TE Connectivity has been granted a patent for a plug connector featuring a housing that accommodates plug contacts for mating with header contacts. It includes an electrical connector position assurance (eCPA) assembly with a movable actuator and a shorting terminal, ensuring a position assurance circuit when mated. GlobalData’s report on TE Connectivity gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on TE Connectivity, Battery management systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. TE Connectivity's grant share as of June 2024 was 65%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Plug connector with position assurance circuit and shorting terminal
The patent US12046858B2 describes a plug connector designed for secure coupling with a header connector, featuring a plug housing that extends from a front to a rear and includes a cavity for plug contacts. These contacts are intended to mate with corresponding header contacts within the header connector. A key component of this design is the electrical connector position assurance (eCPA) assembly, which includes a movable actuator that transitions between retracted and actuated positions. This actuator controls a shorting terminal that can shift between mated and unmated positions, forming a position assurance circuit when the shorting terminal interfaces with fixed terminals in the mated position. The design ensures that the actuator cannot move to the actuated position until the plug housing is securely coupled to the header connector.
Additionally, the actuator features a blocking arm that prevents the latch of the plug housing from moving when in the blocking position, ensuring that the plug housing remains securely attached to the header connector. The shorting terminal is only in the mated position when the blocking arm is engaged, reinforcing the safety mechanism. The eCPA assembly also includes a seal that provides environmental protection between the actuator and the plug housing. The overall design aims to enhance the reliability and safety of electrical connections, making it suitable for various applications where secure and assured connectivity is critical.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
