Terminal, terminal connection device having the terminal, and electric machine

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a terminal, a terminal connection device having the terminal, and a motor. The terminal is made of a conductive material and is used to electrically connect the pin of the motor to an external connector. The terminal includes: a first terminal portion including a first body and an elastic contact member. The first body defines a first insertion direction for inserting the pin. The elastic contact member extends from the first body, and the elastic contact member is configured to elastically deform as the pin is inserted to apply a contact force to the pin; a second terminal portion including a second body. The second body defines a second insertion direction for inserting into the external connector; and a bending portion. The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are connected by the bending portion such that the first insertion direction is substantially perpendicular to the second insertion direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal, a terminal connection device having the terminal, and a motor. Background Art

[0002] Small motors are important basic products widely used in various fields such as factory automation, home life automation, and office automation. Commonly used small motors are classified into leaded motors and leadless motors according to different connection methods of leads. A leaded motor means that the leads are directly connected to corresponding terminals to supply current to the stator winding of the motor, that is, the so-called direct connection method. A leadless motor only has connector ports on the motor, and the leads are connected to the motor as a separate part through a matching interface, that is, the so-called indirect connection method.

[0003] Generally, in the solution of a leaded motor, a structure is adopted in which the leads are first soldered to a circuit board (PCB board), and then the PCB board is soldered to the pins corresponding to the motor winding. For a leadless motor, an external connector is inserted into the PCB board, and the PCB board is soldered to the pins corresponding to the motor winding.

[0004] However, whether it is the aforementioned leaded motor solution or the leadless motor solution, the intermediate transition adopts the PCB board connection method. This PCB board connection method will cause a series of problems: First, the poor electrical connection inside the PCB board will cause the problem of motor circuit breakage; Second, the PCB board adopts at least one soldering process, so problems such as solder joint looseness, pad detachment, and solder beads splashing onto gears may occur; Finally, the labor cost of the key soldering process of the PCB is high. Summary of the Invention

[0005] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal made of a conductive material for electrically connecting the pins of a motor to an external connector, including: a first terminal portion including a first body and an elastic contact member, the first body defining a first insertion direction for inserting the pin, the elastic contact member extending from the first body, and the elastic contact member being configured to elastically deform as the pin is inserted to apply a contact force to the pin; a second terminal portion including a second body, the second body defining a second insertion direction for inserting into the external connector; and a bending portion, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion being connected by the bending portion such that the first insertion direction is substantially perpendicular to the second insertion direction.

[0006] In some examples, the elastic contact member includes an elastic arm and a contact protrusion. The elastic arm is bent relative to the first body to form a first included angle θ, and the range of the first included angle θ is between 15° and 50°. The elastic arm is configured to bend and deform in a direction that reduces the first included angle θ as the pin is inserted to generate the contact force, and the contact protrusion is configured to contact the pin to apply the contact force.

[0007] In some examples, the first terminal portion further includes: at least one limiting portion bent from the side surface of the first body, the at least one limiting portion includes a side wall and a top wall, and the at least one limiting portion and the first body enclose a pin cavity for receiving the pin.

[0008] In some examples, the first body includes a bottom wall, and the elastic contact member extends from the bottom wall along the first insertion direction, so that when the pin is inserted into the pin cavity, an elastic connection is formed between the pin, the top wall, and the contact protrusion.

[0009] In some examples, the elastic contact member further includes a support arm, the support arm extends from the contact protrusion and forms a second included angle α with the elastic arm, so that the elastic arm and the support arm form a substantially V-shaped configuration.

[0010] In some examples, the range of the second included angle α is between 90° and 130°, so that when the pin is inserted into the pin cavity, the end of the support arm can slide on the bottom wall along the first insertion direction, and the height a of the support arm in a direction perpendicular to the first insertion direction, the height b of the pin cavity in a direction perpendicular to the first insertion direction, and the maximum dimension c of the cross-section of the pin satisfy the following relationship: b - a < c and a < b.

[0011] In some examples, the first body includes a bottom wall, and the elastic contact member extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall along the first insertion direction, so that when the pin is inserted into the pin cavity, an elastic connection is formed between the pin, the bottom wall, and the contact protrusion. The elastic contact member further includes a support arm, the support arm extends from the contact protrusion and forms a second included angle α with the elastic arm, so that the elastic arm and the support arm form a substantially V-shaped configuration.

[0012] In some examples, the first terminal portion further includes: a pair of side wings bent from the side surface of the first body, and the elastic contact member is formed by bending from the surfaces of the pair of side wings towards each other, thereby forming a pair of contact protrusions, so that when the pin is inserted, an elastic connection is formed between the pin and the pair of contact protrusions.

[0013] In some examples, the elastic contact member is a pair of side wings bent from the side surface of the first body. The side wings include a planar portion and contact protrusions protruding from the middle of the planar portion toward the opposite side wing to form a pair of contact protrusions, such that when the pin is inserted, an elastic connection is formed between the pin and the pair of contact protrusions.

[0014] In some examples, the second terminal portion further includes a latching elastic member, which includes a root portion extending from the second body and a free portion extending away from the second body and obliquely with respect to the second body from the root portion.

[0015] In some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the second terminal portion is rectangular or U-shaped, including at least two second side walls extending along the second insertion direction, configured to be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion of the external connector when the external connector is inserted.

[0016] In some examples, the external connector is a RAST connector, and the electrical contact portion includes at least two contact elastic pieces. The at least two second side walls are configured to be electrically connected to the at least two contact elastic pieces of the external connector respectively when the external connector is inserted.

[0017] In some examples, the bent portion is provided on either side surface of the end of the first body opposite to the elastic contact member.

[0018] In some examples, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are integrally formed by stamping from a conductive material with a thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0019] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal connection device, including: a plurality of the above-mentioned terminals; and a housing made of an insulating material, the housing including a main body portion and a socket portion. The main body portion is configured to accommodate the terminals, and the socket portion is configured to accommodate the electrical contact portion of the external connector, such that the terminals are electrically connected to the external connector within the terminal connection device.

[0020] In some examples, the main body portion is provided with a plurality of mounting holes for accommodating the second terminal portion and a plurality of mounting grooves for accommodating the first terminal portion. The mounting holes and the corresponding mounting grooves are adjacently arranged to form a mounting pair, and each mounting pair mounts one terminal. The mounting gap between each of the plurality of mounting grooves and the first body is between 0 and 0.5 mm.

[0021] In some examples, the depth of each of the plurality of mounting grooves is greater than or equal to the height of the first body of the first terminal portion, and each of the plurality of mounting grooves includes a limiting boss that protrudes from at least one side wall of the mounting groove and engages the first terminal portion to limit the wobbling of the terminal.

[0022] In some examples, each of the plurality of mounting holes includes: a guiding and positioning rib disposed within the mounting hole, the width of which is slightly smaller than the width between the inner surfaces of at least two second side walls of the second terminal portion to allow it to be received between the inner surfaces of at least two second side walls of the second terminal portion; an anti - detachment boss that protrudes from the inner surface of the mounting hole and is configured to form a snap - fit connection with the snap - fit elastic member when the second terminal portion is mounted.

[0023] In some examples, insulating ribs are provided between adjacent pairs of the mounts.

[0024] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a motor, including: a motor housing that houses a coil assembly; a pin electrically connected to the coil assembly; and the above - mentioned terminal connection device, wherein the pin and the external connector are electrically connected through the terminal within the terminal connection device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description only relate to some embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1A A perspective view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0027] Figure 1B For Figure 1A A front view of the terminal shown;

[0028] Figure 1C For Figure 1A A cross - sectional view of the terminal shown;

[0029] Figure 1D For Figure 1C A partially enlarged view of the terminal shown, which shows the engagement state when the pin engages with the first terminal portion;

[0030] Figure 2A A perspective view of a terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0031] Figure 2B For Figure 2A A cross - sectional view of the terminal shown;

[0032] Figure 3A Shows a perspective view of a terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 3B Is Figure 3A The top view of the terminal shown;

[0034] Figure 4A Shows a perspective view of a terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 4B Is Figure 4A The top view of the terminal shown;

[0036] Figure 5 Shows a perspective view of a terminal according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6 Shows a perspective view of a terminal according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 7 Shows a perspective view of a terminal connection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 The exploded view of, and shows the chamfer of the limiting boss in a partial enlarged view.

[0040] Figure 9 Shows Figure 7 The perspective view of the terminal connection device shown as observed from another angle;

[0041] Figure 10 Shows a partial enlarged view of a main body part according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 11 Shows Figure 7 The partial enlarged view of the terminal connection device shown;

[0043] Figure 12 Shows a cross-sectional view of a terminal connection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 13 Shows a cross-sectional view of a terminal connection device after being installed with an external connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figures 14A to 14C Shows a cross-sectional view of the installation process of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 15Shows a cross-sectional view of the installation process of the terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 16 Shows a perspective view of a motor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 17 Shows according to Figure 16 The exploded view of the motor shown.

[0049] List of reference numerals

[0050] 1 First terminal part

[0051] 11 First body

[0052] 12 Elastic contact

[0053] 121 Elastic arm

[0054] 122 Contact protrusion

[0055] 123 Support arm

[0056] 13 Limiting part

[0057] 131 Side wall

[0058] 132 Top wall

[0059] 133 Pin cavity

[0060] 14 Bottom wall

[0061] 15 Flank

[0062] 151, 152 Flank pair

[0063] 153, 154 Contact protrusion pair

[0064] 155, 156 Flat part

[0065] 2 Second terminal part

[0066] 21 Second body

[0067] 211 Second side wall

[0068] 22 Engaging elastic member

[0069] 221 Root

[0070] 222 Free part

[0071] 3 Bending part

[0072] 31 Notch

[0073] 4 Housing

[0074] 5 Main body

[0075] 51 Mounting hole

[0076] 511 Guide positioning rib

[0077] 512 Anti - detachment boss

[0078] 52 Mounting groove

[0079] 521 Side wall

[0080] 522 Limit boss

[0081] 523 Chamfer

[0082] 53 Insulating rib

[0083] 6 Socket part

[0084] 7 Motor housing

[0085] 8 Coil assembly

[0086] 81 Skeleton

[0087] 82 Enameled wire

[0088] 9 Transmission assembly

[0089] 10 Rotor assembly

[0090] 20 Pin

[0091] 30 External connector

[0092] 301 Contact spring

[0093] 100 Terminal

[0094] 200 Terminal connection device

[0095] 300 Motor Specific implementation mode

[0096] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the technical solutions of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of specific embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the described embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0097] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used herein shall have the usual meanings understood by persons of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the patent application specification and claims of the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one" or "one" do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0098] A typical motor usually includes a coil assembly and a rotor assembly. When the coil assembly is energized, it generates a magnetic field to drive the rotor assembly. The coil assembly includes a pin and a winding. The pin is electrically connected to the winding and serves as an interface for connecting to an external power source. The pin is soldered to the PCB board through a PCB board and electrically connected to an external connector. This PCB board connection method will cause a series of problems: first, the poor electrical connection inside the PCB board will cause the motor circuit to break; second, the PCB board uses at least one welding process, so problems such as cold soldering, pad detachment, and solder beads splashing onto gears may occur; finally, the labor cost of welding in the key PCB process is high.

[0099] It should be noted that the female terminal and the male terminal mentioned in the present invention refer to the way the terminals are electrically connected. For example, the female terminal, which can also be called a female terminal, has a wiring cavity, and is electrically connected to the connector by accommodating the connector in the wiring cavity; the male terminal, which can also be called a male terminal, has a wiring wall, and is electrically connected to the connector by inserting it into the wiring cavity of the connector.

[0100] The present invention discloses a terminal 100, which can be electrically connected to a pin 20 of a motor 300 and an external connector 30 through a first terminal part 1 and a second terminal part 2, respectively, so as to connect the pin 20 of the motor 300 with the external connector 30. The first terminal part 1 is preferably a female terminal, and the second terminal part 2 is preferably a male terminal. The wiring scheme realized by the present invention can omit the PCB board, thereby avoiding the technical problems such as complex installation and desoldering involved in the scheme of switching through the PCB board.

[0101] The terminal 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first terminal portion 1. The first terminal portion 1 includes a first body 11 and an elastic contact member 12. The first body 11 defines a first insertion direction A for inserting the pin 20. The elastic contact member 12 extends from the first body 11, and the elastic contact member 12 is configured to elastically deform as the pin 20 is inserted to apply a contact force on the pin 20. A second terminal portion 2 includes a second body 21. The second body 21 defines a second insertion direction B for inserting into the external connector 30. And a bending portion 3. The first terminal portion 1 and the second terminal portion 2 are connected by the bending portion 3 such that the first insertion direction A is substantially perpendicular to the second insertion direction B.

[0102] Next, the terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in conjunction with Figures 1A to 1D description. Figure 1A A perspective view of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1B For Figure 1A a front view of the shown terminal. Figure 1C For Figure 1A a cross-sectional view of the shown terminal. Figure 1D For Figure 1C a partial enlarged view of the shown terminal, which shows the engagement state when the pin is engaged with the first terminal portion. As shown, the terminal 100 includes a first terminal portion 1, a second terminal portion 2, and a bending portion 3. The first terminal portion 1 includes a first body 11 and an elastic contact member 12. The first body 11 defines a first insertion direction A for inserting the pin 20. The elastic contact member 12 extends along the first insertion direction A from the first body 11, and the elastic contact member 12 applies a component force F of the contact force perpendicular to the first insertion direction A on the pin 20. The second terminal portion 2 includes a second body 21. The second body 21 defines a second insertion direction B for inserting into the external connector 30.

[0103] In this embodiment, the first terminal portion 1, the second terminal portion 2, and the bending portion 3 are integrally formed, for example, by stamping. The first terminal portion 1 and the second terminal portion 2 are connected by the bending portion 3, and the bending portion 3 is provided on either side surface of one end of the first body 11 opposite to the elastic contact member 12. In this embodiment, the bending portion 3 is provided at the end opposite to the elastic contact member 12 and is located on Figure 1A the side surface facing outward from the paper surface in

[0104] In a typical motor structure, when the motor base is placed on a horizontal plane, the output shaft of the motor is usually perpendicular to the horizontal plane, while the pins of the coil assembly are usually parallel to the horizontal plane. The external connector is usually inserted into the motor housing from below, so the installation direction of the external connector is usually perpendicular to the installation direction of the pins. Therefore, the design of the terminal 100 of the present invention also takes the above factors into consideration. By bending the part 3, the first terminal part 1 for electrically connecting the pins and the second terminal part 2 for electrically connecting the external connector are bent to be substantially perpendicular, which is convenient for the installation operation. The bending part 3 can also have a notch 31, which can simplify the structure and save materials.

[0105] It should be noted that the "substantially perpendicular" mentioned in the present invention means 90 degrees or approximately equal to 90 degrees. Considering the actual production situation, it is very difficult to achieve a completely perpendicular between two components, that is, exactly 90 degrees. However, in practical applications, with a certain deviation from 90 degrees, such as within plus or minus 5 degrees, the technical effects of the present invention can also be achieved.

[0106] The terminal 100 is made of commonly used conductive materials in the art, such as copper, aluminum, copper alloy or aluminum alloy, etc. Preferably, it is made of copper or copper alloy. The thickness of the material is between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, for example, 0.3 mm, and preferably, it is integrally formed by die stamping. The selection of the material thickness mainly considers the following factors: if the material thickness is too thin, such as less than 0.2 mm, the mechanical strength of the formed terminal is too weak to meet the requirements of the terminal insertion strength; if the material thickness is too thick, such as greater than 0.5 mm, it will cause the elastic coefficient of the elastic contact part 12 to be too large, resulting in difficult assembly. At the same time, since the material thickness increases, the overall size of the terminal will inevitably increase, which will cause the entire installation space to increase, resulting in waste of space and material costs.

[0107] In this embodiment, the first terminal part 1 further includes at least one limiting part 13 bent from the side surface of the first body 11, preferably two limiting parts 13. Each limiting part 13 includes a side wall 131 and a top wall 132. The limiting part 13 and the first body 11 enclose a pin cavity 133 for receiving the pin 20.

[0108] The elastic contact part 12 includes an elastic arm 121, a contact protrusion 122 and a support arm 123. The elastic arm 121 is bent relative to the first body 11 to form a first included angle θ. The elastic arm is configured to bend and deform in the direction of reducing the first included angle θ as the pin is inserted to generate a contact force. The contact protrusion 122 is configured to contact the pin 20 to apply a contact force.

[0109] In this embodiment, the first body 11 includes a bottom wall 14, and the elastic contact member 12 is bent and extended from the bottom wall 14 along the first insertion direction A, so that when the pin 20 is inserted into the pin cavity 133 along the first insertion direction A, an elastic connection is formed between the pin 20, the top wall 132, and the contact protrusion 122.

[0110] The support arm 123 extends from the contact protrusion 122 and forms a second included angle α with the elastic arm 121, so that the elastic arm 121 and the support arm 123 form a substantially V-shaped configuration. As shown in the figure, the height of the support arm 123 perpendicular to the first insertion direction A is a, the height of the pin cavity 133 perpendicular to the first insertion direction A is b, and b can also be defined as the distance between the bottom surface of the top wall 132 and the surface of the first body 11. The maximum dimension of the cross-section of the pin 20 is c. The above parameters are designed to satisfy the following relationship: b - a < c and a < b. In practical applications, the size of the pin 20 is given, so c can be considered a constant. Therefore, the sizes of the parameters a and b can be adjusted according to the above relationship. The size of b - a can be considered as the gap between the contact protrusion 122 and the top wall 132 in the non-inserted state, and satisfying b - a < c can ensure that the pin 20 can drive the elastic contact member 12 to deform when inserted, especially the elastic arm 121 deforms, so that the first included angle θ becomes smaller. At this time, the contact protrusion 122 tightly engages with the pin 20, that is, an interference fit is formed between the elastic contact member 12 and the pin 20. Satisfying a < b is to ensure that the above gap is greater than 0. Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the design of the sizes of the first included angle θ and the second included angle α should consider the dimensional relationship of each part of the elastic contact member 12. For example, the range of the first included angle θ can be between 15° and 50°, such as 15°, 20°, 30°, 50°; the range of the second included angle α can be between 90° and 130°, such as 100°, 110°, 130°. It can be seen from this that the second included angle α is an obtuse angle. This design mainly considers that the support arm 123 contacts the first body when the elastic arm 121 deforms towards the first body 11 and slides along the direction A, which is convenient for the insertion of the pin 20, and at the same time supports the elastic contact member 12 to prevent the elastic arm 121 from deforming excessively and failing, and can also prevent the elastic contact member 12 from being damaged when an inappropriately sized (oversized) pin 20 or other connecting members are inserted.

[0111] The cross-sectional shape of the second body 21 of the second terminal portion 2 may be rectangular or U-shaped, including at least two second side walls 211 extending along the second insertion direction B, configured to be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion of the external connector 30 when inserting the external connector 30. Specifically, the second body 21 may include two second side walls 211. When the external connector is a RAST connector, the electrical contact portion may be two contact spring pieces 301, and the two second side walls 211 are configured to respectively engage the two contact spring pieces 301 of the external connector 30 when inserting the external connector 30. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the second body 21 is U-shaped and extends along the second insertion direction B.

[0112] As shown in the figure, the second terminal portion 2 further includes two engaging elastic members 22. The engaging elastic member 22 includes a root portion 221 extending from the second side wall 211 of the second body 21 and a free portion 222 extending away from the second body 21 and obliquely extending relative to the second body 21 from the root portion 221. The cooperation mode of the engaging elastic member 22 will be specifically introduced in the following description.

[0113] The structure of the terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment has been described above. Next, a manufacturing method of the terminal 100 in this embodiment will be briefly described. The described manufacturing method is only exemplary, and the terminal 100 can also be manufactured by other conventional methods in the art. First, a copper plate material with a thickness of 0.3 mm is provided, and the first terminal portion 1, the second terminal portion 2, and the bending portion 3 of the terminal 100 are stamped on the copper plate, and at this time, the three are in the same plane. Then, each characteristic portion of the first terminal portion 1 and the second terminal portion 2 is bent, including but not limited to the elastic contact member 12, the elastic arm 121, the contact protrusion 122, the support arm 123, the limiting portion 13, the second side wall 211, and the engaging elastic member 22. Finally, the bending portion 3 is bent at 90 degrees so that the first terminal portion 1 is perpendicular to the second terminal portion 2, thereby forming the terminal 100 of this embodiment.

[0114] Next, it will be combined with Figures 2A to 2B Describe the terminal 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A A perspective view of a terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, Figure 2B For Figure 2A The cross-sectional view of the shown terminal. Only the differences between this embodiment and Figures 1A to 1D The shown embodiment will be described below, and the similarities will not be elaborated here. Compared with Figures 1A to 1DIn the illustrated embodiment, the starting points of the extension of the elastic contact member 12 of this embodiment are different. In this embodiment, the elastic contact member 12 extends and bends from the top wall 132 of one of the limiting portions 13 (for example, the limiting portion 13 closer to the end) toward the bottom wall 14 along the first insertion direction A. At this time, when the pin 20 is inserted into the pin cavity 133, an elastic connection is formed between the pin 20, the bottom wall 14 of the first body 11, and the contact protrusion 122.

[0115] Referring to Figures 3A to 3B , which shows a terminal 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Figure 3A The perspective view of the terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, Figure 3B is Figure 3A The top view of the terminal shown. Only the differences between this embodiment and Figures 1A to 1D the embodiment shown will be described below, and the similarities will not be elaborated here. Compared with Figures 1A to 1D or Figures 2A to 2B the embodiment shown, the arrangement of the elastic contact member 12 in this embodiment is different. Specifically, the elastic contact member 12 is formed by bending from the surfaces of a pair of side wings 15, and the side wings 15 are bent from the side surface of the first body 11. In this embodiment, a pair of side wings 15 form a side wing pair 151, 152, and the side wing pair 151, 152 bends toward each other to form a contact protrusion pair 153, 154.

[0117] As Figure 3B shown, the elastic contact member 12 is bent into a V-shaped shape, which is similar to the V-shaped shape of the embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 1D or Figures 2A to 2B However, the difference is that when the pin 20 is inserted along the first insertion direction A, an elastic connection is formed between the pin 20 and the contact protrusion pair 153, 154.

[0118] Referring to Figures 4A to 4B , which shows a terminal 100 according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Figure 4A The perspective view of the terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, Figure 4B is Figure 4A The top view of the terminal shown. Only the differences between this embodiment and Figures 3A to 3B the embodiment shown will be described below, and the similarities will not be elaborated here. Compared with Figures 3A to 3BIn the illustrated embodiment, the elastic contact member 12 of this embodiment is arranged differently. Specifically, the elastic contact member 12 is a pair of flanks 151, 152 bent from the side surface of the first body 11. The flanks 151, 152 include flat portions 155, 156 and a pair of contact protrusions 153, 154 protruding from the middle of the flat portions 155, 156 toward the opposite flank, thereby forming a pair of contact protrusions, such that when the pin 20 is inserted along the first insertion direction A, an elastic connection is formed between the pin 20 and the pair of contact protrusions 153, 154.

[0120] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Terminals 100 according to two alternative embodiments of the present disclosure are also shown. Figure 5 A perspective view of a terminal according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6 A perspective view of a terminal according to yet another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Compared with the foregoing various embodiments, the structures of the second terminal portion 2 and the bending portion 3 in these two embodiments are different. Specifically, Figure 5 In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the number of engaging elastic members 22 is one, which is provided on the back surface of the U-shaped second body 21, that is, the surface connecting the two second side walls 211. Figure 6 In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the second body 21 is rectangular, and the number of engaging elastic members 22 is one. Similarly, it is also provided on the back surface of the rectangular second body 21, that is, the surface facing the first body 11 in the rectangular cross-section. In this alternative embodiment, the bending portion 3 is provided on the end side surface facing the elastic contact member 12, so that the first terminal portion 1 and the second terminal portion 2 are substantially arranged in the same plane and are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0121] The present invention discloses a terminal connection device 200, including: a plurality of terminals 100 as described above and a housing 4 made of an insulating material. The housing 4 includes a main body portion 5 and a socket portion 6. The main body portion 5 is configured to accommodate the terminals 100, and the socket portion 6 is configured to accommodate the electrical contact portion of the external connector 30, such that the terminals 100 are electrically connected to the external connector 30 within the terminal connection device 200.

[0122] The terminal connection device 200 can be fixed to the motor 300 by a snap connection method. The terminal connection device 200 stably holds the terminals 100. One end of the terminals 100 is connected to the pins 20 of the motor 300, and the other end is connected to the external connector 30. The wiring solution implemented by the present invention can omit the PCB board, thereby avoiding technical problems such as complex installation involved in the solution of transferring through the PCB board, and can achieve optimized arrangement and stable position of the terminals. In addition, it also has other technical advantages to be mentioned below.

[0123] The following will be described in conjunction with Figures 7 to 13 a terminal connection device 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 FIG. shows a perspective view of a terminal connection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 8 showing Figure 7 an exploded view, and a chamfer of the limit boss is shown in a partially enlarged view. Figure 9 showing Figure 7 a perspective view of the terminal connection device shown from another angle. Figure 10 FIG. shows a partially enlarged view of a main body part according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 showing Figure 7 a partially enlarged view of the terminal connection device shown. Figure 12 FIG. shows a cross-sectional view of a terminal connection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 FIG. shows a cross-sectional view of the terminal connection device and an external connector after installation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] As shown in the figure, the terminal connection device 200 includes a housing 4 and a plurality of terminals 100, preferably two terminals 100. The housing 4 includes a main body part 5 and a socket part 6. The main body part 5 is configured to accommodate the terminals 100, and the socket part 6 is configured to accommodate an external connector 30. The terminals 100 and the external connector 30 are electrically connected to each other in the terminal connection device 200. The structure of the housing 4 of the terminal connection device 200 will be described below.

[0125] As described above, the housing 4 includes a main body part 5 and a socket part 6. The main body part 5 and the socket part 6 can be integrally formed by injection molding. The main body part 5 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 51 for accommodating the second terminal part 2 of the terminal 100 and a plurality of mounting grooves 52 for accommodating the first terminal part 1 of the terminal 100. The mounting holes 51 and the corresponding mounting grooves 52 are adjacently arranged to form a mounting pair, and each mounting pair mounts one terminal 100. In this embodiment, the housing 4 includes two mounting pairs formed by the mounting holes 51 and the mounting grooves 52, respectively mounting two terminals 100.

[0126] The installation groove 52 is mainly used to engage with the first terminal portion 1 of the terminal 100. The installation gap between the installation groove 52 and the first body 11 of the first terminal portion 1 is between 0 and 0.5 mm. The depth of the installation groove 52 is greater than or equal to the height of the first body 11 of the first terminal portion 1, so that the first terminal portion 1 can be completely inserted into the installation groove 52. And each installation groove 52 includes a limit boss 522. The limit boss 522 protrudes from one side wall of the installation groove 52 and engages with the first terminal portion 1 of the terminal 100 when the terminal 100 is inserted along the second insertion direction B. Specifically, it engages with the first body 11 to position the terminal 100 in the installation groove 52 and limit the sway of the terminal 100 through the limit boss 522, thereby ensuring the stable installation of the terminal 100. A chamfer 523 can also be provided at the end of the limit boss 522. As Figure 8 and Figure 11 shown, the chamfer 523 can facilitate installation and disassembly and prevent processing burrs from interfering with installation or causing harm to users.

[0127] The installation hole 51 is mainly used to accommodate the second terminal portion 2 of the terminal 100. Each installation hole 51 includes: a guiding and positioning rib 511 and an anti - detachment boss 512. The guiding and positioning rib 511 is arranged in the installation hole 51, and its width is slightly smaller than the width between the inner surfaces of at least two second side walls 211 of the second terminal portion 2, so as to be configured to be received between the inner surfaces of at least two second side walls 211 of the second terminal portion 2. For example, the width of the guiding and positioning rib 511 is slightly smaller than the width between the inner surfaces of two second side walls 211 of the second terminal portion 2. In this embodiment, the unilateral fitting gap is not greater than 0.1 mm. This helps to support the side walls of the second terminal portion 2, so that when the second side walls 211 of the second terminal portion 2 are elastically electrically connected to the external connector 30, it prevents the clamping force of the external connector 30 on the second side walls 211 of the second terminal portion 2 from causing the side walls to approach and contract towards each other, preventing the occurrence of poor electrical connection. As Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, in order to better position and fix the position of the second terminal portion 2, the side surface of the guiding and positioning rib 511 in contact with the inner surface of the second side wall 211 of the second terminal portion 2 has a draft angle, so that the thickness of the guiding and positioning rib 511 gradually increases along the second insertion direction B, facilitating the insertion and positioning of the second terminal portion 2. The anti - detachment boss 512 protrudes from the inner surface of the installation hole 51. As Figure 12 shown, the anti - detachment boss 512 is configured to form a snap - fit connection with the snap - fit elastic member 22 when the second terminal portion 2 is installed. The installation process of the second terminal portion 2 will be described in detail later.

[0128] In addition, since the terminal 100 is electrified during operation, insulating ribs 53 are also provided between adjacent mounting pairs to isolate and insulate adjacent terminals 100, ensuring sufficient electrical clearance and creepage distance between the terminals 100 and preventing adverse phenomena such as inter-pole short circuit or leakage tracking between the terminals 100.

[0129] As Figure 9 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, the socket portion 6 is used to accommodate the external connector 30 inserted from a direction opposite to the second insertion direction B, and fixes the external connector 30 through snap connection.

[0130] The external connector 30 may include a pair of contact elastic pieces 301 that apply a clamping force to the second side wall 211 of the second terminal portion 2 to achieve electrical connection.

[0131] Figures 14A to 14C shows a cross-sectional view of the installation process of the terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The following will describe the installation process of the second terminal portion 2 in the main body portion 5 of the housing 4 in conjunction with Figures 14A to 14C In this embodiment, the second terminal portion 2 may be, for example, the structure in the embodiment of Figures 1A to 4B , that is, the second terminal portion 2 includes two engaging elastic members 22 extending from the second side wall 211.

[0132] Figure 14A shows the state before the engaging elastic member 22 contacts the anti-disengagement boss 512 during the insertion process of the terminal 100. At this time, the free portion 222 of the engaging elastic member 22 extends obliquely relative to the second body 21 and is not stressed. Figure 14B shows the state when the engaging elastic member 22 contacts the anti-disengagement boss 512 during the insertion process of the terminal 100. At this time, the free portion 222 of the engaging elastic member 22 contacts the anti-disengagement boss 512 and deforms under the action of the force on the surface of the anti-disengagement boss 512. At this time, continue to apply a force to the terminal 100 along the second insertion direction B. As Figure 14C shown, the terminal 100 is completely inserted into the housing 4, the free portion 222 is not stressed, and returns to its normal shape. At this time, the free portion 222 contacts the lower part of the anti-disengagement boss 512, and at the same time, the inner surface of the second side wall 211 of the second terminal portion 2 is in close contact with the limiting boss 522, thereby restricting the movement of the terminal 100 in the second insertion direction B, and thus completing the installation of the terminal 100. After that, the external connector 30 can be inserted into the socket portion 6 and electrically connected to the second terminal portion 2 of the terminal 100, as Figure 13 shown.

[0133] Figure 15A cross-sectional view showing the installation of the second terminal portion 2 of yet another alternative embodiment within the main body portion 5 of the housing 4. Different from the foregoing embodiments, in this embodiment, the second terminal portion 2 may be, for example, Figures 5 to 6 the structure in the embodiment of Figure 15 That is, the second terminal portion 2 includes an engaging elastic member 22 provided on the surface connecting two second side walls 211. At this time, the number of anti-detachment bosses 512 may also be one, and its installation process and principle are similar to those of the foregoing embodiments.

[0134] The present invention also discloses a motor 300, including: a motor housing 7, the motor housing 7 accommodating a coil assembly 8; a pin 20 electrically connected to the coil assembly 8; and the terminal connection device 200 as described above, the pin 20 and an external connector 30 being electrically connected within the terminal connection device 200 through a terminal 100, for example, forming a reliable electrical connection.

[0135] Figure 16 A perspective view of the motor 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 17 Shown according to Figure 16 the exploded view of the motor 300 shown. The motor 300 includes a motor housing 7, a coil assembly 8, a transmission assembly 9, a rotor assembly 10, a pin 20, and the above-mentioned terminal connection device 200. As Figure 16 and Figure 17 shown, the terminal connection device 200 is fixedly installed on the motor housing 7 through snap connection. The motor housing 7 accommodates the coil assembly 8, the transmission assembly 9, and the rotor assembly 10. The coil assembly 8 includes a bobbin 81 and an enameled wire 82 wound around the bobbin 81. The pin 20 is electrically connected to the coil assembly 8, specifically to the enameled wire 82. The pin 20 can be installed on the coil assembly 8 by a known installation method in the art, such as by welding, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0136] As described in the foregoing embodiments, the pin 20 of the motor 300 and the external connector 30 form a reliable electrical connection within the terminal connection device 200 through the terminal 100.

[0137] During operation, the external connector 30 receives a driving voltage signal and transmits it to the coil assembly 8 through the terminal 100 and the pin 20, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field to drive the rotor assembly 10 to rotate. The rotation of the rotor assembly 10 is transmitted to the transmission assembly 9 through an output shaft and finally output from the rotating shaft of the transmission assembly 9.

[0138] The motor 300 adopting the technical solution of this embodiment has a compact structure. The pin 20 of the motor 300 and the external connector 30 form a reliable electrical connection through the terminal 100 in the terminal connection device 200. At the same time, the pin 30 and the terminal 100 are electrically connected through the elastic contact 12, eliminating processes such as welding, saving process costs and improving production efficiency.

[0139] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention or under the inventive concept disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A terminal, made of conductive material, for electrically connecting the pin of a motor to an external connector, characterized in that, Comprising: A first terminal portion including a first body and an elastic contact member, the first body defining a first insertion direction for inserting the pin, the elastic contact member extending from the first body, and the elastic contact member configured to elastically deform as the pin is inserted to apply a contact force to the pin; A second terminal portion including a second body, the second body defining a second insertion direction for inserting into the external connector; And A bent portion, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion being connected by the bent portion such that the first insertion direction is substantially perpendicular to the second insertion direction, Wherein, the second terminal portion further includes a latching elastic member, the latching elastic member including a root portion extending from the second body and a free portion extending away from the second body and obliquely extending relative to the second body, the latching elastic member configured to be latched and connected to an anti - detachment boss of the terminal connection device during installation, Wherein, the cross - sectional shape of the second terminal portion is rectangular or U - shaped, including at least two second side walls extending along the second insertion direction, configured to be electrically connected to contact elastic pieces of an electrically - contacting portion of the external connector when inserted into the external connector.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein The elastic contact member includes an elastic arm and a contact protrusion, the elastic arm being bent relative to the first insertion direction to form a first included angle θ, the range of the first included angle θ being between 15° and 50°, the elastic arm configured to bend and deform in a direction to reduce the first included angle θ as the pin is inserted to generate the contact force, and the contact protrusion configured to contact the pin to apply the contact force.

3. The terminal according to claim 2, wherein The first terminal portion further includes: At least one limiting portion bent from a side surface of the first body, the at least one limiting portion including a side wall and a top wall, the at least one limiting portion and the first body enclosing a pin cavity for receiving the pin.

4. The terminal according to claim 3, wherein The first body includes a bottom wall, the elastic contact member extending from the bottom wall along the first insertion direction such that when the pin is inserted into the pin cavity, an elastic connection is formed between the pin, the top wall, and the contact protrusion.

5. The terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that The elastic contact member further includes a support arm, the support arm extending from the contact protrusion and forming a second included angle α with the elastic arm, so that the elastic arm and the support arm form a substantially V - shaped configuration.

6. The terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that, The range of the second included angle α is between 90° and 130°, such that when the pin is inserted into the pin cavity, the end of the support arm can slide on the bottom wall along the first insertion direction, The height a of the support arm in a direction perpendicular to the first insertion direction, the height b of the pin cavity in a direction perpendicular to the first insertion direction, and the maximum dimension c of the cross - section of the pin satisfy the following relationship: b - a < c and a < b.

7. The terminal according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first body includes a bottom wall, and the elastic contact member extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall along the first insertion direction, such that when the pin is inserted into the pin cavity, an elastic connection is formed between the pin, the bottom wall, and the contact protrusion. The elastic contact member further includes a support arm, and the support arm extends from the contact protrusion and forms a second angle α with the elastic arm, whereby the elastic arm and the support arm form a substantially V-shaped configuration.

8. The terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that The first terminal portion further includes: a pair of side wings bent from the side surface of the first body, and the elastic contact member is formed by bending from the surfaces of the pair of side wings towards each other, thereby forming a pair of contact protrusions, such that when the pin is inserted, an elastic connection is formed between the pin and the pair of contact protrusions.

9. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein The elastic contact member is a pair of side wings bent from the side surface of the first body, and the side wings include a planar portion and contact protrusions protruding from the middle of the planar portion towards the opposite side wing, thereby forming a pair of contact protrusions, such that when the pin is inserted, an elastic connection is formed between the pin and the pair of contact protrusions.

10. The terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that The external connector is a RAST connector, the electrical contact portion includes at least two contact elastic pieces, and the at least two second side walls are configured to be electrically connected to the at least two contact elastic pieces of the external connector respectively when the external connector is inserted.

11. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein The bending portion is provided on either side surface of the end of the first body opposite to the elastic contact member.

12. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are integrally stamped from a conductive material with a thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

13. A terminal connection device, characterized in that, Comprising: a plurality of terminals as described in any one of claims 1 to 12; and a housing made of an insulating material, the housing including a main body portion and a socket portion, the main body portion being configured to accommodate the terminals, and the socket portion being configured to accommodate the electrical contact portion of the external connector, such that the terminals and the external connector are electrically connected within the terminal connection device.

14. The terminal connection device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The main body portion is provided with a plurality of mounting holes for accommodating the second terminal portion and a plurality of mounting grooves for accommodating the first terminal portion. The mounting holes and the corresponding mounting grooves are adjacent to form a mounting pair, and each mounting pair mounts one terminal. The mounting gap between each of the plurality of mounting grooves and the first body is between 0 and 0.5 mm.

15. The terminal connection device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The depth of each of the plurality of mounting grooves is greater than or equal to the height of the first body of the first terminal portion, and each of the plurality of mounting grooves includes a limiting boss, and the limiting boss protrudes from at least one side wall of the mounting groove and engages the first terminal portion to limit the sway of the terminal.

16. The terminal connection device according to claim 14, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of mounting holes includes: a guiding positioning rib, the guiding positioning rib is provided in the mounting hole, and its width is slightly smaller than the width between the inner surfaces of the at least two second side walls of the second terminal portion, so as to be allowed to be received between the inner surfaces of the at least two second side walls of the second terminal portion; An anti - detachment boss, the anti - detachment boss protruding from the inner surface of the mounting hole and configured to form an engaging connection with the engaging elastic member when the second terminal portion is mounted.

17. The terminal connection device according to claim 14, characterized in that, Insulating ribs are provided between adjacent ones of the mounting pairs.

18. A motor, characterized in that, Comprising: A motor housing that houses a coil assembly; A pin electrically connected to the coil assembly; And A terminal connection device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the pin and the external connector are electrically connected within the terminal connection device through the terminal.

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