Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
Patent
1996-12-02
1998-05-26
Paumen, Gary F.
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
439851, H01R 448
Patent
active
057555990
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject of the invention relates to an improved electrical contact, and more particularly to an electrical contact that may be received in existing contact cavities and, in some cases, may be adapted for use in high vibration atmospheres.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many sensors are now used in applications where they are subject to high vibrations, such as in automotive sensing applications, the vibrations may lead to fretting corrosion, and, over the life time of the connector, cause a failure in the automotive sensing circuit. While it is always desirable to provide contacts for such use in high vibration atmospheres, it is also a requirement to maintain these contacts on a relatively close centreline. In fact it is desirable to keep these contacts on the same centreline and compatible with existing connector housings which are already available. This is advantageous to the end user, who has already established their packaging requirements within the automobile and, possibly, already established the size and layout of the sensor contacts. Some of these connector systems are somewhat standardized within the industry, with the housings varying only slightly and in the number of cavities in each housing.
One such connector family is known as applicant's Junior Power Timer family, which is a highly recognized connector system presently used in automotive connection systems. The connector housing includes a front face adapted to receive a tab-type terminal, and a socket terminal that is situated within the housing to receive the tab. The socket terminal includes two contact arms in opposing relation and extending forwardly to a constricted portion for receiving the tab therebetween and exerting a axially extending ribs are positioned in each corner of the housing on the inside of the contact passageway.
A problem exists in that it is desirable to provide enhanced functions for an electrical contact, for example sensor applications described above. These enhancements may occur in the central section of a contact. However, in order to assure the contact remains usable with existing interfaces, it is desirable that the contact or socket section of the contact be receivable in an existing contact passageway, even in cases when the enhancements result in a central section of the contact taking on a configuration larger than the contact passageway. Furthermore, in order to provide a contact that may be adapted to perform the sensor function, it is desirable for the front contact section to be configured such that the section can float relative the wire engaging section.
EP-A-0 433 610 discloses an electrical contact having a central section, a front contact section and a conductor engaging section where the front contact section includes a pair of opposed contact arms configured for receiving a tab therebetween. The contact arms have a width less than the width of the side of the central section from which they originate. An outer box is provided about the central section 6 and a tongue member extends over the contact arms to provide support thereto. The outer box being tightly affixed to the contact along the central section.
It is an object of this invention then to provide a new socket contact which can be used with existing connector housings.
It is a another object of this invention to provide an improved electrical socket contact which can be used in high vibration atmospheres.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved electrical socket contact that has a short stiff locking lance.
At least one aspect of the invention is accomplished by providing an electrical contact having a central section, a front contact section and a wire section, where the front contact section includes a pair of opposed contact arms that extend from the central section for receiving a tab therebetween, a transversely disposed arm extends from the central section along at least one side of each of the opposed contact arms and is joined therewith at
REFERENCES:
patent: 4666227 (1987-05-01), Galizia et al.
patent: 4900271 (1990-02-01), Colleran et al.
patent: 4907990 (1990-03-01), Bertho et al.
patent: 5007865 (1991-04-01), Jakobeit
patent: 5362262 (1994-11-01), Hotea
patent: 5624283 (1997-04-01), Hotea
Paumen Gary F.
Ta Tho Dac
The Whitaker Corporation
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