Electrical female terminal

Abstract

An electric female terminal for connecting with a connector assembly generally includes a body, a two-body spring, and a wire retainer. A projection extends from the unattached end of the lever member, the projections having surfaces angled relative to one another to effectively bias the lever member upward when the projection interacts with an internal projection of the housing or connector assembly. An upper portion of the retainer member of the electric female terminal, located above the two-body spring, has a dimpled portion. The terminal face or tip of the electric female terminal prevents damaging or cutting the silicone seal. The overstress mechanism of the tongue member of the lever is improved by repositioning and reshaping its projection member. The cross-sectional profile or shape across the upper portion at the front end of the body of the electric female terminal and the support member is generally U-shaped. The cross-sectional profile or shape across the attached end of the lever member of the electric female terminal is also generally U-shaped. The electric female terminal is formed as a continuous and adjacent single structure having at least the body, the two-body spring, and the wire fixing portion, and / or the lever member (tang member) contained therein, together with a neck member joining the body and the wire fixing portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This is a PCT application filed for U.S. Continuation-in-Part (CIP) Application No. 17 / 575,423, filed January 13, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 401,869, filed August 13, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 209,796, filed June 11, 2021, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] The electric female terminal desirably has a structural arrangement or configuration including an overstress protection portion using a support member to prevent undesired deformation of the electric female terminal, a shape having an orientation or polarity of the electric female terminal as defined by the body, a wire securing mechanism using a wire securing portion of the electric female terminal to secure a wire, a locking feature using a tang member to secure the electric female terminal and ensure that the electric female terminal is locked within the housing, a spring mechanism using a two-body spring to efficiently and resiliently connect the male pin or male terminal or additional "serrated" object to the electric female terminal, and a guide mechanism using a guide member to guide the male pin or male terminal or additional "serrated" object into the electric female terminal and "self-correct." Furthermore, the electric female terminal of the present invention is capable of housing and receiving a TPA device in a space located above its wire securing portion and at the rear of the body.

[0003] Furthermore, the two-body spring of the present invention is "two-body" in that the application or orientation uses a lower spring member and an upper spring member. Preferably, the lower spring member and the upper spring member operate simultaneously or together and collectively to apply or act on a male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object, when one of such aforementioned objects is inserted into a female electrical terminal. The lower spring member extends along the length of the pin and further downward than the upper spring member and toward the floor of the body. The upper and lower spring members are integrally structured 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. A relationship is provided between the unbent orientations of the upper and lower spring members, which may or may not touch. When the lower and upper spring members are in contact in the unbent state, the initially applicable spring force appears as both the upper and lower spring members simultaneously or together and collectively applying their respective spring forces against the male pin or male terminal or further "serrated" object. In contrast, when the lower and upper spring members are not in contact in the unbent orientation, the initially applicable spring force against the male pin or male terminal or further "serrated" object appears as that of the lower spring member alone, i.e., until the lower spring member comes into contact with the upper spring member, thereby collectively applying a spring force against the lower spring, simultaneously or together, and against the male pin or male terminal or further "serrated" object. Furthermore, in one example of the present invention, as the spring moves upward, the lower spring member may bend and contact the tongue member, which may provide resistance to the upward movement of the lower spring member, thereby applying a resilient force against that upward movement, thus increasing the overall spring force of the spring.The above-described spring orientation is provided to efficiently and resiliently connect and secure the electrofemale terminal to a male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object, as needed and / or during operation.

[0004] The shape of the electrical female terminal of the present invention is maintained and guaranteed, and is provided for connecting the electrical female terminal with a corresponding connector assembly, which preferably has openings with the same orientation or polarity as that of the electrical female terminal for proper mating and connection therewith.

[0005] Such an electrocautery terminal is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0066836, issued to the present applicant and published on March 4, 2021. The electrocautery terminal herein improves upon the teachings of the electrocautery terminal disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0066836.

[0006] It is further desirable in the electrical female terminal of the present invention that a protrusion extend from the unattached end of the lever member, the protrusion having surfaces that are angled relative to one another to effectively bias the lever member upward when the protrusion interacts with an internal protrusion of the housing or connector assembly, which in turn makes it more difficult to remove the electrical female terminal of the present invention from the housing or connector assembly, thereby protecting the electrical female terminal against dislodging during use.

[0007] It is also desirable that the upper part of the retaining member of the electric female terminal of the present invention, which is positioned above the double-body spring, has a dimple portion so as to increase the number of contact portions with the upper spring of the double-body spring in order to increase the rigidity of the double-body spring.

[0008] It is also desirable to provide a recessed upper surface and a recessed lower surface to prevent the terminal face or tip of the electrical female terminal from damaging or severing the silicone seal that seals the connector assembly from environmental contaminants during connection thereto.

[0009] To improve the overstress mechanism of the tongue member of the lever member, it is further desirable that the overstress mechanism including the protruding member be located in the middle or central portion of the tongue member. Such a structural arrangement improves interaction with the tip of the tongue member when the electrical female terminal of the present invention is in use. Furthermore, the overstress mechanism of the tongue member includes a protruding member having a lower edge that is generally flat or extends along a generally horizontal direction to improve quality control during the manufacture of the electrical female terminal (i.e., to make it easier to measure its structural and functional characteristics).

[0010] The cross-sectional shape of the electric female terminal from the upper portion at the front end of the body to the support member is generally U-shaped. The cross-sectional shape of the electric female terminal from the portion where the lever member is attached is also generally U-shaped.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, the electric female terminal is formed as a single, contiguous, and continuous structure in substantially its entirety. That is, the electric female terminal of the present invention is formed as a single, contiguous, and continuous structure, including, but not limited to, at least the body, the two-body spring, and the wire retaining portion and / or the lever member (or tang member) along with their contiguous and continuous portions, i.e., the neck member joining the body and the wire retaining portion. Furthermore, no portion or section of the electric female terminal of the present invention is welded, soldered, or brazed to the electric female terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The present invention provides an electrical female terminal for connecting with a male pin or terminal or additional "serrated" object, and for connecting and locking with a connector assembly. The electrical female terminal generally includes a body, a two-body spring, and a wire retainer.

[0013] The body of the electrical female terminal has a generally box-like shape or configuration, thereby forming a portion of the body in a box-like orientation. The body generally includes upper and lower body sections, a tang member, and a two-body spring. The tang member includes a lever member that locks the electrical female terminal within the connector assembly. The lever member has a protruding member that contacts another protruding member extending from the body when the lever member is bent. Either protruding member acts as overstress protection for the lever member, i.e., preventing or protecting the lever member from becoming deformed when the electrical female terminal is connected to the connector assembly. The other protruding member extends from the lever member to protect the two-body spring from being overstressed. The body also includes support members at both its front and rear ends that prevent overstress and deformation of the electrical female terminal.

[0014] Additionally, protrusions extend from the unattached end of the lever member, the protrusions having surfaces angled relative to one another to effectively bias the lever member upward when the protrusions interact with internal protrusions of the housing or connector assembly, which in turn makes it more difficult to remove the electrical female terminal of the present invention from the housing or connector assembly, thereby protecting the electrical female terminal against dislodging during use.

[0015] The upper part of the retaining member of the electric female terminal of the present invention, which is positioned above the double-body spring, has a dimple portion so as to increase the number of contact portions with the upper spring of the double-body spring in order to increase the rigidity of the double-body spring.

[0016] The terminal face or tip of the electrical female terminal is prevented from damaging or severing the silicone seal that seals the connector assembly from environmental contaminants during connection therewith by having a recessed upper surface and a recessed lower surface thereon.

[0017] To improve the overstress mechanism of the tongue member of the lever member, an overstress mechanism including a protruding member is disposed in the middle or central portion of the tongue member. Such a structural arrangement improves interaction with the tip of the tongue member when the electrical female terminal of the present invention is in use. Furthermore, the overstress mechanism of the tongue member includes a protruding member having a lower edge that is generally flat or extends along a generally horizontal direction to improve quality control during the manufacture of the electrical female terminal (i.e., to make it easier to measure its structural and functional characteristics).

[0018] The two-body spring essentially comprises two members disposed within the passage PW of the body and acting or operative to generate a spring force that can be applied to a male pin or terminal, or further "serrated" object, when one of such aforementioned objects is inserted into a female electrical terminal.

[0019] The electrical female terminals of the present invention also have an orientation or polarity that is maintained and guaranteed for proper mating within a corresponding connector assembly, which has an opening with a similar orientation or similar polarity that is also maintained for proper mating with the electrical female terminal.

[0020] Additionally, the front portion of the wire fixation portion is an electrocautery terminal having a neck member that transitions into the body of the electrocautery terminal with its space for receiving the TPA device.

[0021] The configuration or shape of a cross section taken through the upper portion and the support member at the front end of the body of the electric female terminal is generally U-shaped. The configuration or shape of a cross section taken through the portion of the electric female terminal to which the lever member is attached is also generally U-shaped.

[0022] Furthermore, in the present invention, the electric female terminal is formed as a single, contiguous, and continuous structure in substantially its entirety. That is, the electric female terminal of the present invention is formed as a single, contiguous, and continuous structure, including, but not limited to, at least the body, the two-body spring, and the wire retaining portion and / or the lever member (or tang member) along with their contiguous and continuous portions, i.e., the neck member joining the body and the wire retaining portion. Furthermore, no portion or section of the electric female terminal of the present invention is welded, soldered, or brazed to the electric female terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a front top perspective view of the electric female terminal of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a rear top perspective view of the electric female terminal of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the electric female terminal of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the electric female terminal of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 1 shows a terminal position assurance (TPA) device positioned within the space of an electrofemale terminal. [Figure 2D] 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2D-2D in FIG. 8B showing the surface area of ​​the electrocautery terminal that impinges on the terminal position assurance (TPA) device. [Figure 2E] 10 shows a protrusion extending from an unattached end of a lever member, said protrusion having surfaces that are angled relative to one another. [Figure 2F] 10 shows a protrusion extending from an unattached end of a lever member, said protrusion having surfaces that are angled relative to one another. [Figure 2G]A protrusion extending from the unattached end of the lever member is shown to encourage the lever member to deflect upwardly when interacting with an internal protrusion of the housing or connector assembly, making it more difficult for the electrical female terminal of the present invention to be removed from the housing or connector assembly, and to protect the electrical female terminal of the present invention from accidental disengagement during use. [Figure 2H] 1 is a right side elevational view of the electrical female terminal of the present invention showing the protruding member of the tang member of the lever member having a substantially flat or generally horizontally extending lower edge. FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the electrical female terminal of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational view of the electric female terminal of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a partial side elevational view of the electrical female terminal of the present invention showing the projection members extending from the lever member and from the body and support member of the upper guide member, respectively; FIG. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view of the electric female terminal of the present invention showing an alternative overstress mechanism by having the protruding member located approximately in the center or approximately in the middle of the tang member of the lever member. [Figure 5A] 1 shows an opening at the front end of the electrical female terminal and a guide member for entering therethrough and guiding a male terminal pin or male terminal into the passageway. [Figure 5B] 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A showing the opening at the front end and the guide member, and the lower spring member having a peak on its curved portion. [Figure 5C] 5C-5C is a cross-sectional view of the electric female terminal in FIG. 5A taken along line 5C-5C, showing the substantially U-shaped outer shape or form when cut along a cross section spanning the upper portion and support member at the front end of the body of the electric female terminal of the present invention. [Figure 5D]5D-5D is a cross-sectional view of the electric scalpel terminal of FIG. 5A taken along line 5D-5D, showing the substantially U-shaped outer shape or form when cut along a cross section covering the portion of the electric scalpel terminal of the present invention where the lever member is attached. [Figure 5E] 10 is a schematic diagram to illustrate where a silicone seal used to protect the connector assembly from environmental contaminants may be damaged during interfacing with or connection to an electrofemale terminal. [Figure 5F] 10 shows a recessed upper surface and a recessed lower surface that are placed at the front or tip of the electrical female terminal to prevent any damage or cutting to the silicone seal during interfacing or connection therewith. [Figure 5G] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a recessed top surface at the front or tip of an electrical female terminal to prevent any damage or cutting to the silicone seal that protects the electrical female terminal from environmental contaminants during connection between the electrical female terminal and the silicone seal by expanding the interference between the electrical female terminal and the silicone seal along the length of the recessed top surface. [Figure 5H] 1 shows a recessed top surface with a flat recess. [Figure 5I] 1 shows a recessed top surface having a recess with a concave surface. [Figure 5J] 1 shows a recessed top surface having a recess with a concave surface. [Figure 5K] 10 shows a recessed undersurface at the tip or front end of the electrical female terminal for enlarging the interference between the electrical female terminal and the silicone seal along the length of the recessed undersurface, thereby mitigating damage to the silicone seal during interfacing therewith or connection thereto as well. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. 1B. [Figure 6B] 10 is a schematic view of a guide member disposed near the opening at the front end of the electronic female terminal. FIG. [Figure 7] A two-body spring is shown, and an upper retaining member attached to the spring is also shown. [Figure 8A] 10 partially illustrates a side of an electrical female terminal having a window for at least partially receiving a curved side member of a two-body spring. [Figure 8B] 10 is a partial view of another side of the electrical female terminal showing various components of the electrical female terminal of the present invention, including support members located at the front and rear ends of the body. [Figure 8C] 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the electrical female terminal of the present invention showing an upper portion of a retaining member positioned above the double-body spring having dimpled portions to increase the number of contact portions with the upper spring of the double-body spring in order to increase the stiffness of the double-body spring. [Figure 8D] 10 also shows an alternative embodiment of a dimpled portion on the top of the retaining member above the two-body spring. [Figure 8E] 10 also shows an alternative embodiment of a dimpled portion on the top of the retaining member above the two-body spring. [Figure 8F] 10 also shows an alternative embodiment of a dimpled portion on the top of the retaining member above the two-body spring. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates a conventional electrical wire or cable for interaction with the electrical female terminal of the present invention, the conventional electrical wire or cable having a wire insulation portion and a wire core portion at its front portion. [Figure 10A] 1 shows a front elevational view of an electrical female terminal of the present invention in a pre-locked position within a connector assembly, further illustrating the polarity and orientation of the electrical female terminal of the present invention and the corresponding connector assembly for effective mating therewith. [Figure 10B] FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of the electrical female terminal of the present invention, fully resting within a connector assembly and in a fully locked position within the connector assembly, further illustrating the polarity and orientation of the electrical female terminal of the present invention and the corresponding connector assembly for effective mating therewith. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] 1A shows a front, top perspective view of an electrical female terminal generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The electrical female terminal 1 is integrally formed as a continuous piece that is folded, folded over, or curved to form a single configuration, including a body 5, a two-body spring 130, and a wire retaining portion 3. The body 5 further includes a tang member 15. The wire retaining portion 3 may be of the foldable crimp or clamp type as shown here, but may also be of the insulation displacement connection (IDC) type, or other similarly formed wire retaining means that is integrally formed and preferably extends substantially along the length of the electrical female terminal 1, and more specifically, extends from the rear of the body 5 of the electrical female terminal 1, and that may interact with the wire insulation portion 120 and / or wire core portion 110 of the electrical wire or cable 100 to securely connect the electrical wire or cable 100 to the electrical female terminal 1. Additionally, additional or sole wire fixation of the electrical wire or cable 100 to the electrofemale terminal may be achieved by including means for creating a rigid and / or conductive fixation, for example, but not limited to, by including welding, brazing, soldering, and / or other similar means.

[0025] 1B, the rear top perspective view of electric female terminal 1 shows tang member 15 and two-body spring 130 in greater detail. Body 5 preferably has a generally box-like shape or configuration along the length of electric female terminal 1, as well as along the opposite length thereof, such that a substantial portion of body 5 is formed in a box-like orientation or configuration, although the shape or configuration is not limited thereto (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 5A).

[0026] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the wire fixation portion 3 transitions into the main body 5 and is integrally formed therewith by a neck member 52 (see also Figures 3A, 3B).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2A , the tongue member 15 includes a lever member 25 having an unattached end 28 and an attached end 30. As 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 toward the normal, relaxed state such that it is not influenced by external contact, such that a subsequent bending point of the lever member 25 can occur at the attached end 30 as the unattached end 28 moves. The unattached end 28 of the lever member 25 preferably has a generally U-shaped configuration or the like in cross section along its width, although the configuration or shape is not limited thereto (see FIGS. 1B and 5B ). The attached end 30 of the lever member 25 preferably has a generally U-shaped configuration or the like (see, e.g., FIG. 5D ), although the configuration is not limited thereto. The upper portion 200a of the main body 5 similarly has a generally U-shaped configuration or the like (see, for example, FIG. 6C), but the configuration or shape is not limited thereto.

[0028] Additionally, lever member 25 has a protruding member 35 that contacts another protruding member 37 extending from body 5 (see FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 8A). Both protruding members 35, 37 act as overstress protection for lever member 25. That is, protruding members 35, 37 abut against each other when lever member 25 is in a bent state. This configuration thereby prevents or protects lever member 25 from being deformed when female terminal 1 contacts or connects with connector assembly 90, etc. (see also FIGS. 10A and 10B). As such, lever member 25 is operable to move substantially between a bent state and a normal relaxed state, such that it may be able to return to the normal relaxed state without being substantially deformed or disabled and still secure female electrical terminal 1 to connector housing 90, as described below (FIGS. 10A, 10B). As seen in the side elevation view of FIG. 2B, protruding members 35, 37 are preferably generally rectangular, round, trapezoidal, etc. (see also FIGS. 4, 8A), but their shape or configuration is not limited thereto.

[0029] In operation, as the electrical female terminal 1 enters the connector assembly 90, the unattached end 28 of the lever member 25 is free to press downward and move from a normally relaxed state to a bent state (i.e., the protruding member 35 moves toward another protruding member 37) (see FIG. 10A). Upon full insertion of the electrical female terminal 1 into the connector assembly 90, the unattached end 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 as the lever member 25 is resiliently biased toward returning to its normally relaxed state) (see FIGS. 2A and 10B). Furthermore, the unattached end 28 preferably thereby abuts against a member (not shown) within the connector assembly 90, locking and securing the electrical female terminal 1 therein. Such a structural arrangement with the unattached end 28 of the lever member 25 seated within the connector assembly 90 acts as a locking and securing mechanism for the electrical female terminal 1 with the connector assembly 90 (see FIG. 10B). The lever member 25 and unattached end 28 are also free to move upwardly away from their normal relaxed state and may bend away from the floor 122 of the body 5; as will be described below, when the lever member 25 is bent upwardly, this may provide resistance in returning the lever member 25 to its normal relaxed state. When the two-body spring 130 presses or contacts the lever member 25 into the aforementioned bent state, the lever member 25 may act on the two-body spring 130, adding to the spring force of the two-body spring 130, particularly when the two-body spring 130 is bent upward and away from the floor 122 to contact the bar member 25, and more specifically as the two-body spring 130 interacts with a male pin or terminal, or further ``saw-tooth'' object.

[0030] As seen in FIG. 1A , protrusion member 36 also extends from the side of lever member 25. Protrusion member 36 is positioned generally above lower spring member 133 and may engage lower spring member 133 to also provide overstress protection for lower spring member 133, and for bi-body spring 130 in general, as described in more detail below (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A , 2A , 6A , and 8A ). Protrusion member 36 moves freely and unimpeded within the movement of lever member 25 as lever member 25 moves in its downward movement from its normally relaxed state to a bent state toward bi-body spring 130 and floor 122 of body 5. Protrusion member 36 is preferably substantially rectangular, round, trapezoidal, etc. (see FIG. 6A ), although its shape or configuration is not limited thereto. Furthermore, relative to the side of lever member 25 from which protrusion member 35 extends, protrusion member 36 extends on the opposite side of lever member 25 and with different orientations on different portions relative to the side of lever member 25 from which protrusion member 35 extends; more specifically, when comparing their positions along lever member 25 (FIGS. 4, 6A, and 8A), protrusion member 36 is closer to attached end 30 and protrusion member 35 is closer to unattached end 28. Protrusion members 36 and 35 are positioned along lever member 25 such that they are not mirror images, do not directly oppose, and thus do not have portions of protrusion member 36 and protrusion member 35, respectively, that are mirror images or directly oppose, and therefore do not have portions of protrusion member 36 and protrusion member 35 that overlap along the length of electrical female terminal 1 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B).

[0031] 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the wire fastening portion 3 of the electric female terminal 1 has a space or transition area 50 above the neck member 52. The space or transition area 50 is located rearward of the body 5 at the front portion 51 of the wire fastening portion 3. When the electric female terminal 1 is fully inserted into the connector assembly 90, the space or transition area 50 is available for accommodating a terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300 therein to ensure that the electric female terminal 1 remains locked, secured, and properly positioned within the connector assembly 90. Furthermore, when the terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300 is located generally rearward of the body 5, it may further prevent the electric female terminal 1 from being detachable, removed, slidably removable, or removed from the connector assembly 90 during use and operation (see, for example, FIG. 2C ).

[0032] 2D is a cross-sectional view showing a surface area disposed on a rear portion of lower spring member 133 of electric female terminal 1. Specifically, a surface area on a rear portion of lower spring member 133 of body 5 may engage with terminal position assurance (TPA) device 300. During operation, the rear portion of lower spring member 133 provides an interface area or impact surface added to electric female terminal 1 to interact with and / or contact space or transition region 50 and thereby abut TPA device 300 when TPA device 300 is inserted therein, further ensuring that electric female terminal 1 remains locked, secured, and properly positioned within connector assembly 90 and prevents it from being detachable, removed, slidably removable, or removed from connector assembly 90 during use and operation (see, for example, FIG. 2C ).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2E, the electric scalpel terminal 1 of the present invention further includes a protrusion 150 extending from the unattached end 28 of the lever member 25. As particularly shown in FIG. 2F, the unattached end 28 of the lever member 25 preferably has a side end 28a and a central end 28b. As shown in FIG. 2F, the protrusion 150 preferably extends from the central end 28b, but such a structural arrangement is not limited thereto. That is, the protrusion 150 is not limited to extending from the central end 28b of the end 28 of the lever member 25, but may also extend from the side end 28a of the end 28 of the bar member 25. Although not limited thereto, the protrusion 150 includes surfaces 150a, 150b, and 150c that are angled relative to one another, as shown in FIG. 2F. The relative angles of faces 150a, 150b, 150c of projection 150 can be varied depending on the ability of projection 150 to effectively bias lever member 25 upward when projection 150 interacts with internal projection 210 of housing 200 or connector assembly 90, as further described below with respect to Figure 2F. Projection 150 thus makes it more difficult to remove electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention from housing 200, and electrical female terminal 1 is therefore protected from falling out during use.

[0034] 2G shows housing protrusion 210 extending inwardly from housing 200 (or connector assembly 90) that blocks end 28 of lever member 25, thereby preventing electrical female terminal 1 from falling out during use. In particular, protrusion 150 extending from unattached end 28 of lever member 25 allows protrusion 150 to effectively bias lever member 25 upward when protrusion 150 interacts with internal protrusion 210 of housing 200 or connector assembly 90. Thus, protrusion 150 makes it more difficult to remove electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention from housing 200 or connector assembly 90, and electrical female terminal 1 is thus protected against falling out during use.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in the right side elevational view of the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention in FIG. 2H , the protruding member 236 of the tongue member 15 of the lever member 25 is shown as having a lower edge 238 that is substantially flat or extends along a generally horizontal direction. The lower edge 238 of the protruding member 236 being substantially flat or extends along a generally horizontal direction allows for improved quality control (i.e., making it easier to measure the structural and functional characteristics of the protruding member) during the manufacture of the electric female terminal 1. The bottom 250 adjacent to the improved protruding member 236 is shaped substantially as shown in FIG. 2H to accommodate the protruding member 236 having the lower edge 238 that is substantially flat or extends along a generally horizontal direction.

[0036] 3A and 3B are top and bottom elevational views, respectively, of the electrical female terminal 1, showing the main body 5 and wire fixing portion 3, which are integrally connected and formed together substantially in the length direction of the electrical female terminal 1.

[0037] Shown in Figure 4 is the tongue member 15 and its attached end 30 and unattached end 28 of the lever member 25. As discussed above with respect to Figures 2A and 2B, Figure 4 also shows a protruding member 35 on the unattached end 28 of the lever member 25 that may abut against another protruding member 37 extending from the body 5 (particularly extending from the lower portion 250 of the body 5) when the lever member 25 is bent to prevent the lever member 25 from being deformed. The structural arrangement just described protects the lever member 25 from being overstressed (and thereby prevented from being deformed, overbent, or otherwise rendered inoperable in locking the terminal into the connector assembly 90) when the lever member 25 is forced downwardly toward the lower portion 250 of the body 5 and the two-body spring 130 once the electrical female terminal 1 is placed or slidably placed within the connector assembly 90.

[0038] As further shown in Figure 4, the attached end 30 of the lever member 25 is attached to the upper portion 200a of the main body 5 (see also Figure 8B). Also shown in Figure 4 is an aperture 113 through a side member 121 of the main body 5 for receiving for support a support member 115 of the upper guide member 105 therein, as described in more detail below (see, e.g., Figures 5A, 5B).

[0039] To improve the overstress feature of the tongue member 15 of the lever member 25 of the electric scalpel terminal 1 of the present invention, the overstress feature including the protrusion member 235 is located at approximately the middle or central portion of the tongue member 15, as shown in Figure 4A. An angled bottom 240 at the unattached end 28 of the tongue member 15 of the lever member 25 is also shown in Figure 4A to accommodate the protrusion member 235 located at approximately the middle or central portion of the tongue member 15. Such a structural arrangement improves interaction with the tip of the tongue member 15 when the electric scalpel terminal 1 of the present invention is in use.

[0040] 4A further shows a protruding member 235 at the unattached end 28 of the lever member 25 that may bear against another protruding member 237 extending from the body 5 (specifically extending from the lower portion 250 of the body 5) to prevent the lever member 25 from being deformed when the lever member 25 is bent. The alternative structural arrangement just described protects the lever member 25 from being overstressed (and thereby prevented from being deformed, overbent, or otherwise inoperable from locking the terminal in the connector assembly 90) when the lever member 25 is forced downwardly toward the lower portion 250 of the body 5 and the two-body spring 130 once the electrical female terminal 1 is placed or slidably placed within the connector assembly 90.

[0041] The front opening 125 of the main body 5 is shown in FIG. 5A. The front opening 125 is defined by a front end 200 having a floor 122, side members 103 and 121, and the upper guide member 105. As described above, the side member 121 includes an aperture 113 that passes through the side member 121 and accommodates the support member 115 of the upper guide member 105. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the aperture 113 substantially accommodates the support member 115 therein. The support member 115 extends integrally from the upper guide member 105 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrical female terminal 1. The support member 115 ensures that the upper guide member 105 remains properly oriented and stably supported within the main body 5 and the front opening 125. Support member 115 further prevents deformation of forward opening 125 and displacement of the stable orientation of front end 200, floor 122, side member 103, and side member 121 relative to upper guide member 105, and further ensures that insertion of a male pin or terminal or additional "serrated" object (not shown) does not disturb the shape, polarity, or orientation of body 5. Also shown in Figure 5B is a generally hump-shaped member 120 extending upwardly from floor 122, which will be further described in more detail below.

[0042] 5A and 5B is a passageway PW that extends the length of the electrical female terminal 1 and body 5 and is defined by the space surrounded by the forward opening 125, the front end 200 (which defines the forward opening 125 as previously described), and the interior surface of the lower portion 250 of the body 5. The passageway PW may therefore accommodate a male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object therein.

[0043] Fig. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5C-5C of the electric female terminal 1 in Fig. 5A, showing a substantially U-shaped configuration or shape extending from the upper portion 200a of the main body 5 of the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention to the support member 215 at the front end 200 of the main body 5. As shown in Fig. 5C, the cross-sectional configuration or shape extending from the upper portion 200a of the main body 5 of the electric female terminal 1 to the support member 215 at the front end 200 of the main body 5 is substantially U-shaped.

[0044] 5D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5D-5D of electric scalpel terminal 1 in FIG. 5A, showing the substantially U-shaped outer shape or configuration of end 30 to which lever member 25 of electric scalpel terminal 1 of the present invention is attached. As shown in FIG. 5D, the outer shape or configuration of the cross section of electric scalpel terminal 1 across end 30 to which lever member 25 is attached is also substantially U-shaped.

[0045] Furthermore, in the present invention, the electric female terminal 1 is formed as a single, contiguous and continuous structure in substantially its entirety. That is, the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention is formed as a single, contiguous and continuous structure including, but not limited to, at least the main body 5, the two-body spring 130, and the wire securing portion and / or lever member 25 (or tang member 15) along with their contiguous and / or continuous portions, i.e., the neck member 52 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A and 2B ) joining the main body 5 and the wire securing portion 3. Furthermore, no portions or sections of the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention are welded, soldered, or brazed to the electric female terminal 1.

[0046] The connector system is sealed from environmental contaminants by utilizing silicone seal 310. During installation, electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention must pass through silicone seal 310, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5E. During this process, silicone seal 310 is susceptible to damage or severance at locations 303 and 305 on silicone seal 310. To prevent the terminal face or tip of electrical female terminal 1 from damaging or severing silicone seal 310 during connection therewith, recessed top face 300 and recessed bottom face 400 are provided, as shown in FIG. 5F. This is achieved by enlarging top face 300 and bottom face 400, which enlarge the interference between electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention and silicone seal 310, over a greater distance along the length of top face 300 or bottom face 400. For example, with respect to the recessed top portion 300, the recessed top portion 300 includes a top portion 303, a side portion 305, and a bottom portion 307, as shown in FIG. 5G and as described in more detail below.

[0047] As shown in more detail in Figure 5G, recessed top portion 300 includes a top portion 303, a side portion 305, and a bottom portion 307 that are disposed at the front or tip of first support member 215 and upper portion 200a. While recessed top portion 300 may have the shape or form shown in Figures 5F and 5G, the shape or form of recessed top portion 300 is not limited thereto and may have any desired shape or form for the purpose of preventing any damage or cutting of silicone seal 310 during connection therewith.

[0048] For example, the shape or form of the recessed top portion 300 may be a flat-surfaced recess, as shown in Figure 5H, or may be a concave-surfaced recess, as shown in Figures 51 and 5J. As shown in the top view of Figure 5J, the top portion 303 is shown to be curved in a concave form or shape.

[0049] However, as noted above, the recessed top surface 300 may take any shape or form for the purpose of preventing damage or cuts in the silicone seal 310 during interfacing or connection therewith. The recessed top surface 300 may therefore also take the shape or form of a convex protrusion (not shown).

[0050] The bottom of the tip or front end of the electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention includes a recessed undersurface 400, which may have alternative shapes or configurations, for the same purpose of preventing damage or cuts to the silicone seal 310 during interfacing or connection therewith. The recessed undersurface 400 mitigates damage to the silicone seal 310 during interfacing or connection therewith by expanding the interference between the electrical female terminal 1 and the silicone seal 310 along the length of the recessed undersurface 400. For example, as shown in FIG. 5K, the recessed undersurface 400 includes a central extension member 500 that, in turn, includes an upper portion 405 extending downwardly toward the central extension member 500, which extends from the floor 122 within the front end 200 of the main body 5. The central extension member 500 has side portions 500a, 500b, and an upper portion 500c. Similar to the recessed upper surface portion 300, the recessed lower surface portion 400 has the purpose of expanding the interference between the electrical scalpel terminal 1 and the silicone seal 310 along the length of the recessed lower surface portion 400, thereby preventing any damage or cutting to the silicone seal 310 during interfacing or connection therewith.

[0051] The relationship between the generally hump-shaped member 120 and the two-body spring 130 is shown in FIG. 6A, a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. 1B. Also shown in FIG. 6A is the upper guide member 105 at the front end 200 of the main body 5. The upper guide member 105 is comprised of a first generally flat portion 105a, a generally sloped portion 105b, and a second generally flat portion 105c. The above-described portions of the upper guide member 105 comprise and act as guide mechanisms to guide, orient, and / or "self-correct" a male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object, into the forward opening 125 and passageway PW of the electronic female terminal 1. More specifically, the lower surface of upper guide member 105 extends substantially along the upper portion of passage PW in the length direction of electric female terminal 1 from front opening 125 of main body 5 toward double-body spring 130 of electric female terminal 1, thereby defining the upper portion (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6A). As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, from front opening 125, first generally flat portion 105a extends and defines the upper surface of front opening 125 and the front portion of passage PW, second generally inclined portion 105b further defines passage PW, and similarly, third generally flat portion 105c defines passage PW. More specifically, upper guide member 105 guides, orients, and / or "self-corrects" a male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object (not shown), longitudinally through passageway PW from front end 200 of body 5 at forward opening 125, further guiding the object toward two-body spring 130, and / or further guiding the object toward / into space 160, floor 122 and generally hump-shaped member 120 extending from said lower spring member 133. A male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object (not shown) as described herein, is inserted into or slidably enters electrofemale terminal 1 and into passageway PW.As the male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object (not shown), is inserted further longitudinally into passage PW, it becomes stuck or abuts and is secured within space 160 between double-body spring 130 and generally hump-shaped member 120 and is further acted upon by the spring force of double-body spring 130. As the male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object (not shown) continues to enter or slide into passage PW, it may lose contact with upper guide member 105 as the male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object, becomes generally flat or oriented perpendicular to the top surface of generally hump-shaped member 120. More specifically, the male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object (not shown), may lose contact with the first generally flat portion 105a, the second generally angled portion 105b, respectively (and, depending on the size of the male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object, it may lose contact with the third generally flat portion 105c) as the male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object, is oriented generally flat or perpendicular to the top surface of the generally hump-shaped member 120. Furthermore, when the male pin or terminal, or additional "serrated" object (not shown), is inserted in an angled orientation relative to the length of the pin, it is preferable that the end or tip of such object not fall within the distance or space formed between the third generally flat portion 105c and the two-body spring 130. Furthermore, the male pin or terminal, or further "serrated" object (not shown), may be further oriented during its initial insertion into the electrical female terminal 1, and the end or tip of the male pin or terminal, or further "serrated" object, may or may not contact the lower surface of the upper guide member 105 when within the passage PW.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 6A, the double-body spring 130 has an upper spring member 131 and a lower spring member 133. The double-body spring 130 extends longitudinally along the electric scalpel terminal 1 toward the front end 200 of the main body 5, substantially from the rear end 210 of the main body 5. As shown in Fig. 6A, the lower spring member 133 is longer than the upper spring 131 and / or extends further from the upper spring 131 in the longitudinal direction, and also reaches above the generally hump-shaped member 120 toward the front end 200 of the main body 5.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6A , the upper spring member 131 extends partially along and above the lower spring member 133. As further seen in FIG. 6A , the upper spring member 131 may contact the lower spring member 133 at a point located substantially on the lower spring member 133 toward the front end 200 of the body, more specifically, at a point located above the generally hump-shaped member 120 and partially in front of the lower spring member 133. Furthermore, a sloped portion of the upper spring member 131 extends generally sloped toward the floor 122 of the body 5. In the unflexed position, this generally sloped portion of the upper spring member 131 preferably does not substantially contact the lower spring member 133 except wholly or partially at a single point, and it is less preferred that the generally sloped portion of the upper spring member 131 not contact the lower spring member 133 at all. Furthermore, in the bent position, the upper spring member 131 is in full or partial contact with and slidably contacts the bent lower spring member 133, thereby adding a spring force to the spring force of the lower spring member 133, resulting in a combined spring force of both the lower and upper spring members, respectively, which may be applied in its entirety by the two-body spring 130 (as shown in Figures 6A and 8B).

[0054] As further evidence of the structural or functional relationship described above, when the lower spring member 133 and the upper spring member 131 contact in an unbent state, the initial spring force is exerted by both the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 applying their respective spring forces simultaneously, together, and / or collectively, and acting on a male pin or terminal inserted into the electrical female terminal 1, or on an additional "saw-tooth" object (not shown). In contrast, when the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 are not in contact in their respective unbent states, the initially applied spring force is manifested as that of the lower spring member alone until, as it bends, the lower spring member 133 makes one or more initial contacts with the upper spring member 131, thereby causing the upper spring member 131 to collectively apply a spring force against the lower spring member 133, and simultaneously or together, and / or against a male pin or male terminal, or further ``saw-tooth'' object.

[0055] 6A , a portion of the lower spring member 133, while in a normally relaxed and unbent state, is inclined substantially downwardly, toward the floor 122 of the body 5, within the lower portion 250 of the body 5, within a passage PW. The portion of the lower spring member 133 within the passage PW is capable of moving substantially unobstructed in an upward direction away from the floor 122. Another portion of the lower spring member 133 is obstructed from movement upwardly except by simultaneous upward movement relative to the upper spring member 131 as a result of the lower spring member 133 contacting the upper spring member 131. More specifically, when a male pin or terminal (not shown) is inserted into the passage PW, the two-body spring 130 transitions from its normally relaxed state to a bent state, and the substantially unobstructed portion of the lower spring member 133 may further substantially exit the passage PW. Thus, the bi-body spring 130 asserts its spring force acting against and / or on the male pin or terminal or further "serrated" object in the direction of returning to its normal, unbent state. The bi-body spring 130 at the substantially unobstructed portion of the lower spring member 133 moves further upward, away from the floor 122 and toward the lever member 25. Thus, the bi-body spring 130 may continue to be able to move substantially unobstructed until its movement is limited by the lower spring member 133 as the bi-body spring 130 contacts the protruding member 36 of the lever member 25. Furthermore, the lever member 25 may be static or immovable or prevented from moving away from the floor 122 (e.g., due to potential contact with the connector assembly 90), whereby the protrusion member 36 provides overstress protection for the lower spring member 133 and thus the two-body spring 130.In operation, and / or when electrical female terminal 1 is present within connector assembly 90, lever member 25 is preferably in a normal, unflexed state in which lower spring member 133 begins to interact with a male pin or terminal (not shown), thereby accommodating the full size of the male pin or terminal (not shown) and preventing contact of dual-body spring 130 with lever member 25 for a maximum distance of substantially unobstructed movement of dual-body spring 130 in an upward direction away from floor 122. In situations in which lever member 25 is further movable away from floor 122 and is not static or immovable or prevented from moving away from floor 122 (e.g., into contact with connector assembly 90), lever member 25 is further movable upward and away from its normal, unflexed state. Thus, when the bi-body spring 130 contacts the lever member 25 when it is in the position described above, the resulting contact of the end 135 of the lower spring member 133 with the protruding member 36 or a portion of the lever member 25 causes the resilient force of the lever member 25 to be applied and added to the spring force of the bi-body spring 130 as it bends away from its normally relaxed state and away from the floor 122. Specifically, the lever member 25 thereby adds to the spring force of the lower spring member 133, and thus the bi-body spring 130 in general, as it contacts the lever member 25 in whole or in part. More specifically, in the above-described situation, the elastic force applied by lever member 25 is in the direction opposite to the movement of end 135 of lower spring member 133 when it contacts lever member 25 and / or protruding member 36 in the direction of returning to its normal relaxed state, thereby increasing the spring force of double-body spring 130, which is directed downward toward floor 122, or a male pin or male terminal below double-body spring 130, or a further ``saw-tooth'' object, more specifically, toward top A of double-body spring 130, as described below.

[0056] As further shown in FIG. 6A , end 135 of lower spring member 133 includes a generally curved portion 137 that curves to an apex A and is directed downward toward generally hump-shaped member 120 (see FIG. 5B ). When a male pin or terminal (not shown) enters passageway PW through forward opening 125, it is secured or applied within space 160 between generally curved portion 137 and generally hump-shaped member 120. Space 160, which accommodates the male pin or terminal (not shown), is defined by the distance between generally curved portion 137 and the upper surface of hump-shaped member 120, which is generally parallel to floor 122 of lower portion 250 of body 5. Space 160 expands or expands, causing dual-body spring 130 to move upward, away from floor 122, further interacting with the male pin or terminal (not shown). The dual-body spring 130 moves upward, away from the floor 122, which increases the distance between the generally curved portion 137 and the upper surface of the hump 120, thereby increasing the space 160. The generally curved portion 137, at its apex A, preferably provides a single point of contact between the dual-body spring 130 and an inserted male pin or male terminal (not shown) within the space 160. The apex A of the generally curved portion 137 allows the spring force of the dual-body spring 130 to be positioned, guided, and substantially fixed to the male pin or male terminal above the generally hump 120, at a point centered above the generally hump 120, and to act on the male pin or male terminal as it is inserted or present within the space 160.

[0057] Also shown in FIG. 6A and positioned above the upper spring member 131 is the upper retaining member 140. The ends of the upper retaining member 140 are connected to the main body 5 at substantially two points: one end connected to the side member 121 of the main body 5, and one at the upper body 210a at the rear end 210 (see FIGS. 6A, 8A, and 8B). The upper retaining member 140 has a generally U-shaped portion as its bottom 142 that partially contacts and abuts the upper spring member 131 (see also FIGS. 8A and 8B). As seen in FIG. 6A, the upper retaining member 140 has a generally rigid and resilient surface that abuts the upper spring member 131, ensuring that the folded configuration of the two-body spring 130 is maintained and that contact is maintained between the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133. 7 and 8A , the upper retaining member 140 prevents the upper spring member 131 from spreading, unfolding, substantially separating, or deforming from any height, and preferably maintains a generally parallel orientation with the lower spring member 133 above the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. The upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 may be oriented so that they are in full or partial contact. Furthermore, the upper retaining member 140 maintains the folded configuration of the bi-body spring 130 by preventing the upper spring member 131 and the lower spring member 133 from spreading, unfolding, substantially separating, or deforming as the bi-body spring 130 is in its normal, unbent state or in its bent state when a spring force is applied against a male pin or terminal (not shown).

[0058] As shown in the schematic diagram in Figure 6B, the front tip 150 of the end 135 of the lower spring member 133 should be aligned with or rest on the lower surface 155 of the second flat 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 135 of the lower spring member 133 along the generally curved portion 137 and passes through the space 160 between the curved portion 137 of the lower spring member 133 and the generally hump-shaped member 120 (see also Figure 6A). Furthermore, the front end tip 150 of the end 135 of the lower spring member 133 should be aligned with or above the lower surface 155 of the second flat portion 105c of the upper guide member 105, and the lower spring member 133 should be placed or oriented in such a manner that, when the male pin or male terminal is inserted in an angled orientation relative to the longitudinal direction of the electrical female terminal 1, which is undesirable, the male pin or male terminal is prevented from passing between the lower surface 155 of the second flat portion 105c and the end 135 of the lower spring member 133 and / or into the gap or space created therebetween.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7 , upper spring member 131 and lower spring member 133 of dual-body spring 130 are integrally constructed with each other and connected by curved side members 170, 133a, with upper spring member 131 folded up and down above lower spring member 133, respectively. Beneath upper retaining member 140, dual-body spring 130 is preferably generally parallel to floor 122 in the length direction of electrical female terminal 1 (see also FIG. 6A ). Upper spring member 131 and lower spring member 133 are oriented such that they may be in full or partial contact with floor 122 along the length direction of electrical female terminal 1. As further shown in FIG. 7 , upper spring member 131 and lower spring member 133 are integrally connected by curved side members 170 of dual-body spring member 130 (see also FIG. 8A ). The curved side members 170 are at least partially received within a window or opening 180 in the body 5. Also shown in Figure 7 is a curved side portion 133a of the body 5, integrally connecting the lower spring member 133 to the lower portion 250 of the body 5 (see also Figure 8B). The curved side members 170 and the curved side portions 133a may further influence and allow the resultant spring force of the two-body spring 130 to be further dependent on or optimized according to aspects such as the thickness, length, or curvature of both the curved side members 170 and / or the curved side portions 133a, respectively.

[0060] As previously mentioned, a portion of the lower spring member 133 is free to move upwardly and unobstructed away from the floor 122 until a portion of the lower spring member 133 contacts the protruding member 36 of the lever member 25. Preferably, the two-body spring 130 is initially bent away from the floor 122 by a male pin or terminal (not shown), initially preferably occurring when the lever member 25 is in its normal, unbent orientation to provide the spring member 133 with the maximum distance of travel between the floor 122 and the protruding member 36. The lower spring member 133 has an end 135 that protrudes upwardly or is angled toward the upper body 200a and the lever member 25. Upward movement of lower spring member 133 away from floor 122 and end 135 eventually leads to and causes end 135 to reach substantially near or contact protruding member 36 of lever member 25, thereby restricting upward movement of dual-body spring 130, with lever member 25 being static or immovable or prevented from moving in a direction away from floor 122. In the example described above, the resulting contact of end 135 of lower spring member 133 with a portion of protruding member 36 prevents end 135, and thus lower spring member 133 and upper spring member 131, from being further movable upward and becoming overstressed or substantially deformed when female terminal 1 is mated with a male pin or terminal (not shown). This thus prevents overstress or substantial deformation of the dual-body spring 130, which can return to its unbent state when the male pin or male terminal is then further removed from the electrofemale terminal 1. Additionally, and as previously mentioned, in a situation where the lever member 25 is further movable away from the floor 122 and is not static or immovable, but instead is movable and unobstructed, the lever member 25 can further move upward and away from the floor 122 and / or simultaneously with the dual-body spring 130.In that case, the resulting contact of the end 135 of the lower spring member 133 with a portion of the protruding member 36 may further result in a resilient force being applied by the lever member 25 to the lower spring member 133. The resilient force applied by the lever member 25 to the end 135 of the lower spring member 133 thus adds to the spring force of the two-body spring 130.

[0061] 8B shows both the front and rear ends 200, 210 of the body 5, each having a first support member 215 and a second support member 220. In particular, the upper portion 200a at the front end 200 of the body 5 includes the first support member 215, and the upper portion 210a at the rear end 210 of the body 5 includes the second support member 220. A gap 230 may space the first support member 215 from a lower portion 250 of the body 5. A gap 240 may space the second support member 220 from the lower portion 250 of the body 5. When the electrical female terminal 1 enters the connector assembly 90, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 are resiliently pressed downward toward the lower portion 250 of the body 5 through the gaps 230, 240, respectively, and substantially contact the lower portion 250, which may eliminate the gaps 230, 240. On the other hand, before the electric female terminal 1 enters the connector assembly 90, the gaps 230, 240 may not exist, and the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 contact the entire lower portion 250 of the main body 5. With the above structural arrangement, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 provide structural resilience and rigidity to the main body 5 and support for the upper portions 200a, 210a of the main body by providing an available interface surface facing the lower portion 250 of the main body 5. Therein, the first support member 215 and the second support member 220 prevent the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention from being overstressed and deforming, and further prevent the electric female terminal 1 from being deformed when mated into the connector assembly 90 and during use (see FIGS. 10A and 10B ).

[0062] 8C shows an alternative embodiment of the electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention having an upper retaining member 140 disposed adjacent to the retaining member 142 and above the dual-body spring 130, the upper retaining member 140 having a dimpled portion 280 to increase the number of contact portions with the upper spring 131 of the dual-body spring 130 so as to increase the stiffness of the dual-body spring 130. That is, a first contact portion 143 with the upper spring member 131 is provided below the retaining member 142, and a second contact portion 286 with the upper spring member 131 is provided below the dimpled portion 280 and below the extending lower portion 285. As particularly shown in FIG. 8D , below the dimpled portion 280 is the extending lower portion 285, which directly contacts the upper spring member 131 of the dual-body spring 130 and provides the second contact portion 286 with the upper spring member 131. Also shown in FIG. 8D is a dimple portion 280 that is substantially angled and cup-shaped, although the shape of dimple portion 280 may take any form or shape shown in (and not limited to) FIGS. 8E and 8F as an alternative embodiment of dimple portion 281.

[0063] For example, as shown in Figure 8E, the dimple portion 281 may have a generally V-shaped configuration. As further shown in Figure 8E, a first contact portion 143 with the upper spring member 131 is provided below the retaining member 142, and a second contact portion 291 with the upper spring member 131 is provided below the extending lower portion 290 below the dimple portion 281. That is, as particularly shown in Figure 8E, below the dimple portion 281 is the extending lower portion 290 that directly contacts the upper spring member 131 of the dual-body spring 130 and provides the second contact portion 291 with the upper spring member 131, thereby advantageously increasing the stiffness of the dual-body spring 130. 290 is.

[0064] 8F, the dimple portion 282 can have a generally cup-shaped configuration. As further shown in FIG. 8F, a first contact portion 143 with the upper spring member 131 is provided below the retaining member 142, and a second contact portion 296 with the upper spring member 131 is provided below the extending lower portion 295 below the dimple portion 282. That is, as particularly shown in FIG. 8F, below the dimple portion 282 is the extending lower portion 295 that directly contacts the upper spring member 131 of the two-body spring 130 and includes the second contact portion 296 with the upper spring member 131.

[0065] Alternate embodiments of dimples (such as dimples 280, 281, 282) vary in the size and location of the dimples within the upper retaining member 140 of the retaining member 142.

[0066] The second contact portions 286, 291, 296 of the dual-body spring 130 with the upper spring member 131, in addition to the first contact portion 143 with the upper spring member 131 provided below the retaining member 142, advantageously increase the stiffness of the dual-body spring 130.

[0067] 9 shows an exemplary electric wire or cable 100 having a wire core portion 110 and a wire insulation portion 120 housed in the electric scalpel terminal 1 of the present invention. The priority or order of housing the wire insulation portion 120 and the wire core portion 110 of the electric wire or cable 100 by the electric scalpel terminal 1 is not limited to one embodiment of the wire fixation portion 3. The wire fixation portion 3 shown in the present invention is one such embodiment of the wire fixation portion 3, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. However, as previously mentioned, wire securement portion 3 may be of the foldable crimp or clamp type as shown, but may also be of the insulation displacement connection (IDC) type, or other similarly formed wire securement means that is integrally formed with the rear and preferably extends substantially with or the length of electric female terminal 1, and more specifically extends from the rear of body 3 of electric female terminal 1, and that preferably interacts with wire insulation portion 120 and wire core portion 110 of electric wire or cable 100 to firmly connect electric wire or cable 100 to electric female terminal 1. Furthermore, as noted, securement of electric wire or cable 100 to electric female terminal 1 may include means that provide a firm and conductive wire securement, including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, and / or other similar means. The present invention is further not limited to the process of inserting the electrical wire or cable 100; the wire insulation portion 120 may be inserted first and the wire core portion 110 may be inserted second, or vice versa, both of which may be done simultaneously depending on the structure and configuration of the wire fixing portion 3.

[0068] After or once the electrical wire or cable 100, having its wire insulation portion 120 and wire core portion 110, has been firmly attached or inserted into the electrical female terminal 1 by the wire fixing means of the wire fixing portion 3, the electrical female terminal 1 is then ready to be inserted into a connector assembly 90 or the like, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0069] 10A shows electrical female terminal 1 in a pre-locked position, such as inserted into connector 90, with electrical female terminal 1 shown in a front elevational view. As shown in FIG. 10A, the electrical female terminal is inserted into a corresponding connector assembly 90, and lever member 25 is positively pressed downward by contact with connector assembly 90 or by a user or device to thereby allow electrical female terminal 1 to move further into and be inserted into connector assembly 90. As previously described and as seen in FIG. 10A, during insertion of the electric female terminal 1 into the connector assembly 90, the protrusion members 35, 37 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2B 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 electric female terminal 1 from being substantially overstressed or from being substantially deformed, thereby maintaining the proper orientation or polarization of the electric female terminal 1, as further described below.

[0070] 10B shows electrical female terminal 1 fully inserted into connector assembly 90. As shown in FIG. 10B, lever member 25 retracts upward in a normal, relaxed state and, more preferably, is locked or secured at unattached end 28 by a member (not shown) inside connector assembly 90. After 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., FIG. 2C), thereby ensuring that electrical female terminal 1 remains locked, secured, and properly positioned within connector assembly 90.

[0071] Further, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the upper portions 200a, 210a and lower portion 250 of the body 5 have a polarity or orientation that ensures proper orientation of the electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention for accurate insertion and mating within the upper and lower portions 90a and 90b, respectively, of the connector assembly 90.

[0072] 10A and 10B are upper and lower portions 90a and 90b of a connector assembly 90, etc. The orientation or polarity of the electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention is such that when the electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention is oriented, inserted, and mated to the connector assembly 90, the upper portion 200a at the front end 200 and the upper portion 210a at the rear end 210 of the body 5 (see FIG. 8B) are received by the upper portion 90a of the connector assembly 90, and the lower portion 250 of the body 5 (see FIG. 8B) is received by the lower portion 90b of the connector assembly 90. The structural orientation or polarity of the electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is such that the upper portions 200a, 210a of the body 5 reside within or are mated with the narrower upper portion 90a. Furthermore, here, the upper portions 200a and 210a are offset to one side compared to the lower portion 250 of the body 5. Lower portion 250 is wider than upper portions 200a, 210a and resides within wider lower portion 90b of connector assembly 90. However, the structural orientation or polarity of electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention when inserted into or mated with connector assembly 90 is not limited thereto. That is, when electrical female terminal 1 of the present invention is oriented, inserted into, and mated with connector assembly 90, it may have upper portions 200a, 210a of body 5 and upper portion 90a of connector assembly 90 that are wider than lower portion 250 of body 5 and lower portion 90b of connector assembly 90 (not shown). Similarly, upper portions 200a, 210a may be centered (not shown) or offset ( FIGS. 10A and 10B ) relative to lower portion 250 of body 5 when electrical female terminal 1 connects with connector assembly 90 (not shown). The polarity or orientation of the electrical female terminal 1 and the connector assembly 90 are substantially similar to allow them to mate substantially together.

[0073] All of the embodiments of the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention, such as those shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 4, 4A, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5I, 5J, 5K, 6A, 6B, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 10A, and 10B, comprise the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention and have most or all of the portions that form the electric female terminal 1 of the present invention as a single, adjacent and continuous structure.

[0074] While the foregoing description relates to preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Furthermore, configurations described with respect to one embodiment of the present invention may be used with other embodiments, even if not explicitly described above.

Claims

1. 1. An electrical female terminal for insertion into a connector assembly, comprising: The electric female terminal is a wire fixing portion; a main body attached to the wire fixing portion; Equipped with the body includes a spring member and a lever member; a front end of the body including an upper portion and a support member, the front end of the body having a generally U-shaped profile or shape along a cross section taken through the upper portion of the body and the support member; the unattached end of the lever member has a protrusion that biases the lever member when it interacts with an internal protrusion of the connector assembly to prevent the electrical female terminal from falling out during use, the protrusion including a plurality of surfaces that are angled relative to one another; The end of the lever member to which the lever member is attached has a cross section that is substantially U-shaped, At least the main body, the spring member, and the wire fixing portion, together with a neck member joining the main body and the wire fixing portion, are adjacent or continuous portions that form the electric female terminal as an adjacent or continuous single piece configuration, and an upper holding member is connected to the main body, and the upper holding member has a dimple portion and an extending lower portion corresponding to the dimple portion, the extending lower portion directly contacting an upper portion of the spring member, and the upper holding member imparts rigidity to the spring member. Electrical female terminal.

2. the electrical female terminal further includes an upper recessed surface portion and a lower recessed surface portion at the tip end thereof for preventing damage to a seal when the seal is connected to the upper recessed surface portion and the lower recessed surface portion; The electric female terminal according to claim 1.

3. The dimple portion has a cup-like shape or a substantially V-shaped shape so as to impart rigidity to the spring member. The electric female terminal according to claim 1.

4. 1. An electrical female terminal for insertion into a connector assembly, comprising: The electric female terminal is a wire fixing portion; a main body attached to the wire fixing portion; Equipped with the body includes a spring member; The body further includes a lever member; a front end of the body including an upper portion and a support member, the front end of the body having a generally U-shaped profile or shape along a cross section taken through the upper portion of the body and the support member, the unattached end of the lever member having a protrusion that deflects the lever member when it interacts with an internal protrusion of the connector assembly to prevent the electrical female terminal from falling out during use, the protrusion having a plurality of surfaces that are angled relative to one another; the tip of the electrical female terminal includes a recessed upper surface portion and a recessed lower surface portion for preventing damage to a seal when the seal connects with the recessed upper surface portion and the recessed lower surface portion; The end of the lever member to which the lever member is attached has a cross section that is substantially U-shaped, At least the main body, the spring member, and the wire fixing portion, together with a neck member joining the main body and the wire fixing portion, are adjacent or continuous portions that form the electric female terminal as an adjacent or continuous single piece configuration, and an upper holding member is connected to the main body, and the upper holding member has a dimple portion and an extending lower portion corresponding to the dimple portion, the extending lower portion directly contacting an upper portion of the spring member, and the upper holding member imparts rigidity to the spring member. Electrical female terminal.

5. the unattached end of the lever member has side ends and a central end, and the protrusion extends from the central end; The electric female terminal according to claim 4.

6. The dimple portion has a cup-like shape or a substantially V-shaped shape to impart rigidity to the spring member. The electric female terminal according to claim 4.

7. 1. An electrical female terminal for insertion into a connector assembly, comprising: The electric female terminal is a wire fixing portion; a main body having a spring member and a lever member, the main body being attached to the wire fixing portion; an upper holding member having a dimpled portion, the dimpled portion having a cup-like or substantially V-shaped configuration so as to impart rigidity to the spring member; Equipped with a front end of the body including an upper portion and a support member, the front end of the body having a generally U-shaped profile or shape along a cross section taken through the upper portion of the body and the support member; an attached end of the lever member having a generally U-shaped cross section and an unattached end of the lever member having a protrusion that deflects the lever member when it interacts with an internal protrusion of the connector assembly to prevent the electrical female terminal from falling out during use, the protrusion having a plurality of surfaces that are angled relative to one another; At least the main body, the spring member, and the wire fixing portion, together with a neck member joining the main body and the wire fixing portion, are adjacent or continuous portions that form the electric female terminal as an adjacent or continuous single piece, and the upper holding member is connected to the main body. Electrical female terminal.

8. the tip of the electrical female terminal includes a recessed upper surface portion and a recessed lower surface portion for preventing damage to a seal when the seal connects with the recessed upper surface portion and the recessed lower surface portion; The electric female terminal according to claim 7.

9. the unattached end of the lever member has side ends and a central end, and the protrusion extends from the central end; The electric female terminal according to claim 7.

10. The upper surface of the recess is one of a flat surface recess, a concave surface recess, and a convex protrusion. The electric female terminal according to claim 1.

11. the recessed upper surface portion is one of a flat recess, a concave recess, and a convex protrusion; The electric female terminal according to claim 2.

12. the dimple portion is one of a substantially angled cup shape, a generally V-shaped configuration, and a generally cup shape. The electric female terminal according to claim 2.

13. the recessed upper surface portion is one of a flat recess, a concave recess, and a convex protrusion; The electric female terminal according to claim 4.

14. The upper surface of the recess is one of a flat surface recess, a concave surface recess, and a convex protrusion. The electric female terminal according to claim 5.

15. the dimple portion is one of a substantially angled cup shape, a generally V-shaped configuration, and a generally cup shape. The electric female terminal according to claim 6.

16. the dimple portion is one of a substantially angled cup shape, a generally V-shaped configuration, and a generally cup shape. The electric female terminal according to claim 7.

17. the recessed upper surface portion is one of a flat recess, a concave recess, and a convex protrusion; The electric female terminal according to claim 8.

18. The tip of the electric scalpel terminal includes a recessed upper surface portion, and the recessed upper surface portion is one of a flat surface recess, a concave surface recess, and a convex protrusion. The electric female terminal according to claim 7.

19. the lever member is comprised of a tongue member including an overstress mechanism, the overstress mechanism having a protruding member disposed at one of a generally forward portion and a generally intermediate portion of the tongue member; The projection member has a generally flat bottom edge. The electric female terminal according to claim 1.

20. the lever member is comprised of a tongue member including an overstress mechanism, the overstress mechanism having a protruding member disposed at one of a generally forward portion and a generally intermediate portion of the tongue member; The projection member has a generally flat bottom edge. The electric female terminal according to claim 4.

21. the lever member is comprised of a tongue member including an overstress mechanism, the overstress mechanism having a protruding member disposed at one of a generally forward portion and a generally intermediate portion of the tongue member; The projection member has a generally flat bottom edge. The electric female terminal according to claim 7.

22. At least the main body, the spring member, the wire fixing portion, and the lever member, together with a neck member joining the main body and the wire fixing portion, are adjacent or continuous parts that form the electric female terminal as an adjacent or continuous single piece configuration. The electric female terminal according to claim 1.

23. At least the main body, the spring member, the wire fixing portion, and the lever member, together with a neck member joining the main body and the wire fixing portion, are adjacent or continuous parts that form the electric female terminal as an adjacent or continuous single piece configuration. The electric female terminal according to claim 4.

24. At least the main body, the spring member, the wire fixing portion, and the lever member, together with a neck member joining the main body and the wire fixing portion, are adjacent or continuous parts that form the electric female terminal as an adjacent or continuous single piece configuration. The electric female terminal according to claim 7.

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