Abstract: A dual contact Insulation Displacement Contact (IDC) header pin comprised of an upper section, a lead-in section, and a retention section. The upper section of the pin has at a plurality of pin barbs to allow it to be retained into a housing. The side walls and back of the upper portion create a C-shape to the upper portion. Each IDC header pin has two blades to contact a wire and displace the insulation thereof. The lead-in section serves to lead the IDC header pin into a housing and prevent stubbing of the pin during insertion. The retention section of the pin has a plurality of rib-like projections allowing the pin to be retained into respective holes in a PCB by applying normal force and an interference fit. An embodiment is open, with front protrusions on the upper section, and another embodiment is closed, having two front walls on the upper section.

Abstract: Each IDCC header pin is comprised of an upper section, a pin barb section, and a lower section. Each IDCC header pin has at least a first pin barb on its pin barb section, to allow it to be anchored and retained into a housing. The upper section of each IDCC header pin also has a blade to contact a wire and displace the insulation thereof. The lower section of the pins has an associated compliant retention feature which allows the IDCC header pin to be retained into respective holes in a PCB. A dual contact bent IDCC header pin can include two upper sections which each have a blade and create a dual contact with a wire, and another embodiment can have a two-thickness upper section.

Abstract: A connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of a first connector housing with a second connector housing. The CPA member includes terminals which can conduct electricity through a conductor in the second connector housing when the CPA member is at a full-lock position, due to a closed electrical circuit. The terminals of the CPA member cannot conduct electricity through the conductor in the second connector housing when the CPA member is at a pre-lock position due to an open electrical circuit.

Abstract: A terminal position assurance device (TPA) generally of a “C-shape” design which fits into a housing for an electrical connector, has two arms including a side portion and a ledge portion, and a back portion. The TPA arms flex such that housing breakage is limited. The inward facing surface of each ledge portion has a narrowly tapered shape. The corresponding housing used has a C-shape opening similarly shaped to the TPA. The TPA has stops that engage the housing such that the TPA device can be inserted into the housing at preset and full-lock positions and will not eject out. At a full-lock position, the TPA fully resides in the housing opening completely. The TPA also has associated pads that reduce associated noise with the housing when it is in service.

Abstract: A connector position assurance (CPA) device for assuring the full engagement of a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly in a connector apparatus, and the connector apparatus having the female connector assembly and the male connector assembly engaged together when the CPA device is at a full-lock position. Prior to the CPA device being at a full-lock position, the female connector assembly, with the CPA device at a pre-lock position therein, enters the male connector assembly for engagement thereto. At such time, protruding members of a flexible member of the female connector assembly enter a side elongated slot of the male connector assembly.

Abstract: Method of operating a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus, wherein the connector apparatus has at least a first housing and a second housing which can be mated together. Initially, after the connector latch is manufactured, the connector latch is in an undeflected position. After manufacture, the connector latch is subjected to a pre-mating deflection process, in order to deflect the connector latch into a preloaded position. After the pre-mating deflection process has been completed, the connector latch is locked in the preloaded position. The preloaded connector latch provides a number of desirable characteristics, including at least an extra loud “click” sound when the connecting latch is operated to mate the first housing with the second housing.

Abstract: Method of operating a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus, wherein the connector apparatus has at least a first housing and a second housing which can be mated together. Initially, after the connector latch is manufactured, the connector latch is in an undeflected position. After manufacture, the connector latch is subjected to a pre-mating deflection process, in order to deflect the connector latch into a preloaded position. After the pre-mating deflection process has been completed, the connector latch is locked in the preloaded position. The preloaded connector latch provides a number of desirable characteristics, including at least an extra loud “click” sound when the connecting latch is operated to mate the first housing with the second housing.

Abstract: An adjustable impedance high speed data connector, and methods for assembling and operating thereof. The adjustable impedance high speed data connector of this invention includes a printed circuit board accommodated within, or printed or stamped onto, a tray, the printed circuit board including sets of terminals respectively extending on opposite ends of the printed circuit board. Mounted onto the printed circuit board and electrically connected thereto is at least one electric module having a fixed or adjustable capacitance or a fixed or adjustable inductance, which may be combined in any desired combination to achieve a desired impedance for the connector. By adjusting the variable capacitance or inductance of the electric module (or the variable combinations of capacitance and/or inductance of a plurality of electric modules), the impedance within the connector is adjustable for allowing the connector to operate at various ranges of bandwidths.

Abstract: A connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of a female housing with a male housing. The CPA member includes arms designed to stably and securely fit with apertures formed by the female housing. Also, the female housing includes a connector latch which engages with the CPA member and which used to securely hold together the female housing and the male housing.

Abstract: Electrical connector with low profile connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of a female housing with a male housing. The female housing forms apertures designed to stably and securely receive the low profile CPA member. Also, the female housing includes a connector latch used to securely hold together the female housing and the male housing.

Abstract: Method of operating a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus, wherein the connector apparatus has at least a first housing and a second housing which can be mated together. Initially, after the connector latch is manufactured, the connector latch is in an undeflected position. After manufacture, the connector latch is subjected to a pre-mating deflection process, in order to deflect the connector latch into a preloaded position. After the pre-mating deflection process has been completed, the connector latch is locked in the preloaded position. The preloaded connector latch provides a number of desirable characteristics, including at least an extra loud “click” sound when the connecting latch is operated to mate the first housing with the second housing.

Abstract: Connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus, such that the connector apparatus has at least a first connector assembly and a second connector assembly which can be mated together. Initially, after the connector latch is manufactured, the connector latch is in an undeflected position. After manufacture, the connector latch is subjected to a pre-mating deflection process, in order to move the connector latch into a preloaded position. After the pre-mating deflection process has been completed, the connector latch is locked in the preloaded position. The preloaded connector latch provides a number of desirable characteristics, including at least an extra loud “click” sound when the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly are mated together.

Abstract: An Insulation Displacement Contact Compliant connector system (IDCC) which includes a housing, header pins, and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Each header pin has at least a single barb to be retained into the housing. Each pin has a blade for contacting a wire. A compliant feature on the pin retains itself into holes in the PCB. The housing has a negative space similarly shaped to the pin. The housing includes a strain relief which provides a lead-in for a wire. When the system is fully assembled, the pins reside in the housing, and exit through the housing and into and through respective holes in the PCB. A wire can be inserted into the housing once the pins reside in the housing. There are several options for the assembly process including a) a pin-to-housing insertion process; b) a housing assembly-to-PCB process or a connector-to-PCB process; and c) a wired housing assembly-to-PCB assembly process or a wire harness-to-PCB assembly process.

Abstract: A terminal position assurance device (TPA) generally of a “C-shape” design which fits into a housing for an electrical connector, has two arms including a side portion and a ledge portion, and a back portion. The TPA arms flex such that housing breakage is limited. The inward facing surface of each ledge portion has a narrowly tapered shape. The corresponding housing used has a C-shape opening similarly shaped to the TPA. The TPA has stops that engage the housing such that the TPA device can be inserted into the housing at preset and full-lock positions and will not eject out. At a full-lock position, the TPA fully resides in the housing opening completely. The TPA also has associated pads that reduce associated noise with the housing when it is in service.

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: An adjustable impedance high speed data connector, and methods for assembling and operating thereof. The adjustable impedance high speed data connector of this invention includes a printed circuit board accommodated within, or printed or stamped onto, a tray, the printed circuit board including sets of terminals respectively extending on opposite ends of the printed circuit board. Mounted onto the printed circuit board and electrically connected thereto is at least one electric module having a fixed or adjustable capacitance or a fixed or adjustable inductance, which may be combined in any desired combination to achieve a desired impedance for the connector. By adjusting the variable capacitance or inductance of the electric module (or the variable combinations of capacitance and/or inductance of a plurality of electric modules), the impedance within the connector is adjustable for allowing the connector to operate at various ranges of bandwidths.

Abstract: Electrical connector apparatus can have at least two pins, at least one side slot, and at least one latch, facilitating a secure physical connection and a secure electrical connection with a printed circuit board or other unit. The electrical connector apparatus can be a non-staggered dual row surface mount terminal connector.

Abstract: Connector apparatus having a male connector assembly, a female connector assembly, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device. The connector position assurance (CPA) device is inserted into one of the connector assemblies to lock the male connector assembly and female connector assembly together as an additional locking assurance.