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EP0907223A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Self aligning electrical connector

Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn Inc
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Filing: 1998-09-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-09-30
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Abstract

Abstract Several self aligning electrical connectors assemblies are disclosed. The assemblies include two halves which are connected together and in which at least one member is movable relative to the other during connection. Spring members bias the two members to a desired position to ensure the two members are held in a desired position after connection, and returned from any position of movement that may have occurred during the connection.

Inventors

  • 👤 Dhirendra C. Roy

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 21:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/631; H01R13/6315; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/26

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 95 words
A vehicle component and electrical connector assembly comprising: a first vehicle component receiving a first electrical connector half having an electrical connector portion, a mount portion connecting said first electrical connector half to said first component, and a spring member fixed to said mount portion and biasing said electrical connector portion to a position within said first component; a second vehicle component receiving a second electrical connector half adapted to fit into said first connector half; said spring member permitting movement of said first and said second halves respectively, as said connector halves are connected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 21 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 1, wherein said second half also has a spring member biasing an electrical connector portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 1, wherein said spring member has a tapered shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 1, wherein said spring member is also integrally connected to said connector portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of spring members connecting said mount portion to said connector portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 43 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 1, wherein there are spring members on opposed sides of said connector portion and said spring members have a generally U-shape extending away from said connector portion in a direction away from said second electrical connector half.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 1, wherein said first electrical connector portion is unconnected to said spring member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 51 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 7, wherein said first electrical connection portion has projections and a tab extending beyond said projections in a direction away from said second half, said projection being received under said spring members, and said tab preventing movement of said first half beyond said spring members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
An assembly as recited in Claim 8, wherein there are a pair of said spring members on opposed sides of said first half, said spring members biased away from said second half by said projections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 90 words
An electrical connector comprising: a first half including a mount portion for securing said first half to a component, a plurality of spring members fixed to said mount portion, and a connection portion biased to a desired position by said spring members; and a second connector half, said second connector half and said first connector half having electrical connections which are brought into mating connection with each other, with said spring members holding said first half at a desired position after said electrical connections have been brought into mating connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in Claim 10, wherein said second half also includes spring members biasing said second half to a desired position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
An electrical connection as recited in Claim 10, wherein there are a plurality of spring members on opposed sides of said first half.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
An electrical connector as recited in Claim 10, wherein said spring members are also fixed to said first half connector portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
An electrical connection as recited in Claim 10, wherein said spring members are separate from said connector portion of said first half.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 110 words
A vehicle component and electrical connector assembly comprising: a first vehicle component receiving a first electrical connector half having electrical connector portion, said component having a mount portion mounting a first piece of said first electrical connector half, and spring members being connected to said mount portion, said electrical connector portion being a separate second piece, said spring members holding said electrical connector portion against a surface of said first vehicle component; a second vehicle component receiving a second electrical connector half interfitted into said connector portion of said first connector half, said spring member permitting movement of said first connector half connection portion relative to said second connector half.

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