Electrical connectors – Including arc suppressing or extinguishing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-30
2001-04-17
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Including arc suppressing or extinguishing means
C431S246000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217356
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to electrical terminals having a region to accommodate deterioration owing to electrical arcing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors are sometimes used in applications wherein the connectors need to be mated and unmated without first disconnecting the power source. When an electrical potential exists between the terminals of the connectors, arcing can occur as they are mated and unmated, thus causing deterioration of the terminals. Various approaches have been used to reduce such deterioration or to fabricate terminals that can withstand deterioration.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,528 discloses a pin and socket connector assembly in which each of a pair of power lines is connected to a pair of mating terminals such that one of each pair of mating terminals are allowed to deteriorate or be “sacrificed” while the integrity of the other of the pair is maintained. The use of a pair of “sacrificial” terminals for each power line increases the number of terminals that must be included in a connector housing and the overall dimensions of the connector.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,039 discloses the use of an arc arresting or sacrificial ring located near the opening of each socket terminal in the connector. The mating pin terminal engages the ring, which receives any electrical arc before the pin terminal engages the socket terminal. This approach requires an extra member for each receptacle terminal and additional steps to assemble the connector.
It is desirable and more cost effective, however, to have an electrical terminal that can provide a sacrificial function as well as maintain the integrity of the electrical connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a socket terminal that overcomes the problems of the prior art. The electrical terminal includes a body having first and second connecting portions. The first connecting portion is adapted to mate with a pin terminal and includes two beams extending substantially parallel to one another from an edge of the body and defining a terminal-receiving slot therebetween. Each beam has a primary contact surface spaced inwardly form leading ends of the beams and extending orthogonally into the terminal-receiving slot. At least one of the beams includes a secondary or sacrificial contact surface proximate the leading end thereof. The primary and secondary contact surfaces on the at least one beam are spaced both vertically and horizontally from each other. The corresponding primary contact surfaces of the two beams are substantially opposed to each other. Upon inserting a pin terminal into the terminal-receiving slot, the secondary or sacrificial contact surface engages the pin terminal at at least one first location thereon. Upon further insertion of the pin, the pin engages the primary contact surfaces at second locations thereon, the second locations being spaced at least horizontally from the at least one first location on the pin. The secondary or sacrificial contact surface on the at least one beam and the at least one first locations on the pin terminal define an electrical arc arresting region thereby preventing deleterious electrical arcing between the pin terminal at the second locations and the primary contact surfaces on the beams.
For purposes of illustrating the invention, the terminal is being shown in a terminal block for use in a control panel.
It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical terminal that includes a structure that provides at least one electrical arc-arresting region and a separate region for electrical connection when the connectors having the terminals are fully mated.
It is another object of the invention to provide an electrical terminal having the above capabilities that is cost effective to manufacture.
It is a further object of the invention to provide electrical terminals for terminating to stripped wire ends that prevent the wires from entering the socket that is to be mated to a pin terminal.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Drawings and Abstract for pending application 16578, Ser. No. 09/092,473, Filed Jun. 5, 1998.
Drawings and Abstract for pending application 16579, Ser. No. 08/899,458, Filed Jul. 23, 1997.
Drawings and Abstract for pending application 16581, Ser. No. 08/899,421, Filed Jul. 23, 1997.
Davis Wayne Samuel
Whiteman, Jr. Robert Neil
Prasad Chandrika
Sircus Brian
The Whitaker Corporation
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