Abstract: An electrical male terminal of this invention includes a clamp or crimp area, a main body, and a blade. A tang member having a lever member, locks with a connector assembly. Protruding members and support members of the main body act as overstress protection. The main body includes a tapered portion, a protruding guide member, and a panel shield member to guide the electrical male terminal, the panel shield member protecting the protruding guide member. The polarity of the electrical male terminal is such that the upper portion of the main body in the upper portion of the connector assembly is narrower than the lower portion of the main body in the lower portion of the connector assembly. Also, this invention includes methods for securing a wire or cable with the electrical male terminal, using a pair of wire-insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimp wing portions, and a pair of wire-clamping tabs or core crimp wing portions.

Abstract: An electrical female terminal for mating with a connector assembly generally including a main body, a two-bodied spring, and a wire fastening portion. The two-bodied spring includes two members to provide spring force to impinge upon and mate the terminal with a male pin or male terminal, or further “blade-like” object. A guide member directs and “self-corrects” the insertion of a male pin or male terminal, or further “blade-like” object into the electrical female terminal. The main body further includes a tang member with overstress protection which fastens and locks the terminal within a connector housing. The main body has support members at either end thereof. The terminal has a polarity defined by the main body and for proper mating with a corresponding housing. The electrical female terminal also may accommodate a TPA device within a space above the wire fastening portion and located behind the main body.

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 system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism (10) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch (50) and attached latch lock (54) after the latch lock (54) has been engaged to secure the first connector to a second connector. The latch stop mechanism (10) may be attached to the connector housing (80) and have a series of hinges (12), (16) that allow a latch stop mechanism (10) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch (50) and latch lock (54). A terminal position assurance (TPA) (30) may be located on the bottom of the connector main body and when engaged, ensures proper positioning of the engaged wire terminal.

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 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: 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 system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism (10) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch (50) and attached latch lock (54) after the latch lock (54) has been engaged to secure the first connector (2) to a second connector (1). The latch stop (10) mechanism may be attached to the connector housing (80) and have a series of hinges (12), (16) that allow a latch stop (10) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch (50) and latch lock (54).

Abstract: A system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism (10) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch (50) and attached latch lock (54) after the latch lock (54) has been engaged to secure the first connector to a second connector. The latch stop (10) mechanism may be attached to the connector housing (80) and have a series of hinges (12), (16) that allow a latch stop (10) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch (50) and latch lock (54). A terminal position assurance (TPA) (30) may be located on the bottom of the connector main body and when engaged, ensures proper positioning of the engaged wire terminal.

Abstract: A system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism (10) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch (50) and attached latch lock (54) after the latch lock (54) has been engaged to secure the first connector to a second connector. The latch stop (10) mechanism may be attached to the connector housing (80) and have a series of hinges (12), (16) that allow a latch stop (10) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch (50) and latch lock (54).

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a terminal position assurance (TPA) device is placed in-line with the TPA itself. The locking mechanism includes a pre-locking head and a final locking head. The final locking head is shorter than and face in an opposite direction from the pre-locking head. The orientation and geometry of the locking mechanism ensures a secure engagement of the TPA with the electrical connector assembly. Further, according to at least one embodiment, at least two pre-lock mechanisms and only a single final-lock mechanism may be provided for the locking mechanism to ensure a secure engagement of the TPA with the connector assembly without a false-positive engagement.

Abstract: A system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism (10) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch (50) and attached latch lock (54) after the latch lock (54) has been engaged to secure the first connector to a second connector. The latch stop mechanism (10) may be attached to the connector housing (80) and have a series of hinges (12), (16) that allow a latch stop mechanism (10) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch (50) and latch lock (54). A terminal position assurance (TPA) (30) may be located on the bottom of the connector main body and when engaged, ensures proper positioning of the engaged wire terminal.

Abstract: A system and method are described for improved connector position assurance. A latch stop mechanism (10) on a first connector may be used to selectively limit movement of a latch (50) and attached latch lock (54) after the latch lock (54) has been engaged to secure the first connector to a second connector. The latch stop (10) mechanism may be attached to the connector housing (80) and have a series of hinges (12), (16) that allow a latch stop (10) to pivot into place, limiting movement of the latch (50) and latch lock (54). A terminal position assurance (TPA) (30) may be located on the bottom of the connector main body and when engaged, ensures proper positioning of the engaged wire terminal.