EP0884803A2 - Electric terminal - Google Patents

Electric terminal Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0884803A2
EP0884803A2 EP98110942A EP98110942A EP0884803A2 EP 0884803 A2 EP0884803 A2 EP 0884803A2 EP 98110942 A EP98110942 A EP 98110942A EP 98110942 A EP98110942 A EP 98110942A EP 0884803 A2 EP0884803 A2 EP 0884803A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electric
termination
blades
terminal
electric terminal
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98110942A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0884803A3 (en
Inventor
Renzo Rampone
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.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
Framatome Connectors International SAS
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 Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical Framatome Connectors International SAS
Publication of EP0884803A2 publication Critical patent/EP0884803A2/en
Publication of EP0884803A3 publication Critical patent/EP0884803A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01R13/10—Sockets for co-operation with pins or blades
    • H01R13/11—Resilient sockets
    • H01R13/115—U-shaped sockets having inwardly bent legs, e.g. spade type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electric terminal, and in particular to an electric terminal of a connector used for an electric vehicle window regulating device.
  • the drive assembly of an electric window regulating device normally comprises a pair of electric terminations connected to the electric system of the vehicle by means of a special connector.
  • the electric connectors used comprise a pair of fork-shaped terminals, i.e. each comprising a pair of flat parallel blades which cooperate with the respective termination so that the termination is inserted interferentially between the blades.
  • a drawback of electric terminals of the above type is the formation of cracks, especially at the base of the blades where stress is most severe, and which soon result in failure of the blades and consequently in the electric contact being cut off.
  • an electric terminal comprising a connecting portion for connection to an electric system; and a contact portion which mates transversely with a substantially cylindrical-pin-shaped electric termination; characterized in that said contact portion comprises a pair of elastic blades facing each other and having respective curved portions with respective concavities facing each other and defining a seat for said termination.
  • Number 1 in Figure 3 indicates an electric connecting assembly for connecting the motor of an electric window regulating device (not shown) to a vehicle electric system (not shown).
  • Assembly 1 comprises an electric connecting member 3 of the window regulating device; and a respective connector 4 which is connected on one side to member 3 and on the other side to the power line.
  • Member 3 comprises a flat supporting plate 6 made of insulating material; and two cylindrical-pin-shaped electric terminations 7 projecting from plate 6.
  • Connector 4 comprises a casing 8 made of plastic material and substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepipedon; and a pair of side by side electric terminals 9.
  • each terminal 9 comprises a flat intermediate portion 16; a connecting portion 17 for connection to a respective electric cable 13 forming part of the vehicle electric system; and a contact portion 18 designed to mate with a respective termination 7.
  • portion 17 is defined by an elongated body extending integrally from an edge 19 of portion 16, and having a pair of clamps 20 which are crimped onto a bare end portion of cable 13.
  • Portion 18 is defined by a pair of facing elastic blades 21, which are symmetrical with respect to a plane ⁇ ( Figures 5 and 6), comprise respective joining portions 22 joined to portion 16, and extend in the opposite direction to portion 17. More specifically, portions 22 are parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly from respective opposite lateral edges 23 of portion 16.
  • Blades 21 define a cavity 24, and substantially converge from portions 22 up to respective intermediate portions 25 having convexities facing each other and defining the narrowest portion of cavity 24. Blades 21 terminate in respective diverging portions 26 defining a lead-in for respective termination 7, and comprise respective curved contact portions 27 adjacent to portions 25 on the side facing intermediate portion 16, and having respective concavities facing each other to define a seat 28 for a respective termination 7.
  • casing 8 is molded onto a pair of side by side terminals 9 arranged with respective planes of symmetry ⁇ parallel to each other, so as to house the end portions of respective cables 13 and portions 17 of terminals 9. Portions 16 and 18 of terminals 9 project outwards of casing 8, and the distance between the respective planes of symmetry ⁇ of the two terminals 9 equals the distance between the axes of terminations 7.
  • Figures 2 and 4 respectively show a terminal 29 according to a different embodiment of the invention, and a connector 30 comprising a pair of terminals 29.
  • each terminal 29 comprises a contact portion 18 identical to that of terminal 9 (and therefore indicated, together with its component parts, using the same numbering system); an elongated intermediate portion 16' extending in the opposite direction to contact portion 18; and a connecting portion 17' for connection to the electric system, and which differs from portion 17 by comprising a bladelike male contact element 40 extending from one end of portion 16' along a plane perpendicular to plane ⁇ and to the plane of intermediate portion 16'.
  • connector 30 comprises a casing 31, in turn comprising a substantially cup-shaped mating portion 32 defined by an end wall 33, and which mates with a complementary portion of the casing (not shown) of a connector (not shown) forming part of the vehicle electric system.
  • Casing 31 also comprises an appendix 37 extending crosswise and integrally from portion 32 at wall 33, and which partially houses portions 16' of terminals 29 so that elements 40 of terminals 29 extend inside appendix 37, and contact portions 18 project from appendix 37.
  • connector 4 (or 30) is connected to terminations 7 by simply clicking terminals 9 (or 29) onto terminations 7 ( Figures 5 and 6). This is done by resting portions 26 on terminations 7 and pushing connector 4 (or 30) towards terminations 7 to part blades 21 elastically and so insert terminations 7 inside respective seats 28. Stable contact is then ensured by the elastic action of blades 21.
  • Electric terminals 9, 29 according to the invention have the advantage of being less subject to breakage, by being connected to terminations 7 by flexing blades 21 with very little stress which in no way endangers the blades structurally. At the same time, the elasticity of blades 21 ensures constant predetermined grip of terminations 7 to improve the stability and reliability of the connection.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Registering, Tensioning, Guiding Webs, And Rollers Therefor (AREA)
  • Organic Insulating Materials (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

An electric terminal (9; 29) having a connecting portion (17; 17') for connection to an electric system, and a contact portion (18) mating transversely with a substantially cylindrical-pin-shaped electric termination (7); the contact portion (18) having a pair of facing elastic blades (21), which in turn have respective curved portions (27) with facing concavities defining a seat (28) for the respective termination (7), and respective diverging end portions (26) defining a lead-in for the termination (7).

Description

The present invention relates to an electric terminal, and in particular to an electric terminal of a connector used for an electric vehicle window regulating device.
The drive assembly of an electric window regulating device normally comprises a pair of electric terminations connected to the electric system of the vehicle by means of a special connector. In the case of cylindrical pin type terminations, the electric connectors used comprise a pair of fork-shaped terminals, i.e. each comprising a pair of flat parallel blades which cooperate with the respective termination so that the termination is inserted interferentially between the blades.
A drawback of electric terminals of the above type is the formation of cracks, especially at the base of the blades where stress is most severe, and which soon result in failure of the blades and consequently in the electric contact being cut off.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric terminal designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawback.
According to the present invention, there is provided an electric terminal comprising a connecting portion for connection to an electric system; and a contact portion which mates transversely with a substantially cylindrical-pin-shaped electric termination; characterized in that said contact portion comprises a pair of elastic blades facing each other and having respective curved portions with respective concavities facing each other and defining a seat for said termination.
A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a first embodiment of an electric terminal in accordance with the present invention;
  • Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of a second embodiment of an electric terminal in accordance with the present invention;
  • Figure 3 shows a view in perspective of an electric connecting assembly comprising electric terminals of the type shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 shows a view in perspective of an electric connecting assembly comprising electric terminals of the type shown in Figure 2;
  • Figure 5 shows a front view of the Figure 1 electric terminal prior to connection to an electric pin termination;
  • Figure 6 shows a front view of the Figure 1 electric terminal as connected to an electric pin termination.
    • Number 1 in Figure 3 indicates an electric connecting assembly for connecting the motor of an electric window regulating device (not shown) to a vehicle electric system (not shown).
    Assembly 1 comprises an electric connecting member 3 of the window regulating device; and a respective connector 4 which is connected on one side to member 3 and on the other side to the power line.
    Member 3 comprises a flat supporting plate 6 made of insulating material; and two cylindrical-pin-shaped electric terminations 7 projecting from plate 6.
    Connector 4 comprises a casing 8 made of plastic material and substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepipedon; and a pair of side by side electric terminals 9.
    With reference to Figure 1, each terminal 9 comprises a flat intermediate portion 16; a connecting portion 17 for connection to a respective electric cable 13 forming part of the vehicle electric system; and a contact portion 18 designed to mate with a respective termination 7.
    More specifically, portion 17 is defined by an elongated body extending integrally from an edge 19 of portion 16, and having a pair of clamps 20 which are crimped onto a bare end portion of cable 13. Portion 18 is defined by a pair of facing elastic blades 21, which are symmetrical with respect to a plane α (Figures 5 and 6), comprise respective joining portions 22 joined to portion 16, and extend in the opposite direction to portion 17. More specifically, portions 22 are parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly from respective opposite lateral edges 23 of portion 16.
    Blades 21 define a cavity 24, and substantially converge from portions 22 up to respective intermediate portions 25 having convexities facing each other and defining the narrowest portion of cavity 24. Blades 21 terminate in respective diverging portions 26 defining a lead-in for respective termination 7, and comprise respective curved contact portions 27 adjacent to portions 25 on the side facing intermediate portion 16, and having respective concavities facing each other to define a seat 28 for a respective termination 7.
    With reference to Figure 3, casing 8 is molded onto a pair of side by side terminals 9 arranged with respective planes of symmetry α parallel to each other, so as to house the end portions of respective cables 13 and portions 17 of terminals 9. Portions 16 and 18 of terminals 9 project outwards of casing 8, and the distance between the respective planes of symmetry α of the two terminals 9 equals the distance between the axes of terminations 7.
    Figures 2 and 4 respectively show a terminal 29 according to a different embodiment of the invention, and a connector 30 comprising a pair of terminals 29.
    With reference to Figure 2, each terminal 29 comprises a contact portion 18 identical to that of terminal 9 (and therefore indicated, together with its component parts, using the same numbering system); an elongated intermediate portion 16' extending in the opposite direction to contact portion 18; and a connecting portion 17' for connection to the electric system, and which differs from portion 17 by comprising a bladelike male contact element 40 extending from one end of portion 16' along a plane perpendicular to plane α and to the plane of intermediate portion 16'.
    With reference to Figure 4, connector 30 comprises a casing 31, in turn comprising a substantially cup-shaped mating portion 32 defined by an end wall 33, and which mates with a complementary portion of the casing (not shown) of a connector (not shown) forming part of the vehicle electric system.
    Casing 31 also comprises an appendix 37 extending crosswise and integrally from portion 32 at wall 33, and which partially houses portions 16' of terminals 29 so that elements 40 of terminals 29 extend inside appendix 37, and contact portions 18 project from appendix 37.
    In actual use, connector 4 (or 30) is connected to terminations 7 by simply clicking terminals 9 (or 29) onto terminations 7 (Figures 5 and 6). This is done by resting portions 26 on terminations 7 and pushing connector 4 (or 30) towards terminations 7 to part blades 21 elastically and so insert terminations 7 inside respective seats 28. Stable contact is then ensured by the elastic action of blades 21.
    Electric terminals 9, 29 according to the invention have the advantage of being less subject to breakage, by being connected to terminations 7 by flexing blades 21 with very little stress which in no way endangers the blades structurally. At the same time, the elasticity of blades 21 ensures constant predetermined grip of terminations 7 to improve the stability and reliability of the connection.
    Clearly, changes may be made to the electric terminals as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

    Claims (6)

    1. An electric terminal (9; 29) comprising a connecting portion (17; 17') for connection to an electric system; and a contact portion (18) which mates transversely with a substantially cylindrical-pin-shaped electric termination (7); characterized in that said contact portion (18) comprises a pair of elastic blades (21) facing each other and having respective curved portions (27) with respective concavities facing each other and defining a seat (28) for said termination.
    2. An electric terminal as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said blades (21) comprise respective diverging end portions (26) defining a lead-in for said termination (7).
    3. An electric terminal as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising a substantially flat intermediate portion (16; 16'); said blades (21) comprising respective substantially flat joining portions (22) projecting from opposite edges (23) of said intermediate portion (16; 16').
    4. An electric terminal as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said connecting portion (17) is defined by an elongated body (17) extending from said intermediate portion (16) in the opposite direction to said blades (21), and comprising at least one pair of clamps (20) which are crimped to a cable (13) forming part of said electric system.
    5. An electric terminal as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said connecting portion (17') comprises a male electric contact element (40) extending integrally from said intermediate portion (16').
    6. An electric connector (4; 30) comprising a casing (8; 31) of insulating material, and at least one electric terminal (9; 29) housed at least partly in said casing (8; 31); said terminal (9; 29) comprising a connecting portion (17; 17') for connection to an electric system, and a contact portion (18) which mates transversely with a substantially cylindrical-pin-shaped electric termination (7); characterized in that said contact portion (18) comprises a pair of elastic blades (21) facing each other and having respective curved portions (27) with respective concavities facing each other and defining a seat (28) for said termination.
    EP98110942A 1997-06-13 1998-06-15 Electric terminal Withdrawn EP0884803A3 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    ITTO970120U 1997-06-13
    ITTO970120 IT236068Y1 (en) 1997-06-13 1997-06-13 ELECTRIC TERMINAL

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0884803A2 true EP0884803A2 (en) 1998-12-16
    EP0884803A3 EP0884803A3 (en) 1999-09-01

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    ID=11415367

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP98110942A Withdrawn EP0884803A3 (en) 1997-06-13 1998-06-15 Electric terminal

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    EP (1) EP0884803A3 (en)
    IT (1) IT236068Y1 (en)

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1522440A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-13 Behr France S.A.R.L. Electric heater for the heating of air, in particular for a motor vehicle
    GB2413017A (en) * 2004-04-06 2005-10-12 Ford Global Tech Llc An electrical connector for a vehicle

    Citations (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    FR1184007A (en) * 1956-10-08 1959-07-16 Amp Inc Improvements to electrical connectors and sockets containing them
    GB2151860A (en) * 1983-12-20 1985-07-24 Garbagnoli Rita Pin-gripping electrical socket contact
    EP0308068A1 (en) * 1987-09-14 1989-03-22 The Whitaker Corporation Low wear contact system
    EP0669675A2 (en) * 1994-02-24 1995-08-30 Brökelmann, Jaeger & Busse GmbH & Co Electrical contact
    EP0716479A2 (en) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-12 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, Ltd. Connector assembly with cooperating terminals and method for connecting same

    Patent Citations (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    FR1184007A (en) * 1956-10-08 1959-07-16 Amp Inc Improvements to electrical connectors and sockets containing them
    GB2151860A (en) * 1983-12-20 1985-07-24 Garbagnoli Rita Pin-gripping electrical socket contact
    EP0308068A1 (en) * 1987-09-14 1989-03-22 The Whitaker Corporation Low wear contact system
    EP0669675A2 (en) * 1994-02-24 1995-08-30 Brökelmann, Jaeger & Busse GmbH & Co Electrical contact
    EP0716479A2 (en) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-12 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, Ltd. Connector assembly with cooperating terminals and method for connecting same

    Cited By (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP1522440A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-13 Behr France S.A.R.L. Electric heater for the heating of air, in particular for a motor vehicle
    US7394044B2 (en) 2003-10-10 2008-07-01 Behr France Rouffach Sas Device for exchanging heat
    GB2413017A (en) * 2004-04-06 2005-10-12 Ford Global Tech Llc An electrical connector for a vehicle

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    IT236068Y1 (en) 2000-07-26
    ITTO970120U1 (en) 1998-12-13
    ITTO970120V0 (en) 1997-06-13
    EP0884803A3 (en) 1999-09-01

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