IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,725,976
Granted Patent B2
US 12,725,976 · App. 18/683,717 · Granted Sep 1, 2026

Encoding device and connector insert assembly

Inventor: Kenny Hu (Zhuhai, CN)
Assignee: HARTING ELECTRIC STIFTUNG & CO. KG
H01R13/6453
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 12,725,976
App. No.
18/683,717
Granted
Sep 1, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An encoding device is provided that includes a first encoding part and a second encoding part which are attached to a connector insert assembly, wherein the first encoding part is detachably installed in the first connector insert of the connector insert assembly, and wherein the second encoding part is detachably installed in the second connector insert of the connector insert assembly, and wherein the first encoding part includes a first mating part which is located at the front end of the first encoding part in the insertion direction, and wherein the second encoding part includes a second mating part which is located at the front end of the second encoding part in the insertion direction, and wherein the first mating part and the second mating part are arranged such that, when the first connector insert is inserted into the second connector insert, the first mating part and the second mating part can only fit together in a single orientation in order to prevent mismatching between the first connector insert and the second connector insert. A connector insert assembly with such an encoding device is also provided. The encoding device prevents mismatching between the connector inserts and makes it possible for the installation of the connector insert assembly to be simplified.

Claims (15)

1 . An encoding device, comprising:

a first encoding part; and

a second encoding part, which are attached to a connector insert assembly,

wherein the first encoding part is configured to be detachably installed in a first connector insert of the connector insert assembly in an insertion direction of the first connector insert that is oriented from a rear base end of the first connector insert to a front mating end of the first connector insert,

wherein the second encoding part is configured to be detachably installed in a second connector insert of the connector insert assembly in an insertion direction of the second connector insert that is oriented from a rear base end of the second connector insert to a front mating end of the second connector insert, and

wherein the first encoding part comprises a first mating part located at a front end of the first encoding part in an insertion direction of the first encoding part, and wherein the second encoding part comprises a second mating part located at a front end of the second encoding part in an insertion direction of the second encoding part, and wherein the first mating part and the second mating part are arranged such that, when the first connector insert is inserted into the second connector insert, the first mating part and the second mating part can only fit together in a single orientation to prevent mismatching between the first connector insert and the second connector insert.

2 . The encoding device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first mating part is configured as a slot that extends in the insertion direction of the first encoding part, wherein the second mating part is configured as a projection that extends in the insertion direction of the second encoding part, and wherein, when the projection is inserted into the slot, a rotation between the first encoding part and the second encoding part is prevented.

3 . The encoding device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the slot is configured as an elongate T-shaped groove, wherein the projection is configured as an elongate T-shaped projection, and wherein an extension of the T-shaped projection in the insertion direction is smaller than an extension of the T-shaped groove in the insertion direction.

4 . The encoding device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first encoding part and the second encoding part each comprise a guide part, wherein the guide parts guide the first encoding part and the second encoding part into the corresponding connector insert.

5 . The encoding device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the guide parts are each projections arranged on a periphery of the first encoding part and of the second encoding part, wherein the projections are each arranged close to a rear end of the first encoding part and of the second encoding part in the insertion direction, and wherein the projections fit into cut-outs in the corresponding connector insert, and wherein, when the first connector insert is inserted into the second connector insert, a front end of the projections in the insertion direction is blocked by a blocking part on the corresponding connector insert in order to prevent the first encoding part and the second encoding part being inserted further in the insertion direction.

6 . The encoding device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first encoding part and the second encoding part each comprise a locking part in order to lock the first encoding part and the second encoding part in the corresponding connector insert.

7 . The encoding device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the locking parts are each situated on the rear end of the first encoding part and of the second encoding part in the insertion direction, wherein the locking parts are each formed in multiple elastic pieces, which are adjacent to one another, and wherein, when the first encoding part and the second encoding part are inserted into a correct position in the corresponding connector insert, the locking parts lock the first encoding part and the second encoding part in an axial direction on the corresponding connector insert via a spring force in order to prevent the first encoding part and the second encoding part detaching outward in a direction opposite the insertion direction.

8 . The encoding device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the elastic pieces are inclined outward in a direction opposite the insertion direction, wherein an inclination angle is 10° to 65°.

9 . A connector insert assembly, comprising:

an encoding device as claimed in claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2024
From: HU, KENNY
To: HARTING ELECTRIC STIFTUNG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 066901/0564 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202111001271.7 · Aug 24, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250132524A1 · Apr 24, 2025
References Cited (13)
US 6059600A · Vanbesien · 2000 [cited by examiner]
US 6394856B1 · Wertz · 2002 [cited by examiner]
US 7892043B1 · Orand · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 10985500B2 · Grandcoing · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 11189969B2 · Soefker · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20090209140A1 · Heggemann · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20200366032A1 · Soefker · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 202076605U · 2011 [cited by applicant]
DE 2231480A1 · 1974 [cited by applicant]
DE 102019112532A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
GB 1441656A · 1976 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion, mailed Oct. 28, 2022, for International Patent Application No. PCT/DE2022/100571. (11 pages) (with English translation of International Search Report). [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Feb. 27, 2024, for International Patent Application No. PCT/DE2022/100571. (7 pages). [cited by applicant]