Connector and electric connection structure

• US 20010031565A1
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Inventors: Sakiyama, Koji
• Granted Patent: US 6,616,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01T 1/06 with permanent magnet

Abstract

A connector comprises a male-type connector having a male-type housing and a male-type terminal housed therein, and a female-type connector having a female-type housing and a female-type terminal housed therein. A pair of permanent magnets is attached to both sides of the inner surface of the male-type housing so as to sandwich the top end portion of the male-type terminal. Due to the magnetic field of the permanent magnets, the ark is diffracted and extended by Lorentz force. Therefore, melting of the terminal portion and occurrence of an automobile fire owing to discharge are prevented.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a first member incorporating a male-type terminal;

a second member incorporating a female-type terminal electrically connectable to the male-type terminal when the first member and the second member are engaged; and

a magnet, incorporated in at least one of the first member and the second member, for applying a magnetic field to the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal are inserted.

2. A connector according to

claim 1

, wherein the magnet comprises a pair of permanent magnets, which is incorporated in at least one of the first member and the second member so as to sandwich at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal.

3. A connector according to

claim 1

, wherein the magnet comprises a pair of electromagnets, which is incorporated in at least one of the first member and the second member so as to sandwich at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal.

4. A connector according to

claim 1

, further comprising a dummy terminal electrically connected to and arranged along at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal on a side toward which electrons traveling between the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal are moved by magnetic force of the magnetic field.

5. A connector according to

claim 4

, wherein the magnet comprises a pair of permanent magnets, which is incorporated in at least one of the first member and the second member so as to sandwich at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal.

6. A connector according to

claim 4

, wherein the magnet comprises a pair of electromagnets, which is incorporated in at least one of the first member and the second member so as to sandwich at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal.

7. A connector according to

claim 4

, wherein the dummy terminal is arranged along one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal that is located upstream of a current.

8. A connector according to

claim 7

, wherein the magnet comprises a pair of permanent magnets, which is incorporated in at least one of the first member and the second member so as to sandwich at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal.

9. A connector according to

claim 7

, wherein the magnet comprises a pair of electromagnets, which is incorporated in at least one of the first member and the second member so as to sandwich at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal.

10. An electric connecting structure comprising:

a male-type terminal;

a female-type terminal electrically connected to the male-type terminal; and

a magnet for applying a magnetic field to the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal are inserted.

11. An electric connecting structure according to

claim 10

, further comprising a dummy terminal electrically connected to and arranged along at least one of the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal on a side toward which electrons traveling between the male-type terminal and the female-type terminal are moved by magnetic force of the magnetic field.