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(11) | EP 3 700 019 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | FEMALE TERMINAL FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS |
| (57) A female terminal (10) for electrical connections, of the type comprising a crimping
portion (11) and a box-like connection body (12), the box-like connection body (12)
comprising: - a bottom (13), which defines a lower contact region, - two opposite lateral containment walls (14, 15), which extend from the bottom (13), - a cover (16), which extends from a first one (14) of the lateral walls (14, 15) and defines an upper contact region, the cover (16) comprising a frame (17) with one or more cantilevered elastic contact tabs (18, 19), which are contoured to protrude into the interspace (20) between the bottom (13) and the cover (16), the interspace (20) being designed to contain a male contact, - the cover (16) having a first free edge (40) which is fixed with fixing means (41) to a corresponding second free fixing edge (42) of the second lateral wall (15. The box-like body (12) is substantially symmetrical with respect to its sagittal plane (X). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a flat-coupling female electrical terminal which is adapted to couple, inside it, a laminar male terminal, which is connected to it in a stable manner.
[0002] Nowadays female terminals for electrical connections of the type comprising a crimping portion and a connection portion, are widespread.
[0003] Such connecting portion features a box-like body which comprises in turn, at least one cantilevered elastic contact tab, arranged inside the box-like body, or extending from the inner walls thereof.
[0004] This elastic tab is contoured to press against a contact of the male terminal, which is inserted into the box-like body of the connecting portion.
[0006] These tabs are free to bend upon the passage of the male terminal, thus ensuring an adequate contact with the latter.
[0007] The box-like body is generally made, together with the rest of the terminal, by folding a previously-stamped metal sheet.
[0008] The two opposite free edges of the metal sheet, which are arranged facing each other with the folding, for the sake of simplicity and economy of production are not mutually joined.
[0009] However, such a solution may not be capable of ensuring an optimal contact between the connection portion of the female terminal and the male terminal, because the lack of a join between the facing free edges allows an outward bending of the walls of the box-like body to which the free edges belong.
[0010] A situation could arise in fact in which the insertion of the male terminal into the box-like body along an incorrect direction causes an excessive bending of the tabs to the point that they entrain and bend the entire part of the box-like body from which they extend, with consequent deformations of the terminal and malfunctioning thereof.
[0011] Another drawback of conventional female terminals is the fact that even if the male terminal is correctly inserted into them, the cantilevered contact tabs may not be capable of exerting a contact pressure such as to ensure a stable and constant contact even under conditions of knocks, vibrations or other, similar critical situations.
[0012] EPA 17171344.9, filed by the same applicant, contains the teachings to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.
[0013] The female terminal described in such document is provided with flexing limiting laminas which are adapted to prevent the excessive bending of the tabs in the event of incorrect insertion.
[0014] In addition, the two opposite free edges of the metal sheet which are arranged facing each other with the folding in order to define the box-like body, are interlocked, creating a connection between them.
[0016] The limiting laminas described in EPA 17171344.9 require a manufacturing procedure that is not easy and not rapid, as it is necessary to fold the flat elements into a U shape in order to generate the limiting laminas. In addition, in order to manufacture the limiting laminas, a quantity of sheet metal is employed that is not insignificant compared to the quantity of sheet metal used for the individual terminal.
[0017] Furthermore, in order to interlock the two mutually opposite free edges of the sheet metal so as to form the above mentioned box-like body, there is a recess on one of the two edges, and a contoured protrusion on the other edge, to be inserted into such recess.
[0018] The interlocking between the two is ensured by the presence of retaining ridges which keep the protrusion in the recess, once inserted.
[0019] The protrusion, however, remains protruding with respect to the box-like body even after the insertion into the recess, and this results in a not insignificant bulk, the presence of a sharp portion that can cause injury to the assembly operator, and an unappealing visual impact produced by the asymmetry of the box-like body.
[0020] In addition, the terminal in EPA 17171344.9 specified that the electric cable exits in the direction of extension of the terminal itself. In some applications, however, it is necessary that the electric cable exits with an inclination of 90° with respect to the direction of extension of the terminal.
[0021] The aim of the present invention is to provide a female terminal for electrical connections which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.
[0022] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a female terminal for electrical connections in which the bending of the contact tabs is prevented at lower cost and with simpler construction than in conventional female terminals.
[0023] Another object of the invention is to provide a female terminal for electrical connections that does not have protrusions and/or sharp portions that protrude from the box-like body and which has a box-like body with a pleasing visual impact.
[0024] A further object of the invention is to provide a female terminal for electrical connections in which the electric cable exits with an inclination of 90° with respect to the direction of extension of the terminal.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the known art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions.
[0026] Another object of the invention is to provide a female terminal for electrical connections that is highly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.
[0027] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a female terminal for electrical connections, of the type comprising a crimping portion and a box-like connection body, said box-like connection body comprising:
- a bottom, which defines a lower contact region,
- two opposite lateral containment walls, which extend from said bottom,
- a cover, which extends from a first one of said lateral walls and defines an upper contact region, said cover comprising a frame with one or more cantilevered elastic contact tabs, which are contoured to protrude into the interspace between said bottom and said cover, said interspace being designed to contain a male contact,
- said cover having a first free edge which is fixed with fixing means to a corresponding second free fixing edge of said second lateral wall,
[0028] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the female terminal for electrical connections according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:
- Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a female terminal for electrical connections according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a first detail view of the female terminal in Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a second, different detail view of the female terminal in Figure 1;
- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the female terminal in Figure 1, taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3.
[0029] With reference to the figures, a female terminal for electrical connections according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
[0031] The box-like body 12 comprises in turn:
- a bottom 13, which defines a lower contact region,
- two opposite lateral containment walls 14 and 15, which extend from the bottom 13,
- a cover 16, which extends from a first wall 14 of the lateral walls, which defines an upper contact region.
[0032] The cover 16 comprises a frame 17 with at least one cantilevered elastic contact tab, which is contoured to protrude into the interspace 20 between the bottom 13 and the cover 16.
[0035] The cover 16 has a first edge 40 which is fixed with fixing means 41 to a corresponding second edge 42, of the second lateral wall 15.
[0036] The first edge 40 is bent toward the inside of the box-like body 12 when the box-like body 12 is being closed.
[0037] One of the peculiarities of the invention consists in that the box-like body 12 is substantially symmetrical with respect to its median sagittal plane.
[0038] The median sagittal plane is the plane indicated with X in Figure 2 and in the present description it is the plane that runs in the fore-and-aft direction that divides the box-like body 12 into two parts of substantially equal mass.
[0039] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the fixing means 41 are constituted by teeth which extend from the second free edge 42 and which are each adapted to be inserted in a corresponding seat of the first edge 40 of the cover 16.
[0040] In particular, the teeth are arranged in the region of intersection between the two edges 40, 42, in the configuration in which the box-like body 12 is closed.
[0041] In order to render the engagement non-removable, after the fixing of the edges 40, 42, such teeth are riveted and/or welding is performed, between the edges 40, 42.
[0042] Such a solution prevents the accidental opening of the box-like body 12 during the insertion of the male terminal and ensures a constant pressure of contact between the cantilevered tabs 18, 19 and the male terminal.
[0043] Another peculiarity of the invention consists in that the terminal 10 comprises a corresponding flexing limiting protrusion, 21 and 22 respectively, for each one of the cantilevered contact tabs 18 and 19.
[0044] These flexing limiting protrusions 21 and 22 extend from the same frame 17 until they affect the free end 23 and 24 of the respective cantilevered elastic tab 18 and 19, as indicated in Figures 1 and 3.
[0045] The female terminal 10 comprises a front portion, which is the part where the male terminal is introduced into the box-like body 12, and a rear portion, which is the crimping portion 11.
[0046] In the example shown in the figures, the female terminal 10 according to the invention has the two laterally adjacent cantilevered tabs 18 and 19 extending from a front segment 25 of the frame 17 of the cover 16.
[0047] There are two flexing limiting protrusions 21, 22 and they extend from the rear segment 26 of the same frame 17.
[0048] The flexing limiting protrusions 21, 22 are each constituted by a flat element that extends from the rear segment 26 of the frame 17.
[0049] The free ends 27 and 28 of the protrusions 21, 22 lie above the free ends 23, 24 of the respective cantilevered tabs 18, 19 and prevent the latter from flexing outward excessively when the male terminal enters the body 12, by intercepting the displacement of the free ends 23, 24.
[0050] It should be noted that the flexing limiting protrusions 21, 22 are easier, quicker and cheaper to make than similar conventional solutions.
[0051] The bottom 13 of the body 12 has a central opening 30, within which a cantilevered bridge 31 extends which has an engagement ridge 32 which is adapted to engage with a corresponding hole in the male terminal, not shown in the figures.
[0052] The cantilevered contact tabs 18 and 19 are arc-shaped, with the concavity directed toward the outside of the box-like body 12.
[0053] In the central region these tabs have a longitudinal contact rib 33 and 34 respectively, which extends into the interspace 20.
[0054] Another peculiarity of the invention consists in that the terminal 10 can be used in situations in which the electric cable must exit with an inclination of 90° with respect to the direction of extension of the terminal.
[0055] The crimping portion 11 has a segment 50, with a substantially C-shaped profile, the core 51 of which is substantially coplanar with the bottom 13 of the box-like body 12, and the wings 52a, 52b of which extend substantially in a direction Y which is perpendicular to the direction Z of extension of the box-like body 12.
[0056] The segment 50 has an extension that is substantially smaller than the internal width of the box-like body 12, where the term "internal width" means the distance between the lateral walls 14 and 15.
[0057] Such segment 50 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the box-like body 12 and constitutes a seat for accommodating the electric cable exiting from such body 12.
[0058] In the configuration for use, the electric cable therefore has an inclination of 90° with respect to the direction of extension of the terminal.
[0060] In this manner the female terminal according to the present invention can be used in applications where it is necessary that the electric cable exits from the terminal with an inclination of 90°.
[0061] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a female terminal for electrical connections in which the bending of the contact tabs is prevented at lower cost and with simpler construction than in conventional female terminals.
[0062] It should be noted that with the invention a female terminal for electrical connections has been devised that does not have protrusions and/or sharp portions that protrude from the box-like body and which has a box-like body with a pleasing visual impact.
[0063] It should also be noted that with the invention a female terminal for electrical connections has been devised in which the electric cable exits with an inclination of 90° with respect to the direction of extension of the terminal.
[0064] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
[0065] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
[0066] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000002437 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0067] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
1. A female terminal (10) for electrical connections, of the type comprising a crimping
portion (11) and a box-like connection body (12), said box-like connection body (12)
comprising:
- a bottom (13), which defines a lower contact region,
- two opposite lateral containment walls (14, 15), which extend from said bottom (13),
- a cover (16), which extends from a first one (14) of said lateral walls (14, 15) and defines an upper contact region, said cover (16) comprising a frame (17) with one or more cantilevered elastic contact tabs (18, 19), which are contoured to protrude into the interspace (20) between said bottom (13) and said cover (16), said interspace (20) being designed to contain a male contact,
- said cover (16) having a first free edge (40) which is fixed with fixing means (41) to a corresponding second free fixing edge (42) of said second lateral wall (15),
said terminal (10) being characterized in that said box-like body (12) is substantially symmetrical with respect to its sagittal plane (X).2. The terminal (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixing means (41) are constituted by teeth which extend from said second free
edge (42) and which are each adapted to be inserted in a corresponding seat of said
first free edge (40) of said cover (16).
3. The terminal (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said teeth are arranged in the region of intersection between said two first (40)
and second (42) free edges.
4. The terminal (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said teeth are riveted and/or welding is performed between said two first (40) and
second (42) free edges.
5. The terminal (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first edge (40) is bent toward the inside of said box-like body (12).
6. A female terminal (10) for electrical connections, of the type comprising a crimping
portion (11) and a box-like connection body (12), said box-like connection body (12)
comprising:
- a bottom (13), which defines a lower contact region,
- two opposite lateral containment walls (14, 15), which extend from said bottom (13),
- a cover (16), which extends from a first one (14) of said lateral walls (14, 15) and defines an upper contact region, said cover (16) comprising a frame (17) with one or more cantilevered elastic contact tabs (18, 19), which are contoured to protrude into the interspace (20) between said bottom (13) and said cover (16), said interspace (20) being designed to contain a male contact,
said terminal (10) being characterized in that it comprises a corresponding flexing limiting protrusion (21, 22) for each one of said one or more cantilevered contact tabs (18, 19).7. The terminal (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that said flexing limiting protrusions (21, 22) have an extension from said frame (17)
up to a free end (23, 24) of a respective one of said one or more cantilevered elastic
tabs (18, 19).
8. The terminal (10) according to one or more of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said flexing limiting protrusions (21, 22) are each constituted by a flat element
that extends from a rear segment (26) of said frame (17), said cantilevered tabs (18,
19) extending from a front segment (25) of said frame (17) of said cover (16).
9. The terminal (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said one or more cantilevered contact tabs (18, 19) are arc-shaped, with the concavity
directed toward the outside of said box-like body (12), said one or more cantilevered
contact tabs (18, 19) being provided with a longitudinal contact rib (33, 34) which
protrudes into said interspace (20).
10. A female terminal (10) for electrical connections, of the type comprising a crimping
portion (11) and a box-like connection body (12), said box-like connection body (12)
comprising:
- a bottom (13), which defines a lower contact region,
- two opposite lateral containment walls (14, 15), which extend from said bottom (13),
- a cover (16), which extends from a first one (14) of said lateral walls (14, 15) and defines an upper contact region, said cover (16) comprising a frame (17) with at least one cantilevered elastic contact tab (18, 19) which is contoured to protrude into the interspace (20) between said bottom (13) and said cover (16), said interspace (20) being designed to contain a male contact,
said terminal (10) being characterized in that said crimping portion (11) has a segment (50), with a substantially C-shaped profile, the core (51) of which is substantially coplanar with said bottom (13) and the wings (52a, 52b) of which extend substantially in a direction (Y) which is perpendicular to the direction (Z) of extension of said box-like body (12), said segment (50) having an extension that is substantially smaller than the internal width of said box-like body (12).11. The terminal (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bottom (13) of said body (12) is provided with a central opening (30), a cantilever
bridge (31) extending within said opening (30) and having an engagement ridge (32).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description