Connector pin structure

Abstract

The invention discloses a connector pin structure which serves as a unipolar conductive structure, is arranged in a slot of a connector and is conductively connected with an external circuit, and comprises a strip-shaped conductor and an insulator which are fixedly connected with each other, and one end of the conductor is provided with a hollow part which is in contact with a conductor of the external circuit and is conductive; the insulator is provided with an embedded part which is embedded into the hollow part and is fixedly connected with the hollow part; and the other end of the conductor is also provided with a tail part connected with a wire harness in the connector. An existing integrated metal conductor structure is improved, a low-cost insulator structure is added to replace an electric conductor to serve as a main frame, certain structural strength is borne, meanwhile, it is guaranteed that an electric conductor structure with continuous heads and tails is arranged outside, and the electric conductor and the insulator are fixedly connected, so that the integrity is improved, and the overall performance is improved. And the appearance of the pin is kept consistent with that of the existing integrated metal pin under the condition that the structural design is changed as far as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of connectors, and in particular relates to a connector pin structure. Background Art

[0002] Existing connectors generally include an insulating shell structure and an internal metal conductor structure. The connector itself serves as an intermediate structure for connecting at least two circuits. The metal conductor has at least two ends, and the two ends are respectively connected to the two circuits to achieve conduction.

[0003] Many connectors utilize a strip-shaped pin structure as the conductor structure. This structure has a certain exposed length, which can provide a large contact area and achieve good plug-in electrical connection stability. Existing pins, such as those used in new energy vehicle charging or discharging equipment, serve as connecting conductors for the neutral wire, live wire, and ground wire. They are often manufactured using a metal CNC integrated molding method. The solid metal pins have good structural strength and current carrying capacity, but they are relatively expensive. To achieve cost reduction and efficiency improvement while meeting basic usage requirements, the pins will be optimized and improved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a connector pin structure, which aims to partially replace the one-piece molded metal material with low-cost insulating material, so that it can meet the basic current carrying capacity while also having good structural strength, thereby achieving the effect of reducing costs.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in the present invention is: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a connector pin structure, which is arranged in a slot of a connector as a single-pole conductive structure and is conductively connected to an external circuit. It includes a strip-shaped conductor and an insulator that are fixedly connected to each other. One end of the conductor has a hollow portion for the conductor of the external circuit to contact and conduct electricity, and the insulator has an embedded portion embedded in the hollow portion and fixedly connected; the other end of the conductor also has a tail portion connected to the wiring harness inside the connector.

[0006] It should be noted that a pin is a common conductor structure found on conductive connectors. It can be installed at any level of the neutral, live, or ground wires, serving as a conductor connecting external circuits to the connector's internal circuitry. The conductor, a strip-shaped structure connected end to end, is installed on the connector and has an exposed portion and a portion embedded within the connector. The hollow portion in this invention serves as the portion connecting to the external circuit and has a larger surface area than the entire pin, while the tail portion is the shielded portion located within the connector. The so-called insulator is a structure that replaces the existing integrated metal conductor material as the pin's framework, providing a certain degree of structural strength, while the conductor primarily serves as the conductor.

[0007] In combination with the first aspect, the present invention provides a first embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the hollow portion of the conductor has a connection opening toward the tail, and the embedded portion of the insulator has a first exposed portion extending outward from the connection opening, and the first exposed portion is used to contact and limit the connector.

[0008] In combination with the first embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention provides a second embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the first exposed portion has an annular snap-fit ​​groove, and the connector is snap-fitted and fixed to the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0009] In combination with the first embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention provides a third embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the first exposed portion has an annular rubber ring groove, and the gap between the pin and the connector is sealed by a sealing ring member arranged in the rubber ring groove.

[0010] In combination with the first embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention provides a fourth embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the conductor further has a wrapping portion, and the first exposed portion of the insulator wraps and fixes the wrapping portion.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect or several embodiments of the first aspect, the present invention provides a fifth embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the end of the hollow portion of the conductor away from the tail portion has a gap, and the gap is filled with the embedded portion of the insulator.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect or several embodiments of the first aspect, the present invention provides a sixth embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the hollow portion of the conductor is provided with an avoidance opening at the end away from the tail portion, and the embedded portion of the insulator has a second exposed portion that passes through the avoidance opening and extends outward.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect or several embodiments of the first aspect, the present invention provides a seventh embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the conductor is a metal sheet, the hollow portion is formed by bending the metal sheet, and the insulator is injection molded in the bent hollow portion.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect or several embodiments of the first aspect, the present invention provides an eighth embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the tail portion includes at least one wire clamping portion that deforms and clamps the wire harness.

[0015] In combination with the sixth embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention provides a ninth embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the second exposed portion is an insulating head that cooperates with the connector to prevent electric shock due to contact with the hollow portion.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) The present invention improves the existing integrated metal conductor structure by adding a low-cost insulator structure to replace the redundant current-carrying part of the conductor as the main framework, which provides a certain structural strength. At the same time, the external conductor structure is ensured to be continuous from beginning to end, and the conductor and the insulator are fixedly connected, thereby improving the integrity and maintaining the appearance consistent with the existing integrated metal pin as much as possible while changing its structural design; (2) The present invention provides a first exposed portion extending to the outside of the hollow portion, thereby forming a ring structure in the entire pin that is fixedly connected to the external connector, thereby further improving its structural strength and avoiding the use of a thin-sheet conductive structure on the outside of the pin that contacts the connector and affects its structure and connection stability; (3) The present invention provides a snap-fit ​​groove on the first exposed portion to facilitate fixation with the connector, and the rubber ring groove is provided to accommodate a waterproof rubber ring, thereby blocking the annular gap when fixedly connected to the connector, thereby achieving a certain waterproof effect; (4) The present invention wraps the conductor wrapping portion, which is smaller than the hollow portion, through the first exposed portion, so that not only is the connection made within the hollow portion through the embedded portion, but the smaller wrapping portion is also wrapped outside to form a double-layer connection relationship of inside and outside nesting, further improving the integrity of the pin and increasing the connection stability between the conductor and the insulator; (5) The present invention provides openings on both sides of the hollow portion, and provides expanded ends at both openings to achieve blocking at both ends, thereby achieving better connection stability; (6) The present invention provides an insulating head structure formed by extending the embedded portion outside the avoidance opening at the front end of the hollow portion, which can meet the design requirements of the terminal insulation material used in the existing L / N terminal pins. At the same time, this integrated extended insulation structure itself utilizes the extension of the built-in insulating material, and the manufacturing method is simple. It is obviously different from the method of directly providing a groove at the end of the metal pin and then embedding an independent insulating head in the prior art. It has higher stability and avoids the hidden danger of the insulating head falling off separately in the prior art. (7) The present invention also optimizes the arrangement of the external conductor. A metal sheet can be stamped to form a columnar hollow portion, and then injection molded into the interior to form an insulator structure. This not only improves the connection stability, but also makes the manufacturing method simpler and less expensive. At the same time, the gap formed by the sheet stamping can be filled by injection molding, and a relatively smooth outer surface of the pin can be formed after demoulding for other surface processing, thereby ultimately achieving a better matching degree. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a grounding pin in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2This is an exploded isometric view of a grounding pin in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of a grounding pin in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 The present invention is Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the side section after cutting along the AA cutting line; Figure 5 This is an axonometric view of the L / N end pin in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a front view of the L / N terminal pin in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 The present invention is Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the side section after cutting along the mid-BB cutting line; Figure 8 This is a disassembled isometric view of the L / N end pins used in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 It is an axonometric view of another method of using the L / N end pin in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In the figure: 1-conductor, 2-insulator, 3-wiring harness, 4-first wire clamping part, 5-clamping groove, 6-rubber ring groove, 7-gap, 8-insulating head, 9-second wire clamping part, 10-avoidance opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0021] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present application for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0022] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined or explained in subsequent drawings.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that if the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or position relationship in which the product of the application is usually placed when in use. It is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on this application. In addition, if the terms "first", "second", etc. appear in the description of this application, they are only used to distinguish the description and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" in the description of this application does not necessarily imply that a component must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical" and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but rather that it can be slightly tilted.

[0025] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0026] Example 1: This embodiment discloses a connector pin structure, which is provided in a communication connector and an electrical connector, and has two connection ends, which are respectively connected to an internal circuit and an external circuit defined with the connector as a reference.

[0027] The pin structure consists of two parts: a conductor 1 and an insulator 2, both rigidly connected and made of a hard material. Conductor 1 is arranged continuously along the entire length of the pin and has at least two sections. One is a hollow portion located outside the connector. This hollow portion is a uniform cylindrical structure, filled with insulator 2 to form a fixed connection. The other is the tail portion, which is used to connect to the wiring harness 3 within the connector's internal circuitry. The exterior of the hollow portion is a smooth, curved surface, entirely made of conductive material, and conducts electricity through contact with the conductors of the external circuitry.

[0028] In one embodiment, the conductor 1 is a hollow tube, with the insulator 2 embedded within it, forming a nested connection. The insulator 2 is shorter than the conductor 1, leaving a certain length of vacant space within the connection opening at the rear of the conductor 1. This secure connection is achieved by inserting the metal portion of the external wiring harness 3, which is smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the rear connection opening, and then squeezing the rear conductor 1 to clamp the metal portion of the wiring harness 3. A snap-fit ​​groove 5 is provided on the exterior of the conductor 1, which engages with a semicircular flange on the connector to achieve snap-fit ​​securement.

[0029] Furthermore, in order to improve the connection stability between the conductor 1 and the insulator 2, a number of gaps 7 or openings are provided on the surface of the conductor 1. After the conductor 1 is formed, the insulator 2 material in a fluid state is injected into the interior by injection molding or other means, and the openings or gaps 7 on the surface of the conductor 1 are filled with the insulator 2 material. After cooling and demolding, a pin structure with a smooth surface is formed. At the same time, the insulator 2 is embedded in the openings or gaps 7 of the conductor 1, thereby forming an integrated structure with better connection stability.

[0030] As an implementation method, the insulator 2 is used as the skeleton, and an inorganic high-temperature resistant material is used to make the insulator 2, so that its surface has a plurality of groove structures. Then, the metal material serving as the conductor 1 is covered on the surface of the insulator 2 in a molten state to form a layer of conductor 1. After cooling, the conductor 1 has a portion embedded in the groove of the insulator 2, which can also achieve better connection stability. At the same time, the conductor 1 is extended to one side of the insulator 2 to form an external continuous structure to ensure that it has a certain conductive effect. Similarly, a snap-in groove 5 is formed on the surface of the insulator 2, and the surface of the snap-in groove 5 is covered with a conductor 1 of the same thickness, which can also serve as a fixed connection position of the connector.

[0031] As an embodiment, the conductor 1 includes a circular hollow portion with a constant cross-sectional radius, with the insulator 2 embedded within the hollow portion. The conductor 1 also includes a wrapping portion with a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the hollow portion. The wrapping portion and the hollow portion are concentric tubular structures, forming a smooth connection by reducing the diameter. A connecting opening is provided at the end of the wrapping portion. The insulator 2 embedded in the hollow portion and the wrapping portion extends outward from the connecting opening to form a first exposed portion. The first exposed portion also extends in the opposite direction to form a portion that wraps around the wrapping portion. The external cross-sectional dimension formed by this portion is the same as the external cross-sectional dimension of the hollow portion, thereby forming a continuous pin structure with consistent cross-sectional dimensions. In this embodiment, a snap-in groove 5 is formed on the surface of the solid portion of the first exposed portion for contact and position-limiting connection with the connector.

[0032] In this manner, the insulator 2 is not only embedded in the hollow portion and the wrapped portion to form an inner core structure, but also the first exposed portion extending outward from the opening on one side and wrapping around the first exposed portion can form a double-layer connection relationship of inside and outside nesting, thereby achieving a better fixation effect between the conductor 1 and the insulator 2. A snap-fit ​​groove 5 can also be provided, so that the insulator 2 serves as a connection structure to contact and limit the connector.

[0033] Furthermore, to achieve a conductive connection between the tail and the wiring harness 3 within the connector, a hole is opened in the middle of the first exposed portion for the metal end of the wiring harness 3 to be inserted and connected to the inner wrapping portion. Alternatively, before forming the insulator 2, a connection is formed between the metal portion of the wiring harness 3 and the inner wall of the wrapping portion. Then, through injection molding or other methods, the liquid insulator 2 material is allowed to wrap and secure the portion of the conductor 1 connected to the wiring harness 3.

[0034] As an embodiment, the conductor 1 adopts a tubular structure with openings on both sides, and the insulator 2 is embedded in the conductor 1 and extends outward from both side openings to form bulged ends. The conductor 1 is clamped and fixed from both ends through the bulged end structures on both sides, which can also form a better connection and fixing effect.

[0035] As an embodiment, referring to Figures 1-4 , the figure shows a pin structure serving as a PE grounding terminal.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 The conductor 1 in the pin is a metal tube structure, the front part is a hollow part with a closed port, followed by a tubular wrapping part with a reduced cross-sectional size, a semicircular wrapping part with an even smaller size, and finally a first clamping part 4 for connecting the wiring harness 3.

[0037] The tubular wrapping portion has a connecting opening perpendicular to the axis of the hollow portion, and also has an injection port with an axis perpendicular to the axis of the hollow portion. Figure 2 The conductor 1 structure shown in the figure is wrapped around the mold, the mold port is wrapped in the middle of the semicircular wrapping part, and then injection molding is performed into the mold. Figure 2 The solid insulator 2 structure in the.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 The insulator 2 includes an embedded portion embedded in the hollow portion and a first exposed portion that wraps the wrapped portion. The first exposed portion is a cylindrical structure with a size close to the outer size of the hollow portion. Two annular grooves are provided on the first exposed portion, namely Figure 1The rubber ring groove 6 and the snap-on groove 5 are shown in FIG. A channel is provided on the connector, and an opening is provided at the bottom of the channel that is smaller than the inner diameter of the channel and the same size as the snap-on groove 5. During installation, the pin is placed in the channel, with the hollow portion of the pin inside the channel and the tail of the pin inside the opening of the channel. The waterproof rubber ring provided on the surface of the rubber ring groove 6 blocks the gap 7 in the opening of the channel, achieving a certain waterproof effect.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 In the figure, a semi-wrapped U-shaped structure is provided at the tail of the pin, which is the first wire clamping part 4. The opening size of the first wire clamping part 4 is larger than the metal part of the wire harness 3. By placing the metal part of the wire harness 3 in the first wire clamping part 4 and then crimping it with a tool, the first wire clamping part 4 is compressed and deformed toward the middle, thereby achieving the effect of clamping the wire harness 3.

[0040] Reference Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, the embedded portion is located inside the hollow portion, while the first exposed portion wraps around the smaller wrapped portion, thereby enhancing the connection stability. In this pin structure used as a PE connection cable, there is no need to consider the problem of accidental electric shock, and the end is designed with a closed structure.

[0041] Furthermore, for this embodiment, the entire conductor 1 is formed by bending and stamping a metal sheet, wherein the hollow portion is a columnar structure formed by folding the sheet toward the middle, referring to Figure 2 The figure shows a slit 7 on the outside of the hollow portion, extending to the end of the hollow portion. In this embodiment, the end of the hollow portion is sealed by bending and closing three conical structures. Due to the injection molding process, after the hollow portion is injected, the insulator 2 is partially embedded in the slit 7, forming a filler.

[0042] As an embodiment, referring to Figure 5-Figure 8 The figure shows the structure of the L / N end pin. When used as an L / N end pin, it is necessary to ensure that there is a tapered insulating head 8 at the end of the pin. Since the pin is set in the hole of the connector, the size of the hole itself is different from the size of the pin, which may cause the user to insert his finger into the hole of the connector and touch the contact of the pin. This insulating head 8 structure can avoid contact with the conductor 1 as much as possible. When the user's finger is inserted into the hole, it first touches the insulating head 8. However, since the gap 7 between the insulating head 8 and the hole is significantly smaller than the size of the finger, the finger can only touch the insulating head 8.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, the hollow portion of the conductor 1 is spaced away from the tail and has a clearance opening 10 at its end. The embedded portion within the hollow portion extends outward to form a tapered insulating head 8. This integrally connected insulator 2 structure differs from the prior art method of providing a groove at the end of a metal pin to achieve a snap-on connection of the insulating head 8. This integrally connected insulator 2 structure not only prevents contact through the insulating head 8 as the second exposed portion, but also the expanded end cooperates with the first exposed portion to center the hollow portion, thereby forming a fixed connection with both ends clamped.

[0044] Furthermore, the figure shows that a second clamping portion 9 is provided at the tail of the pin. The first clamping portion 4 clamps the metal part of the wiring harness 3 to achieve conductivity, while the second clamping portion 9 clamps and fixes the insulating layer outside the wiring harness 3, thereby providing better connection stability.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above optional embodiments. Anyone can derive various other forms of products based on the teachings of the present invention. The above specific embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the scope defined in the claims, and the description can be used to interpret the claims.

Claims

1. A connector pin structure, as a unipolar conductive structure, disposed in a connector slot and conductively connected to an external circuit, characterized in that: The invention comprises a strip-shaped conductor (1) and an insulator (2) which are fixedly connected to each other, wherein one end of the conductor (1) has a hollow portion for contact and conduction by a conductor of an external circuit, and the insulator (2) has an embedded portion which is embedded in the hollow portion and fixedly connected; the other end of the conductor (1) also has a tail portion which is connected to a wiring harness (3) inside a connector.

2. The connector pin structure according to claim 1, wherein: The hollow portion of the conductor (1) has a connection opening toward the tail, and the embedded portion of the insulator (2) has a first exposed portion extending outward from the connection opening, and the first exposed portion is contacted and limited with the connector.

3. The connector pin structure according to claim 2, wherein: The first exposed portion has an annular snap-fit ​​groove (5), and the connector is snap-fitted and fixed to the snap-fit ​​groove (5).

4. The connector pin structure according to claim 2, wherein: The first exposed portion has an annular rubber ring groove (6), and the gap between the pin and the connector is sealed by a sealing ring member arranged in the rubber ring groove (6).

5. The connector pin structure according to claim 2, wherein: The conductor (1) further comprises a wrapping portion, and the first exposed portion of the insulator (2) wraps and fixes the wrapping portion.

6. A connector pin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The end of the hollow portion of the conductor (1) away from the tail portion has a gap (7), and the gap (7) is filled with the embedded portion of the insulator (2).

7. A connector pin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The hollow portion of the conductor (1) is provided with an escape opening (10) at the end away from the tail portion, and the embedded portion of the insulator (2) has a second exposed portion that passes through the escape opening (10) and extends outwards.

8. The connector pin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The conductor (1) is a metal sheet, the hollow portion is formed by bending the metal sheet, and the insulator (2) is formed by injection molding in the bent hollow portion.

9. A connector pin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The tail portion comprises at least one wire clamping portion for deforming and clamping the wire harness (3).

10. The connector pin structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second exposed portion is an insulating head (8) that cooperates with the connector to prevent electric shock caused by contact with the hollow portion.

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