JP2024515906A - Electrical Male Terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The male electrical terminal of the present invention includes a clamping or crimping region, a body, and a blade. The protruding member and the support member of the body act as overstress protection. The panel shield member protects the protruding guide member. In another embodiment of the present invention, a protruding member extends from a first support member of the body, and a cutout portion of a lower portion of the body receives the protruding member therein. In yet another embodiment of the male electrical terminal of the present invention, a protrusion extends from a non-connecting end portion of the lever member to protect the male electrical terminal from inadvertent dislodging during use. The cross-sectional configuration or shape of the upper portion of the front portion of the body and the support member of the front portion of the body of the male electrical terminal is substantially U-shaped. The cross-sectional configuration or shape of the attachment portion of the lever member of the male electrical terminal is substantially U-shaped. The male electrical terminal is substantially entirely formed as a continuous and continuous unitary structure with at least the body, the clamping or crimping region, the neck region connecting the body and the clamping or crimping region, and/or the lever member (or tang member), and/or the blade included therein. [Selected Figure] FIG. 1A

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/353,276, filed June 21, 2021 (now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021-0313712 A1, published October 7, 2021), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/828,291, filed March 24, 2020 (now U.S. Patent No. 11,043,766, issued June 22, 2021), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/893,679, filed August 29, 2019, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

It is desirable for the electrical male terminal to have a structural arrangement or function for overstress protection and a guide aid that effectively protects and guides the electrical male terminal, thereby avoiding inappropriate deformation of the electrical male terminal when mated to the connector assembly.

It is further desirable to ensure that the orientation or polarity of the electrical male terminal of the present invention and the corresponding connector assembly is maintained and properly mated therewith.

In another embodiment of the male electrical terminal of the present invention, it is further desirable to prevent the tang member from inadvertently or accidentally rotating relative to the lower portion of the body, thereby further preventing disassembly of the male electrical terminal. This is accomplished by having a protruding member extending from the first support member of the body and a cutout portion in the lower portion of the body for receiving the protruding member therein.

In this alternative embodiment of the electrical male terminal of the present invention, a projection extends from the non-connecting end portion of the lever member, and the projection desirably has angled surfaces to one another to promote upward deflection of the lever member upon interaction with an internal projection of the housing or connector assembly, thereby making it more difficult for the electrical male terminal to be removed from the housing or connector assembly, thereby protecting the electrical male terminal of the present invention from inadvertent dislodging during use.

The cross-sectional configuration or shape of the upper portion of the front portion of the body of the male electrical terminal and the support member of the front portion of the body is substantially U-shaped. The cross-sectional configuration or shape of the attachment portion of the lever member of the male electrical terminal is substantially U-shaped.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the electrical male terminal is formed as a substantially continuous and unitary structure as a whole. That is, the electrical male terminal of the present invention is formed as a continuous and unitary structure as a continuous and unitary part including at least the body, the clamp or crimp area, the neck area connecting the body and the clamp or crimp area, and/or the lever member (or tang member), and/or the blade, but is not limited thereto. Also, the electrical male terminal of the present invention does not have any parts or sections that are welded, soldered, or brazed to the electrical male terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The male electrical terminal of the present invention is substantially box-shaped and generally includes a tang member which includes a lever member for locking the male electrical terminal into a connector assembly. The lever member has a protruding member which abuts another protruding member extending from the body when the lever member is flexed. Both protruding members act as overstress protection for the lever member, i.e., preventing or protecting the lever member from deformation when the male terminal is mated to the connector assembly.

A protruding guide member protrudes from and is connected to the tang member. The front end portion of the body also includes a tapered portion. The front end portion of the body further includes a panel shield member for protecting the protruding guide member. The tapered portion of the body portion, together with the protruding guide member and the panel guide member, assist in guiding the male terminal of the present invention when mated into a connector assembly. The front end portion of the body transitions to a blade that also has a tapered tip. The body further includes support members on both ends thereof.

The electrical male terminals of the present invention have a directionality or polarity to properly mate with a corresponding connector assembly, but also have a directionality or polarity that maintains proper mating with the electrical male terminal.

Another embodiment of the male electrical terminal of the present invention further prevents the tang member from inadvertently or accidentally rotating relative to the lower portion of the body, thereby preventing disassembly of the male electrical terminal. This is accomplished by having a further protruding member extending from the first support member of the body and a cutout portion in the lower portion of the body for receiving the further protruding member therein.

In addition, in another embodiment of this electrical male terminal of the present invention, a protrusion extends from the non-connecting end portion of the lever member, the protrusion having surfaces angled relative to one another to promote upward deflection of the lever member upon interaction with an internal protrusion of the housing or connector assembly. As a result, the protrusion extending from the non-connecting end portion of the lever member makes it more difficult for the electrical male terminal of the present invention to be removed from the housing or connector assembly, and protects the electrical male terminal of the present invention from inadvertent dislodging during use.

The cross-sectional configuration or shape of the upper portion of the front portion of the body of the male electrical terminal and the support member of the front portion of the body is substantially U-shaped. The cross-sectional configuration or shape of the attachment portion of the lever member of the male electrical terminal is substantially U-shaped.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the electrical male terminal is formed as a substantially continuous and unitary structure as a whole. That is, the electrical male terminal of the present invention is formed as a continuous and unitary structure as a continuous and unitary part including at least the body, the clamp or crimp area, the neck area connecting the body and the clamp or crimp area, and/or the lever member (or tang member), and/or the blade, but is not limited thereto. Also, the electrical male terminal of the present invention does not have any parts or sections that are welded, soldered, or brazed to the electrical male terminal.

FIG. 1A is a front top perspective view of a male electrical terminal of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a rear top perspective view of the male electrical terminal of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a right side view of the male electrical terminal of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a left side view of the male electrical terminal of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a top view of the male electrical terminal of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the male electrical terminal of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a top view of a bendable clamp or crimping area having a pair of wire insulation clamp tabs or insulation crimp wings and a pair of wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings, the latter having a plurality of substantially elongated notches each extending substantially adjacent the ends of the wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings. FIG. 4B shows a top view of a bendable clamp or crimping area having a pair of wire insulation clamp tabs or insulation crimp wings and a pair of wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings, the latter having a plurality of substantially elongated notches each extending substantially to the ends of the wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings. FIG. 4C shows a cross-sectional view of the wire clamp tab or core crimp wing with a substantially flat floor. FIG. 4D shows a cross-sectional view of the wire clamp tab or core crimp wing with a substantially concave or rounded floor. FIG. 5A shows the main body of the male terminal with the tang member and further shows the guide and overstress protection structural arrangement or features of the male terminal. FIG. 5B shows first and second support members located at the front and rear end portions, respectively, of the body. FIG. 6A illustrates a tapered portion of the body with a protruding guide member and a panel shield member to protect the protruding guide member. FIG. 6B illustrates a tapered portion of the body with a protruding guide member and a panel shield member to protect the protruding guide member. FIG. 7 shows a male blade extending from the tapered forward end portion of the body. FIG. 8A is a rear side perspective view of another embodiment of a male terminal of the present invention having a further downwardly extending protruding member extending from a first support member at an upper portion of the front portion of the body toward a notch provided in a lower portion of the body, the notch portion receiving the further downwardly extending protruding member. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the male electrical terminal of FIG. 8A taken along line 8B-8B, illustrating the substantially U-shaped configuration or shape of the male electrical terminal of the present invention when taken along a cross section intersecting the top portion of the front portion of the body and the support member at the front portion of the body. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the male electrical terminal of FIG. 8A taken along line 8C-8C, illustrating the substantially U-shaped structure or shape when taken along a cross section transverse to the mounting portion of the lever member of the male electrical terminal of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates in greater detail a cut-out portion of the lower portion of the body which receives a further downwardly projecting member therein to prevent the lever member from moving laterally or rotating. FIG. 10 shows a projection extending from the non-connected end portion of the lever member, the projection having surfaces that are angled relative to one another. FIG. 11 is a left side view of another embodiment of the male electrical terminal of the present invention which includes a further protruding member extending from a first support member at a front portion of the body, a cut-out portion at a lower portion of the body which receives the further protruding member therein, and a projection extending from a non-connecting end portion of a lever member. FIG. 12 illustrates a projection extending from the non-connecting end portion of the lever member to promote upward deflection of the lever member upon interaction with an internal projection of the housing or connector assembly, which makes it more difficult for the electrical male terminal of the present invention to be removed from the housing or connector assembly and protects the electrical male terminal of the present invention from inadvertent dislodging during use.

FIG. 1 shows a front top perspective view of an electrical male terminal, generally referred to by the reference numeral 1. The electrical male terminal 1 includes a clamping or crimping region 3, a body 5, and a blade 7 formed integrally therewith along its length. As will be explained more fully below, the clamping or crimping region 3 includes a pair of wire clamping tabs or core crimping wings 10, 11, and a pair of wire insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimping wings 13, 14. The body 5 includes a tang member 15 with a tapered portion 17 at its front end portion 20. The tapered portion 17 tapers to narrow toward the blade 7. Also shown in the rear top perspective view of the male terminal 1 in FIG. 1B is the clamping or crimping region 3, which includes a pair of wire clamping tabs or core crimping wings 10, 11, and a pair of wire insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimping wings 13, 14. In the rear top perspective view of the male terminal 1 in FIG. 1B, similar to FIG. 1A, the tongue member 15 and the tapered portion 17 at the front end of the main body 5 are shown. The main body 5 preferably has a substantially box-like shape or structure, but the shape or structure is not limited to this.

2A and 2B, the pair of wire insulation clamp tabs or insulation crimp wings 13, 14 do not overlap when viewed from the side. (i.e., one 13 of the pair of wire insulation clamp tabs or insulation crimp wings 13, 14 is located closer to the wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings 10, 11 than one 14 of the pair of wire insulation clamp tabs or insulation crimp wings.) As further illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the clamping or crimping region 3 transitions integrally into the body 5 at the neck member 52, and the front end portion 20 of the body 5 transitions integrally into the blade 7. As shown in FIG. 2A, the tongue member 15 includes a lever member 25, which includes a non-connecting end portion 28 and a connecting end portion 30.

As can be further seen in Figures 2A and 2B, the lever member 25 is shown in a normal, relaxed state.

The non-connected end portion 28 of the lever member 25 preferably has a substantially U-shaped or similar shape in cross section along its width, but the structure is not limited to this (see FIG. 5A). The connected end portion 30 of the lever member 25 preferably has a substantially L-shaped or similar shape in cross section along its width, but the structure is not limited to this.

Furthermore, the lever member 25 has a protruding member 35, which contacts another protruding member 37 extending from the body 5. Both protruding members 35, 37 act as overstress protection for the lever member 25. That is, when the lever member 25 is in a deflected state, the protruding members 35, 37 collide with each other. This prevents or protects the lever member 25 from being deformed when the male terminal 1 contacts or mates with the connector assembly 90 or the like. In this way, the lever member 25 can be moved substantially between the deflected state and the normal relaxed state without being deformed. Looking at the side views of Figures 2A and 2B, the protruding members 35, 37 are preferably substantially rectangular, circular, trapezoidal, etc., but are not limited thereto.

In use, when the electrical male terminal 1 is introduced into the connector assembly 90, the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25 is freely pushed down and moves from the normal relaxed state to the deflected state (i.e., the protruding member 35 approaches the other protruding member 37). When the electrical male terminal 1 is fully inserted into the connector assembly 90, the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25 is freely moved upward and returns to the normal relaxed state of the lever member 25 (i.e., the protruding member 35 moves away from the other protruding member 37) (see FIG. 2A). The non-connecting end portion 28 thereby strikes against the housing protrusion 210 (see FIG. 12) inside the connector assembly 90, locking and fixing the electrical male terminal 1 thereto. Such a structural arrangement of having the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25 strike the inside of the connector assembly serves the locking and fixing function of the electrical male terminal 1.

Furthermore, when the electrical male terminal 1 is fully inserted into the connector assembly 90, the clamping or crimping area 3 has a space or transition area 50 above the neck member 52 (see Figs. 2A and 2B) between the wire clamping tabs or core crimping wings 10, 11 and the body 5. This space or transition area 50 can receive a terminal position assurance (TPA) device (not shown) to keep the male terminal 1 locked, secured and correctly positioned within the connector assembly 90.

2A also shows the panel shield member 40 at the front end portion 20 of the body 5, which protrudes from a portion of the front end portion of the body. Also shown in FIG. 2B is the tapered portion 17 at the front end portion 20 of the body 5. Together, the panel shield member 40 and the tapered portion 17 (and the protruding guide member 53, described below and illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B) help guide and position the blade 7 and body 5 when the electrical male terminal 1 is mated with the connector assembly 90.

3A shows a top view of the clamping or crimping area 3, body 5, and blade 7. As also shown in FIG. 3A and as previously described, the pair of wire insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimping wings 13, 14 are not overlapping, are not directly overlapping, or are substantially opposed. As further described above, the location of one of the pair of wire insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimping wings 13 is closer to the wire clamping tabs or core crimping wings 10, 11 of the electrical male terminal 1 than the location of the other of the pair of wire insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimping wings 14. This is to maximize the surface area of the insulating portion 120 of the conductor or cable 100 that is connected and attached when the pair of wire insulation clamping tabs or insulation crimping wings or clamping or crimping areas 13, 14 are clamped or crimped thereto.

Also illustrated in FIG. 3A is a pair of wire clamping pads or core crimping wings 10, 11 of the clamping or crimping area 3. The pair of wire clamping pads or core crimping wings 10, 11 are substantially side-by-side or substantially opposite each other (see also FIG. 2A, in which the electrical male terminal 1 is shown in a side view, and FIG. 2B) and are substantially symmetrical. Between the pair of wire clamping tabs or core crimping wings 10, 11 is a floor member 45 having a number of notches 48. The shape of the floor member 45 may be substantially flat (or substantially concave, rounded, similar to that of the floor member 40). As shown in more detail, the floor 45 of the wire clamping tabs or core crimping wings 10, 11 is substantially flat (as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4C), but the floor 45 (similar to that of the floor member 40) may alternatively be substantially concave or rounded (as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4D). Each of the plurality of notches 48 has a substantially elongated shape (as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B), but the shape of each of the notches is not limited thereto. A minimum of two notches 48 is required, but preferably at least three notches 48 are required. A minimum of one protruding member 60 is required, but preferably at least two protruding members 60 are required. The combination of the notches 48 and the protruding members 60 creates a sawtooth structure in the floor member 45 and the pair of wire clamp pads or core crimp wings 10, 11. This structural arrangement ensures reliable contact and gripping of the core portion of a conductor or cable (not shown) between the floor member 45 and the pair of wire clamp pads or core crimp wings 10, 11.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4A, each of the elongated notches 48 extends fully along the floor member 45 between the pair of wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings 10, 11. Also, each of the elongated notches 48 has an end portion 49 that further extends partially to substantially the end of the pair of wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings 10, 11. Alternatively, an additional embodiment shown in FIG. 4B has an end portion 49 of the elongated notch 48 that extends to the wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings 10, 11, respectively, and leads out or reaches substantially the end or tip thereof. Illustrated in FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the clamping or crimping area 3, body 5, and blade 7 of the electrical male terminal 1. The front end portion 20 of the body 5 transitions from the body 5 to the blade 7 that is connected and integrated therewith. Also shown in FIG. 3B are a pair of wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings 10, 11 that are substantially symmetrical and each extend from a side of the floor member 45 of the clamp or crimp area 3. The embodiment of the electrical male terminal 1 shown in FIG. 3B displays a pair of wire insulation clamp tabs or insulation crimp wings 13, 14 that do not substantially overlap, as is evident from a side view thereof (see also FIGS. 2A and 2B).

Also illustrated in each of Figures 4A and 4B is a front portion 51 of the clamping or crimping area 3. The front portion 51 of the clamping or crimping area 3 includes a space or transition area 50 above the neck member 52 between the body 5 and the wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings 10, 11. The neck member 52 has a tapered shape, tapering from the floor member 45 and the wire clamp tabs or core crimp wings 10, 11 to where the neck member 52 reaches the body 5. The tapered shape of the neck member 52 of the front portion 51 also allows the core portion 110 of the conductor or cable 100 to remain placed or attached within the floor member 45, and prevents the core portion of the wire or cable (not shown) from being placed or attached in its entirety on the neck member 52. Preferably, the tapered structure of the neck member 52 of the clamping or crimping area 3 allows only the front portion of the conductor or cable (not shown) to protrude into the neck member 52. That is, the tapered structure of the neck member 52 further prevents the core portion from substantially entering the space or transition area 50. The transition area 50 can receive a TPA device (not shown) for keeping the male terminal locked, secured, and properly positioned within the connector assembly 90, as previously described. Thus, only the front portion of the core portion enters or protrudes into the space or transition area 50, and the core portion does not interfere with or impede the reception of the TPA device (not shown).

Illustrated in FIG. 5A are the tongue member 15 and the connecting end portion 30 and the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25. As previously described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 5A also shows a protruding member 35 on the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25, which can prevent the lever member 25 from being deformed by impacting against another protruding member 37 extending from the body 5 when the main terminal 1 is mated to the connector assembly 90. The structural arrangement just described protects the lever member 25 from being overstressed (and thereby from being deformed) even when the lever member 25 is deflected when being introduced into the connector assembly 90. Also shown in FIG. 5A is a panel shield member 40 on the front end portion 20 of the body 5. The panel shield member 40 is described in more detail in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

Illustrated in FIG. 5B are both the front portion 69 and the rear portion 71 of the body 5, each having a first support member 70 and a second support member 75. In particular, the upper portion 69a of the front portion 69 of the body 5 includes the first support member 70, and the upper portion 71a of the rear portion 71 of the body 5 includes the second support member 75. A gap 76 separates the first support member 70 from the lower portion 80 of the body 5. A pair of gaps 78a, 78b separate the second support member 75 from the lower portion 80 of the body 5. When the electrical male terminal 1 is introduced into the connector assembly 90, the first support member 70 and the second support member 75 are elastically pressed down toward the lower portion 80 of the body 5 through the gaps 76, 78a/78b located therebetween, respectively. The first and second support members 70, 75, with the above-mentioned structural arrangement, provide the necessary elastic force to prevent the electrical male terminal 1 of the present invention from being subjected to excessive stress and from being deformed when mated to the connector assembly 90, thereby maintaining the polarity of the male terminal 1.

The panel shield member 40 is further illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B. The panel shield member 40 is illustrated here as extending from a side portion of the front end portion 20 of the body 5, but is not limited to such. The panel shield member 40 has an upper surface 55, which is shown here as being inclined, with the lower end of the upper surface 55 approaching the blade 7 and the upper end of the upper surface 55 approaching the tang member 15.

6A and 6B also show the protruding guide member 53 extending from and connected to the tongue member 15 of the main body 5. The panel shield member 40 protects the protruding guide member 53 from deformation, for example, during transportation of the electrical male terminal 1, or preferably when the electrical male terminal 1 is mated and inserted into the connector assembly 90. As more particularly illustrated in FIG. 6B, it is preferable that the upper surface 55 extending entirely along the panel shield member 40 is substantially higher or equal in height to the upper surface 58 of the protruding guide member 53 (see FIG. 6B). That is, it is preferable that the upper surface 55 of the panel guide member 40 is higher or equal in height to the upper surface 58 of the protruding guide member 53 as a whole. Similarly, the upper surface 58 of a portion of the protruding guide member 53 along the panel shield member 40 is lower or equal to the upper surface 55 of the panel guide member 40. And the protruding guide member 53 is substantially tapered from the connection point with the tongue member 15 substantially downward and toward the front end portion 20.

The front end portion 20 of the body 5 transitions into a blade 7, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The blade 7 serves as a male contact of the electrical male terminal 1 in the male connector assembly 90, as also shown in FIG. 7, and may have a substantially rectangular, square, or other cross-sectional shape, but is not limited thereto. The end portion 7 of the blade 7 is provided with a tapered tip 60, which may include a lower portion that is substantially symmetrical to the upper portion 64. However, the lower portion 62 and the upper portion 64 of the blade are not limited thereto, so long as the tip 60 of the blade 7 has a tapered structure. The tapered tip 60 tapers toward the end of the blade 7, respectively, at the end of the electrical male terminal 1, and serves to additionally prevent stabbing or deformation of the blade 7.

Another embodiment of the electrical male terminal 1 of the present invention, generally referred to by reference numeral 2, is shown in FIG. 8A, where all elements or parts of the electrical male terminal 1 described above are also included in the electrical male terminal 2, except where indicated or described, and are similarly numbered. Also shown in the embodiment of the electrical male terminal 2 are the tang member 15, and the non-connecting end portion 28 and connecting end portion 30 of the lever member 25.

8A further illustrates both the front portion 69 and the rear portion 71 of the body 5, each having a first support member 70 and a second support member 75. In particular, the upper portion 69a of the front portion 69 of the body 5 includes the first support member 70, and the upper portion 71a of the rear portion 71 of the body 5 includes the second support member 75. A gap 76 separates the first support member 70 from the lower portion 80 of the body 5. A pair of gaps 78a, 78b separate the second support member 75 from the lower portion 80 of the body 5. When the electrical male terminal 2 is introduced into the connector assembly 90, the first support member 70 and the second support member 75 are resiliently pressed down toward the lower portion 80 of the body 5 through the gaps 76, 78a/78b located therebetween, respectively. The first and second support members 70, 75, with the above-mentioned structural arrangement, provide the necessary elastic force to prevent the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention from being subjected to excessive stress and from being deformed when mated to the connector assembly 90, thereby maintaining the polarity of the male terminal 2.

Furthermore, to protect the male electrical terminal 2 during use, and in particular to prevent the tang member 15 from inadvertently or accidentally rotating relative to the lower portion 80 of the body 5, which may cause disassembly of the male electrical terminal 2 (i.e., the tang member 15 of the lever member 25 from separating or rotating relative to the lower portion of the body 5), a further protruding member 101 extends from the first support member 70. The lower portion 80 of the body 5 includes a cutout portion 105 for receiving the further protruding member 101 therein.

Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view of the electrical male terminal of Figure 8A taken along line 8B-8B, illustrating the substantially U-shaped configuration or shape of the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention when taken along a cross section that intersects the upper portion 89a of the front portion 69 of the body 5 (see Figure 8A) and the support member 70 of the front portion 69 of the body 6 (see Figure 8A). As illustrated in Figure 8A, the cross-sectional configuration or shape of the upper portion 89a of the body 5 and the support member 70 of the front portion of the body 5 at the front portion 69 of the body 5 (see Figure 8A) of the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention is substantially U-shaped.

Figure 8C is a cross-sectional view of the electrical male terminal of Figure 8A taken along line 8C-8C, illustrating the substantially U-shaped configuration or shape when taken along a cross section across the mounting end portion 30 of the lever member 25 of the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 8C, the cross-sectional configuration or shape of the mounting end portion 30 of the lever member 25 of the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention is substantially U-shaped.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the electrical male terminal is formed as a continuous and continuous unitary structure as a whole. That is, the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention is formed as a continuous and continuous unitary structure as a continuous and continuous part including at least the body 5, the clamping or crimping area 3, the neck member 52 connecting the body 5 and the clamping or crimping area 3, and/or the lever member 25 and the blade 7 (see, for example, Figures 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B). Also, the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention does not have any parts or sections that are welded, soldered, or brazed to the electrical male terminal 2.

As further illustrated in FIG. 9 , the cutout portion 105 of the lower portion 80 of the main body 5 receives the yet another protruding member 101 therein but includes a side portion 108 which allows the yet another protruding member 101 to collide or abut against the side portion 108 of the cutout portion 105, thereby preventing the tang member 15 of the lever member 25 from separating or rotating relative to the lower portion 80 of the main body 5. In this way, by receiving the further protruding member 101 inside the cutout portion 105, as described above, the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention not only protects the lever member 25 from excessive stress (and thereby prevents deformation) by the protruding member 35 of the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25 colliding with the further protruding member 35 extending from the main body 5 (see, for example, FIG. 5A), but also prevents the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention from being further disassembled by the side portion 108 of the cutout portion 105 against which the further protruding member 101 collides or abuts, and prevents the tongue member 15 or lever member 25 from separating or rotating relative to the lower portion 80 of the main body 5.

As illustrated in Figures 8A and 9, the further protruding member 101 is located and extends from the first support member 70 of the front portion 69 of the main body 5, which is located at a more forward position than the position of the connection end 30 of the tongue member 15, but the position of such further protruding member 101 is not limited thereto.

The electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention further includes a protrusion 150 extending from the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25, as shown in FIG. 10. The non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25 preferably has side end portions 28a (plural) and a central end portion 28b. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the protrusion 150 preferably extends from the central end portion 28b, but such a structural arrangement is not limited thereto. That is, the protrusion 150 is not limited to extending from the central end portion 28b of the end portion 28 of the lever member 25, but may extend from the side end portion 28a of the end portion 28 of the lever member 25. The protrusion 150 includes, but is not limited to, surfaces 150a, 150b, and 150c, which are angled relative to each other as shown in FIG. 10. As will be further described below in connection with FIG. 12, the relative angle between the faces 150a, 150b, 150c of the projection 150 may vary depending on the tendency of the lever member 25 to be depressed by a housing projection 210 extending inwardly from the housing 200 (or connector assembly 90) and the ability of the projection 150 to effectively bias the lever member 25 upwardly as it interacts with an internal projection of the housing 200 or connector assembly 90.

Note that the remaining components shown in FIG. 10 are similar to those previously described for electrical male terminal 1 (and the other embodiments of electrical male terminal 2 in FIGS. 8 and 9) and bear the same reference numbers, and therefore their description will not be repeated here.

8 and 9, this is equivalent to the left side view of the electrical male terminal 1, except that the embodiment of the electrical male terminal 2 includes a further protruding member 101 extending from the first support member 70 of the front portion 69 of the body 5, and a cutout portion 105 of the lower portion 80 of the body 5 that receives the further protruding member 101 therein. As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 11, the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention further includes a protrusion 150 extending from the non-connecting portion 28 of the lever member 25, as described in more detail above in connection with FIGS. 10-12.

Illustrated in FIG. 12 is a housing protrusion 210 extending inwardly from the housing 200 (or connector assembly 90) that blocks the end portion 28 of the lever member 25 and, as a result, blocks the electrical male terminal 2 from falling out during use. In particular, the protrusion 150 extends from the non-connecting end portion 28 of the lever member 25, but allows the protrusion 150 to effectively bias the lever member 25 upward when the protrusion 150 interacts with the internal protrusion 210 of the housing 200 or connector assembly 90. Thus, the protrusion 150 makes it more difficult to remove the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention from the housing 200 or connector assembly 90, and the electrical male terminal 2 of the present invention is thus protected from falling out during use.

It should also be noted that while the above description is of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, features described in connection with one embodiment of the present invention may be employed in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.

Claims (20)

a clamping or crimping area;
a body having a lever member tang member having a connecting end portion and a non-connecting end portion, and a tapered portion, the body being connected to the clamping or crimping region;
a blade extending from the body,
a front end portion of the body including an upper portion and a support member, the front portion of the body having a substantially U-shaped configuration or shape along a cross section across the upper portion of the body and the support member;
The support member of the body includes a protruding member extending toward the body,
a lower portion of the body including a cutout portion for receiving the protruding member therein;
The connecting end portion of the lever member has a substantially U-shaped cross section,
at least said clamping or crimping region, said body, and a neck member connecting said body and said clamping or crimping region are substantially a continuous or continuous member forming, as a whole, a male electrical terminal as a continuous or continuous unitary structure;
2. The electrical male terminal inserted into the connector assembly, wherein the lever member has a portion that prevents the electrical male terminal from falling out of the connector assembly. The electrical male terminal of claim 1, characterized in that the main body further includes a protruding guide member and a panel shield member that shields the protruding guide member when the electrical male terminal is introduced into the connector assembly. The electrical male terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutout portion of the lower portion of the body includes a side portion against which the protruding member collides or abuts, preventing the tongue member of the lever member from separating or rotating from the lower portion of the body. The male electrical terminal of claim 1, characterized in that the non-connecting end portion is substantially U-shaped in cross section. The male electrical terminal of claim 1, characterized in that the non-connected end portion of the lever member has a side end portion and a center end portion. The male electrical terminal of claim 5, characterized in that the central end portion of the non-connecting end portion includes a protrusion extending therefrom. The male electrical terminal of claim 6, characterized in that the protrusion extends from the central end portion of the non-connecting end portion of the lever member. The male electrical terminal of claim 7, characterized in that the projection extending from the central end portion of the non-connecting end portion includes a plurality of faces. The male electrical terminal of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of said surfaces interacts with a protrusion on a housing or connector assembly. The electrical male terminal of claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of said surfaces interacts with an internal protrusion of a housing or connector assembly by biasing the lever member upward, thereby making it difficult for the electrical male terminal to be removed from the housing or connector assembly. The electrical male terminal according to claim 10, characterized in that the protrusion extending from the non-connecting end portion of the lever member prevents the electrical male terminal from falling off during use. The electrical male terminal of claim 2, characterized in that the upper surface extending entirely along the panel shield member is substantially higher or equal in height to the upper surface of the protruding guide member. a clamping or crimping area;
a body having a lever member tang member having a connecting end portion and a non-connecting end portion, and a tapered portion, the body being connected to the clamping or crimping region;
a blade extending from the body,
a front end portion of the body including an upper portion and a support member, the front portion of the body having a substantially U-shaped configuration or shape along a cross section across the upper portion of the body and the support member;
The support member of the body includes a protruding member extending toward the body,
a lower portion of the body including a cutout portion for receiving the protruding member therein;
the non-connected end portion of the lever member including a projection extending therefrom;
The main body further includes a protruding guide member and a panel shield member that shields the protruding guide member when the electrical male terminal is introduced into the connector assembly,
The connecting end portion of the lever member has a substantially U-shaped cross section,
at least the clamping or crimping region, the body, and a neck member connecting the body and the clamping or crimping region are substantially a continuous or continuous member forming the male electrical terminal as a single continuous or continuous structure;
2. The electrical male terminal inserted into the connector assembly, wherein the lever member has a portion that prevents the electrical male terminal from falling out of the connector assembly. The male electrical terminal of claim 13, characterized in that the non-connecting end portion includes a central end portion from which the protrusion extends. The electrical male terminal of claim 1, characterized in that at least the clamping or crimping region, the body, a neck member connecting the body and the clamping or crimping region, and the blade are a continuous or continuous member that, as a whole, substantially forms the electrical male terminal as a continuous or continuous unitary structure. The electrical male terminal of claim 1, characterized in that at least the clamping or crimping area, the body, a neck member connecting the body and the clamping or crimping area, and the lever member are continuous or continuous members that, as a whole, substantially form the electrical male terminal as a continuous or continuous unitary structure. The electrical male terminal of claim 1, characterized in that at least the clamping or crimping area, the body, a neck member connecting the body and the clamping or crimping area, the blade, and the lever member are continuous or continuous members that, as a whole, substantially form the electrical male terminal as a continuous or continuous unitary structure. The electrical male terminal of claim 13, characterized in that at least the clamping or crimping region, the body, a neck member connecting the body and the clamping or crimping region, and the blade are a continuous or continuous member that, taken as a whole, forms the electrical male terminal as a continuous or continuous unitary structure. The electrical male terminal of claim 13, characterized in that at least the clamping or crimping region, the body, a neck member connecting the body and the clamping or crimping region, and the lever member are a continuous or continuous member that, as a whole, substantially forms the electrical male terminal as a continuous or continuous unitary structure. The electrical male terminal of claim 13, characterized in that at least the clamping or crimping area, the body, a neck member connecting the body and the clamping or crimping area, the blade, and the lever member are a continuous or continuous member that, taken as a whole, forms the electrical male terminal as a continuous or continuous unitary structure.