Abstract: An electrical connector having a housing for receiving therein at least one terminal; a hinged cover, operably coupled to the housing, for covering the terminal received by the housing; at least a hinge member operably coupled to the housing and the hinged cover; and an independent secondary terminal lock (ISL) within the hinged cover for locking the terminal within the housing when the hinged cover is at a closed position. The ISL blocks the terminal from being removed or dislodged from the housing. The housing and the hinged cover have a locking mechanism that retains and secures the hinged cover onto the housing, and thereby locks the terminal within the housing. Alternatively, the housing and the hinged cover have another locking mechanism that includes a substantially flexible member having an elongated slot and extending from a side portion of the housing for accommodating therein at least an elongated retention member extending from at least a side of the hinged cover.

Abstract: A method for improving clearance and creepage in a male or female high voltage connector assembly using a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device. The high voltage connector assembly is suitable for high voltage electrical terminals. The method includes the steps of allowing a clearance and creepage or electrical path to extend from at least a high voltage electrical terminal to a conductive male outer housing, and or between another terminal using a male or a female TPA device. The TPA device is inserted in the high voltage connector assembly, whereby a clearance and creepage or electrical path extends from the high voltage electrical terminal along at least a surface of the TPA device and to the male outer housing of the high voltage connector assembly or from the high voltage electrical terminal to another high voltage electrical terminal in using the male and or female TPA device.

Abstract: A detachable outer shell, which is comprised of a header connector with a shield member, for a shielded device connector. The header connector with a shield member is detachably assembled, attached, or mounted onto a housing of a shielded device connector, while the shielded device preferably remains connected to an electrical device. A method for detaching the outer shell for the shielded device connector includes the steps of detaching the header connector with the shield member of the outer shell, which may require service, repair or replacement, from the housing of the shielded device; and disassembling or removing the header connector with the shield member of the outer shell from the housing of the shielded device connector, while maintaining connection of the shielded device to the electrical device.

Abstract: A shielded sealed header connector assembly having a detachable header housing, which is comprised of a outer shell and a metal shield member, and inner housing. The header housing is secured on a metal case with bolts and attached with an inner housing. The metal shield member, shields or seals the inner housing from EMI, external damage, either due to physical impact or from environmental contaminants. A method for detaching the header housing includes steps of unsecuring the header housing from the metal case by removing bolts and unlocking it from the inner housing while the inner housing maintains connection to a electrical device. A method for attaching a serviced, repaired, replaced or new header housing includes steps of attaching the header connector to the metal case with bolts; and locking the header connector to the inner housing, while maintaining the connection of the inner housing to the electrical device.

Abstract: A method for improving clearance and creepage in a male or female high voltage connector assembly using a male terminal position assurance (TPA) device. The high voltage connector assembly is suitable for high voltage electrical terminals. The method includes the steps of allowing a clearance and creepage or electrical path to extend from at least a high voltage electrical terminal to a conductive male outer housing, and or between another terminal using a male or a female TPA device. The TPA device is inserted in the high voltage connector assembly, whereby a clearance and creepage or electrical path extends from the high voltage electrical terminal along at least a surface of the TPA device and to the male outer housing of the high voltage connector assembly or from the high voltage electrical terminal to another high voltage electrical terminal in using the male and or female TPA device.

Abstract: A connector system that uses an elastomeric suspension to provide compliance for mating alignment and to provide an axial compression force of the two connector halves. This connector system uses a first connector half mounted to a body and a second connected half that comprises a rigidly mounted outer housing with elastomeric suspension element(s) that suspend an inner connector housing. The outer housing could be mounted to another body in such a way that the mating process of the two connector halves might not be observable. The axial compression force of the two connector halves keeps them tightly mated.

Abstract: Connector apparatus having a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly. The female connector assembly includes a female housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of the male connector assembly with the female connector assembly, and a first terminal position assurance (TPA) member for assuring that terminals for the female connector assembly are positioned properly. The female housing further includes a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus. The female housing has TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls. The male housing has TPA protection ribs.

Abstract: Connector apparatus having a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly. The female connector assembly includes a female housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of the male connector assembly with the female connector assembly, and a first terminal position assurance (TPA) member for assuring that terminals for the female connector assembly are positioned properly. The female housing further includes a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus. The female housing has TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls. The male housing has TPA protection ribs.

Abstract: A connector system that uses an elastomeric suspension to provide compliance for mating alignment and to provide an axial compression force of the two connector halves. This connector system uses a first connector half mounted to a body and a second connected half that comprises a rigidly mounted outer housing with elastomeric suspension element(s) that suspend an inner connector housing. The outer housing could be mounted to another body in such a way that the mating process of the two connector halves might not be observable. The axial compression force of the two connector halves keeps them tightly mated.

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.

Abstract: A connector position assurance device having multiple features for assuring a full coupling and locking of a female housing with a male housing in a connector system, such that the female housing and male housing are placed into a fully coupled and locked position when the connector position assurance device is moved from a pre-lock position to a full-lock position. When the connector position assurance device is at a full-lock position, a first member on the connector position assurance penetrates a window formed on the female housing, and at least one ledge extending from the connector position assurance device prevents a flexible member of the female housing from being moved downward, providing assurance that the female and male housings are fully coupled and locked together.

Abstract: Connector apparatus having a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly. The female connector assembly includes a female housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of the male connector assembly with the female connector assembly, and a first terminal position assurance (TPA) member for assuring that terminals for the female connector assembly are positioned properly. The female housing further includes a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus. The female housing has TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls. The male housing has TPA protection ribs.

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.

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.

Abstract: A connector position assurance device having multiple features for assuring a full coupling and locking of a female housing with a male housing in a connector system, such that the female housing and male housing are placed into a fully coupled and locked position when the connector position assurance device is moved from a pre-lock position to a full-lock position. When the connector position assurance device is at a full-lock position, a first member on the connector position assurance penetrates a window formed on the female housing, and at least one ledge extending from the connector position assurance device prevents a flexible member of the female housing from being moved downward, providing assurance that the female and male housings are fully coupled and locked together.

Abstract: A connector position assurance device having multiple features for assuring a full coupling and locking of a female housing with a male housing in a connector system, such that the female housing and male housing are placed into a fully coupled and locked position when the connector position assurance device is moved from a pre-lock position to a full-lock position. When the connector position assurance device is at a full-lock position, a first member on the connector position assurance penetrates a window formed on the female housing, and at least one ledge extending from the connector position assurance device prevents a flexible member of the female housing from being moved downward, providing assurance that the female and male housings are fully coupled and locked together.

Abstract: Connector apparatus having a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly. The female connector assembly includes a female housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of the male connector assembly with the female connector assembly, and a first terminal position assurance (TPA) member for assuring that terminals for the female connector assembly are positioned properly. The female housing further includes a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus. The female housing has TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls. The male housing has TPA protection ribs.

Abstract: Connector apparatus having a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly. The female connector assembly includes a female housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of the male connector assembly with the female connector assembly, and a first terminal position assurance (TPA) member for assuring that terminals for the female connector assembly are positioned properly. The female housing further includes a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus. The female housing has TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls. The male housing has TPA protection ribs.

Abstract: Method of operating a connector apparatus having a female connector assembly and a male connector assembly. The female connector assembly includes a female housing, a connector position assurance (CPA) member for assuring the engagement of the male connector assembly with the female connector assembly, and a first terminal position assurance (TPA) member for assuring that terminals for the female connector assembly are positioned properly. The female housing further includes a connector latch used to securely hold together a connector apparatus. The female housing has TPA protection ribs and CPA protection walls. The male housing has TPA protection ribs.