Patent Grant
10886664
This disclosure relates to the field of electrical terminals and connector assemblies into which the electrical terminals are mounted.
In certain conditions, exposure to the environment cannot be avoided and a structure is needed to seal an electrical connection from moisture and debris. In these instances, a sealed system is required which involves providing a moisture resistant barrier between cooperating electrical connectors. Generally, the sealing aspect is disposed between the mating interface of the connectors and, additionally, at the wire end or harness end of each of the connectors. In certain instances, the terminals of the connector may need to be serviced or replaced, which involves removing the terminal from the connector. In these cases, one can appreciate a terminal that can be removed from a connector which does not damage the seal during service.
In some embodiments, an electrical terminal includes a contact formed of a first material having a tensile strength, and a hood surrounding the contact, the hood formed of a second material having a tensile strength. The tensile strength of the second material is greater than the tensile strength of the first material. The contact and hood have cooperating retention features for securing the contact to the hood, and the hood provides strengthening features for improving the mechanical properties of the contact. The electrical terminal is mounted in a connector assembly. The electrical terminal has features which prevent or minimize damage to a seal of the connector assembly.
In an embodiment, an electrical terminal includes a contact formed of a first material having a tensile strength, and a hood surrounding the contact, the hood formed of a second material having a tensile strength. The tensile strength of the second material is greater than the tensile strength of the first material. The contact includes first and second contact beams which are movable relative to a body. The hood includes first and second and second stiffening beams which are movable relative to a body. The stiffening beams have a length which is less than the length of the contact beams.
In an embodiment, an electrical terminal includes a contact formed of a first material having a tensile strength, and a hood surrounding the contact, the hood formed of a second material having a tensile strength. The tensile strength of the second material is greater than the tensile strength of the first material. The contact includes first and second contact beams which are movable relative to a body. The hood includes first and second and second stiffening beams which are movable relative to a body and an alignment rib extending from the body. A front end of the alignment rib is spaced rearwardly from a front end of the body of the hood.
In an embodiment, an electrical terminal includes a contact formed of a first material having a tensile strength, and a hood surrounding the contact, the hood formed of a second material having a tensile strength. The tensile strength of the second material is greater than the tensile strength of the first material. The contact includes first and second contact beams which are movable relative to a body. The hood includes first and second and second stiffening beams which are movable relative to a body. A plurality of flanges extend from a front end of the body of the hood. The edges of the wall and the flanges are formed from chamfered surfaces.
In an embodiment, a combination of a connector assembly and an electrical terminal is provided. The connector assembly includes a housing, a compliant resilient seal rearward of the housing, and a grommet cap rearward of the seal. A passageway in the grommet cap has a front passageway portion which forms a first dimension of the passageway, and a rear passageway portion extending which forms a second dimension of the passageway, the first dimension being greater than the second dimension. The electrical terminal includes a contact having first and second contact beams extending from a body. The contact is seated within the housing and is forward of the seal.
In an embodiment, a combination of a connector assembly and an electrical terminal is provided. The connector assembly includes a housing, a lock configured to be locked in position relative to the housing and configured to be movable relative to the housing, a front end of the lock having surfaces which are angled, a compliant resilient seal rearward of the housing and the lock, and a grommet cap rearward of the seal. The electrical terminal includes a contact having first and second contact beams extending from a body, and a hood surrounding the contact. The hood is seated within the housing and forwardly of the seal. The hood has mating angled surfaces which mate with the angled surfaces on the lock.
This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described example embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other embodiments, aspects, and advantages of various disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.
The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present disclosure and it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.
The present disclosure is directed to an electrical terminal 20 which mates with a connector assembly 620. The drawings illustrate a single circuit of the connector assembly 620 such that the illustrations for each element of the connector assembly 620 are a single slice or portion of the entire connector assembly 620; multiple circuits are provided to form the complete connector assembly 620. It should also be noted that directions such as “front”, “rear”, “top”, “upper”, “bottom” and “lower”, etc. are used herein for convenience in description, do not denote a required orientation during use, are arbitrary, and are used to provide a clearer understanding of the embodiments shown.
The electrical terminal 20 is constructed from two separate pieces, a first piece or contact 22 and a second piece or hood 24. The two-part construction provides a smaller electrical terminal 20 while providing increased performance. The contact 22 is stamped and formed from a single piece of a highly conductive material, such as copper or any other copper based alloy or similar material having the same electrical conducting properties, allowing for superior electrical performance. The hood 24 is stamped and formed from a single piece of sheet metal formed of a high strength tensile material, such as stainless steel, to provide superior retention force and reinforcement. The tensile strength of the material forming the hood 24 is greater than the tensile strength of the material forming the contact 22. The electrical terminal 20 receives a corresponding male terminal 320, such as a pin or blade. Steel provides additional benefits to copper or copper based alloys. Steel typically exhibits higher tensile strength properties and situations where it is used in spring or biasing applications is a superior choice. The contact 22 and the hood 24 are formed separately, and are secured together via a separate assembly or marriage die.
In the embodiment, the following description is directed to the electrical terminal 20 having an electrical lead wire 420 attached thereto. The lead wire 420 has an insulative covering 422 over conductors 424 as is known in the art. The insulative covering 422 is partially removed at a leading end of the lead wire 420 to expose the conductors 424 provided therein.
The contact 22 is best shown in
The contact portion 26 is formed of a body 32 having opposite front and rear ends 32a, 32b and having a passageway 34 formed therethrough which extends from the front end 32a to the rear end 32b, and first and second cantilevered spring arms or contact beams 36, 38 extending from the body 32 and into the passageway 34. All edges forming the front and rear ends 32a, 32b are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 34; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal. A centerline 40 is defined along the length of the body 32 from the front end 32a to the rear end 32b. The body 32 is formed of opposite top and bottom walls 42, 44 which are separated from each other by first and second upright side walls 46, 48 to form the passageway 34. Interior and exterior surfaces of each wall 42, 44, 46, 48 are planar. Front edges 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a of the walls 42, 44, 46, 48 form an entrance opening 50 into the passageway 34. The front edges 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 34; the edges 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a may be rounded; the edges 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal.
A top opening 52 is formed in the top wall 42 proximate to, but spaced from, the front end 32a of the body 32 and is formed from a front edge 52a, a rear edge 52b and side edges extending between the front and rear edges 52a, 52b. At least the rear edge 52b is chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 34; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal. A bottom opening 54 is formed in the bottom wall 44 proximate to, but spaced from, the front end 32a of the body 32 and is formed from a front edge 54a, a rear edge 54b and side edges extending between the front and rear edges 54a, 54b. At least the rear edge 54b is chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 34; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal. In an embodiment, the openings 52, 54 are vertically aligned.
The contact beam 36 extends rearwardly from the forward edge 52a of the top opening 52 rearwardly, through the top opening 52 and into the passageway 34. The contact beam 38 extends rearwardly from the forward edge 54a of the bottom opening 54, through the bottom opening 52 and into the passageway 34. The contact beams 36, 38 are configured to electrically engage the mating male terminal 320. In an embodiment, each contact beam 36, 38 has a front end connected to the respective forward edge 52a, 54a, a front section 56 which extends rearwardly from the forward edge 52a, 54a and curves inwardly relative to the centerline 40, an intermediate section 58 which extends rearwardly from the front section 56 and is angled inwardly relative to the centerline 40 and relative to the front section 56, and a rear section 60 which extends rearwardly from the intermediate section 58 and curves inwardly and then outwardly relative to the centerline and relative to the intermediate section 58. The rear section 60 terminates in a free rear end 60a. Each contact beam 36, 38 has a length which is defined from the forward edge 52a, 54a to the rear end 60a. In an embodiment, the lengths are the same. In an embodiment, the contact beams 36, 38 are vertically aligned with each other.
In an embodiment, a dimple 62 is provided on an interior surface of each side wall 46, 48 forwardly of the forward edge 52a, 54a of the openings 52, 54. The dimples 62 may have a dome shape.
A plurality of spaced apart protrusions 64 extend outwardly from the exterior surface of the side walls 46, 48 and are rearward of the openings 52, 54. As shown, three protrusions 64 are provided, although more or fewer protrusions 64 may be provided. In an embodiment, each projection 64 has a rear face 64a which extends perpendicular to the centerline 40.
A rear end 42b of the top wall 42 is longitudinally spaced from the rear end 32b of the body 32. An upper portion of each rear end 46b, 48b of the side walls 46, 48 extends at an angle downwardly and rearwardly from the rear end 42b of the top wall 42 to the rear end 32b of the body 32. The edges 42b, 46b, 48b are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 34; the edges 42b, 46b, 48b may be rounded; the edges 42b, 46b, 48b are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal.
The wire securing portion 28, in an embodiment, is generally U-shaped. The wire securing portion 28 is configured to receive the electrical lead wire 420. The wire securing portion 28 includes a curved base wall 66 having front and rear ends 66a, 66b, wire crimp portions 68 extending upwardly from the base wall 66 and configured to connect to the exposed conductors 424 of the lead wire 420, and insulation crimp portions 70 extending upwardly from the base wall 66 and configured to connect to the insulative covering 422 of the lead wire 420. The base wall 66 is sized to accommodate the exposed conductors 424 and the insulative covering 422 of the electrical lead wire 420. The wire crimp portions 68 are forward of the insulation crimp portions 70. In an embodiment, the wire crimp portions 68 are formed as wings extending upwardly from the base wall 66, and the insulation crimp portions 70 are formed as wings extending upwardly from the base wall 66.
To connect the lead wire 420 to the wire securing portion 28, a front portion of the insulative covering 422 is removed to expose the conductors 424. The bare conductors 424 are placed within the base wall 66 below the wire crimp portions 68 and a portion of the lead wire 420 having the intact insulative covering 422 is placed within the base wall 66 below the insulation crimp portions 70. The portions 68, 70 are then folded over the respective portions of the lead wire 420 to secure the lead wire 420 to the contact 22, with the wire crimp portions 68 securing or crimping the contact 22 to the bare conductors 424 and the insulation crimp portions 70 securing or crimping the insulative covering 422 to the contact 22.
The transition portion 30 of the electrical terminal 20 extends between the contact portion 26 and the wire securing portion 28. The transition portion 30 has a generally U-shaped base wall 72 having side walls 74, 76 extending upwardly therefrom. A front portion 78 of each side wall 74, 76 extends longitudinally and a rear portion 80 of each side wall 74, 76 extends at an angle inwardly toward the centerline 40 from the front portion 78 to the wire securing portion 28. A top edge of each front portion 78 forms a notch 82 having a front surface 84 extending downwardly from the bottom end of the respective rear edge 46b, 48b, a planar intermediate surface 86 which extends longitudinally, and a rear surface 88 extending upwardly from the rear end of the respective intermediate surface 86 to the rear portion 80.
When the electrical terminal 20 and the lead wire 420 are connected together, a contact assembly 90 is formed.
A first embodiment of the hood 24 is best shown in
The stiffening beam 136 extends rearwardly from the forward edge 152a of the top opening 152, through the top opening 152 and into the passageway 134. The stiffening beam 138 extends rearwardly from the forward edge 154a of the bottom opening 154, through the bottom opening 152 and into the passageway 134. The stiffening beams 136, 138 are configured to engage the contact beams 36, 38 of the contact 22 to provide reinforcement of the contact beams 36, 38. In an embodiment, each stiffening beam 136, 138 has a front end connected to the respective forward edge 152a, 154a and a section 192 which extends rearwardly from the forward edge 152a, 154a and is angled inwardly relative to the centerline 140. The section 192 terminates in a free rear end 192a. Each stiffening beam 136, 138 has a length which is defined from the forward edge 152a, 154a to the rear end 192a. In an embodiment, the lengths are the same. In an embodiment, the stiffening beams 136, 138 are vertically aligned with each other. At least the side edges forming the stiffening beams 136, 138 are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 134; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal. The length of each stiffening beam 136, 138 is less than the length of the respective contact beam 36, 38. In an embodiment, each stiffening beam 136, 138 has a length which is less than the combined lengths of the front and intermediate sections 56, 58 of the contact beams 36, 38. In an embodiment, each stiffening beam 136, 138 has a length which is substantially equal to the combined lengths of the front and intermediate sections 56, 58 of the contact beams 36, 38.
In an embodiment, a flange 196, 196′, 198, 198′, 200, 200′, 202, 202′ extends from the respective wall 142, 144, 146, 148 at the front end 132a of the body 132 and defines an entrance opening 204 into the passageway 134. In an embodiment as shown in
A projection 206, 208, 210, 212 extends inwardly from the respective wall 142, 144, 146, 148 proximate to the front end 132a of the body 132 and into the passageway 134. The projections 206, 208, 210, 212 act as forward stops when the contact 22 is inserted into the hood 24 as described herein. In an embodiment, each projection 206, 208, 210, 212 has a rear face which extends perpendicular to the centerline 140.
An alignment rib 214, 214′ extends upwardly from the top wall 142 and overlaps a portion of the top wall 142. In an embodiment, the alignment rib 214, 214′ overlaps a portion of the top opening 152 and the stiffening beam 136. The alignment rib 214, 214′ has front and rear ends 214a, 214b and a planar top surface 216. All edges forming the front and rear ends 214a, 214b are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the entrance opening 204 and the passageway 134; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal. In an embodiment, the rear end 214b angles downwardly relative to the centerline 140 of the body 132 and outwardly away from the front end 132a of the body 132.
In an embodiment, the alignment rib 214 is formed of a folded over wall formed of a first wall portion 218 extending upwardly from the side wall 146, a second wall portion 220 extending from the top end of the first wall portion 218 and inwardly from the first wall portion 218, a third wall portion 222 extending from the end of the second wall portion 220 and forming a 180-degree bend, and a fourth wall portion 224 extending from the end of the third wall portion 222 and outwardly toward the first wall portion 218, such that the second wall portion 216 overlays the fourth wall portion 224. In an embodiment as shown in
In an embodiment, the alignment rib 214, 214′ includes front and rear sections 230, 232 which are spaced apart from each other by a space 234 and a window 236 is provided through the top wall 142 and aligns with the space 232. The window 236 is formed by front and rear edges 236a, 236b, with side edges 236c, 236d extending therebetween. All edges 236a, 236b, 236c, 236d are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the entrance opening 204 and the passageway 134; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal. A front end 230a of the front section 230 is proximate to, but spaced from, the front end 132a of the body 132 such that a space 238 is provided forward of the alignment rib 214, 214′ and a rear end 230b of the of the front section 230 is proximate to a front end 236a of the window 236. In an embodiment, the front end 230a is perpendicular to the centerline 140 of the body 132. A front end 232a of the rear section 232 is proximate to the rear edge 236b of the window 236, and a rear end 232b of the of the rear section 232 is proximate to, but spaced from, the rear end 132b of the body 132. In an embodiment, the front end 232a is perpendicular to the centerline 140 of the body 132. In an embodiment, the rear end 232a of the rear section 232 angles downwardly relative to the centerline 140 of the body 132 and outwardly away from the front end 132a of the body 132. All edges forming the front and rear sections 230, 232 are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the entrance opening 204 and the passageway 134; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal.
As shown in
Each side wall 146, 148 has a plurality of spaced apart windows 240 therethrough which are configured to mate with the protrusions 64 on the side walls of the contact 22. The windows 240 are rearward of the stiffening beams 136, 138. In an embodiment, the windows 240 in the side wall 146 are aligned with the windows 240 in the side wall 148.
A rear end 142b of the top wall 142 is longitudinally spaced from the rear end 132b of the body 132. An upper portion 242 of each rear end 146b, 148b of the side walls 146, 148 extends at an angle relative to the centerline 140 and extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear end 142b of the top wall 142 toward the rear end 132b of the body 132. A lower portion 244 of each rear end 146b, 148b of the side walls 146, 148 extends parallel to the centerline 140. As such, the angled upper portion 242 is spaced from the rear end 132b of the body 132. All edges forming the rear ends 142b, 146b, 148b are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 134; the edges may be rounded; the edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal. The angled surfaces provided by the rear end 214b of the alignment rib 214, 214′, the rear end 142b of the top wall 142 and the angled upper portion 242 of the rear end 146b, 148b of the side walls 146, 148 provides a smooth taper and eliminates any sharp corners.
A retaining finger 246 extends from the rear end 142b of the top wall 142, at an angle relative to the centerline 140 and into the passageway 134. In an embodiment, the retaining finger 246 has a width which is less than the width of the top wall 142.
In an embodiment, the lower portion 244 of each side wall 146, 148 includes a wall forming a folded over tab 248 which extends into the passageway 132. Each tab 248 includes a U-shaped first wall portion 250 which extends inwardly from the respective side wall 146, 148 and into the passageway, and a second wall portion 252 which extends downwardly from the first wall portion 250. A space 254 is formed by the tab 248.
To assemble the contact 22 with the hood 24, the hood 24 is partially formed, as shown in
The front end of the contact 22 is inserted through the opening formed at the rear end 132b of the body 132 of the hood 24 and is slid along the partially formed passageway 134 until the front end 32a of the body 32 of the contact 22 engages with the rear faces of the projections 206, 208, 210, 212 on the walls 142, 144, 146, 148. The projections 206, 208, 210, 212 acts as a stop which limits the further insertion of the contact 22 into the hood 24. Thereafter, the side walls 146, 148 are bent relative to the bottom wall 144 to the upright position. During this bending, the top wall 142 engages with side wall 146. The top wall 142 may have tabs 256 which seat within openings 258 in the first wall portion 218 of the alignment rib 214, 214′ which secures the top wall 142 to the alignment rib 214, 214′. A portion 260 of the top wall 142, see
In an embodiment, all edges which form the various features of the contact 22 and the hood 24 are chamfered to provide surfaces which angle inwardly toward the passageway 34 (even if not specifically described herein). The edges may be rounded. The front edges are smoothed to remove burrs in the metal.
While the protrusions 64 are described as being on the contact 22 and the windows 240 in the hood 24, the protrusions 64 can be provided on the hood 24 and the windows 240 formed in the contact 22. While the fifth wall portion 226 is described as being on the alignment rib 214′ and the window 228 in the top wall 142, the fifth wall portion 226 can be provided on the top wall 142 and the window 228 formed in the alignment rib 214′. Either embodiment of the flanges 196, 196′, 198, 198′, 200, 200′, 202, 202′ can be used with the fifth wall portion 226 and window 228.
The electrical terminal 20 and its attached lead wire 420 are mounted within the connector assembly 620 as described herein.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The shelf 640 seats within the space 672 and is forward of the front surface portion 682a of the retention finger 674.
As shown in
The rear housing 628 is formed of a body having a passageway therethrough.
As shown in
As shown in
To assemble the contact assembly 90 with the connector assembly 620, the electrical terminal 20 is inserted into and through the seal cover or grommet cover 632. The electrical terminal 20 can only be inserted in one way into the seal cover or grommet cover 632 since the alignment rib 214, 214′ must seat within the keyway formed by the surfaces 716, 718, 738. This seating of the alignment rib 214, 214′ within the keyway properly aligns the electrical terminal and prevents the electrical terminal 20 from rotating within the seal cover or grommet cover 632.
Thereafter, the electrical terminal 20 is passed through the passageway 704 of the seal 630. As the electrical terminal 20 passes through seal 630, the front end 132a of the body 132 first engages with the innermost surfaces 710 and expands the seal 630 outwardly. The flanges 196, 196′, 198, 198′, 200, 200′, 202, 202′ assist in reducing any tear risk of the seal 630 upon contact with the hood 24. The bladders 706 of the seal 630 compress to conform to the exterior shape of the hood 24. As the contact assembly 90 continues to be passed through, the front end 214a of the alignment rib 214, 214′ next contacts the bladders 706 of the seal 630. The height H2 o the combined body 132 and alignment rib 214, 214′ is greater than the height H1 of the body 132 alone, however, the height difference is small. Therefore, when the seal 302 further expands to accommodate the increased height H2 over height H1, the seal 602 is not significantly further expanded and therefore the risk of any tearing of the seal 602 is minimal. As the contact assembly 90 passes through the seal 602, when the insulative covering 422 is within the seal 630, the seal 630 contracts and the bladders 706 engage and seal with the insulative covering 422. The electrical terminal 20 then passes into and through the passageway in the rear housing 628 and then into and through the passageway 696 in the independent seal lock 626. The independent seal lock 626 is in an unlocked position as shown in
When the contact assembly 90 is in the unlocked position within the connector assembly 1020, the insulative covering 422 of the lead wire 420 is engaged with the bladders 706 of the seal 602. After the contact assembly 90 is inserted, the independent secondary lock 626 is moved transversely relative to the centerline 140 of the hood 24 until the angled wall 698 on the independent secondary lock 626 engages against the angled upper portion 242 of each rear end 146b, 148b of the side walls 146, 148 of the hood 24. The independent secondary lock 626 is secured in place by the mating locking feature 700 into the locked position as shown in
The male terminal 320 is then mounted within the connector assembly 620 and the contact assembly 90. The male terminal 320 is inserted into and through the male terminal receiving passageway 652 and the space 658 in the front cover 622. Thereafter, the male terminal 320 passes through the entrance opening 204 of the electrical terminal 20 and the male terminal 320 may engage the flanges 196, 196′, 198, 198′, 200, 200′, 202, 202′ on the hood 24 which guide the male terminal 320 into the passageway 134 of the hood 132. As the male terminal 320 is slid further into the hood 24, the male terminal 320 engages the projections 206, 208, 210, 212 which provide a lead in so that the male terminal 320 does not stub during mating. As the male terminal 320 is slid further into the electrical terminal 20, the male terminal 320 passes through the entrance opening 50 of the contact 22. If the male terminal 320 is out of alignment during insertion, the male terminal 320 engages with a dimple 62 which serve to properly align the male terminal 320 in the passageway 134 of the contact 22.
As the male terminal 320 is slid along the passageway 134 of the contact 22, the male terminal 320 engages with the contact beams 36, 38. This causes the contact beams 36, 38 and the stiffening beams 136, 138 to flex outwardly, with the stiffening beams 136, 138 providing support for the contact beams 36, 38 since the stiffening beams 136, 138 are formed of a higher tensile material than the contact beams 36, 38. During this insertion, the rear sections 60 of the contact beams 36, 38 first flex to allow entry of the male terminal 320 and to provide an initially low insertion force. As the male terminal 320 is slid further relative to the beams 36, 136, 38, 138, the intermediate sections 58 of the contact beams 36, 38 and the sections 192 of the stiffening beams 136, 138 flex. If necessary, the front sections 56 of the contact beams 36, 38 can also flex. The beams 36, 136, 38, 138 may flex to the extent that the beams 36, 136, 38, 138 are substantially parallel to the centerlines 40, 140. During insertion of the male terminal 320 into the electrical terminal 20, the higher tensile strength material used to form the stiffening beams 136, 138 increases the normal force for proper electrical connection between the contact beams 36, 38 and the male terminal 320. Therefore, the contact beams 36, 38 can be made of a lower tensile strength material, such as copper, while ensuring that engagement is formed between the male terminal 320 and the contact beams 36, 38. The stiffening beams 136, 138 provide reinforcement to the contact beams 36, 38 and provide additional normal force to counteract the deterioration of the performance of the contact beams 36, 38 over time. In the embodiment shown, the hood 24 does not provide any direct electrical contact 22 with the male terminal 420, but the hood 24 adds greater mechanical properties to improve or enhance the electrical properties of the contact beams 36, 38.
Once the contact assembly 90, the connector assembly 1020 and the male terminal 320 are assembled together, the electrical path can be verified by appropriate testing. This is accomplished by the test probe 820 being inserted through the probe receiving passageway 656 of the front cover 622 and electrical conductivity can be checked by electrically connecting the test probe 820 to the alignment rib 214, 214′ on the hood 24 of the electrical terminal 20.
In certain circumstances, the contact assembly 90 may be defective or may need to be serviced. In these circumstances, it is necessary to remove the contact assembly 90 from the connector assembly 620. To remove the contact assembly 90, the independent secondary lock 626 is first moved back from the locked position shown in
As the contact assembly 90 is withdrawn, the angled upper portion 242 of each rear end 146b, 148b of the side walls 146, 148 comes into contact with the seal 630. This angled upper portion 242 enlarges the passageway 704 such that tearing of the seal 630 is prevented or avoided. The seal 630 may then be reused upon reinsertion of the repaired contact assembly 90. During this withdrawal, as the seal 630 expands, the seal 630 can expand into the front recess 740 in the body 712 of the seal cover or grommet cover 632, thereby preventing the seal 630 from being pinched by the seal cover or grommet cover 632.
It should be noted that, in general, the depiction of whether the electrical terminal 20 is a plug type or a receptacle type in the figures is done merely for illustrative purposes. Therefore, it is envisioned that a particular electrical terminal 20 could be configured to be a plug type, or a receptacle type, or a combination of plug and receptacle, as desired. Therefore, unless specifically noted, the determination of whether the electrical terminal 20 is a receptacle or plug is not intended to be limiting.
By providing the two-piece electrical terminal 20, a lower cost electrical terminal 20 is provided since the entire electrical terminal 20 is not formed of the higher cost, highly conductive material.
In addition, since a high tensile strength material, such as stainless steel, is used for the hood 24, the hood 24 can be bent to include the 180-degree bends which is not possible with copper, since copper tends to crack when bent at a 180-degree bend.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All processes described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/US2018/014701, filed on Jan. 22, 2018, which further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/449,417, filed on Jan. 23, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2018/014701 | 1/22/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018/136877 | 7/26/2018 | WO | A |
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