Current holding clamp

Abstract

The present invention relates to a current-carrying retaining clip. The current-carrying clip contact and the electrical connector have a first stationary beam and a movable beam. The first stationary beam has a first planar tab engagement section and a first lead-in surface extending from the first planar tab engagement section. The movable beam has a second planar tab engagement section, an arcuate retaining section extending from the second planar tab engagement section, and a second lead-in surface extending from the arcuate retaining section. When a mating tab is inserted between the first stationary beam and the movable beam, the arcuate retaining section of the movable beam can move across the plane of the first planar tab engagement section of the first stationary beam.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is directed to a current carrying clip. In particular, the present invention is directed to a current carrying retention clip that provides sufficient normal force to establish and maintain an electrical connection between the current carrying retention clip and a tab inserted therein. Background Art

[0002] Mounting hardware may be utilized to secure the cylindrical member in a desired position. Spring clips, for example, provide a relatively simple, low-cost, and easy-to-use means of holding a cylindrical member in a desired position. Advantageously, the spring clips may secure the cylindrical member without the use of adhesives or additional hardware by applying a circumferential clamping force to the exterior of the cylindrical member. However, the spring clips themselves must typically be mounted to an internal structure. The spring clips may be adhesively bonded to the internal structure of the guided munition; however, this presents substantially the same disadvantages as directly bonding the cylindrical member to the internal structure. Fasteners are typically utilized to mechanically secure the spring clips in place; however, the use of fasteners adds undesirable cost, complexity, and part count to the connector. Additionally, the spring clips may be easily deformed, thereby preventing an electrical connection from being established and maintained between the spring clips and the member inserted therein.

[0003] It would be beneficial, therefore, to provide a current carrying retention clip that provides sufficient normal force to establish and maintain an electrical connection between the current carrying retention clip and the tabs of a passive component inserted therein. Summary of the invention

[0004] Embodiments are directed to a current carrying clamp contact. A base of the contact has a first end and an oppositely facing second end. A first stationary beam extending from the first end of the base has a first planar tab engagement section and a first lead-in surface extending from the first planar tab engagement section. The first lead-in surface is angled relative to the first planar tab engagement section. A movable beam extending from the second end of the base has a second planar tab engagement section, an arcuate retention section extending from the second planar tab engagement section, and a second lead-in surface extending from the arcuate retention section. The second lead-in surface is angled relative to the second planar tab engagement section. When a mating tab is inserted between the first stationary beam and the movable beam, the arcuate retention section of the movable beam can move across the plane of the first planar tab engagement section of the first stationary beam.

[0005] Embodiments are directed to an electrical connector for receiving a passive component, the passive component including a component housing and a component tab. The electrical connector has a housing having a component receiving recess and a contact receiving recess positioned on either side of the component receiving recess. The component receiving recess has a guide protrusion for properly positioning the component housing in the component receiving recess. A current-carrying clamp contact is positioned in the contact receiving recess. The current-carrying clamp contact includes a base, a first stationary beam, and a movable beam. The base has a first end and an oppositely facing second end. The first stationary beam has a first planar tab engagement section and a first lead-in surface extending from the first planar tab engagement section. The first lead-in surface is angled relative to the first planar tab engagement section. The movable beam has a second planar tab engagement section, an arcuate retention section extending from the second planar tab engagement section, and a second lead-in surface extending from the arcuate retention section. The second lead-in surface is angled relative to the second planar tab engagement section. The arcuate retaining section of the movable beam may move across the plane of the first planar tab engaging section of the first stationary beam when the member tab is inserted between the first stationary beam and the movable beam.

[0006] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of an electrical connector having current carrying clip contacts according to the present invention with passive components exploded therefrom.

[0008] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a contact receiving recess with a current carrying clip contact positioned in the contact receiving recess.

[0009] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a current carrying clip contact.

[0010] Figure 4 is a front view of an electrical connector with components positioned prior to engagement with a current carrying clip contact.

[0011] Figure 5 is a side view of an electrical connector with components positioned prior to engagement with a current carrying clip contact.

[0012] Figure 6 is a side view of an electrical connector with a component partially inserted into a current carrying clip contact.

[0013] Figure 7 is a side view of the electrical connector with the component fully inserted into the current carrying clip contact.

[0014] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the electrical connector with the components fully inserted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The description of the illustrative embodiment according to the principle of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which will be considered as part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended only for the convenience of description, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "top" and "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downward", "upwardly", etc.) should be interpreted as referring to the orientation as described later or as shown in the accompanying drawings discussed. These relative terms are only used for the convenience of description, and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a specific orientation unless clearly indicated. Terms such as "attachment", "attachment", "connection", "connection", "interconnection" and similar terms refer to the relationship in which the structure is directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other through an intermediary structure and both removable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless otherwise explicitly described.

[0016] Furthermore, the features and benefits of the present invention are illustrated by reference to preferred embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should explicitly not be limited to such embodiments illustrating a possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features, the scope of the present invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrical connector 10 has a housing 12 having a component receiving recess 14 and contact receiving recesses 16 positioned on either side of the component receiving recess 14. The component receiving recess 14 is sized to receive a component housing 18 of a passive component 20. The contact receiving recess 16 is configured to receive a component electrical contact or tab 22 of the passive component 20.

[0018] The component receiving recess 14 has side walls 24, 26, end walls 28, 30, and a bottom wall 32. The side walls 24, 26 have guide projections 34, 36 extending from the side walls 24, 26 in a direction away from the bottom wall 32. The guide projections 34, 36 cooperate with the component housing 18 to guide the component housing 18 into the component receiving recess 14 and properly position the component housing 18 in the component receiving recess 14. The end walls 28, 30 have openings or slots 42 to allow the component electrical contacts or tabs 22 to extend from the component receiving recess 14 into the contact receiving recess 16.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the side walls 24, 26, end walls 28, 30, bottom wall 32 and guide projections 34, 36 are formed by overmolding. However, other configurations of the side walls 24, 26, end walls 28, 30, bottom wall 32 and guide projections 34, 36 may be used.

[0020] The contact receiving recess 16 is positioned on either side of the component receiving recess 14. The contact receiving recess 16 has side walls 44, 46, end walls 48, 50 and a bottom wall 52 ( Figure 2 ).

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , current carrying clip contacts 60 are disposed in contact receiving recesses 16. Each of the current carrying clip contacts 60 has a base 62 having a first end 64 and an oppositely facing second end 66.

[0022] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first stationary beam 68 extends from the first end 64 of the base 62. The first stationary beam 68 has a first planar tab engagement section 70 and a first lead-in surface 72 extending from the first planar tab engagement section 70. The first lead-in surface 72 is angled relative to the first planar tab engagement section 70. The first stationary beam 68 has a first arcuate mounting section 76 extending from the first end 64 of the base 62 to the first planar tab engagement section 70.

[0023] The movable beam 78 extends from the second end 66 of the base 62. The movable beam 78 has a second planar tab engagement section 80, an arcuate retention section 84 extending from the second planar tab engagement section 80, and a second lead-in surface 82 extending from the arcuate retention section 84. The second lead-in surface 82 is angled relative to the second planar tab engagement section 80. The arcuate retention section 84 has a tab engagement shoulder 87. When the tab 22 of the passive component 20 is inserted between the first stationary beam 68 and the movable beam 78, the arcuate retention section 84 of the movable beam 78 can move across the plane 74 of the first planar tab engagement section 70 of the first stationary beam 68. The movable beam 78 has a second arcuate mounting section 86 extending from the second end 66 of the base 62 to the second planar tab engagement section 80.

[0024] The second stationary beam 88 extends from the first end 64 of the base 62. The second stationary beam 88 has a third planar tab engagement section 90 and a third lead-in surface 92 extending from the third planar tab engagement section 90. The third lead-in surface 92 is angled relative to the third planar tab engagement section 90. The second stationary beam 88 has a third arcuate mounting section 96 extending from the first end 64 of the base 62 to the third planar tab engagement section 90.

[0025] The first stationary beam 68 and the second stationary beam 88 are spaced apart. An opening or slot 94 is provided between the first stationary beam 68 and the second stationary beam 88. The slot 94 is sized to receive the arcuate retaining section 84 of the movable beam 78 therein.

[0026] In various illustrative embodiments, first lead-in surface 72 of first stationary beam 68 and third lead-in surface 92 of second stationary beam 88 may be less angled relative to plane 74 of first planar tab engagement section 70 of current carrying clamp contact 60 than second lead-in surface 82 of movable beam 78 .

[0027] One or more mating contact engagement sections 98 of each current-carrying clip contact 60 extend from the base 62 to establish an electrical connection with a mating contact (not shown). Portions of the mating contact engagement sections 98 are disposed in the openings 43 of the housing 12, which extend below the bottom wall 52 of the corresponding contact receiving recess 16. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the housing 12 is overmolded over the base 62 and the mating contact engagement sections 99 of the contact 60 to secure the contact 60 in the contact receiving recess 16.

[0028] When the electrical connector 10 is fully assembled and properly positioned, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in , the component 20 moves to an initial position relative to the component receiving recess 14 and the contact receiving recess 16. In this position, the component housing 18 is positioned above the component receiving recess 14, and the component tab 22 is positioned above the contact receiving recess 16.

[0029] When the component 20 is inserted into the electrical connector 10, the component housing 18 engages the guide projections 34, 36 to guide the component housing 18 into the component receiving recess 14. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 8 , the member tab 22 engages the second lead-in surface 82 of the movable beam 78 .

[0030] As insertion continues, the component tab 22 slides across the second lead-in surface 82 of the movable beam 78. Figure 6 , the tab 22 is offset from the first and second stationary beams 68, 88 and positioned in line with the movable beam 78. As a result, the downward movement of the tab 22 causes the movable beam 78 to resiliently move away from the first and second stationary beams 68, 88. As this occurs, the arcuate retaining section 84 of the movable beam 78 moves out of the slot 94 and away from the first and second stationary beams 68, 88, thereby allowing continued insertion of the component tab 22 into the current-carrying clip contact 60.

[0031] When the tab 22 is inserted, the movable beam 78 moves, not the first stationary beam 68 or the second stationary beam 88. The configuration of the arcuate retaining section 84 causes the movable beam 78 to move away from the first stationary beam 68 and the second stationary beam 88 when engaged by the tab 22. This is due to the arcuate or inclined configuration of the arcuate retaining section 84. In addition, the first lead-in surface 72 of the first stationary beam 68 and the third lead-in surface 92 of the second stationary beam 88 are not positioned in line with the tab 22 of the properly inserted component 20. However, if the tab 22 is not properly aligned, the first lead-in surface 72 of the first stationary beam 68 and the third lead-in surface 92 of the second stationary beam 88 act as guides to properly position the tab 22. When this alignment occurs, the first stationary beam 68 and the second stationary beam 88 are not deformed, but maintain their position and configuration. Because each of the tabs 22 engages both the first and second stationary beams 68 , 88 on one side, the force required to move the first and second stationary beams 68 , 88 is greater than the force required to move the single movable beam 78 .

[0032] As insertion continues, the member tab 22 moves past the arcuate retention section 84, allowing the arcuate retention section 84 and the movable beam 78 to return toward their unstressed position, in which the arcuate retention section 84 is positioned in the slot 94. In this fully inserted position, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 , the tab 22 is positioned between and electrically engaged with the following: the first planar tab engagement section 70 of the first stationary beam 68, the third planar tab engagement section 90 of the second stationary beam 88, and the second planar tab engagement section 80 of the movable beam 78. In this position, the tab engagement shoulder 87 cooperates with the top end of the tab 22 to hold the tab 22 in the fully inserted position. With the tab 22 fully inserted, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the component housing 18 is also completely inserted into the component receiving recess 14 .

[0033] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, and that equivalents may be substituted for its elements. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be used with many modifications of the structures, arrangements, ratios, dimensions, materials and components used in the practice of the present invention and other aspects, which are particularly suitable for specific environments and operational requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The embodiments disclosed herein are therefore to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and non-restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and is not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.

Claims

1. A current-carrying clamp contact, comprising: a base having a first end and an oppositely facing second end; a first stationary beam having a first planar tab engagement section and a first lead-in surface extending from the first planar tab engagement section, the first lead-in surface being angled relative to the first planar tab engagement section; a movable beam having a second planar tab engagement section, an arcuate retention section extending from the second planar tab engagement section, and a second lead-in surface extending from the arcuate retention section, the second lead-in surface being angled relative to the second planar tab engagement section; Wherein, when a mating tab is inserted between the first stationary beam and the movable beam, the arcuate retaining section of the movable beam is movable across the plane of the first planar tab engaging section of the first stationary beam.

2. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second stationary beam is provided having a third planar tab engagement section and a third lead-in surface extending from the third planar tab engagement section, the third lead-in surface being angled relative to the third planar tab engagement section.

3. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 2, characterized in that: A slot is provided between the first and second stationary beams, the slot being sized to receive the arcuate retaining section of the moveable beam therein.

4. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first lead-in surface of the first stationary beam and the third lead-in surface of the second stationary beam are less angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the current-carrying clamp contact than the second lead-in surface of the movable beam.

5. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arcuate retention section has a tab engaging shoulder.

6. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first stationary beam has a first arcuate mounting section extending from the first end of the base.

7. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 5, characterized in that: The movable beam has a second arcuate mounting section extending from the second end of the base.

8. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second stationary beam has a third arcuate mounting section extending from the first end of the base.

9. The current-carrying clamp contact according to claim 7, characterized in that: A mating contact engagement section extends from the base to establish an electrical connection with a mating contact.

10. An electrical connector for receiving a passive component, the passive component having a component housing and a component tab, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a component receiving recess and contact receiving recesses positioned on either side of the component receiving recess, the component receiving recess having guide projections for properly positioning the component housing in the component receiving recess; The contact receives a current-carrying clamp contact in a recess, the current-carrying clamp contact comprising: a base having a first end and an oppositely facing second end; a first stationary beam having a first planar tab engagement section and a first lead-in surface extending from the first planar tab engagement section, the first lead-in surface being angled relative to the first planar tab engagement section; a movable beam having a second planar tab engagement section, an arcuate retention section extending from the second planar tab engagement section, and a second lead-in surface extending from the arcuate retention section, the second lead-in surface being angled relative to the second planar tab engagement section; Wherein, when the component tab is inserted between the first stationary beam and the movable beam, the arcuate retaining section of the movable beam is movable across the plane of the first planar tab engaging section of the first stationary beam.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The guide projection of the member receiving recess is overmolded into the housing of the electrical connector.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The guide projections are positioned on either side of the member receiving recess.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: A second stationary beam is provided having a third planar tab engagement section and a third lead-in surface extending from the third planar tab engagement section, the third lead-in surface being angled relative to the third planar tab engagement section.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, characterized in that: A slot is provided between the first and second stationary beams, the slot being sized to receive the arcuate retaining section of the moveable beam therein.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 13, characterized in that: The arcuate retention section has a tab engaging shoulder.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 14, characterized in that: The first stationary beam has a first arcuate mounting section extending from the first end of the base.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 15, characterized in that: The movable beam has an arcuate second mounting section extending from the second end of the base.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 16, characterized in that: The second stationary beam has a third arcuate mounting section extending from the first end of the base.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: The first lead-in surface of the first stationary beam and the third lead-in surface of the second stationary beam are less angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the current-carrying clamp contact than the second lead-in surface of the movable beam.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 18, characterized in that The housing is overmolded over the current carrying clip contacts.

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