EP0656674B1 - Borne électrique avec un ressort externe de renforcement - Google Patents

Borne électrique avec un ressort externe de renforcement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0656674B1
EP0656674B1 EP19940118966 EP94118966A EP0656674B1 EP 0656674 B1 EP0656674 B1 EP 0656674B1 EP 19940118966 EP19940118966 EP 19940118966 EP 94118966 A EP94118966 A EP 94118966A EP 0656674 B1 EP0656674 B1 EP 0656674B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spring
arms
terminal
contact
body section
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19940118966
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0656674A2 (fr
EP0656674A3 (fr
Inventor
Gheorghe Hotea
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whitaker LLC
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0656674A2 publication Critical patent/EP0656674A2/fr
Publication of EP0656674A3 publication Critical patent/EP0656674A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0656674B1 publication Critical patent/EP0656674B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/15—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure
    • H01R13/18—Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure with the spring member surrounding the socket
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
    • H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
    • H01R13/113—Resilient sockets co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electrical receptacle terminal having an inner contact with cantilever contact arms, and an outer backup spring having spring arms for increasing the spring force of the cantilever contact arms whereby the spring arms comprise a first arms and a second arms perpendicular thereto for increasing the spring force thereof according to the pre-characterizing features of claim 1.
  • the outer backup spring should also provide an outer support surface that allows the terminals to be easily inserted and snugly held within corresponding terminal receiving cavities of the housing.
  • an electrical receptacle terminal stamped and formed from sheet metal comprising an inner contact body and an outer back-up spring.
  • the outer back-up spring has a pair of outer back-up spring arms cooperating with the contact spring arms.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a compact terminal with high contact pressure that has an outer geometry well adapted for easy insertion and snug fitting within a corresponding terminal receiving cavity of an electrical connector housing.
  • a terminal comprises an inner contact body with opposed cantilever contact arms and an outer backup spring having a box-shaped body disposed closely around a body section of the inner contact, the outer backup spring having opposing spring members extending therefrom over the cantilever contact arms whereby each spring member comprises a first spring arm and a second spring support arm in a plane approximately perpendicular to the first spring arm, the first and second arms joined at free ends proximate tip sections of the inner contact arms.
  • the inner contact tip sections are biased against the spring members and resiliently supported thereby during insertion of a complementary male tab between the contact sections whereby the right angled disposition of the first and second spring arms greatly increases the spring strength thereof.
  • the substantially box-shaped profile generated by the right angled spring members and box-shaped body section of the outer backup spring not only protect the inner cantilever contact arms from damage, but enable snug and easy insertion of the terminal in a cavity of an electrical connector housing.
  • an electrical receptacle terminal generally shown at 2 comprises an inner contact 4 and an outer backup spring 6, the inner contact comprising a conducting wire connection section 8 (only a small part of which is shown) extending into a box-shaped body section 10 having a front end 12 from which extend a pair of opposed cantilever contact arms 14.
  • the contact arms 14 comprise successively, converging sections 16, extending into a contact section 18 where the contact arms touch each other, then extending into an outwardly flared tip section 20 having tips 22 at free ends thereof.
  • the tips 22 are substantially parallel to the mating direction of a complimentary male tab terminal with the receptacle terminal 2.
  • the inner contact 4 is stamped and formed from sheet metal, whereby the box-shaped body section 10 therefore has a seam 24 (see Figure 3) resulting from the folding together thereof.
  • the body section 10 has a pair of opposed side walls 26 from which the contact arms 14 extend, a top wall 28 and opposed bottom wall 30, both orthogonal to the side walls 26.
  • the bottom wall 30 comprises a centrally disposed U-shaped slot 32 extending from the front end 12 of the body section.
  • the wire connecting section 8 can be provided with any known wire connecting device such as a crimping barrel, or insulation displacement contact and is therefore not shown or described herein.
  • the outer backup spring 6 comprises a box-shaped body section 42 disposed closely around the inner contact body section 10 and comprising a seam 44 formed by edges 46 resulting from the stamping and forming process thereof.
  • the body section 42 further comprises a pair of deformed tabs 48 clinched over opposed edges 50 of the inner contact body slot 32.
  • the spring members 54 comprise a first spring arm 56 extending from side walls 58 of the outer backup spring body section 42, the side walls 58 being contiguous with the inner contact side walls 26, whereby the first spring arms 56 extend in a plane roughly parallel to the side walls 58 and 26, except for a slightly concave mid-section 60.
  • Each spring member 54 further comprises a pair of second spring support members 62 that flank lateral sides of the first arm 56 and are approximately perpendicular thereto.
  • the first and second arms 54, 62 are joined at forward free ends 64 by L-shaped joining sections 66, and separated by a slot 68 extending from the joining section 66 to the body section front end 52.
  • the second spring support arms 62 are also bent slightly inwards towards a mid-section 72 and opposing second arms 62 of opposing spring members 54 are separated by a slot 74 extending from the front end 64 to the body section front end 52.
  • a locking lance 78 projects obliquely outwardly and rearwardly from a side wall 58 of the outer backup spring for locking the terminal 2 in a cavity of an electrical connector housing.
  • a complementary male tab for electrical connection to the receptacle terminal 2 is initially guided during insertion by the forward U-shaped tabs 70 and then by the outwardly flared tip sections 20 of the contact arms 14. Further insertion of the tab between the contact sections 18 resiliently biases the contact arms outwards and urges the tips 22 against the outer backup spring first arms 56 which are thereby also resiliently biased outwards.
  • the contact tips 22 are held with a certain amount of longitudinal play 80 allowing them to slide, with respect to the outer backup spring, a small amount in the longitudinal (or mating) direction. The latter increases the flexibility of the contact arms 14 during the initial stages of insertion of the male tab between the contact portions 18 so as to reduce the insertion force thereof.
  • the insertion force is the greatest during the initial stages of prising apart the contacts 18 by the leading edge of the male tab (which usually comprises a taper).
  • the contact arms 14 are able to "straighten out” a small amount during prising apart of the contacts 18 thereby having only bending moments within the contact arms and eliminating compressive forces that would occur if the tips 22 were rigidly attached to the outer backup spring.
  • the contact arm tips 22 butt against the U-shaped tabs 70, thereby rendering the contact arms 14 more rigid with respect to the prising-apart forces at the contact sections 18.
  • a large part of the spring forces are provided by the outer spring members 54, whereby the second support arms 62 substantially increase the spring force due to it's disposition essentially within the plane of bending.
  • the tabs 48 clinched to the slot 32 of the inner contact prevent the spring forces opening the outer backup spring seam 44, thereby ensuring a high spring force of the spring members 54.
  • a slot 68 is provided between the first 56 and second 62 arms to ensure that the spring members 54 remain adequately flexible for the outward resilient biasing thereof when the male tab is inserted.
  • the right angled disposition of the first and second arms 56, 62 substantially encloses the cantilever contact arms 14, thereby providing protection thereof from external objects that may snag onto, or otherwise damage the contact arms.
  • the L-shaped joining sections 66 at the front end 64 of the backup spring are aligned with corners of the box-shaped profile of the body section 42, thereby providing a stable positioning of the terminal 2 in a box-shaped housing cavity, whereby the relatively long distance between the body section 42 and front end 64 reduces pivoting of the terminal 2 within the cavity.
  • the outer backup spring confers a high spring force yet sufficient flexibility to the contact arms 14. Limited sliding of the contact arm tips against the outer backup spring, ensures great spring strength of the inner contact arms yet a reasonably low insertion force. Furthermore, the inner contact arms 14 are substantially enclosed on all sides by the first and second spring arms and the front U-shaped tab, thereby protecting the inner contact from damage. Another advantage is procured from the front end profile resulting from the first and second spring arms which is aligned with the box-shaped body section, thereby providing stability in the positioning of the terminal within a housing cavity.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Borne de prise électrique (2), estampée et formée à partir de tôle, comprenant un corps de contact interne (4) et un ressort de renfort externe (6), le corps de contact interne (4) comprenant une section de corps en forme de caisson (10) et une paire de bras de contact en porte-à-faux opposés (14), s'étendant à partir des parois latérales opposées (26) de la section de corps (10) et comprenant successivement des sections convergentes (16), des sections de contact (18) et des sections de pointe évasées vers l'extérieur (20), le ressort de renfort externe (6) comprenant une section de corps en forme de caisson (42), agencée étroitement autour de la section de contact interne (10), et des éléments de ressort opposés (54), s'étendant longitudinalement au-dessus des bras de contact internes (14), caractérisée en ce que chaque élément de ressort (54) comprend un premier bras élastique (56), s'étendant dans un plan parallèle ou légèrement angulaire par rapport aux parois latérales du corps de contact interne (26), et un deuxième bras de support élastique (62), s'étendant dans un plan à peu près perpendiculaire, les premier et deuxième bras étant reliés par une section de liaison en L (66) au niveau des extrémités libres (64) proches des sections de pointe de contact (20), les sections de pointe de contact (20) étant ainsi poussées contre les éléments de ressort (54) et supportées élastiquement par ceux-ci au cours de l'insertion d'une patte mâle complémentaire entre les sections de contact (18).
  2. Borne électrique selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la section de pointe de contact (20) comprend une pointe (22) au niveau de son extrémité libre, au-dessus de laquelle est repliée une patte en U (70) de l'élément de ressort (54), s'étendant à partir de l'extrémité avant libre (64) du premier bras (56).
  3. Borne selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la patte (70) du premier bras (56) est repliée au-dessus de la pointe (22) d'environ 180°.
  4. Borne selon les revendications 2 ou 3, caractérisée en ce qu'un certain jeu longitudinal (80) est établi entre la pointe (22) et la patte en U (70) pour permettre un mouvement de glissement longitudinal limité entre elles.
  5. Borne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que les premier (56) et deuxième (6) bras sont séparés par une fente (68), s'étendant à partir de la section de liaison en L (66) vers une position proche de la section du corps de contact interne (10).
  6. Borne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisée en ce que les deuxièmes bras (62) des éléments de ressort opposés (54) sont séparés par une fente (74) s'étendant d'une position proche de la section du corps de contact interne (10) vers les extrémités libres (64).
  7. Borne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la section de corps (42) du ressort de renfort externe (6) comprend une bordure (44) résultant du repliage des bords correspondants (46), et une paire de pattes (52), fixées aux bords opposés d'une fente (32) dans une paroi (30) de la section du corps de contact interne (10), adjacente à la bordure (44), pour retenir assemblés les bords de la bordure (46).
  8. Borne selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que la paire de pattes (52) est adjacente à la fente (74) séparant les deuxièmes bras (62).
  9. Borne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée par une paire de deuxièmes bras élastiques, chacun étant relié à un premier bras élastique dans une section de liaison en L.
EP19940118966 1993-12-03 1994-12-01 Borne électrique avec un ressort externe de renforcement Expired - Lifetime EP0656674B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9324806 1993-12-03
GB939324806A GB9324806D0 (en) 1993-12-03 1993-12-03 Electrical terminal with outer backup spring

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0656674A2 EP0656674A2 (fr) 1995-06-07
EP0656674A3 EP0656674A3 (fr) 1996-04-03
EP0656674B1 true EP0656674B1 (fr) 1999-03-17

Family

ID=10746069

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19940118966 Expired - Lifetime EP0656674B1 (fr) 1993-12-03 1994-12-01 Borne électrique avec un ressort externe de renforcement

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0656674B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH07201393A (fr)
DE (1) DE69417161T2 (fr)
GB (1) GB9324806D0 (fr)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5049095A (en) * 1990-06-04 1991-09-17 Molex Incorporated Automotive fuse socket and terminals therefor
EP0517077B1 (fr) * 1991-06-03 1997-07-23 The Whitaker Corporation Contact électrique
DE4203379A1 (de) * 1992-02-06 1993-08-12 Daut & Rietz Trw Federkontakt fuer elektrische flachstecksysteme

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9324806D0 (en) 1994-01-19
EP0656674A2 (fr) 1995-06-07
DE69417161T2 (de) 1999-09-09
DE69417161D1 (de) 1999-04-22
EP0656674A3 (fr) 1996-04-03
JPH07201393A (ja) 1995-08-04

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