Electric receptacle with shape memory spring member
First Claim
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1. A receptacle electrical terminal for receiving a male electrical terminal comprising:
- an integrally formed main body constructed of a first metal, said main body including a housing and means for securing an electrical lead thereto, said housing having walls cooperating to define a receiving cavity therein and an insertion opening at one end permitting insertion of said male electrical terminal into said receiving cavity; and
a biasing member located in said receiving cavity and constructed of a second metal, said biasing member having a predetermined shape and being deformable from said predetermined shape in response to insertion of said male electrical terminal into said receiving cavity, said biasing member exerting a biasing force which urges said male electrical terminal into electrical and frictional contact with said housing when deformed by insertion of said male electrical terminal into said receiving cavity, said biasing member also having a shape memory evoked by heating, said shape memory causing said biasing member to return to said predetermined shape during heating thereof and to exert a greater biasing force which further urges said male electrical terminal into electrical and frictional contact with said housing.
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Abstract
A two-piece electrical receptacle terminal for receiving a male terminal. The receptacle terminal includes a spring, having a predetermined shape, which is confined within an integrally formed housing. During insertion of the male terminal into the housing, the spring is deflected from the predetermined shape. The spring is constructed of a metal which exhibits a memory, evoked by heating, predisposing the deflected spring into its predetermined shape. Heating can be accomplished by ohmic self-heating.
56 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A receptacle electrical terminal for receiving a male electrical terminal comprising:
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an integrally formed main body constructed of a first metal, said main body including a housing and means for securing an electrical lead thereto, said housing having walls cooperating to define a receiving cavity therein and an insertion opening at one end permitting insertion of said male electrical terminal into said receiving cavity; and a biasing member located in said receiving cavity and constructed of a second metal, said biasing member having a predetermined shape and being deformable from said predetermined shape in response to insertion of said male electrical terminal into said receiving cavity, said biasing member exerting a biasing force which urges said male electrical terminal into electrical and frictional contact with said housing when deformed by insertion of said male electrical terminal into said receiving cavity, said biasing member also having a shape memory evoked by heating, said shape memory causing said biasing member to return to said predetermined shape during heating thereof and to exert a greater biasing force which further urges said male electrical terminal into electrical and frictional contact with said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification