Patent · US Expired

Tab terminal with short circuiting spring member

US5791923A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 15, 1997
Grant dateAug 11, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 15, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/055
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A tab terminal comprises a box-shaped body section having short circuit cantilever beam spring members projecting outwardly from side walls thereof. The terminals 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 of adjacent terminals 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 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, 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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.