Electric connector and control valve including the same

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a blade terminal configured to establish an electrical circuit. The electrical connector also includes a receiving terminal coupled to the blade terminal. The receiving terminal includes: a bridging portion, a first leg extending from the bridging portion, and a second leg extending from the bridging portion and separated from the first leg by a slot, the slot being defined by the bridging portion, the first leg, and the second leg. In addition, at least one of the first leg and the second leg includes a geometric feature extending into the slot, so that the slot is configured to prevent a second electrical connector from being inserted into the slot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a control valve, and more particularly, to an electrical connector for use in a control valve. Background Art

[0002] Conventional vehicle powertrains known in the art typically include an engine in rotational communication with a transmission. The engine produces a rotational torque that is selectively transmitted to the transmission, which in turn transmits the rotational torque to one or more wheels. A typical transmission shifts in discrete steps between a high torque, low speed mode for starting a vehicle and a high speed, low torque mode for vehicle operation at highway speeds. In a manual transmission, shifting is accomplished by manually controlling the engagement of a gear set. In an automatic transmission, shifting is accomplished by automatically controlled engagement of friction elements.

[0003] To facilitate the shifting and controlled engagement of the friction elements of an automatic transmission, a vehicle powertrain typically includes a pump that provides pressurized hydraulic fluid and a plurality of control valves for controlling the flow of fluid through a hydraulic circuit. In other applications, the control valve is used to regulate the flow of exhaust gas generated from the engine. The control valve may be an exhaust control valve, which may be used in a variety of applications and may be used as an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, a bypass valve, an exhaust tuning valve, etc.

[0004] Conventional control valves for controlling the flow of fluid through a hydraulic circuit include electrical connectors to establish an electrical circuit for operation. However, typical electrical connectors include an elongated slot along a portion of the length of the electrical connector. During transportation, two or more electrical connectors often become tangled because one electrical connector may be inadvertently inserted sideways into the slot of another electrical connector. Due to this tangling, one or more electrical connectors may be deformed and unusable. Therefore, there remains a need for an electrical connector that prevents tangling and, therefore, deformation during transportation while still being able to establish the required electrical circuit for a control valve. Summary of the invention

[0005] An electrical connector is disclosed herein. The electrical connector includes a sheet terminal configured to establish a circuit and a receiving terminal defining a slot, the slot being configured to prevent a second electrical connector from being inserted into the slot. In one embodiment, the receiving terminal includes a bridging portion, a first leg extending from the bridging portion, and a second leg extending from the bridging portion and separated from the first leg by a slot, the slot being defined by the bridging portion, the first leg, and the second leg. In addition, at least one of the first leg and the second leg includes a geometric feature extending into the slot, so that the slot is configured to prevent a second electrical connector from being inserted into the slot. In addition, a control valve for controlling the flow of a fluid medium including an electrical connector is disclosed herein.

[0006] Configuring the slot of the electrical connector to prevent insertion of a second electrical connector into the slot prevents tangling of the electrical connectors during shipping and thus prevents deformation of the electrical connectors while still enabling establishment of an electrical circuit during operation of the control valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as it becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1A is a front view of a prior art electrical connector in a control valve;

[0009] FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of two prior art electrical connectors of FIG. 1A ;

[0010] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an electrical connector according to the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an electrical connector;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A front perspective view of a plurality of electrical connectors; and

[0013] Figure 5 is coupled to the control valve Figure 2 Front view of the electrical connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to represent like structures unless otherwise noted, a portion of a prior art control valve for controlling the flow of a fluid medium is generally illustrated in FIG. 1A . The prior art control valve includes a prior art electrical connector 7 . As shown in FIG. 1A , the prior art electrical connector 7 includes an elongated slot 9 along a portion of the length of the prior art electrical connector 7 . During transportation, two or more prior art electrical connectors 7 may become entangled because one prior art electrical connector 7 may be inadvertently inserted sideways or “stuck” in the slot 9 of another prior art electrical connector 7 , as shown in FIG. 1B . Due to this entanglement, one or more prior art electrical connectors 7 may become deformed and become unusable when pulled apart for use.

[0015] Figure 2-5 An electrical connector 10 designed to prevent tangling is shown. The electrical connector 10 includes blade terminals 12 configured to establish an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit can be used to power one or more components of the control valve 40, or can be used to power other components of the vehicle power system other than the control valve 40. The electrical connector 10 can be constructed of steel, aluminum, alloys, etc.

[0016] The electrical connector 10 also includes a receiving terminal 16 connected to the blade terminal 12. More specifically, the receiving terminal 16 of the electrical connector 10 is configured to engage the electrical terminal 14. The receiving terminal 16 includes a bridging portion 18, a first leg 20, and a second leg 22. The first leg 20 and the second leg 22 both extend from the bridging portion 18. In addition, the second leg 22 is separated from the first leg 20 by a slot 24. The slot 24 is defined by the bridging portion 18, the first leg 20, and the second leg 22.

[0017] The first leg 20 and the second leg 22 each have an end 26 disposed at a distal end of each leg 20, 22. The end 26 is configured to engage the electrical terminal 14 between the first leg 20 and the second leg 22, such as Figure 5 As best shown. Each end 26 has a length and a width. The distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22 can be constant or variable. In addition, the distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22 is configured to allow the first leg 20 and the second leg 22 to engage the electrical terminal 14 to establish an electrical circuit.

[0018] like Figure 2 As shown, at least one of the first leg 20 and the second leg 22 includes a geometric feature 30. In other words, one or both of the first and second legs 20, 22 include a geometric feature 30. The geometric feature 30 extends into the slot 24 so that the slot 24 is configured to prevent the second electrical connector 10 from being inserted into the slot 24. The geometric feature 30 on the first leg 20 can have the same or different shape and size as the geometric feature 30 on the second leg 22.

[0019] In addition, the geometric feature 30 divides the groove 24 into an upper groove portion 32 and a lower groove portion 34. The upper groove portion 32 is close to the bridge portion 18 and has the boundaries of the first leg 20, the second leg 22, the bridge portion 18 and the geometric feature 30. In addition, the lower groove portion 34 is away from the bridge portion 18 and has the boundaries of the geometric feature 30, the first leg 20 and the second leg 22. The upper groove portion 32 has a length and a width that can vary in length. Similarly, the lower groove portion 34 also has a length and a width that can vary in length. Still referring to Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the upper groove portion 32 and the lower groove portion 34 may have the same width as each other, or may have different widths, such that the lower groove portion 34 has a greater width than the upper groove portion 32, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 However, it is also contemplated that the upper groove portion 32 may have a greater width than the lower groove portion 34 .

[0020] In one embodiment, although not required, the geometric feature 30 is disposed approximately halfway between the bridge portion 18 and the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22, such that the length of the upper slot portion 32 and the length of the lower slot portion 34 are approximately equal. However, it is also contemplated that the geometric feature 30 may be disposed anywhere along the first leg 20 or the second leg 22, such that the length of the upper slot portion 32 may be greater than the length of the lower slot portion 34, or the length of the upper slot portion 32 may be less than the length of the lower slot portion 34.

[0021] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the geometric feature 30 is circular, so that the groove 24 has a generally hourglass shape. In other embodiments, the geometric feature can be a ridge or a curved shape. However, it is also contemplated that the geometric feature 30 can be any shape, including but not limited to a pointy shape, a square shape, a triangle shape, a polygon shape, etc.

[0022] The geometric feature 30 is disposed on at least one of the first leg 20 and the second leg 22. In one embodiment, the geometric feature 30 includes a first geometric feature 30 and a second geometric feature 30, and the first leg 20 includes the first geometric feature 30 and the second leg 22 includes the second geometric feature 30. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the first geometric feature 30 and the second geometric feature 30 extend toward each other, are mirror images of each other, and are located at approximately the same location along the length of the first leg 20 and the second leg 22. However, it is also contemplated that the first geometric feature 30 and the second geometric feature 30 can be different sizes and / or shapes from each other. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the first geometric feature 30 and the second geometric feature 30 can be located at different points along the length of the first leg 20 and the second leg 22.

[0023] In another embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the geometric feature 30 is disposed only on the first leg 20. It is also contemplated that the geometric feature 30 may be disposed only on the second leg 22. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the geometric feature 30 is circular. However, it is also contemplated that the geometric feature 30 may be any shape and / or size as described above.

[0024] In one embodiment, the length of the upper groove portion 32 is less than the width of the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22. In another embodiment, the length of the lower groove portion 34 is less than the width of the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22. In yet another embodiment, the width of the upper groove portion 32 is less than the width of the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22. In another embodiment, the width of the lower groove portion 34 is less than the width of the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22.

[0025] The electrical connector 10 includes a geometric feature 30 extending into the slot 24 so that the slot 24 is configured to prevent the second electrical connector 10 from being inserted into the slot 24, preventing the end 26 of the electrical connector 10 from sliding into the slot 24 of the second electrical connector 10 and becoming tangled. If the two electrical connectors 10 are tangled, deformation may occur during the tangling event or during the event of the tangled electrical connector 10 being separated. In this way, preventing tangling by preventing the end 26 of the electrical connector 10 from sliding into the slot 24 of the second electrical connector 10 will reduce the number of deformed electrical connectors 10, will reduce waste, and will improve assembly efficiency. It is contemplated that the embodiments described herein can be separate and different from each other, or it is contemplated that one electrical connector 10 can include multiple aspects of more than one embodiment described herein. For example, in an embodiment in which the length of the upper slot 32 is less than the width of the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22, it can be combined with an embodiment in which the length of the lower slot portion 34 is less than the width of the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22. Similarly, it is contemplated that any embodiment described herein may be used alone or with one or more additional embodiments described herein.

[0026] An exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector 10 must be able to withstand the Figure 2 The maximum crimping forces and maximum stresses during production, shipping, assembly, and operation are shown with the electrical connector 10 having the geometric features 30 in place and sized to withstand the stresses and strains of the electrical connector 10 .

[0027] like Figure 4As shown, the electrical connector 10 has a thickness. The thickness of the electrical connector 10 may be constant throughout, may be variable in the lateral or longitudinal direction across the electrical connector 10, or may vary in any other manner if desired. In one embodiment, the thickness of at least a portion of the electrical connector 10 is greater than the distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22. In one embodiment, if the distance is not constant, the distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22 is measured at the shortest distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22. The electrical connector 10 having a thickness greater than the distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22 prevents the electrical connector 10 from sliding and entangled between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the second leg 22 of the second electrical connector 10. If the two electrical connectors 10 are entangled, deformation may occur during an entanglement event or during an event in which the entangled electrical connectors 10 are separated. In this way, preventing the entanglement of the electrical connector 10 having a thickness greater than the distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22 will reduce the number of deformed electrical connectors 10 and improve assembly efficiency. It is contemplated that the embodiments described herein may be separate and different from each other, or it is contemplated that one electrical connector 10 may have more than one aspect of the embodiments described herein. For example, in an embodiment in which the electrical connector 10 has a thickness greater than the distance between the end 26 of the first leg 20 and the end 26 of the second leg 22, it may be combined with an embodiment in which the length of the upper groove portion 32 is less than the width of the end 26 of the first leg 20 or the second leg 22. Similarly, it is contemplated that any embodiment described herein may be used alone or in combination with aspects of one or more additional embodiments described herein.

[0028] Reference Figure 5 , the electrical connector 10 can be used in a control valve 40 for controlling the flow of a fluid medium. The control valve 40 includes a valve housing, which includes an electrical terminal 14 and an electrical connector 10. When the electrical connector 10 is used in the control valve 40, a circuit is established to control the flow of a fluid medium. It should be understood that the control valve 40 can be a pressure control valve 40 or a flow control valve 40. In addition, the control valve 40 may include one or more of any type of valve for regulating a fluid medium, including a check valve, a poppet valve, a ball valve, a sliding valve, etc. In addition, the control valve 40 can be actuated by any linear force, including a solenoid, a power screw, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, etc.

[0029] The slot 24 of the first electrical connector 10 is configured to prevent the second electrical connector 10 from being inserted into the slot to prevent entanglement, as shown in at least FIG. 1. Specifically, during transportation, many prior art electrical connectors 7 are transported in a single container. However, during transportation of the prior art electrical connector 7, as shown in FIG. 1B, the prior art electrical connector 7 slides around, and the legs of the second prior art electrical connector 7 are accidentally inserted into the slot 9 and become tangled. Untangling the prior art electrical connector 7 requires additional assembly time and often results in damage to one or more prior art electrical connectors 7. Therefore, configuring the slot 24 of the electrical connector 10 to prevent the second electrical connector 10 from being inserted into the slot 24 increases efficiency during assembly because untangling is no longer required. In addition, configuring the slot 24 of the electrical connector 10 to prevent the second electrical connector 10 from being inserted into the slot 24 prevents the electrical connector 10 from being deformed due to untangling. It is conceivable that the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 10 can be the same electrical connector, or can be different electrical connectors (i.e., different in size and / or shape from each other).

[0030] The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than limiting. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the present invention may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: blade terminals configured to establish an electrical circuit; as well as a receiving terminal coupled to the blade terminal and defining a slot configured to prevent another electrical connector from being inserted into the slot, The receiving terminal comprises: a bridging portion, a first leg extending from the bridging portion, and a second leg extending from the bridging portion and separated from the first leg by the slot, wherein the slot is defined by the bridging portion, the first leg and the second leg. wherein at least one of the first leg and the second leg includes a geometric feature extending into the slot such that the slot is configured to prevent the other electrical connector from being inserted into the slot, The first leg and the second leg each include an end having a width, wherein the geometric feature divides the slot into an upper slot portion proximal to the bridge portion and a lower slot portion distal to the bridge portion relative to the upper slot portion.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the upper groove portion is smaller than the width of the end portion of the first leg or the second leg.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The length of the lower groove portion is smaller than the width of the end portion of the first leg or the second leg.

4. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first leg and the second leg each include an end portion having a width, and wherein the width of the upper slot portion is smaller than the width of the end portion of the first leg or the second leg.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein: The width of the lower groove portion is smaller than the width of the end portion of the first leg or the second leg.

6. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The geometric feature includes a first geometric feature and a second geometric feature, and the first leg includes the first geometric feature and the second leg includes the second geometric feature extending toward each other.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein: The first geometric feature and the second geometric feature are mirror images of each other.

8. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The geometric feature is disposed approximately halfway between the bridge portion and the end on the first leg.

9. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The geometric feature is disposed approximately halfway between the bridge portion and the end on the second leg.

10. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The geometric feature is disposed approximately halfway between the bridge portion and the ends on the first leg and on the second leg.

11. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The geometric feature is circular.

12. A control valve for controlling the flow of a fluid medium, the control valve comprising: a valve housing including electrical terminals; as well as An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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