US5651685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector with sensing terminal system
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1996-02-16
•
Granted: 1997-07-29
•
Expires: 2016-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A sensing terminal system is disclosed for an electrical connector. The system includes a first terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential. A second terminal includes a first part and a second part, with the two parts being electrically isolated. The first part is adapted for connection to a sensing line. The two parts are electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal. The second part of the second terminal is electrically coupled with the first terminal to complete a sensing circuit therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Brinkman
- 👤 Philip J. Dambach
- 👤 Jerry A. Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/64; H01R13/641; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7094; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/727
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In an electrical connector, a sensing terminal system comprising: a first female terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential; a second female terminal including a first part and a second part with the two parts being electrically isolated, the first part being adapted for connection to a sensing line, and the two parts being electrically coupled in response to mating of a male terminal with the second female terminal; and means electrically coupling the second part of the second female terminal with the first female terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an electrical connector, a sensing terminal system comprising: a first female terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential; a second female terminal including a first part and a second part with the two parts being electrically isolated, the first part being adapted for connection to a sensing line, and the two parts being electrically coupled in response to mating of a male terminal with the second female terminal; and means electrically coupling the second part of the second female terminal with the first female terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first female terminal and the second part of said second female terminal are integral in a unitary structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said unitary structure is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first part of said second female terminal is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second female terminals are inserted molded in a dielectric housing to form a terminal module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first and second female terminals include retention barbs exposed exteriorly of the dielectric housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first female terminal and the first part of said second female terminal include tail portions for coupling to circuit traces on a printed circuit board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an electrical connector, a sensing terminal system comprising: a first terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential; a second terminal including a first part and a second part with the two parts being electrically isolated, the first part being adapted for connection to a sensing line, and the two parts being electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal; and means electrically coupling the second part of the second terminal with the first terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an electrical connector, a sensing terminal system comprising: a first terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential; a second terminal including a first part and a second part with the two parts being electrically isolated, the first part being adapted for connection to a sensing line, and the two parts being electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal; and means electrically coupling the second part of the second terminal with the first terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first terminal and the second part of said second terminal are integral in a unitary structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 9, wherein said unitary structure is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first part of said second terminal is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 11, wherein said first and second terminals are inserted molded in a dielectric housing to form a terminal module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 12, wherein said first and second terminals include retention barbs exposed exteriorly of the dielectric housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first terminal and the first part of said second terminal include tail portions for coupling to circuit traces on a printed circuit board.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first part of said second terminal is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
In an electrical connector, a mate sensing system comprising: a dielectric housing including a plurality of pairs of terminal-receiving passages in the housing; a plurality of pairs of terminals respectively received within the pairs of passages in the housing; and one of said pairs of terminals including a first terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential, a second terminal including a first part and a second part with the two parts being electrically isolated, the first part being adapted for connection to a sensing line, and the two parts being electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal, and means electrically coupling the second part of the second terminal with the first terminal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
120 words
In an electrical connector, a mate sensing system comprising: a dielectric housing including a plurality of pairs of terminal-receiving passages in the housing; a plurality of pairs of terminals respectively received within the pairs of passages in the housing; and one of said pairs of terminals including a first terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential, a second terminal including a first part and a second part with the two parts being electrically isolated, the first part being adapted for connection to a sensing line, and the two parts being electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal, and means electrically coupling the second part of the second terminal with the first terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 16, wherein said first terminal and the second part of said second terminal are integral in a unitary structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 17, wherein said unitary structure is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 18, wherein the first part of said second terminal is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 19, wherein said first and second terminals are inserted molded in a dielectric housing to form a terminal module.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 20, wherein said first and second terminals include retention barbs exposed exteriorly of the dielectric housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 16, wherein said first terminal and the first part of said second terminal include tail portions for coupling to circuit traces on a printed circuit board.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first part of said second terminal is stamped of sheet metal material.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of fabricating a terminal module for use as a mate sensing system in an electric connector, comprising the steps of: stamping first and second terminals from conductive sheet metal material, the first terminal being configured for connection to a voltage potential, the second terminal including first and second parts joined by a web of sheet metal material, the first part being configured for connection to a sensing line, and the second part being connected to the first terminal; molding a dielectric insert about portions of the first and second terminals leaving said web between the first and second parts of the second terminal exposed; and severing said web to electrically isolate the first and second parts of the second terminal whereby the two parts are adapted to be electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of fabricating a terminal module for use as a mate sensing system in an electric connector, comprising the steps of: stamping first and second terminals from conductive sheet metal material, the first terminal being configured for connection to a voltage potential, the second terminal including first and second parts joined by a web of sheet metal material, the first part being configured for connection to a sensing line, and the second part being connected to the first terminal; molding a dielectric insert about portions of the first and second terminals leaving said web between the first and second parts of the second terminal exposed; and severing said web to electrically isolate the first and second parts of the second terminal whereby the two parts are adapted to be electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said molding step includes molding the dielectric insert about the point of connection between the first terminal and the second part of the second terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-28 | 2001-01-27 | 2001-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-28 | 2005-01-27 | 2005-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-28 | 2009-01-27 | 2009-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |