Multi-piece female electrical terminals

Abstract

The present application relates to a multi-piece female electrical terminal. The female electrical terminal includes an attachment. The attachment has a terminal body that is positioned about a terminal axis and defines an interior space. The terminal body has one or more flanges located on opposite sides of the terminal axis. The terminal body also has one or more body stops located on opposite sides of the terminal axis. The female electrical terminal also includes a contact. The contact has a contact body positioned about the terminal axis. A plurality of contact arms extend at least partially from the contact body into the interior space. The contact body is at least partially located between the flange and the terminal axis. The contact also includes a contact stop that engages with the body stop.

Description

Background of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to multiple-piece female electrical terminals. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved structure for a two-piece female electrical terminal including features that simplify assembly of the two-piece female electrical terminal.

[0002] Two-piece female electrical terminals are typically made from two different materials with different desired properties. This allows the first portion of the female terminal, which attaches to the wire, to have a first set of properties, while the second portion of the female terminal, which contacts the corresponding male terminal, has a second set of properties. The different materials used to form the two parts of the female terminal can be selected based on their respective desired properties, such as conductivity, stability when exposed to various temperatures, durability, cost, weight, etc.

[0003] To produce a two-piece female electrical terminal, two pieces are manufactured separately and then assembled together. It is desirable that the two pieces be properly positioned relative to each other during assembly. Properly positioning the two pieces can be difficult when the two pieces are physically small, such as when the width is measured in millimeters or less than 1 mm. During assembly, small misalignments between the two pieces can result in defects in the assembled component. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved structure for a two-piece female electrical terminal that includes features that simplify the assembly of the two-piece female electrical terminal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a female electrical terminal. The female electrical terminal includes an attachment. The attachment has a terminal body that defines a terminal axis and an interior space. The terminal body has one or more flanges located on opposite sides of the terminal axis. The terminal body also has one or more body stops. The female electrical terminal also includes a contact. The contact has a contact body positioned around the terminal axis. A plurality of contact arms extend at least partially from the contact body into the interior space. The contact body is at least partially located between the flange and the terminal axis. The contact also includes a contact stop that engages with the body stop.

[0005] In another embodiment, the terminal body includes a first body side and a second body side located on opposite sides of the terminal axis. The terminal body also includes a third body side and a fourth body side located on opposite sides of the terminal axis. The third body side and the fourth body side are connected to the first body side and the second body side. The terminal body includes a flange extending from the first body side. The terminal body also includes a flange extending from the second body side. A body stop is located on the third body side and the fourth body side. The contact body includes a first contact side positioned adjacent to the flange extending from the first body side. The contact body also includes a second contact side positioned adjacent to the flange extending from the second body side. The third contact side and the fourth contact side are connected to the first contact side and the second contact side. The third contact side and the fourth contact side include a contact stop engaged with the body stop.

[0006] Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a female electrical terminal according to the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of a female electrical terminal.

[0009] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3.

[0010] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4.

[0011] Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0012] Now refer to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 , a female electrical terminal according to the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10. The female electrical terminal 10 includes a connecting portion 12 adapted to engage a wire (not shown). The illustrated connecting portion 12 is a crimp connection, but may be any desired type of connection. The female electrical terminal 10 also includes a contact portion (indicated at 14) adapted to engage a corresponding male connector (not shown). The illustrated female electrical terminal 10 is adapted to engage a pin-type male connector inserted along a terminal axis 16, but the corresponding connector may be any desired type of connector.

[0013] The female electrical terminal 10 is composed of two pieces and includes an attachment piece 18 and a contact piece 20. Figure 2, shows an exploded view of the female electrical terminal 10 , wherein the attachment member 18 and the contact member 20 are shown separated from each other.

[0014] The attachment 18 is made of a piece of sheet metal that is stamped and folded into the shape shown. However, the attachment 18 can be made of any desired material and by any desired process. The attachment 18 includes a terminal body 22. The terminal body 22 shown has a four-sided box cross-sectional shape positioned around the terminal axis 16. However, the terminal body 22 can have any desired shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 12 and the terminal body 22 are both parts of the attachment 18 and are both made of a single piece of material. However, if desired, the connecting portion 12 and the terminal body 22 can be separate pieces.

[0015] The terminal body 22 includes a body seam 24 located on a first body side 26. The body seam 24 is the location where the edges of the metal sheets that are folded to create the attachment 18 meet. A polarizing projection 28 extends from the first body side 26 of the terminal body 22. The polarizing projection 28 is adapted to limit the orientation in which the female electrical terminal 10 can be inserted into a housing (not shown). A locking lance 30 also extends from the first body side 26 of the terminal body 22. The locking lance 30 is cut from the first body side 26 and is adapted to retain the female electrical terminal 10 in the housing. The illustrated polarizing projection 28 and the illustrated locking lance 30 extend from the first body side 26 of the terminal body 22, but may be located at any desired location on the female electrical terminal 10.

[0016] The illustrated terminal body 22 is maintained in the illustrated shape by two body welds 32. However, the terminal body 22 may include any desired type of retaining features. In the illustrated embodiment, one body weld 32 is located on the body seam 24 on the first body side 26, and another body weld 32 is located on the first body side 26 and the offset locating protrusion 28. However, the body welds 32 may be located in any desired location.

[0017] The terminal body 22 includes a contact end 34 that opens into an interior space of the terminal body 22, generally indicated at 36. The terminal axis 16 passes through the contact end 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 12 extends from the terminal body 22 on opposite sides of the contact end 34, but the connecting portion 12 may have any desired orientation.

[0018] The contact 20 is made from a single piece of sheet metal that has been stamped and folded into the illustrated shape. However, the contact 20 can be made from any desired material and by any desired process. The contact 20 includes a contact body 38. The illustrated contact body 38 has a four-sided box cross-sectional shape oriented about the terminal axis 16. However, the contact body 38 can have any desired shape.

[0019] The contact body 38 includes a contact seam 40 located on a first contact side 42 of the contact body 38. The contact seam 40 is the location where the edges of the metal sheets that are folded to produce the contact member 20 meet. A plurality of contact arms 44 extend from the contact body 38 generally in the mating direction 46. The illustrated contact member 20 includes four contact arms 44, but may include any desired number of contact arms 44. When the female electrical terminal 10 is mated with a corresponding terminal, the contact arms 44 engage the corresponding terminal. The contact arms 44 extend from the first contact side 42 and a second contact side 48. The second contact side 48 is located on a side of the terminal axis 16 opposite the first contact side 42, and the contact arms 44 are arranged on opposite sides of the terminal axis 16. However, the contact arms 44 may be located on any desired portion of the contact member 20.

[0020] Return to reference Figure 1 When the female electrical terminal 10 is assembled, the contact 20 is positioned adjacent the contact end 34 of the terminal body 22 . Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 When the female electrical terminal 10 is assembled, the contact arm 44 extends through the contact end 34 and is at least partially located within the interior space 36 of the terminal body 22.

[0021] The terminal body 22 includes a second body side 50 located on an opposite side of the terminal axis 16 from the first body side 26. The first body side 26 and the second body side 50 each include a flange 52 extending from the terminal body 22 opposite the mating direction 46. The first contact side 42 and the second contact side 48 are each located adjacent to one of the flanges 52. Figure 3 As best shown in FIG, flanges 52 are located on opposite sides of the contact body 38, with the first contact side 42 and the second contact side 48 located between the flanges 52. When the female electrical terminal 10 is mated with a corresponding terminal, the contact arm 44 is urged away from the terminal axis 16. The flanges 52 located on the exterior of the contact body 38 resist outward movement of the first contact side 42 and the second contact side 48 and help resist deformation of the contact body 38.

[0022] As previously described, the body seam 24 is located on the first body side 26 of the terminal body 22. The illustrated body seam 24 extends generally parallel to the terminal axis 16, extending through the flange 52 extending from the first body side 26. Additionally, the contact seam 40 is located on the first contact side 42, and the illustrated contact seam 40 also extends generally parallel to the terminal axis 16. Figure 4 As best shown in FIG, body seam 24 is generally adjacent to contact seam 40. Body weld 32 on body seam 24 (which maintains the shape of terminal body 22) also maintains the shape of contact body 38 and helps prevent contact body 38 from opening at contact seam 40. It should be understood that body seam 24 and contact seam 40 can be in positions different than shown and can have different relative orientations, if desired.

[0023] like Figure 4 As best shown in FIG, the terminal body 22 includes a third body side 54 and a fourth body side 56 located on opposite sides of the terminal axis 16. The third body side 54 and the fourth body side 56 are respectively connected to both the first body side 26 and the second body side 50. Each of the third body side 54 and the fourth body side 56 includes a corresponding body stop 58 located at an end opposite to the mating direction 46. In addition, the contact body 38 includes a third contact side 60 and a fourth contact side 62 located on opposite sides of the terminal axis 16. The third contact side 60 and the fourth contact side 62 are respectively connected to both the first contact side 42 and the second contact side 48. Each of the third contact side 60 and the fourth contact side 62 includes a corresponding contact stop 64 located at an end located in the mating direction 46. When the female electrical terminal 10 is assembled, the contact stop 64 engages the body stop 58 to prevent the contact 20 from moving in the mating direction 46 relative to the attachment 18.

[0024] like Figure 3 As best shown in the figures, each flange 52 extends to a respective flange end 66 in a direction opposite to the mating direction 46. In addition, the first contact side 42 and the second contact side 48 extend to respective contact ends 68. Each flange end 66 is generally flush with the adjacent contact end 68. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact body 38 has consistent contact ends 68 on the first contact side 42 and the second contact side 48, however, the contact ends 68 can be offset from one another if desired. Contact welds 70 are applied to the flange ends 66 and the adjacent contact ends 68 to hold the attachment 18 in place relative to the contact 20. The illustrated contact welds 70 are applied opposite to the mating direction 46 of the contact 20. As shown in FIG. Figure 1 As best shown in FIG, the illustrated embodiment includes three contact pads 70. However, the female electrical terminal 10 may include any desired number of contact pads 70 in any desired locations.

[0025] Return to reference Figure 4 , the third body side 54 includes an outer surface 54a that is generally flush with the outer surface 60a of the third contact side 60. Similarly, the fourth body side 56 includes an outer surface 56a that is generally flush with the outer surface 62a of the fourth contact side 62. This allows the illustrated female electrical terminal 10 to have generally uniform outer dimensions along the terminal axis 16 at the location of the body stop 58. However, the outer surfaces 54a, 56a, 60a, and 62a can be in any desired relative position.

[0026] The contact 20 includes an indent 72 located in the contact end 68 of the first contact side 42. The indent 72 extends from the contact end 68 in the mating direction 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact seam 40 extends into the indent 72. The indent 72 allows a tool (not shown) to be inserted under the flange 52 during assembly of the female electrical terminal 10.

[0027] The principle and mode of operation of the present invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that the invention can be implemented in ways different from those specifically explained and illustrated without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A female electrical terminal comprising: an attachment comprising a terminal body defining a terminal axis and defining an interior space, the terminal body including a plurality of flanges and one or more body stops on opposite sides of the terminal axis; and a contact member comprising a contact body positioned about the terminal axis and a plurality of contact arms extending at least partially from the contact body into the interior space, the contact body being at least partially located between two flanges of the plurality of flanges and the terminal axis, the contact member comprising one or more contact stops respectively engaged with the one or more body stops, wherein the terminal body includes a body seam located on one of the plurality of flanges, Wherein, the contact body includes a contact seam, wherein the body seam is substantially adjacent to the contact seam, and Wherein, the female electrical terminal includes a main body welding point located on the main body seam. 2 . The female electrical terminal of claim 1 , further comprising one or more contact welds between the attachment member and the contact member.

3. The female electrical terminal according to claim 2, wherein: The contact weld is located on the flange.

4. The female electrical terminal according to claim 1, wherein The terminal body includes a first body side and a second body side located on opposite sides of the terminal axis, a third body side and a fourth body side located on opposite sides of the terminal axis, the first flange of the flanges extends from the first body side, the second flange of the flanges extends from the second body side, the first body stop portion of the body stop portion is located on the third body side, and the second body stop portion of the body stop portion is located on the fourth body side.

5. The female electrical terminal according to claim 4, wherein The contact body includes a first contact side and a second contact side located on opposite sides of the terminal axis, a third contact side and a fourth contact side located on opposite sides of the terminal axis, a first contact arm of the contact arms extends from the first contact side, a second contact arm of the contact arms extends from the second contact side, a first contact stop of the contact stop portions is on the third contact side, and a second contact stop of the contact stop portions is on the fourth contact side.

6. The female electrical terminal according to claim 5, wherein: The first contact side is located between the first of the flanges and the terminal axis, and the second contact side is located between the second of the flanges and the terminal axis. 7 . The female electrical terminal of claim 6 , the body seam being located on the first body side and on the first of the flanges extending from the first body side.

8. The female electrical terminal of claim 7, the contact seam being located on the first contact side.

9. The female electrical terminal of claim 8, comprising a groove extending from the contact end of the contact body, wherein the terminal seam extends to the groove.

10. The female electrical terminal of claim 9, comprising one or more contact welds between the attachment member and the contact member.

11. The female electrical terminal of claim 9, comprising one or more contact welds between the flange and the contact.

12. A female electrical terminal comprising: an attachment comprising a terminal body defining an interior space and including a first body side and a second body side located on opposite sides of a terminal axis and a third body side and a fourth body side located on opposite sides of the terminal axis and connected to the first body side and the second body side, the terminal body including a plurality of flanges extending from the first body side and the second body side and a plurality of body stops located on the third body side and the fourth body side; and a contact member comprising a contact body, the contact body comprising: a first contact side, the first contact side being positioned adjacent to the flange extending from the first body side; a second contact side, the second contact side being positioned adjacent to the flange extending from the second body side; a plurality of contact arms, the plurality of contact arms extending from the first contact side and the second contact side into the interior space; and a third contact side and a fourth contact side, the third contact side and the fourth contact side being connected to the first contact side and the second contact side and comprising a plurality of contact stops engaged with the body stop, wherein the terminal body includes a body seam located on one of the plurality of flanges, Wherein, the contact body includes a contact seam, wherein the body seam is substantially adjacent to the contact seam, and Wherein, the female electrical terminal includes a main body welding point located on the main body seam.

13. The female electrical terminal of claim 12, comprising one or more contact welds on the flange and the contact body.

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