Connector having a housing with a pair of engagement arms and catch members

摘要

A connector is disclosed for use in automotive applications, which has improved retention capabilities. The connector includes a body portion that supports an array of conductive terminals. An outer housing is molded over the body portion and the terminal termination area to form an exterior protective housing of the connector. The protective housing of the connector is provided with a pair of engagement arms formed on the exterior of the protective housing. The arms are connected to the housing at their opposite ends and are formed with an intervening space between them and the housing. The space is configured to provide an outward bias force on the engagement arms such that when the connector is inserted into a receiving frame, the engagement arms are biased outwardly to press against sidewalls of the receiving frame and retain the connector in place therein without the need for additional latches or O-rings.

主权项

1. A connector for insertion into a receiving frame, the connector comprising:
a cable, the cable enclosing a plurality of wires; a plurality of conductive terminals, the terminals terminated to the cable wires at a termination area, the terminals being supported by, and the termination area being enclosed by, an internal body portion of the connector, the internal body portion including a premolded mass of material; and a protective housing enclosing the termination area, the housing including a pair of engagement arms and at least one catch member, the engagement arms extending lengthwise from parallel sides of the connector, each engagement arm including a backbone portion, each backbone portion terminating in two opposing ends, each backbone portion being spaced from the housing by an intervening opening, the opening having a configuration that biases the backbone portion outwardly from the housing, urging the connector rearward, each catch member extending from a top side of the connector, the top side being perpendicular to the parallel sides; wherein the engagement arms and each catch member serve to affix the housing within the frame both horizontally and vertically, and centers the housing horizontally within the frame.