• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates to an electrical terminal (10) having an electrical contact (18) and a crimp barrel (20) configured to be crimped around one end of a wire. The crimp barrel (20) includes a base (22) and opposing side walls (24) that define an opening (25) of the crimp barrel (20). Side walls (24) extend outwardly from the base (22) to the ends (50) and include base segments (52) and end segments (54). A sealing wing (56) extends from the end of at least one of the side walls (24). The side walls (24) are configured to be folded over the wire when crimped so that a space is defined between the end segment (54) and the base segment (52) of at least one of the side walls (24). The sealing wing (56) is configured to extend into the space between the end segment (54) and the base segment (52) when the side walls (24) are crimped over the end of the wire.
    公开号:BR112013008591B1
    申请号:R112013008591-6
    申请日:2011-10-14
    公开日:2021-04-20
    发明作者:Ned Eugene Corman；Uwe Blummel；Helge Schmidt；Charles Dudley Copper；Raymond D. Boyer；David B. Weaver；John Wesley Hall；John Mark Myer
    申请人:Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh；Te Connectivity Corporation；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Field of Invention
    The subject described and/or illustrated here generally refers to electrical terminals that terminate wires. Electrical terminals are often used to terminate wire ends. Such electrical terminals typically include an electrical contact and a barrel for crimping. The crimp barrel includes an opening which receives one end of the wire therein. The crimp barrel is crimped around the end of the wire to establish an electrical connection between one or more conductors of the wire and the terminal, as well as mechanically holding said electrical terminal at the end of the wire. When crimped over the end of the wire, the crimp barrel establishes an electrical connection between the wire conductor(s) and the electrical contact. Fundamentals of the Invention
    Wire conductors are often made of copper. However, as the cost of copper has risen, aluminum has been considered as an alternative conductive material. However, aluminum has its drawbacks. For example, a disadvantage of using aluminum as a conductive material is an oxide layer that can build up on the outer surface of the conductor. Such an oxide layer has relatively low electrical conductivity. Consequently, the oxide layer needs to penetrate the base material to establish a reliable electrical connection between conductor and electrical terminal.
    Another disadvantage of aluminum is electrochemical corrosion. Many electrical terminals are used within environments that can expose the terminal and the wire crimped to it to moisture. For example, electrical terminals are often used inside automobiles and other vehicles that operate in saline and aqueous environments. Exposure of a conductor to moisture can lead to conductor corrosion. For example, moisture that seeps into a crimp interface between a conductor and a crimp barrel can cause the conduit to experience electrochemical corrosion, and thus begin to dissolve. In addition, the end of many conductors is exposed at one end of the barrel for crimping the electrical terminal, for example, through an opening inside the end of the barrel for crimping and/or because the end of the conductor extends past the end of the barrel to crimping. Such exposed conductor ends may experience corrosion from exposure to moisture within the electrical terminal operating environment. Corrosion is thus a problem when using aluminum as a conductive material. Furthermore, the electrical terminal is optionally manufactured from copper-based alloy materials. In the electrochemical series, copper and aluminum have a large difference in electrochemical potential, which is an indication of high corrosion rate. Corrosion can then be especially problematic when terminating aluminum conductors to copper-based electrical terminals.
    A known attempt to prohibit electrochemical corrosion includes preventing or reducing a conductor's exposure to moisture. For example, attempts have been made to seal the ends of barrels for crimping using silicone gaskets. However, since aluminum has a reduced amount of electrical conductivity relative to copper, aluminum conductors need to have a larger cross-sectional area than copper conductors for a given electrical current-carrying capacity. When a copper conductor is replaced with an aluminum conductor, the space occupied by the silicone gasket can prevent the larger aluminum conductor from being used with the existing electrical terminal. Therefore, it would be necessary to manufacture a larger silicone gasket and crimp barrel to accommodate the larger aluminum conductor, which can add to the cost of an electrical terminal and wire assembly.
    Another attempt to prohibit electrical corrosion includes decreasing the electrochemical potential between the conductor and barrel for crimping. Decreasing the electrochemical potential is accomplished by fabricating a barrel for crimping or its surfaces from a material that is closer to the conductor material or the same material as the conductor. For aluminum conductors, possible barrel materials for crimping include nickel plating, aluminum plating and/or using an aluminum base material for the barrel for crimping. However, such techniques have disadvantages. For example, nickel deposition may require the use of galvanic deposition, which can be relatively expensive. Additionally, the relatively hard nickel surface layer can be detrimental to the tool used to crimp the barrel for crimping around the wire. In addition, there is a likelihood that the nickel surface layer will break during crimping, which would create possible corrosion paths. Aluminum deposition is currently not possible with a usual deposition process and may therefore require the implementation of new deposition technologies such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), which can be costly. Furthermore, even with new deposition technology such as PVD, there will still be exposed edges of the deposition layer, which will transfer the corrosion problem to a different place in the electrical terminal.
    Manufacturing the base material of the aluminum crimp barrel can also have disadvantages. Some electrical terminals include electrical contacts that are spring bundles. However, aluminum has relatively weak spring characteristic properties, so there is no possibility of forming a bundle of aluminum springs. Consequently, fabrication of the aluminum material crimp barrel would restrict its use in electrical terminals that do not include a spring beam or it would be necessary to use materials other than the base materials of the crimp barrel and electrical contacts, which can be costly, carry time and/or be difficult to manufacture.
    The solution is provided by an electrical terminal, as described here, for terminating a wire. The electrical terminal includes an electrical contact and a crimp barrel that extends from the electrical contact. The crimp barrel is configured to be crimped around one end of the wire. The crimp barrel includes a base and opposing side walls that extend from the base. The base and side walls define a barrel crimp opening that is configured to receive the end of the wire. The side walls extend out from the base to the ends. The side walls include base segments that extend from the base and end segments that extend from the base segments and include the ends A sealing wing extends from the end of at least one of the side walls. The side walls are configured to be folded, when crimped, over the end of the wire, such that a space is defined between the end segment and the base segment of at least one of the side walls. The sealing wing is configured to extend into the space between the end segment and the base segment of the corresponding sidewall when the sidewalls are crimped over the wire end. Brief Description of Drawings
    The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplified embodiment of an electrical terminal of the invention.
    FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a barrel for crimping the electrical terminal shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
    FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical terminal shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the electrical terminal after the crimp barrel has been crimped around the end of the wire.
    FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp barrel taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
    FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the crimp barrel taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.
    FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the electrical terminal shown in FIG. 4.
    FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the barrel for crimping the electrical terminal shown in FIG. 1 illustrating an exemplified embodiment of keg serrations for crimping.
    FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplified embodiment of an electrical terminal.
    FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical terminal shown in FIG. 8 after an exemplified embodiment of a barrel for crimping the electrical terminal has been crimped around the end of the wire.
    FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplified alternative embodiment of an electrical terminal. Detailed Description of the Invention
    FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplified embodiment of an electrical terminal 10. The terminal 10 includes an electrical contact segment 12 and a crimp segment 14 extending from an end 16 of the electrical contact segment 12. The segment of electrical contact 12 includes an electrical contact 18. In the exemplified embodiment, electrical contact 18 is a receptacle that is configured to receive a corresponding contact (not shown). But the electrical contact 18 shown here is just an example. Electrical terminal 10 is not limited to electrical contact 18 shown here, but preferably electrical terminal 10 may include any type of electrical contact 18, such as, but not limited to, a crimp barrel, a spring contact, a beam contact, a tab, a structure with an opening to receive a threaded fastener or other type of mechanical fastener, and/or the like.
    The crimp segment 14 includes a crimp barrel 20. The crimp barrel 20 includes a base 22 and opposing side walls 24 extending from the base 22. The base 22 and side walls 24 define an opening 25 of the barrel for crimp 20 that is configured to receive one end 26 (FIG. 6) of a wire 28 (FIGs. 3, 5 and 6) that includes one or more conductors 30 (FIGs. 5 and 6). In the exemplified embodiment, wire 28 includes a plurality of conductors 30, but wire 28 may alternatively include only a single conductor 30. In embodiments where wire 28 includes a plurality of conductors 30, the plurality of conductors 30 of wire 28 may include any number of conductors 30.
    Crimp barrel 20 is configured to be crimped around the end of wire 28 to mechanically and electrically connect wire 28 to electrical terminal 10. Conductors 30 can be any type of conductor. Optionally, conductors 30 are manufactured (for example, may include) of aluminium. Additionally or alternatively, conductors 30 may be fabricated from any other electrically conductive material, such as, but not limited to copper or similar material. Optionally, wire 28 includes an electrically insulating layer 31 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) that extends around conductors 30 along at least a portion of the length of conductors 30. Electrically insulating layer 31 is removed. optionally from at least a portion of the ends of the conductors 30 to expose the ends of the conductor. In some alternative embodiments, electrical contact 18 is another crimp barrel 20 that is configured to be crimped around the end of another wire (not shown) to mechanically and electrically connect the other wire to electrical terminal 10. Consequently, in some embodiments Alternatively, electrical terminal 10 is configured to electrically connect wire 28 to another wire. In other words, electrical terminal 10 can be used to split wire 28 into another wire in some alternative arrangements.
    Crimp barrel 20 extends a length from a contact end 32 to a wire end 34. Contact end 32 extends from electrical contact 18. More particularly, contact end 32 extends from of end 16 of electrical contact segment 12. As will be described below, wire end 34 optionally engages electrical insulation layer 31 (if provided). The crimp barrel 20 includes a front seal crimp subsegment 36, an electrical termination crimp subsegment 38, a compression transition subsegment 40, and a rear seal subsegment 42. Generally, the front seal crimp subsegment 36 provides a seal at the contact end 32 of the crimp barrel 20, while the electrical termination crimp subsegment 38 engages conductors 30 to electrically connect the crimp barrel 20 to conductors 30. The rear seal subsegment 42 provides a seal at the end of wire 34 of crimp barrel 20.
    In the exemplified embodiment, the base 22 and side walls 24 extend along and define the overall length of the crimp barrel 20. Accordingly, the base 22 and side walls 24 include sub-segments 36, 38, 40 and 42 in the exemplified embodiment . The base 22 includes an interior interface 44, and each of the side walls 24 includes an interior surface 46. The interior surfaces 44 and 46 define the boundaries of the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20. Optionally, the interior surfaces 44 and/or 46 include one or more serrations 48, as will be described below.
    Prior to crimping, side walls 24 extend outwardly from base 22 to mating ends 50. More particularly, side walls 24 include base segments 52 extending from base 22 and end segments 54 extending from the base segments 52 and include the ends 50. In the front seal crimp subsegment 36, the seal tabs 56 extend from the ends 50 of the side walls 24. As will be described below, the seal tabs 56 are configured to extend into a space 58 (FIG. 4) between end segment 54 and base segment 52 of corresponding sidewall 24 when the sidewalls are crimped over end 26 of wire 28.
    FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp barrel 20 taken through the front seal crimp subsegment 36 before the crimp barrel 20 is crimped around the end of wire 26 (FIG. 6). Optionally, one or more sealing tabs 56 include a base segment 49 extending from end 50 of corresponding sidewall 24, before said sidewalls are crimped over end 26 of wire 28 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6). One or more sealing tabs 56 optionally include a curved segment 51 extending from the corresponding base segment 49, where the curved segment 51 is optionally U-shaped and optionally extends to the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20 and /or in a direction generally to the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20 before the side walls 24 are crimped over the end of the wire 26. In the exemplified embodiment, the sealing tabs 56 optionally include end segments 53 extending to the from the corresponding curved segment 51. Optionally, the end segment 53 of one or more sealing tabs 56 extends approximately parallel to the corresponding side wall 24, before the side walls 24 are crimped over the wire end 26. Furthermore, before the side walls 24 are crimped over the end of the wire 26, one or more end segments 53 optionally extend from the segment. the corresponding curved 51 in a direction generally to the base 22 of the crimp barrel 20, which optionally extends from the corresponding curved segment 51 to the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20, and/or optionally extends from the curved segment corresponding 51 in a direction generally to the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20. An optional pouch 60 is defined between one or more of the sealing tabs 56 and the corresponding side wall 24, before the side walls 24 are crimped over the end of the wire 26. Although two are shown, the crimp barrel 20 may include any number of sealing tabs 56. In addition, any number of sealing tabs may extend from each sidewall 24. Each sealing tab 56 may include any size, shape, and/or the like that enables the sealing wing 56 to function as described and/or illustrated herein.
    Referring again to FIG. 1, a seal 62 is optionally provided within the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20, before the crimp barrel 20 is crimped around the end of the wire 26 (FIG. 6). For example, seal 62 may be provided on the inner surface 44 of the base 22 (as shown in the exemplified embodiment of FIG. 1) and/or on the inner surface 46 of one or more of the side walls 24. In addition to or alternatively to the seal 62, the seal (not shown) is optionally provided within one or more of the pockets 60 (FIG. 2) before the crimp barrel 20 is crimped around the end of the wire 26. The seal 62 is provided within the opening 25 and /or the seal provided within a pouch 60 may be any type of seal, such as, but not limited to, a grease, a lacquer, a gel, a grease, and/or the like.
    FIG. 3 is a perspective view of electrical terminal 10 illustrating electrical terminal 10 after crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around end (FIG. 6) of wire 28. As seen in FIG. 3, the side walls 24 have been crimped over the end of the wire 26 so that the side walls 24 are folded thereover. Crimp barrel 20 is crimped along sub-segments 36, 28, 40 and 42 so that when crimped, a seal is formed along the length of crimp barrel 20, as will be described in more detail below.
    FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp barrel 20 taken through the front seal crimp subsegment 36 after the crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around the end of the wire (FIG. 6). When folded over, space 58 is defined between end segment 54 and base segment 52 of each side wall 24. When side walls 24 have been crimped over the end of wire 26, sealing tabs 56 extend into the mating space 58. The sealing tabs 56 thus facilitate sealing the spaces 58 to prevent moisture from entering the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20 through the contact end 32 after the crimp barrel 20 has been crimped over the wire end. 26. Optionally, one or more sealing tabs 56 extend from corresponding sidewall 24 in a direction generally away from base 22 of crimp barrel 20 after sidewalls 24 have been crimped over wire end 26. seals 56 optionally engage inner surface 46 of base segment 52 and/or end segment 54 of corresponding side wall 24 when side walls 24 are crimped. over the end of the wire 26. As shown in FIG. 4, when the side walls 24 have been crimped over the end of the wire 26 so that they are bent over (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4), the end segments 54 of the side walls 24 are engaged with each other.
    Optionally, the seal extends into one or more of the spaces 58 after the side walls 24 have been crimped over the end of the wire 26 to facilitate the sealing of the spaces 58. For example, the seal 62 (FIG. 1) and/or the seal (not shown) provided within the pocket(s) 60 (FIG. 2) may extend into one or more of the spaces 58 after the side walls 24 have been crimped over the end of the wire 26.
    The sealing tabs 56 and/or a combination of the sealing tabs 56 and the seal (the seal 62 and/or the seal provided within the pockets 60) facilitates the sealing of the contact end 32 of the crimp barrel 20 to thus prevent moisture entering opening 25, coming into contact with conductors 30 and/or inner surfaces 44 and/or 46 of crimp barrel 20, coming into an interface between conductors 30 and inner surfaces 44 and/or 46 of the barrel for crimping 20, and/or similar. In some embodiments, none of the leads 30 of wire 28 is exposed through contact end 32 of crimp barrel 20 when it has been crimped around end of wire 26.
    Referring again to FIG. 3, optionally, no part of the conductor(s) 30 extends past the contact end 32 of the crimp barrel 20 after it has been crimped around the end of the wire 26 (FIG. 6). The seal provided by the sealing tabs 56 and/or the sealant (the seal 62 (FIG. 1) and/or the seal provided inside the pockets 60 (FIG. 2)) thus prevents moisture from coming into contact with the conductor( es) 30 compared to terminals where a conductor end protrudes past the contact end of a crimp barrel and/or the terminals where a conductor is exposed through an opening within the contact end of a crimp barrel.
    FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of crimp barrel 20 taken through rear seal crimp subsegment 42 after crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around end 26 (FIG. 6) of wire 28. When crimp barrel 20 has been crimped. Crimped around end 26 of wire 28, inner surfaces 44 and 46 of crimp barrel 20 and ends 50 of sidewalls 24 engage (directly or indirectly with the seal described below) in the electrical insulation layer 31 surrounding the conductor (es) 30. The engagement between the crimp barrel 20 and the electrical insulation layer 31 seals the rear seal crimp subsegment 42, and more particularly the end of wire 34, from the crimp barrel 20 to the electrical insulation layer 31 of wire 28. The rear seal crimp subsegment 42 thus facilitates moisture entering the opening 25 of the crimp barrel 20 through the end of the wire 34 after the crimp barrel 20 has been crumbled. crimped over the end of wire 26. Optionally, the seal extends between crimp barrel 20 and electrical insulation layer 31 after crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around wire end 26 to facilitate sealing of the end of the wire. wire 34. For example, seal 62 (FIG. 1) may extend between the crimp barrel 20 and the electrical insulation layer 31 after the crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around the end of the wire 26. The rear seal crimp subsegment 42 and/or a combination of the subsegment crimp seal 42 and the seal facilitates the sealing of the end of the wire 34 of the crimp barrel 20 to thus prevent moisture from entering opening 25, contacting the conductor(s) 30 and/or the inner surfaces 44 and/or 46 of the crimp barrel 20, enters an interface between the conductor(s) 30 and the inner surfaces 44 and/or 46 of the crimp barrel 20, and/or the like.
    FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the electrical terminal 10 taken through the length of the electrical terminal 10 after the crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around the end of the wire 26. As seen in FIG. 6, when crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around end 26 of wire 28, electrical termination crimp subsegment 38 of crimp barrel 20 is engaged with conductors 30 to thereby electrically connect conductors 30 to crimp barrel 20 Optionally, crimp barrel 20 includes serrations 48, which can penetrate a layer of oxide (not shown) that has accumulated on conductors 30. Compression transition subsegment 40 optionally narrows outwardly as subsegment 40 extends towards the rear seal subsegment 42. More particularly, and as seen in FIG. 6, the compression transition subsegment 40 optionally narrows radially outwardly relative to a central longitudinal axis 41 of the crimp barrel 20. The optional narrowing of the compression transition subsegment 40 can allow for a smooth transition of the end of the wire 26 of uncompressed to fully compressed condition and/or can accommodate the largest diameter of wire 28 in electrical insulation layer 31.
    Referring now to FIG. 3, when the crimp barrel 20 has been crimped around the end of the wire 26 (FIG. 6), the side walls 24 and base 22 of the crimp barrel 20 define a continuous casing that extends entirely around the circumference of the end. 26 of wire 28 from electrical insulation layer 31 and past end surfaces 64 (FIG. 6) of conductors 30 (FIGs. 5 and 6). In other words, the side walls 24 and base 22 of the crimp barrel 20 define a continuous casing that extends entirely around the circumference of the end of the wire 26 from the contact end 32 to the wire end 34 of the barrel for crimp 20. In the exemplified embodiment, the side walls 24 and base 22 of the crimp barrel 20 extend continuously from the contact end 32 to the wire end 34 of the crimp barrel 20 to define the continuous casing. An interface 68 (also shown in FIG. 4) between the sidewalls 24 is sealed by engagement between the end segments 54 of the sidewalls 24, which are engaged together along the entire length of the crimp barrel 20 from the end. of contact 32 to the end of the wire 34. In some embodiments, no portion of the conductors 30 of the wire 28 is exposed between the contact end 32 and the wire end 34 of the crimp barrel 20 when it has been crimped around the end. 26 of wire 28. The continuous casing facilitates the sealing of the crimp barrel 20 to prevent moisture from entering opening 25, contacting conductors 30 and/or the inner surfaces 44 and/or 46 of the crimp barrel 20 , enters an interface between the conductor(s) 30 and the inner surfaces 44 and/or 46 of the crimp barrel 20, and/or the like.
    FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the crimp barrel 20 of the electrical terminal 10 illustrating an exemplified embodiment of the serrations 48. As described above, the inner surfaces 44 and/or 46 of the crimp barrel 20 optionally include one or more serrations 48. The serrations 48 can be used to penetrate an oxide layer on the conductors 30 (FIGs. 5 and 6) during the crimp of the crimp barrel 20 around the end of the wire 26 (FIG. 6). The serrations 48 thus facilitate establishing a reliable electrical connection between the crimp barrel 20 and the conductors 30. As seen in FIG. 7, a cutting edge 66 of each serrations 48 generally faces, or points to, the contact end 32 of the crimp barrel 20. In other words, the cutting edges 66 generally face, or points, away from the end of the wire 34 of the crimp barrel 20. In addition or alternative to the cutting edges facing the contact end 32 of the crimp barrel 20, the cutting edges 66 of the serrations 48 that are closest to the contact end 32 of the crimp barrel 20 20 may be sharper than the cutting edges 66 of some or all of the serrations 48 that are closest to the end of wire 34 of the crimp barrel 20. For example, starting with serrations 48 that extends closest to the end of contact 32 and moving toward the end of the wire 34, each subsequent serration 48 optionally includes a cutting edge 66 that is less sharp than the cutting edge 66 of the previous serration 48. Cutting s 66 can facilitate avoiding the mechanical disturbance of conductor(s) 30 that would be caused by cuts from the cut edges of at least some known serrations (not shown). Crimp barrel 20 may include any number of serrations 48.
    Referring again to FIG. 1, in the exemplified embodiment of electrical terminal 10, crimp barrel 20 includes two sealing tabs 56. But, as described above, crimp barrel 20 can include any number of sealing tabs 56. For example, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplified embodiment of an electrical terminal 110 illustrating a crimp barrel 120 that includes a single sealing tab 156. The terminal 110 includes an electrical contact segment 112 and an extending crimp segment 114 from electrical contact segment 112. Electrical contact segment 112 includes an electrical contact 118.
    Crimp segment 114 includes crimp barrel 120, which is configured to be crimped around end 26 (FIG. 6) of wire 28 (FIGs. 3, 5 and 6) to mechanically and electrically connect wire 28 to terminal crimp barrel 120. The crimp barrel 120 includes a base 122 and opposing side walls 124 extending from the base 122. An opening 125 of the crimp barrel 120 is defined between the base 122 and the side walls 124. The crimp barrel 120 extends a length from a contact end 132 to a contact end 134 and includes a front seal crimp subsegment 136. Prior to crimping, sidewalls 124 extend outwardly from base 122 to mating ends 150 More particularly, the side walls 124 include base segments 152 that extend from the base 122 and end segments 154 that extend from the base segments 152 and include the ends 1 50.
    In the front seal crimp subsegment 136, the seal tab 156 extends from the end 150 of one of the side walls 124a. Optionally, sealing tab 156 includes a base segment 157 that extends from end 150 of sidewall 124a. The base segment 157 of the sealing tab 156 optionally includes a curved segment, which is generally U-shaped, optionally extends to the opening 125 of the crimp barrel 20, and/or optionally extends in a direction generally to the opening. 125 before the side walls 124 are crimped over the end of the wire 26. In the exemplified embodiment, the sealing tab 156 includes an optional end segment 155 that extends from the curved segment of the base segment 157. Optionally, the segment of end 155 of sealing tab 156 extends from base segment 157 in a direction generally to base 122 of crimp barrel 120 before sidewalls 124 are crimped over end 26 of wire 28. sealing tab 156 optionally extends from base segment 157 to opening 125 of crimp barrel 120 and/or in a direction generally to opening 125 of crimp barrel. at 120 and/or in a direction generally to the opening 125 of the crimp barrel 20 before the side walls 124 are crimped over the end of the wire 26. Optionally, at least a portion of the end segment 155 of the sealing tab 156 extends approximately parallel to sidewall 124a before sidewalls 124 are crimped over wire end 26. An optional pouch 160 is defined between sealing tab 156 and sidewall 124a before sidewalls 124 are crimped over wire end 26.
    FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp barrel 120 taken through the front seal crimp subsegment 136 after the crimp barrel 120 has been crimped around the end of the wire 26. The side walls 124 have been crimped over the end of the wire 26 ( Fig. 6) so that the side walls 124 are folded thereover. When folded, end segment 154 of sidewall 124b is engaged with base segment 152 of sidewall 124b. But a space 158 is defined between end segment 154 and base segment 152 of sidewall 124a. When sidewalls 124 have been crimped over the end of wire 26, sealing tab 156 extends into space 158. As seen in FIG. 9, the sealing tab 156 is folded back on itself within the space 158. Optionally, the end segment 155 of the sealing tab 156 is engaged with the base segment 157 of the sealing tab 156. The sealing tab 156 it thus facilitates the sealing of the space 158 to facilitate preventing moisture from entering the opening 125 of the crimp barrel 120 through the contact end 132 after the crimp barrel 120 has been crimped over the end of the wire 26.
    The engagement between the end segment 154 and the base segment 152 of the sidewall 124b also facilitates preventing moisture from entering the opening 125 of the crimp barrel 120 through the contact end 132 after the crimp barrel 120 has been crimped over. the end of wire 26. Optionally, segment 157 of sealing tab 156 extends from sidewall 124a in a direction generally away from base 122 of crimp barrel 120 after sidewalls 124 have been crimped over the end of the strand 26. Sealing tab 156 optionally engages an inner surface 146 of base segment 152 and/or end segment 154 of sidewall 124a when sidewalls 124 are crimped over end of strand 26. As can be seen in FIG. 9, when the side walls 124a and 124b have been crimped over the end of the wire 26 so that the side walls 124a and 124b are folded thereover (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9), the end segments 154 of the side walls 124a and 124b are interlocked with each other.
    The sealing tab 156 and/or a combination of the sealing tab 156 and seal facilitates the sealing of the contact end 132 of the crimp barrel 120 to thus prevent moisture from entering the opening 125 from contacting the conductors 30 and/or the inner surfaces 144 and/or 146 of the crimp barrel 120, which interface between the conductors 30 and the inner surfaces 144 and/or 146 of the crimp barrel 120, and/or the like. In some embodiments, none of the conductors 30 of the wire 28 are exposed through the contact end 132 of the crimp barrel 120 when it has been crimped around the end of the wire 26. The length that the sealing tab 120 extends outwardly of the sidewall 124a can be selected so that the sealing tab 156 occupies a predetermined amount space at the contact end 132 of the crimp barrel 120. For example, as should be clear from the figures, the length of the sealing tab 156 is longer than the lengths of the sealing tabs 56 to accommodate the use of a single sealing tab 156 instead of a plurality of sealing tabs 56.
    Optionally, no part of the conductor(s) 30 extends past the contact end 132 of the crimp barrel 120 after the crimp barrel 120 has been crimped around the end of the wire 26. The seal is provided by the sealing tab 156 and/ or any seal thus prevents moisture from coming into contact with the conductors) 30 compared to terminals where one end of the conductor protrudes past the contact end of a crimp barrel and/or terminals where a conductor is exposed through an opening inside the contact end of a crimp barrel.
    FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplified embodiment of an electrical terminal 210 illustrating a crimp barrel 220 that includes a relief 256 to facilitate sealing a contact end 232 of the crimp barrel 220. The terminal 210 includes a segment of electrical contact segment 212 and a crimp segment 214 extending from electrical contact segment 212. Crimp segment 214 includes crimp barrel 220, which is configured to be crimped around end 26 (FIG. 6) of wire 28 (FIGs. 3, 5, and 6) to mechanically and electrically connect wire 28 to electrical terminal 210. Crimp barrel 220 includes a base 222 and opposing side walls 224 that extend from base 222. 225 of crimp barrel 220 is defined between base 222 and side walls 224. Crimp barrel 220 extends a length from contact end 232 to one end of wire 234 and includes a suture. front seal crimp segment 236. Side walls 224 include base segments 252 that extend from base 222 and end segments 254 that extend from base segments 252 and include ends 250 of side walls 124. relief 256 may be called here a “sealing flap”.
    Front seal crimp subsegment 236 includes relief 256, which extends outwardly from inner surfaces 244 and 246 of base 222 and side walls 224, respectively. In other words, relief 256 extends outwardly from inner surfaces 244 and 246 and radially inward with respect to a central longitudinal axis 241 of terminal 210. In the exemplified embodiment, relief 256 extends continuously along the inner surfaces 244 and 246 from end 250 of one of the side walls 224 to the end 250 of the other side wall 224. Alternatively, relief 256 extends only partially along inner surfaces 244 and 246 between ends 250, including embodiments where the relief includes at least two segments that are not interconnected.
    After the crimp barrel 220 has been crimped around the end of the wire 26, the side walls 224 have been crimped over the end of the wire 26 so that the side walls 224 are folded thereover. When the sidewalls 224 are folded thereover, the segment of relief 256 that extends along the end segment 254 of the sidewall 224a is engaged with the segment of the relief 256 that extends along the base segment 252 of the sidewall. 224a. Similarly, relief segment 256 that extends along end segment 254 of sidewall 224b is engaged with segment of relief 256 that extends along base segment 252 of sidewall 224b. When the side walls 224a and 224b are folded, the end segments 254 of the side walls 224a and 224b are engaged with each other. Ends 250 of sidewalls 224a and 224b optionally engage inner surface 244 of base 222.
    Emboss 256 and/or a combination of emboss 256 and seal facilitates the sealing of the contact end 232 of the crimp barrel 220 to thereby prevent moisture from entering opening 225 from contacting the conductors 30 and/or the inner surfaces 244 and/or 246 of the crimp barrel 220, which enters an interface between conductors 30 and the inner surfaces 244 and/or 246 of the crimp barrel 220, and/or similar. In some embodiments, none of the conductors 30 of wire 28 are exposed through contact end 232 of crimp barrel 220 when crimp barrel 220 has been crimped around end of wire 26. A length that relief 256 extends to outside the inner surfaces 244 and 246 can be selected so that the relief 256 occupies a space of predetermined quantity on the contact end 232 of the crimp barrel 220. Optionally, no part of the conductor(s) 30 extends past the contact end 232 of the crimp barrel 220 after it has been crimped around the end of the wire 26. The seal provided by the relief 256 and/or any seal thus prevents moisture from coming into contact with the conductors) 30 compared to terminals where a conductor end protrudes past the contact end of a barrel for crimping and/or terminals where a conductor is exposed through an opening within the end of contact of a barrel for crimping.
    The modalities described and/or illustrated here provide an electrical terminal that may be less likely to experience electrochemical corrosion in one or more conductors of a wire terminated by the electrical terminal, on internal surfaces of the electrical terminal, at an interface between the conductor(s) the wire and the internal surfaces of the electrical terminal, and/or the like.
    It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, the modalities described above (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. The dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are in no way limiting and are merely exemplified embodiments. Many other modalities and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be made clear to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The scope of the invention should then be determined with respect to the appended claims, together with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “includes” and “on account of” are used as the equivalents of the respective terms “comprises” and “where”. In addition, in the following claims, the terms "first", "second" and "third", etc. they are merely used as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the limitations of the following claims are not written in operative plus function format and are not intended to be construed under 35 USC § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use sentence 5 "means" followed by an additional structure function declaration.
    权利要求:
    Claims (10)
    [0001]
    1. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210) for terminating a wire (28), comprising: an electrical contact (18, 118); and a crimp barrel (20, 120, 220) extending from the electrical contact, the crimp barrel configured to be crimped around one end (26) of the wire, the crimp barrel comprises a base (22, 122, 222) and opposing side walls (24, 124, 224) extending from the base, the base and side walls define an opening (25, 125, 225) of the crimp barrel that is configured to receive the end. of the wire, the side walls extend outward from the base to the ends (50, 150), the side walls comprise base segments (52, 152, 252) extending from the base and end segments (54, 154 , 254) extending from the base segments, and CHARACTERIZED by the fact that they include at the ends, a sealing flap (56, 156) that extends from the end of at least one of the side walls, the side walls are configured to be folded over it when crimped over the end of the f io so that a space (58, 158) is defined between the end segment and the base segment of at least one of the side walls, wherein the sealing tab is configured to extend into the space between the end segment. and the corresponding sidewall base segment when the sidewalls are crimped over the wire end.
    [0002]
    2. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the barrel for crimping (20, 120, 220) extends a length from a contact end (32, 132 , 232) which extends from the electrical contact (18, 118) to a wire end (34, 134, 234), and when the crimp barrel has been crimped around the wire end (26) of the wire (28), the side walls (24, 124, 224) and base (22, 122, 222) of the crimp barrel define a continuous casing that extends entirely around the wire end from the contact end to the wire end of the crimp. barrel for crimping.
    [0003]
    3. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the barrel for crimping (20, 120, 220) includes an extending contact end (32, 132, 232) from the electrical contact (18, 118), the sealing tab (56, 156) configured to seal the contact end of the barrel for crimping when the side walls (24, 124, 224) are crimped over the end (26) of the wire (28).
    [0004]
    4. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the sealing flap (56, 156) extends from the corresponding side wall (24, 124, 224) in a direction generally to the base (22, 122, 222) of the barrel for crimping (20, 120, 220) before the side walls are crimped over the end (26) of the wire (28).
    [0005]
    5. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the wire (28) includes at least one conductor (30), the side walls (24, 124, 224) comprising the inner surfaces (46, 146, 246) that engage with at least one wire conductor when the side walls are crimped thereon, the sealing tab (56, 156) engaging with the inner surface of at least one of the base segment ( 52, 152, 252) and the end segment (54, 154, 254) of the corresponding sidewall when the sidewalls are crimped onto the wire.
    [0006]
    6. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the wire (28) includes at least one conductor (30) and an electrical insulation layer (31), the barrel for crimp (20, 120, 220) that extends a length from a contact end (32, 132, 232) that extends from the electrical contact (18, 118) to one end of the wire (34, 134 , 234) which is configured to engage the electrically insulating layer of the wire, and where no part of the at least one conductor extends past the contact end of the barrel for crimping after it has been crimped around the end (26) of the thread.
    [0007]
    7. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the sealing flap (56, 156) is configured to be folded over itself within the space (58, 158) when the side walls (24, 124, 224) are crimped over the end (26) of the wire (28).
    [0008]
    8. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that at least a part of the sealing flap (56, 156) extends approximately parallel to the corresponding side wall (24, 124, 224) before the side walls are crimped over the end (26) of the wire (28).
    [0009]
    9. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, FURTHER CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises a seal (62) that extends into the space (58, 158) defined between the end segment (54 , 154, 254) and the base segment (52, 152, 252) of at least one side wall (24, 124, 224) when the side walls are crimped over the end (26) of the wire (28).
    [0010]
    10. Electrical terminal (10, 110, 210), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that a bag (60, 160) is defined between the sealing flap (56, 156) and the corresponding side wall (24 , 124, 224) before the side walls are crimped over the end (26) of the wire (28), the pouch comprising a seal held therein.
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    法律状态:
    2017-10-17| B25D| Requested change of name of applicant approved|Owner name: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (US) , TE CONNECTIVIT |
    2018-03-13| B25D| Requested change of name of applicant approved|Owner name: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH (DE) , TE CONNECTIVIT |
    2018-12-26| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-07-30| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-03-09| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-04-06| B15G| Petition not considered as such [chapter 15.7 patent gazette]|
    2021-04-20| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 14/10/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US39426010P| true| 2010-10-18|2010-10-18|
    US61/394,260|2010-10-18|
    US12/976,707|2010-12-22|
    US12/976,707|US8210884B2|2010-10-18|2010-12-22|Electrical terminal for terminating a wire|
    PCT/US2011/001754|WO2012054072A1|2010-10-18|2011-10-14|Electrical terminal for terminating a wire|
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