Electrical terminals for flat power cable

Abstract

A monolithic transition adapter terminated to a flat power cable has one or two plate sections extending forwardly from the termination which conclude in an array of first and second alternating spring contact arms deflectable downwardly and upwardly respectively. The spring arms are formed to include free ends having arcuate contact sections convex in opposing directions comprising a lead-in to receive thereinto a blade-like contact member from forwardly thereof, and facilitating the deflection by the mating contact of the spring arms in the respective opposing directions. A monolithic contact member matable with the transition adapter includes a planar body portion having a forward blade contact and a plurality of terminal sections rearwardly thereof such as for interconnecting with a printed circuit board. In one such contact member the blade contact shares providing for an assured lead-in for mating by including a plurality of blade sections in an array of alternating first and second blades angled to define alternating downward and upward ramps to engage respective free ends of the transition adapter's spring arms and initiate the deflection of the spring arms in appropriate opposing directions for mating; this enables the vertical distance between the free ends of the deflected spring contact arms after mating to be minimized, reducing the vertical profile of the mated interface.