Box terminal with extended contact surfaces and controlled damage location during high voltage arcing with and without suppression under a magnetic field

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to male to female contact terminals, particularly those in use with associated wire harnesses or cables involved in higher voltage and current carrying vehicle applications. More specifically, the present invention discloses an improved female terminal design for interengaging with a projecting blade of a male terminal and which in particular provides the combined features of improved contact area and controlled blade insertion. Additional features of the present design include the female terminal exhibiting one or more initial (sacrificial) contact points at the blade insertion end and which functions, with or without the application of a magnetic field inducing Lorentz force, to provide a controlled location at which voltage induced arcing will occur along the female terminal and without compromising the electrical interface created between the male terminal blade and the female terminal beams.