Electrical connector terminal and method of producing same

Abstract

A blade terminal for a surface mount electrical connector is provided. A first elongate member of a terminal body cooperates with a housing of the electrical connector to secure the terminal body to the connector housing. A second elongate member of the terminal body includes a curved portion having a hole therethrough. The curved portion includes a convex surface that facilitates automated assembly operations, and the aperture helps to overcome surface tension in liquid solder, thereby promoting a secure electrical connection.

1 . A blade terminal for a surface mount electrical connector, comprising: 
 a terminal body including a first portion configured to cooperate with a housing of the electrical connector for securing the terminal body to the connector housing,    the terminal body further including a second portion in electrical communication with the first portion, the second portion including a convex surface configured to contact a convex surface of an electrically conductive material and having an aperture disposed therethrough for receiving the electrically conductive material therein, thereby facilitating an electrical connection between the second portion and a surface of an electrical board.    
   
   
       2 . The blade terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal body is a unitary structure.  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The blade terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal body further includes a concave surface opposite the convex surface and having the aperture disposed therethrough, the aperture in the second portion being tapered, having a first diameter at the concave surface and a second diameter at the convex surface different from the first diameter.  
   
   
       5 . The blade terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the convex surface is generally spherical.  
   
   
       6 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The blade terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal body includes first and second elongate members disposed at an obtuse angle to each other, thereby enhancing contact between the second elongate member and the electrically conductive material when the second elongate member is pressed into the electrically conductive material on the surface of the electrical board and the first elongate member is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the electrical board.  
   
   
       22 . A blade terminal for a surface mount electrical connector, comprising: 
 a first elongate member configured to cooperate with a housing of the electrical connector for securing the first elongate member to the connector housing; and    a second elongate member including an aperture disposed therethrough for receiving an electrically conductive material therein for facilitating an electrical connection between the second elongate member and a surface of an electrical board, the second elongate member being in electrical communication with the first elongate member and forming an obtuse angle therewith, thereby enhancing contact between the second elongate member and the electrically conductive material when the second elongate member is pressed into the electrically conductive material on the surface of the electrical board and the first elongate member is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the electrical board.    
   
   
       23 . The blade terminal of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second elongate members form a unitary structure.  
   
   
       24 . The blade terminal of  claim 22 , wherein the second elongate member includes a curved portion having a protruding surface configured to contact a protruding surface of the electrically conductive material when the material is disposed on the surface of the electrical board.  
   
   
       25 . The blade terminal of  claim 24 , wherein the curved portion includes a recessed surface opposite the protruding surface, and wherein the aperture in the second portion is disposed through the protruding and recessed surfaces.  
   
   
       26 . The blade terminal of  claim 25 , wherein the aperture is tapered, having a first diameter at the recessed surface and a second diameter at the protruding surface different from the first diameter.  
   
   
       27 . The blade terminal of  claim 26 , wherein the protruding surface is generally spherical.