Assembled electrical connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembled electrical connector comprising a base and an upper cover. A circular terminal block is formed at the upper end of the base, with a first electrical terminal disposed in the center of the terminal block. The base further comprises a second electrical terminal disposed externally thereon. The second electrical terminal is in the form of a ring, located at the periphery of the terminal block, and is isolated from the second electrical terminal by the terminal block. The upper cover is in the form of a hollow cylinder, rotatably coupled to the upper end of the base, and allows the second electrical terminal to fit snugly against the inner wall of the upper cover. Because the second electrical terminal is externally disposed on the terminal block of the base and is not molded with the base, expensive machined terminals are not required, thus facilitating manufacturing and effectively reducing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, in particular to an assembled electrical connector. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles and / or electric motorcycles must use batteries to supply the power they need to operate. A connector such as Figure 9 、 Figure 10 As shown, it includes a base 70, a negative terminal 71, a positive terminal 72, a negative electrical connection piece 73, and a positive electrical connection piece 74; wherein the negative terminal 71 and the positive terminal 72 are coaxially arranged in the base 70, and an isolation seat 75 is further formed inside the base 70. The isolation seat 75 is located between the negative terminal 71 and the positive terminal 72 to isolate the negative terminal 71 and the positive terminal 72 from each other; wherein the negative terminal 71 is hollow and cylindrical, and a first crown spring 76 is electrically connected thereto; the positive terminal 72 is tubular and a second crown spring 77 is electrically connected thereto. When a connector of matching specifications is inserted into the aforementioned connector, it will contact the first crown spring 76 and the second crown spring 77 respectively, thereby forming an electrical connection with the negative terminal 71 and the positive terminal 72 respectively.

[0003] Furthermore, the base 70 is manufactured by molding. During manufacturing, the negative and positive terminals 71 and 72 are simultaneously placed into a mold to form the base 70. After the base 70 is molded, the negative and positive terminals 71 and 72 are simultaneously fixed within the base 70 and isolated from each other by an isolation seat 75 within the base 70. Since the negative and positive terminals 71 and 72 are placed into the mold during the molding of the base 70, mold design and strength considerations require that both terminals 71 and 72 be machined. However, in addition to being time-consuming, these machined parts also consume a large amount of material and produce a large amount of waste, which in turn increases manufacturing costs. This is particularly true for the negative terminal 71, which has a larger outer diameter and requires significantly more material than the positive terminal 72. Therefore, the machined parts used for the negative terminal 71 are naturally much more expensive than those used for the positive terminal 72.

[0004] Please also refer to Figure 10 、 Figure 11As shown, the base 70 defines an inner cavity 78 beneath the isolation seat 75. To accommodate the installation arrangement where the negative and positive electrical connectors 73 and 74 are positioned at a relative angle, the inner cavity 78 is confined to a specific area at the bottom of the base 70. In this case, the smaller the inner cavity 78, the larger the space around the bottom of the base 70, and the greater the likelihood of material loss during molding to conserve injection material. However, the negative and positive electrical connectors 73 and 74 of existing electrical connectors, due to their inherent structural and mounting limitations, reduce the likelihood of material loss during molding.

[0005] like Figure 11 、 Figure 12 As shown, the negative and positive electrical connection pieces 73 and 74 each have a vertical portion, and the upper and lower ends of the vertical portions have an upper horizontal portion 731 and 741 and a lower horizontal portion 732 and 742, respectively. The upper horizontal portions 731 and 741 and the lower horizontal portions 732 and 742 extend in opposite directions, respectively. The upper horizontal portions 731 and 741 of the negative and positive electrical connection pieces 73 and 74 are screwed together with the bottom of the negative and positive electrical terminals 71 and 72 through screws 733 and 743, respectively, to form an electrical connection. Figure 13 As shown, after the negative and positive electrical connection tabs 73 and 74 are installed, a sealant 79 is immediately applied to the bottom of the base 70. The sealant 79 fills the inner cavity 78 and the upper horizontal portions 731 and 741 of the negative and positive electrical connection tabs 73 and 74, and further fills the periphery of 78, leaving only the lower horizontal portions 732 and 742 of the negative and positive electrical connection tabs 73 and 74 exposed outside the sealant 79 for external electrical connection.

[0006] As previously mentioned, the structure and installation method of the negative and positive electrical connecting pieces 73 and 74 reduce the possibility of material theft during molding. This is mainly because the negative and positive electrical connecting pieces 73 and 74 are respectively connected to the bottom of the negative and positive electrical terminals 71 and 72 with their upper horizontal portions 731 and 741, and the upper horizontal portions 731 and 741 directly determine the space size of the inner cavity 78. More specifically, under the premise of considering the electrical characteristics, if the upper horizontal portions 731 and 741 of the negative and positive electrical connecting pieces 73 and 74 cannot be eliminated or reduced, the possibility of material theft during molding is relatively reduced.

[0007] In addition to the above problems, the negative and positive electrical connectors 73 and 74 are partially exposed outside the sealant 79 at their vertical and lower horizontal portions 732 and 742 . Since the two are arranged at an angle relative to each other, the closest distance between the exposed portions does not meet the safety requirement that the creepage distance must be greater than 17.6 mm.

[0008] As can be seen from the above, there are still many structural problems with existing electrical connectors for electric vehicles, which require further review and feasible solutions. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide an assembled electrical connector that utilizes some main components to be assembled in an external manner, thereby avoiding the use of expensive machine parts, saving materials, facilitating manufacturing, and reducing production costs.

[0010] The main technical means adopted to achieve the aforementioned purpose are that the aforementioned assembled electrical connector includes:

[0011] A base, with a circular terminal block formed on its upper end, a first power terminal disposed in the center of the terminal block, the first power terminal having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the first power terminal being exposed outside the terminal block;

[0012] a second power terminal in the shape of a ring, externally grounded at the periphery of the terminal block of the base, and coaxial with and isolated from the first power terminal through the terminal block;

[0013] An upper cover is hollow and cylindrical and is relatively combined with the upper end of the base so that the upper end of the first power terminal is located at the center of the upper cover and the second power terminal is matched and abutted against the inner wall of the upper cover.

[0014] In the aforementioned electrical connector, the second electrical terminal is externally mounted on the terminal block of the base and is not molded with the base. This eliminates the need for expensive machined parts, saving material and significantly reducing costs. Furthermore, the electrical connector base engages with an upper cover at its upper end, which secures the first and second electrical terminals in coaxial relative positions, facilitating assembly and production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional appearance diagram of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the base and upper cover of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a combined sectional view of the base and upper cover of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the base, first and second electrical connection plates of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a bottom plan view of the base of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 2 is an appearance diagram of the first and second electrical connecting pieces of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a combined sectional view of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 This is an appearance diagram of the present invention from an upward angle.

[0023] Figure 9 The figure is a three-dimensional appearance diagram of a conventional electrical connector.

[0024] Figure 10 It is a combined cross-sectional view of a conventional electrical connector.

[0025] Figure 11 This is an exploded view of a conventional electrical connector.

[0026] Figure 12 It is a bottom plan view of a conventional electrical connector.

[0027] Figure 13 This is another combined cross-sectional view of an existing electrical connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following is a detailed description of the technical means used by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose of the invention, with reference to the drawings and preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Regarding a preferred embodiment of the present invention, please first refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, a base 10 is assembled with an upper cover 20. The base 10 has a first electrical terminal 30 and a second electrical terminal 40 externally connected thereto. The second electrical terminal 40 is located on the inner wall of the upper cover 20 and coaxially around the first electrical terminal 30. A first electrical connection piece 50 and a second electrical connection piece 60 are provided at the bottom of the base 10, which are electrically connected to the first electrical terminal 30 and the second electrical terminal 40, respectively. The first power terminal 30 can serve as a negative or positive power terminal, the first electrical connection plate 50 can serve as a negative or positive power terminal, the second power terminal 40 can serve as a positive or negative power terminal, and the second electrical connection plate 60 can serve as a positive or negative power terminal. In this embodiment, the first power terminal 30 serves as a positive power terminal, the second power terminal 40 serves as a negative power terminal, the first electrical connection plate 50 serves as a positive power terminal, and the second electrical connection plate 60 serves as a negative power terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0030] See also Figure 2 As shown, the base 10 is mainly formed by extending upward from the center of a circular base to form a circular step 11, the outer diameter of the step 11 is smaller than the base, and the step 11 further extends upward to form a terminal block 12, the outer diameter of the terminal block 12 is smaller than the step 11, so that the base 10 is roughly in the shape of a round tower.

[0031] The first electrical terminal 30 is located at the center of the terminal block 12. From a manufacturing perspective, the first electrical terminal 30 is placed into the mold during the molding of the base 10. After the base 10 is molded, the first electrical terminal 30 is already located at the center of the terminal block 12 of the base 10. The terminal block 12 is generally cylindrical in shape, with two or more ribs 121 formed along its circumference for connection with the upper cover 20. In this embodiment, the terminal block 12 has three ribs 121 arranged at equal angles, with gaps 123 formed between adjacent ribs 121.

[0032] The terminal block 12 further has a through-slot 122 formed in the radial wall thereof, extending vertically through the through-slot 122 to the bottom of the base 10. Specifically, the through-slot 122 also passes through the step 11 of the base 10. The step 11 has a fixing hole 111 formed in the corresponding radial wall thereof, intersecting and communicating with the through-slot 122. The through-slot 122 is used to secure the second electrical terminal 40. The second electrical terminal 40 is an annular sheet, primarily constructed from a conductive sheet of metal that has been stamped, cut, and then bent. Its inner diameter matches the outer diameter of the terminal block 12, allowing it to be fitted around the periphery of the terminal block 12. This ensures that the second electrical terminal 40 is coaxial with the first electrical terminal 30 in the center of the terminal block 12, and is isolated from each other by the terminal block 12.

[0033] The bottom edge of the second electrical terminal 40 extends downward to form a narrow, sheet-like electrical connection portion 41. A coupling hole 42 is formed at the lower end of the electrical connection portion 41. The electrical connection portion 41 corresponds to the through-slot 122 on the terminal block 12. When the electrical connection portion 41 is inserted into the through-slot 122, the coupling hole 42 at its lower end corresponds to the fixing hole 111 on the radial wall of the step 11. A screw 43 is inserted through the corresponding fixing hole 111 and coupling hole 42 to connect with the second electrical connection piece 60 and form an electrical connection. The details will be described in detail later.

[0034] The upper cover 20 is hollow and cylindrical, with a circular insertion opening 21 formed at one end and a circular coupling opening 22 formed at the other end. The inner diameter of the coupling opening 22 matches the outer diameter of the terminal block 12, and the coupling opening 22 is formed with several strip-shaped clamping blocks 221 along the inner circumference at the inner edge of its opening. The number of the clamping blocks 221 matches the ribs 121 on the radial wall of the terminal block 12. In this embodiment, the upper cover 20 is formed with three clamping blocks 221 on the inner edge of the opening of the coupling opening 22, and they are arranged at equal angles to correspond to the ribs 121 on the terminal block 12 respectively. The length of each block 221 is smaller than the gap 123 between each adjacent rib 121 on the terminal block 12. When the upper cover 20 is coupled to the terminal block 12 of the base 10, the upper cover 20 is aligned with the gap 123 between the adjacent ribs 121 on the terminal block 12 with the block 221 at the opening of the coupling port 22. Then, the upper cover 20 can be placed on the terminal block 12. When the upper cover 20 is fully closed, the block 221 at the coupling port 22 of the upper cover 20 and the rib 121 of the terminal block 12 are staggered with each other, but the block 221 is located below the rib 121 in terms of height. At this time, rotating the upper cover 20 can rotate the block 221 to the bottom of the rib 121 and be stopped by the rib 121. Then, the upper cover 20 can be coupled to the terminal block 12 of the base 10. After coupling, the upper cover 20 is as follows. Figure 3 shown.

[0035] Still see Figure 2 As shown, the block 221 formed on the inner edge of the opening of the joint 22 of the upper cover 20 is L-shaped, that is, a stopper is formed at one end of the block 221 to limit the rotation angle of the upper cover 20.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, the terminal block 12 of the base 10 has one or more coaxially formed annular grooves 13 formed thereon. The depth of the annular grooves 13 is at least greater than half the radius of the terminal block 12. This increases the insulating surface of the terminal block 12, ensuring a sufficient creepage distance that meets safety requirements between the first power terminals 30 at the center of the terminal block 12 and the second power terminals 40 located on the periphery of the terminal block 12. This also increases the heat dissipation area of ​​the terminal block 12.

[0037] The terminal block 12 has a thickness, and its bottom end extends downward to the inside of the step 11. The bottom end of the first power terminal 30 in the center of the terminal block 12 is exposed at the bottom end of the terminal block 12. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, the bottom of the base 10 is formed with an inner cavity 14 below the bottom end of the terminal block 12. The inner cavity 14 is connected to the through slot 122 of the terminal block 12. The inner cavity 14 is used to install the first electrical connection piece 50 and the second electrical connection piece 60. Figure 6As shown, the first electrical connection piece 50 includes a vertical portion, the upper and lower ends of which extend horizontally to form an upper horizontal portion 51 and a lower horizontal portion 52. The upper horizontal portion 51 is located in the inner cavity 14 and is screwed together with the bottom end of the first electrical terminal 30 through a screw 54 to form an electrical connection.

[0038] The second electrical connection piece 60 includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion 62 extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical portion. A fixing hole 61 is formed at the upper end of the vertical portion. The second electrical connection piece 60 is inserted into the inner cavity 14 with its vertical portion. The fixing hole 61 at the upper end of the vertical portion corresponds to the fixing hole 111 on the radial wall of the step 11 and the coupling hole 42 of the electrical connection portion 41 of the second electrical terminal 40. Please refer to the following for details. Figure 7 As shown, when screw 43 passes through fixing hole 111 of step 11, it screws into the vertical portion of second electrical connection plate 60 and the electrical connection portion 41 of second electrical terminal 40, establishing an electrical connection. Because the second electrical connection plate 60 is positioned within inner cavity 14 with its vertical portion, the area of ​​inner cavity 14 can be minimized. With this reduced area of ​​inner cavity 14, the bottom of base 10 forms one or more material stealing slots 15 around the periphery of inner cavity 14, effectively reducing material usage during molding.

[0039] See also Figure 8 As shown, after the first and second electrical connection sheets 50 and 60 are installed, a sealant 16 is further injected into the bottom of the base 10 to fill the inner cavity 14. Since the first and second electrical connection sheets 50 and 60 are arranged at a relative angle to each other at the bottom of the base 10, it is necessary to consider whether the creepage distance formed by the first and second electrical connection sheets 50 and 60 along the surface of the sealant 16 meets safety requirements. To ensure sufficient creepage distance between the first and second electrical connection sheets 50 and 60, the first and second electrical connection sheets 50 and 60 are covered with an isolation layer 53 and 63 at the portions exposed from the sealant 16, except for the ends of the lower horizontal portion 52 and the horizontal portion 62 used for electrical connection. The provision of the isolation layers 53 and 63 significantly extends the insulating surface between the first and second electrical connection sheets 50 and 60, thereby meeting the creepage distance required to meet safety requirements.

[0040] Still see Figure 7As shown, the first and second electrical terminals 30 and 40 are each equipped with a first crown spring 31 and a second crown spring 44. The first electrical terminal 30 is hollow and tubular, with an upper chamber 301 and a lower chamber 302 interconnected within it. The upper chamber 301 houses the first crown spring 31 and a contact spring 32. The first crown spring 31 is positioned above the contact spring 32 and inside the opening of the first electrical terminal 30. The second crown spring 44 rests against the inner wall of the second electrical terminal 40, forming an electrical connection. When the electrical connector of the present invention is mated with a mating connector, the first and second electrical terminals 30 and 40 are electrically connected to the mating connector via the first and second crown springs 31 and 44, respectively.

[0041] The above description illustrates the specific structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This structure allows the second electrical terminal to be externally mounted on the terminal block of the base, eliminating the need for molded components along with the base. This eliminates the need for expensive machined parts, saves material, and effectively reduces costs. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a ring-shaped second electrical terminal in conjunction with a specially designed second electrical connector. This allows the second electrical connector to be inserted into the base cavity with only its vertical portion, where it connects to the second electrical terminal and forms an electrical connection. This design reduces the internal cavity area, allowing for more material removal slots, further reducing material usage during molding.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the present profession can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of the technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An assembled electrical connector, characterized in that: include: A base, with a circular terminal block formed on its upper end, a first power terminal disposed in the center of the terminal block, the first power terminal having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the first power terminal being exposed outside the terminal block; a second power terminal in the shape of a ring, externally connected to the periphery of the terminal block of the base, and coaxial with and isolated from the first power terminal through the terminal block; an upper cover in a hollow cylindrical shape, which is relatively coupled to the upper end of the base so that the upper end of the first power terminal is located at the center of the interior of the upper cover, and the second power terminal is matched and abutted against the inner wall of the upper cover; A through slot is further formed on the radial wall of the terminal block, and the through slot passes through the bottom of the base in a vertical direction; The bottom edge of the second electrical terminal extends downward to form a narrow sheet-shaped electrical connection portion, and the electrical connection portion is correspondingly inserted into the through slot on the terminal block; The base extends upward from the center of a circular base to form a circular step, and the step extends upward to form the terminal block, and a fixing hole is formed on the radial wall of the step; A coupling hole is formed at the lower end of the electrical connection portion of the second electrical terminal, and the coupling hole corresponds to the fixing hole of the step.

2. The assembled electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal block is cylindrical, and has two or more ribs arranged at equal angles along the circumference of the radial wall. The upper cover is hollow cylindrical, with a circular insertion opening formed at one end and a circular coupling opening formed at the other end. The inner diameter of the coupling opening matches the outer diameter of the terminal block, and the coupling opening is formed with several strip-shaped blocks along the inner circumference at the inner edge of its opening. The number of the blocks matches the ribs on the diameter wall of the terminal block.

3. The assembled electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: A stop portion is formed at one end of the clamping block of the joint opening of the upper cover, so that the clamping block is in an L shape.

4. The assembled electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom of the base is provided with a first electrical connection piece and a second electrical connection piece, and the bottom of the base is formed with an inner cavity below the bottom end of the terminal block, and the inner cavity is communicated with the through groove of the terminal block; The first electrical connection piece includes a vertical portion, wherein the upper and lower ends of the vertical portion extend horizontally to form an upper horizontal portion and a lower horizontal portion, respectively. The upper horizontal portion is located in the inner cavity and is combined with the bottom end of the first electrical terminal to form an electrical connection; The second electrical connection piece includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical portion. A fixing hole is formed at the upper end of the vertical portion. The second electrical connection piece is inserted into the inner cavity with its vertical portion. The fixing holes at the upper end of the vertical portion correspond to the fixing holes on the step and the coupling holes of the electrical connection portion of the second electrical terminal, respectively, and a screw is provided therebetween for screwing them together.

5. The assembled electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein: The bottom of the base is provided with a sealing glue which fills the inner cavity. The first electrical connection piece except its lower horizontal end and the second electrical connection piece except its horizontal end, the parts exposed from the sealing glue are covered with an isolation layer.

6. The assembled electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein: The bottom of the base is formed with more than one material stealing groove on the periphery of the inner cavity.

7. The assembled electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: One or more annular grooves are coaxially formed on the surface of the terminal block of the base, and the depth of the annular groove is at least greater than half of the radius of the terminal block.

8. The assembled electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: A first crown spring and a second crown spring are respectively disposed within the first and second electrical terminals. The first electrical terminal is hollow and tubular, with an upper chamber and a lower chamber interconnected therein. The upper chamber houses the first crown spring and a contact spring. The first crown spring is disposed at the upper end of the contact spring and is located inside the opening of the first electrical terminal. The second crown spring rests against the inner wall of the second electrical terminal and forms an electrical connection.

Images