Molex Corporation

Michael O'3 Sullivan

Frank A Harwath

Richard A Nelson

Craig A Bixler

An electrical connector assembly having a low insertion force, high normal force mating contact structure comprising a male terminal and a female terminal. The contact portions of the female terminal are adapted to electrically engage the lead-in portion of the male terminal as the male terminal is inserted into the mouth between the contact portion of the female terminal. The lead-in portion of the male terminal is split and defines a pair of diverging beams extending forwardly and angled outwardly from the final contact area. The beams have inwardly facing, laterally offset, opposing camming portions adapted to engage and increasingly deflect the contact portions of the spring arms of the female terminal as the male terminal is moved from an initial position to a final position wherein the female contact portions are in engagement with the final contact area of the male terminal. The normal forces between the contact portions of the spring arms and the corresponding camming portion gradually increase until the final mated position is achieved. The split male configuration allows for increased terminal mating length and adjustment of the wiping action of the contacts as desired.

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Willowbrook, IL, United States of America

Michael O'3 Sullivan