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.

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.

Abstract: Terminal position assurance (TPA) member used in a connector, to make sure that a terminal is positioned properly. The TPA member has at least one locating/guide feature to provide proper guidance and to avoid an imbalance during engagement with a connector housing, and has at least one flexible feature to help retain the TPA member in a preset position and/or a final lock position.

Abstract: An electrical connector apparatus with a protected terminal position assurance device (TPA) provided in the male housing and the female housing, the male housing having a TPA for connecting thereto at least a set of terminals, and the female housing having a TPA for connecting thereto at least a set of terminals. Specifically, the male housing and the female housing of the electrical connector apparatus are designed with ribs and other protective features to prevent the TPA from moving from a pre-set position to a final lock position during shipping and/or handling. The ribs and other protective features of the male housing and the female housing ensure a physical barrier from any contact with the TPA which may alter the position of the TPA.

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: 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: 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 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 first connector assembly and the second connector assembly are mated together.

Abstract: A multi-directional wiring routing device and method for operating thereof removably or permanently connects to a female housing of an electrical connector system. The multi-directional wiring routing device secures thereon and directs the wiring, at any desired routing direction, the wiring extending from the female housing. The wiring routing device includes an end portion having a substantially diamond-shape configuration portion, which is fitted into a corresponding substantially diamond-shape opening of the female housing of the electrical connector system. While maintaining the optimal performance of the electrical connector system, a bundle of wiring thereof can be neatly secured and efficiently routed towards any desired direction with the use of the multi-directional wiring routing device.

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 self-rejecting connector apparatus ensures that the connector apparatus of the present invention become fully engaged or fully locked when a rejection force, which pushes connector locks out of any partial-lock or partial-mate condition, ceases to be generated. A specially-shaped spring element, which is used to generate the rejection force, is blocked from being removed from the connector apparatus of this invention until the connector apparatus is fully engaged or fully locked.

Abstract: A multi-directional wiring routing device and method for operating thereof removably or permanently connects to a female housing of an electrical connector system. The multi-directional wiring routing device secures thereon and directs the wiring, at any desired routing direction, the wiring extending from the female housing. The wiring routing device includes an end portion having a substantially diamond-shape configuration portion, which is fitted into a corresponding substantially diamond-shape opening of the female housing of the electrical connector system. While maintaining the optimal performance of the electrical connector system, a bundle of wiring thereof can be neatly secured and efficiently routed towards any desired direction with the use of the multi-directional wiring routing device.

Abstract: A self-rejecting connector apparatus ensures that the connector apparatus of the present invention become fully engaged or fully locked when a rejection force, which pushes connector locks out of any partial-lock or partial-mate condition, ceases to be generated. A specially-shaped spring element, which is used to generate the rejection force, is blocked from being removed from the connector apparatus of this invention until the connector apparatus is fully engaged or fully locked.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a housing; a slide slidably mounted to the housing, wherein the slide comprises a rack section with teeth; a cam member and a connector position assurance (CPA) member. The cam member is rotatably mounted to the housing. The cam member comprises a caming surface adapted to contact a cam portion of a mating electrical connector. The cam member comprises a gear section with teeth engaging the teeth of the slide. The CPA member is movably connected to the housing. The CPA member is adapted to directly engage the cam member for preventing the cam member for rotating relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector sub-assembly including a housing having at least one electrical contact receiving area configured to receive an electrical contact; and a terminal position assurance (TPA) member located on a front section of the housing. The TPA member is laterally movable on the front section between an unlocked position and a locked position. The TPA member comprises two spaced sections configured to lock the electrical contact in the electrical contact receiving area at two spaced locations when the TPA member is moved to the locked position. This prevents unintentional withdrawal of the electrical contact from the electrical contact receiving area.

Abstract: An electrical connector sub-assembly including a housing having at least one electrical contact receiving area configured to receive an electrical contact; and a terminal position assurance (TPA) member located on a front section of the housing. The TPA member is laterally movable on the front section between an unlocked position and a locked position. The TPA member comprises two spaced sections configured to lock the electrical contact in the electrical contact receiving area at two spaced locations when the TPA member is moved to the locked position. This prevents unintentional withdrawal of the electrical contact from the electrical contact receiving area.

Abstract: An electrical connector sub-assembly including a housing having at least one electrical contact receiving area configured to receive an electrical contact; and a terminal position assurance (TPA) member located on a front section of the housing. The TPA member is laterally movable on the front section between an unlocked position and a locked position. The TPA member comprises two spaced sections configured to lock the electrical contact in the electrical contact receiving area at two spaced locations when the TPA member is moved to the locked position. This prevents unintentional withdrawal of the electrical contact from the electrical contact receiving area.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a housing; a slide slidably mounted to the housing, wherein the slide comprises a rack section with teeth; a cam member and a connector position assurance (CPA) member. The cam member is rotatably mounted to the housing. The cam member comprises a caming surface adapted to contact a cam portion of a mating electrical connector. The cam member comprises a gear section with teeth engaging the teeth of the slide. The CPA member is movably connected to the housing. The CPA member is adapted to directly engage the cam member for preventing the cam member for rotating relative to the housing.