EP0958638B1 - Borne electrique polarisee d'une seule piece - Google Patents

Borne electrique polarisee d'une seule piece Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0958638B1
EP0958638B1 EP98900631A EP98900631A EP0958638B1 EP 0958638 B1 EP0958638 B1 EP 0958638B1 EP 98900631 A EP98900631 A EP 98900631A EP 98900631 A EP98900631 A EP 98900631A EP 0958638 B1 EP0958638 B1 EP 0958638B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
top wall
contact arm
terminal according
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
EP98900631A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0958638A1 (fr
Inventor
Patrick Mansutti
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
Priority to EP98900631A priority Critical patent/EP0958638B1/fr
Publication of EP0958638A1 publication Critical patent/EP0958638A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0958638B1 publication Critical patent/EP0958638B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • H01R13/114—Resilient sockets co-operating with pins or blades having a square transverse section
    • 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
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/642—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by position or shape of contact members

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a single piece electrical receptacle terminal with a polarization feature.
  • a stamped and formed electrical receptacle terminal for mating with pin contacts having a square profile is disclosed.
  • the terminal is made of two parts, an inner contact body and an outer body enclosing a contact section of the inner body.
  • the outer body is provided with a locking lance and a polarizing feature in the form of an extension of one of the side walls of the outer body.
  • Two part terminals are generally more expensive to produce than single part terminals. They are also usually more difficult to manufacture in miniature form because of the difficulty of handling and assembling separate miniature parts.
  • a terminal of this nature is disclosed in FR-A-2 721 758.
  • This document shows a single piece electrical receptacle terminal for mating with a pin terminal, with a connection section for connection to a conducting wire, and a contact section.
  • the contact section has a box-shape defined by a bottom wall, first and second side walls extending therefrom, and a top wall opposed to the bottom wall.
  • the top wall is joined through a corner to the first side wall.
  • the top wall and one side wall is attached via a fold to a resilient contact arm.
  • the walls are surrounding a cavity area for receiving the pin terminal therein.
  • US-A-5,281,175 discloses a box-shaped receptacle terminal for mating with a pin terminal.
  • a contact arm is folded from one side wall, and is overlapped by a top wall folded from the other side wall, from which also extends a polarizing tab.
  • the top wall is also provided with a rigid locking shoulder for engaging a resilient lance of a connector housing.
  • One of the disadvantages of this construction is that it is relatively fragile, for example the polarizing feature is fairly small and can easily be bent or damaged, and the top wall can be relatively easily bent or damaged due to the various functional parts such as the support spring, locking shoulder and polarizing feature cut out from the material of the top wall.
  • such contact should be more robust, yet simple and cost-effective to stamp and form.
  • the top wall can be rigidly connected at a corner with the side wall having the polarizing extension.
  • the fold over of the contact arm from the top wall into the cavity area further rigidifies the top wall and enables provision of a robust resilient locking lance that can be provided across a substantial width of the top wall, and which is protected by the polarizing feature. Due to the few functional features that are cut out from the top wall, a robust and simple construction is provided.
  • Inwardly stamped tabs from the side walls may be provided to engage the resilient contact arm such that it is held in a pre-stressed condition in order to reduce mating forces with a complementary contact, whilst providing high contact force.
  • the bottom, side and top walls may be provided with short inwardly tapered extensions projecting from the mating end in order to protect the entrance of the contact cavity, and which may also assist insertion through a seal member.
  • a resilient contact arm may be stamped from the bottom wall, opposed to the upper contact arm for providing a more flexible contact section if desired.
  • an electrical receptacle terminal 2 stamped and formed from a single sheet of metal comprises a connection section 4 in the form of a deformable crimping barrel for crimping to a conducting wire, and contact section 6 extending therefrom.
  • connection section 4 in the form of a deformable crimping barrel for crimping to a conducting wire, and contact section 6 extending therefrom.
  • Other conventional connection sections may also be provided, such as insulation piercing or displacement contacts.
  • the contact section 6 comprises a bottom wall 8, a first side wall 10 and a second side wall 12 opposed thereto and extending from the bottom wall 8, and a top wall 14 opposed to the bottom wall 8.
  • the walls form a box-shape of substantially square cross-section extending in an axial direction (a) and forming a pin-receiving cavity 16 therein.
  • the contact section 6 extends in the axial direction (a) from a connection end 18 to a mating end 20 where the mating pin contact is received.
  • the first side wall 10 is integrally connected to the top wall 14 through a corner 22, and the top wall 14 joins the second side wall 12 at a seam 24.
  • the top wall 14 is further attached to a contact arm 26 through a fold 28 proximate the connection end 18.
  • the fold 28 is substantially a 180° bend of the material extending from the top wall such that the contact arm 26 extends below and along the top wall 14 within the cavity 16.
  • the contact arm 26 is provided in the shape of a cantilever beam contact extending from an attachment 30 that is folded against the top wall 13, the contact arm 26 comprising a spring arm portion extending obliquely away from the top wall, from the attachment portion 30 towards the mating end 26 to a contact portion 32, and subsequently diverging therefrom to a free end 34.
  • a resilient locking lance 40 is provided, the locking lance 40 extending a substantial width across the top wall 14 and attached thereto at an attachment end 42 arranged towards the mating end 20, and extending obliquely outwardly therefrom to a free end 44 arranged towards the connection end 18.
  • the top wall 14 is free to provide a robust and large locking lance with respect to the terminal size due to the top wall being free from removal of material for other functional parts such as a polarizing feature, contact arm, or a pre-stressed tab.
  • the locking lance 40 may be provided with an embossed rib 41 in order to further strengthen the locking lance.
  • the second side wall 12 is provided with a polarizing extension 46 extending within the plane of the side wall beyond the top wall 14 to a height substantially at or beyond the free end 44 of the locking lance.
  • the polarizing member 46 extends along a substantial length of the contact section 6, from the connection end 26 to the mating end 20, with cutouts 48 being provided for laser weld connection or crimping of mechanical tabs at the seam 24. The latter closes and rigidifies the box shape, where the weld connections 50 may be provided proximate the mating end 20 and the connection end 26 respectively.
  • the polarizing extension is thus robust, and due to its length also provides a stabile guiding and location of the terminal in a corresponding housing cavity. Additionally, the polarizing extension 46 is adjacent the locking lance and provides protection to the locking lance, for example preventing wires or other foreign objects from catching under the locking lance thereby damaging it.
  • the inwardly folded contact arm 26 further assists in rigidifying the top wall 14 and box-shaped body.
  • Short protection flaps 50 extend from the mating end 20 and are inwardly bent to cover a portion of the mating end of the cavity 16. The inwardly bent protection flaps 50 ensure correct location and insertion of a mating pin, thereby preventing damage to the contact portions 32.
  • the flaps 50 may also assist smooth insertion of the terminal through a seal member of a connector housing.
  • the protective flaps 50 are stamped from each of the walls.
  • the bottom wall 8 is provided with a resilient contact arm 52 in the shape of a cantilever beam extending from an attachment end 54 to a free end 56 arranged towards the mating end 20, in an opposed relationship with respect to the upper contact arm 26, for receiving a mating pin therebetween.
  • the cantilever beam contact 52 increases the flexibility and thereby ability to absorb tolerances in position or thickness of the mating pin. Due to the simple stamping and forming and folding together of the contact section, a particularly cost-effective terminal to manufacture is provided.
  • the lower contact 52 may be replaced by a contact protrusion 52' as shown in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 6, the contact protrusion being embossed from the bottom wall 8.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une borne électrique réceptrice d'une seule pièce comportant une section (6) de contact en forme de caisson munie d'une extension de polarisation (12) s'étendant au-dessus de la paroi supérieure (14) à partir d'une première paroi latérale (12), la paroi supérieure formant une seule pièce avec un bras de contact (26) flexible replié dessous autour d'un pli (28).

Claims (7)

  1. Borne de prise électrique d'une seule pièce (2) destinée à être accouplée avec une borne à broche, comprenant une section de connexion (4) en vue d'une connexion à un fil conducteur, et une section de contact (6) ayant une forme en boíte définie par une paroi inférieure (8), des première (10) et deuxième (12) parois latérales s'étendant à partir de celle-ci, et une paroi supérieure (14) opposée à la paroi inférieure et reliée par l'intermédiaire d'un coin (22) à la première paroi latérale (10), la paroi supérieure étant en outre fixée par l'intermédiaire d'un repli (28) près de la deuxième paroi latérale (12) à un bras de contact élastique (26), les parois entourant une zone de cavité (16) pour y recevoir la borne à broche,
       caractérisée en ce que la deuxième paroi latérale (12) comporte une extension de polarisation (46) débordant au-delà de la paroi supérieure (14) et en ce que l'extension de polarisation (46) s'étend pratiquement à partir d'une extrémité d'accouplement (20) vers une extrémité de connexion (18) de la section de contact.
  2. Borne électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle une lame de verrouillage élastique (40) est estampée à partir de la paroi supérieure (14), la lame de verrouillage étant fixée au niveau d'une extrémité de fixation (42) agencée en direction d'une extrémité d'accoupiement (20) de la section de contact (6) et s'étendant obliquement vers l'extérieur à partir de celle-ci, vers une extrémité libre (44) agencée en direction d'une extrémité de connexion (18) de la section de contact.
  3. Borne selon les revendications 1 ou 2, dans laquelle une patte à précontrainte (36) est estampée à partir d'une des parois latérales (10, 12) et s'engage dans le bras de contact élastique (26) en vue d'une précontrainte correspondante.
  4. Borne selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle la lame de verrouillage occupe pratiquement l'ensemble de la largeur de la paroi supérieure (14).
  5. Borne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle des volets de protection (50) s'étendent à partir d'une extrémité d'accouplement de la section de contact et recouvrent partiellement l'entrée vers la zone de cavité (16) pour assurer la protection du bras de contact (26).
  6. Borne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle un bras de contact élastique (52) sous forme d'une barre en porte-à-faux est estampé à partir de la paroi inférieure (8).
  7. Borne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le repli (28) du bras de contact élastique (26) est situé près de la section de connexion (4), le bras de contact comprenant un bras de ressort s'étendant de celui-ci vers une saillie de contact (32) agencée près d'une extrémité d'accouplement (20) de la section de contact, la saillie de contact étant agencée près d'une extrémité libre (34) du bras de contact.
EP98900631A 1997-02-10 1998-01-28 Borne electrique polarisee d'une seule piece Expired - Lifetime EP0958638B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98900631A EP0958638B1 (fr) 1997-02-10 1998-01-28 Borne electrique polarisee d'une seule piece

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97400298 1997-02-10
EP97400298 1997-02-10
PCT/IB1998/000106 WO1998035404A1 (fr) 1997-02-10 1998-01-28 Borne electrique polarisee d'une seule piece
EP98900631A EP0958638B1 (fr) 1997-02-10 1998-01-28 Borne electrique polarisee d'une seule piece

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0958638A1 EP0958638A1 (fr) 1999-11-24
EP0958638B1 true EP0958638B1 (fr) 2002-04-17

Family

ID=8229710

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98900631A Expired - Lifetime EP0958638B1 (fr) 1997-02-10 1998-01-28 Borne electrique polarisee d'une seule piece

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0958638B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU5572398A (fr)
DE (1) DE69804938T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998035404A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004052712A1 (de) * 2004-10-30 2006-05-04 Erni Elektroapparate Gmbh Einteilige, mehrschenkelige Kontaktfeder für Miniatur-Steckverbindungen
DE10161514B4 (de) * 2000-12-18 2007-04-12 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Yokkaichi Anschlussbuchse

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003331964A (ja) * 2002-05-15 2003-11-21 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd 端子金具
DE102006027674B3 (de) * 2006-06-14 2008-01-31 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Elektrischer Buchsenkontakt
JP5510010B2 (ja) 2010-04-07 2014-06-04 住友電装株式会社 端子金具

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2565423B1 (fr) * 1984-05-29 1986-09-12 Essex Group Borne a receptacle a pattes
US5281175A (en) * 1993-03-30 1994-01-25 General Motors Corporation Female electrical terminal
FR2721758B1 (fr) * 1994-06-22 1996-08-30 Framatome Connectors Int Borne femelle de contact électrique de type cage.

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10161514B4 (de) * 2000-12-18 2007-04-12 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Yokkaichi Anschlussbuchse
DE102004052712A1 (de) * 2004-10-30 2006-05-04 Erni Elektroapparate Gmbh Einteilige, mehrschenkelige Kontaktfeder für Miniatur-Steckverbindungen
DE102004052712B4 (de) * 2004-10-30 2014-09-25 Erni Electronics Gmbh Einteilige, zweischenklige Kontaktfeder für Miniatur-Steckverbindungen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1998035404A1 (fr) 1998-08-13
EP0958638A1 (fr) 1999-11-24
AU5572398A (en) 1998-08-26
DE69804938D1 (de) 2002-05-23
DE69804938T2 (de) 2002-11-14

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