Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Spring actuated or resilient securing part
Patent
1988-07-26
1990-05-15
McGlynn, Joseph H.
Electrical connectors
Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient...
Spring actuated or resilient securing part
H01R 1300
Patent
active
049254065
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to electrical connectors in particular the type adapted for connection of leads to spark plugs, coils and distributor caps of internal combustion engines.
Traditionally, connection of a lead to a spark plug or coil has comprised a cylindrical connector which fits over and surrounds a spark plug or coil terminal. Such connectors are usually encased in elastomeric material to allow limited movement of the connector whilst maintaining a substantially water-tight seal about the spark plug or coil terminal. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately locate the terminal within the cylinder. This has been difficult to achieve where the connector is recessed well within the elastomeric material.
The cylindrical connector is usually encircled by a partial cylindrical spring clip which serves to reinforce the connection of the cylinder to the terminal. One example of this type of connector is disclosed in Australian patent 502,552 which comprises additional semi-cylindrical spring material with locating lugs to ensure positive engagement about the terminal of a spark plug. Spark plugs in current engines are commonly recessed and in view of the limited finger space it is not possible for disconnection to be accomplished by pulling about the end of the connector.
Thus to disengage the conventional electric connector assembly, one needs to pull upon the elastomeric boot or lead and, therefore, cause tension between the connector and the lead where they join. Consequently the connection between the connector and the lead can deteriorate causing intermittant electrical transfer with well-known consequences upon the ignition of the engine.
It is proposed according to a first aspect of the invention that the connector section need be neither cylindrical nor require close axial engagement of the connector and terminal.
Accordingly there is provided an electrical connector comprising a first connector section for connection to an electricity conducting means, and a second connector section communicating with the first connector section, the second connector section including at least two arms extending therefrom, each of the arms have a transverse engagement surface, the transverse engagement surface of one of the arms being substantially parallel to the transverse engagement surface of the other of the arms and defining a contact surface for engagement with an electrical terminal. To enable firm location of the terminal by the transverse engagement surfaces, they are preferably separated by a distance less than the transverse dimension of the terminal.
Preferably the engagement surfaces lie in a common plane normal to the arms and are pressed down and about the terminal. In view of the substantially parallel nature of the engagement surfaces the terminal may be located at any point therebetween avoiding the precise connection techniques characteristic of cylindrical connectors. As the terminal is not totally encircled by the connector there is no need for accurate alignment with the centre line of the surrounding boot of elastomeric material. This arrangement also assists disengagement of the connector from the terminal by angular motion minimizing the tension exerted upon the connection between the terminal and the lead.
Typically the oppositely disposed engagement surfaces are ribs or ridges. Overall in the second connector section the arms may project normal to the base to form a channel of general U-shaped appearance. The base of the second connector section may also serve as a positive limit to the terminal to prevent it being over inserted and to give the user a positive feel when the terminal is totally engaged.
The orientation of the engagement surfaces relative to the remaining portion of the connector may be varied for convenient lead connection, the important requirement being that those surfaces in use present traversely of the terminal. Similarly the actual shape of the surfaces can be varied providing they can firmly engage the terminal.
In a second aspect of the invention an improvement is
REFERENCES:
patent: 3914008 (1975-10-01), Hollander et al.
patent: 4009924 (1977-03-01), Bungo et al.
patent: 4032215 (1977-06-01), Jarmofsky
patent: 4550963 (1985-11-01), Moors
Dimasi Salvators
Topolcsanyi George
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