IP Library Granted Patent US 12,614,876
Granted Patent B2
US 12,614,876 · App. 18/361,002 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Housing assembly for an electric connector with a mating aid as well as electric connector and connector assembly

Inventors: Christian Boemmel (Bensheim, DE); Juergen Sauer (Bensheim, DE); Torsten Sieler (Bensheim, DE)
Assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
H01R13/62933H01R13/4362H01R13/639
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,614,876
App. No.
18/361,002
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A housing assembly for an electrical connector that can be plugged together with a mating connector along a plugging direction includes a connector housing, a mating aid arranged on the connector housing and movable between an initial position and a final position, and a securing element arranged on the mating aid and movable between a secured position and a release position. The mating aid has a drive section engaging the mating connector to move the mating connector into a state in which the mating connector is plugged together with the electrical connector. The securing element in the secured position engages the connector housing and in the release position is disengaged from the connector housing. The securing element in the secured position is accessible for the mating connector from outside of the housing assembly and is movable to the release position by the mating connector.

Claims (25)

1 . A housing assembly for an electrical connector that can be plugged together with a mating connector along a plugging direction, comprising:

a connector housing;

a mating aid arranged on the connector housing and movable between an initial position and a final position; and

a securing element arranged on the mating aid and movable between a secured position and a release position, the mating aid has a drive section engaging the mating connector to move the mating connector into a state in which the mating connector is plugged together with the electrical connector, the securing element in the secured position engages the connector housing and in the release position is disengaged from the connector housing, the securing element in the secured position is accessible for the mating connector from outside of the housing assembly and is movable to the release position by the mating connector.

2 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mating aid is secured in the initial position by the securing element disposed in the secured position.

3 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mating aid is secured in the final position by the securing element disposed in the secured position.

4 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securing element is movable with and relative to the mating aid.

5 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securing element is guided at least in section in or at the mating aid.

6 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mating aid is penetrated at least in sections by the securing element.

7 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securing element is latchable in the secured position at the mating aid and/or at the connector housing.

8 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securing element is latchable in the release position at the mating aid and/or at the connector housing.

9 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mating aid is a control lever that is pivotable at the connector housing.

10 . The housing assembly of claim 9 , wherein the securing element is connected in a motion-transmitting manner to a lever extension that is movable relative to the control lever.

11 . The housing assembly of claim 10 , wherein the lever extension in the release position of the securing element protrudes at the control lever.

12 . The housing assembly of claim 11 , wherein the securing element is monolithically connected to the lever extension.

13 . The housing assembly of claim 11 , wherein the lever extension in the release position of the securing element protrudes further at the control lever than in the secured position of the securing element.

14 . The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securing element and/or the mating aid is U-shaped at least in sections.

15 . The housing assembly of claim 14 , wherein the securing element and/or the mating aid engage around the connector housing at least in sections.

16 . An electrical connector, comprising:

a housing assembly including a connector housing, a mating aid arranged on the connector housing and movable between an initial position and a final position, and a securing element arranged on the mating aid and movable between a secured position and a release position, the mating aid has a drive section engaging a mating connector to move the mating connector into a state in which the mating connector is plugged together with the electrical connector, the securing element in the secured position engages the connector housing and in the release position is disengaged from the connector housing, the securing element in the secured position is accessible for the mating connector from outside of the housing assembly and is movable to the release position by the mating connector; and

an electrical contact element arranged in the connector housing.

17 . A connector assembly, comprising:

an electrical connector including a housing assembly and an electrical contact element, the housing assembly has a connector housing, a mating aid arranged on the connector housing and movable between an initial position and a final position, and a securing element arranged on the mating aid and movable between a secured position and a release position, the mating aid has a drive section, the securing element in the secured position engages the connector housing and in the release position is disengaged from the connector housing, the electrical contact element is arranged in the connector housing; and

a mating connector pluggable together with the electrical connector, the mating connector has a driven section engaging with the drive section of the mating aid, the drive section moves the mating connector into a state in which the mating connector is plugged together with the electrical connector, the securing element in the secured position is accessible for the mating connector from outside of the housing assembly and is movable to the release position by the mating connector, the mating connector bears against the securing element when the electrical connector and the mating connector are plugged together.

18 . The connector assembly of claim 17 , wherein, when the driven section of the mating connector engages the drive section of the mating aid, the securing element is automatically moved from the secured position to the release position.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2026
From: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
To: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 074649/0939 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2023
From: BOEMMEL, CHRISTIAN; SAUER, JUERGEN; SIELER, TORSTEN
To: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 064431/0551 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102022118993.7 · Jul 28, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240039211A1 · Feb 1, 2024
References Cited (17)
US 6793522B2 · Yamashita · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 20180342834A1 · Amerio · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20190081438A1 · Yamane · 2019 [cited by examiner]
EP 3249759A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
FR 2962857A1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
JP H07220805A · 1995 [cited by applicant]
JP 200322874A · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2010146950A · 2010 [cited by examiner]
WO 2012007343A1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021028294A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
English translation of JP 2010146950 (Year: 2025). [cited by examiner]
English translation of JP2010146950A (Year: 2025). [cited by examiner]
Office Action from Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt dated May 17, 2023, corresponding to Application No. 10 2022 118 993.7, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
Korean Office Action dated Sep. 25, 2024 with English translation, corresponding to Application No. 10-2023-0098093, 16 pages. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report dated Dec. 6, 2023, corresponding to Application No. 23188122.8-1201, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
European Patent Office Examination Report dated Dec. 16, 2025, corresponding to Application No. 23 188 122.8-1201, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
Indian Office Action dated Jan. 28, 2026, corresponding to Application No. 202344049932, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]