Conductive terminals and connector assemblies

Abstract

The present invention discloses a conductive terminal suitable for electrically connecting a wire to a circuit board. The conductive terminal includes: a support frame suitable for defining an accommodating space; a pair of first clamping arms, arranged in the accommodating space, whose ends form clamping portions, suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted from a first insertion direction and forming an electrical connection therewith; a pair of second clamping arms, arranged in the accommodating space, whose ends form clamping portions, suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted from a second insertion direction different from the first insertion direction and forming an electrical connection therewith.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a conductive terminal and connector assembly, particularly to a wire-to-board conductive terminal and connector assembly without a housing, and more particularly to a conductive terminal and connector assembly suitable for selectively inserting a wire from a first insertion direction or a second insertion direction. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, electrical connectors are commonly used to electrically connect wires to circuit boards. When electrically connecting the conductive terminals to the circuit board, they are typically pre-secured within an insulating housing before being attached to the circuit board. However, this connection method is not only costly, but the insulating housing also takes up considerable space on the circuit board.

[0003] To overcome these shortcomings, improved conductive terminals have emerged in the related art, enabling electrical connection between wires and circuit boards without the need for an insulating housing. However, these conductive terminals have a fixed wire insertion direction; for example, they only allow for horizontal or vertical insertion. As customer demand continues to expand, there is a demand for conductive terminals that allow for both horizontal and vertical wire insertion.

[0004] Furthermore, in current conductive terminals without a housing, the ability to position and retain the wires inserted therein is relatively low, so the wires are easily disconnected.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a conductive terminal and connector assembly that can solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the related art.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conductive terminal suitable for electrically connecting a wire to a circuit board, the conductive terminal comprising: a support frame suitable for defining a accommodating space; a pair of first clamping arms arranged in the accommodating space, the ends of which form clamping portions suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted from a first insertion direction and forming an electrical connection therewith; a pair of second clamping arms arranged in the accommodating space, the ends of which form clamping portions suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted from a second insertion direction different from the first insertion direction and forming an electrical connection therewith.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first insertion direction is perpendicular to the second insertion direction.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame includes a bottom wall and two side walls perpendicular to the bottom wall, the first insertion direction is parallel to the plane where the bottom wall is located, and the second insertion direction is perpendicular to the plane where the bottom wall is located.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame, the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are integrally formed from a piece of metal sheet.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame also includes a pair of cantilevers, which are formed by bending inward from the first ends of the two side walls, and a pair of first clamping arms extend towards each other from the free ends of the cantilevers away from the first ends toward the downstream side of the first insertion direction.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pair of second clamping arms extend obliquely toward each other from a side of the cantilever away from the bottom wall toward a downstream side in the second insertion direction.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame further comprises a first end wall located on the upstream side of the first insertion direction, and a first insertion hole suitable for inserting the conductor of the wire along the first insertion direction is provided on the first end wall.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall comprises a second insertion hole adapted to insert a conductor of the wire along a second insertion direction.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame also includes a top wall, the two side walls are formed by vertically bending downward from both sides of the top wall, the bottom wall is formed by vertically bending toward each other from the lower side of at least one of the two side walls, and the first end wall is formed by vertically bending from one end of the top wall toward the bottom wall.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame further comprises a second end wall opposite to the first end wall, the second end wall being adapted to block movement of a conductor of the wire inserted along the first insertion direction.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a through hole is provided on the top wall to allow the conductor of the wire inserted along the second insertion direction to extend out of the conductive terminal.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first clamping arm and / or the second clamping arm further include a releasing portion, and the releasing portion is adapted to move away from each other under the action of an external force to open the clamping portion.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a release hole communicating with the release portion is provided on the top wall.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a spike portion is provided on the clamping portion, and the spike portion is suitable for clamping and piercing the insulation of the wire to form an electrical connection with the conductor.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: a conductive terminal as described in any one of the above embodiments; and a circuit board, wherein the conductive terminal is electrically connected to the circuit board, a through hole is provided on the circuit board, and the second clamping arm of the conductive terminal is suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted through the through hole of the circuit board from a second insertion direction.

[0022] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector assembly includes a conductive terminal and a circuit board;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the conductive terminal shown, wherein the top wall of the conductive terminal is removed for ease of observation;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A top view of the conductive terminal is shown, wherein the top wall of the conductive terminal is removed for easier viewing;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The conductive terminals are shown along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken along the AA plane in FIG.

[0028] Figure 5 To observe from one angle Figure 1 A perspective view of the conductive terminal shown;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a conductor of a wire being inserted into a connector assembly along a first insertion direction;

[0030] Figure 7 To observe from another angle Figure 6 The schematic diagram shown, in which the top wall of the conductive terminal is removed for ease of observation;

[0031] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a conductor of a wire being inserted into the connector assembly along a second insertion direction; and

[0032] Figure 9 for Figure 8 The schematic diagram shown is along the Figure 3 A sectional perspective view taken along the AA plane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0034] In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in diagrammatic form to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0035] According to the overall inventive concept of the present invention, there is provided a conductive terminal suitable for electrically connecting a wire to a circuit board, the conductive terminal comprising: a support frame suitable for defining an accommodating space; a pair of first clamping arms arranged in the accommodating space, the ends of which form clamping portions suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted from a first insertion direction and forming an electrical connection therewith; a pair of second clamping arms arranged in the accommodating space, the ends of which form clamping portions suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted from a second insertion direction different from the first insertion direction and forming an electrical connection therewith.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector assembly includes a conductive terminal and a circuit board; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the conductive terminal shown, wherein the top wall of the conductive terminal is removed for ease of observation; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A top view of the conductive terminal is shown, wherein the top wall of the conductive terminal is removed for easier viewing; Figure 4 for Figure 1 The conductive terminals are shown along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken along the AA plane in FIG. Figure 5 To observe from one angle Figure 1 A perspective view of the conductive terminal is shown.

[0037] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for connecting a wire 200 (such as Figure 6-9 3 . The conductive terminal 100 is electrically connected to the circuit board 300 (as shown). The conductive terminal 100 includes a support frame 110, a pair of first clamping arms 120, and a pair of second clamping arms 130. The support frame 110 defines a receiving space, and the pair of first clamping arms 120 and the pair of second clamping arms 130 are both disposed within the receiving space. The distal ends of the pair of first clamping arms 120 form a clamping portion 121 that selectively clamps and electrically connects to the conductor 210 of the wire 200 inserted from a first insertion direction. The distal ends of the pair of second clamping arms 130 form a clamping portion 131 that selectively clamps and electrically connects to the conductor 210 of the wire 200 inserted from a second insertion direction different from the first insertion direction.

[0038] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame 110 includes a bottom wall 111, two side walls 112, a first end ( Figure 1-2 The first end wall 113 at the right end of the first end wall 113, the second end of the first end wall 113 ( Figure 1-2 The side walls 112 are perpendicular to the bottom wall 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the two side walls 112 are formed by vertically bending downward from both sides of the top wall 116, the bottom wall 111 is formed by vertically bending toward each other from the lower side of at least one of the two side walls, and the first end wall 113 is formed by vertically bending from one end of the top wall 116 toward the bottom wall. In one embodiment, the second end wall 117 is formed by vertically bending from the other end of the top wall 116 toward the bottom wall. In an alternative embodiment, the second end wall 117 is formed by bending from one end of the two side walls 112 toward each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the side walls 112 lie.

[0039] In one embodiment, the support frame 110, the first clamping arm 120 and the second clamping arm 130 are integrally formed from a metal sheet. The conductive terminal 100 is made of a metal sheet such as a copper sheet by shearing, stamping and bending.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the first insertion direction and the second insertion direction are perpendicular (eg Figure 6-9 ). Specifically, the first insertion direction is parallel to the plane of the bottom wall 111, and the second insertion direction is perpendicular to the plane of the bottom wall 111. In one embodiment, the first insertion direction is horizontal, and the second insertion direction is vertical. In other embodiments, the first insertion direction and the second insertion direction may not be perpendicular, for example, the first insertion direction may intersect the plane of the bottom wall 111 at an angle other than 90 degrees.

[0041] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame 110 further includes a pair of cantilevers 1121, which are bent inwardly from the first ends of the two side walls 112. In one embodiment, a pair of first clamping arms 120 respectively extend obliquely toward each other from the free ends of the first ends of the cantilevers away from the side walls 112 toward the downstream side of the first insertion direction. In one embodiment, a pair of second clamping arms 130 extend obliquely toward each other from the side of the cantilever away from the bottom wall toward the downstream side of the second insertion direction. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of first clamping arms 120 respectively extend obliquely toward each other from the free ends of the first ends of the cantilevers away from the side walls 112 toward the second end of the side walls 112 opposite to the first end, and a pair of second clamping arms 130 extend obliquely toward each other upward from the side of the pair of first clamping arms 120 away from the bottom wall. In one embodiment, the support frame 110 includes two pairs of cantilevers 1121, which are respectively bent inward from the first end and the second end of the two side walls, a pair of first clamping arms respectively extend obliquely toward the downstream side of the first insertion direction from the free end of one pair of cantilevers away from the first end, and a pair of second clamping arms respectively extend obliquely toward the downstream side of the second insertion direction from the side of the other pair of cantilevers away from the bottom wall.

[0042] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first end wall 113 is located at the first end of the support frame and is provided with a first insertion hole 114 suitable for inserting the conductor 210 of the wire 200 along a first insertion direction.

[0043] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall 111 includes a second insertion hole 115 adapted to insert the conductor 210 of the wire 200 along a second insertion direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the second insertion hole 115 is aligned with the second clamping arm 130. In other embodiments, the second insertion hole 115 and the second clamping arm 130 may not be aligned.

[0044] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a through hole 118 is provided on the top wall 116 to allow the conductor 210 of the wire 200 inserted in the second insertion direction to extend out of the conductive terminal 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the second insertion hole 115, the second clamping arm 130, and the through hole 118 are aligned. In other embodiments, the second insertion hole 115, the second clamping arm 130, and the through hole 118 may not be aligned. In one embodiment, the through hole may not be provided on the top wall 116, and the conductor of the wire inserted along the second insertion direction is accommodated in the accommodation space of the support frame. In this case, the top wall can hinder the movement of the conductor of the wire inserted along the second insertion direction along the second insertion direction.

[0045] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second end wall 117 can block the movement of the conductor 210 of the wire 200 inserted along the first insertion direction along the first insertion direction. In one embodiment, a through hole can be provided on the second end wall, and the conductor of the wire inserted along the first insertion direction can extend out of the through hole.

[0046] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the clamping portions 121 and 131 are provided with spikes, which are adapted to clamp and pierce the insulation of the wire 200 to form an electrical connection with the conductor 210, thereby preventing the conductor from being pulled out of the first insertion hole 114 or the second insertion hole 115. In this way, the conductor 210 of the wire 200 can be reliably retained in the conductive terminal 100.

[0047] like Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first clamping arm 120 and / or the second clamping arm 130 further include a release portion, and the release portion is adapted to move in directions away from each other under the action of an external force to open the clamping portions 121, 131, thereby achieving the release of the wire. In one embodiment, the release portion of the first clamping arm 120 includes an arcuate portion formed on a side away from the bottom wall 111 of at least one of a pair of first clamping arms 120, and the arcuate portions are deflected away from each other toward the outside. In the illustrated embodiment, the release portion 122 of the first clamping arm 120 includes an arcuate portion formed on a side away from the bottom wall 111 of two of a pair of first clamping arms 120. In another embodiment, the release portion of the second clamping arm 130 includes an arcuate portion formed on at least one of the two ends of the clamping portion 131, and the arcuate portions are deflected away from each other toward the outside. As Figure 1-5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a release hole is provided in the top wall 116. An external release tool is adapted to pass through the release hole to engage the release portion and move the release portions away from each other, thereby releasing the wire. In the illustrated embodiment, a release hole 119 is provided in the top wall 116, and the release hole 119 is aligned with the release portion 121 of the first clamping arm 120. In other embodiments, the release hole 119 may not be aligned with the release portion 121 of the first clamping arm 120. In other embodiments, the top arm is further provided with a release hole that is aligned with the release portion of the second clamping arm 130.

[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a conductor of a wire being inserted into a connector assembly along a first insertion direction; Figure 7 To observe from another angle Figure 6The schematic diagram shown, in which the top wall of the conductive terminal is removed for ease of observation; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a conductor of a wire being inserted into the connector assembly along a second insertion direction; and Figure 9 for Figure 8 The schematic diagram shown is along the Figure 3 A sectional perspective view taken along the AA plane.

[0049] like Figure 1 and 6 As shown in FIG-9 , in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, comprising a conductive terminal 100 and a circuit board 300, wherein the conductive terminal 100 is electrically connected to the circuit board 300. The conductive terminal 100 is any of the conductive terminals described in the aforementioned embodiments. The circuit board 300 is provided with a through hole, and the second clamping arm 130 of the conductive terminal 100 is adapted to selectively clamp the conductor 210 of the wire 200 inserted through the through hole of the circuit board 300 from a second insertion direction.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the suction nozzle of a vacuum adsorption device is used to adsorb on the top wall 116 of the support frame 110 of the conductive terminal 100, and the bottom wall 111 of the support frame 110 of the conductive terminal 100 is attached to the surface of the circuit board 300, and the second insertion hole 115 of the conductive terminal 100 is aligned with the through hole of the circuit board 300, and then the surface mounting technology is used to realize the soldering of the conductive terminal 100 to the circuit board 300, thereby realizing a reliable electrical connection between the conductive terminal 100 and the circuit board 300.

[0051] like Figure 6 and 7 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment, when a wire 200 needs to be inserted from a first insertion direction (horizontally in the illustrated embodiment), the conductor 210 of the wire is inserted into the conductive terminal 100 through the first insertion hole 114 and clamped by the pair of first clamping arms 120. The spikes in the clamping portions 121 of the first clamping arms 120 pierce the insulation of the wire 200, thereby securely holding the wire 200. In one embodiment, when the wire 200 needs to be released, an external release tool passes through the release hole 119 and engages with the release portion 122, causing the release portions 122 to move away from each other, causing the clamping portions 121 holding the wire 200 to open, thereby releasing the wire 200. In one embodiment, the distal end of the external release tool is a plate-shaped member. In one embodiment, the external release tool can be a screwdriver.

[0052] like Figure 8 and 9As shown, in an exemplary embodiment, when the wire 200 needs to be inserted from the second insertion direction (vertical direction in the illustrated embodiment), the conductor 210 of the wire 200 is inserted into the conductive terminal 100 from the second insertion hole 115 through the through hole of the circuit board along the second insertion direction and is clamped by a pair of second clamping arms 130, and the sharp thorns in the clamping parts 131 of the second clamping arms 130 pierce the insulation of the wire, thereby reliably holding the wire 200.

[0053] In this way, the conductive terminal of the present invention can selectively insert the wire from the first insertion direction or the second insertion direction to meet the need of inserting the wire in two directions.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon by those skilled in the art. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing any conflicts in structure or principle, thereby realizing more conductive terminals and connector assemblies on the basis of solving the technical problems of the present invention.

[0055] After describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims, and the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described in the specification.

[0056] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A conductive terminal, suitable for electrically connecting a wire to a circuit board, the conductive terminal comprising: a supporting frame adapted to define a receiving space; a pair of first clamping arms, disposed in the accommodation space, with distal ends thereof forming clamping portions adapted to selectively clamp the conductor of the wire inserted from the first insertion direction and form an electrical connection therewith; A pair of second clamping arms are disposed in the accommodating space, and the ends of the second clamping arms form a clamping portion, adapted to selectively clamp the conductor of the wire inserted from a second insertion direction different from the first insertion direction and form an electrical connection therewith, The support frame has two side walls, and the support frame also includes a pair of cantilevers, which are formed by bending inward from the first ends of the two side walls, and a pair of first clamping arms extend towards each other from the free ends of the cantilevers away from the first ends toward the downstream side of the first insertion direction.

2. The conductive terminal according to claim 1, wherein: The first insertion direction is perpendicular to the second insertion direction.

3. The conductive terminal according to claim 2, wherein: The support frame further includes a bottom wall, the two side walls are perpendicular to the bottom wall, the first insertion direction is parallel to the plane where the bottom wall is located, and the second insertion direction is perpendicular to the plane where the bottom wall is located.

4. The conductive terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The support frame, the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are integrally formed from a piece of metal sheet.

5. The conductive terminal according to claim 3, wherein: A pair of second clamping arms extend obliquely toward each other from a side of the cantilever away from the bottom wall toward a downstream side in the second insertion direction.

6. The conductive terminal according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: The support frame further includes a first end wall located on the upstream side of the first insertion direction, and a first insertion hole suitable for inserting the conductor of the wire along the first insertion direction is provided on the first end wall.

7. The conductive terminal according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: The bottom wall includes a second insertion hole adapted to insert a conductor of the wire along a second insertion direction.

8. The conductive terminal according to claim 6, wherein: The support frame also includes a top wall, the two side walls are formed by vertically bending downward from both sides of the top wall, the bottom wall is formed by vertically bending toward each other from the lower side of at least one of the two side walls, and the first end wall is formed by vertically bending from one end of the top wall toward the bottom wall.

9. The conductive terminal according to claim 6, wherein: The support frame further comprises a second end wall opposite to the first end wall, the second end wall being adapted to block movement of a conductor of a wire inserted along the first insertion direction along the first insertion direction.

10. The conductive terminal according to claim 8, wherein: A through hole is provided on the top wall to allow the conductor of the wire inserted along the second insertion direction to extend out of the conductive terminal.

11. The conductive terminal according to claim 8, wherein The first clamping arm and / or the second clamping arm further include a releasing portion, and the releasing portion is adapted to move in a direction away from each other under the action of an external force to open the clamping portion.

12. The conductive terminal according to claim 11, wherein: The top wall is provided with a release hole communicated with the release portion.

13. The conductive terminal according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping portion is provided with a spike portion, which is suitable for clamping and piercing the insulation of the wire to form an electrical connection with the conductor.

14. A connector assembly comprising: The conductive terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and The conductive terminal is electrically connected to the circuit board, a through hole is provided on the circuit board, and the second clamping arm of the conductive terminal is suitable for selectively clamping the conductor of the wire inserted through the through hole of the circuit board from a second insertion direction.

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