US-20260128551-A1 - CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE, POSITION-LIMIT MECHANISM THEREOF, AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

US20260128551A1US 20260128551 A1US20260128551 A1US 20260128551A1US-20260128551-A1

Abstract

A connector position assurance includes a base fixed on a connector, a flexible locking arm connected to the base, and a position-limit mechanism. The position-limit mechanism has a limiting base slidably connected with the base in an insertion direction of the connector, a locking position, and an unlocking position. A receiving space for receiving a locking part of a mated connector that mates with the connector is formed between the position-limit mechanism and the base. When the connector is inserted into the mated connector the flexible locking arm is located within the receiving space and engages with the locking part to lock the connector and the mated connector. The limiting base is formed with a pressing portion pressing the flexible locking arm downward to release an engagement between the flexible locking arm and the locking part of the mated connector when the position-limit mechanism is in the unlocking position.

Inventors

Shiyang (Sean) Tan
Zhaowen ZHOU
Jianxiong (Jesse) Li
Leilei (Haley) Xu

Assignees

TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251107
Priority Date: 20241107

Claims (19)

1 . A connector position assurance, comprising: a base fixed on a connector; a flexible locking arm connected to the base; and a position-limit mechanism having a limiting base slidably connected with the base in an insertion direction of the connector, a locking position, and an unlocking position, a receiving space for receiving a locking part of a mated connector that mates with the connector is formed between the position-limit mechanism and the base, when the connector is inserted into the mated connector the flexible locking arm is located within the receiving space and engages with the locking part to lock the connector and the mated connector, the limiting base is formed with a pressing portion pressing the flexible locking arm downward to release an engagement between the flexible locking arm and the locking part of the mated connector when the position-limit mechanism is in the unlocking position.
2 . The connector position assurance of claim 1 , wherein the flexible locking arm has a locking arm body and a locking protrusion protruding from a middle of the locking arm body in the insertion direction, the locking part of the mated connector is formed with a locking hole, the locking protrusion is clamped into the locking hole to lock the connector and the mated connector.
3 . The connector position assurance of claim 2 , wherein a first end of the flexible locking arm adjacent to the mated connector is fixed on the base, the pressing portion presses a portion of the flexible locking arm adjacent to the locking protrusion when the position-limit mechanism is in the unlocking position.
4 . The connector position assurance of claim 3 , wherein the position-limit mechanism has a support portion connected to the limiting base, the support portion supports a second end of the flexible locking arm opposite to the first end of the flexible locking arm when the position-limit mechanism is in the locking position.
5 . The connector position assurance of claim 4 , wherein the flexible locking arm has an extension portion extended from the second end of the flexible locking arm in a plane where the locking arm body is located and perpendicular to the insertion direction, the support portion supports the extension portion of the flexible locking arm when the position-limit mechanism is in the locking position.
6 . The connector position assurance of claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion is connected to one end of the limiting base away from the mated connector via a connecting portion, opposite sides of the pressing portion and the connecting portion in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and one side of the pressing portion away from the connecting portion are separated from the limiting base by a recess.
7 . The connector position assurance of claim 1 , wherein the position-limit mechanism is integrally formed, and an opening is formed in one end of the limiting base away from the mated connector.
8 . The connector position assurance of claim 7 , wherein the position-limit mechanism is formed with a blocking portion at the opening, the blocking portion prevents a tool from entering the receiving space to release the engagement between the flexible locking arm and the locking part of the mated connector.
9 . The connector position assurance of claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion has a pressing body protruding into the receiving space.
10 . The connector position assurance of claim 9 , wherein the pressing portion has an operating portion protruding from the pressing body beyond a top of the limiting base.
11 . A position-limit mechanism for a connector position assurance, comprising: a limiting base slidably connected with a base of the connector position assurance in an insertion direction of a connector, the position-limit mechanism has a locking position and an unlocking position, the limiting base is formed with a pressing portion, the base of the connector position assurance is fixed on the connector, a first end of a flexible locking arm of the connector position assurance is connected to the base, the flexible locking arm is engaged with a locking part of a mated connector when the connector is inserted into the mated connector to lock the connector and the mated connector, the pressing portion presses the flexible locking arm downward to release an engagement between the flexible locking arm and the locking part of the mated connector when the position-limit mechanism is in the unlocking position.
12 . The position-limit mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the pressing portion presses a portion of the flexible locking arm adjacent to a locking protrusion of the flexible locking arm when the position-limit mechanism is in the unlocking position.
13 . The position-limit mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the position-limit mechanism has a support portion connected to the limiting base, and the flexible locking arm has an extension portion extended from a second end of the flexible locking arm opposite to the first end of the flexible locking arm in a plane where a locking arm body of the flexible locking arm is located and perpendicular to the insertion direction, the support portion supports the extension portion of the flexible locking arm when the position-limit mechanism is in the locking position.
14 . The position-limit mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the pressing portion is connected to one end of the limiting base away from the mated connector via a connecting portion, opposite sides of the pressing portion and the connecting portion in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and one side of the pressing portion away from the connecting portion are separated from the limiting base by a recess.
15 . The position-limit mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the position-limit mechanism is integrally formed, and an opening is formed in one end of the limiting base away from the mated connector.
16 . The position-limit mechanism of claim 15 , wherein a blocking portion is formed at the opening, the blocking portion prevents a tool from entering a receiving space to release the engagement between the flexible locking arm and the locking part of the mated connector.
17 . The position-limit mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the pressing portion has a pressing body protruding into a receiving space.
18 . The position-limit mechanism of claim 17 , wherein the pressing portion has an operating portion protruding from the pressing body beyond a top of the limiting base.
19 . A connector assembly, comprising: a connector; a mated connector mated with the connector; and a connector position assurance including a base fixed on the connector, a flexible locking arm connected to the base, and a position-limit mechanism, the position-limit mechanism has a limiting base slidably connected with the base in an insertion direction of the connector, a locking position, and an unlocking position, a receiving space for receiving a locking part of the mated connector is formed between the position-limit mechanism and the base, when the connector is inserted into the mated connector the flexible locking arm is located within the receiving space and engages with the locking part to lock the connector and the mated connector, the limiting base is formed with a pressing portion pressing the flexible locking arm downward to release an engagement between the flexible locking arm and the locking part of the mated connector when the position-limit mechanism is in the unlocking position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) of Chinese Patent Application No. 202422720115.X filed on Nov. 7, 2024, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a connector position assurance and, more particularly, to a connector position assurance, a position-limit mechanism for the connector position assurance, and a connector assembly including the connector position assurance. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A connector assembly typically includes a connector and a mated connector that are connected together, and a connector position assurance (CPA) that prevents separation between the connector and the mated connector. The connector position assurance usually includes a flexible locking arm, which is configured to be engaged with a locking part of the mated connector when the connector is inserted into the mated connector, so as to lock the connector and the mated connector. When unlocking, it is usually necessary to press the flexible locking arm with a finger to separate it from the locking part of the mated connector. However, since the finger directly contacts the flexible locking arm, it is easy for the finger to be cut by the flexible locking arm. Moreover, the flexible locking arm usually deforms after multiple presses, making it difficult to lock and unlock again. In addition, the space required for pressing the flexible locking arm is relatively large, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of the connector position assurance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A connector position assurance includes a base fixed on a connector, a flexible locking arm connected to the base, and a position-limit mechanism. The position-limit mechanism has a limiting base slidably connected with the base in an insertion direction of the connector, a locking position, and an unlocking position. A receiving space for receiving a locking part of a mated connector that mates with the connector is formed between the position-limit mechanism and the base. When the connector is inserted into the mated connector the flexible locking arm is located within the receiving space and engages with the locking part to lock the connector and the mated connector. The limiting base is formed with a pressing portion pressing the flexible locking arm downward to release an engagement between the flexible locking arm and the locking part of the mated connector when the position-limit mechanism is in the unlocking position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, of which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 before assembling; FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1, where a position-limit mechanism of a connector position assurance is in an unlocking position; FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1, where the position-limit mechanism of FIG. 3 is in a locking position; FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1, where the position-limit mechanism of FIG. 3 is in an unlocking position and a pressing portion of the position-limit mechanism is in a pressed condition; and FIG. 6 is a partial schematic view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1, where the connector position assurance of FIG. 3 is shown from another perspective. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Although the present disclosure will be fully described with reference to the drawings containing embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that those skilled in the art may modify the present disclosure described herein and obtain the technical effect of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is necessary to understand that the description is a broad disclosure for those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments described in the present disclosure. In addition, in the following detailed description, for the sake of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may also be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are illustrated schematically in order to simplify the drawing. An exemplary embodiment of a connector position assurance 300 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. The connector position assurance 300 includes a base 310, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, fixed on a connector 100, a flexible locking arm 320, as shown in FIG. 3, connected to the base 310, and a position-limit mechanism 330, as shown in FIG. 3. A receiving space for receiving a locking part 201 of a mated connector 200 that mates with t