Electrical connectors – Coupling part including flexing insulation – Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-02-06
Patel, T. C. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part including flexing insulation
Hinged or flexed detent on insulation engaging to secure...
C439S752000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183299
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to an electrical connector assembly that can be used in a motor vehicle that would permit an external electronic apparatus, such as a cellular telephone, to access the electrical system of vehicle. Furthermore this invention is related to an electrical connector assembly in which one of the electrical connectors is of the type that would be connected to an external cord extending from an external electronic component, and the other electrical connector is of the type that would be permanently attached to a vehicle wiring harness and would include secondary locking and terminal position assurance means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrical connectors for use in motor vehicles and automobiles employ certain characteristics that differ form electrical connectors that are used for electronic devices such as cellular telephones. For example, electrical connectors that are employed with automotive wiring harnesses must be robust and reliable and must simplify installation. On the other hand electrical connectors that are used for portable electronic devices are generally attached to and detachable from external cords and space and size are significant constraints. For example, signal currents in automobiles are typically carried by 20-22 AWG wires and terminals are typically located on centerline spacings of 2.54-5.5 mm. On the other hand signal wires for use with portable electronic devices often employ 26 to 28 AWG wires and terminals are typically located on centerline spacings of less than 2.54 mm. The different sizes and different environments in which these electrical connectors are used therefore result in different features being employed in each. For example, secondary locks and terminal position assurance members are often used on electrical connectors used for motor vehicle applications in order to prevent wiring errors and discontinuities during the installation of wiring harnesses. Electrical connectors used for portable electronic devices often employ overmolded strain reliefs between an external cord and the electrical connector housing.
Many portable electronic devices are commonly employed by the occupants of a motor vehicle. Cellular telephones are perhaps the most common. Even though these commonly available portable electronic devices are employed by occupants of motor vehicles, they seldom employ or take advantage of the vehicle's electrical system or of components of the vehicle's electrical system, such as antennas and speakers, or of components, such as microphones that can be easily installed in a vehicle's electrical system. For example, the only use made by a conventional cellular telephone of a vehicle's electrical system is the use of the electrical power supply. An adapter is commonly used to connect the cellular telephone base to the vehicle's electrical power supply through a cigarette lighter.
A connector interface between a vehicle's electrical system and portable electronic devices of various types is desirable. However, such an interface would not be satisfactory unless it could employ the desirable aspects of electrical connections for both permanent automotive wiring installations and those used with existing and anticipated portable electronic devices. An important factor is that the benefits of secondary locking and terminal position assurance members that are employed with existing automotive connectors should be included in a connector assembly that is substantially the same size as those employed with portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electrical connector assembly suitable for use by an occupant to connect and disconnect an electronic apparatus to an electrical system in a motor vehicle should include terminals in the permanently mounted vehicle connector that are not exposed. Such a system would include a plug connector attached to the electronic apparatus with male terminals or pins. A receptacle electrical connector, matable with the plug connector would be mounted in the motor vehicle in a position accessible by an occupant of the motor vehicle. The receptacle connector would include receptacle terminals that are only exposed through openings for receiving pins on the plug connector. This receptacle electrical connector includes primary locks securing the receptacle terminals in the receptacle connector and a secondary lock providing an additional means for securing the receptacle terminals in the receptacle connector.
An electrical connector permanently mounted in the vehicle for connecting a cellular telephone to a wiring harness in a motor vehicle would employ a housing with receptacle terminals secured in the housing by terminal latches comprising extensions of the housing. These receptacle terminals are accessible through a front surface by pin terminals in a mating electrical connector attached to the cellular telephone. A coaxial terminal in the housing connects an antenna in the motor vehicle to the cellular telephone. A terminal position assurance member is shiftable into a fully assembled position behind the terminal latches on the housing only when receptacle terminals are fully inserted into the housing.
This electrical connector assembly connects an electronic component to an apparatus, such as an antenna or microphone in the system. The first electrical connector is attached to wires extending from the electronic component including a plurality of pin terminals in at least one row. The pin terminals are positioned in multiple groups of multiple pin terminals, and separate groups of pin terminals are separated by internal walls extending perpendicular to the row of pin terminals. The second electrical connector is attached to the apparatus or motor vehicle and includes a plurality of receptacle terminals, also in at least one row, positioned in multiple groups of receptacle terminals. Adjacent groups of receptacle terminals are separated by slots extending perpendicular to the row of receptacle terminals. The slots are configured to receive the internal walls when the first and second electrical connectors are mated.
An electrical connector assembly incorporating these features is therefore suitable for use with existing portable electronic devices and can also retain advantageous features of automotive harness connectors in a connector that employs terminals positioned on the centerlines characteristic of portable electronic devices.
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European Search Report, Application No. 99 30 3913.
Hoelscher Wolfgang
Ward Bobby Gene
Patel T. C.
The Whitaker Corporation
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