Electrical connector components

Abstract

The electrical connector assembly (100) includes an elongated flat terminal (104) extending along a first longitudinal axis (X), the elongated flat terminal having a connecting end (110) configured to interconnect the terminal (104) with a corresponding elongated flat mating terminal (204) extending along a second axis, and an attachment end (112) configured to attach the terminal (104) to an electrical conductor. The electrical connector assembly also includes a contact spring (116) configured to apply a normal force between the terminal (104) and the mating terminal (204) when the mating terminal (204) is arranged between the contact spring (116) and the connecting end (110) such that the second axis is parallel to the first axis (X), or when the mating terminal (204) is arranged between the contact spring (116) and the connecting end (110) such that the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis (X).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 092,810, filed on November 9, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 091,373, filed on October 14, 2020, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to an electrical connector assembly. Background Art

[0004] Right-angle electrical connector assemblies, such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 10,389,055, incorporated herein by reference, have been used to make high power electrical connections between two planar terminals. Such connector assemblies typically have a female electrical connector having a planar terminal extending along a longitudinal axis, and a resilient spring attached to the terminal by a retainer. A planar male mating terminal is placed between the terminal and the spring, oriented at a right angle to the female terminal. The arrangement of the spring and retainer causes the male terminal to be attached to the female terminal along a mating axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the female terminal. If the male terminal is connected to the female terminal in a straight-line orientation, the arrangement of the spring and retainer still requires the mating axis to be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the female terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one or more aspects of the present invention, an electrical connector assembly includes: an elongated flat terminal extending along a first longitudinal axis, the elongated flat terminal having a connection end and an attachment end, the connection end being configured to interconnect the terminal with a corresponding elongated flat mating terminal extending along a second longitudinal axis, the attachment end being configured to attach the terminal to an electrical conductor; and a contact spring being configured to apply a normal force between the terminal and the mating terminal when the mating terminal is arranged between the contact spring and the connection end with the second axis parallel to the first axis, or when the mating terminal is arranged between the contact spring and the connection end with the second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to the preceding paragraph, the contact spring is bilaterally symmetrical.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the electrical connector assembly further includes a retaining member having a first sidewall attached to the connection end and a second sidewall spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first sidewall. A contact spring is disposed between the second sidewall and the connection end. The contact spring and the retaining member are sized, shaped, and arranged to receive a mating terminal between the connection spring and the connection end along an insertion direction parallel to the first axis.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the contact spring defines a cantilever plate having a fixed end and a free end, the cantilever plate extending into a gap between the contact spring and the connection end. The cantilever plate is sized, shaped, and arranged to apply a normal force between the terminal and the mating terminal when the second axis is parallel to the first axis or when the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the contact spring is secured to the holder using J-shaped tabs extending around an edge of the second wall.The cantilever plate extends between two of the J-shaped tabs.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the cantilever plate has an arcuate shape.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the second wall defines a hole extending therethrough, and the contact spring defines an arcuate retaining beam. The contact spring is secured to the retaining member by the arcuate retaining beam received in the hole.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the curved retaining beam is configured to deflect and twist as the curved retaining beam moves from an edge of the second wall across the second wall toward the aperture. The curved retaining beam is configured to return to its original shape when the curved retaining beam is received within the aperture.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the connecting end defines a plurality of oblong projections extending longitudinally along the connecting end.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the plurality of oblong protrusions are non-parallel to the first axis.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, one of the plurality of oblong protrusions is arranged obliquely relative to another of the plurality of oblong protrusions.

[0016] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, an electrical connector assembly includes an elongated flat terminal extending along a first longitudinal axis, having a connection end configured to interconnect the terminal with a corresponding elongated flat mating terminal extending along a second longitudinal axis, and an attachment end configured to attach the terminal to an electrical conductor. The electrical connector assembly further includes a retaining member having a first side wall attached to the connection end and a second side wall separated from and substantially parallel to the first side wall. The second wall defines a hole extending through the second wall. The electrical connector assembly additionally includes a contact spring disposed between the second side wall and the connection end and configured to apply a normal force between the terminal and the mating terminal. The contact spring defines an arcuate fixing beam that secures the contact spring to the retaining member by receiving the arcuate fixing beam within the hole.

[0017] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to the preceding paragraph, the curved retaining beam is configured to deflect and twist as the curved retaining beam moves from an edge of the second wall across the second wall toward the aperture. The curved retaining beam is configured to return to its original shape when the curved retaining beam is received within the aperture.

[0018] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the contact spring defines a cantilevered plate having a fixed end and a free end extending into a gap between the contact spring and the connection end.

[0019] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the contact spring is further secured to the holder using J-shaped tabs extending around an edge of the second wall. The cantilever plate extends between two of the J-shaped tabs.

[0020] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the cantilever plate has an arcuate shape.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the contact spring is bilaterally symmetrical.

[0022] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the connecting end defines a plurality of oblong projections extending longitudinally along the connecting end.

[0023] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the plurality of oblong protrusions are non-parallel to the first axis.

[0024] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, one of the plurality of oblong protrusions is arranged at an angle to another of the plurality of oblong protrusions.

[0025] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, an electrical connector assembly includes an elongated flat terminal extending along a longitudinal axis, having a first end configured to interconnect the terminal with an elongated flat first electrical conductor and a second end configured to interconnect the terminal with a corresponding elongated planar matching electrical conductor. The electrical connector assembly also includes a first retaining member and a second retaining member, each retaining member having a first side wall and a second side wall, the second side wall being separated from and substantially parallel to the first side wall. The first retaining member is attached to the first end and the second retaining member is attached to the second end. The electrical connector assembly additionally includes: a first contact spring, configured between the second side wall and the first end of the first retaining member, configured to apply a normal force between the terminal and the first conductor; and a second contact spring, identical to the first contact spring, configured between the second side wall and the second end of the second retaining member, configured to apply a normal force between the terminal and the second conductor.

[0026] In one or more embodiments of the electrical connector assembly according to the preceding paragraph, the first retaining member is a mirror image of the second retaining member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is an exploded view of an electrical connector assembly according to some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 2 According to some embodiments Figure 1 an exploded view of a mating connector assembly for the electrical connector assembly;

[0029] Figure 3 According to some embodiments Figure 1 An exploded view of a terminal assembly for an electrical connector assembly;

[0030] Figure 4 According to some embodiments Figure 2 Terminal components and Figure 3 A pre-connected view of the mating terminals of the mating connector assembly in a right-angle configuration;

[0031] Figure 5 According to some embodiments Figure 2 Terminal components and Figure 3 A rear connection view of the mating connector assembly with the mating terminals in a right-angle configuration;

[0032] Figure 6 According to some embodiments Figure 2 A pre-connected view of the terminal assembly and mating terminal in a straight configuration;

[0033] Figure 7 According to some embodiments Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a connected terminal assembly and a mating terminal;

[0034] Figure 8is a perspective view of a mirrored terminal assembly according to some embodiments;

[0035] Figure 9 According to some embodiments Figure 8 An alternative perspective view of a mirrored terminal assembly;

[0036] Figure 10 According to some embodiments Figure 2 A perspective view of a contact spring of a terminal assembly;

[0037] Figure 11 According to some embodiments Figure 2 a cross-sectional perspective view of a terminal assembly;

[0038] Figure 12 is a perspective view of another electrical connector assembly according to some embodiments; and

[0039] Figure 13 According to some embodiments Figure 12 A perspective view of a terminal assembly for an electrical connector assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The present application relates to an electrical connector assembly designed to enable a planar male blade terminal to be connected to a planar female terminal, with a mating axis thereof being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the female terminal.

[0041] Figure 1 A non-limiting example of an electrical connector assembly is shown, hereinafter referred to as assembly 100. The assembly 100 includes an insulating socket 102, which can be formed on a dielectric polymer material designed to hold a pair of conductive long flat terminals 104, which can be formed from a copper-based material, such as C11000. The socket 102 shown is designed for mounting to a panel (not shown), such as an electric vehicle battery box. The socket 102 has a pair of terminal towers 106 that define a terminal cavity (not shown) in which the pair of terminals 104 are disposed. Each terminal tower 106 has an opening 108 at the top of the tower that extends downwardly on one side of each terminal tower 106 and extends into the terminal cavity. The assembly 100 also includes a pair of long flat terminals 104, each of which extends along a longitudinal first axis X. Each terminal 104 has a connecting end 110 that is configured to interconnect the terminal 104 with a corresponding long flat mating terminal 204 of a mating electrical connector assembly 200, see Figure 2 . Figure 2 The matching terminal 204 of the matching component 200 is connected to Figure 1 The terminals 104 of the assembly 100 are oriented at right angles and received in the openings 108 of the terminal tower 106 along a mating axis parallel to the longitudinal axis X. Figure 1When the terminals 104 of the assembly 100 are arranged in a vertical direction, the opening 108 at the top of the terminal tower 106 can also accommodate the mating terminal 204.

[0042] Back to Figure 1 Each terminal 104 also has an attachment end 112 configured to attach the terminal 104 to an electrical conductor, such as a cable or busbar (shown). The attachment end 112 includes a threaded nut 114 on each terminal 104 that can be used to attach the terminal 104 to an electrical conductor, such as a ring terminal of a cable or directly to a busbar using a threaded bolt. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical conductor is directly attached to the attachment portion using a welding process, such as sonic welding. The assembly also includes a contact spring 116 configured to apply a normal force between the terminal 104 and the mating terminal 204 when the mating terminal 204 is arranged between the contact spring 116 and the connection end 110. The contact spring 116 is configured to apply a normal force to the terminal 104 and the mating terminal 204 when the mating terminal 204 is arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the mating terminal 204 is parallel to the longitudinal axis X or when the mating terminal 204 is arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the mating terminal 204 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The contact spring may be formed from a stainless steel material, such as SAE 301.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, assembly 100 further includes a U-shaped retainer 118 having a first sidewall 120 attached to connection end 110 and a second sidewall 122 separated from first sidewall 120 by a gap 124. Second sidewall 122 is substantially parallel to first sidewall 120. As used herein, "substantially parallel" means absolutely parallel within ±15°. Retainer 118 also has an end wall 126 interconnecting first and second sidewalls 120, 122. Retainer 118 may also be formed from a stainless steel material, such as SAE 301.

[0044] The connection end 110 is located intermediate the first side wall 120 and the second side wall 122 of the retainer 118. The retainer 118 is attached to the terminal 104 via a side tab 128 extending from the distal edge of the first side wall 120. The side tab 128 is received within a side groove 130 defined in the distal edge of the attachment end 112 and is crimped onto the attachment end 112. The retainer 118 is further attached to the terminal 104 via an end tab 132 extending from the end of the first side wall 120 and being received within an end groove 134 defined in the connection end 110 and being crimped onto the connection end 110. The end tab has a dovetail shape that is received within the end groove. In other alternative embodiments, the retainer portion can be welded to the terminal portion, for example using a laser or resistance welding process.

[0045] like Figure 3As shown, the contact spring 116 is secured to the retainer 118 by a J-shaped tab 136 extending around the opposing free edges of the second wall 122. Figure 7 As shown, the contact spring 116 is disposed intermediate the second side wall 122 and the connection end 110. The contact spring 116 and the retainer 118 are sized, shaped, and arranged to receive the mating terminal 204 therebetween in an insertion direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the second side wall 122 defines a rectangular aperture 138 extending therefrom and as shown Figure 10 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the contact spring 116 defines a curved beam 140 secured at both ends. The contact spring 116 is further secured to the retaining member 118 by the curved retaining beam 140 being received within the aperture 138. The curved retaining beam 140 is configured to deflect and twist as the curved retaining beam 140 moves from the edge of the second wall 122 across the second wall 122 to the aperture 138. The curved retaining beam 140 is configured to return to its original shape when the curved retaining beam 140 is received within the aperture 138. The curved retaining beam 140 is configured to deflect and twist as the curved retaining beam 140 moves from the edge of the second wall 122 across the second wall 122 to the aperture 138. The curved retaining beam 140 is configured to return to its original shape when the curved retaining beam 140 is received within the aperture 138. A free edge 142 of the curved retaining beam 140 is chamfered.

[0047] like Figure 10 and 11 As shown, the contact spring 116 defines a cantilevered plate 144 having a fixed end 146 and a free end 148. The cantilevered plate 144 extends into the gap 124 between the contact spring 116 and the connecting end 110. The cantilevered plate 144 has an arcuate shape. The cantilevered plate 144 is sized, shaped, and arranged to exert a normal force between the terminal 104 and the mating terminal 204 when the longitudinal axis of the mating terminal 204 is parallel to the longitudinal axis X or when the longitudinal axis of the mating terminal 204 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The cantilevered plate 144 extends between two of the J-shaped tabs 136. The retainer 118 and the contact spring 116 are arranged so that the axis of the terminal 104 and the terminal 204 are parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the terminal 104.

[0048] The cantilever plate 144 and the end wall 126 of the holder 118 are arranged so that the mating axis of the terminal 104 and the mating terminal 204 is parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis X. Therefore, in conjunction with the opening 108 in the terminal tower 106, the assembly 100 can be mated with a mating connector assembly 200 having a mating terminal 204 in a manner similar to Figure 4 and 5 The right angle structure shown in Figure 6The straight structure shown in .

[0049] Back to Figure 3 The connecting end 110 of the terminal 104 defines a plurality of ridges or protrusions 150 having an oblong or playground shape extending substantially longitudinally along the connecting end 110. The protrusions 150 are configured to improve electrical contact between the terminal 104 and the mating terminal 204. The protrusions 150 are arranged non-parallel to the longitudinal axis X. As used herein, "non-parallel" means that the major and minor axes of the oblong protrusions are at least 10 degrees away from a line parallel to the longitudinal axis X. One of the plurality of oblong protrusions 150 is tilted or skewed relative to another of the plurality of protrusions 150. It has been found that the tilted or skewed protrusions 150 reduce wear on the terminal even after multiple mating / undecorating cycles. These protrusions 150 may be formed by an embossing process. While in the illustrated example, the connecting end 110 of the terminal 104 defines the protrusions, alternative embodiments of the assembly are contemplated in which the mating terminal defines a plurality of protrusions.

[0050] The contact spring 116 and the terminal 104 are bilaterally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis X of the terminal. This allows the same terminal 104 and spring 116 configuration to be used in either the right or left terminal cavity in the receptacle 102 of the assembly 100, and further allows the mating axis of the mating terminal 204 to be parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the terminal. Figure 8 and 9 As shown, the first retainer 118A for the right terminal cavity is a mirror image of the second retainer 118B for the left terminal cavity. This allows the retainer 118 and the contact spring 116 to be installed inside the terminal 104 at the same time, thereby reducing the package size of the assembly 100 by 5 to 10 mm.

[0051] exist Figure 12 and 13 In another embodiment of the assembly 300 shown having the housing 302, the attachment end 312 of the terminal 304 is configured to be directly connected to the planar bus bar 352. Figure 13 As shown, the connection end 310 is identical to the connection end 110 of the terminal 104 described above. The attachment end 312 includes the same contact spring 316 and retainer 318A as the connection end 310 of the terminal 304 described above, which is a mirror image of the retainer 318B used to secure the contact spring 316 to the connection end 310. The attachment end 312 is also configured to receive a busbar to the terminal in a right-angle orientation, or similarly to the connection end, to receive a busbar to the terminal in a straight configuration. The connection end 310 and the attachment end 312 are also similar to the connection end 110 described above, defining a deflected protrusion (not shown).

[0052] Without being bound by any particular theory of operation, since the terminal 104 and the mating terminal 204 are in direct physical and electrical contact, the majority of the current flowing through the assembly 100 will flow through these two components, and therefore the conductivity of the retainer 118 and the contact spring 116 is not critical to the current carrying capacity of the assembly 100. Therefore, the materials used for the retainer 118 and the spring 116 can be selected based on their mechanical properties rather than their electrical properties, allowing the use of high-temperature stainless steel materials such as SAE 301, or even high-temperature polymer materials that can provide sufficient normal contact force between the terminal 104 and the mating terminal 204. These materials can provide the desired functionality of the retainer 118 and the spring 116 at a lower cost than copper-based materials, such as those used to form the terminal 204 and the mating terminal.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, various modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its broad scope. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiment or embodiments, but is intended to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly (100), comprising: an elongated flat terminal (104) extending along a first longitudinal axis (X), the elongated flat terminal (104) having a connecting end (110) having a retainer attached thereto and configured to interconnect the elongated flat terminal (104) with a corresponding elongated flat mating terminal (204) extending along a second axis, and an attachment end (112) configured to attach the elongated flat terminal (104) to an electrical conductor; as well as a contact spring (116) attached to the retaining member (118), the contact spring being configured to apply a normal force between the long flat terminal (104) and the mating terminal (204) when the mating terminal (204) is arranged between the contact spring (116) and the connecting end (110) such that the second axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X), or when the mating terminal (204) is arranged between the contact spring (116) and the connecting end (110) such that the second axis is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis (X), The retainer (118) has a first side wall (120) attached to the connection end (110) and a second side wall (122) spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first side wall (120), wherein the contact spring (116) is disposed between the second side wall (122) and the connection end (110), and wherein the contact spring (116) and the retainer (118) are sized, shaped, and arranged to receive the mating terminal (204) between the contact spring (116) and the connection end (110) in an insertion direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X), and The second side wall (122) defines a hole (138) extending through the second side wall (122), the contact spring (116) defines an arcuate retaining beam (140), and wherein the contact spring (116) is secured to the retaining member (118) by receiving the arcuate retaining beam (140) within the hole (138).

2. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The contact spring (116) is symmetrical on both sides.

3. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The contact spring (116) defines a cantilever plate (144) having a fixed end (146) and a free end (148), the free end (148) extending into a gap (124) between the contact spring (116) and the connection end (110), and wherein the cantilever plate (144) is sized, shaped and arranged to apply the normal force between the long flat terminal (104) and the mating terminal (204) when the second axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X) or when the second axis is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis (X).

4. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that The contact spring (116) is secured to the retainer (118) by J-shaped tabs (136) extending around an edge of the second side wall (122), and wherein the cantilever plate (144) extends between two of the J-shaped tabs (136).

5. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that The cantilever plate (144) has an arcuate shape.

6. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The curved retaining beam (140) is configured to deflect and twist as the curved retaining beam (140) moves from an edge of the second side wall (122) across the second side wall (122) to the aperture (138), and wherein the curved retaining beam (140) is configured to return to its original shape when the curved retaining beam (140) is received within the aperture (138).

7. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting end (110) defines a plurality of oblong protrusions (150) extending longitudinally along the connecting end (110).

8. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that The plurality of oblong protrusions (150) are non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X).

9. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: One of the plurality of oblong protrusions (150) is arranged obliquely relative to another oblong protrusion (150) of the plurality of oblong protrusions (150).

10. An electrical connector assembly (100), comprising: an elongated flat terminal (104) extending along a first longitudinal axis (X), the elongated flat terminal (104) having a connecting end (110) and an attachment end (112), the connecting end (110) being configured to interconnect the elongated flat terminal (104) with a corresponding elongated flat mating terminal (204) extending along a second axis, the attachment end (112) being configured to attach the elongated flat terminal (104) to an electrical conductor; a retainer (118) having a first sidewall (120) attached to the connecting end (110) and a second sidewall (122) spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first sidewall (120), wherein the second sidewall (122) defines an aperture (138) extending therethrough; and A contact spring (116) is disposed between the second side wall (122) and the connection end (110), the contact spring (116) being configured to apply a normal force between the long flat terminal (104) and the mating terminal (204), wherein the contact spring (116) defines an arcuate fixing beam (140), the arcuate fixing beam fixing the contact spring (116) to the retaining member (118) by receiving the arcuate fixing beam (140) within the hole (138).

11. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The curved retaining beam (140) is configured to deflect and twist as the curved retaining beam (140) moves from an edge of the second side wall (122) across the second side wall (122) to the aperture (138), and wherein the curved retaining beam (140) is configured to return to its original shape when the curved retaining beam (140) is received within the aperture (138).

12. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The contact spring (116) defines a cantilevered plate (144) having a fixed end (146) and a free end (148), the cantilevered plate (144) extending into a gap (124) between the contact spring (116) and the connection end (110).

13. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that The contact spring (116) is further secured to the retainer (118) by J-shaped tabs (136) extending around an edge of the second side wall (122), and wherein the cantilever plate (144) extends between two of the J-shaped tabs (136).

14. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that The cantilever plate (144) has an arc shape.

15. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The contact spring (116) is symmetrical on both sides.

16. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The connecting end (110) defines a plurality of oblong protrusions (150) extending longitudinally along the connecting end (110).

17. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that The plurality of oblong protrusions (150) are non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X).

18. The electrical connector assembly (100) according to claim 17, characterized in that One of the plurality of oblong protrusions (150) is arranged obliquely with respect to another oblong protrusion (150) of the plurality of oblong protrusions (150).

19. An electrical connector assembly (300), comprising: An elongated flat terminal (304) extending along a longitudinal axis, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to interconnect the elongated flat terminal (304) with an elongated flat first electrical conductor (352), and the second end is configured to interconnect the elongated flat terminal (304) with a corresponding elongated flat second electrical conductor (352); a first retaining member (318A) and a second retaining member (318B), each having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the second sidewall being spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first sidewall, wherein the first retaining member (318A) is attached to the first end and the second retaining member (318B) is attached to the second end; a first contact spring (316) attached to the first retaining member and disposed between the second side wall and the first end of the first retaining member (318A) and configured to apply a normal force between the elongated flat terminal (304) and the first electrical conductor (352), wherein the second side wall (122) of the first retaining member (318A) defines a first aperture extending therethrough, and the first contact spring (316) defines a first curved retaining beam (140), and wherein the first contact spring (316) is secured to the first retaining member (318A) by the first curved retaining beam (140) being received within the first aperture, and a second contact spring (316) identical to the first contact spring (316), the second contact spring being attached to the second retaining member and positioned intermediate the second side wall and the second end of the second retaining member (318B) and configured to apply a normal force between the elongated flat terminal (304) and the second electrical conductor (352), wherein the second side wall (122) of the second retaining member (318B) defines a second aperture extending therethrough, the second contact spring (316) defining a second arcuate retaining beam (140), and wherein the second contact spring (316) is secured to the second retaining member (318B) by receiving the second arcuate retaining beam (140) within the second aperture (138).

20. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 19, wherein: The first retaining member (318A) is a mirror image of the second retaining member (318B).

Images