Electrical terminal holder

Abstract

The application provides an electrical terminal fixing device (10), which comprises a shell (20), a terminal holder (30) and at least one terminal (40), wherein the terminal extends in an axial direction and is fixedly installed in the terminal fixing device (10), the terminal holder (30) is used for holding the at least one terminal in the shell (20); wherein the terminal holder (30) is provided with a holder clamping part (31), the terminal is provided with a terminal clamping part (41), the terminal clamping part (41) and the holder clamping part (31) are configured to be clamped and connected with each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction, so that the terminal holder (30) limits the position of the terminal in the axial direction and the lateral direction. The electrical terminal fixing device according to the application has better installation stability and lower production cost.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electrical terminal fixer, more particularly, the present application relates to an electrical terminal fixer, in which a plurality of terminals are fixedly installed. BACKGROUND

[0002] There are various electrical terminal fixers with electrical terminals for providing power or realizing electrical connection.

[0003] Figure 1A And Figure 1B A common electrical terminal fixer 1 is shown. As shown in Figure 1A And Figure 1B The electrical terminal fixer 1 includes a housing 2, a terminal holder 3 and a plurality of terminals 4. When the fixer 1 is installed, the wiring end of the terminal 4 is inserted through the corresponding hole of the terminal holder together with the cable, the terminal holder 3 abuts against the flange surface on the outer surface of the terminal 4, and the retaining force is applied in the axial direction of the terminal 4 to retain the terminal 4 in the housing 2, then the sheet seal 6 is installed on the rear surface of the terminal holder 3, and finally the end cover 5 is fastened to the housing 2, thereby completing the installation of the terminal fixer 1.

[0004] The electrical terminal fixer 1 uses a conventional installation method of pushing forward and backward in the axial direction, however, this installation method still has some problems in practical application. First, the forward and backward pushing installation method only uses the limiting mechanism in the axial direction of the terminal, but there may still be a moving space in the lateral direction of the terminal, which is lateral to the axial direction, and sometimes the terminal even has obvious shaking. In the installation process of the above-mentioned electrical terminal fixer 1, the rear end of the terminal needs to be inserted through the terminal holder 3 together with the wire, so the assembly is time-consuming and laborious, and assembly errors often occur, resulting in high scrap rate. In addition, due to the position of the terminal 4 relative to the terminal holder 3 is not fixed during installation, the assembly is difficult.

[0005] Therefore, it is still necessary to improve the existing electrical terminal fixer to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application provides an electrical terminal fixer, which includes a housing, a terminal holder and at least one terminal, wherein the terminal extends in an axial direction and is fixedly installed in the terminal fixer, and the terminal holder is used to retain the at least one terminal in the housing; wherein the terminal holder is provided with a holder clamping part, and the terminal is provided with a terminal clamping part, the terminal clamping part and the holder clamping part are configured to be clamped and connected with each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction, so as to limit the position of the terminal in the axial direction and the lateral direction by the terminal holder.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present application, the terminal engaging portion is a groove provided on an outer periphery of the terminal, and the holder engaging portion includes an engaging piece that matches the groove.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present application, the terminal holder includes a first side surface adjacent to the housing, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and a periphery surrounding the first and second side surfaces, the terminal is inserted through the first and second side surfaces in an axial direction, a recessed portion is recessed in a lateral direction from the periphery of the terminal holder, and the engaging portion is provided in the recessed portion.

[0009] According to still another aspect of the present application, the terminal holder includes a first side surface adjacent to the housing, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and a periphery surrounding the first and second side surfaces, the terminal is inserted through the first and second side surfaces in an axial direction, a slot is provided in the terminal holder, the slot extends through from the first side surface to the second side surface, wherein a portion of the slot is provided with the holder engaging portion, and another portion of the slot is provided with a passage portion, the passage portion is sized to allow the terminal to be inserted in the axial direction relative to the terminal holder to a position at which the first and second engaging portions correspond.

[0010] According to still another aspect of the present application, the slot includes a first portion in a first direction and a second portion in a second direction different from the first direction, and a portion where the first portion and the second portion intersect is provided with the passage portion.

[0011] According to still another aspect of the present application, the electrical terminal holder includes three terminals for alternating current three-phase, the three terminals are inserted in the slot, the first portion of the slot is perpendicular to the second portion of the slot, a first end portion of the first portion is provided with one holder engaging portion, a second end portion of the first portion intersects a position between two end portions of the second portion and is provided with the passage portion at the position, the second portion of the slot is symmetrically provided with two holder engaging portions on both sides of the passage portion, and an additional engaging portion is further provided on the second portion, the additional engaging portion is provided outside the two symmetrically provided engaging portions.

[0012] According to still another aspect of the present application, the outer periphery of the terminal is provided with two flanges, and the groove is formed between the flanges.

[0013] According to still another aspect of the present application, in an assembled state of the electrical terminal holder, one of the two flanges abuts against the terminal holder, and the other of the two flanges abuts against the housing.

[0014] According to still another aspect of the present application, the electrical terminal holder further includes an end cover and a sealing ring, the end cover is connected to one end of the housing, and the sealing ring is annular and provided between the end cover and the housing.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present application, the terminal holder has a first side and a second side, the first side is in contact with a surface in the housing, and the engaging piece extends flush with the first side of the terminal holder.

[0016] With the electrical terminal holder according to the present application, the position of the terminal in both the lateral direction and the axial direction is limited by the terminal holder, thus improving the stability of the position of the terminal in the holder. It is particularly suitable for use conditions such as vehicles that have jolts, and is less likely to have poor contact problems.

[0017] During the insertion of the terminal holder into the housing, the position of the terminal relative to the terminal holder is already fixed, and the terminal only needs to be inserted into the engagement from a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the terminal, thus reducing the difficulty of installation of the terminal holder.

[0018] Since the terminal holder is in the form of a sheet and the engaging piece is arranged flush with the first side abutting the interior of the housing, when the engaging piece is engaged into the clamping groove of the terminal, the first side of the terminal is in contact with a mounting flat surface inside the housing, thus Figure 1B Compared with the housing in the prior art shown in the figure, the overall axial dimension of the housing can be shortened, and the overall material cost is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1A And Figure 1B An assembly diagram of an electrical terminal holder in the prior art is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of an electrical terminal holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of an electrical terminal holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0022] Figure 4 A perspective view of a terminal holder connected with a terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0023] Figure 5 A perspective view of a terminal holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0024] Figure 6 A front view of a terminal holder connected with a terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0025] Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of a holder housing according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0026] Figure 8A perspective view of a sealing ring for an electrical terminal retainer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0027] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of an electrical terminal holder according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0028] List of reference numerals

[0029] 1, 10 terminal retainer

[0030] 2.20 Housing

[0031] 21 Terminal insertion hole

[0032] 22 Terminal receiving cavity

[0033] 3, 30, 30' terminal retainer

[0034] 31 Retaining part snap-fit

[0035] 311 convex part

[0036] 32 concave part

[0037] 33, 33' slot

[0038] 333 Access Department

[0039] 34 through holes

[0040] 35 First side view

[0041] 36 Second side view

[0042] 37 Zhou Yuan

[0043] 4, 40, 40' terminals

[0044] 41 Terminal Connector

[0045] 5,50 end cap

[0046] 6, 60 seals

[0047] 70 cable Detailed Implementation

[0048] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. More details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can obviously be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions and derivations based on actual application situations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0049] Figure 2 andFigure 3 A non-limiting embodiment of an electrical terminal holder 10 according to the present application is shown. The electrical terminal holder 10 is, for example, a charging base, for example adapted to be installed in a vehicle. Figure 2 A perspective view of the electrical terminal holder 10 is shown, wherein the housing 20 and the terminal holder 30 holding the terminals 40 are in a state ready to be assembled, while Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the electrical terminal holder 10 is shown. The electrical terminal holder 10 mainly comprises a housing 20 (see Figure 7 ), a terminal holder 30, a terminal cover 50 and a plurality of electrical terminals 40 held inside the holder 10. As Figure 3 shown, the terminals 40 are inserted into the housing 20 along an axial direction L, which is also the direction of extension of the terminals 40, and the front section of the terminals 40 is held in a terminal receiving cavity 22 formed in the housing 20.

[0050] The housing 20, the terminal holder 30 and the terminal cover 50 are all made of insulating material and have shapes adapted to each other. In this non-limiting embodiment, the housing 20 and the terminal cover 50 are substantially cylindrical and are mutually fitted by releasable locking means, forming an internal space which houses the terminals 40 and the terminal holder 30. As shown, the terminal holder 30 is disc-shaped and has a shape adapted to be mounted in a holder receiving portion in the housing 20.

[0051] The terminal holder 30 and the terminals 40 in the electrical terminal holder 10 according to the present application are provided with engaging portions adapted to be engaged with each other along a lateral direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the axial direction L, so as to achieve the axial and lateral positioning between the terminals 40 and the terminal holder 30. In this context, the "engaging portions adapted to be engaged with each other along a lateral direction" means engaging portions which, after a movement of at least one of the terminal holder 30 and the terminals 40 along the lateral direction, allow the engagement between the terminal holder 30 and the terminals 40.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment according to the present application, as Figure 5 shown, the terminal holder 30 is provided with a holder engaging portion 31, preferably a latching tab, and as Figure 4 shown, the terminals 40 are provided with a terminal engaging portion 41, preferably a latching groove, adapted to be engaged with the holder engaging portion 31. The two engaging portions 31 and 41 are engaged with each other upon a movement of the terminal holder 30 and the terminals 40 along the lateral direction, and, after the engagement of the two engaging portions 31 and 41, the lateral and axial positions of the terminals 40 relative to the terminal holder 30 are both held locked.

[0053] As Figure 3 and Figure 4In a preferred embodiment, the terminal 40 is formed with two flanges adjacent to each other at the outer periphery of the terminal 40, which form the terminal clamping portion 41. When the terminal holder 10 is installed, as shown in Figure 3 , the flange adjacent to the insertion end of the terminal 40 is accommodated in the terminal insertion hole 21 in the housing 20, and the flange will abut against the inner wall of the terminal insertion hole 21 in the lateral direction. The flange adjacent to the terminal connecting end of the terminal 40 abuts against the terminal holder 30 in the lateral direction. Thus, after installation, the two flanges achieve double lateral position retention of the terminal 40, improving the stability of the lateral position retention. In addition, as shown in Figure 3 , a sealing ring is preferably provided between the flange adjacent to the insertion end of the terminal and the terminal insertion hole 21.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the terminal holder 30 includes a first side surface 35, a first side surface 36 opposite the first side surface 35, and a periphery 37 surrounding the first side surface 35 and the first side surface 36. In the installed state of the terminal holder 10, the first side surface 35 abuts against a surface in the housing 20. According to a preferred embodiment, the terminal holder 30 can be provided with multiple holder clamping portions 31 at different positions.

[0055] Specifically, the periphery 37 of the terminal holder 30 is recessed inward in the lateral direction to form multiple recessed portions 32, and each recessed portion 32 is provided with a holder clamping portion 31 in the form of a clamping tab. The clamping tabs extend from the edge of the recessed portion 32 flush with the first side surface 35 of the terminal holder 30. As can be seen from Figure 5 , the inner periphery of the clamping tab at the open end or adjacent to the open end of each recessed portion 32 is provided with opposite protrusions 311, which make the opening size of the position of the recessed portion 32 slightly smaller than the diameter of the position where the clamping groove of the terminal 40 is located, which plays a role in ensuring the locking of the lateral position of the terminal 40 when the clamping groove of the terminal 40 is inserted.

[0056] Figure 4 Four terminals 40 are shown inserted in the four recessed portions 32 provided on the periphery 37. It should be understood that the number and position of the recessed portions 32 of the periphery 37 can be reasonably changed according to the application of the terminal holder 10. In addition, as shown in Figure 5 , the clamping tabs extend continuously along the entire edge of the recessed portion 32, but it should be understood that the clamping tabs can also be provided only along a part of the edge of the recessed portion 32, or arranged in a discontinuous form. The recessed portion 32 shown is extended in a straight line, but it can also be understood that the recessed portion 32 can be extended in an arc or bent from the periphery 37. The holder clamping portion 31 is preferably provided on the inner end of the recessed portion 32. Although Figure 5One recess 32 is shown with one retainer clip 31, but it will be appreciated that a recess 32 can have multiple retainer clips 31 at different locations.

[0057] In addition to the recess 32 along the perimeter 37 having the retainer clip 31, in the preferred embodiment, the middle portion of the terminal retainer 30 also has a slot 33 with retainer clips 31. The slot 33 extends through from the first side 35 to the second side 36 of the terminal retainer 30, but does not open to the perimeter 37 of the terminal retainer 30, that is, the slot 33 has a continuous inner edge in the middle of the terminal retainer 30. The slot 33 has multiple retainer clips 31, specifically, the inner edge of the slot 33 has tabs extending inwardly as retainer clips 31. Preferably, the tabs extend from the edge of the slot 33 flush with the first side 35 of the terminal retainer 30. In Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the tabs extend continuously along the entire edge of the slot 33, but it will be appreciated that the tabs can be provided along only a portion of the edge of the slot 33.

[0058] To enable the terminal 40 to be inserted into the slot 33 to achieve a side snap connection, the slot 33 has an access portion 333, as Figure 5 The access portion 333 is sized to allow the terminal 40 to be inserted into the slot 33 in an axial direction to a position in which the terminal clip 41 and the retainer clip 31 are aligned, that is, the tab and the slot are aligned. That is, the open area of the access portion 333 of the slot 33 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the largest portion of the terminal diameter. For example, when the terminal clip 41 of the terminal 40 is the largest portion of the terminal diameter, the open area of the access portion 333 of the slot 33 is greater than the largest cross-sectional area at the terminal clip 41. Although, as Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the tabs extend continuously along the entire edge of the slot 33, but it will be appreciated that the tabs can be provided along only a portion of the edge of the slot 33.

[0059] Figure 6 The terminal retainer 30 shown is suitable for retaining three electrical terminals in a three-phase AC charger. Figure 5 The terminal retainer 30 shown retains three phase terminals 40 in a conventional orientation. Figure 5 The slot 33 in the terminal retainer 30 includes a vertical slot and a horizontal slot arranged substantially perpendicular to each other (as shown in the Figure 6 The end of the vertical slot and the middle portion of the horizontal slot overlap each other, and the overlapping portion forms the access portion 333. The slot 33 has four clips, one at the top of the vertical slot and three at the horizontal slot, one on each side of the access portion 333. Figure 6A snap-fit ​​part is provided on the left side, and on the other side of the inlet part 333 ( Figure 6 The right side has two snap-fit ​​parts.

[0060] During installation, the first terminal 40 can be inserted into the inlet 333 in the middle of the slot 33, so that the slot of the terminal 40 is flush with the engaging tab of the terminal retainer 30. Then, the first terminal 40 is moved upwards. Figure 6 The upper vertical slot is located in the end of the snap-fit ​​portion; next, the second terminal 40 is inserted from the through portion 333, and the second terminal 40 is pushed towards the position where the slot is flush with the snap-fit ​​piece. Figure 6 Move to the right and enter the additional latching part 31' at the far right of the horizontal slot; then, insert the third terminal 40 through the inlet 333, and after the latching slot on the terminal 40 is flush with the latching tab, move the third terminal 40 towards... Figure 6 The left side moves into the leftmost engaging portion of the transverse slot; finally, the second terminal 40 moves to the left along the transverse slot, entering the engaging portion between the through-hole 333 and the right end of the transverse slot. This engaging portion and the left engaging portion are arranged symmetrically about the through-hole 333. Thus, as shown... Figure 2 The terminal holder 30 shown is used to hold the three terminals 40 in the position of three-phase AC.

[0061] In addition to the recessed portion 32 and slot 33 of the snap-fit ​​portion 31, the terminal retainer 30 is also provided with several through holes 34 for inserting fasteners so as to fasten the terminal retainer 30 to the inside of the housing 20.

[0062] During the installation of the terminal retainer 10, firstly, the terminals 40 connected to the cable 70 are fixedly connected to the terminal retainer 30 one by one by the lateral locking connection between the terminal latching part 41 and the retaining part 31. Then, as follows... Figure 8 As shown, the entire terminal retainer 30 with terminals 40 is inserted into the housing 20, such that each terminal 40 is received in a terminal receiving cavity 22 within the housing 20. Preferably, the terminal retainer 30 is locked relative to the housing 20 by fasteners or other fastening structures. Finally, the end cap 50 is attached to the housing 20, while... Figure 9 The annular seal 60 shown is installed between the end cap 50 and the housing 20 to prevent external contaminants from entering the interior of the housing 20.

[0063] Figure 9A terminal holder 30' according to another preferred embodiment of the present application is shown. The terminal holder 30' is also adapted to hold terminals 40' in a conventional 3-phase terminal position. The terminal holder 30' is also in the form of a plate, but is not circular. The terminal holder 30' has six peripheral recesses, one holding piece being provided in each recess. The terminal holder 30' has a slot 33' in the middle, the slot 33' being formed by a through portion and a holding piece. From Figure 1B It can be seen that the terminals 40' engaged in the terminal holding pieces in two of the recesses and the terminals 40' in the holding piece of the slot 33' are adapted to form the terminals of a 3-phase alternating current. It will be understood that in this embodiment, the terminal holding pieces and the holding pieces are also adapted to be snap-connected to each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the extension of the terminals, the snap-connection between the terminals and the terminal holder being achieved by movement of the terminals in the lateral direction.

[0064] With the electrical terminal holder 10 according to the present application, the position of the terminals 40 in both the lateral direction and the axial direction is limited by the terminal holder 30, and therefore, the stability of the position of the terminals in the holder 10 is improved. This is particularly advantageous in applications where there is jolting, such as in vehicles, and the problem of poor contact is less likely to occur.

[0065] During insertion of the terminal holder 30 into the housing 20, the position of the terminals 40 relative to the terminal holder 30 is already fixed, and the terminals 40 only need to be inserted into the snap-connection in the lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the terminals to achieve the installation of the terminals 40 relative to the terminal holder 30, and therefore, the difficulty of installation of the terminal holder 10 is reduced. In addition, this installation method is suitable for automation.

[0066] Since the terminal holder 30 is in the form of a disc and the snap-plate is flush with the first side surface 35 abutting the interior of the housing 20, when the snap-plate is snap-connected into the slot of the terminal 40, the first side surface 35 of the terminal holder 30 is flush with a mounting flat surface in the interior of the housing 20, and therefore, compared with ​ The overall axial dimension of the housing 20 can be reduced, and the overall material cost is reduced, compared with the prior art housing 2 shown.

[0067] In addition, the seal 6 in the prior art holder 1 is in the form of a disc, while the seal 60 according to the present application is in the form of a ring, and the material cost is also significantly reduced.

[0068] Although the present application is disclosed with reference to the preferred embodiments above, it is not intended to limit the present application, and any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present application without departing from the technical solutions of the present application, all fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrical terminal holder (10) comprising a housing (20), a terminal holder (30) and at least one terminal (40), wherein the terminal extends in an axial direction (L) and is fixedly mounted in the terminal holder (10), the terminal holder (30) is used to hold the at least one terminal in the housing (20); the terminal holder (30) is provided with a holder clamping portion (31), the terminal is provided with a terminal clamping portion (41), the terminal clamping portion (41) and the holder clamping portion (31) are configured to be clamped and connected with each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction, so that the terminal holder (30) defines the position of the terminal in the axial direction and the lateral direction, the terminal holder (30) has a first side surface (35) adjacent to the housing, and has a second side surface (36), a slot (33) is provided in the terminal holder (30) and penetrates from the first side surface to the second side surface, the holder clamping portion (31) is provided in the slot (33), the slot comprises a vertical slot and a horizontal slot, a first end of the vertical slot is provided with a holder clamping portion, a position between a second end of the vertical slot and two ends of the horizontal slot overlaps and is provided with a through portion (333) at the position, the through portion (333) is sized to allow the terminal (40) to be inserted relative to the terminal holder (30) in the axial direction to a position where the holder clamping portion and the terminal clamping portion can correspond, the electrical terminal holder (10) is suitable for holding three terminals for alternating current three-phase, the three terminals can be mounted in three holder clamping portions in the slot, the horizontal slot is symmetrically provided with two holder clamping portions (31) on both sides of the through portion (333), and the horizontal slot is further provided with an additional clamping portion (31'), the additional clamping portion (31') is provided outside one of the two symmetrically provided holder clamping portions, and the additional clamping portion receives one of the three terminals during installation, the terminal clamping portion (41) is a clamping groove provided on an outer periphery of the terminal, the holder clamping portion (31) comprises a clamping piece matched with the clamping groove, an inner periphery of the clamping piece is provided with opposite protrusions (311), the protrusions lock the lateral position of the terminal when the clamping groove is inserted, the terminal holder (30) comprises a periphery (37) surrounding the first side surface and the second side surface, the terminal passes through the first side surface (35) and the second side surface (36) in the axial direction, a recessed portion (32) is recessed in the periphery (37) of the terminal holder (30) in the lateral direction, and the holder clamping portion (31) is provided in the recessed portion (32), an outer periphery of the terminal (40) is provided with two flanges, and the clamping groove is formed between the two flanges. ​ characterized in that ​ ​ ​ 2. The electrical terminal holder (10) of claim 1, wherein ​ ​ 3. The electrical terminal retainer (10) of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ 4. The electrical terminal holder (10) of claim 2, wherein ​ 5. The electrical terminal holder (10) of claim 1, wherein, Also included are an end cap (50) connected to one end of the housing (20) and a seal (60) in the form of a ring disposed between the end cap (50) and the housing (20).

6. The electrical terminal holder (10) of claim 2, wherein The first side surface is mounted in contact with a surface within the housing (20), and the engaging piece extends flush with the first side surface of the terminal holder (30).

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