Quick disconnect connector with split fit interface

Abstract

An electrical terminal having a contact portion including a bottom wall with resilient contact arms extending therefrom. A mating slot is positioned between the resilient contact and the bottom wall. The bottom wall has a split mating interface including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The second portion is separated from the first portion by a first slot. The third portion is separated from the second portion by a second slot. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion move independently relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of an insert of a mating terminal to provide and maintain a stable and reliable electrical connection between a mating terminal inserted into the mating slot and the terminal.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention is directed to a quick-connect electrical connector. More specifically, the invention is directed to a receptacle that minimizes the impact of a mating electrical connector and provides a stable electrical connection even when the mating connector is misaligned. Background of the invention

[0002] Electrical quick-connect terminals, such as female tab terminals, which are adapted for quick connection and disconnection with a mating terminal or a mating tab, are known. Such terminals are used to establish an electrical connection with a male or tab terminal that is inserted into and retained within the female terminal.

[0003] It is often necessary to disconnect and reconnect such connectors several times, e.g., for testing purposes before final inspection and shipping of the product in which such connectors are used. It is also necessary that the connection established with such connectors be maintained under conditions of vibration and potential stress during subsequent operation. Traditionally, these connectors have limited flexibility or movement, causing impact and high insertion forces. In addition, the contact areas of the connectors can be unbalanced, resulting in an unstable electrical connection and reduced current-carrying capacity.

[0004] It would therefore be advantageous to provide a quick-connect female connector in which the mating interface provides sufficient flexibility to avoid impact and potential damage to the mating connector. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to provide a female connector in which the mating interface can move with the mating connector to create a more stable electrical connection. Summary of the invention

[0005] One embodiment is directed to an electrical terminal having a contact portion including a bottom wall with resilient contact arms extending therefrom. The bottom wall has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is separated from the second portion by a first slot. The second portion is separated from the third portion by a second slot. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion move independently of one another in a direction perpendicular to an axis of an insert of a mating terminal.

[0006] One embodiment is directed to an electrical terminal having a contact portion including a bottom wall with resilient contact arms extending therefrom. A mating slot is positioned between the resilient contact and the bottom wall. The bottom wall has a split mating interface including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The second portion is separated from the first portion by a first slot. The third portion is separated from the second portion by a second slot. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion move independently in a direction perpendicular to an axis of an insert of a mating terminal to provide and maintain a stable and reliable electrical connection between a mating terminal inserted into the mating slot and the terminal.

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a receptacle terminal according to the present invention, showing a mating tab terminal prior to insertion into the receptacle terminal. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the socket connector of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the socket connector of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front view of the socket connector of Fig. 1 before inserting the flat plug connector into a terminal receiving area of ​​the socket connector. Fig. 5 is a front view of the socket connector of Fig. 1, wherein the mating tab terminal is inserted into the terminal receiving portion of the socket terminal, the tab terminal being slightly misaligned with the socket terminal, causing the mating interface of the socket terminal to be bent to accommodate the tab terminal. Fig. 6: Top view of several female connectors shown in a strip. Detailed description of the invention

[0008] The description of illustrative embodiments according to the principles of the present invention should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered a part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is for convenience of description only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "over", "beneath", "top", "bottom", "above" and "below" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontal", "downward", "upward", etc.) are to be understood as referring to the orientation then described or shown in the relevant drawing.These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly stated. Terms such as "attached," "fixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar terms refer to a relationship in which structures are attached to one another, either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as to movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

[0009] Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention should expressly not be limited to such embodiments, which illustrate some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0010] As in the Fig. 1 through 5, a quick-disconnect electrical receptacle, jack, or female terminal 10 includes a contact portion 12, a wire barrel portion 14 behind the contact portion 12, and an insulating sleeve portion 16 behind the wire barrel portion 14. The wire barrel portion 14 is configured for a crimp connection with one end of a conductive core of an insulated wire. The insulating sleeve portion 16 is configured for a crimp connection with one end of the insulating coating or jacket of the wire. Although a wire barrel portion 14 and an insulating sleeve portion 16 are shown, the contact portion 12 may be used with other types of terminal elements without departing from the scope of the invention. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the terminal 10 is stamped and formed from a metal plate with good electrical conductivity.

[0011] The contact section 12 includes a bottom wall 20 and resilient contact arms 22a, 22b extending from both sides of the bottom wall 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom wall 20 has a first portion 24, a second portion or spring arm 26, and a third portion 28. The first portion 24, the second portion 26, and the third portion 28 extend from a base portion 30 of the bottom wall 20 and are integrally attached thereto. The base portion 30 is provided proximate the wire sleeve portion 14. The first portion 24, the second portion 26, and the third portion 28 form a split support mating location.

[0012] The first section 24 extends from the base section 30 to a free end 32. The resilient contact arm 22a extends from the side of the first section 24.

[0013] The second portion 26 extends from the base portion 30 to a free end 34. The second portion 26 is separated from the first portion 24 by a slot or gap 36. The slot or gap 36 allows the free end 34 of the second portion 26 to move independently relative to the free end 32 of the first portion 24 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insert of a mating terminal 38 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 5) within the contact portion 12 of the terminal 10. The second portion 26 includes a projection or embossment 40, such as, but not limited to, a protrusion, detent, countersink, or lance, formed by the second portion 26 to provide a raised area on an inner surface of the second portion 26. The projection or embossment 40 engages the mating terminal 38 when the mating terminal 38 is inserted into the terminal 10.

[0014] The third section 28 extends from the base section 30 to a free end 42. The resilient contact arm 22b extends from the side of the third section 28. The third section 28 is separated from the second section 26 by a slot or gap 44. The slot or gap 44 allows the free end 42 of the third section 28 to move independently relative to the free end 34 of the second section 26 and relative to the free end 32 of the first section 24 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of an insert of the mating terminal 38 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 5) into the contact section 12 of the terminal 10.

[0015] In the Fig. In the illustrative embodiment shown in Figure 1, each resilient arm 22a, 22b has a resilient contact portion 46 with a curved or corrugated section extending from the bottom wall 20 to a mating terminal engagement element 48. The configuration of the resilient contact arms 22a, 22b allows for control of the stiffness and spring rate of the resilient contact arms 22a, 22b.

[0016] The mating terminal engagement elements 48 extend from the resilient contact portion 46. A mating terminal engagement surface 50 is provided on each mating terminal engagement element 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating terminal engagement element 48 extends from the resilient contact arms 22a, 22b, positioning the mating terminal engagement surface 50 at the top of a terminal mating slot 52. The configuration of the resilient contact arms 22a, 22b provides resilience to allow the mating terminal engagement element 48 to move relative to the bottom wall 20 when the mating terminal is inserted into the mating slot 52. The mating terminal engagement surfaces 50 have an arcuate or rounded configuration. However, other configurations of the engagement surfaces 50 may be used.

[0017] The mating terminal engagement elements 48 have end faces 54 positioned close to each other but spaced apart to form a slot 56. The width of the slot 56 is large enough to allow the end faces 54 and their respective contact arms 22a, 22b to move independently of each other. However, the width of the slot 56 is minimized to increase the support length of the contact arms 22a, 22b. The support length allows the contact arms 22a, 22b to have improved elastic or springy properties, allowing the contact arms 22a, 22b to move without incurring permanent deformation, failing, or yielding. The slot 56 is positioned in line with the projection or embossment 40 of the second portion 26 of the bottom wall 20.

[0018] As in Fig. 4, in the initial, unloaded position, prior to insertion of the mating terminal 38 into the mating slot 52, the embossment 40 of the second portion or spring arm 26 is positioned proximate, but not engaged with, the mating terminal engagement surfaces 50 of the mating terminal engagement elements 48. In this unloaded position, the resilient arm 22a and the resilient arm 22b are substantially mirror images of each other. The mating terminal engagement surfaces 50 of the mating terminal engagement elements 48 are positioned substantially in the same plane, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the terminal 10.

[0019] In the unloaded position, the mating mating engagement surfaces 50 of the mating mating engagement elements 48 and the second portion or spring arm 26 define the mating slot 52. In this position, the resilient arms 22a, 22b are in an unloaded position. Similarly, the first portion 24, the second portion or spring arm 26, and the third portion 28 are also in an unloaded position, such that the free end 32 of the first portion 24, the free end 34 of the second portion 26, and the free end 42 of the third portion 28 are positioned substantially in line with each other.

[0020] As previously described, the slot 36 and the slot 44 provided in the bottom wall 20 allow the first portion 24, the second portion or spring arm 26, and the third portion 28 to move independently of each other. Consequently, during insertion of the mating terminal 38 into the mating slot 52 of the contact portion 12 of the terminal 10, the contact portion 12, including the split mating interface of the first portion 24, the second portion 26, and the third portion 28, may mate with a mating terminal 38 that is misaligned during mating, as shown in Fig. 5 shown, adjust or adapt.

[0021] As in the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 5, the first section 24 and the elastic arm 22a attached thereto are moved downward, as shown by arrow 60, relative to the second section 26. In addition, the third section 28 and the elastic arm 22b attached thereto are moved upward, as shown by arrow 62, relative to the second section 26. This allows the contact section 12 to receive a mating terminal 38 arranged in the Fig. 5. However, if the orientation of the misaligned mating terminal 38 is different, the first portion 24 and the resilient arm 22a may be moved upward, and the third portion 28 and the resilient arm 22b may be moved downward.

[0022] The independent relative movement of the first portion 24, the second portion or spring arm 26, and the third portion 28 allows the contact portion 12 of the terminal 10 to accommodate any slight misalignment of the mating terminal 38 or any slight deformation or imperfections associated with the mating terminal 38.

[0023] In a fully inserted position, the mating terminal engagement surface 50 of each of the resilient arms 22a, 22b is provided in physical and electrical engagement with the mating terminal 38. Due to the independent movement of the first portion 24 and the third portion 28, multiple points of contact are established and maintained between each mating terminal engagement surface 50 and the mating terminal 38. In addition, the embossment 40 or the second portion or spring arm 26 is also provided and maintained in electrical and mechanical contact with the mating terminal 38. The multiple contact areas allow the terminal 10 to be used in applications with higher current levels, such as, but not limited to, 15 to 20 or more amperes.

[0024] The independent movement of the first section 24, the second section or spring arm 26, and the third section 28 provides and maintains a stable and reliable electrical connection between the mating terminal 38 and the terminal 10. The independent movement of the first section 24, the second section or spring arm 26, and the third section 28 also allows for higher Hertzian voltages when the mating terminal 38 is connected to the terminal 10, thereby eliminating or minimizing fretting corrosion between the terminal 10 and the mating terminal 38, further contributing to a stable and reliable electrical connection between the mating terminal 38 and the terminal 10.

[0025] Portions of the mating terminal engagement surfaces 50 are spaced apart from the embossment 40 and laterally offset, allowing the engagement between the mating terminal 38 and the mating terminal engagement surfaces 50 and the embossment 40 of the terminal 10 to be dispersed, i.e., not at one point or in a straight line. This provides a stable mechanical and electrical engagement between the mating terminal 38 and the receptacle terminal 10 in all environments, ensuring that the mating terminal 38 remains properly positioned within the receptacle terminal 10 when vibrations occur or the mating terminal 38 is flexed.

[0026] A terminal according to the teachings of the invention has a lower spring rate than known terminals. Because the first section 24, the second section or spring arm 26, and the third section 28 move independently of each other, the resilient arms 22a, 22b can have a reduced spring rate while still providing sufficient normal force to retain the mating terminal 38 in the mating slot 52 of the contact section 12 of the terminal 10. By controlling the spring rate of the spring arms 22a, 22b, the normal forces and insertion forces associated with the contact section 12 of the terminal 10 can also be controlled while enabling proper electrical connection between the terminals 10 and the mating terminals.For example, the insertion force of a connector 10 according to the invention can be reduced compared to a connector having the first section 24, the second section or spring arm 26 and the third section 28 fastened together.

[0027] When the spring rate is reduced, the resilient arms 22a, 22b allow for greater spring deflection before yielding or incurring permanent deformation. This allows the connector 10 to be used with mating connectors 38 that exhibit some variance in manufacturing tolerances. In other words, because the resilient arms 22a, 22b have the ability to deflect a greater distance without yielding or incurring permanent deformation, the thickness of the mating connector 38 does not need to be controlled as precisely. This is advantageous for connectors made of materials such as steel, which generally do not exhibit poor spring properties.

[0028] Referring to Fig. 6, a portion of an illustrative strip 70 of terminals 10 is shown. A rigid front bar 72 is provided between each terminal 10 on the strip 10. The rigid front bar 72 is stamped and formed as the terminals 10 are stamped and formed. The rigid front bar 72 prevents damage to the terminals 10 during spooling, coating, and shipping of the terminals 10 and the strip 70. The rigid front bar 72 is integrally attached to the bottom wall 20. The rigid front bar 72 extends from the first portion 24 to the third portion 28 of the bottom wall 20. The rigid front bar 72 cooperates with the first portion 24 and the third portion 28 to maintain the first portion 24 and the third portion 28 in a relatively fixed position relative to one another.

[0029] In the illustrative embodiment shown, the rigid front bar 72 is sheared off when a terminal 10 is connected or crimped to a wire or cable. With the rigid front bar 72 removed, the first section 24, the second section 26, and the third section 28 can move relative to each other as described above.

[0030] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, 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 spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be embodied with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials and components, and otherwise utilized in the practice of the invention, particularly adapted to specific environments and operational requirements, without departing from the principles of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.

Claims

[1] An electrical connection comprising: a contact portion having a bottom wall with resilient contact arms extending therefrom; the bottom wall has a first section, a second section and a third section, the first section being separated from the second section by a first slot, the second section being separated from the third section by a second slot; wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion move independently relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of an insert of a fitting terminal. [2] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein a first resilient contact arm of the resilient contact arms extends from the first portion of the bottom wall and a second resilient contact arm of the resilient contact arms extends from the third portion of the bottom wall. [3] The electrical connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the second portion is a spring arm. [4] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 3, wherein an embossment is provided on the second portion. [5] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion extend from and are integrally attached to a base portion of the bottom wall. [6] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion extends from a base portion of the bottom wall to a first free end, a first resilient contact arm extends from the first portion. [7] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 6, wherein the second portion extends from the base portion to a second free end, the second free end of the second portion moving independently relative to the first free end of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insert of the mating terminal, the second portion having an embossment formed by the second portion to provide a raised area on an inner surface of the second portion. [8] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 7, wherein the third portion extends from the base portion to a third free end, a second resilient contact arm extends from the third portion, the third free end of the third portion moving independently relative to the first free end of the first portion and the second free end of the second portion moving in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insert of the mating terminal. [9] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 8, wherein the first resilient arm and the second resilient arm have resilient contact portions with arcuate portions extending from the bottom wall to mating terminal engagement elements. [10] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 9, wherein mating terminal engagement surfaces are provided on the mating terminal engagement elements, the mating terminal engagement surfaces being disposed on a top surface of a terminal mating slot. [11] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 10, wherein the mating terminal engagement elements have end faces positioned close to each other but spaced apart to form a slot, the end faces and their respective contact arms moving independently of each other. [12] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein the contact portion is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the contact portion is in an unloaded position prior to insertion of the mating terminal into a mating slot of the contact portion, and wherein in the second position the contact portion is in a loaded position when the mating terminal is inserted into the mating slot of the contact portion. [13] An electrical connection comprising: a contact portion having a bottom wall with resilient contact arms extending therefrom, a mating slot disposed between the resilient contact and the bottom wall; the bottom wall has a split fitting interface comprising: a first section; a second portion separated from the first portion by a first slot; a third section separated from the second section by a second slot; wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion move independently relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of an insert of a mating terminal to provide and maintain a stable and reliable electrical connection between a mating terminal inserted into the mating slot and the terminal. [14] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 13, wherein a first resilient contact arm of the resilient contact arms extends from the first portion of the bottom wall, and a second resilient contact arm of the resilient contact arms extends from the third portion of the bottom wall. [15] The electrical connector as recited in claim 13, wherein the second portion is a spring arm. [16] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 13, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion extend from and are integrally attached to a base portion of the bottom wall. [17] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 13, wherein the first portion extends from a base portion of the bottom wall to a first free end, and a first resilient contact arm extends from the first portion. [18] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 17, wherein the second portion extends from the base portion to a second free end, the second free end of the second portion moving independently relative to the first free end of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insert of the mating terminal, the second portion having an embossment formed by the second portion to provide a raised area on an inner surface of the second portion. [19] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 18, wherein the third portion extends from the base portion to a third free end, a second resilient contact arm extends from the third portion, the third free end of the third portion moves independently relative to the first free end of the first portion and the second free end of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insert of the mating terminal. [20] The electrical terminal as recited in claim 19, wherein the first resilient arm and the second resilient arm have resilient contact portions with arcuate portions extending from the bottom wall to mating terminal engagement elements.

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