Female electrical terminal and method for mounting a female electrical terminal

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection assembly comprising a female terminal (6) and a male terminal. The female terminal (6) has electrically conductive tabs (13) arranged in a ring and a protective element (24) with a finger (26), positioned within the ring to prevent unintentional contact, from the inside of the ring, with the conductive tabs (13). The male terminal has a pin with a cavity to receive a portion of the finger when the female (6) and male terminals are mated. The invention also relates to a method for mounting the protective element on a female terminal (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of connectors, and in particular to automotive connectors. In particular, the invention relates to a connection assembly, female and male terminals and a method for mounting a female terminal, for use in power connectors.

[0002] In the field of motor vehicles and in particular electric, hybrid or rechargeable hybrid vehicles, high currents can be transmitted in wiring networks and / or electrical power circuits, such as those interconnecting elements such as a battery, a motor, a voltage converter, etc. Similarly, even if the currents are not necessarily of very high intensity, the voltages involved can be relatively high and in particular greater than 60 Volts.

[0003] When it is necessary to integrate connectors into cabling networks intended to transmit currents, these connectors must be equipped with terminals of a size and cross-section large enough to transmit these high currents without excessive heating. Thus, for example, it may be necessary to use male terminals with a cross-section of up to 113mm 2< or more. Similarly, female terminals must be able to receive male terminals with such cross-sections and be protected, particularly when used under voltages above 60 Volts.

[0004] Provision has already been made to protect, in particular in accordance with the IP2X standard, the end of the male terminals using an electrically insulating end cap and to protect the free end and at least some external surfaces of the female terminals using a protective housing or cap. Reference may be made in particular to documents WO2010029391A1, EP3208892A1, WO9629761A1 and WO2017 / 223416 A1, for examples of female terminals thus protected by a protective housing and / or another type of protective element.

[0005] However, it remains possible, particularly for contacts with cross-sections larger than the dimensions of a standard finger (8 mm in diameter), to reach electrically conductive parts located on the internal surfaces of the female terminals. This presents a potential danger of electrocution.

[0006] The invention aims to limit at least in part this risk of electrocution.

[0007] To this end, there is provided a female electrical terminal according to claim 1, a method according to claim 6 and a power connection assembly according to claim 7.

[0008] The female electrical terminal further optionally comprises one or other of the characteristics set out in claims 2 to 5, considered in isolation or in combination with one or more others.

[0009] Optionally, the connection assembly comprises the feature set forth in claim 8.

[0010] Thus, thanks to the invention, the finger of the protective element hinders, or even prevents, the insertion of a finger or a tool inside the contact portion of the female terminal. This at least partly limits a risk of electrocution by contact with the internal surface of the contact portion of the female terminal.

[0011] The male electrical terminal comprises a substantially cylindrical pin, extending longitudinally parallel to the mating axis when the male electrical terminal and the female electrical terminal are mated, this pin comprising a free end, as well as an external surface adapted to establish electrical contact with the internal surface of the female electrical terminal. The male electrical terminal optionally comprises a pin comprising an electrically insulating crown, surrounding an entrance of the cavity, at the free end of the pin.

[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows as well as on the attached drawings. In these drawings: there figure 1 schematically represents in perspective a connection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with a female terminal uncoupled from a connector comprising two male terminals; the figure 2 schematically represents in section a part of the connection assembly of the figure 1 , the section passing through the coupling axis of a female terminal coupled with a male terminal; the figures 3 schematically represents in perspective a protection element intended to be mounted in the female terminal of the figures 1 et 2 ; THE figures 4 et 5 schematically represent in perspective the protection element of the figure 3 , partially mounted in the female terminal of the figures 1 et 2 ; there figure 6 schematically represents in perspective the protection element of the figure 3 , mounted in the female terminal of the figures 1 et 2 ; there figure 7 schematically represents in longitudinal section the protection element of the figure 3 , mounted in the female terminal of the figures 1 et 2 ; there figure 8 schematically represents in section a part of the connector of the figure 1 .

[0013] In the various figures, similar or identical elements bear the same references.

[0014] An example of a connection assembly 1 according to the invention is shown in the figure 1 . It comprises a male connector housing 2 and a female connector housing 3 (not shown in the figure 1 , see figure 2 ). The male 2 and female 3 connector housings are essentially made of an electrically insulating material. Two male electrical terminals 4 connected to electrical cables 5 are mounted in the male connector housing 2. Two female electrical terminals 6 connected to electrical cables (not shown) are mounted in the female connector housing 3. The two female electrical terminals 6 intended to be coupled, along a coupling axis A, each respectively to a male electrical terminal 4 mounted in the male connector housing 2. On the figure 1 , only one female electrical terminal 6 is shown.

[0015] The female electrical terminal 6 comprises a fixing portion 7 and a contact portion 8. The fixing portions 7 and contact 8 are formed in this example from a single piece which may be made of an electrically conductive material. This single piece is formed from a cut and curved sheet metal.

[0016] The fixing portion 7 is shown in the figures 1 , 4 et 5 with crimping fins 9 intended to mechanically attach the female electrical terminal 6 to a cable of an electrical network (not shown). On the figures 1 , 4 et 5 , the crimping fins 9 are shown in the open position, before crimping onto a cable.

[0017] As shown in the figures 4 et 5 , the contact portion 8 has an essentially tubular shape extending longitudinally parallel to the coupling axis A, between a free end 10 and an end mechanically secured to the fixing portion 7. It has an internal surface and an external surface. It comprises a tubular ring 12 connected to the fixing portion 7. It also comprises elastic contact tabs 13 extending, essentially longitudinally parallel to the coupling axis A, from the ring 12 towards the free end 10.

[0018] Each tab 13 has an essentially rectilinear portion connected to the ring 12 and a curved portion 14 towards the free end 10. The curved portion 14 has a convex contact surface directed towards a longitudinal central axis of the contact portion 8 (the longitudinal central axis coincides on the figures 4 et 5 with the coupling axis A). The tabs 13 are distributed essentially uniformly on one edge of the ring 12. They are spaced regularly. In other words, a slot 15 separates two neighboring tabs 13.

[0019] The female electrical terminal 6 also includes a protective housing 16, made of an electrically insulating material. This protective housing 16 can also be used for retaining the female electrical terminal 6 in the female connector housing 3. As shown in the figures 1, 2 And 7this protective housing 16 is for example in the form of an essentially cylindrical cap extending longitudinally parallel to the coupling axis A. It comprises two diametrically opposed openings 17 intended to receive hooks 18 carried by elastic tabs 19 made of the same material as the female connector housing 3. Thus, the female electrical terminal 6 can be mounted and clipped into the female connector housing 3. The protective housing 16 covers, by its cylindrical wall 20, essentially the contact portion 8, and by cornices 21 extending radially towards the inside of the cylindrical wall 20, the free end 10 of the contact portion 8, and in particular the free end of at least some of the elastic contact tabs 13. The cornices 21 leave a central passage for inserting a pin 22 of a male electrical terminal 4.This passage may correspond, for example, to a diameter of 12.3 mm, i.e. greater than that which would allow compliance with the IP2X standard (which limits the dimensions of this type of passage in order to prevent a user from electrocuting themselves by inserting the end of a finger 23).

[0020] The female electrical terminal 6 also includes a protective element 24 made of electrically insulating material (see figures 1 à 7 ). As shown in the figure 3 in particular, the protective element 24 comprises a base 25 and a finger 26, both essentially cylindrical, extending longitudinally parallel to the coupling axis A. The base 25 has a radius greater than that of the finger 26. The finger 26 has, at its free end 27, an apical surface essentially perpendicular to the coupling axis A. The protective element 24 comprises attachment means. For example, these attachment means are in the form of three elastic fixing lugs: two internal fixing lugs 28 and one external fixing lug 29 (see also figure 6 ). The internal 28 and external 29 fixing lugs extend longitudinally essentially parallel to the coupling axis A. One of the longitudinal ends of the internal 28 and external 29 fixing lugs is connected to a rim 30 extending radially outwards from the base 25. The other longitudinal end is free and provided with a hook 31. Each hook 31 forms a lug adapted to be inserted into a slot 15 between two tabs 13, at the base of the latter, in abutment on the ring 12. The lug of each internal fixing lug 28 therefore projects on an external face of each internal fixing lug 28. Conversely, the lug of the external fixing lug 29 projects on an internal face of the external fixing lug 29.

[0021] Two diametrically opposed notches 32 are provided in the base 25 to allow each of the internal fixing tabs 28 to flex in the direction of the longitudinal central axis of the contact portion 8.

[0022] To mount the protective element 24 in the female electrical terminal 6, the finger 26 is inserted into the ring 12, via the end of the ring 12 located towards the fixing portion 7. Then, the protective element 24 is pushed towards the free end 10 of the contact portion 8, until the hooks 31 lock at the base of the slots 15, behind the ring 12, and thus cooperate with the female electrical terminal 6 to keep the protective element 24 hooked thereon. The base 25 is held with a small clearance at the level of the ring 12. The insertion thus adjusted between the protective element 24 and the female electrical terminal 6 allows precise positioning of the finger 26 in a centered manner in the contact portion 8. The retention force of the protective element 24 in the female electrical terminal 6 is for example greater than 30N.Thus, even by pressing on the free end 27 of the finger 26, it remains practically impossible to move the protection element 24 and to touch a contact tab 13. It will be noted that it is preferable, because easier, to mount the protection element 24 before the operation of crimping a cable at the level of the fixing portion 7, that is to say when the crimping fins 9 are open. It will also be noted that the base 25 is shorter (parallel to the coupling axis A) in a lower sector than in an upper sector (the lower sector being located opposite, with respect to the internal fixing lugs, the upper sector which itself comprises the external fixing lug). Thus, the insertion of the protection element 24 into the contact portion 8 is made easier.

[0023] The protective element 24 is optional. It will be decided whether or not to mount it depending on the application to be made of the female electrical terminal 6 and the risk of electrocution incurred linked to the use made of the female electrical terminal 6.

[0024] When the protective element 24 is mounted on the female electrical terminal 6, as shown in the figure 7 , the distance between the cornices 21 and the end of the finger 26 is sufficiently reduced to meet the IP2X standard.

[0025] The male electrical terminal 4 has a general structure of a type already known (see in particular the figures 2 And 8). Only the particular aspects of the invention will therefore be described here. Thus, the male electrical terminal 4 comprises an essentially cylindrical pin 22 extending longitudinally parallel to the coupling axis A, towards a free end 33 intended to engage in the female electrical terminal 6 and establish an electrical contact inside the contact portion 8 thereof. This pin 22 is formed in a bar of electrically conductive material. An electrically insulating crown 34 is mounted on the free end 33. A terminal portion of the pin 22 is pierced, for example by boring, with a central cylindrical cavity 35 extending parallel to the coupling axis A. This cavity 35 extends through the crown 34 by a passage.

[0026] When mating the female connector housing 3 with the male connector housing 2, these housings interpenetrate in such a way that each male electrical terminal 4 engages respectively in the contact portion 8 of a female electrical terminal 6 (see figure 2). The finger 26 then penetrates through the passage provided in the crown 34, then into the cavity 35. The electrical contact between the external surface of the pin 22 of the male electrical terminal 4 and the internal surface of the contact portion 8 of the female electrical terminal 6 is established on at least one contact point 36 located, in projection on the coupling axis A and starting from the free end 33 of the pin 22, essentially at or beyond the bottom of the cavity 35. Thus, the current lines can pass through a path corresponding essentially to a full section of the pin 22 (a section for example of 113mm 2< ). This type of configuration is obviously more favorable to the passage of strong currents compared to an electrical contact which would be made at the level of the cavity 35 and which would therefore correspond to a disc having a surface, for example of 84.7mm 2< , therefore to a section significantly smaller than the maximum section of the pin.

Claims

1. Female electrical terminal comprising: ∘ a fixing portion (7) for mechanically attaching the female terminal (6) to an electrical network, ∘ a contact portion (8), made of an electrically conductive material, this contact portion (8) having a generally tubular shape, having an internal surface and an external surface and extending longitudinally parallel to a coupling axis (A) between a free end (10) and a mechanically secured end of the fixing portion (7), the contact portion (8) comprising elastic contact tongues (13) extending from a ring (12), with a slot separating two adjacent tongues (13), and ∘ a protective housing (16), made of an electrically insulating material, substantially covering at least an upper portion of the external surface and the free end (10) of the contact portion (8), and ∘ a protection element (24) with a generally cylindrical finger (26), extending longitudinally parallel to the coupling axis (A), inside the contact portion (8), between a free end (27) and a base (25) held in the female electrical terminal (6), the free end (27) of the finger (26) having an electrically insulated apical surface, characterized in that the protection element (24) is mounted in the contact portion (8), using attachment means comprising at least one elastic attachment lug (28 or 29) provided with a hook (31), inserting between two contact tongues (13) and locked at the base of a slot (15), behind the ring (12).

2. Terminal according to claim 1, in which the protection element (24) comprises at least one external attachment lug (29) in contact with the external surface of the contact portion (8) and at least one internal attachment lug (28) in contact with the internal surface of the contact portion (8).

3. Terminal according to claim 2, in which the internal (28) and external (29) attachment lugs extend longitudinally substantially parallel to the coupling axis (A), with one of the longitudinal ends of the internal attachment lugs (28) and external (29), connected to a rim (30) extending radially outwards from the base (25) of the protection element (24) and the other longitudinal end is free and provided with a hook (31) forming a lug adapted to insert into a slot (15) between two tongues (13), at the base thereof, abutting on the ring (12).

4. Terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the protection element (24) is mounted in an adjusted manner at the ring (12), for a precise positioning of the finger (26) in a centered manner in the contact portion (8).

5. Terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, in which two diametrically opposed notches (32) are provided in the base (25) to allow respectively internal attachment lugs (28) to flex in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the contact portion (8).

6. Method of mounting a female electrical terminal, in which a female electrical terminal (6) is provided, comprising ○ a fixing portion (7) for mechanically attaching the female terminal (6) to an electrical network, ○ a contact portion (8), made of an electrically conductive material, this contact portion (8) having at least a portion of generally tubular shape, having an internal surface and an external surface and extending longitudinally parallel to a coupling axis (A) between a free end (10) and a mechanically secured end of the fixing portion (7), the contact portion (8) comprising elastic contact tongues (13) extending from a ring (12), and a slot (15) separating two adjacent tongues (13), and in which a protection element (24) is provided, comprising a generally cylindrical finger (26) and attachment means (28, 29), in which the finger (26) is inserted into a generally tubular portion (12) of the contact portion (8), through an opening of the contact portion (8) located towards the mechanically secured end of the fixing portion (7), and the protection element (24) is pushed towards the free end (10) of the contact portion (8), characterized in that the attachment means (28, 29) comprise at least one elastic attachment lug (28 or 29) provided with a hook (31), in that the protection element (24) is mounted on the female electrical terminal (6), by inserting at least the elastic attachment lug (28 or 29) between two contact tongues (13), until the attachment means (28, 29) cooperate with the female electrical terminal (6) to maintain the protection element (24) hooked on it, by insertion of the hook (31) between two contact tongues (13) and locking thereof at the base of a slot (15), behind the ring (12).

7. Power connector assembly comprising at least one female electrical terminal (6) according to one of claims 1 to 5, and a male electrical terminal (4), comprising a cavity (35) extending longitudinally parallel to the coupling axis (A), from the free end (33) of the pin (22), this cavity (35) being adapted to receive at least the free end (27) of the finger (26) of the protection element (24) of the female electrical terminal (6).

8. Connector assembly according to the preceding claim, in which when the male (4) and female (6) electrical terminals are coupled, the contact portion (8) of the female terminal (6) establishes at least one point of contact (36) with the pin (22) of the male terminal (4) located, in projection on the coupling axis (A) and starting from the free end (33) of the pin (22), substantially at the level or beyond the bottom of the cavity (35).

Images