AU2016101505A4 - An Electrical Terminal Arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A terminal arrangement for an electrical device comprises a conductor for connection to the electrical device, the conductor being configured to provide electrical conduction for componentry of the electrical device. At least two terminals are electrically connected to the conductor in different orientations with respect to each other, the terminals being configured so that at least two different connectors can be attached to the terminals. aY) N) -- L Y -n- 4 A C) A. --,I i (C) 00 ---I CA) CYa) -- IL .. .. . .. . --- - ,/- IL CD (D 0) N)

Description

AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL ARRANGEMENT

FIELD

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of a terminal arrangement for an electrical device and an electrical device incorporating a terminal arrangement are described in this specification.

SUMMARY

[0002] Various exemplary embodiments of a terminal arrangement for an electrical device comprise a conductor for connection to the electrical device, the conductor being configured to provide electrical conduction for componentry of the electrical device; and at least two terminals electrically connected to the conductor in different orientations with respect to each other, the terminals being configured so that at least two different connectors can be attached to the terminals.

[0003] Each terminal may include a terminal pin. The conductor and the terminal pins may be in the form of a unitary, one-piece structure. For example, the conductor and the terminal pins may be in the form of a single element of conductive material.

[0004] The terminal arrangement may include a housing that is fastenable to a housing or body of the electrical device. The housing may define at least two sockets for respective terminal pins so that each socket and its respective terminal pin defines a terminal. The terminals may be configured so that the terminals are female terminals or male terminals or both male and female terminals.

[0005] Various exemplary embodiments of an electrical device comprise a body containing or carrying electrical componentry of the device; and a terminal arrangement mounted on the housing and including a conductor that is connected to the electrical componentry, the conductor being configured to provide electrical conduction for the electrical componentry; and at least two terminals electrically connected to the conductor in different orientations with respect to each other, the terminals being configured so that at least two different electrical connectors can be attached to the terminals.

[0006] The terminal arrangement may be the terminal arrangement described in the preceding paragraphs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 shows a schematic, partially internal side view of an embodiment of a terminal arrangement for an electrical device.

[0008] Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the terminal arrangement of figure 1.

[0009] Figure 3 shows a front view of the terminal arrangement of figure 1.

[0010] Figure 4 shows a rear view of the terminal arrangement of figure 1.

[0011] Figure 5 shows a circuit diagram of an electrical conductor of the terminal arrangement of figure 1.

[0012] Figure 6 shows an electrical conductor for the terminal arrangement of figure 1.

[0013] Figure 7 shows a side view of an electrical device that incorporates the terminal arrangement of figure 1.

[0014] Figure 8 shows a front view of the electrical device of figure 7.

[0015] Figure 9 shows a view of the terminal arrangement taken from a perspective “A” in figure 8.

[0016] Figure 10 shows a view of the terminal arrangement taken from a perspective “P” in figure 9.

[0017] Figure 11 shows a side view of a prior art electrical device.

[0018] Figure 12 shows a side view of another prior art electrical device.

[0019] Figure 13 shows another side view of the electrical device of figure 7 showing detail of the terminal arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In figures 1 to 4, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a terminal arrangement for an electrical device.

[0021] The terminal arrangement 10 includes a housing 12. An electrical conductor 14 is mounted in the housing 12. The terminal arrangement 10 includes two terminals, in the form of a front terminal 11 and a rear terminal 13 that are electrically connected to the conductor 14 in different orientations with respect to each other, the terminals 11,13 being configured so that at least two different connectors can be attached to the terminals 11,13.

[0022] The conductor 14 is in the form of a unitary, one-piece component of a conductive material, such as conductive metal, for example, copper or brass. The conductor 14 defines two, opposed terminal pins, in the form of a front terminal pin 16 and a rear terminal pin 18. The terminal pins 16, 18 are both connected to a common terminal pin 20 that is electrically connected to both the terminal pins 16, 18.

[0023] The housing 12 is shaped to define two opposed sockets, in the form of a front socket 22 and a rear socket 24. The conductor 14 is mounted in the housing 12 so that the front terminal pin 16 is positioned in the front socket 22 to define the front terminal 11 and the rear terminal 18 is positioned in the rear socket 24 to define the rear terminal 13.

[0024] The front terminal pin 16 and its associated front socket 22 have a different configuration to the rear terminal pin 18 and its associated rear socket 24. Thus, two different types of connectors can be connected to the respective front and rear terminals 11, 13. This allows an electrical device that includes the terminal arrangement 10 to be used in two different applications.

[0025] In this particular embodiment, figures 3 and 4 show the two different combinations of socket and terminal pin provided by the terminal arrangement 10. In figure 3, the front terminal pin 16 is wider than the rear terminal pin 18 shown in figure 4. Also, the front socket 22 has a larger cross-sectional area than the rear socket 24. In addition, the front terminal pin 16 is offset in a different direction to an offset of the rear terminal pin 18.

[0026] The respective offsets of the front and rear terminals pins 16,18 is achieved by the front terminal pin 16 and the common terminal pin 20 defining an angle section, in this case a right angle section, with the rear terminal pin 18 extending from a leg of the angle section at an angle relative to that leg. In this case, the angle is generally 90° and the terminal pins 16, 18 are generally parallel.

[0027] It is to be appreciated that any number of terminals in excess of two can be provided to expand the applications of the electrical device.

[0028] In this particular example, the electrical device is a starter motor 28 for a vehicle. Thus, the common terminal pin 20 can be configured to be connected to a lead 26 (figure 1) of a coil or other power source for the starter motor.

[0029] The starter motor 28 includes a housing or casing 32 that houses a switch, for example a solenoid switch, for the starter motor 28. The switch is operated by means of an actuating power supply that is received via an electrical connector 30. This is well-known in the vehicle industry.

[0030] In the vehicle spare parts industry, it is often the case that one component, such as the starter motor 28, is suitable for use across different models of apparatus, such as motor vehicle engines. For example, figures 11 and 12 show the starter motor 28 that can be used with different vehicle engines. However, this is not presently possible because each of the starter motors 28 have a different electrical connector 30 that is only suited to a particular motor vehicle engine. As a result, it is necessary for a spare parts supplier to supply two different types of starter motors 28 with the only difference being the electrical connectors 30. This leads to duplication of costs associated with sourcing and administration.

[0031 ] The inventor(s) submits that the terminal arrangement 10 can replace the electrical connectors 30 so that the starter motor 28 can be used with either of two types of vehicle engine.

[0032] The housing 12 can be formed of a suitable electrically non-conductive material. Examples would be materials that are presently used for the fabrication of housings for electrical connectors. For example, the conductor 14 can be embedded in the housing 12.

[0033] The housing 12 can be configured for mounting on the casing 32, with the lead 26 connected to the solenoid switch in a conventional manner. The terminals 11, 13 are positioned to be connected to respective electrical connectors, selected depending on the vehicle in which the starter motor 28 is mounted. Thus, it is to be understood that the position and number of the terminals can vary to include further vehicles and various positions of respective electrical connectors in those vehicles.

[0034] The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description.

[0035] Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term “comprising” and variants thereof such as “comprise” or “comprises” are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

[0036] It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0037] Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0038] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

[0039] Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted by context, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise: a. there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements; b. no characteristic, function, activity, or element is “essential”; c. any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated; d. any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and e. any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

[0040] The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

[0041] Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1,2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.

[0042] Words indicating direction or orientation, such as “front”, “rear”, “back”, etc, are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments can be used in a non-operative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

[0043] Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.

Claims (5)

1. A terminal arrangement for an electrical device comprises a conductor for connection to the electrical device, the conductor being configured to provide electrical conduction for componentry of the electrical device; and at least two terminals electrically connected to the conductor in different orientations with respect to each other, the terminals being configured so that at least two different connectors can be attached to the terminals.

2. The terminal arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which each terminal includes a terminal pin.

3. The terminal arrangement as claimed in claim 2, in which the conductor and the terminal pins are in the form of a unitary, one-piece structure of a conductive material. For example, the conductor and the terminal pins may be in the form of a single element of conductive material.

4. The terminal arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a housing that is fastenable to a housing or body of the electrical device, the housing defining at least two sockets for respective terminal pins so that each socket and its respective terminal pin defines a terminal.

5. An electrical device comprises a body containing or carrying electrical componentry of the device; and a terminal arrangement mounted on the housing and including a conductor that is connected to the electrical componentry, the conductor being configured to provide electrical conduction for the electrical componentry; and at least two terminals electrically connected to the conductor in different orientations with respect to each other, the terminals being configured so that at least two different electrical connectors can be attached to the terminals.