Terminal, terminal assembly and electrical connector

Abstract

The present application discloses a terminal, a terminal assembly and an electrical connector, wherein the terminal includes a main body, the main body includes a contact portion, a first elastic arm extending downwardly from one side of the contact portion and a second elastic arm extending downwardly from the other side of the contact portion, the contact portion is used to contact with a docking element, the main body also includes a first buffer portion connected to the extended end of the first elastic arm, the extended end of the first buffer portion is connected to a first retaining portion, when the contact portion is subjected to a compressive force in the up and down directions, it can be displaced in the up and down directions to force the main body to undergo elastic deformation, and the first buffer portion makes it easier for the main body to undergo the elastic deformation. The provision of the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion can disperse the stress during the deformation of the terminal, improve the flexibility of the terminal, make it easier for the main body to undergo elastic deformation, and improve the life of the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of connectors, and particularly to a terminal, a terminal assembly, and an electrical connector. Background Art

[0002] For the prior art, reference may be made to the Chinese utility model patent CN201966366U, which discloses an electrical connector including a shielding housing, a third terminal module integrally formed and combined with the inner surface of the top plate of the shielding housing, a first terminal module, and a second terminal module. The shielding housing combined with the third terminal module is installed on a docking substrate and forms a receiving space between the shielding housing and the docking substrate. The receiving space is for a cartridge module carrying an electronic card to be inserted or removed. The first terminal module and the second terminal module are attached to the surface of the docking substrate and are located directly below the shielding housing.

[0003] The first terminal module, the second terminal module, and the third terminal module each include an insulating body and a plurality of conductive terminals integrally formed by injection molding and combined within the insulating body. Each of the conductive terminals includes a terminal fixing section buried within the insulating body, an elastic arm-shaped contact section protruding into the receiving space, and a docking section protruding outside the insulating body and corresponding to electrically contact the docking substrate.

[0004] After a cartridge module with electronic cards carried on both the upper and lower surfaces is inserted into the receiving space, it electrically contacts the first terminal module, the second terminal module, and the third terminal module correspondingly to achieve signal transmission. Such an electronic card connector is usually referred to as a stacked electronic card connector or a double-layer card connector. However, due to its own stacked form, the overall thickness of such an electronic card connector is relatively thick, which goes against the current development trend of thinning and miniaturization. It cannot be applied to some electronic products with relatively thin thickness dimensions (such as smart mobile phones, etc.).

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to design a new terminal, a terminal assembly, and an electrical connector to make up for the above defects in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a new terminal, a terminal assembly, and an electrical connector to facilitate miniaturization design.

[0007] To achieve the above purpose, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] A terminal includes a main body portion. The main body portion includes a contact portion, a first elastic arm extending obliquely downward from one side of the contact portion, and a second elastic arm extending obliquely downward from the other side of the contact portion. The contact portion is used to contact a docking element. The main body portion further includes a first buffer portion connected to the extended end of the first elastic arm, and a first holding portion is connected to the extended end of the first buffer portion. When the contact portion is subjected to a pressing force in the up and down direction, it can displace in the up and down direction to force the main body portion to undergo elastic deformation, and the first buffer portion makes the elastic deformation of the main body portion easier.

[0009] Furthermore, the main body portion further includes a second buffer portion connected to the extended end of the second elastic arm, and a second holding portion is connected to the extended end of the second buffer portion. The second buffer portion makes the elastic deformation of the main body portion easier.

[0010] Furthermore, the first buffer portion is non-planar, including a portion extending and located below the first holding portion and a portion extending and located above the first holding portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the contact portion is substantially arc-shaped, and the arc bending direction of the first buffer portion is opposite to the arc bending direction of the contact portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the contact portion is convex upward, the first buffer portion is convex downward, and the second buffer portion is convex downward.

[0013] Furthermore, the first elastic arm includes two first elastic sub-arms connected to each other, and the connection portion of the two first elastic sub-arms is arc-shaped. The arc bending direction of the connection portion of the two first elastic sub-arms is opposite to the arc bending direction of the first buffer portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the first elastic arm includes two first elastic sub-arms connected to each other, and the inclination angle of one first elastic sub-arm connected to the contact portion is smaller than the inclination angle of the other first elastic sub-arm away from the contact portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the terminal further includes two additional arms formed by further extending the first holding portion and / or the second holding portion. The two additional arms are located on the left and right sides of the main body portion. Each additional arm includes a base portion and at least one docking foot portion connected to the base portion for contacting a docking substrate.

[0016] Furthermore, the two base portions are connected to both sides of the first holding portion. The base portions and the first holding portion are in the same plane. The docking foot portions and the base portions are in different planes, and the docking foot portions are closer to the contact portion than the base portions.

[0017] To achieve the above object, the present application further provides the following technical solutions:

[0018] A terminal assembly includes the terminal as described above, and further includes a second insulating body and a lower metal housing that are integrally fixed to the terminal. The second insulating body and the lower metal housing are integrally fixed. The lower metal housing extends to form a second fixing foot that protrudes outside the second insulating body and is correspondingly in electrical contact with the docking substrate. A through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the main body portion of the second insulating body. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are respectively buried in opposite two hole walls of the through hole. The main body portion protrudes upward from the through hole above the upper surface of the second insulating body.

[0019] Furthermore, the lower metal housing forms a strip-shaped cross beam portion. The cross beam portion crosses the corresponding through hole, and two ends of the cross beam portion are respectively buried in opposite two hole walls of the through hole.

[0020] To achieve the above object, the present application further provides the following technical solutions:

[0021] A terminal assembly includes the terminal as described above, and further includes a second insulating body that is integrally fixed to the terminal. A through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the main body portion of the second insulating body. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are respectively buried in opposite two hole walls of the through hole. The main body portion protrudes upward from the through hole above the upper surface of the second insulating body.

[0022] Furthermore, it further includes a docking substrate. The docking substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface. A through hole is formed through the docking substrate. The second insulating body is attached to the lower surface of the docking substrate. The docking foot is electrically connected and combined with the lower surface of the docking substrate. The contact portion passes through the through hole and at least partially protrudes above the upper surface of the docking substrate. The first buffer portion and the second buffer portion do not extend downward beyond the lower surface of the second insulating body.

[0023] To achieve the above object, the present application further provides the following technical solutions:

[0024] An electrical connector includes the terminal assembly as described above, and further includes an upper housing module. The upper housing module includes an upper metal housing. The upper metal housing includes a top plate, side plates extending downward from both sides of the top plate, and first fixing feet further extending from the side plates. The upper metal housing is correspondingly disposed above the upper surface of the docking substrate. The first fixing feet are correspondingly fixed to the docking substrate. The upper metal housing and the docking substrate jointly define a plugging and unplugging space for inserting a docking module. At least a part of the contact portion of the terminal protrudes into the plugging and unplugging space.

[0025] Further, it further includes an upper terminal module, the upper terminal module includes a first insulating body and a plurality of signal terminal components combined with the first insulating body, the upper terminal module is combined with the inner surface of the top plate, an insertion and extraction space is formed between the upper terminal module and the docking substrate, and the signal terminal component is formed with a terminal contact portion protruding downward into the insertion and extraction space.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: The setting of the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion can disperse the stress when the terminal deforms, improve the flexibility of the terminal, make it easier for the main body portion to undergo elastic deformation, and improve the service life of the terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the electrical connector of the present application.

[0028] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a three-dimensional schematic diagram viewed from another angle.

[0029] Figure 3 is Figure 1 the top view of the electrical connector in

[0030] Figure 4 is from Figure 3 a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in

[0031] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged view of the circled part A in

[0032] Figure 6 is Figure 4 an enlarged view of the boxed part B in

[0033] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a three-dimensional exploded view of the electrical connector in , specifically showing a three-dimensional exploded view of the upper cover module combined with the upper terminal module, and the terminal assembly combined with the lower cover module and the docking substrate.

[0034] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a three-dimensional exploded view of the lower cover module in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0036] Please refer toFigures 1 to 8 As shown, an electrical connector disclosed in the present application includes a terminal assembly 10 and an upper cover module 6 that cooperates with the terminal assembly 10. The upper cover module 6 includes an upper metal cover 61 made of a metal plate and an upper terminal module 62 combined with the upper metal cover 61. The upper terminal module 62 includes a first insulating body 621 and a plurality of signal terminal members 622 combined with the first insulating body 621. The terminal assembly 10 includes a docking substrate 5 and a lower cover module 2 combined on the docking substrate 5. The lower cover module 2 includes a lower metal cover 21 made of a metal plate and a lower terminal module 22 combined with the lower metal cover 21. The lower terminal module 22 includes a second insulating body 221 and a plurality of terminals 1 combined with the second insulating body 221. The above docking substrate 5 is a PCB printed circuit board. Of course, it should be noted that in the present application, the terminal assembly 10 may also refer to only the lower cover module 2 or only the lower terminal module 22.

[0037] The above terminal assembly 10 (including the docking substrate 5) and the upper cover module 6 together form a plug-in space 60 for a card holder module (not shown) carrying an electronic card to be inserted. Specifically, the upper metal cover 61 includes a flat top plate 611, side plates 612 extending downward from both sides of the top plate 611, an end plate 614 extending downward from one end of the top plate 611, and a plurality of first fixing feet 613 further extending from the side plates 612 and the end plate 614. The lower metal cover 21 includes a flat bottom plate 211 and a plurality of second fixing feet 213 bent and extended upward from the four sides of the bottom plate 211. The plurality of first fixing feet 613 and the plurality of second fixing feet 213 are respectively used to be fixed to opposite two surfaces of the docking substrate 5.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3As shown, the upper terminal module 62 is integrally formed by injection molding and combined with the inner surface of the top plate 611 of the upper metal housing 61. The lower terminal module 22 is integrally formed by injection molding and combined with the inner surface of the bottom plate 211 of the lower metal housing 21 (the illustrated perspective is the upper surface, that is, the side surface facing the docking substrate 5). The docking substrate 5 defines an upper surface 501 and a lower surface 502. The upper metal housing 61 correspondingly covers the upper surface 501 of the docking substrate 5. The first fixing foot 613 is correspondingly fixed to the upper surface of the docking substrate 5. The upper metal housing 61 and the docking substrate 5 jointly define an insertion and extraction space 60 for inserting a docking module (the card tray module in this application). Specifically, the insertion and extraction space 60 is formed between the upper terminal module 62 and the docking substrate 5. The signal terminal member 622 is formed with a terminal contact portion (not labeled) protruding downward into the insertion and extraction space 60. The lower metal housing 21 is correspondingly combined with the lower surface 502 of the docking substrate 5. The second fixing foot 213 is correspondingly fixed to the lower surface of the docking substrate 5.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the terminal 1 includes a main body portion 11 and two additional arms 12 connected to the main body portion 11. The two additional arms 12 are arranged in parallel, and the main body portion 11 is located between the two additional arms 12. The main body portion 11 includes a contact portion 114 that is generally arc-shaped, a first elastic arm 111 extending obliquely downward from one side of the contact portion 114, and a second elastic arm 112 extending obliquely downward from the other side of the contact portion 114. The main body portion 11 further includes a first buffer portion 113 connected to the extended end of the first elastic arm 111 and a second buffer portion 115 connected to the extended end of the second elastic arm 112. The extended end of the first buffer portion 113 is connected to a first holding portion 116, and the extended end of the second buffer portion 115 is connected to a first holding portion 117. The first holding portion 116 and the second holding portion 117 are embedded in the second insulating body 221. The first holding portion 116 and the second holding portion 117 are both in a flat plate shape and are both horizontally arranged.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 4 to 6As shown, in the present application, the first buffer portion 113 and the second buffer portion 115 are non-flat. In one embodiment, the first buffer portion 113 is generally arc-shaped, and the arc bending direction of the arc-shaped first buffer portion 113 is opposite to the arc bending direction of the arc-shaped contact portion 114; the second buffer portion 115 is generally arc-shaped, and the arc bending direction of the arc-shaped second buffer portion 115 is opposite to the arc bending direction of the arc-shaped contact portion 114. The arc-shaped first buffer portion 113 and the second buffer portion 115 can play a role in dispersing stress when the terminal 1 deforms. When the contact portion 114 is subjected to a pressing force in the up and down direction (when the card tray module is inserted and pressed down), it can displace in the up and down direction to force the main body portion 11 to undergo elastic deformation. The first buffer portion 113 and the second buffer portion 115 make the elastic deformation of the main body portion 11 easier, and also enable the main body portion 11 to undergo a certain degree of elastic deformation in the insertion and extraction direction of the card tray module when forced to be pressed down, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal 1, making it easier for the main body portion 11 to undergo elastic deformation, reducing the possibility of plastic deformation of the terminal 1, and increasing the service life of the terminal 1.

[0041] In other embodiments, the first buffer portion 113 and the second buffer portion 115 can be designed into other shapes, such as a W shape, a horizontally placed S shape, a V shape, a U shape, etc. In a preferred example, the first buffer portion 113 includes a portion (not labeled, which can be combined with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 4 shown, with the first holding portion 116 as the reference plane) that extends and is located below the first holding portion 116 and a portion (not labeled, which can be combined with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 4 shown, with the first holding portion 116 as the reference plane) that extends and is located above the first holding portion 116. The second buffer portion 115 includes a portion (not labeled, which can be combined with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 4 shown, with the second holding portion 117 as the reference plane) that extends and is located below the second holding portion 117 and a portion (not labeled, which can be combined with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 4 shown, with the second holding portion 117 as the reference plane).

[0042] Please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, two additional arms 12 are connected to both sides of the first holding part 116. Each additional arm 12 includes a base part 121 and a docking foot part 122 connected to one end of the base part 121. Specifically, the base part 121 of the additional arm 12 is connected to the first holding part 116. The first holding part 116 and the base part 121 are in the same plane and are both held within the second insulating body 221. The second holding part 117 is also held within the second insulating body 221. The docking foot part 122 and the base part 121 are in different planes, and the docking foot part 122 is closer to the contact part 114 of the terminal 1 relative to the base part 121. The contact part 114 is used to contact a docking element (referring to an electronic card carried on a card tray module and inserted into the insertion / removal space 60).

[0043] Please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the above-mentioned terminal 1 includes two docking foot parts 122. A second fixing foot part 213 is provided between the two docking foot parts 122 of the same terminal 1. The two docking foot parts 122 correspondingly contact the docking substrate 5. Among them, the first elastic arm 111 includes two first elastic sub-arms 110 connected to each other. The connection part of the two first elastic sub-arms 110 is arc-shaped, and the arc bending direction of the connection part of the two first elastic sub-arms 110 is opposite to the arc bending direction of the first buffer part 113.

[0044] Refer to Figure 5 and in combination with Figure 4 As shown, further, the inclination angle of one first elastic sub-arm 110 connected to the contact part 114 is smaller than the inclination angle of the other first elastic sub-arm 110 away from the contact part 114. In this application, a through hole 2210 is formed in the second insulating body 221 corresponding to the position of the main body part 11. The first holding part 116 and the second holding part 117 are respectively buried in opposite two hole walls of the through hole 2210, and the main body part 11 protrudes upward from the through hole 2210 above the upper surface of the second insulating body 11.

[0045] Please refer to Figures 4 to 7 As shown, a through hole 51 is formed through the docking substrate 5. The docking foot part 122 of the terminal 1 is electrically connected to the lower surface 502 of the docking substrate 5. The first elastic arm 111 and the second elastic arm 112 pass through the through hole 51 and the contact part 114 at least partially protrudes above the upper surface 501 (protrudes into the insertion / removal space 60). So that the terminal 1 forms a sunken type of combination manner on the docking substrate 5.

[0046] In this application, further, the lower metal housing 21 also forms a strip-shaped cross beam part 212. The cross beam part 212 crosses the corresponding through hole 2210 on the second insulating body 221, and both ends of the cross beam part 212 are correspondingly buried in opposite two hole walls of the through hole 2210.

[0047] The electrical connector shown in the accompanying drawings of this application is a stacked electrical connector (that is, electronic cards are carried on both the upper and lower surfaces of the cartridge module). In other embodiments, the upper housing module 6 may also only include the upper metal housing 61, without providing the upper terminal module 62. The upper metal housing 61 is directly combined with the docking substrate 5 and cooperates with the terminal assembly 10 to form the entire electrical connector (that is, a single-layer electrical connector for cooperating with a single-layer electronic card).

[0048] In this application, through the structural design of the first buffer portion 113 and the second buffer portion 115, the stress during the deformation of the terminal 1 can be dispersed, improving the lifespan of the terminal 1. In addition, by making full use of the thickness of the docking substrate 5, the terminal 1 can have sufficient elastic deformation space in the up and down directions, thus preventing the risk of plastic deformation and yielding of the terminal 1. This gives greater space and possibilities to the structural design of the terminal 1. In certain usage scenarios, the extra space below the lower surface 502 of the docking substrate 5 can also be fully utilized, thereby reducing the overall height of the electrical connector. Of course, the electrical connector of this application also includes a card ejection mechanism and a switch terminal assembly. Since the card ejection mechanism and the switch terminal assembly are both prior arts, they will not be elaborated here.

[0049] Although the embodiments of this application have been shown and described, for those of ordinary skill in the art, it can be understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of this application. The scope of this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A terminal, comprising a main body, the main body comprising a contact portion, a first elastic arm extending downwardly obliquely from one side of the contact portion, and a second elastic arm extending downwardly obliquely from the other side of the contact portion, wherein the contact portion is used to contact a docking element, characterized in that: The main body also includes a first buffer portion connected to an extended end of the first elastic arm, and the extended end of the first buffer portion is connected to a first retaining portion; The first buffer portion is bent downward into a convex shape, and includes a portion extending below the first holding portion and a portion extending above the first holding portion; When the contact portion is subjected to a compressive force in the up-down direction, it can be displaced in the up-down direction to force the main body portion to undergo elastic deformation, and the first buffer portion facilitates the elastic deformation of the main body portion.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body also includes a second buffer portion connected to an extended end of the second elastic arm, the extended end of the second buffer portion is connected to a second retaining portion, and the second buffer portion facilitates the elastic deformation of the main body.

3. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The convex shape formed by bending the first buffer portion is a W shape, a horizontal S shape, a V shape, or a U shape.

4. The terminal according to claim 2, characterized in that: The contact portion is substantially arc-shaped, the arc bending direction of the first buffer portion is opposite to the arc bending direction of the contact portion, and the arc bending direction of the second buffer portion is opposite to the arc bending direction of the contact portion.

5. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The contact portion is convex upward.

6. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first elastic arm comprises two first elastic sub-arms connected to each other, the connection between the two first elastic sub-arms is arc-shaped, and the arc bending direction of the connection between the two first elastic sub-arms is opposite to the arc bending direction of the first buffer portion.

7. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first elastic arm includes two first elastic sub-arms connected to each other, wherein the inclination angle of one first elastic sub-arm connected to the contact portion is smaller than the inclination angle of the other first elastic sub-arm away from the contact portion.

8. The terminal according to claim 2, characterized in that: The terminal also includes two additional arms further extended from the first retaining portion and / or the second retaining portion, the two additional arms are located on the left and right sides of the main body, and each of the additional arms includes a base and at least one docking foot connected to the base for contacting the docking substrate.

9. The terminal according to claim 8, characterized in that: The two bases are connected to two sides of the first holding portion, the base and the first holding portion are located in the same plane, the docking foot and the base are located in different planes, and the docking foot is closer to the contact portion than the base.

10. A terminal assembly, comprising the terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: It also includes a second insulating body and a lower metal cover shell fixed integrally with the terminal, the second insulating body is fixed integrally with the lower metal cover shell, the lower metal cover shell extends to form a second fixing foot protruding out of the second insulating body and corresponding to the electrical contact with the docking substrate, the second insulating body is formed with a through hole at the position corresponding to the main body, the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion are respectively buried in the two opposite hole walls of the through hole, and the main body protrudes upward from the through hole to above the upper surface of the second insulating body.

11. The terminal assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: The lower metal cover is formed with a strip-shaped beam portion, the beam portion passes over the corresponding through hole, and two ends of the beam portion are correspondingly buried in two opposite hole walls of the through hole.

12. A terminal assembly, comprising the terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: It also includes a second insulating body fixed integrally with the terminal, the second insulating body has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to the main body, the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion are respectively buried in two opposite hole walls of the through hole, and the main body protrudes upward from the through hole to above the upper surface of the second insulating body.

13. The terminal assembly according to claim 10 or 12, characterized in that: It also includes a docking substrate, which is formed with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a through hole is formed through the docking substrate. The second insulating body is attached to the lower surface of the docking substrate, and the contact portion passes through the through hole and at least partially protrudes above the upper surface of the docking substrate. The first buffer portion and the second buffer portion do not extend downward beyond the lower surface of the second insulating body.

14. An electrical connector, comprising the terminal assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that: It also includes an upper cover shell module, which includes an upper metal cover shell, and the upper metal cover shell includes a top plate, side plates extending downward from both sides of the top plate, and a first fixed foot further extended from the side plate. The upper metal cover shell is correspondingly covered on the upper surface of the docking substrate, and the first fixed foot is correspondingly fixed to the docking substrate. The upper metal cover shell and the docking substrate jointly define a plug-in space for inserting the docking module, and the contact portion of the terminal at least partially protrudes into the plug-in space.

15. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that: It also includes an upper terminal module, which includes a first insulating body and a plurality of signal terminal pieces combined with the first insulating body. The upper terminal module is combined with the inner surface of the top plate. The plug-in space is formed between the upper terminal module and the docking substrate. The signal terminal piece is formed with a terminal contact portion protruding downward into the plug-in space.

Images