Title of Invention

PLUG-IN STYLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR AIR PUMP

Abstract The invention is directed to a plug-in connector arrangement (10) having a dual female terminal (22). The dual female terminal (22) has a first contact portion (24) with an aperture (26) formed the first contact portion (24) and a second contact portion (30) with an aperture (32) formed through the second contact portion (30). The first contact portion (24) and second contact portion (30) are connected together. A connector (40) having a male terminal (44) on one is disposed through said aperture (26) of the first contact portion (24) and said aperture (32) of the second contact portion (30). The second end (48) of the connector (40) is configured to be connected to a power source.
Full Text PLUG-IN STYLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR AIR PUMP
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/851,155, filed October 12, 2006. The disclosure of the above application is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a connector and terminal
arrangement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
M-slots (along with l/H slots) are mechanical connections that are used
in the industry for creating an electrical connection. A typical M-slot has a
female member (e.g., the M-slot terminal) that is configured for receiving a
male terminal, known as a blade terminal. When the blade terminal is
inserted into M-slot the electrical connection is complete. The use of the M-
slot terminal provides a clean and reliable electrical connection for assembling
a circuit, such as a lead frame to a device. M-slots are also ideal because
their small design allows for smaller overall package size.
With regard to secondary air pumps, power is traditionally supplied
through the use of soldering connections between the actuator device and an
electrical source. This increases assembly time and decreases quality. It is
desirable to develop a faster and more efficient connection between a power
source and the actuator device for secondary air pumps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a plug-in connector arrangement having a
dual female terminal. The dual female terminal has a first contact portion with
an aperture formed through the first contact portion and a second contact
portion with an aperture formed through the second contact portion. The first
contact portion and second contact portion are connected together. A
connector having a male terminal on one end is disposed through the

apertures of the first and second contact portions. The second end of the
connector is configured to be connected to a power source.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become
apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be
understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while
indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for
purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a secondary air pump having the plug in
connector arrangement connected;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the secondary air pump
housing with the plug in connector arrangement;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dual female terminals and
the connector;
Fig. 4 is an exploded sectional view of the dual female terminals with a
plastic form; and
Fig. 5 is a perspective side view of a single dual female terminal with
the end of a male terminal positioned prior to engagement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely
exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its
application, or uses.
Referring now to Figs. 1-5 a plug in connector arrangement 10 is
shown. The plug in connector arrangement 10 is incorporated on a
secondary air pump housing 12 having an interior chamber 14 for containing
an actuator 18 for operating the secondary air pump. The secondary air
pump housing 12 has an opening 16 that extends between the interior
chamber 14 and the exterior of the pump housing 12.

Also contained within the interior chamber 14 is a plastic form 20 that is
aligned with the opening 16. The plastic form 20 is configured to receive and
hold one or more dual female terminals 22. The embodiment shown in Figs.
2-4 depicts the use of two dual female terminals 22; however, it is within the
scope of this invention for a lesser or greater number of dual female terminals
to be used depending upon the needs of a particular application. For
example, an actuator that requires different signals or an increased current
can use more dual female terminals. The dual female terminals 22 are held in
the plastic form 20 in operable alignment with the opening 16 of the pump
housing 12.
Each dual female terminal 22 has a first contact portion 24 having an
aperture 26 with one or more flanges 28 extending into the aperture 26 for
forming a clip. Each individual dual female terminal 22 also has a second
contact portion 30 having an aperture 32 with one or more flanges 34
extending into the aperture 32 for also forming a clip. The first contact portion
24 and second contact portion 30 are connected together by a bridge 36 that
can either be welded to first and second contact portions 24, 30 or can be
integrally formed with the first and second contact portions 24, 30. The
apertures 26, 32 are aligned for receiving the end 46 of the male terminal 44.
In order to connect the dual female terminals 22 to the actuator 18 a solder
and wire 38 can be connected to the bridge 36 or any of the contact portions
24, 30 at one end and to the actuator 18 at another end.
A connector shown generally at 40 has a body 42 that encases one or
more male terminals 44 having one end 46 connectable with one dual female
terminal 22. A second end 48 of each male terminal 44 is located at an
opposite end of the body 42 and is connectable to a power or signal source.
The male terminals 44 are blade terminals. The male terminals 44 are
connected to the dual female terminals 22 by being positioned through the
opening 16 in the pump housing 12. The opening 16 is shaped to receive the
body 42 of the connector 40 and allow the male terminals 44 to plug into the
dual female terminals 22. The one end 46 of each terminal 44 is disposed
through the first contact portion 24 and second contact portion 30 of a dual
female terminal 22. The flanges 28, 34 form a clip that exerts pressure on the

male terminal 44 to hold the terminal in place within the apertures 26, 32. The
body 42 of the connector can be fastened to the pump housing 12 using
fasteners, adhesives or other suitable means. The invention allows for the
quick connection of a power source to an actuator that can be accomplished
with ease during assembly.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,
thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended
to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded
as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A plug-in connector arrangement comprising:
a dual female terminal having a first contact portion with an aperture
formed through said first contact portion, a second contact portion with an
aperture formed through said second contact portion, wherein said first
contact portion and said second contact portion are connected together; and
a connector having a male terminal on one end for being disposed
through said aperture of said first contact portion and said aperture of said
second contact portion and a second end of said connector is configured to
be connected to a power source.
2. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 1 further comprising:
a connection between said dual terminal and a device, wherein said
dual terminal supplies a signal to said device that is received from said
connector, wherein said first contact portion and said second portion are M-
slot terminals and said male terminal is a blade terminal.
3. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 2 wherein said first
contact portion has two or more flanges positioned in said aperture of said
first contact portion to form a clip;
two ore more flanges positioned in said aperture of said second contact
portion to form a clip, wherein said clip of said first contact terminal and said
clip of said second contact terminal form a contact surface when said blade is
disposed through said aperture of said first contact portion and said second
contact portion.
4. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 1 wherein said dual
terminal is arranged in the shape of a U wherein said second contact portion
is aligned with said first contact portion in a substantially parallel manner.

5. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 4 wherein said dual
female terminal is held in place by a plastic form.
6. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a
connector body enclosing portions of the male terminal and leaving said one
end and said second end of said male terminal exposed.
7. A plug-in connector arrangement comprising:
a secondary air pump housing having an interior chamber with an
opening disposed through said housing;
a device connected in said interior chamber;
a dual female terminal mounted in said interior chamber, wherein said
dual female terminal has a first contact portion with an aperture formed
through said first contact portion, a second contact portion with an aperture
formed through said second contact portion, wherein said first contact portion
and said second contact portion are connected together; and
a connector sealingly disposed through said opening in said secondary
air pump housing, said connector has a male terminal on one end for being
disposed through said aperture of said first contact portion and said aperture
of said second contact portion and a second end of said connector is
positioned outside of said secondary air pump housing for connecting said
connector to a power source.
8. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 7 further comprising:
a connection between said dual terminal and said device, wherein said
dual terminal supplies a signal to said device that is received from said
connector, wherein said first contact portion and said second portion are M-
slot terminals and said male terminal is a blade terminal.

9. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 7 wherein said first
contact portion has two or more flanges positioned in said aperture of said
first contact portion to form a clip;
two or more flanges positioned in said aperture of said second contact
portion to form a clip, wherein said clip of said first contact terminal and said
clip of said second contact terminal form a contact surface when said blade is
disposed through said aperture of said first contact portion and said second
contact portion.
10. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 7 wherein said dual
terminal is arranged in the shape of a U wherein said second contact portion
is aligned with said first contact portion in a generally parallel manner.
11. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 7 wherein said dual
female terminal is held in place by a plastic form positioned inside of said
interior chamber.
12. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 7 further comprising a
connector body enclosing portions of the male terminal and leaving said one
end and said second end of said male terminal exposed, wherein said
connector body is disposed through said opening.
13. A plug-in connector arrangement comprising:
a secondary air pump housing having an interior chamber with an
opening disposed through said housing;
an actuator connected in said interior chamber;
a dual female terminal mounted in said interior chamber, wherein said
dual female terminal has a first contact portion with an aperture formed
through said first contact portion, a second contact portion with an aperture
formed through said second contact portion, wherein said first contact portion
and said second contact portion are connected together; and
a connector body disposed through said opening in said secondary air
pump housing;

one or more male terminals extending through said connector body,
wherein each of said one or more male terminals has a first end disposed
through said aperture of said first contact portion and said aperture of said
second contact portion and a second end of said connector and a second end
of each said one or more male terminals is positioned outside of said
secondary air pump housing for connecting said connector to a power source.
14. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 13 further comprising:
a connection between said dual terminal and said device, wherein said
dual terminal supplies a signal to said device that is received from said
connector, wherein said first contact portion and said second portion are M-
slot terminals and said one or more male terminal are blade terminals.
15. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 14 wherein said first
contact portion has two or more flanges positioned in said aperture of said
first contact portion to form a clip;
two or more flanges positioned in said aperture of said second contact
portion to form a clip, wherein said clip of said first contact terminal and said
clip of said second contact terminal form a contact surface when said blade is
disposed through said aperture of said first contact portion and said second
contact portion.
16. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 13 wherein said dual
terminal is arranged in the shape of a U wherein said second contact portion
is aligned with said first contact portion in a substantially parallel manner.
17. The plug-in connector arrangement of claim 13 wherein said dual
female terminal is held in place by a plastic form positioned inside of said
interior chamber.

The invention is directed to a plug-in connector arrangement (10) having a dual female terminal (22). The dual female terminal (22) has a first
contact portion (24) with an aperture (26) formed the first contact portion (24) and a second contact portion (30) with an aperture (32) formed through the second contact portion (30). The first contact portion (24) and second contact portion (30) are connected together. A connector (40) having a male terminal (44) on one is disposed through said aperture (26) of the first contact portion (24) and said aperture (32) of the second contact portion (30). The second end (48) of the connector (40) is configured to be connected to a power source.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=FwxKRFry5+0exxeRwk7+3Q==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==


Patent Number 279881
Indian Patent Application Number 1227/KOLNP/2009
PG Journal Number 05/2017
Publication Date 03-Feb-2017
Grant Date 31-Jan-2017
Date of Filing 31-Mar-2009
Name of Patentee BORG WARNER INC.
Applicant Address 3850 HAMLIN ROAD AUBURN HILLS, MI 48326
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 PETTERSON, TODD, R. 21017 RUST ROAD, NEW BOSTON, MI 48164
2 JARAMILLO, RAMON, B. 2858 ARROWWOOD COURT, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48314
3 ADHVARYU, KETAN 13785 GLENRIO DRIVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313
PCT International Classification Number H01R 13/514
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2007/021775
PCT International Filing date 2007-10-12
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/851,155 2006-10-12 U.S.A.