WO1999034482A1

WO1999034482A1 - Female terminal for electronics with a sheath

Info

Publication number: WO1999034482A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/026346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreu Calavera Alvarez
Original assignee: Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-12-24
Filing date: 1998-12-11
Publication date: 1999-07-08
Also published as: EP0926768A3; ES1039091Y; ES1039091U; EP0926768A2

Abstract

A female terminal for making electronic connections includes a terminal body (16) including a base portion and two lateral walls extending generally perpendicularly from the base and parallel to each other. A sheath (11) includes a generally rectangular configuration with open longitudinal ends. Two of the lateral walls of the sheath include extensions. The extensions slide over and engage terminal ends of the lateral walls of the terminal body (16). The sheath (11) provides a more secure connection between the female terminal and a male terminal and enhances the strength of the female terminal.

Description

FEMALE TERMINAL FOR ELECTRONICS WITH A SHEATH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to terminals designed for electronic circuits that utilize a small amperage level running through the circuits. Such circuits need contact elements manufactured with an extreme accuracy and allowing contact zones provided in the terminal itself in a small space. Additionally, protection zones should be provided in the corresponding sheath, which wraps the terminal protecting it against the undesirable effects of outside contaminants exterior to the sheath. Additionally, the sheath should serve to retain the terminal in a corresponding body and connector.

There exists in the market and therefore may be considered the state of the art a plurality of female terminals, the function of which is that of being placed on the free ends of the corresponding electric wires that have had the corresponding electric sheath in the area where the union point of the terminal is made.

Such female terminals typically cover the function of contacting with other male terminals crimped to the ends of the corresponding electric wires. Such male and female terminals, after making contact, are typically placed by suitable means in the interior of corresponding bodies or cavities provided to that effect in the corresponding connectors in which are centralized a plurality of the male and female terminals.

Some of the conventional female terminals are designed in such a way that the body of the female terminal itself is shaped in such a way that allows a certain degree of protection against the exterior agents of the contact zones, however, their usefulness and effectiveness is limited.

The present invention has the object of providing an improved, new female terminal, intended for electronic circuits, provided with the corresponding sheath, which carries out the function of some portions of female terminals actually in the market and providing a protection zone inherent to the terminal itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The female terminal of this invention is basically formed with zones allowing the setting of the terminal to the corresponding electric wire and its conductive portion. A body of the terminal itself preferably has a generally U-shaped cross-section that has been specifically designed for being capable of being set in the corresponding sheath. The sheath preferably has a generally rectangular configuration with parallel walls and is designed in such a way that two of the lateral walls of the sheath include a fold that serves as a setting element with the corresponding lateral walls of the terminal's body. The lateral walls of the terminal and sheath thus serve as guiding and setting elements in the joining of both.

Other details and characteristics of the present invention will be manifest through the reading of the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the figures attached to this description where the above details are depicted in a rather schematic way. These details are given as an example, referring to a case of a possible practical embodiment, and this invention is not limited to the details outlined. Therefore, this description must be considered from an illustrative point of view and with no limitations whatsoever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an upper plan view of a female terminal with a sheath covering the body.

Figure 2 is an elevational lateral view of the female terminal of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a lower plan view of the female terminal of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the female terminal of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the female terminal from another view point.

Figure 6 is an elevational, cross-sectioned illustration of the female terminal of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the female terminal 10 is formed with a widened base 12 from which emerge wings 12a alternatively positioned. Extending from the first base 12 is a truncated cone zone 14, which in turn extends as per a narrowed base 13 from which emerge wings 13a. The base 13 in turn merges with a second truncated cone zone 15 opening itself toward the terminal's body 16, which as best can be seen in Figure 6, includes a cross-section in the shape of a "U" .

The body 16 of the female terminal preferably has a flat base 16a and lateral walls 16b from which emerge contact planes 21. The sheath 11 preferably includes parallel running walls in a generally rectangular configuration missing the upper and lower bases such that each longitudinal end is opened. The sheath 11 preferably is formed with horizontal bases or walls 1 la and 1 lb related through lateral walls lie and 1 Id. The lateral bases and the lateral walls include ears 20 in the form of inclined planes converging generally inwardly from the free edges of each wall or base.

From at least one of the lateral bases, preferably the upper one 11a according to Figures 2 and 4, emerges a tongue 17. One of the lateral bases or walls preferably includes an extension 19.

The sheath 11 is mounted on the body 16 of the female terminal 10. As can be seen in Figure 6, the lateral walls 1 lc and 1 Id fold over themselves with extensions l ice and l ldd, covering and engaging the lateral walls 16b of the body 16 of the terminal 10. As can be seen in Figure 6, the terminal 10 is introduced into the sheath 11 in such a way that the measurings of the body 16 slides in its lateral walls 16b by the inside of the extensions l ice and l ldd produced because of the deformation of the walls l ie and l id of the sheath 11. In order to establish the corresponding contact with the male terminal

(not shown) contact planes 21 emerge from the lateral walls 16b of the body 16 of the female terminal 10.

The objects of the sheath 11 manufactured with a material different from that of the terminal include protecting the contact established between the male terminal and the contact plane 21 , stiffening at the same time the contact and the male and female terminals, respectively. Since the sheath 11 preferably is manufactured in small dimensions (0.635 mm²) and being of a very small size, any force may produce its deformation, and because of that the sheath strengthens the assembly and, at the same time stabilizes the contact established between the corresponding male terminal and the contact planes 21 emerging from the lateral faces 16b of the body 16 of the terminal 10.

It is to be understood that variations to the disclosed example embodiment can be introduced such that any detail modifications regarded as convenient do not depart from the essence of the present invention as summarized in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A female terminal comprising: a first base (12) from which emerge alternatively spaced wings (12a); a second base (13) from which emerge wings (13a); a first truncated cone zone (14) extending between the first and second bases; a second truncated cone zone (15) extending from the second base; a terminal body (16) having a generally U-shaped cross-section and formed with a base zone (16a) from which emerge perpendicularly lateral walls (16b) that each include at least one inclined plane (21); and a sheath (11) covering over the lateral walls of the terminal body.

2. The female terminal of Claim 1 , wherein the sheath (11) has a generally rectangular configuration with open longitudinal ends and converging portions (20) extending from one end of the sheath (11).

3. The female terminal of Claim 2, further comprising a tongue (17) supported by and extending from one of the lateral walls.

4. The female terminal of Claim 3 , further comprising an extension (19) supported by and extending from one of the lateral walls.

5. The female terminal of Claim 1, wherein the lateral walls (lie and l id) include extensions (lice and l ldd) folding generally inward into the sheath and engaging terminal ends of the lateral walls (16b) of the body (16) of the terminal (10).