MX2008009760A - Electrical contact with wire trap - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical terminal (2) including a body (4) having a contact gripping element (6) where the contact gripping element is resiliently biased or disposed in a channel. The contact gripping element is configured to exert a contact gripping force on an electrical conductor. Preferably the body has a seam transverse to the contact gripping element . More preferably the seam can widen upon insertion of the electrical conductor. Most preferably the seam can reduce the radial force upon the contact gripping element as a way to relax stress on the contact gripping element .

Description

ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH WIRE TRAP An improved electrical terminal is described and more particularly to an improved wire trap for electrical connection and for the retention of an electrical conductor inside an electrical connector. Electrical terminals are well known in the connector industry. Commonly, the terminals include a plug and a matching receptacle, together with a part that connects the conductor. In the case where the terminals are connected to the cables, the terminals include a cable connection section. One of these forms of cable connection section is the crimping of the cable, where the cable is stripped and placed at a terminal end, and then crimped by placing it where the metal deforms over the conductor to make the electrical connection . It is desirable that in certain applications a crimped connection is not required. Commonly, this happens in the situation where the cables are stripped on the site, and where the crimping tools are not readily available. An example of this type of situation could be in the lighting industry, where overhead lights are installed, and it is easier for the installer if a crimped connection is not necessary. The objects of the invention therefore are to improve these known connection systems. The objects of the invention have been achieved by providing an electrical terminal comprising an open body at one end, defining a channel, wherein the channel is configured to receive an electrical conductor, and a contact-engaging element is flexibly diverted into the channel where the contact-engaging element it is associated with the body and the contact gripping element is configured to exert a contact gripping force on the electrical conductor. In a pair of variations, the contact gripping element is a leaf spring or spring. Other embodiments comprise when the contact grip element can move elastically in the radial direction and where the insertion of the electric conductor exerts a radial force upon contact with the gripper.

In another variation, the body includes a longitudinal seam that extends along a length of the body from the open end to a second end of the body. Additionally, the contact gripping element is transverse to the seam. Preferably, the body is configured in such a way that the seam expands with the insertion of the electrical conductor in the channel. More preferably, the seam is configured to reduce the radial force applied to the contact gripper. Much more preferably, the seam comprises a shape for relaxing the tension on the contact gripper. When an electrical conductor is inserted into the channel, the electrical conductor places a radial force on the gripper element of the Contact. During the insertion of the electrical conductor, the electrical conductor can exert a force on the inner surface of the body on the opposite side of the contact gripper. Since the contact gripping element is deflected flexibly in the channel, this radial force can exert tension on the contact gripping element at the point of association with the body of the electrical terminal. When the seam is transverse to the contact gripping element, the seam can expand and reduce the radial force exerted on the contact gripping element by the electrical conductor. In still another embodiment, a terminal for retaining an electrical conductor comprises an electrical terminal that includes a contact gripper, a channel and an opening. The contact grip element is placed through the opening. The contact gripping element has a distal end placed in the channel, and is configured to be displaced by the electrical conductor where the contact gripping element is configured to exert a contact gripping force on the electrical conductor placed in the channel. In a couple of variations, the contact gripping element is an arc and a leaf springs. Other embodiments comprise when the contact gripper can move elastically in the radial direction and where the insertion of the electrical conductor exerts a radial force on the contact gripper.

In another variation, the body includes a longitudinal seam that extends along a length of the body from the open end to a second end of the body. Additionally, the contact gripping element is transverse to the seam. Preferably, the body is configured in such a way that the seam expands with the insertion of the electrical conductor in the channel. More preferably, the seam is configured to reduce the radial force applied to the contact gripper. Much more preferably, the seam includes a shape to relax the tension on the contact gripper. When an electrical conductor is inserted into the channel, the electrical conductor exerts a radial force on the contact gripping element. During the insertion of the electrical conductor, the electrical conductor can exert a force on the inner surface of the body on the opposite side of the contact gripper. Since the contact gripper is positioned in the channel, this radial force can exert tension on the contact gripper at the point of association with the body of the electrical terminal. When the seam is transverse to the contact gripping element, the seam can expand and reduce the radial force exerted on the contact gripping element by the electrical conductor. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the electrical terminal of the present invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the electrical terminal of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the electrical terminal associated with an electrical conductor and a connector housing. With reference to Figure 1, in (2) there is shown an embodiment of an electrical terminal, having a body (4), a contact gripper (6), an open end (8), an opening (9) and a channel (10). The body (4) also has a seam (12). The stamped terminal is constituted by a suitable conductive material, such as a material with copper alloy. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal (2) is stamped and formed from a die-cut material where the seam is formed from the side edges of the die roll which are formed against each other. Preferably, the contact gripping element (6) is formed transverse to the seam (12), that is, in a radial position. As can be better seen in figure (2), the contact grip element (6) is shown flexibly offset in the channel (10). The contact gripping element (6) can be cut or stamped from the body (4), but as shown, it is stamped from the die-cut of material from which it is formed. The contact grip element (6) can be deflected flexibly in the form of a leaf spring or sheet structure, as best shown in Figure 2. The distal end (13) of the contact gripper ( 6) also forms a section of contact, as will be described further below. Referring back to Figure 1, body (4) further includes a securing member (1 4) having an assurance part (1 6), an opening (18), and a projection (20). As mentioned above, the contact grip element (6) is flexibly offset in the channel (10). An insulated cable (22) can be prepared in such a way that the conductor (24) is exposed, and the electrical conductor (24) is able to insert through the open end (8) and into the channel (10), thereby the distal contact section (1 3) of the contact gripping element (6) moves flexibly in the radial direction to exert a clamping and contact force on the electrical conductor (24). As the longitudinal seam (12) is positioned radially transverse to the contact gripping element (6), the body (4) can be configured to reduce the tension applied to the contact gripping element (6) when an electrical conductor is inserted into the contact element (6). the channel (10), since the seam can open slightly and release the tension in the elongate beam section of the contact gripper (6). As shown in figure (3), the contact gripper (6) exerts a contact grip contact force on the electrical conductor (24).

Claims (9)

1 . An electrical terminal, which comprises: an open body at the ends defining a channel, said channel being configured to receive an electrical conductor; and a contact gripping element flexibly diverted in said channel, said contact gripping member being associated with said body, said contact gripping element being configured to exert a contact gripping contact force on the electrical conductor. The electrical terminal of claim 1, further characterized in that said contact gripping element is a leaf spring. 3. The electrical terminal of claim 1, further characterized in that said contact gripping element is a leaf springs. 4. The electrical terminal of claim 1, further characterized in that said contact gripping element can move flexibly in a radial direction. 5. The electrical terminal of claim 4, further characterized in that the electric conductor condition exerts a radial force on said contact gripper. The electrical terminal of claim 5, further characterized in that said body includes a longitudinal seam extending along a length of said body of said end open to a second end of said body. The electrical terminal of claim 6, further characterized in that said contact gripping element is transverse to said seam. The electrical terminal of claim 6, further characterized in that said body is configured in such a way that said seam expands with the insertion of the electrical conductor in said channel. The electrical terminal of claim 8, further characterized in that said seam is configured to reduce said radial force applied to said contact gripper. The electrical terminal of claim 8, further characterized in that said seam comprises a means for tension relaxation on said contact gripper.