400 to form the connector 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The first assembly 100 is inserted into an assembly-receiving passage 408 at a first end 402 of the common housing 400, and the second assembly 200 is inserted into the assembly-receiving passage 408 at a second end 404 of the common housing 400. When the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 are inserted into the mating position, each of the first alignment features 138 of the first housing 110 interacts with one of the second alignment features 238 of the second housing 210 to align the first assembly 100 with the second assembly 200.

[0052] 6 , when the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 are fully inserted and received in the assembly-receiving passage 408 of the common housing 400, the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 mate in the assembly-receiving passage 408. In this position, the first terminal 140 mates with and is electrically connected to the second terminal 240. The inner surface 406 of the common housing 400 is positioned adjacent the first primary lock 120 of the first housing 110 and the second primary lock 220 of the second housing 210 in the mated position, limiting deflection of the primary locks 120, 220 and further securing the terminals 140, 240 when the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 100 are mated in the assembly-receiving passage 408.

[0053] In the mated position shown in FIG. 6, the outer seals 360 of each of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 abut against the inner surface 406 of the common housing 400 to seal the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 to the assembly receiving passage 408.

[0054] To secure the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 in the mated position shown in FIG. 6 , the caps 150, 250 engage and secure with the common housing 400. The first latch arm 166 of the first cap 150 flexes onto and releasably engages the first fastener 414 of the common housing 400 to secure the first assembly 100 in the assembly-receiving passage 408. The second latch arm 266 of the second cap 250 flexes onto and releasably engages the second fastener 416 of the common housing 400 to secure the second assembly in the assembly-receiving passage 408. As shown in FIG. 6 , a CPA device 268 is inserted into the second shroud 260 to limit the flexing of the second latch arm 266 and prevent the second latch arm 266 from unintentionally disengaging from the second fastener 416. In another embodiment, instead or in addition, a CPA device is positioned on the first shroud 160 to limit the deflection of the first latch arm 166 .

[0055] 6, the common housing 400 has an attachment feature 420 on the exterior surface 410. The attachment feature 420 allows the common housing 400 and the connector 10 including the common housing 400 to be attached to a mounting device.

[0056] Alternatively, the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 can be mated in the assembly-receiving passage 408 of the common housing 400 by inserting the first assembly 100 into the second end 404 and the second assembly 200 into the first end 402. The mating of the terminals 140, 240, the securing of the primary locks 120, 220 to the inner surface 406 of the common housing 400, and the connection of the caps 150, 250 to the common housing 400 function similarly regardless of which end 402, 404 of the common housing 400 the assemblies 100, 200 are inserted into.

[0057] 7 illustrates that the connector 10 of the above embodiment is flexible and can accommodate several different connection arrangements between the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 using the same common housing 400. As shown in the example of FIG. 7 , the first assembly 100 can be any one of a plurality of different first assemblies 100, each having a first housing 110 with the same outer dimensions, interchangeably positionable in the common housing 400, and differing in at least one of the size of the first terminals 140 and the number of first terminal-receiving passages 132 that the first terminals 140 have. The second assembly 200 may also be any one of a plurality of different second assemblies 200, which have second housings 210 with the same outer dimensions, are interchangeably positionable in the common housing 400, and differ in at least one of the size of the second terminals 240 and the number of second terminal-receiving passages 232 having the second terminals 240. The number and size of the first terminals 140 of the selected first assembly 100 correspond to the number and size of the second terminals 240 of the selected second assembly 200 that mate with the first assembly 100 in the assembly-receiving passages 408 of the common housing 400.

[0058] 8A-8C, in another embodiment, replaceable part 300 can include a backshell 370 positionable in first assembly 100 or second assembly 200. As shown in FIG. 8A, backshell 370 includes a pair of identical halves 372. Each half 372 includes a backshell body 374 having a plurality of backshell latches 376 on one side and a plurality of backshell fasteners 378 on the opposite side.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C , a backshell 370 can be removably connected to the first cap 150 of the first assembly 100 or the second cap 250 of the second assembly 200. A backshell body 374 of one of the halves 372 of the backshell 370 is positioned in the shroud groove 162, 262 of the cap 150, 260, and the other half 372 moves into the shroud groove 162, 262 to connect to the first half 372. A backshell latch 376 on one of the halves 372 connects to a backshell fastener 378 on the other half 372 to secure the backshell 370 to the assembly 100, 200. The backshell 370 can be used to partially cover and secure cables connected to the terminals 140, 240. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the backshell 370 can be interchangeably used with assemblies 100, 200 having different numbers and sizes of terminals 140, 240 corresponding to the number and sizes of cap passages 154, 254 in the caps 150, 250.

[0060] The common housing 400 that interchangeably receives the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 is not limited to the specific embodiment described above. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 , the common housing 400 can connect the first assembly 100 and the second assembly 200 positioned on opposite sides of a panel. In this embodiment, the common housing 400 is panel-mounted and has a panel flange 420 that protrudes from an outer surface 410 and can be attached to a panel. In another embodiment, the common housing 400 can be a header of a printed circuit board. In a further embodiment, the common housing 400 can have multiple assembly-receiving passages 408 for mating multiple first assemblies 100 and second assemblies 200, which may have different sizes and numbers of terminals 140, 240.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment of the connector 10, a common central housing 400 can be used to connect various first and second assemblies 100, 200 without requiring any geometric modifications. The interchangeable parts 300 can be used with all variations in terminal 140, 240 sizes and first and second assembly 100, 200 configurations, further increasing flexibility and reducing the need to create unique parts for each configuration. Common features of the housings 110, 210, such as the primary locks 120, 220, simplify the tooling used to manufacture the connector 10, further reducing manufacturing costs. The connector 10 provides a flexible, modular solution that allows for the connection of various assemblies 100, 200 with various terminals 140, 240 at low cost and with low complexity.

Claims

1. A connector (10), a common housing (400); a first assembly (100) received in an assembly receiving passage (408) of the common housing (400); Equipped with a first assembly (100) having a first housing (110) and a first terminal (140) positioned in a first terminal-receiving passage (132) of the first housing (110), the first housing (110) having a first primary lock (120) formed from a portion of an outer surface (116) of the first housing (110), the first primary lock (120) having a free end (124), the free end (124) being flexible relative to the first housing (110) and engaging the first terminal (140) in the first terminal-receiving passage (132), and the common housing (400) limiting the flexibility of the first primary lock (120) when the first assembly (100) is disposed in the assembly-receiving passage (408).

2. 2. The connector (10) of claim 1, further comprising a second assembly (200) received in the assembly receiving passage (408) of the common housing (400) and matable with the first assembly (100) at the assembly receiving passage (408).

3. 3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the second assembly includes a second housing and second terminals positioned in second terminal-receiving passages of the second housing, the second housing having a second primary lock formed from a portion of an outer surface of the second housing, the second primary lock having a free end that is flexible relative to the second housing and engages the second terminals in the second terminal-receiving passages, and the common housing limits flexibility of the second primary lock when the second assembly is disposed in the assembly-receiving passage.

4. The connector (10) of claim 3, wherein the first primary lock (120) is formed identically to the second primary lock (220).

5. 2. The connector (10) of claim 1, wherein the first housing (110) has a positioning mechanism (134) at an end of the first terminal-receiving passage (132) for positioning the first terminal (140) within the first terminal-receiving passage (132), the positioning mechanism (134) being integrally formed with the first housing (110) as a single piece.

6. The connector (10) of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of replaceable parts (300) replaceably positionable in the first housing (110) and the second housing (210).

7. 7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the replaceable part includes a secondary lock movable in the first housing or the second housing between an insertion position and a fixed position, and wherein the secondary lock secures the first terminal in the first terminal-receiving passage or the second terminal in the second terminal-receiving passage at the fixed position.

8. 7. The connector (10) of claim 6, wherein the secondary lock (310) is movable in a direction perpendicular to the first terminal-receiving passage (132) and the second terminal-receiving passage (232) between the insertion position (330) and the secured position (340).

9. 8. The connector (10) of claim 7, wherein the secondary lock (310) comprises a base (312), a fixed arm (314) extending from the base (312), and a deflectable arm (320) extending from the base (312).

10. 10. The connector (10) of claim 9, wherein the fixed arm (314) has a recess (316) that is aligned with the first terminal-receiving passage (132) or the second terminal-receiving passage (232) in the insertion position (330) and overlaps the first terminal-receiving passage (232) or the second terminal-receiving passage (232) in the fixed position (340).

11. 7. The connector (10) of claim 6, wherein the replaceable part (300) includes an inner seal (350), the inner seal (350) being positionable within the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (210) and having a seal passage (352) aligned with the first terminal-receiving passage (132) and / or the second terminal-receiving passage (232).

12. 7. The connector (10) of claim 6, wherein the replaceable part (300) includes an outer seal (360), the outer seal (360) is positioned on the outer surface (116, 216) of the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (210), and the outer seal (360) abuts against the inner surface (406) of the common housing (400) when the first housing (110) and / or the second housing (210) are positioned in the assembly receiving passage (408).

13. The connector (10) of claim 6, wherein the replaceable part (300) includes a backshell (370) connected to the first assembly (100) and / or the second assembly (200).

14. 4. The connector (10) of claim 3, wherein the common housing (400) has a first end (402) and a second end (404), the assembly receiving passage (408) extends between the first end (402) and the second end (404), the first assembly (100) is insertable into either the first end (402) or the second end (404), and the second assembly (200) is insertable into the other of the first end (402) and the second end (404) and mates with the first assembly (100) in the assembly receiving passage (408).

15. 2. The connector (10) of claim 1, wherein the first assembly (100) is one of a plurality of first assemblies (100) interchangeably positionable in the common housing (400), and the first assemblies (100) differ in at least one of the size of the first terminals (140) and the number of first terminals (140) in the first housing (110).

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