Electrical terminal with enhanced clamping force

摘要

An electrical connector having one or more pairs of opposing contact arms extending from a body portion and configured to receive a mating connector. A spring clamp member is positioned over the opposing contact arms to increase a compressive force of the contact arms on the mating connector. The contact arms include stabilizing features to limit lateral, longitudinal, and/or rotational movement of the spring clamp member relative to the contact arms. The contact arms may be formed of a material having a high electrical connectivity and the spring clamp member may be formed of a different material having a higher relaxation temperature than the contact arm material. The mating connector may include be a male blade type terminal.

主权项

1. A female terminal assembly for an electrical connector configured to connect with a mating male terminal, said assembly comprising:
at least two pair of opposing contact arms configured to receive said male terminal therebetween and each adjoining pair of opposing contact arms defining a recess therebetween; and a spring clamp member having two opposing clamping portions in contact with the at least two pair of opposing contact arms and connected by a spring portion, said spring clamp member at least partially disposed with the recess, wherein each of the contact arms define a compound bend intermediate a free end and a fixed end, said compound bend having a first bend in a direction toward a longitudinal axis of the female terminal assembly and a second bend in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the compound bends cooperate to limit lateral movement of the clamping portions of the spring clamp member within the recess along a lateral axis of the female terminal assembly and wherein each contact arm further defines a third bend proximate the free end in a direction away from the longitudinal axis configured to form a receiving portion of the female terminal assembly.