Terminal-thermistor assembly

• US 10,115,503 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2016
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki North America Incorporated (Yazaki Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yazaki North America Incorporated (Yazaki Corporation)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Brandon Eugene, Advey, Alexander Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Kyung
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malakooti, Iman
• Application Number:
  US14/990,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20170200538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 338 22 R, 338 25, 338160, 338306, 338315, 439 83, 439439, 439 2, 439382-385, 29612
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 1/02 Housing; Enclosing; Embedding; Filling the housing or enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 7/008 Thermistors H01C7/02 - H01C7/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/26 End pieces terminating in a screw clamp, screw or nut
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48185 adapted for axial insertion of a wire end

Abstract

A terminal-thermistor assembly may include a thermistor and a terminal. The thermistor may include a body encasing a temperature-sensing element. The terminal may include a shaft and a housing disposed on an end of the shaft. The housing may include a cavity, a protrusion extending into the cavity and a cantilevered spring element. The spring element may be resiliently flexible between a first position in which a space between the spring element and the protrusion is less than a thickness of the body of the thermistor and a second position in which the space between the spring element and the protrusion is equal to the thickness of the body. A first surface of the thermistor body may contact the spring element and a second surface of the thermistor body opposite the first surface may contact the protrusion when the body is received within the cavity.

Claims

1. A terminal-thermistor assembly comprising:

a thermistor including a body encasing a temperature-sensing element; and

a terminal including a shaft and a housing disposed on an end of the shaft, the housing being a single unitary body including a cavity, a protrusion extending into the cavity and a cantilevered spring element extending into the cavity, the spring element being resiliently flexible between a first position in which a space between the spring element and the protrusion is less than a thickness of the body of the thermistor and a second position in which the space between the spring element and the protrusion is equal to the thickness of the body,

wherein a first surface of the body contacts the spring element and a second surface of the body opposite the first surface contacts the protrusion when the body is received within the cavity.

2. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring element is undeflected prior to the thermistor being inserted into the cavity and deflected opposite the protrusion when the thermistor is fully inserted into the cavity.

3. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 2, wherein the thermistor second surface is in continuous connection with the protrusion and the thermistor first surface is in continuous connection with the spring element when the thermistor is fully inserted into the cavity.

4. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 3, wherein a second flexible spring element is fixedly attached to the housing.

5. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the flexible spring elements form an L shape from the housing.

6. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 5, wherein the terminal includes a platform extending from an end of the housing opposite the shaft.

7. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 6, wherein the platform includes a platform arm and a platform surface perpendicular to each other.

8. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 7, further comprising a power conduit that powers the terminal.

9. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 8, wherein the power conduit is contained in a heat shrunk tube.

10. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 9, wherein the power conduit includes a first end, the first end attached to the platform.

11. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 10, wherein the thermistor measures temperature from the power conduit and the terminal.

12. A terminal for engaging a thermistor including a body encasing a temperature-sensing element, the terminal comprising a shaft and a housing disposed on an end of the shaft, the housing being a single unitary body including a cavity, a protrusion extending into the cavity and a cantilevered spring element extending into the cavity, the spring element being resiliently flexible between a first position in which a space between the spring element and the protrusion is less than a thickness of the body of the thermistor and a second position in which the space between the spring element and the protrusion is equal to the thickness of the body, the spring element contacting a first surface of the body and the protrusion contacting a second surface of the body opposite the first surface when the body is received within the cavity.

13. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the second surface of the thermistor body is in continuous contact with the protrusion and the first surface of the thermistor body is in continuous contact with the spring element when the thermistor is fully received into the cavity.

14. The terminal of claim 13, wherein a second flexible spring element is fixedly attached to the housing.

15. The terminal of claim 14, further comprising a platform forming an L shape and extending from the housing.

16. The terminal of claim 15, further comprising a power conduit that powers the terminal.

17. The terminal of claim 16, wherein the power conduit includes a first end, the first end attached to the platform.

18. The terminal of claim 17, wherein the thermistor measures temperature from the power conduit and terminal.

19. A terminal-thermistor assembly comprising:

a thermistor including a body encasing a temperature-sensing element; and

a terminal including a shaft and a housing disposed on an end of the shaft, the housing having first and second walls that are parallel to each other and a third wall that is perpendicular to the first and second walls, the first, second and third walls being integrally formed with each other and defining a cavity, the third wall having a protrusion extending into the cavity, the first and second walls having first and second cantilevered spring elements, respectively, the first and second spring elements extending into the cavity and being resiliently flexible between a first position in which a space between the spring element and the protrusion is less than a thickness of the body of the thermistor and a second position in which the space between the spring element and the protrusion is equal to the thickness of the body,

wherein a first surface of the body contacts the spring element and a second surface of the body opposite the first surface contacts the protrusion when the body is received within the cavity.

20. The terminal-thermistor assembly of claim 19, wherein each of the spring elements includes a connector arm and a tab element extending perpendicular to the connector arm, the tab element having a descending portion extending toward the protrusion and an ascending portion extending away from the protrusion and connecting at a tab element contact surface.