Spring-actuated electrical connector for high-power applications

Abstract

The present invention is a high-power, spring-actuated connector device. The device has a male terminal and a female connector. The male terminal has a metallic tubular member that provides a contact surface for the female connector. The female connector fits inside the male terminal, when making an electrical connection. The female connector has a contact element, with a plurality of contact beams. A spring actuator is nested inside the contact element. The spring has spring arms that map, one-to-one, to the contact beams. The spring-actuator spring arms force the contact beams into electrical contact with the inner surface of the metallic tubular member of the male terminal. Thermal expansion and residual material memory create a more secure connection in this configuration.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the classification of electrical connectors, and to one or more sub-classifications under spring actuated or resilient securing part. Specifically, this invention is a push-in electrical connector secured by an interior spring mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Over the past several decades, the amount of electronics in automobiles, and other on-road and off-road vehicles such as pick-up trucks, commercial trucks, semi-trucks, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and sports utility vehicles (collectively “motor vehicles”). Electronics are used to improve performance, control emissions, and provide creature comforts to the occupants and users of the motor vehicles. Motor vehicles are a challenging electrical environments due to vibration, heat, and longevity. Heat, vibration, and aging can all lead to connector failure. In fact, loose connectors, both in the assembly plant and in the field, are one of the largest failure modes for motor vehicles. Considering that just the aggregate annual accrual for warranty by all of the automotive manufacturers and their direct suppliers is estimated at between $50 billion and $150 billion, worldwide, a large failure mode in automotive is associated with a large dollar amount.

Considerable time, money, and energy has been expended to find connector solutions that meet all of the needs of the motor vehicles market. The current common practice is to use an eyelet and threaded fastener on all high-power connections. The current common practice is expensive, time-consuming, and still prone to failure.

A more appropriate, robust connector solution must be impervious to vibration and heat. In order to create a robust solution, many companies have designed variations of spring-loaded connectors, which have a feature that retains the connector in place. Such spring-actuated connectors typically have some indication to show that they are fully inserted. Sometimes, the spring-actuated feature on the connector is made from plastic. Other times, the spring-actuated feature on the connector is fabricated from spring steel. Unfortunately, although the current state of the art is an improvement over connectors using an eyelet and threaded connector, there are still far too many failures.

Part of the reason that spring-actuated connectors still fail in motor vehicle applications is because the spring element is on the periphery of the connector. By placing the spring tab on the exterior surface of the connector, connector manufacturers tried to make engagement obvious to the person assembling the part. Unfortunately, for both plastic and metal, the increased temperatures of an automotive environment make a peripheral spring prone to failure. The engine compartment of the motor vehicle can often reach temperatures approaching 100° C., with individual components of a motor vehicle engine reaching or exceeding 180° C. At 100° C., most plastics start to plasticize, reducing the retention force of the peripheral spring-actuated feature. At 100° C., the thermal expansion of the spring steel will reduce the retention force of a peripheral spring-actuated connector by a small amount. More important, with respect to spring-actuated features fabricated from spring steel is the effect of residual material memory inherent in the spring steel as the spring steel is thermally cycled. After many temperature cycles, the spring steel will begin to return to its original shape, reducing its retention force and making is susceptible to vibration. The motor vehicle market needs a connector that is low-cost, vibration-resistant, temperature-resistant, and robust.

PRIOR ART REVIEW

There is clearly a market demand for a mechanically simple, lightweight, inexpensive, vibration-resistant, temperature-resistant, and robust electrical connector. The problem is that all of these design criteria can be conflicting in current prior art. Some of the prior art has attempted to solve the problem using a peripheral spring-actuated retention feature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,998,655, by named inventors Glick, et. al., entitled, “Electrical terminal” (“Glick '655”) teaches an electrical terminal in which the contact element is a substantially polyhedron structure, with contact beams. A spring structure, external to the contact beams, exerts force on the contact beams. This arrangement is designed to force positive connection of the contact beams with a substantially round or square terminal pin. U.S. Pat. No. 8,992,270, by named inventors Glick, et. al., entitled, “Electrical terminal” (“Glick '270”) teaches a variation on the Glick '655 patent.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,475,220, by named inventors Glick, et. al., entitled, “Electrical terminal” (“Glick '220”) teaches an electrical connector formed to have at least one pairs of opposing contact legs extending from a body portion, in which each leg extends to a contact point at which it touches the inner surface of the opposing leg contact. A spring clip can be positioned over one or more of the opposing legs to increase a compressive force. The spring clip may include an alignment feature to limit the clip from rotating and/or pitching. Glick '220 is designed to retain a largely flat or planar terminal element. U.S. Pat. No. 8,366,497, by named inventors Glick, et. al., entitled, “Electrical terminal” (“Glick '497”) teaches a variation of Glick '220. All of the Glick patents have the same issue: repeated thermal cycling relaxes the spring steel, reducing the overall retention force. The reduction in the spring-actuated retention force makes the connector more susceptible to wiggling loose due to vibration. Intermittent connections are also a common failure mode. A solution is needed that improves upon the concept of the spring-actuated terminal connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a high-power, spring-actuated electrical connector device. The embodiments and descriptions are used to illustrate the invention and its utility, and are not intended to limit the invention or its use.

The present invention has a male terminal and a female connector. The female connector fits inside the male terminal, when making an electrical connection. The present invention relates to using a spring-actuator inside the female connector to force contact beams into electrical contact with the male terminal. The present invention's contribution to the art is that the male terminal element is a metallic tubular member inside which fits the female connector. The female connector has a contact element, with a plurality of contact beams. A spring actuator is nested inside the contact element. The spring actuator applies force on the contact beams, creating a positive connection and retention force.

Unlike the prior art, material memory and thermal expansion will increase, not decrease, the retention force and electrical contact of the present invention.

The male terminal has a metallic tubular member which has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a defined cross-sectional profile. The metallic tubular member is fabricated from a sheet of highly conductive copper. The highly conductive copper can be C151 or C110. One side of the sheet of highly conductive copper can be pre-plated with silver, tin, or top tin, such that the inner surface of the metallic tubular member is plated.

The female connector has a contact element and a spring actuator. The contact element has a plurality of contact beams. In the preferred embodiments, at least four contact beams are needed, so that force is exerted on the inner surface of the metallic tubular member is symmetrical. Four beams can be placed at 90° increments, meaning that each beam has one beam directly opposing it within the metallic tubular member; and two beams orthogonal to each member within the metallic tubular member. Each contact beam has a thickness, a bent-termination end, and a planar surface with a length and a width. The contact beam is connected to a contact base at the distal end from the bent-termination. In the illustrated embodiments, the contact element has an even number of beams, which are symmetrical and are evenly spaced. The contact element base cross-section can be round, square, triangular, or polygonal. The illustrated embodiments show contact elements with square and hexagonal cross-sectional profiles. The illustrated embodiments show contact elements with four and six beams.

A spring actuator is nested inside the contact element. The spring actuator has spring arms and a base. The spring arms are connected to the base at one end. The spring arms have a bent-termination end, a thickness, and a planar surface with a length and width. In the illustrated embodiments, the spring actuator has the same number of spring arms as the contact element has contact beams. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring arms can be mapped, one-to-one, with the contact beams. The spring arms are dimensioned so that the bent-termination end of the associated contact beam contacts the planar surface of the spring arm. The spring arms of the illustrated embodiments are even in number, symmetrical, and evenly spaced.

The contact element fits inside the metallic tubular member such that the contact beams contact the inner surface of the metallic tubular member. The spring arms force the contact beams into electrical connection with the metallic tubular member. The bent-termination end of the contact arm meets the planar surface of the spring arm, forcing the contact beam to form a large obtuse angle with respect to the contact element base.

In the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, although not required, the metallic tubular member has a symmetrical cross-section. The most important design criteria is that the compliance (inverse of stiffness) exerted on each beam, forcing each beam into contact with the inner surface of the metallic tubular member, be balance by the compliance of all of the other contact beam and spring-arm pairs such that the female connector is kept centered within the metallic tubular member by the force exerted by the beam/spring arm pairs.

The male terminal and female connector are both surrounded by a non-conductive shroud. For the male terminal, only the inner surface of the metallic tubular member is exposed. For the female connector, only the contact beams are exposed.

The male terminal can be connected to a busbar or other circuit. For example, in an alternator application, the metallic tubular member can be integral with the alternator busbar. The non-conductive plastic shroud would wrap the exterior of the metallic tubular member leaving the inner surface and the busbar exposed. Typically, in such an application, the busbar of the alternator is going to be interior to the alternator housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with 44 drawings on 12 sheets.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a male terminal showing the non-conductive plastic shroud and metallic tubular member.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a male terminal.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the female connector without a plastic shroud.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the female connector, rotated approximately 90° from FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric of the female connector.

FIG. 6 is a lateral cut-away view of the female connector.

FIG. 7 is a lateral view of the female connector.

FIG. 8 is a end view of the female connector.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector without a plastic shroud.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector, rotated approximately 90° from FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 12 is a lateral cut-away view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 13 is a lateral view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 14 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the second connector.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the alternative embodiment of the second connector and insulating shroud of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the insulating shroud used with the female connector.

FIG. 20 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the insulating shroud.

FIG. 21 is an end view of the female connector with an envelope of the non-conductive plastic shroud drawn as a dotted line.

FIG. 22 is an isolated lateral view of the spring actuator of the female connector.

FIG. 23 is a reverse end view of the female connector.

FIG. 24 is a reverse end view of the female connector, with the insulating shroud in situ.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 27 is a rotated isometric view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a rotated isometric view of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 is a cut-away lateral view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 30 is a cut-away lateral view of an alternative embodiment of the female connector.

FIG. 31 is a lateral exploded view of the contact element and spring actuator.

FIG. 32 is an exploded view of the female connector with an alternator connector and cap.

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a male terminal for an alternator.

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of the plastic shroud of a male terminal for an alternator.

FIG. 35 is an isometric view of the male terminal.

FIG. 36 is an isometric view of the metallic tubular member.

FIG. 37 is a side view of the male terminal.

FIG. 38 is an end view of the male connector.

FIG. 39 is an isometric view of the male terminal metallic tubular member with an integral straight busbar.

FIG. 40 is an isometric view of the male terminal metallic tubular member with an alternative embodiment and orientation of the integral busbar.

FIG. 41 is an isometric view of the female connector implemented on an alternator connector.

FIG. 42 is an alternative isometric view of the female connector implemented on an alternator connector.

FIG. 43 is an isometric view of the present invention implemented on an alternator connector, with the alternator.

FIG. 44 is an isometric view of the present invention implemented on an alternator connector, in situ on an alternator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the present invention, by offering and illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, a high-power, spring-actuated electrical connector. While embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described, the embodiments herein do not represent all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the descriptions, illustrations, and embodiments are intended to teach and inform without limiting the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 3-4 show the female connector 20 of the present invention, a high-power, spring-actuated electrical connector. The female connector 20 includes a contact element 10 having a contact element 10 base 18, 19 having six sides 18 and six bent segments 19. The cross-section of the contact element 10 base is substantially hexagonal 18, 19. The contact element 10 has six contact beams 11. Each contact beam 11 has a substantially planar surface 12 terminating in a bent-termination portion 13. The end of the contact beam 11 distal from the bent-termination portion 13 is connected to the base 18. The thickness 14 and width of the planar surface 12 dictate the current carrying load of each contact beam 11. In use, the contact beams 11 form a large obtuse angle with the base 18, 19.

The contact element 10 is an integral piece. The contact element 10 is made out of conductive metal, such as copper alloys C151 or C110. It is formed, bent, and folded into the correct shape. The contact element 10 has two planar spade elements 16, 17. The planar spade elements 16, 17 have a thickness 16, 17. The planar spade elements 16, 17 have a planar surface 15, 105. The planar spade elements 16 transitions 106 from the hexagonal base 18, 19. The transition 106 has a thickness 107.

FIG. 5 further illustrates the female connector 20 by showing the spring actuator 30 that is inside the contact element 10. Still visible in the contact element 10 are the contact beams 11, the hexagonal base 18, 19, and the planar spade elements 16, 17. The planar surface 15, 105 and transition thickness 107 are also visible. The spring actuator 30 has a plurality of spring arms 31. The spring arms 31 have a substantially planar surface 32, a thickness 34, and a bent-termination portion 33, 333. The spring actuator 30 base is substantially hexagonal with six flat sides 38 and six bent portions 39. The spring actuator 30 is fabricated from spring steel. The spring arms 31 of the spring actuator 30 form a large obtuse angle with the spring actuator 30 base 38, 39.

The spring actuator 30 fits inside the contact element 10. The spring actuator 30 spring arms 31 contact the inside planar surface 122 of the contact element 10 contact beams 11. The inside planar surface 122 of the contact beams 11 is obverse to the outside planar surface 12 of the contact beams 11. The bent-termination portion 13 of the contact element 10 allows the female connector 20 to be compressed as it is inserted into a connector block. The spring actuator 30 spring arms 31 will provide a consistent retention force against the inside surface 122 of the contact element 10 contact beams 11. In practice, it is advisable to use a minimum of four (4) contact beams 11 in any embodiment.

FIGS. 6-7 show a lateral cutaway (FIG. 6) and a lateral view (FIG. 7). The relation of the planar spade elements 16, 17 to the contact beams 11 and bent-termination portion 13 is illustrated and evident. The spring actuator 30 spring arm 31 flat planar surface 32 and flat side 38 are shown in the cutaway. The relation of the six sides 18 of the hexagonal base 18, 19 to the planar surface 12 of the contact beams 11 is shown.

FIG. 8 shows an end-view of the spring actuator 30 inside the contact element 10. The bent-termination portion 333, 33 of the spring actuator 30 push the bent-termination portion 13 of the contact element 10 outward.

FIGS. 9-10 show an alternative embodiment of the present invention a high-power, spring-actuated electrical connector. The female connector 70 includes a contact element having a contact element 60 base having six sides 68 and bent portions 69. The contact element 60 base is substantially hexagonal 68, 69, 168. The contact element 60 has a six contact beams 61. Each contact beam 61 has a substantially planar surface 62 terminating in a bent-termination portion 63. The thickness 64 and surface area of the planar surface 62 dictate the current carrying load of each contact beam 61. The contact beams 61 form a large obtuse angle with the base 68, 69, 168. In this embodiment, the contact beams 61 have been reversed relative to the spade elements 66, 67. In this embodiment, there is flat portion 68 of the base that connects to the contact beams 61 and an additional flat portion 168 of the base near the bent-termination portion 63. The bent-termination portion 63 extends past the additional flat portion 168.

The contact element 60 is an integral piece. The contact element 60 is made out of conductive metal, such as copper alloys C151 or C110. It is formed, bend, and folded into the correct shape. The contact element 10 has two planar spade elements 66, 67. The planar spade elements 66, 67 have a thickness 616, 67. The planar spade elements 66, 67 have a planar surface 65, 155. The planar spade elements 66 transitions 156 from the hexagonal base 68, 69, 168. The transition 156 has a thickness 171.

FIG. 11 further illustrates the female connector 70 of the present invention by showing the spring actuator 80 that is inside the contact element 60. Still visible in the contact element 60 are the contact beams 61, the hexagonal base 168, and the planar spade elements 65, 66, 67, 155. The gap 200 caused by forming the contact element 60 out of a single piece of copper is also visible in this orientation. The spring actuator 80 has a plurality of spring arms 81. The spring arms 81 have a substantially planar surface 82 and a bent-termination portion 83. The spring actuator 80 base is substantially hexagonal with six flat sides 88 and five bent portions 89. The spring actuator 80 is fabricated from spring steel. The spring arms 81 of the spring actuator 80 form a large obtuse angle with the spring actuator 80 base 88, 89.

The spring actuator 80 fits inside the contact element 60. The spring actuator 80 spring arms 81 contact the inside planar surface 222 of the contact element 60 contact beams 61. The bent-termination portion 63 of the contact element 60 allows the female connector 70 to be compressed as it is inserted into a connector block. The spring actuator 80 spring arms 81 will provide a consistent retention force against the inside surface 222 of the contact element 60 contact beams 61.

FIGS. 12-13 show a lateral cutaway (FIG. 8) and a lateral view (FIG. 9). The relation of the planar spade elements 66, 67 to the contact beams 61 is illustrated. The spring actuator 80 spring arms 81 and bent-termination 83 are shown in the cutaway. The relation of the six sides 68 of the hexagonal base 68, 69, 168 to the planar surface 62 of the contact beams 61 is shown. The female connector 70 has, generally, a length 76 and a width 71. A ratio of length 76 to width 71 is the aspect ratio of the female connector 70

FIG. 14 shows an end-view of the spring actuator 80 inside the contact element 60. The bottom bent-termination 242 of the spring actuator 80 is visible.

FIGS. 1-2 show the male terminal portion 1 of the present invention. The male terminal portion 1 of the present invention consists of a cylindrical plastic shroud 5; and a cylindrical stamped metallic terminal (“male terminal”) 6, 7, 8, 9, 102, 103, 104. The plastic shroud 5 is a cylinder with an outer surface 2, an inner surface 8, an upper edge 3 and a taper 4 connecting the inner cylindrical surface 8 and the upper edge 3. The plastic shroud 5 is made from high-temperature polymers, such as high-temperature polyamide (e.g., nylon 66). The male terminal has an outer cylindrical surface 104, an inner cylindrical surface 9, an upper edge 6, a taper 7 connecting the upper edge 6 and the inner cylindrical surface 9, and two fillets 102, 103.

The female connector 20, 70 fits inside the male terminal portion 1. At elevated temperatures, the contact element 10, 60, and the spring actuator 30, 80, will tend to expand outwards due to metal memory and thermal expansion. This will increase the outward directed spring force exerted by the spring arms 31, 81 on the contact beams 11, 61. In turn, this will increase the contact force between the contact beams 11, 61 and the inner cylindrical surface 9 of the male terminal portion 1. As a result, the increased temperatures present in a motor vehicle engine compartment will increase, rather than decrease, the contact force of the connector.

FIGS. 21-24 illustrate the interaction of the female connector 70 and the male terminal 1. The inner diameter 90 of the inner cylindrical surface 9 of the male terminal 1 contacts the contact element 60. The spring actuator 80 exerts outward force on the contact element 60 pushing the contact beams 61 of the contact element into the connector. The bent-termination portion 63 of the contact beams 61 are the part that contact the inner diameter 90. The upper edge 6 and taper 7, and fillets are oriented nearer the bent-termination portion 63 of the beams 61, in this embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows another alternative embodiment of the first, female connector 320 of the present invention, a high-power, spring-actuated electrical connector. The female connector 320 includes a contact element 310 base 350 having four sides 318 and four bent portions 319. The cross-section of the contact element 310 is substantially a square or rounded square with rectangular planar surfaces: the four side walls 318, the four rounded portions 319 extending between adjacent side walls 318, and the base 350. The contact element 310 has four contact beams 311. Each contact beam 311 has a substantially planar surface 312 terminating in a bent-termination portion 313. The contact beams 311 form extend at an angle to the base 350 and the side walls 318, and, as a result, the rounded termination end 313 is external to the side wall 318.

The contact element 310 is an integral piece. The contact element 310 is fabricated from an electrically conductive metal, such as copper alloys C151 or C110. It is formed, bent, pressed, and/or folded into the correct shape. The contact element 310 has two planar spade elements 316, 317. The planar spade elements 316, 317 have a planar surface 315. The planar spade elements 316, 317 transition from the base 350 and have a thickness 357. A spring actuator 330, 530, 630 as shown in FIG. 15, is interior to the contact element 310 within an internal receiver formed by the side walls 318 of the contact element 310, that extends from an open first end to a second, closed end at the base 350 of the first connector 320.

FIGS. 16-17 show an alternative embodiment of the second, male terminal/connector 360 that mates with the first connector 320, shown in FIGS. 15 and 25-31, with a square cross-sectional base. In these drawings, the plastic shroud of the male terminal (or second connector 360) is omitted for clarity. The male terminal 360 has an outer surface 362, 361, an inner surface 365, an upper edge 363, and a taper 364 that connects the upper edge 363 to the inner surface 365. The female connector 320 fits inside the male terminal 360, thus the second connector 360 is cooperatively dimensioned to receive the female connector 320. The second connector 360, perhaps having differing overall dimensions, may be used with embodiments of the first connector 320, 520, 620 shown in FIGS. 15 and 25-31.

FIG. 18 is another embodiment of the female connector 420 of the present invention, a high-power, spring-actuated electrical connector, with is similar to that shown in FIGS. 9-14, except with a different aspect ratio. The female connector 420 includes a contact element having a contact element 410 base having six sides 418 and six bent portions 419. The cross-section of the contact element 410 base is substantially hexagonal with rectangular planar surfaces 418, 419. The contact element 410 has a six contact beams 411. Each contact beam 411 has a substantially planar surface 412 terminating in a bent-termination portion 413. The contact beams 411 form a large obtuse angle with the base 418.

The contact element 410 is an integral piece. The contact element 410 is fabricated from a conductive metal, such as copper alloys C151 or C110. It is formed, bend, pressed, and/or folded into the correct shape. The contact element 410 has two planar spade elements 416, 417. The planar spade elements 416, 417 have a thickness 416, 417. The planar spade elements 416, 417 have a planar surface 455. A spring actuator 430, with spring arms 431 is interior to the contact element 410. The female connector 420 has, generally, a length 470 and a width 471. A ratio of length 470 to width 471 is the aspect ratio of the female connector 420.

FIGS. 19-20 show an alternative embodiment of the male terminal 460 that would mate with a female connector 420 with a hexagonal cross-sectional base. In these drawings, the plastic shroud of the male terminal portion is omitted for clarity. The male terminal 460 has an outer surface 462, an inner surface 461, an upper edge 463, and a taper 464 that connects the upper edge 463 to the inner surface 461. The female connector 420 fits inside the male terminal 460.

FIGS. 25-28 show two additional alternative embodiments of a first female connector 520, 620 with a square or substantially square cross-section. As shown in these figures, the embodiments have many elements in common: four side walls 518, 525, 618, 625 with an aperture 566, 666; four bent or rounded portions 519, 619 extending between a pair of adjacent side walls 518, 525, 618, 625; contact beams 511, 611 that have planar surfaces 512, 612; a curvilinear, bent-termination portion 513, 613 adjacent to a free end 568; a bottom plate 515; and a spring actuator 530, 630 positioned within the first connector 520, 620. These two alternative embodiments also have planar spade elements: 560, 515, 516, 517; and 660, 615, 616, 617. In one embodiment 520, the spade element 560, 515, 516, 517 is parallel with two of the four sides 518, 525. In the other embodiment 620, the spade element 660, 615, 616, 617 is orthogonal to all four sides 618, 625.

FIGS. 29-30 are an isometric cutaway and a lateral cutaway of the first, female connector 520 with a square or substantially square cross-section, respectively. FIG. 31 is an isometric exploded view of the female connector 520, previously illustrated in FIGS. 25-28, with a square or substantially square cross-section. The spring actuator 530 sits inside an internal receiver 540 of the connector 520 that extends from an open first end to a second end of the connector 520. The first connector 520 and the internal receiver 540 formed therein have a centerline 542 (see FIGS. 30 and 31) passing substantially through the center(s) thereof. The spring actuator 530 has spring arms 531 and a base portion 538 made of spring steel and/or stainless steel. The spring arms 531 have a flat planar surface 532 which exert outward force on the contact beams 511. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 29, a biasing force F exerted by the spring arms 531 is directed outward and away from the centerline 542 of the receiver 540 and first connector 520. The contact beams 511 have a flat planar surface 512 and a curvilinear shoulder or bent portion 513 adjacent to the free end 568. The free end 568513 of the contact beam 511 contacts the flat planar surface 532 of the corresponding spring arm 531. This allows the spring arms 531 to be coplanar with the base portion 538 of the spring actuator 530 so that they do not become overstressed during the fabrication process.

The alternator terminal assembly 700 mates with the male terminal 703, as shown in FIG. 33-36. The male terminal 703 has a metallic, square tube 777 and a high temperature, non-conductive polymer shroud 711 with flange 709. The metallic, square tube 777 is electrically integral with the alternator busbar 708. The metallic square tube 777 is commonly made out of copper C110 or C151. The metallic square tube 777 has an outer surface composed of flat segments 769 and curved segments 768, an inner contact surface 710, a busbar 708, and an upper edge 770, distal from the busbar 708. The plastic shroud 711 has an inner surface 750, an outer surface 711, a flange 709, an upper edge 757 distal from the flange 709, and a mating protrusion 755. The mating protrusion 755 can be used to insure positive engagement between the female connector and the male terminal.

FIGS. 37-38 show two angles of the male terminal 703 with a mating protrusion 755 highlighted.

FIG. 32 shows the female connector 520 assembled into an alternator terminal assembly 700. A spade surface 515 (the reverse spade surface 566 is visible in FIG. 32) is ultrasonically welded or crimped to the wire 701. A cap 705 fabricated from high temperature polymers, such as high temperature polyamides, covers spade 566 of the female connector 520 and the wire weld. The rest of the female connector 520 fits into an alternator connector 702.

FIG. 39-40 show two different embodiments of the metallic, square tube 778, 777. In one, the busbar 708 is parallel to the metallic tube 777. The busbar 708 is integral with the surface of the metallic tube 769. In the other embodiment, the busbar 779 is orthogonal to the surfaces 789, 788 of the metallic tube 778.

FIGS. 41-42 show the female connector 520 in situ in an alternator terminal assembly 700. The cap 705 segment is joined to the alternator connector segment 702. The alternator connector segment has a plastic shroud 729 to prevent premature electrical contact. The beams 511 extend pass the plastic shroud 729, creating an electrical connection when mated with the male terminal 703. The alternator terminal assembly 700 has a connector position assurance indicator 720.

FIGS. 43-44 show the alternator terminal assembly 700 in situ with an alternator 704. The male terminal 703 is integral to the alternator 704. The alternator terminal assembly 700 with the female connector 520 mates with the male terminal 703 as shown in FIG. 42. The connector position assurance indicator 720 shows whether the connector is fully engaged and locked.

Claims

1. A spring-actuated electrical connector assembly for use in a high-power, high-voltage application that exposes the connector assembly to elevated temperatures and thermal cycling, the connector assembly comprising: a first electrically conductive connector formed from a first material, the first connector having a side wall arrangement defining an internal receiver that extends from an open first end to a second end, the side wall arrangement comprising a plurality of side walls, wherein a side wall includes an aperture and a contact beam extending across an extent of the aperture, wherein the contact beam integrally extends from a first portion of the side wall at an outward angle to an outer surface of the side wall, and wherein the contact beam includes a free end that extends inward of the outer surface of the side wall without engaging a second portion of the side wall;an internal spring member formed from a second material and dimensioned to reside within the receiver of the first connector, the spring member having a base and at least one spring arm that extends from the base, and wherein an outer surface of the spring arm and an outer surface of the base are coplanar;a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first connector and the spring member residing within the receiver of the first connector to define a connected position that withstands the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power, high-voltage application;wherein in the connected position, the spring arm of the spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact beam of the first connector to outwardly displace the contact beam into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle of the second connector to maintain the first and second connectors in the connected position.

2. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the second connector is integrated into a busbar.

3. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a plurality of contact beams and the spring member includes a plurality of spring arms, and wherein in the connected position, a first spring arm exerts a first outwardly directed force on a first contact beam to displace the first contact beam into engagement with the inner surface of the receptacle, and a second spring arm exerts a second outwardly directed force on a second contact beam to displace the second contact beam into engagement with said inner receptacle surface, the first outwardly directed force being oriented in a different direction than the second outwardly directed force.

4. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first material of the first connector is a highly conductive copper including at least one the copper alloys commonly designated C151 or C110.

5. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the second material of the spring member is spring steel.

6. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first material of the first connector is highly conductive copper, and wherein the second material of the spring member is spring steel.

7. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the contact beam of the first connector is formed from a sheet of highly conductive copper that has been pre-plated.

8. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the outwardly directed force exerted by the spring arm is applied at the free end of the contact beam.

9. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the contact arm has a bent-termination portion adjacent the free end; and wherein the outwardly directed force exerted by the spring arm displaces the bent-termination portion of the contact beam beyond the outer surface of the side wall.

10. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the first connector includes a moveable spade that encloses the internal receiver and the spring member when it is positioned within said receiver.

11. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the second end of the first connector includes at least one planar spade.

12. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector has an elongated configuration such that a length of the first connector is greater than both a width and a height of a cross-section of the first connector.

13. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the outwardly directed force applied by the spring arm on the contact beam in the connected position is increased by residual material memory and thermal expansion due to the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power, high-voltage application.

14. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a plurality of contact beams and the spring member includes a plurality of spring arms, and wherein in the connected position, a first spring arm exerts a first outwardly directed force on a first contact beam and a second spring arm exerts a second outwardly directed force on a second contact beam, the first outwardly directed force being oriented in a different direction than the second outwardly directed force.

15. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electrically non-conductive shroud that covers a substantial extent of the first connector while exposing the contact beam.

16. A spring-actuated electrical connector assembly for use in a high-power, high-voltage application that exposes the connector assembly to elevated temperatures and thermal cycling, the connector assembly comprising: a first electrically conductive connector formed from a first material, the first connector having a side wall arrangement defining an internal receiver that extends from an open first end to a second end of the first connector, the side wall arrangement comprising a plurality of side walls, wherein a side wall includes an aperture and a contact beam extending across an extent of the aperture, wherein the contact beam integrally extends from a first portion of the side wall at an outward angle to an outer surface of the side wall, and wherein the contact beam includes a free end that extends inward of the outer surface of the side wall;an internal spring member formed from a second material, the spring member having a side wall arrangement comprised of a plurality of side walls, wherein a side wall includes an elongated spring arm that extends from an end of the side wall, and wherein an outer surface of the side wall and an outer surface of the spring arm reside in the same plane;wherein when the spring member is inserted into the receiver of the first connector, the spring arm of the spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact beam of the first connector to outwardly displace the contact beam.

17. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, further comprising a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first connector and the spring member to define a connected position; wherein in the connected position, the outwardly directed force applied by the spring arm to the contact beam outwardly displaces the contact beam into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle of the second connector to maintain the first and second connectors in the connected position while withstanding the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power, high-voltage application.

18. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the second connector is integrated into a busbar.

19. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 17, wherein the first connector includes a plurality of contact beams and the spring member includes a plurality of spring arms, and wherein in the connected position, a first spring arm exerts a first outwardly directed force on a first contact beam to displace the first contact beam into engagement with the inner surface of the receptacle, and a second spring arm exerts a second outwardly directed force on a second contact beam to displace the second contact beam into engagement with said inner receptacle surface, the first outwardly directed force being oriented in a different direction than the second outwardly directed force.

20. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the first material of the first connector is a highly conductive copper including at least one the copper alloys commonly designated C151 or C110.

21. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the second material of the spring member is spring steel.

22. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the first material of the first connector is highly conductive copper, and wherein the second material of the spring member is spring steel.

23. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the contact beam of the first connector is formed from a sheet of highly conductive copper that has been pre-plated with another material.

24. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the outwardly directed force exerted by the spring arm is applied at the free end of the contact beam.

25. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 24, wherein the contact beam comprises a bent-termination portion adjacent to the free end; and wherein the outwardly directed force exerted by the spring arm displaces the bent-termination portion of the contact beam beyond the outer surface of the side wall.

26. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the first end of the first connector includes a moveable spade that encloses the internal receiver and the spring member.

27. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 26, wherein the second end of the first connector includes at least one planar spade.

28. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the first connector has an elongated configuration such that a length of the first connector is greater than both a width and a height of a cross-section of the first connector.

29. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the outwardly directed force applied by the spring arm on the contact beam is increased by residual material memory and thermal expansion due to the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power, high-voltage application.

30. The spring-actuated electrical connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the first connector includes a plurality of contact beams and the spring member includes a plurality of spring arms, and wherein a first spring arm exerts a first outwardly directed force on a first contact beam and a second spring arm exerts a second outwardly directed force on a second contact beam, the first outwardly directed force being oriented in a different direction than the second outwardly directed force.