Tab terminal with short circuiting spring members

摘要

A tab terminal (8) comprises a box-shaped body section (26) having short circuit cantilever beam spring members (46) projecting outwardly from side walls (32) thereof. The terminals (8) are for mounting in a connector assembly matable to a complementary connector assembly for applications such as automotive airbags where a short circuiting function is required between adjacent terminals of a connector assembly. Spring members (46) of adjacent terminals (8) thus abut and electrically contact each other when mounted in a connector assembly that is disconnected. The complementary connector assembly has a wall portion that is insertable between the contacting spring members (46) for separation thereof when the assemblies are mated. Due to the distribution of flexible movement between spring members of both adjacent contacts, and due to the integration of the spring members within the terminals (8), a more compact connector assembly can be provided, and furthermore stresses are reduced within the short circuiting spring members in comparison to the prior art. <IMAGE>