Abstract: A numbering scheme for the cavities of a hermaphroditic connector includes indicia on the rear wall of the connector having one or more horizontal rows (n), each row having the same number of cavities (m). A first indicium on the rear face of the rear wall near the cavity at the upper left in a first orientation of the rear wall has an inverted numeral corresponding to the value of ((m)×(n?1)+1)) adjacent to the upright numeral “1.” A second indicium on the rear face of said rear wall near the cavity at the upper right in the first orientation of the rear wall has an upright numeral corresponding to the value of m adjacent to the inverted numeral corresponding to the total number of cavities, which has value m×n. The other cavities may also have indicia following this. The indicia may also contain non-numerical symbols.

Abstract: A numbering scheme for the cavities of a hermaphroditic connector includes indicia on the rear wall of the connector having one or more horizontal rows (n), each row having the same number of cavities (m). A first indicium on the rear face of the rear wall near the cavity at the upper left in a first orientation of the rear wall has an inverted numeral corresponding to the value of ((m)×(n?1)+1)) adjacent to the upright numeral “1.” A second indicium on the rear face of said rear wall near the cavity at the upper right in the first orientation of the rear wall has an upright numeral corresponding to the value of m adjacent to the inverted numeral corresponding to the total number of cavities, which has value m×n. The other cavities may also have indicia following this. The indicia may also contain non-numerical symbols.

Abstract: A catch structure useful for electrical connectors has a main latch arm having two arms and a crossbar in an H shape, connected to a housing, with a primary depression surface on the ends of the arms and a beam protruding from the crossbar having a female catch. The female catch can engage with a corresponding male catch on a mating housing. Depressing the primary depression surface can disengage the catch. The catch structure can be used on hermaphroditic or non-hermaphroditic connectors and is of use in automotive applications.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a terminal carrier lock having a housing defining a cavity or a plurality of cavities. For each cavity, there is a forward stop structure on one side of the cavity and a primary terminal lock on the opposite side of the cavity. The forward stop structure has a terminal forward stop and a pre-lock retention ledge. The corresponding female shroud has a shroud housing defining a cavity or a plurality of cavities, and for each cavity there is a shroud retention feature for engaging the pre-lock retention ledge, and a positive lock retention surface and a terminal position assurance shelf on the inside of the housing facing the cavity. The connector system of the invention provides a terminal position assurance retention feature in each cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a terminal carrier lock having a housing defining a cavity or a plurality of cavities. For each cavity, there is a forward stop structure on one side of the cavity and a primary terminal lock on the opposite side of the cavity. The forward stop structure has a terminal forward stop and a pre-lock retention ledge. The corresponding female shroud has a shroud housing defining a cavity or a plurality of cavities, and for each cavity there is a shroud retention feature for engaging the pre-lock retention ledge, and a positive lock retention surface and a terminal position assurance shelf on the inside of the housing facing the cavity. The connector system of the invention provides a terminal position assurance retention feature in each cavity.

Abstract: An electrical terminal having walls defining a receptacle section with a hollow interior and a blade elastically connected to the bottom wall of the receptacle section, the blade being oriented parallel to the long dimension of the receptacle section and extending out of the open end of the receptacle section. The blade is elastically biased and elastically compressible such that two of the electrical terminals can be connected hermaphroditically facing each other rotated 180° around the connection axis, with the blade of each terminal inserted into the receptacle section of the other terminal. The electrical terminal can be used in automobiles.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector has a housing having a mating portion, including an inner wall and an outer wall in the mating portion of the connector, and including a bottoming surface having at least one cavity for receiving a terminal. The inner wall is integrally made from an inner wall connecting portion and two side portions, and the outer wall is integrally made from an outer wall connecting portion and two side portions. The inner wall is of a shape such that when two of the hermaphroditic connectors are mated, the inner wall of each hermaphroditic connector will fit inside the outer wall of the mating connector. The hermaphroditic connector can be used with hermaphroditic electrical terminals and is useful in automotive applications.

Abstract: A catch structure useful for electrical connectors has a main latch arm having two arms and a crossbar in an H shape, connected to a housing, with a primary depression surface on the ends of the arms and a beam protruding from the crossbar having a female catch. The female catch can engage with a corresponding male catch on a mating housing. Depressing the primary depression surface can disengage the catch. The catch structure can be used on hermaphroditic or non-hermaphroditic connectors and is of use in automotive applications.