US 12,266,891 B2
Electrical connector with a clamping connector lock
John Morello, Warren, OH (US); and James M. Rainey, Warren, OH (US)
Assigned to Aptiv Technologies AG, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed by Aptiv Technologies AG, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/851,300.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/312,506, filed on Feb. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0268692 A1, Aug. 24, 2023
Int. Cl. H01R 13/641 (2006.01); H01R 13/627 (2006.01); H01R 13/639 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 13/641 (2013.01) [H01R 13/6277 (2013.01); H01R 13/639 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:
a first electrical connector housing configured to retain an electrical terminal, the first electrical connector housing having a first shroud surrounding the electrical terminal;
a second electrical connector housing configured to retain a mating electrical terminal, the second electrical connector housing having a second shroud surrounding the mating electrical terminal configured to be received within the first shroud, the second electrical connector housing comprising a circular band in which the first shroud is received, the circular band defining a gap therein and configured to apply a circumferential clamping force to the first shroud when the gap is narrowed by a lateral force applied to the second electrical connector housing, thereby decreasing an effective internal diameter of the circular band; and
a sliding member attached to the second electrical connector housing that is movable in a longitudinal direction, the sliding member defining a first ramped surface and the second electrical connector housing defines a second ramped surface that cooperates with the first ramped surface to translate a longitudinal force applied to the sliding member to the lateral force applied to the second electrical connector housing, the sliding member being held in a position until released to move in the longitudinal direction by a lock nib defined by the first shroud as the second shroud is inserted within the first shroud.