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(11) | EP 0 656 674 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Electrical terminal with outer backup spring |
| (57) An electrical receptacle terminal (2) comprises an inner contact (4) and an outer
backup spring (6) disposed closely therearound. The outer backup spring has a pair
of opposed spring members (54) disposed over cantilever contact arms (14) of the inner
contact (4). The spring members (54) comprise a first spring arm (56) and lateral
second spring-support arms (62) disposed substantially orthogonally thereto. The first
and second spring arms are joined at a front end (64) by an L-shaped joining section
(66), and separated by a slot (68) extending from the joining section (66) to a body
section (42) of the backup spring. The second arms (62) of the spring member (54),
substantially increase the spring force of the first spring arm (54) against which
the inner contact arms (14) are biased during insertion of a complementary male tab
therebetween. The spring force of the inner contact arms (14) are further increased
by providing a U-shaped tab (70) folded over free end tips (22) of the contact arms
to limit sliding movement thereof. The joining section (66) at the front end of the
backup spring is aligned with the box-shaped body section (42) and reduces rocking
of the terminal when inserted into a corresponding cavity of a connector housing.
Furthermore, the inner contact body is well protected from external objects. |