female electrical terminal

Abstract

A female electrical terminal for mating with a connector assembly generally includes a main body, a dual body spring, and a wire securement. The dual body spring includes two members to provide a spring force to impinge on a male pin or male terminal or another "blade-like" object and to mate the terminal with the male pin or male terminal or another "blade-like" object. A guide member guides and "self-corrects" the insertion of the male pin or male terminal or another "blade-like" object into the female electrical terminal. The main body also includes a tang member with over-stress protection that secures and locks the terminal within the connector housing. The main body has support members at either end thereof. The terminal has polarity defined by the main body and is for proper mating with a corresponding housing. The female electrical terminal can also accommodate a TPA device within the space above the wire securement and behind the main body.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 893,669, filed August 29, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Ideally, the female terminal should have a structural arrangement or feature including: overstress protection using a support member to prevent undesirable deformation of the female terminal; a shape having an orientation or polarity defined by the body; a wire-fastening feature using a wire fastening portion of the female terminal to fasten the wire; a locking feature using a shank member to fasten and ensure the female terminal is locked within the housing; an elastic feature using a double-body elastic member that effectively and elastically connects the female terminal to a male pin or terminal or other "blade-like" object; and a guiding feature using a guiding member to guide and "self-align" the male pin or terminal or other "blade-like" object into the female terminal. Furthermore, the female terminal of the present invention can accommodate and receive a TPA device within a space above its wire fastening portion and located behind the body.

[0004] Furthermore, the dual body spring of the present application is "dual body" in which a lower spring member and an upper spring member are used in the application or orientation. Preferably, the lower spring member and the upper spring member operate in unison or together and as a whole to provide a spring force applied to or acting on the male pin or the male terminal or the further "blade-like" object upon insertion of one of the male pin, the male terminal and the further "blade-like" object into the female electrical terminal. The lower spring member extends further along the length of the pin compared to the upper spring member and further down and towards the floor of the body. The upper spring member and the lower spring member are integrally configured with each other and connected by the curved side members and folded one over the other. The lower spring member is below the upper spring member and the upper spring member is above the lower spring member. A relationship between the uncurved orientation of the upper spring member and the lower spring member is provided in which they can or can not be in contact. When the lower spring member and the upper spring member are in contact in the uncurved state, the initial applied spring force will be evident as both the upper spring member and the lower spring member apply their respective spring forces in unison or together and as a whole to the male pin or the male terminal or the further "blade-like" object. Conversely, when the lower spring member and the upper spring member are not in contact in the uncurved orientation, the initial applied spring force to the male pin or the male terminal or the further "blade-like" object will only be evident as the spring force of the lower spring member, i.e. until the lower spring member comes into contact with the upper spring member whereby the upper spring member will apply a spring force to the lower spring and in unison or together and as a whole to the male pin or the male terminal or the further "blade-like" object. Furthermore, in one example of the present application, as the spring travels upwards, the lower spring member can bend and come into contact with the tang member which can additionally provide a resistance to the upward movement of the lower spring member, thereby applying a spring force resisting the upward travel of the lower spring member and thus the tang member increases the total spring force of the spring. The above orientation of the spring is provided to effectively and elastically connect and secure the female electrical terminal with the male pin or the male terminal or the further "blade-like" object as required and / or in operation.

[0005] It is still further desirable that the shape of the female electrical terminal of the present application has an orientation or polarity that is maintained and ensured and is provided so as to mate the female electrical terminal with a corresponding connector assembly having an opening having an orientation or polarity similar to that of the female electrical terminal respectively so as to properly fit and mate with the female electrical terminal. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a female electrical terminal for mating with a male pin or a male terminal or a further "blade-like" object and for mating and locking with a connector assembly. The female electrical terminal generally comprises a body, a dual body spring and a wire fastening portion.

[0007] The body of the female electrical terminal has a substantially box shape or form, such that a portion of the body is formed in a box-like orientation. The body generally includes an upper body and a lower body, a tang member, and a dual body spring. The tang member includes a stem member that locks the female electrical terminal within the connector assembly. The stem member has a protruding member that meets another protruding member extending from the body when the stem member is bent. The two protruding members act as an over-stress protection for the stem member; that is, the stem member is prevented or protected from deforming when the female electrical terminal is mated with the connector assembly. Another protruding member extends from the stem member to protect the dual body spring from over-stress. The body also includes support members at its front and rear ends that prevent over-stress and deformation of the female electrical terminal.

[0008] The dual body spring is substantially located within the channel PW of the body and includes two members that act or operate to generate a spring force that can be applied to the male prong or male terminal or the additional "blade-like" object when one of the male prong, male terminal, and additional "blade-like" object is inserted into the female electrical terminal.

[0009] The female electrical terminal of the present invention also has an orientation or polarity that is maintained and ensured for proper assembly into a corresponding connector assembly. The connector assembly has an opening with a similar orientation or similar polarity that is also maintained for proper assembly with the female electrical terminal.

[0010] In addition, the front portion of the wire fastening portion has a neck member that transitions to the body of the female electrical terminal, the neck member having a space for accommodating a TPA device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1A is a front top perspective view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention; Figure 1B is a rear top perspective view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2A is a right side view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention; Figure 2B is a left side view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2C shows a terminal position assurance (TPA) device positioned in a space of the female electrical terminal; Figure 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2D-2D in Figure 8B , which shows a surface area of the female electrical terminal that interferes with a terminal position assurance (TPA) device;

[0014] Figure 3A is a top view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention; Figure 3B is a bottom view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 is a partial side view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention showing the protruding members extending from the stem member and from the body and support members of the upper guide member, respectively;

[0016] Figure 5A shows the opening of the front end portion of the female electrical terminal and the guide members for guiding the male terminal pin or male terminal entry channel when the male terminal pin or male terminal entry channel is entered, Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in Figure 5A showing the opening of the front end portion and the guide members and the lower resilient member having an apex on its curved portion;

[0017] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in Figure 1B and Figure 6B is a schematic view of the guide members located near the opening of the front end portion of the female electrical terminal;

[0018] Figure 7 shows the dual body resilient member and also shows the top retainer member mounted to the resilient member;

[0019] Figure 8A partially shows one side of the female electrical terminal having a window for at least partially accommodating the curved side member of the dual body resilient member; Figure 8B partially shows the other side of the female electrical terminal showing various elements of the female electrical terminal of the present invention including the support members located at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the body;

[0020] Figure 9 shows a conventional electrical wire or cable for interacting with the female electrical terminal of the present invention having a wire insulation portion and a wire core portion at its front portion;

[0021] Figure 10A shows a front view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention in a pre-locked position within a connector assembly; Figure 10B shows a front view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention fully at rest and in a fully locked position within a corresponding connector assembly; Figure 10A and Figure 10B also shows the female electrical terminal of the present invention and the polarity or orientation of the corresponding connector assembly for effective assembly therewith. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1AA front top perspective view of a female electrical terminal, generally referred to as reference numeral 1, is shown. The female electrical terminal 1 is integrally formed as a continuous piece that is folded, crimped, or bent to form a single structure, and the single structure includes a main body 5, a dual body spring 130, and a wire securement portion 3. The main body 5 also includes a tang member 15. The wire securement portion 3 can be a foldable crimp or clamp type as shown here, but can also be an insulation displacement contact (IDC) type, or other similarly formed wire securement device integrally formed and preferably extending substantially with or along the length of the female electrical terminal 1, and more particularly extending from a rear portion of the main body 5 of the female electrical terminal 1 that is capable of interacting with a wire insulation 120 and / or a wire core 110 of an electrical wire or cable 100 to securely connect the electrical wire or cable 100 to the female electrical terminal 1. In addition, additional or unique wire securement of the electrical wire or cable 100 to the female electrical terminal 1 can be achieved by means including but not limited to, for example, welding, brazing, soldering, and / or other similar means to create a secure and / or conductive securement.

[0023] In Figure 1B a rear top perspective view of the female electrical terminal 1 in Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 5A ).

[0024] As Figure 2A and Figure 2B shown, the wire securement portion 3 transitions to and is integrally formed with the main body 5 by a neck member 52 (see also Figure 3A , Figure 3B ).

[0025] As Figure 2A shown, the tang member 15 includes a stem member 25 having an unattached end 28 and an attached end 30. As further seen in Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the stem member 25 is shown here in a normal relaxed state. The stem member 25 is elastically biased to the normal relaxed state so that it is not affected by external contact, and thus a subsequent bend point of the stem member 25 can occur at the attached end 30 when the unattached end 28 is moved. The unattached end 28 of the stem member 25 preferably has a generally U-shaped form or the like in cross-section along its width, but its form is not limited thereto (see Figure 1B , Figure 5B). The attached end 30 of the rod member 25 preferably has a generally L-shaped form or the like, but its form is not limited thereto (see Figure 1B , Figure 5A , Figure 5B ).

[0026] Further, the rod member 25 has a protruding member 35 that meets with another protruding member 37 extending from the main body 5 (see Figure 1B , Figure 2B , FIG. 5, and Figure 8A ). Both protruding members 35, 37 serve as over-stress protection for the rod member 25. That is, when the rod member 25 is in a bent condition, the protruding members 35, 37 strike each other. This form thus prevents or protects the rod member 25 from deforming when the female terminal 1 is contacted or mated with the connector assembly 90 or the like (see also Figure 10A and 10B ). In this way, the rod member 25 is operable to move substantially between a bent condition and a normal relaxed condition, whereby it can return to the normal relaxed condition without substantially deforming or being inoperable and still be able to secure the female electrical terminal 1 with the connector housing 90, as discussed later ( Figure 10A , Figure 10B ). As shown in the side view of Figure 2B , the protruding members 35, 37 are preferably substantially rectangular, circular, trapezoidal or the like (see also Figure 4 , Figure 8A ), but their shape or form is not limited thereto.

[0027] In operation, when the female electrical terminal 1 enters the connector assembly 90, the unattached end 28 of the rod member 25 is freely pushed downward and moves from the normal relaxed condition to the bent condition (i.e., the protruding member 35 approaches the other protruding member 37) (see Figure 10A ). Upon full insertion of the female electrical terminal 1 into the connector assembly 90, the unattached end 28 of the rod member 25 is freely moved upward and returns to the normal relaxed condition of the rod member 25 (i.e., the protruding member 35 moves away from the other protruding member 37 when the rod member 25 is elastically biased back to its normal relaxed condition) (see Figure 2A , 10B ). Further, the unattached end 28 preferably thus strikes against a member (not shown) within the connector assembly 90, thereby locking and securing the female electrical terminal 1 in the connector assembly 90. This structural arrangement of the unattached end 28 of the rod member 25 striking against the structure within the connector assembly 90 serves as a locking and securing feature of the female electrical terminal 1 with the connector assembly 90 (see Figure 10B). The lever member 25 and the unattached end 28 can further move freely in the upward direction away from the normal relaxed state and bend away from the floor 122 of the main body 5, and as will be discussed later, if the lever member 25 is bent upward, this can result in a resistance in the direction of returning to the normal relaxed state of the lever member 25. If the dual body spring 130 pushes or touches the lever member 25 to the above-mentioned bent state, the lever member 25 can act on the dual body spring 130 and increase the spring force of the dual body spring 130, especially when the dual body spring 130 is bent upward and away from the floor 122 and in contact with the lever member 25, and more specifically when the dual body spring 130 interacts with a male pin (or male pin) or male terminal or another "blade-like" object.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1A , the protruding member 36 also extends from one side of the lever member 25. The protruding member 36 is located substantially above the lower spring member 133 and can also engage with the lower spring member 133 and even provide over-stress protection for the lower spring member 133 and even generally for the dual body spring 130, as will be discussed in more detail later (see, for example Figure 1A 、 Figure 2A , Fig. 5, Figure 6A and Figure 8A ). When the lever member 25 moves from its normal relaxed state to a bent state toward the dual body spring 130 and the floor 122 of the main body 5 with a downward stroke, the protruding member 36 moves freely and unimpeded within the movement of the lever member 25. The protruding member 36 is preferably substantially rectangular, circular, trapezoidal, etc. (see Figure 6A ), but its shape or form is not limited thereto. In addition, in contrast to the protruding member 35 extending from one side of the lever member 25, the protruding member 36 extends on the opposite side of the lever member 25, and in contrast to the protruding member 35 extending from one side of the lever member 25, the protruding member 36 extends on a different portion and has a different orientation, more specifically when comparing their positions along the lever member 25, the protruding member 36 is closer to the attached end 30, while the protruding member 35 is closer to the unattached end 28 (see Figure 4 、 Figure 6A and Figure 8A ). The protruding member 36 and the protruding member 35 are arranged along the lever member 25, wherein they are neither mirror images nor directly opposite, and they also do not each have a mirror image or directly opposite portion, so that no portion of the protruding member 36 and the protruding member 35 overlaps along the longitudinal direction of the female electrical terminal 1 (see Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B ).

[0029] Also as shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B 、 Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the wire securing portion 3 of the female electrical terminal 1 has a space or transition area 50 above the neck member 52. The space or transition area 50 is located at a front portion 51 of the wire securing portion 3 and is located rearward of the main body 5. The space or transition area 50 can be used to house a terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300 (see Figure 2C ) therein when the female electrical terminal 1 is fully inserted into the connector assembly 90 to ensure that the female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured, and properly positioned within the connector assembly 90. Further, when the terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300 is located substantially rearward of the main body 5, it can additionally prevent the female electrical terminal 1 from being removed, ejected, slidably removed, or slidably ejected from the connector assembly 90 in use and handling (see, e.g., Figure 2C ).

[0030] Figure 2D is a cross-sectional view showing the surface area on the rear portion of the lower spring member 133 of the female electrical terminal 1. Specifically, the surface area on the rear portion of the lower spring member 133 of the main body 5 can engage with the terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300. In operation, the rear portion of the lower spring member 133 provides the female electrical terminal 1 with an increased interface area or interference surface to interact and / or contact with the TPA device 300 when the TPA device 300 is inserted into the space or transition area 50, thereby interfering with the TPA device 300 to further ensure that the female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured, and properly positioned within the connector assembly 90 in use and handling, and to prevent the female electrical terminal 1 from being removed, ejected, slidably removed, or slidably ejected from the connector assembly 90 (see, e.g., Figure 2C ).

[0031] Figure 3A and Figure 3B show top and bottom views, respectively, of the female electrical terminal 1 and illustrate the main body 5 and the wire securing portion 3, which are integrally connected and formed together substantially in the lengthwise direction of the female electrical terminal 1.

[0032] In Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe front portion 51 of the wire securing portion 3 includes the space or transition area 50 above the neck member 52 as previously described. More specifically, the neck member 52 has a narrow tapering shape that tapers down from the wire securing portion 3 toward the main body 5 along the lengthwise direction of the female electrical terminal 1 and converges at the main body 5. Further, the narrow tapering shape of the neck member 52 of the front portion 51 prevents the wire core portion 110 of the electrical wire or cable 100 from being entirely seated or installed onto and into the neck member 52. Preferably, the narrow tapering form of the neck member 52 of the wire securing portion 3 only allows the front portion of the wire core portion 110 of the electrical wire or cable 100 to protrude into the neck member 52. That is, the narrow tapering form of the neck member 52 further prevents the wire core portion 110 from substantially entering the space or transition area 50. As previously described, the transition area 50 can be used to accommodate the TPA device 300 therein (see Figure 2C ), to ensure that the female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured, and properly positioned when inserted into the connector assembly 90. Thus, with only the front portion of the wire core portion 110 entering or protruding into the space or transition area 50, the wire core portion 110 will not interfere or inhibit the accommodation of the TPA device 300 in the space or transition area 50.

[0033] Figure 4 The tang member 15 and its attached end 30 and unattached end 28 of the stem member 25 are shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B . Figure 4 Also shown is the protruding member 35 of the unattached end 28 of the stem member 25 that is capable of striking another protruding member 37 extending from the main body 5 (more specifically, from the lower portion 250 of the main body 5) to prevent the stem member 25 from deforming when the stem member 25 is bent. The just-described structural arrangement protects the stem member 25 from over-stressing (and thus, from deforming, over-bending, or failing to lock the terminal with the connector assembly 90) when the female electrical terminal 1 enters or is slidably entered into the connector assembly 90 as the stem member 25 is pushed downwardly toward the lower portion 250 of the main body 5 and the dual body spring 130.

[0034] As further shown in Figure 4 , the attached end 30 of the stem member 25 is attached to the upper portion 200a of the main body 5 (see also Figure 8B ). Figure 4 Also shown in is a hole 113 through the side member 121 of the main body 5 for accommodating therein a support member 115 for the upper guide member 105 for support, as more fully discussed below (see, e.g., Figure 5A , Figure 5B ).

[0035] The front opening 125 of the main body 5 is shown in Figure 5AThe front opening 125 is defined by a front end portion 200 having the base plate 122, the side member 103, the side member 121 and the upper guiding member 105. As mentioned above, the side member 121 comprises the hole 113 through the side member 121 and for accommodating the support member 115 of the upper guiding member 105. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5B-5B in Figure 5A As shown in Figure 5A and Figure 5B the hole 113 substantially accommodates the support member 115 therein. The support member 115 extends integrally from the upper guiding member 105 and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the female electrical terminal 1. The support member 115 ensures that the upper guiding member 105 is kept in the correct orientation and is stably supported by and within the main body 5 and the front opening 125. The support member 115 also prevents deformation of the front opening 125 and secures the orientation of the front end portion 200, the base plate 122, the side member 103, the side member 121 relative to the upper guiding member 105, further ensuring that the shape, polarity or orientation of the main body 5 is not disrupted by the insertion of a male prong or male terminal or another "blade-like" object (not shown). Figure 5B Also shown in

[0036] In Figure 5A and Figure 5B further shown is a passage PW extending through the longitudinal direction of the female electrical terminal 1 and the main body 5 and defined by the space surrounded by the front opening 125, the front end portion 200 (which defines the front opening 125 as previously described) and by the inner surface of the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. Thus, the passage PW is capable of accommodating a male prong or male terminal or another "blade-like" object therein.

[0037] In Figure 6A is shown the relationship between the generally protuberance-like member 120 and the dual body resilient member 130, Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6A-6A in Figure 1B Figure 6A ​The upper guide member 105 of the front end portion 200 of the main body 5 is further shown. The upper guide member 105 includes a first generally horizontal portion 105a, a generally sloped portion 105b, and a second generally horizontal portion 105c. The above-mentioned portions of the upper guide member 105 include and function as guide features to guide, orient, and / or "self-correct" a male pin or male terminal or another "blade-like" object into the front opening 125 and the passageway PW of the female electrical terminal 1. More specifically, the lower surface of the upper guide member 105 extends and defines substantially the upper portion of the passageway PW in the respective longitudinal direction of the female electrical terminal 1 from the front opening 125 of the main body 5 toward the dual body spring 130 of the female electrical terminal 1 (see Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B 、 Figure 6A ). The first generally horizontal portion 105a extends from the front opening 125 and defines the upper surface of the front opening 125 and the front portion of the passageway PW, the second generally sloped portion 105b further defines the passageway PW, and similarly, the third generally horizontal portion 105c defines the passageway PW, as Figure 6A and Figure 6BMore specifically, the upper guiding member 105 guides the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object by guiding it from the front end portion 200 of the main body 5 at the front opening 125, further guiding the object towards the double body resilient 130, and / or further guiding the object towards the substantially hump-like member 120 extending from the bottom plate 122 and the corresponding lower resilient member 133, thereby guiding, orienting and / or "self-correcting" the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object (not shown) in the longitudinal direction through the passage PW towards / into the space 160. The male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object (not shown) described herein is inserted into the passage PW by entering or slidably entering the female electrical terminal 1. As the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object (not shown) is further inserted into the passage PW along the longitudinal direction, it is fixed or impinged and secured between the double body resilient 130 and the substantially hump-like member 120 and into the space 160, and is further subjected to the resilient force of the double body resilient 130. As the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object (not shown) continues to further enter or slidably enter the passage PW, it can lose contact with the upper guiding member 105 as the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object is oriented in a substantially level or perpendicular direction to the top most surface of the substantially hump-like member 120. More specifically, the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object (not shown) can lose contact with the first substantially horizontal portion 105a, the second substantially inclined portion 105b, respectively (and depending on the size of the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object, it can lose contact with the third substantially horizontal portion 105c) as the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object is oriented in a substantially level or perpendicular direction to the top most surface of the substantially hump-like member 120. Furthermore, if the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object (not shown) is inserted in an angled direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the pin, preferably the end or tip of such object will not enter the spacing or space formed between the third substantially horizontal portion 105c and the double body resilient 130. Additionally, the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object (not shown) can be further oriented during its initial insertion into the female electrical terminal 1, wherein the end or tip of the male pin or male terminal or further "blade-like" object can or can not contact the lower surface of the upper guiding member 105 while within the passage PW.

[0038] As Figure 6A shown, the double body resilient 130 has an upper resilient member 131 and a lower resilient member 133. The double body resilient 130 extends substantially from the rear end portion 210 of the main body 5 towards the front end portion 200 of the main body 5, and along the female electrical terminal 1 in the longitudinal direction. As Figure 6AAs shown, the lower elastic member 133 extends longer and / or further in the longitudinal direction than the upper elastic member 131, and further reaches the front end 200 of the body 5 and above the generally raised member 120.

[0039] like Figure 6A As shown, the upper elastic member 131 extends along and partially above the lower elastic member 133. (As in...) Figure 6A As further seen, the upper elastic member 131 can contact the lower elastic member 133 at a point located on the lower elastic member 133 generally towards the front end 200 of the body, and more specifically at a point located above the portion of the lower elastic member 133 above the generally raised member 120. Furthermore, the inclined portion of the upper elastic member 131 extends and is substantially inclined towards the base plate 122 of the body 5. In the non-bent position, this substantially inclined portion of the upper elastic member 131 does not substantially contact the lower elastic member 133, except preferably entirely or partially at a single point; and less preferably, the substantially inclined portion of the upper elastic member 131 may not contact the lower elastic member 133 at all. Furthermore, in the bent position, the upper elastic member 131 can fully or partially contact and slidably contact the similarly bent lower elastic member 133 while providing an elastic force, the elastic force of the lower elastic member 133 thereby generating a combined elastic force of the lower and upper elastic members, such that this combined elastic force is provided by the dual-body elastic member 130 as a whole (e.g., Figure 6A , Figure 8B (As shown).

[0040] As further evidence of the above relationship, when the lower elastic member 133 and the upper elastic member 131 are in contact in their unbent state, the initial elastic force will be clearly the elastic force of both the upper elastic member 131 and the lower elastic member 133. This is achieved by applying their respective elastic forces uniformly or together and / or entirely, and acting on the male pin or male terminal or other "blade-like" object (not shown) inserted into the female terminal 1. Conversely, when the upper elastic member 131 and the lower elastic member 133 are not in contact in their respective unbent states, the initially applied elastic force will be clearly only the elastic force of the lower elastic member 133 when it is bent, until the lower elastic member 133 initially contacts or multiple contacts the upper elastic member 131, whereby the upper elastic member 131 will apply an elastic force to the lower elastic member 133, and uniformly or together and / or entirely apply an elastic force to the male pin or male terminal or other "blade-like" object.

[0041] like Figure 6AAs further shown, a portion of the lower resilient member 133 is angled downwardly toward the floor 122 of the body 5 when in a normal relaxed and un-bent state and into the lower portion 250 of the body 5 and into the passageway PW. The portion of the lower resilient member 133 within the passageway PW can move substantially unimpeded in an upward direction away from the floor 122. Another portion of the lower resilient member 133 is impeded from moving upwardly and against the upper resilient member 131 in addition to the simultaneous movement with the upper resilient member 131 due to the lower resilient member 133 contacting the upper resilient member 131. More specifically, when a male pin or male terminal (not shown) is inserted into the passageway PW, the dual body resilient 130 will move from its normal relaxed state to a bent state and the substantially unimpeded portion of the lower resilient member 133 can otherwise substantially exit the passageway PW. Thus, the dual body resilient 130 exerts and / or acts upon the male pin or male terminal or additional "blade-like" object with a resilient force in a direction back to its normal un-bent state. At the substantially unimpeded portion of the lower resilient member 133, the dual body resilient 130 will move further upwardly away from the floor 122 and toward the lever member 25. Thus, when the dual body resilient 130 contacts the protruding member 36 of the lever member 25, the dual body resilient 130 can continue to move substantially unimpeded until its travel is limited by the lower resilient member 133. Additionally, the lever member 25 can be stationary or immobile or prevented from moving in a direction away from the floor 122 (e.g., by potential contact with the connector assembly 90), whereby the protruding member 36 provides over-stress protection for the lower resilient member 133 and thus the dual body resilient 130. In operation, and / or when the female electrical terminal 1 resides in the connector assembly 90, the lever member 25 is preferably in a normal un-bent state where the lower resilient member 133 begins to interact with the male pin or male terminal (not shown) providing the maximum distance of substantially unimpeded travel of the dual body resilient 130 in an upward direction away from the floor 122 to fully accommodate the size of the male pin or male terminal (not shown) and prevent the dual body resilient 130 from contacting the lever member 25. In the event that the lever member 25 can further move away from the floor 122 and is not stationary or fixed or prevented from moving in a direction away from the floor 122 (e.g., in contact with the connector assembly 90), the lever member 25 can further move upwardly and away from its normal un-bent state. Thus, if the dual body resilient 130 contacts the lever member 25 while it is in the above-described position, the final contact of the end 135 of the lower resilient member 133 with the protruding member 36 or a portion of the lever member 25 results in the resilient force of the lever member 25 being exerted as it bends away from its normal relaxed state and away from the floor 122 and added to the resilient force of the dual body resilient 130.In particular, when the lower elastic member 133 is in full or partial contact with the rod member 25, and thus generally with the dual body elastic 130, the rod member 25 thereby increases the elastic force of the lower elastic member 133. More particularly, in the above-mentioned case, when the lower elastic member 133 is in contact with the rod member 25 and / or the protruding member 36, the elastic force exerted by the rod member 25 in the direction of returning to its normal relaxed state is in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the end 135 of the lower elastic member 133, thereby increasing the elastic force of the dual body elastic 130 in the downward direction towards the base plate 122, or the male pins or male terminals or additional "blade-like" objects below the dual body elastic 130, and even more particularly the elastic force directed towards the apex A of the dual body elastic 130, as will be discussed below.

[0042] As Figure 6A further shown in the middle, the end 135 of the lower elastic member 133 comprises a generally curved portion 137, which curves to the apex A, and points downwards towards the generally hump-like member 120 (see Figure 5B ). The male pins or male terminals (not shown) will be secured or impinged between the generally curved portion 137 and the generally hump-like member 120, and within the space 160, when passing through the front opening 125 into the passage PW. The space 160, which accommodates the male pins or male terminals (not shown), is defined by the distance between the generally curved portion 137 and the topmost surface of the hump-like member 120 of the base plate 122, which is generally parallel to the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. When further interacting with the male pins or male terminals (not shown), the dual body elastic 130 moves in the upward direction away from the base plate 122, and the space 160 becomes enlarged or expanded. When the dual body elastic 130 moves in the upward direction away from the base plate 122, this increases the distance between the generally curved portion 137 and the topmost surface of the hump-like member 120, thereby increasing the space 160. The generally curved portion 137 at its apex A preferably provides a single point of contact between the dual body elastic 130 and the inserted male pins or male terminals (not shown) within the space 160. The apex A of the generally curved portion 137 allows the elastic force of the dual body elastic 130 to be directed, pointed and generally fixed at a point above, central and centered of the generally hump-like member 120, and the elastic force of the dual body elastic 130 on and acting on the respective male pins or male terminals when the male pins or male terminals are inserted or reside in the space 160.

[0043] Also as Figure 6A shown, above the upper elastic member 131 is the top retainer member 140. The ends of the top retainer member 140 are substantially connected to the main body 5 at two points (one end is connected to the side member 121 of the main body 5, and the other end is connected to the upper body 210a at the rear end 210) (see Figure 6A , Figure 8A andFigure 8B ). The top retainer member 140 has as its bottom 142 a substantially U-shaped portion that partially contacts and abuts the upper elastic member 131 (see also Figure 8A , 8B ). As shown in Figure 6A , the top retainer member 140 provides a substantially rigid and elastic surface that abuts the upper elastic member 131 and ensures that the folded configuration of the dual body elastic 130 is maintained and that the contact between the upper elastic member 131 and the lower elastic member 133 is maintained. As shown in Figure 7 , Figure 8A , the top retainer member 140 prevents and maintains the upper elastic member 131 from spreading out, unfolding, substantially separating or deforming from the horizontal orientation and preferably substantially parallel to the orientation of the lower spring member 133 above the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. The upper elastic member 131 and the lower elastic member 133 can be oriented such that they are in full or partial contact. In addition, the top retainer member 140 maintains the folded configuration of the dual body elastic 130 by preventing the upper elastic member 131 and the lower elastic member 133 from spreading out, unfolding, substantially separating or deforming when the dual body elastic 130 is in the normal, un-bent state or in the bent state in which the elastic force is exerted on the male pins or male terminals (not shown).

[0044] As shown in the schematic view in Figure 6B , the front end tip 150 of the end portion 135 of the lower elastic member 133 will be aligned with or above the lower surface 155 of the second horizontal portion 105c of the upper guide member 105. This orientation ensures that the male pins or male terminals (not shown) passing through the front opening 125 are effectively guided by the upper guide member 105 and the end portion 135 of the lower elastic member 133 along the generally curved portion 137, thereby passing through the space 160 between the curved portion 137 of the lower elastic member 133 and the generally hump-like member 120 (see also Figure 6A ). In addition, the front end tip 150 of the end portion 135 of the lower elastic member 133 will be aligned with or above the lower surface 155 of the second horizontal portion 105c of the upper guide member 105 so as to prevent the lower elastic member 133 from being struck or oriented so as to disadvantageously pass through the second horizontal portion 105c of the lower surface 155 and the end portion 135 of the lower elastic member 133 and / or into the gap or space formed between the above-mentioned portions when the male pins or male terminals are inserted in an angled direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the female electrical terminal 1.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7As shown, the upper and lower elastic members 131, 133 of the two-body elastic 130 are integrally configured with each other and connected by the curved side member 170, 133a and folded one above the other, with the upper elastic member 131 above the lower elastic member 133. Below the top holder member 140, the two-body elastic 130 is preferably substantially parallel to the base plate 122 in the longitudinal direction of the female electrical terminal 1 (see also Figure 6A ). The upper and lower elastic members 131, 133 can also be oriented such that they contact the base plate 122 along the longitudinal direction of the female electrical terminal 1, completely or partially. As further shown in Figure 7 , the upper and lower elastic members 131, 133 are integrally connected by the curved side member 170 of the two-body elastic 130 (see also Figure 8A ). The curved side member 170 is at least partially accommodated within the window or opening 180 of the main body 5. Figure 7 Also shown in is the curved side portion 133a of the main body 5, which integrally connects the lower elastic member 133 to the lower portion 250 of the main body 5 (see also Figure 8B ). The curved side member 170 and the curved side portion 133a can further influence and allow the resultant elastic force of the two-body elastic 130 to further depend on or be optimized according to the thickness, length or radius of curvature of the curved side member 170 and / or the curved side portion 133a, respectively.

[0046] As previously mentioned, the portion of the lower elastic member 133 can move unimpeded in the upward direction away from the base plate 122 until the portion of the lower elastic member 133 contacts the protruding member 36 of the stem member 25. Preferably, the dual body spring 130 will initially flex in the upward direction and away from the base plate 122 by a male pin or male terminal (not shown) and initially and preferably occurs when the stem member 25 is in the normal, unflexed orientation to allow for the maximum distance of travel of the lower elastic member 133 between the base plate 122 and the protruding member 36. The lower elastic member 133 has an end portion 135 which is the portion of the lower elastic member 133 that protrudes upward or is angled toward the upper body 200a and the stem member 25. The upward movement of the lower elastic member 133 and the end portion 135 away from the base plate 122 will eventually result in its end portion 135 substantially approaching or touching / contacting the portion of the protruding member 36 of the stem member 25 thereby limiting the upward travel of the dual body spring 130 with the stem member 25 being stationary or immobile or prevented from moving in a direction away from the base plate 122. In the previous case, when the female terminal 1 is mated with the male pin or male terminal (not shown), the eventual contact of the end portion 135 of the lower elastic member 133 with the portion of the protruding member 36 will prevent the end portion 135 and thus the lower elastic member 133 from further moving upward, overstressing or significantly deforming. Thus, this prevents the overstressing or significant deformation of the dual body spring 130 and the dual body spring 130 can return to the unflexed state if or when the male pin or male terminal is further moved out from the female terminal 1. Further, as previously mentioned, in the case where the stem member 25 can further move away from the base plate 122 and is not stationary or not fixed but is mobile and unimpeded, the stem member 25 can further move upward and away from the base plate 122 and / or simultaneously with the dual body spring 130. It is then further possible that the contact of the end portion 135 of the lower elastic member 133 with the portion of the protruding member 36 results in an elastic force being exerted by the stem member 25 onto the lower elastic member 133. Thus, the elastic force exerted by the stem member 25 on the end portion 135 of the lower elastic member 133 adds to the elastic force of the dual body spring 130.

[0047] Figure 8BThe front end 200 and the rear end 210 of the main body 5 are shown, each having a first support member 215 and a second support member 220. More specifically, the upper portion 200a at the front end 200 of the main body 5 includes the first support member 215, while the upper portion 210a at the rear end 210 of the main body 5 includes the second support member 220. A gap 230 can separate the first support member 215 from the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. A gap 240 can separate the second support member 220 from the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. When the female electrical terminal 1 enters the connector assembly 90, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 are elastically pushed downward through the gaps 230, 240 toward the lower portion 250 of the main body 5, and can substantially contact the lower portion 250 of the main body 5, which can eliminate the gaps 230, 240. On the other hand, prior to the female electrical terminal 1 entering the connector assembly 90, there can be no gaps 230, 240, with the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 fully contacting the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. With the above structural arrangement, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 provide structural flexibility and rigidity to the main body 5, thereby providing support to the upper portions 200a, 210a of the main body by providing available interface surfaces facing the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. Therein, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 prevent over-stressing or deformation of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application when the female electrical terminal 1 is assembled into the connector assembly 90 and in use (see Figure 10A 、 Figure 10B ).

[0048] Figure 9An exemplary electrical wire or cable 100 is shown having a wire insulation portion 120 and a wire core portion 110 that are received on the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention. The priority or order of the wire insulation portion 120 and the wire core portion 110 of the electrical wire or cable 100 to the receiving of the female electrical terminal 1 is not limited. One embodiment of the wire securing portion 3. The wire securing portion 3 shown in the present invention is one such embodiment of the wire securing portion 3, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. However, as previously mentioned, the wire securing portion 3 can be a foldable crimp or clamp type as shown, but can also be an insulation displacement contact (IDC) type or other similar formed wire securing device; the wire securing device is integrally formed with the rear portion and preferably extends substantially with the female electrical terminal 1 or in the lengthwise direction of the female electrical terminal 1, more specifically from the rear portion of the body 3 of the female electrical terminal 1, and preferably is capable of interacting with the wire insulation portion 120 and the wire core portion 110 of the electrical wire or cable 100 to securely connect the electrical wire or cable 100 to the female electrical terminal 1. Further, as mentioned above, the securing of the electrical wire or cable 100 to the female electrical terminal 1 can include ways of creating a secure and conductive wire securement including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, and / or other similar ways. The present invention is also not limited to the step of insertion of the electrical wire or cable 100, wherein the wire insulation portion 120 can be inserted first and the wire core portion 110 can be inserted second, or vice versa, and both can occur simultaneously, depending on the structure and features of the wire securing portion 3.

[0049] After or once the electrical wire or cable 100 having the wire insulation portion 120 and the wire core portion 110 is securely attached or inserted onto the female electrical terminal 1 by the wire securing portion 3 to the female electrical terminal 1 wire securing manner, the female electrical terminal 1 is then in a state of insertion into the connector assembly 90, etc., as Figure 10A and 10B shown.

[0050] Figure 10A The female electrical terminal 1 in a pre-locked position when inserted into the connector assembly 90, etc., is shown in the elevational view in Figure 10A . As shown, the female electrical terminal is inserted into the respective connector assembly 90, the lever member 25 is thus forced to be pushed down by contact with the connector assembly 90 or by the user or device to allow the female electrical terminal 1 to move further into the connector assembly 90 and to further insert into the connector assembly 90. As previously mentioned, and as Figure 10A shown, during the insertion of the female electrical terminal 1 into the connector assembly 90, the protruding members 35, 37 (see, e.g., Figure 2B , FIG. 5, and Figure 8A) and the first and second support members 215 and 220 (see, e.g. Figure 8B ) prevent or protect at least the stem member 25, the body 5 and the female electrical terminal 1 from being significantly over stressed or deformed and further maintain the proper orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal 1 as further described later.

[0051] Figure 10B The female electrical terminal 1 is shown fully inserted into the connector assembly 90. As Figure 10B shown, the stem member 25 is retracted upwardly to the normal relaxed condition and is further preferably locked or secured at the unattached end portion 28 by members (not shown) within the connector assembly 90. Thereafter or at this time, the TPA device 300 is then able to be received within the space 50 located above the neck member 52 and behind the body 5 as previously described (see, e.g. Figure 2C ), thereby ensuring that the female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured and properly positioned within the connector assembly 90.

[0052] Further, as Figure 10A and Figure 10B shown, the upper portions 200a, 210a and the lower portion 250 of the body 5 are in such a polarity or orientation as to ensure the proper orientation of the female electrical terminal 1 so as to accurately insert and fit the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application into the upper and lower portions 90a, 90b of the connector assembly 90, respectively.

[0053] Figure 10A and Figure 10B The upper and lower portions 90a, 90b of the connector assembly 90, etc. are also shown in Figure 8B . The orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application is such that when the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application is oriented, inserted and fitted into the connector assembly 90, the upper portion 200a at the front end portion 200 and the upper portion 210a at the rear end portion 210 of the body 5 (see Figure 8B ) are received by the upper portion 90a of the connector assembly 90, respectively, while the lower portion 250 of the body 5 (see Figure 10A ) is received by the lower portion 90b of the connector assembly 90, respectively. The orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application is such that when the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application is oriented, inserted and fitted into the connector assembly 90, the upper portion 200a at the front end portion 200 and the upper portion 210a at the rear end portion 210 of the body 5 (see 10B ).The structural orientation or polarity shown in the middle causes the upper portions 200a, 210a of the body 5 to reside or fit within the narrower upper portion 90a of the connector assembly 90. Also, here the upper portions 200a and 210a are offset to one side as compared to the lower portion 250 of the body 5. The lower portion 250 is wider than the upper portions 200a, 210a and resides within the wider lower portion 90b of the connector assembly 90. However, this structural orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application is not limited to this when inserted or fitted into the connector assembly 90. That is, the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application can have the upper portions 200a, 210a of the body 5 and the upper portion 90a of the connector assembly 90 wider than the lower portion 250 of the body 5 and the lower portion 90b of the connector assembly 90 (not shown) when the female electrical terminal 1 of the present application is oriented, inserted and fitted into the connector assembly 90. And similarly, the upper portions 200a, 210a can be centered (not shown) or offset (not shown) as compared to the lower portion 250 of the body 5 when the female electrical terminal 1 mates with the connector assembly 90 (not shown) as well. Figure 10A , Figure 10B ) The polarity or orientation of the female electrical terminal 1 and the connector assembly 90 will be substantially similar to allow both to substantially fit together thereby.

[0054] While the foregoing description relates to preferred embodiments of the present application, it is to be noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Moreover, features described in conjunction with one embodiment can be used with other embodiments even if not specifically stated.

Claims

1. A female electrical terminal for insertion into a connector assembly, the female electrical terminal characterized by: a wire securement portion; a body attached to the wire securement portion, the body having a floor, a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a box-like structure in a lengthwise direction; the body further comprising a resilient member extending in the lengthwise direction from the rear end portion toward the front end portion; the body further comprising a tang member comprising a stem member, the resilient member configured to be bendable upward away from the floor and into contact with the stem member; and the female electrical terminal further characterized by a resilient member over-stress protection feature comprising a first protrusion member extending from the stem member of the tang member and substantially above the resilient member, a second protrusion member extending from the body, and a third protrusion member extending from a side of the tang member, the first and second protrusion members configured to abut one another to act as over-stress protection for the stem member; wherein the resilient member is a two-piece resilient member having an upper resilient member and a lower resilient member, the upper and lower resilient members being integral with one another and connected by a curved side member, and one of the upper and lower resilient members being folded over the other of the upper and lower resilient members, the upper resilient member being above the lower resilient member; wherein the third protrusion member is above the lower resilient member and configured to engage the lower resilient member to provide over-stress protection for the lower resilient member.

2. The female electrical terminal of claim 1, further characterized by the first and second protrusion members abut one another during insertion of the female electrical terminal into the connector assembly.

3. The female electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein, the stem member has an unattached end portion and an attached end portion.

4. The female electrical terminal of claim 3, wherein, the unattached end portion has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and the attached end portion has a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

5. The female electrical terminal of claim 4, wherein, the unattached end portion of the stem member includes the first protrusion member extending therefrom and the body includes the second protrusion member extending therefrom, the first and second protrusion members substantially contacting one another as the stem member moves downwardly with the female electrical terminal inserted into the connector assembly.

6. The female electrical terminal of claim 2, wherein, the body includes a first support member at the front end portion and a second support member at the rear end portion, the first and second support members configured to prevent over-stressing or deformation of the female electrical terminal during insertion of the female electrical terminal into the connector assembly.

7. The female electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein, an end portion of the lower resilient member is substantially adjacent to the front end portion of the body and the opening.

8. The female electrical terminal of claim 7, wherein, the body further comprises a generally hump-like member extending from the floor substantially adjacent to the opening of the body and below the end portion of the lower resilient member to allow a male prong or male terminal entering the opening of the body to be guided and substantially secured or impacted between the lower resilient member and the generally hump-like member.

9. The female electrical terminal of claim 8, wherein, The body further includes an upper guide member for guiding the male pin or the male terminal from the opening of the body toward the space between the lower elastic member and the substantially hump-like member to be substantially fixed or hit into the space between the lower elastic member and the substantially hump-like member.

10. The female electrical terminal of claim 9, wherein, The upper guide member includes a first substantially horizontal portion, a second substantially inclined portion, and a third substantially horizontal portion; wherein the first substantially horizontal portion extends and defines an upper surface of the opening of the body; the second substantially inclined portion further defines the opening of the body; the third substantially horizontal portion further defines the opening of the body; and the first substantially horizontal portion, the second substantially inclined portion, and the third substantially horizontal portion collectively serve as a guide feature for guiding the male terminal into the opening of the body.

11. The female electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein, A retainer member above the upper elastic member is connected to the body at two points, the retainer member abutting against the upper elastic member for providing rigidity to at least the dual body elastic member.

12. The female electrical terminal of claim 9, wherein: The body further includes a hole for accommodating a support member of the upper guide member therein.

13. A female electrical terminal for insertion into a connector assembly, comprising: a wire fastening portion; a body attached to the wire fastening portion, the body having a floor, a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a structure in a box shape in a longitudinal direction; an elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction from the rear end portion toward the front end portion; and an elastic member over-stress protection feature including a first protruding member extending from a stem member of a tang member and substantially above the elastic member, and a second protruding member extending from the body, the first protruding member and the second protruding member being configured to abut against each other to serve as an over-stress protection for the stem member; when the female electrical terminal is assembled into the connector assembly, an upper portion of the female electrical terminal and a lower portion of the female electrical terminal are assembled into an upper portion of the connector assembly and a lower portion of the connector assembly, respectively, the upper portion and the lower portion of the female electrical terminal having different widths; wherein the elastic member is a dual body elastic member having an upper elastic member and a lower elastic member, the upper elastic member and the lower elastic member being integral with each other and connected by a curved side member, and one of the upper elastic member and the lower elastic member being folded over the other of the upper elastic member and the lower elastic member, the upper elastic member being above the lower elastic member.

14. The female electrical terminal for insertion into the connector assembly of claim 13, wherein, the orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal and the connector assembly is such that the width of the upper portion of the body of the female electrical terminal assembled into the upper portion of the connector assembly is narrower than the width of the lower portion of the body assembled into the lower portion of the connector assembly.

15. The female electrical terminal for insertion into the connector assembly of claim 13, wherein, The main body includes a stem member having an unattached end and an attached end, wherein the unattached end of the stem member includes a first protruding member extending therefrom, wherein the main body includes a second protruding member extending therefrom, the first and second protruding members substantially contacting each other when the stem member is moved downward with the female electrical terminal entering into the connector assembly to prevent excessive stress and deformation of the female electrical terminal when fitted into the connector assembly.

16. The female electrical terminal for insertion into the connector assembly of claim 13, wherein, The main body includes a support member at either end thereof, the support member at either end of the main body providing resiliency at either end of the main body to prevent excessive stress and deformation of the female electrical terminal when fitted into the connector assembly.

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