Self-retaining spring for flat-wiping contacts
A leaf spring for a flat-wiping connector includes a front section having a first surface corresponding to a plane, the front section further including a front edge configured to connect the leaf spring to the flat-wiping connector. The leaf spring further includes a rear section having a second surface angled with respect to the plane corresponding to the first surface of the front section. The rear section further includes a third surface connected to the second surface and oriented at an angle with respect to the second surface. At least a portion of an edge of the rear section is configured to interact with a positive stop of a connector housing to lock the leaf spring within the connector housing upon insertion of the leaf spring into the connector housing.
1 . A leaf spring for a flat-wiping connector comprising:
a front section having a first surface corresponding to a first plane, the front section further comprising a front edge configured to connect the leaf spring to the flat-wiping connector;
a rear section coupled to the front section; and
a longitudinal axis extending through each of the front section and the rear section,
the rear section comprising:
a second surface defining a second plane;
a third surface defining a third plane angled with respect to the second plane, the third surface coupled to the second surface about a bend oriented non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and
a fourth surface defining a fourth plane and connected to the third surface, the fourth plane oriented at an angle with respect to the third surface and the third surface being between the fourth surface and the second surface,
wherein at least a portion of an edge of the rear section is configured to interact with a positive stop of a connector housing to lock the leaf spring within the connector housing upon insertion of the leaf spring into the connector housing,
wherein the fourth surface is generally parallel to the second surface and is angled with respect to the third surface, and
wherein the edge of the rear section configured to interact with the positive stop of the connector housing is located at least in part along the fourth surface.
2 . The leaf spring of claim 1 , further comprising a middle section between the front section and the rear section, wherein:
the front section is a first width, and
the middle section and the rear section are each a second width.
3 . The leaf spring of claim 2 , wherein the middle section comprises opposing edges configured to slide into respective slots of the connector housing.
4 . The leaf spring of claim 1 , wherein the rear section further comprises an opening extending from the edge of the fourth surface toward the front section.
5 . The leaf spring of claim 4 , wherein the rear section further comprises opposing edges configured to slide into respective slots of the connector housing, wherein the opening is located between the opposing edges.
6 . The leaf spring of claim 1 , wherein the leaf spring comprises a metal.