This patent application claims priority of a Chinese Patent Application No. 202210788624.9, filed on Jul. 6, 2022 and titled “Conductive terminal, electrical connector, and electrical connector assembly”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a conductive terminal, an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly, which belongs to a technical field of power connectors.
Power connector assemblies in the related art are used to transmit electric current. The power connector assembly typically includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector. The receptacle connector includes a receptacle terminal and an adapter spring assembled and fixed to the receptacle terminal. The plug connector includes a plug terminal. The plug terminal is inserted into the adapter spring to realize the connection with the receptacle terminal.
However, due to the limitation of the assembly process, there is a certain gap between the adapter spring and the receptacle terminal. The high-frequency vibration during the application of the receptacle terminal and the adapter spring will cause the adapter spring and the plug terminal to repeatedly rub at a small distance. This leads to the wear of the contacts of the plug terminal or the adapter spring, which reduces the current-carrying performance of the terminal, fails the electrical performance, and even causes safety hazards.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a conductive terminal, an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly with reliable structure.
In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: a conductive terminal, including: a first fixing portion; a first mating portion connected with the first fixing portion; a second fixing portion, the second fixing portion and the first fixing portion being arranged side by side along a first direction; and a second mating portion connected with the second fixing portion, the second mating portion and the first mating portion being arranged side by side along the first direction; wherein the first mating portion includes a first elastic piece extending along a second direction, the first elastic piece includes a first elastic contact portion protruding from the first fixing portion along the first direction; the second mating portion includes a second elastic piece, the second elastic piece includes a second elastic contact portion protruding from the second fixing portion along the first direction; and the first elastic contact portion extends along a first arc-shaped surface, the second elastic contact portion extends along a second arc-shaped surface, and protruding directions of the first arc-shaped surface and the second arc-shaped surface are opposite to each other along the first direction.
In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector, including: an insulating body including a mating slot; and the conductive terminal, the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion being fixed in the insulating body, the first mating portion and the second mating portion extending into the mating slot.
In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector assembly, including: the electrical connector; and a mounting plate; wherein free ends of the claws extend through the mounting plate and abut against a back surface of the mounting plate.
Compared with the prior art, in the present disclosure, the first mating portion is provided with the first elastic piece, the first elastic piece includes a first elastic contact portion protruding from the first fixing portion along the first direction; the second mating portion is provided with a second elastic piece, the second elastic piece includes a second elastic contact portion protruding from the second fixing portion along the first direction; the first elastic contact portion extends along the first arc-shaped surface, the second elastic contact portion extends along the second arc-shaped surface, and protruding directions of the first arc-shaped surface and the second arc-shaped surface are opposite to each other along the first direction. Therefore, the elastic contact portions are formed on the mating portion, thereby omitting the adapter spring, and improving the structural reliability and safety.
Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail here, examples of which are shown in drawings. When referring to the drawings below, unless otherwise indicated, same numerals in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The examples described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the application as detailed in the appended claims.
The terminology used in this application is only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to limit this application. The singular forms “a”, “said”, and “the” used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.
It should be understood that the terms “first”, “second” and similar words used in the specification and claims of this application do not represent any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, “an” or “a” and other similar words do not mean a quantity limit, but mean that there is at least one; “multiple” or “a plurality of” means two or more than two. Unless otherwise noted, “front”, “rear”, “lower” and/or “upper” and similar words are for ease of description only and are not limited to one location or one spatial orientation. Similar words such as “include” or “comprise” mean that elements or objects appear before “include” or “comprise” cover elements or objects listed after “include” or “comprise” and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The term “a plurality of” mentioned in the present disclosure includes two or more.
Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the case of no conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.
Referring to
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The mounting plate 200 includes a front side 201, a back side 202, a mounting through hole 203 extending through the front side 201 and the back side 202, and a plurality of mounting posts 204 disposed on the back surface 202. The mounting through hole 203 is surrounded by the mounting posts 204 to improve structural reliability.
Referring to
The insulating body 1 includes a ring-shaped plug portion 11 located in a middle and a casing 12 disposed around a periphery of the plug portion 11. The plug portion 11 is provided with a plurality of mating slots 110. The mating slots 110 extend through the plug portion 11 along its extending direction. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the number of the mating slots 110 is two. The plug portion 11 includes a partition portion 115 located in the middle of the two mating slots 110. The plug portion 11 includes a first side wall portion 111, a second side wall portion 112 opposite to the first side wall portion 111, a third side wall portion 113 connecting one end of the first side wall portion 111 and one end of the second side wall portion, and a fourth side wall portion 114 connecting another end of the first side wall portion 111 and another end of the second side wall portion. The first side wall portion 111 is provided with a plurality of first notches 1111 which communicate with the mating slot 110 and are located at a front end of the first side wall portion 111. The second side wall portion 112 is provided with a plurality of second notches 1121 which communicate with the mating slot 110 and located at a front end of the second side wall portion 111. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the plurality of first notches 1111 and the plurality of second notches 1121 are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the mating slot 110.
The metal shielding sleeve 4 is sleeved on the plug portion 11 to improve the shielding effect. The metal shielding sleeve 4 includes a main body portion 41. The main body portion 41 includes a first end 411, a second end 412 opposite the first end 411, and an accommodating space 410 extending through the first end 411 and the second end 412. The metal shielding sleeve 4 includes a plurality of hooks 413 which protrude inwardly from the first end 411 of the main body portion 41 into the accommodating space 410 and extend toward the second end 412. The hooks 413 are fixed in the corresponding first notches 1111 and the second notches 1121. The metal shielding sleeve 4 further includes a plurality of claws 414 which protrude outward from the second end 412 of the main body portion 41. The claws 414 extend beyond the accommodating space 410, and are turned and bent toward the first end 411. The plurality of claws 414 extend beyond the insulating body 1. When the electrical connector 100 is mounted on the mounting plate 200, the electrical connector 100 passes through the mounting through hole 203, and at this time, the plurality of claws 414 are pressed and deformed inwardly. After the electrical connector 100 is installed in place, the plurality of claws 414 pass through the mounting plate 200. At this time, the plurality of claws 414 release the pressing force and deform outward. Free ends of the plurality of claws 414 can just abut against the back surface 202 of the mounting plate 200 to prevent the electrical connector 100 from falling off the mounting plate 200.
Referring to
The first fixing portion 21 is in the shape of a flat plate. The first fixing portion 21 includes a first locking groove 211 on one side (e.g., a top side), a second locking groove 212 on another side (e.g., a bottom side), a first limiting block 213 located at a rear end of the first locking groove 211, and a second limiting block 214 located at a rear end of the second locking groove 212.
The second fixing portion 23 is in the shape of a flat plate. The second fixing portion 23 includes a third locking groove 231 on one side (e.g., a top side), a fourth locking groove 232 on another side (e.g., a bottom side), a third limiting block 233 located at a rear end of the third locking groove 231, and a fourth limiting block 234 located at a rear end of the fourth locking groove 232.
In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the first fixing portion 21 and the second fixing portion 23 are at least partially abutted against each other along the first direction A1-A1 to improve structural strength and facilitate transmission of high current. The first locking groove 211 is in alignment with the third locking groove 231 to jointly form an upper locking groove. The second locking groove 212 is in alignment with the fourth locking groove 232 to jointly form a lower locking groove.
The first mating portion 22 includes a first elastic piece 221 extending along the second direction A2 and a third elastic piece 222 extending along a direction opposite to the second direction A2. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the number of the first elastic pieces 221 is two. The first mating portion 22 includes a first space 220 located between the two first elastic pieces 221 along a third direction A3-A3. The third elastic piece 222 extends into the first space 220. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the second direction A2 is perpendicular to the first direction A1-A1. The third direction A3-A3 is perpendicular to the first direction A1-A1 and the second direction A2. The first space 220 is substantially V-shaped. Correspondingly, the third elastic piece 222 is provided with a first inclined side 222a and a second inclined side 222b.
In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the first elastic piece 221 includes a first elastic contact portion 2211 protruding from the first fixing portion 21 along the first direction A1-A1. The first elastic contact portion 2211 extends along the first arc-shaped surface. The third elastic piece 222 and the first elastic piece 221 at least partially overlap along the third direction A3-A3. The third elastic piece 222 includes a third elastic contact portion 2221 protruding from the first fixing portion 21 along the first direction A1-A1. The third elastic contact portion 2221 extends along the first arc-shaped surface. In other words, referring to
Referring to
In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the first elastic piece 221 and the third elastic piece 222 are manufactured by tearing materials. Therefore, within the same area, the present disclosure can arrange more elastic pieces, thereby increasing the current carrying area and improving the current transmission capacity; or the present disclosure can save space under the condition of the same number of elastic pieces.
The second mating portion 24 includes a second elastic piece 241 extending along the second direction A2 and a fourth elastic piece 242 extending along a direction opposite to the second direction A2. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, there are two second elastic pieces 241. The second mating portion 24 includes a second space 240 located between the two second elastic pieces 241 along the third direction A3-A3. The fourth elastic piece 242 extends into the second space 240. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the second space 240 is substantially V-shaped. Correspondingly, the fourth elastic piece 242 is provided with a third inclined side 242a and a fourth inclined side 242b.
In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the second elastic piece 241 includes a second elastic contact portion 2411 protruding from the first fixing portion 21 along the first direction A1-A1. The second elastic contact portion 2411 extends along the second arc-shaped surface. The fourth elastic piece 242 and the second elastic piece 241 at least partially overlap along the third direction A3-A3. The fourth elastic piece 242 includes a fourth elastic contact portion 2421 protruding from the second fixing portion 23 along the first direction A1-A1. The fourth elastic contact portion 2421 extends along the second arc-shaped surface. In other words, referring to
Referring to
In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the second elastic piece 241 and the fourth elastic piece 242 are manufactured by tearing materials. Therefore, within the same area, the present disclosure can arrange more elastic pieces, thereby increasing the current carrying area and improving the current transmission capacity; or the present disclosure can save space under the condition of the same number of elastic pieces.
Referring to
The retaining terminal 3 is installed in the insulating body 1. The retaining terminal 3 is substantially in the shape of a box, and includes a first side wall 31, a second side wall 32 opposite to the first side wall 31, a third side wall 33 connecting one end of the first side wall 31 and one end of the second side wall 32, a fourth side wall 34 connecting another end of the first side wall 31 and another end of the second side wall 32, and a receiving space 30 jointly formed by the first side wall 31, the second side wall 32, the third side wall 33 and the fourth side wall 34. The first side wall 31 and the second side wall 32 are provided with a first locking arm 311 and a second locking arm 321 which protrude inwardly into the receiving space 30. The third side wall 33 and the fourth side wall 34 are provided with a first retaining elastic piece 330 and a second retaining elastic piece 340 which protrude in a direction away from the receiving space 30. Both the first retaining elastic piece 330 and the second retaining elastic piece 340 are locked with the insulating body 1. The third side wall 33 is provided with a first fixing block 331, a second fixing block 332 spaced apart from the first fixing block 331, and a first channel 333 located between the first fixing block 331 and the second fixing block 332. The fourth side wall 34 is provided with a third fixing block 341, a fourth fixing block 342 spaced apart from the third fixing block 341, and a second channel 343 located between the third fixing block 341 and the fourth fixing block 342. In the embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the first fixing block 331 and the second fixing block 332 are simply supported beams punched from the third side wall 33 into the receiving space 30. The third fixing block 341 and the fourth fixing block 342 are simply supported beams punched from the fourth side wall 34 into the receiving space 30. This arrangement, on the one hand, is convenient for manufacture. On the other hand, the structural strength of the first fixing block 331, the second fixing block 332, the third fixing block 341 and the fourth fixing block 342 can be improved. Therefore, it is beneficial to clamp the first fixing portion 21 and the second fixing portion 23 of the conductive terminal 2.
When the conductive terminal 2 is assembled to the retaining terminal 3, the conductive terminal 2 is inserted into the receiving space 30, and the first elastic piece 221 and the third elastic piece 222 pass through the first channel 333. Both the first fixing block 331 and the second fixing block 332 are pressed against the first fixing portion 21. At the same time, the second elastic piece 241 and the fourth elastic piece 242 pass through the second channel 343. Both the third fixing block 341 and the fourth fixing block 342 are pressed against the second fixing portion 23. When the conductive terminal 2 is assembled in place, the first mating portion 22 and the second mating portion 24 pass through the receiving space 30. The first locking arm 311 and the second locking arm 321 are locked in the upper locking groove and the lower locking groove, respectively. The first limiting block 213 and the second limiting block 214 are used for abutting with the first side wall 31 and the second side wall 32 to prevent the conductive terminal 2 from being over-assembled to the retaining terminal 3.
Referring to
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Compared with the prior art, in the present disclosure, the first mating portion 22 is provided with the first elastic piece 221, and the first elastic piece 221 includes a first elastic contact portion 2211 protruding from the first fixing portion 21 along the first direction A1-A1. The second mating portion 24 is provided with a second elastic piece 241, and the second elastic piece 241 includes a second elastic contact portion 2411 protruding from the second fixing portion 23 along the first direction A1-A1. The first elastic contact portion 2211 extends along the first arc-shaped surface, the second elastic contact portion 2411 extends along the second arc-shaped surface, and protruding directions of the first arc-shaped surface and the second arc-shaped surface are opposite to each other along the first direction A1-A1. Therefore, the elastic contact portions are formed on the mating portion, thereby omitting the adapter spring, and improving the structural reliability and safety.
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present disclosure and not to limit the technical solutions described in the present disclosure. The understanding of this specification should be based on those skilled in the art. Descriptions of directions, although they have been described in detail in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the application, and all technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the application should be covered by the claims of the application.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202210788624.9 | Jul 2022 | CN | national |