UNIVERSAL CONTACT RECEPTACLE

Abstract: A contact receptacle (4) for an electrical terminal (2) having a plurality of terminal receiving regions (12, 14) defined by a plurality of spring arms (16a-b) each of which including a terminal engaging section (20, 21) that corresponds to each of the terminal receiving regions (12, 14) for engaging a tab terminal (8) selectively disposed in one of the regions (12, 14). Furthermore, a terminal mating portion (30) is provided to be received within at least two of the terminal receiving regions (12, 14).

Description: UNIVERSAL CONTACT RECEPTACLE This invention relates to an electrical contact receptacle, particularly to receptacles that are included as part of a terminal for mating with a tab or pin type terminal. In the prior art, there are numerous examples of electrical contact receptacles designed to mate with a tab terminal. Typically, these receptacles comprise at least one pair of oppositely disposed spring arms having contact surfaces thereupon which are adapted to come into contact with opposing sides of the tab terminal. As a tab terminal has a width that is much greater than its thickness these prior art contact receptacles limit the orientation of the tab terminal to two positions, 180 * apart. One particular application for a receptacle terminal configured as an adapter is with respect to an electrical power distribution centre that provides electrical interconnections between electrical and electronic devices and electrical wiring connections in a vehicular electrical system. One example of this type of electrical distribution centre is presented in U.S. Patent No. 5,023,752. In this patent a pre-sta ped metal circuit component includes tab terminals bent transversely thereto for interconnection with the tab terminal of electrical and electronic device, such as fuses and relays. In order to interconnect these tab terminals a double-ended female terminal is located therebetween. The particular double- ended female terminal disclosed requires the tab terminal of the circuit grid to be similarly orientated with the tab terminal from the component. This limitation controls where on the circuit grid the tab terminal must be folded from. In many instances, it may be more desirable to fold the tab terminal from a different location which would result in it being oriented differently than the tab terminal of the device. In order to solve this problem, it would be desirable to have a contact receptacle capable of receiving the tab terminal of the device in a plurality of orientations, thereby eliminating the necessity of similarly aligning the tabs to be interconnected. It is an object of this invention to provide a contact receptacle for an electrical terminal for receiving a tab-type terminal in a plurality of orientations. It is another object of this invention to provide a terminal having a cross-like cross section receivable within the contact receptacle. It is an object of an embodiment of this invention to provide an adaptor for interconnecting tab-type terminals where at least one of the tabs may be received in the contact receptacle in a plurality of orientations. It is yet another object of an embodiment of this invention to provide an improved overmould receptacle connector. It is yet another object to provide an electrical terminal for interconnecting opposing tab terminals incorporated in an electrical distribution box enabling optimization of the structure. These and other objects are accomplished by providing an electrical contact having a contact receptacle configured with a plurality of terminal receiving regions. It is an advantage of this invention that the tab type terminal may be received in any one of a number of terminal receiving regions so that the tab terminal maybe optimally oriented relatively independent of the mating contact receptacle. It is another advantage of this invention that a tab, or pin, contact may be created that would be insertable into at least a second of the terminal receiving regions simultaneously, whereby the number of contact points would be increased over a conventional tab terminal, thereby assuring the effective electrical interconnection. It is yet another advantage of this invention that the contact receptacle may be incorporated into an electrical terminal having a conductor mating end adapted to engage an insulated wire, a circuit trace of a printed circuit board, or any other style of electrical connector, such as a tab terminal or plug terminal. It is still another advantage of this invention that during assembly it is not necessary to worry about proper orientation as multiple acceptable positions are achievable. It is still yet another advantage of this invention that an overmoulded receptacle contact connector may be easily produced by overmoulding a tab terminal and the affixing of a receptacle portion thereto. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the attached figures, whereby; Figure 1 is a partially broken away side view of an electrical terminal for interconnecting tab terminals; Figure 2 is a top view of the contact receptacle of the electrical terminal of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the electrical terminal of Figure 1 showing mating tab terminals oriented 90° to each other; Figure 4 is a side view of a portion of a terminal configured to be received within the terminal receiving regions of the contact receptacle of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an end view of the terminal of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top view of the contact receptacle of Figure 1 showing a cut away portion of the terminal of Figure 4 received therein; Figure 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an electrical contact according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a top view of the electrical contact of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a top view of a stamped and formed circuit grid incorporating electrical contacts according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a side view of an anti-fretting tab terminal terminating an electrical lead; and Figure 11 is a cut-away side view of a waterproof receptacle connector where the connector housing is overmoulded about the terminal and lead of Figure 10. With reference first to Figure 1, an electrical terminal is shown at 2. The electrical terminal 2 comprises a contact receptacle 4 at one end and a conductor mating end 6 at the other end. The contact receptacle 4 is constructed to receive a tab terminal 8 in a plurality of orientations, as will be described below. The conductor mating end 6, in this embodiment, is constructed to receive a second tab terminal 10, thereby, in this embodiment forming a terminal that functions as an adapter for interconnecting opposing male terminals 8,10. In Figure 1, the tab terminals 8,10 are shown in a similar orientation. It should be noted that the conductor mating end 6 may be configured in any number of ways. For example, an insulation displacement contact may be included for engaging an insulated conductor, a surface mountable foot or pin may be included for mating with a circuit trace of a printed circuit board, the contact mating end 6 may be adapted to mate with other electrical connectors, a crimp termination may be used, or, as illustrated, the conductor mating end 6 may also have multiple receiving regions. With reference now to Figure 2, the electrical terminal 2 is folded into a cross-shaped tubular member from one piece of conductive material having the desired electrical and mechanical characteristics. A tab 11 is folded over to retain the integrity of the shape. This tab 11 may be affixed where it overlaps, if necessary, by such processes as laser welding. The contact receptacle 4 defines a first terminal receiving region 12 and a second terminal receiving region 14 that are oriented perpendicular to each other and centrally intersecting. These terminal receiving regions 12,14 are defined by four upstanding L or corner shaped spring members I6a,16b,16c and 16d each of which extend to a free end 18 opposite from the conductor mating end 6. Each of these spring arms 16a-d contain an inwardly directed terminal engaging portion 20 that corresponds to the first terminal receiving region 12 and a second inwardly directed terminal engaging portion 21 that corresponds to the second terminal receiving region 14. These portions 20,21 are constructed to make a wiping interference fit with the terminal that is inserted therein for electrical contact. The arms 16a-b also include an outwardly directed portion 22 at the free end 18 and corresponding to each engaging portion 20,21 that form a guide or mouth for the insertion of terminal 8 into the respective terminal engaging region 12, 14 of the contact receptacle 4. The spring arms 16a-d, are L-shaped members at the inner portion of the tubular cross shaped terminal 2 that face outward from the centre of the tube which includes the terminal receiving regions 12,14 of the electrical terminal 2. The spring arms 16a-d are formed by removing a portion of the material that corresponds to the outer lobes 24 of the cross-shaped tubular terminal 2, thereby providing the independent resilience. It is also apparent that each of the arms of the L-shaped members 16 a-d are mutually supporting, whereby whichever arm is carrying the contacting surface 20 or 21 is supported by the corresponding arm included within the L-shaped member. If desired, it would be also possible to interconnect the spring arms 16a-d at free end 18 by a strap which is integrally formed with the terminal or is separate therefrom. It may also be desirable to provide an outer shell surrounding the spring arms 16a-d in a supporting or protective manner. The conductor mating end 6, in this embodiment is similarly configured to the contact receptacle 4 in that it includes a pair of conductor receiving regions 26,28 that correspond to the terminal receiving regions 12,14 of the contact receptacle 4. This construction enables the second terminal 10 to also be selectively received in the various regions 26,28. This is best observed by comparing Figures 1 and 3. With reference to Figure 1, the conductor receiving regions 26,28 of the conductor mating end are formed by forming inwardly disposed surfaces 30 along the tubular walls corresponding to extensions of spring arms 16a-d, such that a conductor 10 will be received therein in an interference fit. With reference now to Figure 4 and Figure 5, a mating portion 30 of an electrical terminal (not shown) is constructed to be received within both terminal receiving regions 12,14 simultaneously. The terminal 30 has a cross- shape cross-section having four outstanding ears 32 that are configured to be received within the terminal receiving regions 12,14 of the tubular terminal 2. As each of the four spring arms 16a-d include two inwardly directed surfaces 20,21 that are orthogonally disposed to each other, the cross-shaped terminal 30 will be engaged in 8 places, as shown in Figure 6. The 8 point engagement assures reliable interconnection and the transfer of current. With reference now to Figures 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment of the aforedescribed terminal is shown generally at 100, the terminal 100 includes a contact receptacle 104 also having a conductor mating end 106. The contact receptacle 104 includes spring arm members 108a-d which are L-shaped as described above such that each of the legs 110 of each spring member 108a-d are in a mutually supporting relation and cooperate together at least at their extreme ends of the length of the arm members 108a-d. An undercut 112 is provided to enhance compliance. The terminal 100 includes four lobes 114a-d, as the terminal 100 is configured to provide two positions. Within one of the lobes 114d and opening 116 is included that received a tab 118 in a locking manner that prevents expansion, and ultimately deterioration of the contact force, by the terminal 100 structure. It should be noted while the aforedescribed structures are configured to have two multiple tab terminal receiving positions, another structure may be derived that includes additional positions. With reference now to Figure 8, a stamped and formed circuit grid of the type typical for use in vehicle electrical distribution boxes is shown generally at 200. Electrical terminals 202 as described above are shown positioned upon tabs 204 folded out of the plane of the circuit grid 200. The circuit grid 200 includes multiple circuit links 206 from which the tabs 204 are folded. The terminals 202 are especially advantageous as tabs 204' and 204" may be folded in different directions and still provide for receiving tabs of a mating device, such as a fuse, which normally lie in a common plane, thereby providing for efficient use of material and space which provides for a compact and reduced weight component. With reference now to Figures 10 and 11, a sealed electrical connector is shown generally at 300 (Figure 11) . In Figure 10, an electrical lead 302 is shown terminated by an electrical contact 304. The lead 302 includes an insulative sheath 306 and strands that form a conductive core 308 within the sheath 306. The contact 304 includes a crimp section 310 for mechanically and electrically engaging the core 308 that is formed to extend from a plurality of interconnected band sections 312a-c as is known in the art to provide float for reducing fretting corrosion. A tab 314 extends from the band sections 312a-c opposite the crimp section 310. As shown in Figure 11, a housing 316 is overmoulded about the lead 302 contact 304 structure of Figure 10 to form the sealed connector 300. the housing 316 is moulded about the lead 302 and the first band 312a in a sealed manner, thereby eliminating the need for separate single wire sealing. The housing 316 carries a seal 318 to provide a waterproof connector and a nose portion 320 holds the seal 318 in place. In order to form a receptacle connector, a terminal 322 as described above is affixed to the tab 314 which is easier to form by assembly than by overmoulding a one piece or already assembled receptacle contact. When attached to a complementary component 322, a tab 326 fits within the terminal 322 and a shroud 328 is engaged by the seal 318. The terminal 322 is easily affixed to the tab 314 and the multiple tab receiving regions described above enable greater flexibility. Advantageously, an electrical terminal is provided that can receive a mating terminal in any one of a plurality of orientations. The terminal reduces assembly costs as polarization is not essential. When incorporated into a circuit grid, tab terminals may be folded to maximize/optimize material usage, thereby producing a component useful in a compact electrical distribution box.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An electrical terminal (2) for receiving a tab terminal (8) comprising a contact receptacle portion (4) and a conductor mating end (6) , the terminal (2) having multiple terminal receiving regions (12,14) for selectively receiving the tab terminal (8) . 2. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 1, where the contact receptacle portion (4) includes at least one spring arm (16a-d) having a pair of legs angularly orientated with respect to each other where each leg includes a contact surface (20) thereupon and each contact surface (20) corresponds to a different one of the terminal receiving regions (12,14). 3. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 2, where the pair of legs cooperate in a manner that enhances the stiffness of the leg engaging the mating tab terminal (8) . 4. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 8, where the contact receptacle portion (4) includes a plurality of spring arms (16a-d) each having a pair of legs and being disposed to define two intersecting terminal receiving regions (12,14). 5. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 4, where the receptacle portion (4) includes four spring arms (16a-d) each with legs oriented approximately perpendicular to each other to define the two terminal receiving regions (12,14) in a cross-like configuration. 6. The electrical terminal (2) of any one of claims 1-5, where the conductor mating end (6) is configured to receive a second tab terminal (10) . 7. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 6, where the conductor mating end (6) is configured to receive the tab terminal (10) in any one of multiple orientations. 8. A circuit grid (200) for an electrical distribution box comprising multiple circuit links (206) with tabs (204) folded therefrom and an electrical terminal (202) according to any one of claims 6 or 7 affixed to the tab (204) . 9. A sealed electrical connector (300) comprising a conductive lead (302) having a tab terminal (304) affixed thereto overmoulded by a housing (306) , where an electrical terminal (322) according to claim 6 or 7 is affixed thereto. 10. An electrical terminal (2) for receiving a tab terminal (8) of rectangular cross section comprising a conductor mating end (6) for electrically engaging a mating conductor (10) to be electrically coupled with the tab terminal (8) and a contact receptacle portion (4) having multiple spring arms (16a-d) including legs that have contact surfaces (20) thereupon to define a first terminal receiving region (12) therebetween characterized in that each spring arm (16a-d) includes a second leg that includes another contact surface (21) thereupon that is exposed in another terminal receiving region (14) angularly offset from the first terminal receiving region (12) , where each of the spring arms cooperate to enhance the others stiffness. 11. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 10, further characterized in that the spring arms (16a-d) are constructed so that the legs thereof intersect in the region of the tab terminal (8) corresponding to the central portion thereof. 12. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 10, further characterized in that the legs of the spring arms (16a-d) are oriented approximately 90 * to each other to define two orthogonally disposed terminal receiving regions (12,14). 13. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 12, further characterized in that the spring arms (16a-d) extend from a common body in a cantilevered manner to a free end. 14. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 13, further characterized in that the adjacent legs of each spring arm are integrally connected at each free end thereof. 15. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 14, further characterized in that the conductor mating end (6) is formed to receive a tab terminal (10) . 16. The electrical terminal (2) of claim 15, further characterized in that the conductor mating end (6) is formed to receive the tab terminal (10) in one of a plurality of orientations. 17. The electrical terminal of either of claims 15 or 16, further characterized in that the tab terminal (10) is folded from a circuit grid (200) .

Inventors: HOTEA GHEORGHE, HOTEA, GHEORGHE
Applicants: HOTEA GHEORGHE, WHITAKER CORP, HOTEA, GHEORGHE, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R9, H01R13