Female Electrical Terminal

Abstract

The female electrical terminal mates with a connector assembly generally including a body, a two-piece spring, and a wire clamping portion. The two-piece spring includes two members that impact a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, providing a spring force to mate the terminal and the male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object. A guide member directs and "self-corrects" the insertion of the male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, into the female electrical terminal. The body further includes a tongue member with overstress protection that clamps and locks the terminal within the connector housing. The body has support members at either end. The terminal is defined by the body and has a polarity for proper mating with a corresponding housing. The female electrical terminal can also accommodate a TPA device located in the space above the wire clamping portion and behind the body.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 893,669, filed August 29, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] It is desired to provide a female electrical terminal with structural arrangements or features including: protection against overstress using a support member that prevents unwanted deformation of the female electrical terminal; a shape with an orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal as defined by the body; a wire fastening mechanism that uses a wire fastening portion of the female electrical terminal to secure a wire; a locking mechanism that uses a tongue member that fastens the female electrical terminal and ensures that it is locked within the housing; a spring mechanism that uses a two-piece spring to efficiently and resiliently connect the female electrical terminal to a male pin or male terminal or even a "blade-like" object; and a guide mechanism that uses a guide member that orients the male pin or male terminal or even a "blade-like" object within the female electrical terminal and is "self-correcting. Additionally, the female electrical terminal of the present invention is capable of housing a TPA device in a space above its wire fastening portion and is capable of accepting a TPA device positioned behind the body.

[0003] Moreover, the two-piece spring of the present invention is "two-piece" where the application or adaptation employs a lower spring member and an upper spring member. Preferably, the lower spring member and the upper spring member work together or together as a whole to provide a spring force applied or acting on a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, when such a previously mentioned object is inserted into a female electrical terminal. The lower spring member extends further along the length of the pin and further downward toward the floor of the body than the upper spring member. The upper and lower spring members are of unitary construction with each other, connected by curved side members and folded up and down. The lower spring member is below the upper spring member and the upper spring member is above the lower spring member, respectively. The upper and lower spring members are in a relationship that may or may not be in contact when they are unflexed. When the lower and upper spring members are in contact in an undeflected state, the initially applicable spring force is manifest as the spring force of both the upper and lower spring members, which apply their respective spring forces together or together and as a whole to the male pin or terminal, or even to the "blade-like" object. In contrast, when the lower and upper spring members are not in contact in an undeflected orientation, the initially applicable spring force to the male pin or terminal, or even to the "blade-like" object, is manifest simply as the spring force of the lower spring member, i.e., until the lower spring member contacts the upper spring member, whereby the upper spring member applies a spring force to the lower spring, which also applies together or together and as a whole to the male pin or terminal, or even to the "blade-like" object. Furthermore, in one example of the present invention, as the spring moves upwardly, the lower spring member can flex and contact the tongue member which can further provide resistance against the upward movement of the lower spring member, thereby applying a resilient force against its upward movement and, as a result, the tongue member increases the overall spring force of the spring.The above described adaptation of the spring is provided to efficiently and resiliently connect and secure the female electrical terminal to a male pin or terminal or even a "blade-like" object as needed and / or during operation.

[0004] It is further desired that the shape of the female electrical terminal of the present invention have an orientation or polarity that is maintained and ensured, and provided for mating the female electrical terminal with a corresponding connector assembly having an opening with a similar orientation or polarity, respectively, to that of the female electrical terminal for proper mating and engagement with the female electrical terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a female electrical terminal that mates with a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, and mates and locks into a connector assembly. A female electrical terminal generally includes a body, a two-piece spring, and a wire clamping portion.

[0006] The body of the female electrical terminal has a substantially box-like profile or shape whereby a portion of the body is oriented like a box. The body generally includes upper and lower bodies, a tongue member, and a two-piece spring. The tongue member includes a lever member that locks the female electrical terminal into the connector assembly. The lever member has a protruding member that contacts another protruding member extending from the body when the lever member is deflected. Both protruding members act as overstress protection for the lever member, i.e., prevent or protect the lever member from deformation when the female electrical terminal is mated to the connector assembly. Another protruding member extends from the lever member to protect the two-piece spring from being overstressed. The body is also comprised of support members at both its front and rear ends that prevent the female electrical terminal from being overstressed and deformed.

[0007] The two-piece spring includes two members that are substantially positioned within the passage PW of the body and act or operate to generate a spring force that can be applied to a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, when such an object is inserted into the female electrical terminal.

[0008] The female electrical terminals of the present invention also have an orientation or polarity that is maintained and ensured to properly mate within a corresponding connector assembly, which has an opening with a similar orientation or similar polarity that is also maintained to properly mate with the female electrical terminal.

[0009] Additionally, the forward portion of the wire clamping portion has a neck member that transitions into the body of the female electrical terminal having a space therein for receiving a TPA device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a top perspective front view of a female electrical terminal of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a top perspective rear view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention. [Figure 2AB] FIG. 2A is a right side view of a female electrical terminal of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a left side view of a female electrical terminal of the present invention. [Figure 2C-D] FIG. 2C shows a terminal position assurance (TPA) device positioned within the space of the female electrical terminal, and FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2D-2D of FIG. 8B showing the surface area of ​​the female electrical terminal that interferes with the terminal position assurance (TPA) device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3A is a top view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention showing the lever member and the projection members extending from the body, respectively, and the support member of the upper guide member. [Figure 5A]FIG. 5A shows an opening at the front end of the female electrical terminal and a guide member for guiding the male terminal pin or terminal therethrough into the passageway. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A, showing the opening and guide member at the front end portion, and the lower spring member having an apex at its curved portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 1B, while FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of a guide member positioned near the opening in the front end portion of the female electrical terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a two-piece spring and further shows an upper retainer member attached to the spring. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A partially illustrates a side view of a female electrical terminal having a window that at least partially receives the curved side member of a two-piece spring. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B partially illustrates another side of the female electrical terminal showing various elements of the female electrical terminal of the present invention, including support members located at the front and rear end portions of the body. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a conventional electrical wire or cable for interaction with the female electrical terminal of the present invention, the conventional electrical wire or cable having a wire insulation portion and a wire core portion at its forward portion. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A illustrates a front view of a female electrical terminal of the present invention in a pre-locked position within a connector assembly, and further illustrates the polarity or orientation of the female electrical terminal of the present invention and the corresponding connector assembly for effective mating. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B illustrates a front view of the female electrical terminal of the present invention in a fully resting and fully locked position within a corresponding connector assembly, and further illustrates the polarity or orientation of the female electrical terminal of the present invention and the corresponding connector assembly for effective mating. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 1A shows a top front perspective view of a female electrical terminal, generally referred to as reference numeral 1. The female electrical terminal 1 is integrally formed as a continuous piece that is folded, creased or curved to form a unitary construction and includes a body 5, a two-piece spring 130 and a wire fastening portion 3. The body 5 further includes a tongue member 15. The wire fastening portion 3 may be of a bendable crimp or clamp type as shown herein, but may also be of an insulation displacement contact (IDC) type or other similarly formed wire fastening means that is integrally formed with the female electrical terminal 1 and preferably extends substantially with or along the length of the female electrical terminal 1, and more particularly extends from a rear portion of the body 5 of the female electrical terminal 1, which is capable of interacting with a wire insulation portion 120 and / or a wire core portion 110 of an electrical wire or cable 100 to securely connect the electrical wire or cable 100 to the female electrical terminal 1. Additionally, fastening of additional or separate wires of the electrical wire or cable 100 to the female electrical terminal 1 may be accomplished by including means for forming a secure and / or conductive fastener, including, but not limited to, for example, welding, brazing, soldering and / or other similar means.

[0012] 1B, shown in greater detail in a top perspective view of the rear of the female electrical terminal 1 are tongue member 15 and two-piece spring 130. It is preferred that body 5 has a substantially box-like profile or shape in the lengthwise direction, and also in the direction opposite the lengthwise direction of the female electrical terminal 1, whereby a substantial portion of body 5 is formed in a box-like orientation or configuration, but is not limited thereto (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 5A).

[0013] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the wire fastening portion 3 transitions to the main body 5 by a neck member 52 and is integrally formed with and to the main body 5 by the neck member 52 (see also Figures 3A and 3B).

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2A, the tongue member 15 includes a lever member 25 having an unattached end portion 28 and an attached end portion 30. As can be further seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lever member 25 is shown here in a normal relaxed state. The lever member 25 is resiliently biased to the normal relaxed state, whereby it is not affected by external contact, and whereby any subsequent deflection of the lever member 25 can occur at the attached end portion 30 as the unattached end portion 28 moves. The unattached end portion 28 of the lever member 25 preferably has a shape, such as, but not limited to, a substantially U-shape in cross section along its width (see FIGS. 1B, 5B). The attached end portion 30 of the lever member 25 preferably has a shape, such as, but not limited to, a substantially L-shape (see FIGS. 1B, 5A, 5B).

[0015] Furthermore, the lever member 25 has a protruding member 35 that abuts another protruding member 37 extending from the body 5 (see Figs. 1B, 2B, 5 and 8A). Both protruding members 35, 37 act as a protection against overstress to the lever member 25. That is, the protruding members 35, 37 impinge against each other when the lever member 25 is in a deflected state. This shape thereby prevents or protects the lever member 25 from being deformed when the female terminal 1 contacts or mates with a connector assembly 90 or the like (see also Figs. 10A and 10B). Thus, the lever member 25 is operable to move substantially between a deflected state and a normally relaxed state, whereby it can return to its normally relaxed state without being substantially deformed, i.e., inoperable, and still be capable of securing the female electrical terminal 1 with the connector housing 90, as described below (Figs. 10A, 10B). As can be seen in the side view of FIG. 2B, the protruding members 35, 37 are preferably substantially rectangular, circular, trapezoidal, etc. (see also FIGS. 4, 8A), but are not limited thereto in their contour or shape.

[0016] In operation, as the female electrical terminal 1 enters the connector assembly 90, the unattached end portion 28 of the lever member 25 is free to be pushed downward and move from a normally relaxed state to a flexed state (i.e., the protruding member 35 moves toward another protruding member 37) (see FIG. 10A). When the female electrical terminal 1 is fully inserted into the connector assembly 90, the unattached end portion 28 of the lever member 25 is free to move upward and return to the normally relaxed state of the lever member 25 (i.e., the protruding member 35 moves away from the other protruding member 37, and at this time the lever member 25 is resiliently biased back to its normally relaxed state) (see FIGS. 2A, 10B). Furthermore, the unattached end portion 28 thereby preferably impinges against a member (not shown) within the connector assembly 90 to lock and secure the female electrical terminal 1 therein. Such a structural arrangement with the unattached end portion 28 of the lever member 25 collided within the connector assembly 90 acts as a locking and securing mechanism between the female electrical terminal 1 and the connector assembly 90 (see FIG. 10B). The lever member 25 and the unattached end portion 28 are free to move further in an upward direction away from the normal relaxed state and can be deflected away from the floor 122 of the body 5, which can result in resistance to the return of the lever member 25 to its normal relaxed state when the lever member 25 is deflected upward, as described below. When the two-piece spring 130 pushes or contacts the lever member 25 to the above-mentioned deflected state, the lever member 25 can act against the two-piece spring 130, increasing the spring force of the two-piece spring 130. This is particularly the case when the two-piece spring 130 flexes upward, away from the floor 122, and contacts the lever member 25, and more specifically when the two-piece spring 130 interacts with a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object.

[0017] As can be seen in FIG. 1A, protruding member 36 also extends from the side of lever member 25. Protruding member 36 is positioned substantially above lower spring member 133 and can engage lower spring member 133 and further provides overstress protection to lower spring member 133, and generally two-piece spring 130, as described in more detail below (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A, 2A, 5, 6A, and 8A). Protruding member 36 moves freely and unimpeded in the movement of lever member 25 as lever member 25 moves from its normally relaxed state to a flexed state in a downward stroke toward two-piece spring 130 and floor 122 of body 5. Protruding member 36 is preferably substantially rectangular, circular, trapezoidal, or the like (see FIG. 6A), but is not limited thereto in its profile or shape. Furthermore, relative to the side of the lever member 25 from which the protruding member 35 extends, the protruding member 36 extends at an opposite side and at a different portion of the lever member 25 and has a different orientation relative to the side of the lever member 25 from which the protruding member 35 extends, and more specifically, when comparing their positions along the lever member 25, the protruding member 36 is closer to the attached end portion 30 and the protruding member 35 is closer to the unattached end portion 28 (see Figures 4, 6A and 8A). The protruding members 36 and the protruding members 35 are positioned along the lever member 25, where the protruding members 36 and the protruding members 35 are not mirror images or directly opposed, and therefore do not have their portions that are mirror images or directly opposed, respectively, and therefore the portions of the protruding members 36 and the protruding members 35 do not overlap along the length of the female electrical terminal 1 (see Figures 2A, 2B).

[0018] As can also be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, 2A and 2B, the wire fastening 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 forward portion 51 of the wire fastening portion 3 and behind the body 5. When the female electrical terminal 1 is fully inserted into the connector assembly 90, the space or transition area 50 is thereby available to accommodate a terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300 therein to ensure that the female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured and correctly positioned within the connector assembly 90 (see FIG. 2C). Furthermore, the terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300, when located substantially behind the body 5, can additionally prevent the female electrical terminal 1 from being removable, removed, slidably removable or slidably removed from the connector assembly 90 during use and operation (see, for example, FIG. 2C).

[0019] 2D is a cross-sectional view showing a surface area located on a rear portion of the lower spring member 133 of the female electrical terminal 1. Specifically, a surface area of ​​the rear portion of the lower spring member 133 of the body 5 can engage with a terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300. In operation, the rear portion of the lower spring member 133 provides an additional interface area or interference surface where the female electrical terminal 1 interacts and / or contacts and thereby interferes with the TPA device 300 when the TPA device 300 is inserted into the space or transition area 50, further ensuring that the female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured and correctly positioned within the connector assembly 90, while preventing the female electrical terminal 1 from being removable, removed, slidably removable or slidably removed from the connector assembly 90 during use and operation (see, e.g., FIG. 2C ).

[0020] Shown in Figures 3A and 3B are top and bottom views, respectively, of the female electrical terminal 1 showing the body 5 and wire fastening portion 3 integrally connected and formed together substantially along the length of the female electrical terminal 1.

[0021] Also shown in each of Figures 4A and 4B is a forward portion 51 of the wire clamping portion 3. The forward portion 51 of the wire clamping portion 3 includes a space or transition area 50 above the neck member 52, as described above. More specifically, the neck member 52 has a narrow tapered shape that narrowly tapers from the wire clamping portion 3 along the length of the female electrical terminal 1 toward the body 5 where it narrows and meets the body 5. The narrow tapered shape of the neck member 52 of the forward portion 51 also prevents the entire wire core portion 110 of the electrical wire or cable 100 from being seated or attached on and within the neck member 52. Preferably, the narrow tapered shape of the neck member 52 of the wire clamping portion 3 allows only a forward 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 tapered shape of neck member 52 further prevents wire core portion 110 from substantially entering space or transition area 50, which is available to receive TPA device 300 therein to ensure that female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured, and properly positioned when inserted into connector assembly 90, as previously described (see FIG. 2C). Thus, at this time, only the forward portion of wire core portion 110 enters or protrudes into space or transition area 50, and wire core portion 110 does not interfere with or prevent receipt of TPA device 300 therein.

[0022] Shown in Fig. 4 are the tongue member 15 and its attached end 30 and unattached end portion 28 of the lever member 25. As explained above with reference to Figs. 2A and 2B, Fig. 4 further shows a protruding member 35 at the unattached end portion 28 of the lever member 25 that can impinge against another protruding member 37 extending from the body 5 (more specifically, extending from the lower portion 250 of the body 5) to prevent the lever member 25 from deforming when the lever member 25 is flexed. The structural arrangement described herein protects the lever member 25 from being overstressed (and thereby preventing it from deforming, deflecting too much, or failing to lock the terminal with the connector assembly 90) when the lever member 25 is forced downwardly toward the lower portion 250 of the body 5 and the two-piece spring 130 as the female electrical terminal 1 enters or slidably enters the connector assembly 90.

[0023] As further shown in Figure 4, the attached end portion 30 of the lever member 25 is attached to the upper portion 200a of the body 5 (see also Figure 8B). Also shown in Figure 4 is an opening 113 through the side member 121 of the body 5 that receives the support member 115 of the upper guide member 105 therein for support, as will be explained more fully below (see, e.g., Figures 5A, 5B).

[0024] The front opening 125 of the body 5 is shown in FIG. 5A. The front opening 125 is defined by the front end portion 200 and has a floor 122, a side member 103, a side member 121 and an upper guide member 105. As mentioned above, the side member 121 includes an opening 113 for receiving the support member 115 of the upper guide member 105 through the side member 121. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the opening 113 substantially receives the support member 115 therein. The support member 115 extends integrally from the upper guide member 105 in a direction perpendicular to the length of the female electrical terminal 1. The support member 115 ensures that the upper guide member 105 remains properly oriented and stably supported by the body 5 and the front opening 125 within the body 5 and the front opening 125. Support member 115 also prevents deformation of front opening 125 and provides a stable orientation of front end portion 200, floor 122, side members 103, 121 relative to upper guide member 105 to further ensure that the shape, polarity or orientation of body 5 is not disturbed by the insertion of a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object (not shown). Also shown in Figure 5B is a substantially hump-shaped member 120 extending upwardly from floor 122, which will be further described in more detail below.

[0025] 5A and 5B is a passageway PW extending through the length of the female electrical terminal 1 and body 5 and defined by the space bounded by the front opening 125, the front end portion 200 (which defines the front opening 125 as described above), and the inner surface of the lower portion 250 of the body 5. The passageway PW is thus capable of accommodating a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object therein.

[0026] The relationship between the substantially hump-like member 120 and the two-piece spring 130 is shown in FIG. 6A, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. 1B. Also shown in FIG. 6A is the upper guide member 105 of the front end portion 200 of the body 5. The upper guide member 105 is comprised of a first substantially horizontal portion 105a, a substantially inclined portion 105b, and a second substantially horizontal portion 105c. The above-mentioned portions of the upper guide member 105 form and act as a guide mechanism to direct, orient, and / or "self-correct" a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, into the forward opening 125 and passageway PW of the female electrical terminal 1. More specifically, the lower surface of the upper guide member 105 extends from the front opening 125 of the body 5 substantially along the upper portion of the passage PW in the direction of the length of each of the female electrical terminals 1 toward the two-piece spring 130 of the female electrical terminals 1 and defines the upper portion of the passage PW (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A). As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a first substantially horizontal portion 105a extends from the front opening 125 and defines an upper surface of the front opening 125 and a front portion of the passage PW, a second substantially inclined portion 105b further defines the passage PW, and a third substantially horizontal portion 105c similarly defines the passage PW. More specifically, the upper guide member 105 guides a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object (not shown) from the front end portion 200 of the body 5 at the front opening 125, further guides the object towards the two-piece spring 130, and / or further guides the object towards the substantially hump-like member 120 extending from the floor 122 and respective lower spring members 133, and towards / into the space 160, thereby longitudinally directing, orienting, and / or "self-correcting" the male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, through the passage PW. A male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object (not shown) as described herein is inserted by entering or slidably entering into the passage PW of the female electrical terminal 1.As the male pin or terminal, or even a “blade-like” object (not shown) is inserted further lengthwise into the passage PW, it is fixed or impinged and clamped between the two-piece spring 130 and the substantially knobby member 120 and within the space 160, and is further subjected to the spring force of the two-piece spring 130. As the male pin or terminal, or even a “blade-like” object (not shown) continues to enter further or slidably into the passage PW, the male pin or terminal, or even a “blade-like” object may no longer contact the upper guide member 105 when it is substantially flush with the top surface of the substantially knobby member 120 or oriented perpendicular to the top surface of the substantially knobby member 120. More specifically, a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object (not shown) may not contact the first substantially horizontal portion 105a, the second substantially inclined portion 105b, respectively (and may not contact the third substantially horizontal portion 105c, depending on the size of the male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object) when the male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, is oriented substantially flush with or perpendicular to the top surface of the substantially hump-like member 120. Furthermore, it is preferred that an end or tip of a male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object (not shown) does not enter within the gap or space formed between the third substantially horizontal portion 105c and the two-piece spring 130 when inserted at an angle to the length of the pin. Additionally, the male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object (not shown), may be further oriented during its initial insertion into the female electrical terminal 1, wherein the end or tip of the male pin or terminal, or even a "blade-like" object, when within the passage PW, may or may not contact the underside of the upper guide member 105.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 6A, the two-piece spring 130 has an upper spring member 131 and a lower spring member 133. The two-piece spring 130 extends substantially longitudinally along the female electrical terminal 1 from the rear end portion 210 of the body 5 toward the front end portion 200 of the body 5. As in Fig. 6A, the lower spring member 133 extends longitudinally longer and / or farther than the upper spring member 131, and similarly reaches further toward the front end portion 200 of the body 5 and substantially above the hump-shaped member 120.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 6A, the upper spring member 131 extends partially above the lower spring member 133 along the lower spring member 133. As can be further seen in Fig. 6A, the upper spring member 131 can contact the lower spring member 133 at a location located on the lower spring member 133 substantially toward the front end portion 200 of the body, and more specifically, at a location located in front of the portion of the lower spring member 133 above the substantially hump-shaped member 120. Furthermore, the sloped portion of the upper spring member 131 extends toward the floor 122 of the body 5 and is substantially sloped. This substantially angled portion of the upper spring member 131, in the undeflected position, preferably does not substantially contact the lower spring member 133, except in a whole or partial manner at a single location, and, less preferably, the substantially angled portion of the upper spring member 131 may not contact the lower spring member 133 at all. Furthermore, in the deflected position, the upper spring member 131 may be in whole or partial contact and slidable contact with the similarly deflected lower spring member 133, providing a spring force together with the spring force of the lower spring member 133, resulting in a combined spring force provided by both the lower and upper spring members, respectively, and thereby the entire two-piece spring 130 (as shown in FIGS. 6A, 8B).

[0029] As further evidence of the relationship described above, when the lower spring member 133 and the upper spring member 131 are in contact in an undeflected state, an initial spring force is apparent as the spring forces of both the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 applying their respective spring forces together or together and / or as a whole and acting against a male pin or male terminal inserted into the female electrical terminal 1, or even a "blade-like" object (not shown). In contrast, when the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 are not in contact in their respective undeflected states, the initial applied spring force is manifested simply as the spring force of the lower spring member 133 as it deflects until it first makes or comes into contact with the upper spring member 131, whereby the upper spring member 131 applies a spring force against the lower spring member 133 and against a male pin or terminal or even a “blade-like” object, either together or collectively, and / or as a whole.

[0030] As can be further seen in FIG. 6A, a portion of the lower spring member 133, while in a normally relaxed, unflexed state, is inclined substantially downwardly into the lower portion 250 of the body 5 and into the passage PW, toward the floor 122 of the body 5. The portion of the lower spring member 133 is movable substantially unimpeded in an upward direction away from the floor 122 within the passage PW. Another portion of the lower spring member 133 is impeded by the upper spring member 131 as a result of the lower spring member 133 contacting the upper spring member 131, but moves upwardly simultaneously with and against the upper spring member 131. More specifically, when a male pin or terminal (not shown) is inserted into the passage PW, the two-piece spring 130 moves from its normally relaxed state to a flexed state, and the substantially unimpeded portion of the lower spring member 133 is further able to substantially exit the passage PW. Thus, the two-piece spring 130 exerts its spring force against and / or against the male pin or terminal or even the "blade-like" object in a direction to return it to its normal undeflected state. The two-piece spring 130 moves further upward, away from the floor 122, toward the lever member 25 at the substantially unimpeded portion of the lower spring member 133. Thus, the two-piece spring 130 may continue to move substantially unimpeded until its travel is limited by the lower spring member 133 when the two-piece spring 130 contacts the protruding member 36 of the lever member 25. Further, the lever member 25 may be stationary or immobile or prevented from moving away from the floor 122 (e.g., by potential contact with the connector assembly 90), whereby the protruding member 36 provides protection against overstress to the lower spring member 133, and thus to the two-piece spring 130.In operation and / or when the female electrical terminal 1 is within the connector assembly 90, the lever member 25 is preferably in a normal, undeflected state when the lower spring member 133 begins to interact with a male pin or terminal (not shown) thereby providing a substantially unimpeded maximum distance of travel of the two-piece spring 130 in an upward direction away from the floor 122 to fully accommodate the size of the male pin or terminal (not shown) and prevent the two-piece spring 130 from contacting the lever member 25. In situations where the lever member 25 is further movable away from the floor 122 and is not stationary or immobile or prevented from moving in a direction away from the floor 122 (e.g., contact with the connector assembly 90), the lever member 25 is further movable upwardly away from its normal, undeflected state. Thus, when the two-piece spring 130 contacts the lever member 25 when in the position described above, the resulting contact between the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 and the projection member 36 or portion of the lever member 25 results in a resilient force of the lever member 25 being applied in addition to and added to the spring force of the two-piece spring 130 as the lever member 25 deflects away from its normally relaxed state and away from the floor 122. Specifically, the lever member 25 thereby increases the spring force of the lower spring member 133, and thus of the two-piece spring 130 as a whole, when the lower spring member 133 fully or partially contacts the lever member 25. More specifically, in the above-described circumstances, the elastic force applied by lever member 25 in the direction returning it to its normal relaxed state is in a direction opposite to the movement of end portion 135 of lower spring member 133 when it contacts lever member 25 and / or protruding member 36, thereby increasing the spring force of two-piece spring 130 directed downwardly toward floor 122, i.e., a male pin or male terminal below two-piece spring 130, or even a "blade-like" object, and more specifically, toward apex A of two-piece spring 130, as described below.

[0031] As further shown in FIG. 6A, the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 includes a substantially curved portion 137 that curves toward an apex A and is directed downwardly toward the substantially hump-shaped member 120 (see FIG. 5B). When a male pin or terminal (not shown) enters the passageway PW through the front opening 125, it is secured or impinged between the substantially curved portion 137 and the substantially hump-shaped member 120 and within the space 160. The space 160 that accommodates the male pin or terminal (not shown) is defined by the distance between the substantially curved portion 137 and the top surface of the hump-shaped member 120 that is substantially parallel to the floor 122 of the lower portion 250 of the body 5. The space 160 is enlarged or expanded as the two-piece spring 130 moves in an upward direction away from the floor 122 while further interacting with the male pin or terminal (not shown). As the two-piece spring 130 moves in an upward direction away from the floor 122, this increases the distance between the substantially curved portion 137 and the top surface of the hump-like member 120, thus increasing the space 160. The substantially curved portion 137 provides a single point of contact between the two-piece spring 130 and an inserted male pin or terminal (not shown) at its apex A, preferably within the space 160. The apex A of the substantially curved portion 137 is positioned, oriented and substantially fixed at a location centered above, centrally and across the substantially hump-like member 120, allowing the spring force of the two-piece spring 130 to act on and against the respective male pin or terminal when the respective male pin or terminal is inserted or within the space 160.

[0032] As also shown in FIG. 6A, positioned above the upper spring member 131 is the upper retainer member 140. The ends of the upper retainer member 140 are substantially connected to the body 5 at two points (one end is connected to the side member 121 of the body 5 and one end is at the upper body 210a at the rear end portion 210) (see FIG. 6A, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B). The upper retainer member 140 has a substantially U-shaped portion as its bottom portion 142, which partially contacts and abuts the upper spring member 131 (see also FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B). As can be seen in FIG. 6A, the upper retainer member 140 provides a substantially rigid and elastic surface that abuts the upper spring member 131, ensuring that the folded structure of the two-piece spring 130 is maintained and that contact between the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 is maintained. 7 and 8A, the upper retaining member 140 prevents and maintains the upper spring member 131 from unfolding, spreading, substantially separating, or deforming from a horizontal, preferably substantially parallel, orientation with the lower spring member 133 above the lower portion 250 of the body 5. The upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 can be oriented to be in total or partial contact. Additionally, the upper retaining member 140 maintains the folded configuration of the two-piece spring 130 by preventing the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 from unfolding, spreading, substantially separating, or deforming when the two-piece spring 130 is in a normal undeflected state or in a deflected state in which a spring force is applied against a male pin or terminal (not shown).

[0033] As shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 6B, the front tip 150 of the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 is aligned with or above the underside 155 of the second horizontal portion 105c of the upper guide member 105. This orientation ensures that a male pin or terminal (not shown) passing through the front opening 125 is effectively guided by the upper guide member 105 and the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 along the substantially curved portion 137 and through the space 160 between the curved portion 137 of the lower spring 133 and the substantially hump-shaped member 120 (see also Figure 6A). Furthermore, the front tip 150 of the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 is aligned with or above the underside 155 of the second horizontal portion 105c of the upper guide member 105, thereby preventing the lower spring member 133 from being struck or oriented such that when a male pin or male terminal is inserted at an angle to the length of the female electrical terminal 1, the male pin or male terminal will undesirably pass between the underside 155 of the second horizontal portion 105c and the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 and / or through the gap or space formed between the aforementioned portions.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 of the two-piece spring 130 are integral with each other and are connected and bent up and down by curved side members 170, 133a, with the upper spring member 131 above the lower spring member 133. Under the upper retainer member 140, the two-piece spring 130 is preferably substantially parallel to the floor 122 along the length of the female electrical terminal 1 (see also FIG. 6A). The upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 can also be oriented to be in full or partial contact with the floor 122 along the length of the female electrical terminal 1. As further shown in FIG. 7, the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 are integrally connected by the curved side members 170 of the two-piece spring member 130 (see also FIG. 8A). The curved side member 170 is at least partially received within a window or opening 180 in the body 5. Also shown in Figure 7 is a curved side 133a of the body 5 that integrally connects the lower spring member 133 to the lower portion 250 of the body 5 (see also Figure 8B). The curved side member 170 and the curved side 133a can further affect the resulting spring force of the two-piece spring 130, allowing the resulting spring force of the two-piece spring 130 to be further varied or optimized depending on aspects such as the thickness, length or curvature radius of both the curved side member 170 and / or the curved side 133a, respectively.

[0035] As noted above, portions of the lower spring member 133 are allowed to move unimpeded in an upward direction away from the floor 122 until the portions of the lower spring member 133 contact the protruding member 36 of the lever member 25. Preferably, the two-piece spring 130 is initially deflected in an upward direction away from the floor 122 by a male pin or terminal (not shown), which preferably occurs initially when the lever member 25 is in its normal, undeflected orientation, allowing the lower spring member 133 to travel the maximum distance between the floor 122 and the protruding member 36. The lower spring member 133 has an upper body 200a and an end portion 135 which is the portion of the lower spring member 133 that protrudes or angles upwardly toward the lever member 25. Upward movement of the lower spring member 133 and end portion 135 away from the floor 122 will eventually result in the end portion 135 being substantially near or touching / contacting the protruding member 36 of the lever member 25, thereby limiting the upward travel of the two-piece spring 130, where the lever member 25 is stationary or immobile or prevented from moving away from the floor 122. In the above example, the resulting contact between the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 and a portion of the protruding member 36 prevents the end portion 135, and therefore the lower spring member 133 and upper spring member 131, from being further movable, overstressed, or substantially deformed upward when the female terminal 1 is mated with a male pin or terminal (not shown). This therefore prevents the two-piece spring 130 from being overstressed or substantially deformed, and the two-piece spring 130 can return to an undeflected state if or when the male pin or terminal is then further removed from the female electrical terminal 1. Furthermore, as noted above, in situations where the lever member 25 is further movable away from the floor 122 and is not stationary or immobile, but instead movable and unhindered, the lever member 25 can further move upwardly away from the floor 122 and / or simultaneously with the two-piece spring 130.Then, contact between the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 and a portion of the protruding member 36 may further result, resulting in an elastic force being applied by the lever member 25 to the lower spring member 133. The elastic force applied by the lever member 25 to the end portion 135 of the lower spring member 133 thus increases the spring force of the two-piece spring 130.

[0036] 8B are both the front end portion 200 and the rear end portion 210 of the body 5, each having a first support member 215 and a second support member 220. More specifically, the upper portion 200a at the front end portion 200 of the body 5 includes the first support member 215, while the upper portion 210a at the rear end portion 210 of the 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 body 5. A gap 240 can separate the second support member 220 from the lower portion 250 of the 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 resiliently pressed downwards through the gaps 230, 240 toward the lower portion 250 of the body 5, respectively, and can substantially contact the lower portion 250 of the body 5, thereby eliminating the gaps 230, 240. On the other hand, the gaps 230, 240 may not be present before the female electrical terminal 1 enters the connector assembly 90, in which case the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 are in full contact with the lower portion 250 of the body 5. With the structural arrangement described above, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 provide structural resilience and rigidity to the body 5 by providing their available interface surface facing the lower portion 250 of the body 5, and provide support for the upper portions 200a, 210a of the body. In that regard, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 prevent the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention from being overstressed or deformed, both when mated within the connector assembly 90 and during use (see Figures 10A, 10B).

[0037] 9 shows an exemplary electrical wire or cable 100 having a wire core portion 110 and a wire insulation portion 120 received on the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention. The priority or order of receiving the wire insulation portion 120 and the wire core portion 110 of the electrical wire or cable 100 with the female electrical terminal 1 is not limited to one embodiment of the wire fastening portion 3. The wire fastening portion 3 shown in the present invention is one such embodiment of the wire fastening portion 3, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. However, as noted above, the wire fastening portion 3 may be of the bendable crimp or clamp type as shown, but may also be of the insulation displacement contact (IDC) type or other similarly formed wire fastening means that is integrally formed with the rear portion and preferably extends substantially with or along the length of the female electrical terminal 1, and more specifically extends from the rear portion of the body 3 of the female electrical terminal 1, and is preferably capable of interacting with the wire insulation portion 120 and 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. Additionally, as noted, fastening of the electrical wire or cable 100 to the female electrical terminal 1 may include means for forming a secure and electrically conductive wire fastening, including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, and / or other similar means. The present invention is not further limited to the step of inserting the electric wire or cable 100, where 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 characteristics of the wire fastening portion 3.

[0038] After or upon securely attaching or inserting the electrical wire or cable 100 having its wire insulation portion 120 and wire core portion 110 into the female electrical terminal 1 by the wire fastening means of the wire fastening portion 3 to the female electrical terminal 1, the female electrical terminal 1 is then ready to be inserted into a connector assembly 90 or the like, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B.

[0039] 10A shows the female electrical terminal 1 in a pre-locked position during insertion into a connector assembly 90 or the like, with the female electrical terminal 1 shown in a front view. As shown in FIG. 10A, the female electrical terminal has been inserted into a corresponding connector assembly 90, and the lever member 25 is positively pressed downwardly, either by contact with the connector assembly 90 or by a user or device, thereby allowing the female electrical terminal 1 to move further into and be inserted further into the connector assembly 90. As discussed above and seen in FIG. 10A, during insertion of the female electrical terminal 1 into the connector assembly 90, the protruding members 35, 37 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2B, 5 and 8A) and the first and second support members 215, 220 (see, e.g., FIG. 8B) prevent or protect at least the lever member 25, the body 5 and the female electrical terminal 1 from being substantially overstressed or deformed, and further maintain the proper orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal 1, as described further below.

[0040] Figure 10B shows female electrical terminal 1 fully inserted within connector assembly 90. As shown in Figure 10B, lever member 25 is retracted upwardly to a normal relaxed state and is preferably locked or secured at unattached end portion 28 by a member (not shown) within connector assembly 90. After this or at this point, TPA device 300 can then be received within space 50 located above neck member 52 and behind body 5, as previously described (see, e.g., Figure 2C), thereby ensuring that female electrical terminal 1 remains locked, secured and properly positioned within connector assembly 90.

[0041] Further, as in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the upper portions 200a, 210a and lower portion 250 of the body 5 are polarized or oriented to ensure correct orientation of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention for precise insertion and engagement within the upper and lower portions 90a and 90b, respectively, of the connector assembly 90.

[0042] Also shown in Figures 10A and 10B are the upper and lower portions 90a and 90b of the connector assembly 90, etc. The orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention is such that when the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention is oriented, inserted and mated with 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 respectively received by the upper portion 90a of the connector assembly 90, while the lower portion 250 of the body 5 (see Figure 8B) is respectively received by the lower portion 90b of the connector assembly 90. The structural orientation or polarity shown in Figures 10A and 10B of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention is such that the upper portions 200a, 210a of the body 5 reside or are mated within the narrower upper portion 90a. Further, here, the upper portion 200a and the upper portion 210a are offset to one side compared to the lower portion 250 of the main 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, such structural orientation or polarity of the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention when inserted or mated into the connector assembly 90 is not limited thereto. That is, the female electrical terminal 1 of the present invention can have the upper portions 200a, 210a of the main body 5 and the upper portion 90a of the connector assembly 90 that are wider compared to the lower portion 250 of the main body 5 and the lower portion 90b of the connector assembly 90 when oriented, inserted, and mated with the connector assembly 90 (not shown). Similarly, the upper portions 200a, 210a may be centered (not shown) or offset (FIGS. 10A, 10B) relative to the lower portion 250 of the body 5 while the female electrical terminal 1 is mated (not shown) to the connector assembly 90. The polarity or orientation of the female electrical terminal 1 and the connector assembly 90 are substantially similar, thereby allowing them to be mated substantially together.

[0043] It should be noted that while the above description is of preferred embodiments of the invention, 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 invention. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention can be used with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.

Claims

1. 1. A female electrical terminal for insertion into a connector assembly, comprising: Wire fastening part; A main body attached to the wire fastening portion characterised in that The body further comprises a spring member; the body further includes a tongue member above the spring member, the tongue member including a lever member; the tongue member further features an overstress protection mechanism including a first protruding member extending from the lever member of the tongue member and positioned substantially above the spring member, a second protruding member extending from the body, and a third protruding member extending from a side of the lever member; the spring member is a two-piece spring having an upper spring member and a lower spring member; the upper spring member and the lower spring member are integral with each other and connected by curved side members and bent up and down, the upper spring member being above the lower spring member; The protection mechanism against overstress is When the lever member is bent, the first protruding member and the second protruding member come into contact with each other, thereby preventing deformation of the lever member and providing protection against overstress to the lever member; The female electrical terminal, wherein when the two-piece spring is deflected, the two-piece spring contacts the third protruding member, thereby providing overstress protection for the two-piece spring.

2. A female electrical terminal as described in claim 1, wherein when the female electrical terminal enters a connector assembly, the first protruding member and the second protruding member abut each other while the female electrical terminal enters the connector assembly.

3. 2. The female electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein said tongue member is comprised of said lever member, said lever member having an unattached end portion and an attached end portion.

4. the unattached end portion is characterized by a substantially U-shaped cross section; 4. The female electrical terminal of claim 3, wherein said attached end portion is substantially L-shaped in cross section.

5. the unattached end portion of the lever member including the first projection member extending therefrom; 5. The female electrical terminal of claim 4, wherein the body includes the second projecting member extending therefrom, and the first and second projecting members substantially contact one another upon downward movement of the lever member as the female electrical terminal enters the connector assembly.

6. 2. The female electrical terminal according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a support member at either a front end portion or a rear end portion of the body for supporting the body.

7. 2. The female electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein an end portion of said lower spring member is positioned substantially adjacent a front end portion and an opening of said body.

8. 8. The female electrical terminal of claim 7, wherein the body further includes a substantially hump-shaped member extending from a floor substantially adjacent the opening of the body below the end portion of the lower spring member, allowing a male pin or male terminal entering the opening of the body to be guided and substantially secured or impacted between the lower spring member and the substantially hump-shaped member.

9. 9. The female electrical terminal of claim 8, wherein the body further includes an upper guide member that guides the male pin or terminal from the opening in the body toward a space between the lower spring member and the substantially hump-shaped member so that the male pin or terminal is substantially secured or impinged between the lower spring member and the substantially hump-shaped member.

10. 10. The female electrical terminal of claim 9, wherein said upper guide member includes a first substantially horizontal portion, a second substantially angled portion, and a third substantially horizontal portion.

11. 2. The female electrical terminal of claim 1 further characterized by a retainer member abutting said upper spring member to provide at least stiffness to said two-piece spring.

12. A female electrical terminal for insertion into a connector assembly, comprising: Wire fastening part; a main body attached to the wire fastening portion; a spring member included in the body; a tongue member contained in said body above said spring member; and the tongue member includes a lever member and a first protruding member located substantially above the spring member, the tongue member includes a lever member and the first protruding member extends from the body, and the second protruding member extends from the body, and the third protruding member extends from a side of the lever member, when the female electrical terminal is fitted into the connector assembly, an upper portion of the female electrical terminal and a lower portion of the female electrical terminal are fitted into the upper portion of the connector assembly and the lower portion of the connector assembly, respectively, and the upper portion and the lower portion of the female electrical terminal have different widths; the spring member is a two-piece spring having an upper spring member and a lower spring member; the upper spring member and the lower spring member are integral with each other and connected by curved side members and bent up and down, the upper spring member being above the lower spring member; The protection mechanism against overstress is When the lever member is bent, the first protruding member and the second protruding member come into contact with each other, thereby preventing deformation of the lever member and providing protection against overstress to the lever member; 20. The female electrical terminal of claim 19, wherein when said two-piece spring is deflected, said two-piece spring contacts said third protruding member, thereby providing overstress protection for said two-piece spring.

13. 13. The female electrical terminal inserted into the connector assembly of claim 12, 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 that fits within the upper portion of the connector assembly is narrower than the width of the lower portion of the body that fits within the lower portion of the connector assembly.

14. 13. The female electrical terminal for insertion into the connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the body includes the lever member having an unattached end portion and an attached end portion, the unattached end portion of the lever member including the first protruding member extending therefrom, and the body includes the second protruding member extending therefrom, the first protruding member and the second protruding member substantially contacting each other upon downward movement of the lever member as the female electrical terminal enters the connector assembly, preventing the female electrical terminal from being overstressed and deformed when mated into the connector assembly.

15. 13. The female electrical terminal to be inserted into the connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the body includes a support member at either the front or rear end portion thereof for supporting the body, and the support member at either the front or rear end portion of the body provides elastic force at either the front or rear end portion of the body, thereby preventing the female electrical terminal from being subjected to excessive stress and deformation when fitted into the connector assembly.

16. the body having the floor defining the opening, a pair of side members, and the upper guide member; the upper guide member is provided integrally with one of the pair of side members, the other of the pair of side members includes an opening that accommodates a support member extending from the upper guide member therein; 10. The female electrical terminal according to claim 9, wherein the upper guide member is supported by the other of the pair of side members by the support member being housed in the opening.

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