Patent Application
20190081425
This invention relates in general to a female electrical terminal with an assist spring. More specifically, this invention relates to a female electrical terminal with an assist spring that includes front end protection.
Electrical terminals commonly include a female terminal and a corresponding male terminal that may be mated to establish an electrical connection. Male electrical terminals are manufactured in various shapes, including pins and blades, and female electrical terminals are manufactured in complementary shapes that can engage the appropriate male terminal. Female terminals often include a contact portion with multiple contact arms that press onto sides of the male terminal. It is known to provide a female terminal with a spring member to increase the compression force between the male terminal and the female terminal. An example of one such spring is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,050. The spring member is typically made of a material that, compared to the material of the contact portion, has inferior electrical conductivity but is less susceptible to relaxation. The spring maintains the desired compression force without requiring that the size of the contact portion be increased and allows the female terminal to maintain a desired contact area with the male terminal, even when the temperature of the female terminal increases.
It is also known to provide a female terminal with front end protection. An example of front end protection is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,548,553. The terminal shown in the '553 patent includes a spring member with integral front end protection. The spring engages contact arms to maintain a compression force between the female terminal and a corresponding male terminal, similar to the spring member described in the '050 patent. Additionally, the spring member includes a cage that extends around and past the contact arms. The cage protects the contact arms from damage during shipping, handling, installation, and use. Because the cage is part of the spring member, no additional pieces are added to the female terminal. It would be desirable to have an improved female terminal with front end protection.
This invention relates to an electrical terminal. The electrical terminal includes a contact member. The contact member includes a contact base. The contact member includes a plurality of contact arms extending from the contact base. The contact arms are arranged on opposed sides of a terminal plane. The electrical terminal also includes a spring member. The spring member includes a spring base. The spring member includes a plurality of spring arms. The spring arms extend from the spring base. Each of the spring arms engages one or more of the contact arms. The spring member also includes a shroud. The shroud is connected to the spring base and extends around the contact arms and beyond the contact arms. The spring member is symmetrical across the terminal plane.
In another embodiment, this invention relates to an electrical terminal including a contact base and a plurality of contact arms extending from the contact base and arranged on opposed sides of a terminal plane. The electrical terminal also includes a spring member with a spring base and a plurality of spring arms extending from the spring base. Each of the spring arms engages one or more of the contact arms. A shroud is connected to the spring base and extends around the contact arms and beyond the contact arms. The spring member includes shroud contacts that connect the shroud to the spring base. The shroud contacts extend along the terminal plane.
In another embodiment, this invention relates to an electrical terminal including a contact base and a plurality of contact arms extending from the contact base and arranged on opposed sides of a terminal plane. The electrical terminal also includes a spring member with a spring base and a plurality of spring arms extending from the spring base. Each of the spring arms engages one or more of the contact arms. A shroud is connected to the spring base and extends around the contact arms and beyond the contact arms. The spring member includes shroud contacts that connect the shroud to the spring base. At least two of the shroud connectors are located on opposite sides of the terminal plane.
Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The illustrated contact member 12 is made from a single sheet of material, stamped and folded into the illustrated configuration. However, the contact member 12 may be made by any desired process. The illustrated contact member 12 is made of copper, but may be made of any desired material. Preferably, the contact member 12 is made of a material with good electrical conductivity, such as copper or a copper alloy.
The contact member 12 includes a connection portion 16 that is configured to be connected to a conductor such as a wire (not shown). The connection portion 16 may be configured for any desired type of connection. The contact member 12 includes a contact base 18 that is connected to the connection portion 16. The illustrated contact base 18 is a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shaped box that defines an interior space 20. However, the contact base 18 may have any desired shape.
The contact member 12 includes a plurality of contact arms, indicated generally at 22, that extend from the contact base 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection portion 16 and the contact arms 22 are located on opposite sides of the contact base 18, but the components may have any desired relative orientations. The contact arms 22 are arranged on opposed sides of a terminal plane 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact member 12 includes a total of eight contact arms 22 that are arranged in pairs 26a and 26b, 28a and 28b, 30a and 30b, and 32a and 32b with one member of each pair located on a first side of the terminal plane 24 while the second member of each pair is located on the second side of the terminal plane 24. However, the contact member 12 may have any desired number and arrangement of contact arms 22.
The electrical terminal assembly 10 is configured to mate with a corresponding terminal (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding terminal is a blade-type male terminal. However, the electrical terminal assembly 10 may be configured to mate with any desired type of corresponding terminal. When the electrical terminal assembly 10 is mated with the corresponding terminal, the corresponding terminal will be located on the terminal plane 24, between the opposed pairs of contact arms 26a and 26b, 28a and 28b, 30a and 30b, and 32a and 32b.
The illustrated spring member 14 is made from a single sheet of material, stamped and folded into the illustrated configuration. However, the spring member 14 may be made by any desired process. The illustrated spring member 14 is made of stainless steel, but may be made of any desired material. Preferably, the spring member 14 is made of a material with good spring characteristics even at relatively high temperatures.
The spring member 14 includes a spring base 34. In the illustrated embodiment, when the electrical terminal assembly 10 is assembled (as shown in
When the electrical terminal assembly 10 is assembled, the spring arms 36 extend from the interior space 20 through spaces between the contact arms 22. The spring arms 36 engage the contact arms 22 and bias the contact arms 22 toward the terminal plane 24. In the illustrated embodiment, each spring arm 36 engages two contact arms 22, but the spring arms may engage any desired number of contact arms 22.
The spring member 14 also includes a shroud, indicated generally at 42. When the electrical terminal assembly 10 is assembled, the shroud 42 extends around and beyond the contact arms 22 of the contact member 12 in order to provide side and end protection for the contact arms 22, as is known in the prior art. The illustrated shroud 42 includes two shroud portions 44a and 44b that are located on opposite sides of the contact arms 22. The first shroud portion 44a includes a side shield 46a that provides side protection for the contact arms 22 and an end shield 48a that is located beyond the contact arms 22. Similarly, the second shroud portion 44b includes a side shield 46b that provides side protection for the contact arms 22 and an end shield 48b that is located beyond the contact arms 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal plane 24 passes through the side shield 46a and the side shield 46b and the side shields 46a and 46b extend on each side of the terminal plane 24. However, the side shields 46a and 46b may be in any desired locations.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first shroud portion 44a and the second shroud portion 44b are separated from each other by shroud gaps 50. Thus, the shroud 42 is comprised of two separate shroud pieces. The illustrated shroud gaps 50 are spaces between the end shields 48a and 48b of the respective shroud portions 44a and 44b, but the shroud gaps 50 may be in any desired location.
The first shroud portion 44a includes optional contact retainers 52a that engage the contact base 18. The first shroud portion 44a includes one contact retainer 52a on either side of the terminal plane 24. The second shroud portion 44b includes similar contact retainers 52b. The contact retainers 52a and 52b serve to prevent the contact base 18 from being deflected away from the terminal plane 24 when the electrical terminal assembly 10 is mated with the corresponding connector and help maintain the shape of the electrical terminal assembly 10.
The first shroud portion 44a is connected to the spring base 34 by a first shroud connector 54a. The illustrated first shroud connector 54a is an arm that extends from the spring base 34 to the side shield 46a. However, the first shroud connector 54a may be connected to any desired portion of the first shroud portion 44a. The first shroud connector 54a is located in the interior space 20 of the contact base 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the first shroud connector 54a is located on the terminal plane 24 where it is attached to the spring base 34. Additionally, the illustrated first shroud connector 54a is located on the terminal plane 24 where it is attached to the first shroud portion 44a. Also, the illustrated first shroud connector 54a is located on the terminal plane 24 for the entire span between the spring base 34 and the first shroud portion 44a. However, the first shroud connector 54a may be in any desired position and have any desired shape.
Similarly, the second shroud portion 44b is connected to the spring base 34 by a second shroud connector 54b. The illustrated second shroud connector 54b is an arm that extends from the spring base 34 to the side shield 46b. However, the second shroud connector 54b may be connected to any desired portion of the second shroud portion 44b. The second shroud connector 54b is located in the interior space 20 of the contact base 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the second shroud connector 54b is located on the terminal plane 24 where it is attached to the spring base 34. Additionally, the illustrated second shroud connector 54b is located on the terminal plane 24 where it is attached to the second shroud portion 44b. Also, the illustrated second shroud connector 54b is located on the terminal plane 24 for the entire span between the spring base 34 and the second shroud portion 44b. However, the second shroud connector 54b may be in any desired position and have any desired shape.
As can be seen by comparing
In order to assemble the electrical terminal assembly 10, the spring member 14 is positioned relative to the contact member 12 on the terminal plane 24 with the spring arms 36 and the contact arms 22 pointing away from the contact base 18, as shown in
As the electrical terminal assembly 10 is mated with the corresponding terminal, the contact arms 22 are deflected away from the terminal plane 24 and move relative to the contact base 18. Also, the spring arms 36 are deflected away from the terminal plane 24 and move relative to the spring base 34. Because the spring base 34 is located on the terminal plane 24 and the spring arms 36 are arranged symmetrically across the terminal plane 24, there will be little movement of the spring base 34 caused by mating the electrical terminal assembly 10 with the corresponding terminal. Thus, there will be little movement of the spring base 34 and the attached shroud 42 relative to the contact member 12, and little to no load will be placed on the shroud 42 caused by mating the electrical terminal assembly 10 with the corresponding terminal.
Referring to
The illustrated contact member 112 is substantially the same as the previously described contact member 12 and, thus, will not be described in detail. Elements of the contact member 112 that are similar to elements on the contact member 12 will be identified using the same number increased by 100. However, the electrical terminal assembly 110 may include a contact member 112 that is different from that previously described, if desired. Additionally, the electrical terminal assembly 110 is configured to mate with a corresponding terminal (not shown) that is located on a terminal plane 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding terminal is a blade-type male terminal, but may be any desired type of corresponding terminal.
The illustrated spring member 114 made from a single sheet of material, stamped and folded into the illustrated configuration. However, the spring member 114 may be made by any desired process. The illustrated spring member 114 is made of stainless steel, but may be made of any desired material. Preferably, the spring member 114 is made of a material with good spring characteristics even at relatively high temperatures.
The spring member 114 includes a spring base, indicated generally at 134. The illustrated spring base 134 includes a first outer base 160a and a second outer base 160b that are spaced apart from each other and are each connected to base connectors 162. When the electrical terminal assembly 110 is assembled (as shown in
The spring member 114 includes a plurality of spring arms, indicated generally at 136, that extend from the spring base 134. The spring arms 136 are arranged on opposed sides of the terminal plane 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring member 114 includes a total of four spring arms 136 that are arranged in pairs 138a and 138b, and 140a and 140b with one member of each pair located on a first side of the terminal plane 124 while the second member of each pair is located on the second side of the terminal plane 124. However, the spring member 114 may have any desired number and arrangement of spring arms 136. The spring arms 138a and 140a extend from the first outer base 160a, and the spring arms 138b and 140b extend from the second outer base 160b.
When the electrical terminal assembly 110 is assembled, the spring arms 136 engage the contact arms 122 and bias the contact arms 122 toward the terminal plane 124. In the illustrated embodiment, each spring arm 136 engages two contact arms 22, but the spring arms may engage any desired number of contact arms 122.
The spring member 114 also includes a shroud, indicated generally at 142. When the electrical terminal assembly 110 is assembled, the shroud 142 extends around and beyond the contact arms 122 of the contact member 112 in order to provide side and end protection for the contact arms 122, as is known in the prior art. The illustrated shroud 142 includes two shroud portions 144a and 144b that are located on opposite sides of the contact arms 122. The first shroud portion 144a includes two side shields 146a that provide side protection for the contact arms 122 and an end shield 148a that is located beyond the contact arms 122. Similarly, the second shroud portion 144b includes two side shields 146b that provide side protection for the contact arms 122 and an end shield 148b that is located beyond the contact arms 122.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first shroud portion 144a and the second shroud portion 144b are separated from each other by shroud gaps 150. Thus, the shroud 142 is comprised of two separate shroud pieces. The illustrated shroud gaps 150 are spaces between the side shields 146a and 146b. The first shroud portion 144a and the second shroud portion 144b are separated from each other by two shroud gaps 150, one at each side of the shroud 142. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal plane 124 passes through the shroud gaps 150 at either end of the shroud 142, and the first shroud portion 144a and the second shroud portion 144b are located on opposite sides of the terminal plane 124. However, the shroud portions 144a and 144b may be in any desired locations.
The first shroud portion 144a is connected to the spring base 134 by first shroud connectors 154a. The illustrated first shroud connectors 154a are arms that extend from the first outer base 160a to the side shields 146a. However, the first shroud connectors 154a may be connected to any desired portion of the first shroud portion 144a, may be in any desired position, and have any desired shape.
Similarly, the second shroud portion 144b is connected to the spring base 134 by second shroud connectors 154b. The illustrated second shroud connectors 154b are arms that extend from the second outer base 160b to the side shields 146b. However, the second shroud connectors 154b may be connected to any desired portion of the second shroud portion 144b, may be in any desired position, and have any desired shape.
As can be seen by comparing
In order to assemble the electrical terminal assembly 110, the spring member 114 is positioned relative to the contact member 112 on the terminal plane with the spring arms 136 and the contact arms 122 pointing away from the contact base 118, as shown in
When the electrical terminal assembly 110 is mated with the corresponding terminal, the contact arms 122 are deflected away from the terminal plane 124 and move relative to the contact base 118. Also, the spring arms 136 are deflected away from the terminal plane 124 and move relative to the spring base 134. Because the spring member 114 is arranged symmetrically across the terminal plane 124, there will be little movement of the spring base 134 caused by mating the electrical terminal assembly 110 with the corresponding terminal. Thus, there will be little movement of the spring base 134 and the attached shroud 142 relative to the contact member 112, and little to no load will be placed on the shroud 142 caused by mating the electrical terminal assembly 110 with the corresponding terminal.
The shroud 142 defines a terminal span 164, which is the length of the space between the side shields 146a on either end of the first shroud portion 144a and is also the length of the space between the side shields 146b on either end of the second shroud portion 144b. A wide terminal that is wider than the terminal span 164 will engage one or both of the side shields 146a and 146b of the shroud 142 when mated with the electrical terminal assembly 110. In a conventional electrical terminal with a shroud, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,548,553 discussed above, the wide terminal will engage the shroud and be unable to mate with the contact arms. However, in the illustrated electrical terminal assembly 110 the shroud gaps 150 are located on the terminal plane 124 and allow for mating with the wide terminal. The wide terminal may either enter the shroud gaps 150 without engaging the shroud 142, or may engage the shroud in order to push the first shroud portion 144a and the second shroud portion 144b away from the terminal plane 124.
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
