US 12,237,605 B2
Shielded electrical connector system with internal spring component
Slobodan Pavlovic, Novi, MI (US); Mohamad Zeidan, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US); Brantley Natter, Brighton, MI (US); and James Dawson, Carol Stream, IL (US)
Assigned to Eaton Intelligent Power Limited, Dublin (IE)
Filed by Eaton Intelligent Power Limited, Dublin (IE)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/376,390.
Application 17/376,390 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2020/013757, filed on Jan. 15, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/792,881, filed on Jan. 15, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0344132 A1, Nov. 4, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01R 13/24 (2006.01); H01R 4/48 (2006.01); H01R 13/05 (2006.01); H01R 13/187 (2006.01); H01R 13/428 (2006.01); H01R 13/502 (2006.01); H01R 13/6581 (2011.01)
CPC H01R 13/2407 (2013.01) [H01R 4/48 (2013.01); H01R 13/055 (2013.01); H01R 13/187 (2013.01); H01R 13/428 (2013.01); H01R 13/502 (2013.01); H01R 13/6581 (2013.01); H01R 2201/26 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrical connector assembly for use in a high-power application that exposes the electrical connector assembly to elevated temperatures and thermal cycling, the electrical connector assembly comprising:
a first electrically conductive connector formed from a first material, the first electrically conductive connector having a side wall arrangement defining a receiver that extends from an open first end towards a second end, the side wall arrangement having at least one side wall with (i) a contact arm opening and (ii) a contact arm extending from a first portion of the at least one side wall, across an extent of the contact arm opening, and towards a second portion of the at least one side wall, and wherein the contact arm includes a free end that terminates inward of an outer surface of the at least one side wall;
an internal spring member formed from a second material and dimensioned to reside within the receiver of the first electrically conductive connector, the internal spring member having a base and at least one spring arm that extends from the base;
a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first electrically conductive connector and the internal spring member residing within the receiver of the first electrically conductive connector to define a connected position that withstands elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power application;
wherein in the connected position, the at least one spring arm of the internal spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact arm of the first electrically conductive connector to outwardly displace the contact arm into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle of the second electrically conductive connector to maintain the first and second electrically conductive connectors in the connected position.