Connector assembly with tolerance compensation
US4671589A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/193
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A connector assembly includes a connector body with a flexible tolerance compensation member to assure that consistent electrical contact is made between an electrical terminal of the assembly and the cylindrical contact portion of a vehicle cigarette lighter regardles of tolerance variations in the diameter of the contact portion above a minimum diameter. The connector body and tolerance compensation member include partially cylindrical guide and registration surfaces respectively that together provide a guide means with an effective diameter less than, but close to, the minimum diameter of the contact portion. The electrical terminal terminal is joined to the connector body so as to move with it and thereby maintain a constant location relative to the registration surface. The effective diameter of the guide means assures that the registration surface will be always engaged and flexed away by the component contact portion regardless of its actual diameter, thereby assuring that the electrical terminal will make a consistent electrical contact therewith.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.