Electrical connectors – Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient... – Spring actuated or resilient securing part
Patent
1997-09-02
1999-08-24
Paumen, Gary F.
Electrical connectors
Metallic connector or contact having movable or resilient...
Spring actuated or resilient securing part
H01R 1122
Patent
active
059417404
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electrical terminals and specifically to an automotive electrical terminal exhibiting low insertion efforts.
In automotive vehicle electrical systems, it is common to have electrical connectors between a pair of discrete wires. It is also known to provide electrical connectors between a discrete wire and a male conductive blade or even between a pair of male conductive blades. These traditional electrical connectors may have a barrel or box-like shape for receiving a male member. Examples of such traditional electrical connectors are disclosed within the following U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,545 entitled "Electrical Terminal Receptacle and Electrical Component Housing Adapted for the Same" which issued to Roy et al. on Jan. 17, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,808 entitled "Blade Coupling Terminal" which issued to Cairns et al. on Jul. 30, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,239 entitled "Connector Terminal" which issued to Inoue on Jul. 17, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. and 4,451,109 entitled "Connector Terminal" which issued to Inoue on May 29, 1984. The disclosures of these patents are incorporated by reference herewithin.
Another electrical connector construction that has been employed within the automotive industry consists of four side walls folded in a box-like manner and having a conductive tail extending therefrom, the conductive tail can be crimped onto a discrete wire. A pair of flexible beams project within the box from respective facing walls. Each beam is substantially flat with a single central slot extending the majority of the beam's longitudinal length.
Conventional electrical connectors have many limitations. The blade formations of these conventional constructions cause high insertion efforts of a male blade therein. The male blade compresses each beam beyond the plastic elasticity of the material such that each blade is then given a permanent compressed set. Thus, the male blade can inadvertently disengage from the female electrical connector. Furthermore, these traditional electrical connectors are prone to oxidation thereby creating a poor electrical contact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of an electrical terminal has an electrically conductive beam flexibly coupled to a conductive wall. The beam further has a pair of outboard shoulders and a tongue flexibly disposed therebetween. In another aspect of the present invention, a pair of beams, each having a tongue and a pair of outboard shoulders, are oppositely facing one another in a box electrical terminal. The electrical terminal of the present invention is preferably employed in an automotive vehicle electrical system.
The electrical terminal of the present invention is advantageous over traditional constructions in that the beams of the present invention provide for low insertion efforts of a mating conductive member without allowing the beams to be deformed beyond their desired plastic elasticity. Also, low but predictable removal forces of the mating member are achieved. An oxidation and debris wiping action is created between the mating member and the beam of the present invention during removal of the mating member from the female electrical terminal. The present invention electrical terminal further provides a large target area for the mating member while preventing undesirable lateral rotation or angular insertion therein. The beam of the present invention electrical terminal is designed to mechanically and electrically contact the male member during the initial installation therein as well as providing for a large electrical contact area when fully inserted. The electrical terminal of the present invention also creates a shortened electrical path when the male member is fully installed. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective v
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Heckman Steven K.
Neuer Gregg D.
Hammond Briggitte R
Paumen Gary F.
UT Automotive Dearborn Inc.
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