TE Connectivity has been granted a patent for a plug connector featuring a right-angle contact assembly, a plug housing with perpendicular mating and cable ends, and a latch mechanism for secure coupling to a mating connector. The design enhances connectivity and stability in electrical applications. 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 July 2024 was 65%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Right-angle plug connector with latch mechanism

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: TE Connectivity Ltd

The patent US12074396B2 describes a plug connector designed for efficient connectivity in electronic applications. The connector features a plug housing with a mating end and a cable end, where the cable end is oriented perpendicularly to the mating end. The housing includes a mating chamber and a cable chamber, along with a cable exit. A contact assembly is integrated into the housing, comprising an array of right-angle contacts, each with a mating end for connection to a mating connector and a terminating end for attachment to a cable conductor. Additionally, the connector incorporates a latch mechanism that secures the connection, featuring a main body with an actuator and a latch member that includes a latching tab for engagement with the mating connector.

Further details of the latch mechanism reveal a sophisticated design that includes a support beam and a preload tab, which enhances the stability and reliability of the connection. The latch can be actuated via a push button or pull tab, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement. The design also accommodates multiple latching tabs for added security and features such as a lance pocket for retention within the housing. The contacts are configured to bend at a 90-degree angle within the cable chamber, ensuring that the cable extends in a linear fashion, perpendicular to the mating ends. This innovative plug connector design aims to improve the functionality and ease of use in various electronic applications.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on TE Connectivity, buy the report here.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

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.