Connector assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a first connector including a first housing and at least one first conductive terminal disposed in the first housing, and a second connector including a second housing and at least one pair of second conductive terminals disposed in the second housing. The first connector is adapted to be mated with the second connector in a plug-in manner, each first conductive terminal is adapted to be in elastic electrical contact with a first wire inserted into the first connector, and each pair of second conductive terminals is adapted to be in elastic electrical contact with two second wires inserted into the second connector, respectively. When the first connector is mated with the second connector, each pair of second conductive terminals is in elastic electrical contact with a single first conductive terminal. In the present application, the connection and separation between a single first wire and a pair of second wires can be quickly achieved by plugging the first and second connectors, which is very convenient to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, there exists a connector suitable for simultaneously electrically connecting a single first wire to two second wires. This connector typically includes a housing and integral conductive terminals disposed within the housing. Each conductive terminal has a single first resilient contact arm at one end and two forked second resilient contact arms at the other end. The first resilient contact arm of each conductive terminal is adapted to make resilient electrical contact with the single first wire, and the two second resilient contact arms of each conductive terminal are adapted to make resilient electrical contact with each of the two second wires respectively.

[0003] In the prior art, since the conductive terminals are integrated, the first or second wire must be pulled out of the connector in order to electrically separate the first and second wires, which is very inconvenient.

[0004] Furthermore, in the existing technology, since the conductive terminals are integral, it is difficult to assemble the conductive terminals into the housing, which increases the assembly difficulty and cost of the connector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: a first connector including a first housing and at least one first conductive terminal disposed in the first housing; and a second connector including a second housing and at least one pair of second conductive terminals disposed in the second housing. The first connector is adapted to mate with the second connector in a pluggable manner, each first conductive terminal being adapted to resiliently contact a first wire inserted into the first connector, and each pair of second conductive terminals being adapted to resiliently contact two second wires inserted into the second connector, respectively. When the first connector and the second connector are mated together, each pair of second conductive terminals resiliently contacts a single first conductive terminal.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each pair of second conductive terminals is formed simultaneously by stamping a single sheet, and a separating groove is formed between one second conductive terminal and the other second conductive terminal in each pair, thereby separating the two.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each first conductive terminal includes a first terminal resilient contact arm located at one end thereof, and each second conductive terminal includes a second terminal resilient contact arm located at one end thereof; the two second terminal resilient contact arms of each pair of second conductive terminals are adapted to simultaneously resiliently make electrical contact with the first terminal resilient contact arm of a single first conductive terminal.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a raised first electrical contact portion is formed at the end of each first terminal elastic contact arm, and a raised second electrical contact portion is formed at the end of each second terminal elastic contact arm; the two second electrical contacts of each pair of second conductive terminals are adapted to simultaneously elastically contact the first electrical contact portion of a single first conductive terminal.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each first conductive terminal further includes a first wire resilient contact arm located at its other end; each first wire resilient contact arm is adapted to resiliently make electrical contact with a first wire inserted into the first housing.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each first wire resilient contact arm has an end edge that can be inserted into the first wire so as to make reliable electrical contact between the first wire resilient contact arm and the first wire.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each second conductive terminal further includes a second wire resilient contact arm located at its other end; each second wire resilient contact arm is adapted to resiliently make electrical contact with a second wire inserted into the second housing.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, each second wire resilient contact arm has an end edge that can be inserted into the second wire so as to make reliable electrical contact between the second wire resilient contact arm and the second wire.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of second terminal slots are formed in the second housing, and each pair of second conductive terminals is inserted into a corresponding second terminal slot.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a raised partition wall is formed in each of the second terminal slots, the partition wall being located in a partition groove between the two second wire resilient contact arms of a pair of second conductive terminals.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first positioning groove is formed on one inner sidewall of each second terminal slot, and a second positioning groove is formed on the other inner sidewall; the edge of the fixing portion of one of the second conductive terminals in each pair of second conductive terminals is inserted into the first positioning groove, and the edge of the fixing portion of the other second conductive terminal is inserted into the second positioning groove.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the partition wall divides the second terminal slot into two wire slots, through which two second wires can be inserted into the second connector respectively.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first terminal slots are formed in the first housing, and each first conductive terminal is inserted into a corresponding first terminal slot.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first housing and the second housing are adapted to resiliently lock together for holding the first connector and the second connector in a mating state.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a resilient tongue is formed on one of the first housing and the second housing, and a retaining ring is formed on the other, the resilient tongue being adapted to be inserted into the retaining ring and locked together with the retaining ring.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one of the first connector and the second connector is a plug connector and the other is a socket connector.

[0022] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connection and disconnection between a single first wire and a pair of second wires can be quickly achieved by plugging and unplugging the first connector and the second connector, which is very convenient to use.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This diagram shows an assembly schematic of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 3 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the paired second conductive terminals shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this 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 a limitation thereof.

[0028] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0029] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: a first connector including a first housing and at least one first conductive terminal disposed in the first housing; and a second connector including a second housing and at least one pair of second conductive terminals disposed in the second housing. The first connector is adapted to mate with the second connector in a pluggable manner, each first conductive terminal being adapted to resiliently contact a first wire inserted into the first connector, and each pair of second conductive terminals being adapted to resiliently contact two second wires inserted into the second connector, respectively. When the first connector and the second connector are mated together, each pair of second conductive terminals resiliently contacts a single first conductive terminal.

[0030] Figure 1 This diagram shows an assembly schematic of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 show Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the paired second conductive terminals shown.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly mainly includes a first connector 100 and a second connector 200. The first connector 100 is adapted to mate with the second connector 200 in a plug-in manner.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first connector 100 mainly includes a first housing 110 and at least one first conductive terminal 120 disposed in the first housing 110. The second connector 200 mainly includes a second housing 210 and at least one pair of second conductive terminals 221, 222 disposed in the second housing 210.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each first conductive terminal 120 is adapted to resiliently make electrical contact with a first wire (not shown) inserted into the first connector 100, and each pair of second conductive terminals 221, 222 is adapted to resiliently make electrical contact with two second wires (not shown) inserted into the second connector 200. When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are mated together, each pair of second conductive terminals 221, 222 makes resilient electrical contact with a single first conductive terminal 120. This allows for electrical connection between the first wires and the paired second wires.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each pair of second conductive terminals 220 is formed simultaneously by stamping a single sheet, and a separating groove g is formed between one second conductive terminal 221 and the other second conductive terminal 222 in each pair of second conductive terminals 220, thereby separating the two.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each first conductive terminal 120 includes a first terminal elastic contact arm 120a located at one end thereof, and each second conductive terminal 221, 222 includes a second terminal elastic contact arm 221a, 222a located at one end thereof.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the two second terminal elastic contact arms 221a, 222a of each pair of second conductive terminals 221, 222 are adapted to simultaneously make elastic electrical contact with the first terminal elastic contact arm 120a of a single first conductive terminal 120.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a raised first electrical contact portion 120a1 is formed at the end of each first terminal elastic contact arm 120a, and a raised second electrical contact portion 221a1, 222a1 is formed at the end of each second terminal elastic contact arm 221a, 222a. The two second electrical contacts 221a1, 222a1 of each pair of second conductive terminals 221, 222 are adapted to simultaneously make elastic electrical contact with the first electrical contact portion 120a1 of a single first conductive terminal 120.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each first conductive terminal 120 further includes a first wire resilient contact arm 120b located at its other end. Each first wire resilient contact arm 120b is adapted to resiliently make electrical contact with a first wire inserted into the first housing 110.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each first wire resilient contact arm 120b has an end edge 120b1 that can be inserted into the first wire so that the first wire resilient contact arm 120b can reliably make electrical contact with the first wire.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each second conductive terminal 221, 222 further includes a second wire resilient contact arm 221b, 222b located at its other end. Each second wire resilient contact arm 221b, 222b is adapted to make resilient electrical contact with a second wire inserted into the second housing 210.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each second wire resilient contact arm 221b, 222b has an end edge 221b1, 222b1 that can be inserted into the second wire to ensure reliable electrical contact between the second wire resilient contact arm 221b, 222b and the second wire.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of second terminal slots 211 are formed in the second housing 210. Each pair of second conductive terminals 221, 222 is inserted into a corresponding second terminal slot 211.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a raised partition wall 211b is formed in each second terminal slot 211, the partition wall 211b being located in the partition groove g between the two second wire elastic contact arms 221b, 222b of a pair of second conductive terminals 221, 222.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a first positioning groove 211c1 is formed on one inner sidewall of each second terminal slot 211, and a second positioning groove 211c2 is formed on the other inner sidewall.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the edge 221c1 of the fixing portion 221c of one of the second conductive terminals 221 and 222 is inserted into the first positioning groove 211c1, and the edge 222c1 of the fixing portion 222c of the other second conductive terminal 222 is inserted into the second positioning groove 211c2.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the partition wall 211b divides the second terminal slot 211 into two wire slots, through which two second wires can be inserted into the second connector 200 respectively.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of first terminal slots 111 are formed in the first housing 110. Each first conductive terminal 120 is inserted into a corresponding first terminal slot 111.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 are adapted to be resiliently locked together to hold the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 in a mating state.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a resilient tongue 112 is formed on one of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210, and a retaining ring 212 is formed on the other. The resilient tongue 112 is adapted to be inserted into the retaining ring 212 and locked together with the retaining ring 212.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, one of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 is a plug connector and the other is a socket connector.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing any conflict in structure or principle.

[0052] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0053] While some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0054] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, comprising: The first connector (100) includes a first housing (110) and at least one first conductive terminal (120) disposed in the first housing (110). and The second connector (200) includes a second housing (210) and at least one pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) disposed in the second housing (210). Each first conductive terminal (120) includes a first terminal resilient contact arm (120a) located at one end thereof, and each second conductive terminal (221, 222) includes a second terminal resilient contact arm (221a, 222a) located at one end thereof. The first connector (100) is adapted to mate with the second connector (200) in a pluggable manner, each first conductive terminal (120) is adapted to resiliently contact a first wire inserted into the first connector (100), and each second conductive terminal (221, 222) is adapted to resiliently contact a second wire inserted into the second connector (200) via a second wire resilient contact arm located at its other end and extending from the second terminal resilient contact arm. When the first connector (100) and the second connector (200) are mated together, the two second terminal elastic contact arms (221a, 222a) of each pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) simultaneously make elastic electrical contact with the first terminal elastic contact arm (120a) of the single first conductive terminal (120) on the same side, such that the two second wires that are in electrical contact with each pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) are electrically connected to a first wire that is in electrical contact with the single first conductive terminal (120). A second terminal slot (211) is formed in the second housing (210), and each pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) that is in electrical contact with a single first conductive terminal (120) is inserted into a corresponding second terminal slot (211). Each pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) that is in electrical contact with a single first conductive terminal (120) is formed with a partition groove (g) separating the two, so that they are disposed separately in the second housing, such that the two second terminal resilient contact arms (221a, 222a) of each pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) are separated by the partition groove. A partition wall (211b) is formed in the space of each second terminal slot (211), protruding from one inner wall of the second terminal slot to the opposite inner wall surface. The partition wall (211b) is located in a partition groove (g) between the two second wire elastic contact arms (221b, 222b) of a pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) that are in electrical contact with a single first conductive terminal (120). The partition wall (211b) divides the second terminal slot (211) into two wire slots, each wire slot being defined by the partition wall (211b) and the wall of the second terminal slot (211), the second wire resilient contact arm of each second conductive terminal being located in the corresponding wire slot, and the two second wires being adapted to be inserted into the second connector (200) via the two wire slots respectively.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each pair of second conductive terminals is formed simultaneously by stamping a single sheet.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A raised first electrical contact portion (120a1) is formed at the end of each first terminal elastic contact arm (120a), and a raised second electrical contact portion (221a1, 222a1) is formed at the end of each second terminal elastic contact arm (221a, 222a). The two second electrical contacts (221a1, 222a1) of each pair of second conductive terminals (221, 222) are adapted to make resilient electrical contact with the first electrical contact (120a1) of a single first conductive terminal (120) at the same time.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each first conductive terminal (120) also includes a first wire resilient contact arm (120b) located at its other end; Each first wire resilient contact arm (120b) is adapted to resiliently make electrical contact with a first wire inserted into the first housing (110).

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each first wire resilient contact arm (120b) has an end edge (120b1) that can be inserted into the first wire so that the first wire resilient contact arm (120b) can reliably make electrical contact with the first wire.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each second wire resilient contact arm (221b, 222b) has an end edge (221b1, 222b1) that can be inserted into the second wire to make reliable electrical contact between the second wire resilient contact arm (221b, 222b) and the second wire.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: A plurality of second terminal slots (211) are formed in the second housing (210).

8. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first positioning groove (211c1) is formed on one inner sidewall of each second terminal slot (211), and a second positioning groove (211c2) is formed on the other inner sidewall. The edge (221c1) of the fixing portion (221c) of one of the second conductive terminals (221, 222) is inserted into the first positioning groove (211c1), and the edge (222c1) of the fixing portion (222c) of the other second conductive terminal (222) is inserted into the second positioning groove (211c2).

9. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of first terminal slots (111) are formed in the first housing (110), and each first conductive terminal (120) is inserted into a corresponding first terminal slot (111).

10. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first housing (110) and the second housing (210) are adapted to be resiliently locked together for holding the first connector (100) and the second connector (200) in a mating state.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: An elastic tongue (112) is formed on one of the first housing (110) and the second housing (210), and a retaining ring (212) is formed on the other. The elastic tongue (112) is adapted to be inserted into the retaining ring (212) and locked together with the retaining ring (212).

12. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the first connector (100) and the second connector (200) is a plug connector and the other is a socket connector.

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