Electrical connection device for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

An electrical connection device for a vehicle includes a male connector housing having a blade terminal mounting portion, a female connector housing coupled to the male connector housing and having a tab terminal mounting portion, a blade terminal mounted in the blade terminal mounting portion, and a tab terminal mounted in the tab terminal mounting portion to connect to the blade terminal when the male and female connector housings are coupled to each other. An embodiment blade terminal includes a terminal body having a first connecting portion and a contact spring inserted into an inner side of the first connecting portion to connect the terminal body and the tab terminal to each other by contact with the tab terminal when the tab terminal is inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electrical connection device for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles are typically equipped with various electrical and electronic devices to enhance performance and improve convenience. These devices are electrically connected to other devices via cables and connectors. Connectors are used to transmit current and electrical signals between power sources and devices, as well as between devices themselves.

[0003] In the case of a high-power connector for a vehicle, it is configured to transmit higher power in the vehicle and includes a connector housing configured to realize a mechanical connection of the connector and connector terminals configured to realize an electrical connection of the connector.

[0004] The connector terminals are configured with an annular shape to transmit high voltage and high current. An annular contact spring is provided within the connector terminals for stable connection with mating connector terminals.

[0005] When the current capacity applied to a conventional high-power connector increases, the cross-sectional area of ​​the circular connector terminals used in the conventional high-power connector must be increased, resulting in an increase in the structural radius. Consequently, the size of the high-power connector increases inefficiently.

[0006] Furthermore, the problem is that the larger the size of high-power connectors becomes, the less satisfactory the finger safety structures for worker safety are likely to be. For example, the larger the size of a high-power connector, the more likely an operator's fingers are to come into contact with the connector, and therefore, the increased risk of electric shock to the operator when the connector is energized.

[0007] The foregoing is intended only to help understand the background of this disclosure and is not intended to imply that this disclosure falls within the scope of related technologies known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure relates to an electrical connection device for a vehicle. Specific embodiments relate to an electrical connection device for a vehicle that maintains a stable electrical connection even when the vehicle is vibrating.

[0009] This disclosure has taken into account the problems that occur in the related art, and this disclosure provides an electrical connection device for a vehicle that can solve the problems of conventional ring connectors and allow for structurally stable electrical connections.

[0010] To achieve the above embodiments, an electrical connection device for a vehicle can be provided. The device includes: a male connector housing having a blade terminal mounting portion; a female connector housing configured to be connected to the male connector housing and having a tab terminal mounting portion; a blade terminal mounted in the blade terminal mounting portion; and a tab terminal mounted in the tab terminal mounting portion and configured to connect to the blade terminal when the male connector housing and the female connector housing are connected to each other. The blade terminal may include a terminal body having: a first connecting portion configured to achieve an electrical connection with the tab terminal; and a contact spring assembled in a state of being inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion, and configured to connect the terminal body and the tab terminal to each other by contacting the tab terminal when the tab terminal is inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion.

[0011] Specifically, the contact spring may include: a fixed contact portion configured to elastically contact the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion when disposed inside the first connecting portion; and a pair of movable contact portions integrally formed on the upper and lower portions of the fixed contact portion, respectively, and configured to elastically contact the outer circumferential surface of the contact terminal when pressed by the contact terminal inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion.

[0012] Each movable contact may include a plurality of contact beams having a front end integrally formed with a fixed contact and a rear end connected to each other. Each contact beam may have a front contact and a rear contact formed by bending its center portion. The front and rear contact portions may be formed at the center portion of the contact beam on opposite sides toward the inner peripheral surface of the first connector. Each contact portion elastically presses the outer peripheral surface of the tab terminal by an elastic restoring force generated when pressed by the outer peripheral surface of the tab terminal inserted into the inner side of the first connector.

[0013] The rear contact portion can be arranged at regular intervals behind the front contact portion, and when inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion, the contact terminal can contact the front contact portion and then contact the rear contact portion.

[0014] The fixed contact portion may include: an upper plate configured to elastically contact the upper inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion; a lower plate configured to elastically contact the lower inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion; and a center plate formed by extending by bending into an arc shape at the rear ends of the upper plate and the lower plate, thereby connecting the rear ends of the upper plate and the rear ends of the lower plate to each other.

[0015] The first connection portion may be formed as having a U-shaped cross section and including a front opening on the front surface and a pair of side openings on the side surfaces, the front opening being configured to accommodate the contact terminal therein.

[0016] Fixing grooves arranged on opposite side openings can be formed on the side surfaces of the first connecting portion, and side surface fixing portions configured to be inserted into and assembled with the fixing grooves can be formed on the upper plate and the lower plate respectively.

[0017] The front fixing part can be formed on the upper plate and the lower plate respectively. The front fixing part is configured to be hooked by the front surface of the first connecting part, so as to be in close contact with the first connecting part. The front fixing part of the upper plate and the front fixing part of the lower plate can be arranged on opposite sides of the front opening.

[0018] The upper stop block, which is formed by bending and extending in the downward direction, can be formed on the left and right surfaces of the upper plate, respectively, and the lower stop block, which is formed by bending and extending in the upward direction, can be formed on the left and right surfaces of the lower plate, respectively.

[0019] The terminal body may include a central body portion and a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion formed on opposite sides of the central body portion, wherein the second connecting portion may be arranged at a position opposite to the first connecting portion.

[0020] The second connecting portion may be formed in the same shape as the first connecting portion, wherein the contact spring is installed inside the second connecting portion.

[0021] As described above, by addressing the problem, the electrical connection device for a vehicle according to embodiments of this disclosure provides the following main effects.

[0022] First, the blade terminals and the contact terminals are connected by a predetermined multiple connection structures using contact springs, thereby maintaining a stable electrical connection even when the vehicle is under high vibration.

[0023] Second, by using blade-type terminals, the increase in terminal size caused by the increase in current carrying capacity can be reduced compared to related technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The above and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view showing an electrical connection device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a combined perspective view showing an electrical connection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 3A It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken from line AA in the diagram;

[0028] Figure 3B It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken from line BB in the middle;

[0029] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view showing the blade terminals in a configuration of an electrical connection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the combination of blade terminals according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the combined state of the blade terminal and the tab terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a side view showing the combined state of the blade terminal and the tab terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing a contact spring in a blade terminal configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a side view showing a contact spring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 10 This is a view showing the state in which the contact spring is assembled to the first connection portion of the terminal body in a configuration of the blade terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 11 This is a view showing the connection sequence of the blade terminal and the tab terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing a contact spring according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0038] Figure 13 This is a side view showing the first connection portion of a blade terminal provided with a stop according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0039] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic diagrams provided for easy explanation of the embodiments of the present disclosure and may differ from actual implementations.

[0040] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a component, it means that other components may be included rather than excluded, unless there is an explicit statement to the contrary.

[0041] The electrical connection device for a vehicle according to embodiments of this disclosure is a connector assembly type including a male connector and a female connector, such as... Figures 1 to 3B As shown, the electrical connection device for a vehicle includes: a male connector housing 1 equipped with blade terminals 100; and a female connector housing 3 equipped with tab terminals 200.

[0042] The male connector housing 1 is provided with a blade terminal mounting part 2, which is configured to mount blade terminals 100, and the female connector housing 3 is provided with a contact terminal mounting part 4, which is configured to mount contact terminals 200.

[0043] The blade terminal 100 is inserted into and installed inside the blade terminal mounting part 2, and can be installed and fixed to the blade terminal mounting part 2 using a common connector terminal mounting method (e.g., adhesive or press fit).

[0044] The tab terminal 200 is inserted into and installed inside the tab terminal mounting part 4, and like the blade terminal 100, the tab terminal can be installed and fixed to the tab terminal mounting part 4 using a common connector terminal mounting method (e.g., adhesive or press fit).

[0045] When the male connector housing 1 and the female connector housing 3 are connected to each other, the tab terminal 200 is electrically connected to the blade terminal 100.

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the blade terminal 100 includes a terminal body 110 and a contact spring 120 installed in the terminal body 110.

[0047] The terminal body 110 includes a central body portion 111 and a first connecting portion 112 and a second connecting portion 116 integrally formed on opposite sides of the central body portion 111. This terminal body 110 can be manufactured using an elastic body in which the central portions of two plates are tightly joined by a clinching method.

[0048] The first connecting part 112 is configured to realize an electrical connection with the contact terminal 200 and can be formed with an approximately U-shaped cross section, specifically a U-shaped structure with three open sides.

[0049] More specifically, the first connection portion 112 may include a front opening portion 113 and a pair of side opening portions 114, the front opening portion 113 being configured to receive the tab terminal 200 therein.

[0050] The front opening 113 is the open portion at the center of the front surface of the first connecting portion 112, and the side openings 114 are the open portions at the center of the left and right surfaces of the first connecting portion 112, respectively.

[0051] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the contact spring 120 is assembled in the state of being inserted into the first connecting part 112, and contacts the contact terminal 200 when the contact terminal 200 is inserted into the first connecting part 112, thereby allowing the terminal body 110 and the contact terminal 200 to contact each other.

[0052] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the contact spring 120 may include a fixed contact portion 121 and a pair of movable contact portions 128.

[0053] The fixed contact portion 121 is the portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the first connecting portion 112 when it is arranged inside the first connecting portion 112 of the terminal body 110. The movable contact portion 128 is a portion that is integrally formed with the upper side (i.e., the upper plate) and the lower side (i.e., the lower plate) of the fixed contact portion 121, so as to elastically contact the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion 112.

[0054] The fixed contact portion 121 may be formed with an approximately U-shaped cross-section, and can be inserted in a slightly compressed state when assembled by being inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion 112, such as... Figure 10 As shown. Therefore, the fixed contact portion 121 can more stably adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 112 through the elastic restoring force.

[0055] Specifically, the fixed contact portion 121 may include an upper plate 122, a lower plate 123, and a center plate 124 integrally connecting the upper plate 122 and the lower plate 123.

[0056] The upper plate 122 is in elastic and tight contact with the upper inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 112. An upper opening 122a, formed by an upper movable contact portion 128a, is provided at its center. The upper movable contact portion extends from its front end, which is integrally formed with the upper plate 122. Inside the upper opening 122a, the upper movable contact portion 128a can be arranged to extend without interfering with the upper plate 122.

[0057] The lower plate 123 is in elastic and tight contact with the lower inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 112. A lower opening 123a, formed by a lower movable contact portion 128b, is provided at its center. The lower movable contact portion extends from its front end, which is integrally formed with the lower plate 123. Inside the lower opening 123a, the lower movable contact portion 128b can be arranged to extend without interfering with the upper plate 123.

[0058] The center plate 124 extends from the rear ends of the upper plate 122 and the lower plate 123, and can integrally connect the rear ends of the upper plate 122 and the lower plate 123. In order to effectively restore the elasticity of the fixed contact portion 121 of the first connecting portion 112 assembled to the terminal body 110, the center plate 124 can be formed in a curved form. More specifically, the center plate 124 can be formed with a U-shaped cross section.

[0059] The movable contact portion 128 makes elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 through an elastic restoring force, which is generated by the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 pressing when the contact terminal 200 is inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion 112.

[0060] The movable contact portion 128 may have a front end integrally formed with the fixed contact portion 121, and a rear end and a side end separate from the fixed contact portion 121.

[0061] Specifically, the upper movable contact portion 128a can be formed by extending from its front end integrally formed with the upper plate 122, and the lower movable contact portion 128b can be formed by extending from its front end integrally formed with the lower plate 123.

[0062] The movable contact portion 128 may include a plurality of contact beams 129 having front ends that are integrally formed with the fixed contact portion and rear ends that are connected to each other.

[0063] Multiple contact beams 129 can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and in this case, slots 130 can be provided between the multiple contact beams 129 respectively. The contact beams 129 can be arranged at regular intervals from each other through the slots 130. Here, the left-right direction can be a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the contact terminal 200 inserted into the first connecting portion 112 of the terminal body 110.

[0064] Each contact beam 129 has two rows of contact structures that abut against the contact terminal 200.

[0065] Specifically, each contact beam 129 has a front contact portion 129a and a rear contact portion 129b formed by bending its center portion. The front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b are formed protruding towards opposite sides of the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 112. At this time, by providing the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b, the center portion of each contact beam 129 can have an approximately W-shaped cross-sectional structure.

[0066] The front contact portion 129a elastically presses the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 by an elastic restoring force, which is generated by the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion 112.

[0067] In the same manner, the rear contact portion 129b elastically presses the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 by an elastic restoring force generated by the pressing of the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion 112.

[0068] Therefore, each contact beam 129 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200 and is pressed twice simultaneously.

[0069] At this time, the rear contact portion 129b is arranged at a regular distance behind the front contact portion 129a, and when it is inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion 112, the contact terminal 200 contacts the front contact portion 129a and then contacts the rear contact portion 129b.

[0070] In addition, the contact beam 129 simultaneously contacts the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal 200, but is pressed and unfolded separately by the contact terminal 200, and elastically maintains contact with the contact terminal 200.

[0071] More specifically, with reference to the insertion direction of the connector terminal 200, the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b are arranged to be spaced apart from each other. With reference to the insertion direction of the connector terminal 200, the front contact portion 129a is arranged in front of the rear contact portion 129b.

[0072] Therefore, when inserted into the first connecting portion 112 of the assembled contact spring 120, as Figure 11 As shown, the contact terminal 200 first contacts the front contact portion 129a located at the front, and then contacts the rear contact portion 129b located at the rear.

[0073] As a typical connector assembly, the aforementioned electrical connection device for vehicles also includes interlocking terminals for the male connector and interlocking terminals for the female connector. With the male connector interlocking terminals and the female connector interlocking terminals separate, the two connector interlocking terminals maintain a certain distance from each other when each front contact 129a contacts the tab terminal 200, thereby preventing overcurrent when current is applied.

[0074] Furthermore, the contact spring 120 configured as described above is structured such that when the movable contact portion 128 contacts the contact terminal 200, neither the movable contact portion 128 nor the fixed contact portion 121 undergoes plastic deformation. In other words, the contact spring 120 is structured such that plastic deformation does not occur due to the connection between the movable contact portion 128 and the contact terminal 200.

[0075] Therefore, when the movable contact 128 is mechanically and physically separated from the contact terminal 200, the contact spring 120 returns to its original shape.

[0076] To ensure the shape recovery and connection stability of the contact spring 120, such as Figure 9 As shown, the contact spring 120 may have predetermined values, each predetermined value being set for the following: the distance between the upper front contact portion 129a and the lower front contact portion 129a; the distance between the upper rear contact portion 129b and the lower rear contact portion 129b; the distance between the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b; the distance between the front contact portion 129a and its support point P1; the distance between the rear contact portion 129b and its support point P2; and the height difference between the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b.

[0077] In this case, the heights of the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b can be determined based on the inner circumferential surface of the first contact portion 112. In the case of the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b of the upper movable contact portion 128a, the aforementioned heights can be set based on the upper inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 112; and in the case of the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b of the lower movable contact portion 128b, the aforementioned heights can be set based on the lower inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion 112.

[0078] The front contact portion 129a may be formed to have a smaller height than the rear contact portion 129b. That is, the rear contact portion 129b may be formed to have a larger height than the front contact portion 129a. In this case, the height difference between the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b can be determined to be a conventional value.

[0079] The spring characteristics can be improved by adjusting the design factors of the contact spring 120 as described above, and the spring characteristics of the contact spring 120 can be further improved by adjusting the number of contact beams 129 and the height of the contact spring 120 in the vertical direction relative to the width of the movable contact portion 128.

[0080] Specifically, the front contact portion 129a is formed to have a smaller height than the rear contact portion 129b, so that the tab terminal 200 contacts the front contact portion 129a and then contacts the rear contact portion 129b. Therefore, the contact pressure of the movable contact portion 128 relative to the outer peripheral surface of the tab terminal 200 is increased, and the balance between the insertion force and withdrawal force of the tab terminal 200 against the contact spring 120 is improved. As a result, the connection stability from the contact spring 120 to the tab terminal 200 is improved to maintain a stable connection state.

[0081] At the same time, such as Figures 4 to 7 As shown, a fixing groove 115 is formed on the side surface of the first connecting part 112, and side surface fixing parts 125 are respectively provided on the upper plate 122 and the lower plate 123 of the contact spring 120, which are configured to be inserted into the fixing groove 115 respectively.

[0082] Fixing grooves 115 are respectively formed on the opposite side surfaces of the upper and lower sides of the first connecting portion 112, so that the first connecting portion 112 may have a total of four fixing grooves 115.

[0083] The fixing groove 115 can be arranged on the opposite side of the side opening 114 of the first connecting part 112 by being provided on the side surface of the first connecting part 112.

[0084] The side surface fixing part 125 can be formed on the left and right sides of the upper plate 122 and the left and right sides of the lower plate 123 respectively. It can extend upward from the side surface of the upper plate 122 and be bent relative to the side surface of the upper plate 122, and can extend downward from the side surface of the lower plate 123 and be bent relative to the side surface of the lower plate 123.

[0085] When the contact spring 120 is fully inserted into the first connecting part 112, the side surface fixing part 125 can be simultaneously inserted into and fixed to each fixing groove 115 formed on the upper and lower side surfaces of the first connecting part 112.

[0086] The contact spring 120 can be inserted into the inner side of the first connecting part 112 while compressed, and the side surface fixing parts 125 can be assembled in the slots 115 as the contact spring 120 returns to its initial shape during its insertion.

[0087] Such a side surface fixing part 125 can prevent the contact spring 120 from separating from the first connecting part 112.

[0088] Additionally, the upper plate 122 and the lower plate 123 may each have a front fixing portion 126. The front fixing portion 126 of the upper plate 122 may extend upward from the front surface of the upper plate 122 and be formed to be curved relative to the front surface of the upper plate 122, and the front fixing portion 126 of the lower plate 123 may extend downward from the front surface of the lower plate 123 and be formed to be curved relative to the front surface of the lower plate 122.

[0089] Therefore, when the contact spring 120 is fully inserted into the first connecting portion 112, the front fixing portion 126 can hook onto each of the upper and lower front surfaces of the first connecting portion 112 to form a tight contact. That is, the front fixing portion 126 can be locked while in tight contact with the upper and lower front surfaces of the first connecting portion 112.

[0090] When the contact spring 120 is fully inserted into the first connecting part 112, the front fixing part 126 of the upper plate 122 and the front fixing part 126 of the lower plate 123 can be respectively arranged on the opposite side of the front opening 113 of the first connecting part 112.

[0091] In addition, such as Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the second connecting portion 116 of the terminal body 110 may be formed to extend at the end of the central body portion 111 and be arranged at a position opposite to the first connecting portion 112.

[0092] The second connecting portion 116 is the part into which the busbar 300 to be connected to the connector terminal 200 is inserted, and can be electrically connected to electrical and electronic devices via the busbar 300 assembled to the male connector housing 1. In this case, the electrical and electronic devices may be one of the electrical and electronic devices installed in the vehicle.

[0093] To stably maintain the connection with the busbar 300, the second connecting portion 116 can be assembled with the contact spring 120' in a similar manner to the first connecting portion 112. The contact spring 120' is formed with the same structure as the contact spring 120 described above and can perform the same function.

[0094] In this configuration, the second connecting portion 116 may be formed with the same structure as the first connecting portion 112, and may be formed symmetrical to the first connecting portion 112 with respect to the central body portion 111. The second connecting portion 116 may perform the same function as the first connecting portion 112. The second connecting portion 116 has a side opening 114' and a fixing groove 115'.

[0095] Here, the second connecting part 116 can be formed as an upper plate 122 and a lower plate 123 having the same structure, and the upper plate 122 and the lower plate 123 can be formed to achieve symmetry with respect to the central plate 124.

[0096] Even when the vehicle experiences significant vibration, the electrical connection device configured as described above can maintain a stable electrical connection between the contact terminal 200 and the terminal body 110 via the contact spring 120.

[0097] Here, a conductive elastic body is used in the terminal body 110, the tab terminal 200, and the contact spring 120.

[0098] In addition, since the terminal body 110 has a U-shaped cross-sectional structure with a front opening 113 and a side opening 114, the electrical connection device can stably connect to the contact terminal 200 even if the female connector housing 3 is changed relative to the male connector housing 1, and can cope with various types of connector connection structures.

[0099] On the other hand, when the tab terminal 200 and the blade terminal 100 are connected in an incomplete state, plastic deformation may occur in the contact spring 120 when the movable contact portion 128 is excessively pressed by the tab terminal 200. For example, if the connection between the male connector housing 1 and the female connector housing 3 is incomplete, the tab terminal 200 and the blade terminal 100 may be connected in an incomplete state.

[0100] To prevent plastic deformation of the movable contact portion 128 due to incomplete connection between the contact terminal 200 and the blade terminal 100, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, an upper stop 131 and a lower stop 132 can be formed at the contact spring 120.

[0101] Upper stop 131 and lower stop 132 are formed on the side surface of contact spring 120 to prevent plastic deformation of movable contact portion 128.

[0102] Specifically, the upper stop block 131 is formed on the left and right sides of the upper plate 122, and the lower stop block 132 is formed on the left and right sides of the lower plate 123.

[0103] For example, the upper stop 131 may be formed on the left and right surfaces of the upper plate 122 in a downward bending manner, and the lower stop 132 may be formed on the left and right surfaces of the lower plate 123 in an upward bending manner, respectively.

[0104] The upper stop 131 and the lower stop 132 selectively contact the upper and lower surfaces of the contact terminal 200 inserted into the contact spring 120, thereby preventing the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b of the movable contact portion 128 from being excessively pressed. The upper stop 131 prevents excessive deformation of the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b by contacting its lower end with the upper surface of the contact terminal 200, and the lower stop 132 prevents excessive deformation of the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b by contacting its upper end with the lower surface of the contact terminal 200.

[0105] When the contact terminal 200 is pressed and deformed, the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b are only pressed to the lower position of the upper stop block 131 and the upper position of the lower stop block 132. Therefore, when the contact terminal 200 and the blade terminal 100 are connected, the heights H1 and H2 of the upper stop block 131 and the lower stop block 132 can be set according to the maximum amount of pressing of the contact terminal 200.

[0106] More specifically, the upper stop 131 and the lower stop 132 prevent the movable contact portion 128 from deforming beyond its elastic limit due to the tab terminal 200 when the tab terminal 200 and the blade terminal 100 are not fully connected. Therefore, when the tab terminal 200 is separated from the blade terminal 100 and the load on the tab terminal 200 is removed, the movable contact portion 128 can return to its original shape.

[0107] In addition, when the vehicle body vibrates greatly, the upper stop 131 and the lower stop 132 can protect the front contact portion 129a and the rear contact portion 129b from the vibration of the contact terminal 200, thus maintaining a stable connection between the contact terminal 200 and the blade terminal 100.

[0108] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Furthermore, since the configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the accompanying drawings described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the invention, the scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Moreover, it should be noted that various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims are included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical connection device for a vehicle, the electrical connection device comprising: The male connector housing has a blade terminal mounting section; The female connector housing is configured to be connected to the male connector housing and has a contact terminal mounting portion; The blade terminal is installed in the blade terminal mounting part; as well as A contact terminal is mounted in the contact terminal mounting portion and configured to connect to the blade terminal when the male connector housing and the female connector housing are connected to each other. The blade terminal includes: The terminal body has a first connecting portion configured to achieve an electrical connection with the contact terminal; and The contact spring is assembled in a state of being inserted into the inside of the first connecting portion, and is configured to connect the terminal body and the contact terminal to each other by contacting the contact terminal when the contact terminal is inserted into the inside of the first connecting portion. The contact spring includes: A fixed contact portion is configured to elastically contact the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion when disposed inside the first connecting portion; and A pair of movable contact portions are integrally formed on the upper and lower portions of the fixed contact portion, respectively, and are configured to elastically contact the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal when pressed by the contact terminal inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion. Each of the movable contact portions has a rear end and a side end separate from the fixed contact portion; each of the movable contact portions includes a plurality of contact beams, the plurality of contact beams having a front end integrally formed with the fixed contact portion and a rear end connected to each other; and each of the contact beams has a front contact portion and a rear contact portion formed by bending its central portion, such that the height of the front contact portion is less than the height of the rear contact portion, the height of the front contact portion and the height of the rear contact portion being determined with reference to the inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion; The front contact portion and the rear contact portion are formed at the center of the contact beam on opposite sides facing the inner peripheral surface of the first connecting portion, and each of the front contact portion and the rear contact portion is configured to elastically press the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal by an elastic restoring force generated when the outer peripheral surface of the contact terminal inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion is pressed. The rear contact portions are arranged at regular intervals behind the front contact portions; and the contact terminal is configured to contact the front contact portion and then the rear contact portion when inserted into the inner side of the first connecting portion. The fixed contact portion includes: The upper plate is configured to elastically contact the upper inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion; The lower plate is configured to elastically contact the lower inner circumferential surface of the first connecting portion; and The center plate is bent into an arc shape at the rear ends of the upper plate and the lower plate, and connects the rear ends of the upper plate and the lower plate to each other.

2. The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein, The first connecting portion has a U-shaped cross-section and includes a front opening on the front surface and a pair of side openings on the side surfaces, the front opening being configured to receive the contact terminal therein.

3. The electrical connection device according to claim 2, wherein: Fixing grooves arranged on opposite side openings are formed on the side surface of the first connecting portion; and Side surface fixing portions are formed on the upper plate and the lower plate, respectively, configured to be inserted into and assembled with the fixing groove.

4. The electrical connection device according to claim 3, wherein: A front fixing portion is formed on the upper plate and the lower plate respectively, and the front fixing portion is configured to be hooked by the front surface of the first connecting portion and in close contact with the first connecting portion; and The front fixing part of the upper plate and the front fixing part of the lower plate are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the front opening.

5. The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein, Upper blocks that bend downwards are formed on the left and right surfaces of the upper plate, respectively, and lower blocks that bend upwards are formed on the left and right surfaces of the lower plate, respectively.

6. The electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The terminal body also includes: Central body section; and The second connecting portion is formed on opposite sides of the central body portion, and the second connecting portion is arranged at a position opposite to the first connecting portion.

7. The electrical connection device according to claim 6, wherein, The second connecting portion is formed with the same shape as the first connecting portion.

8. The electrical connection device according to claim 7, further comprising a contact spring mounted inside the second connection portion.

9. A vehicle comprising: Vehicle body; Electrical and electronic devices are installed in the vehicle body; as well as The electrical connection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrical connection device is electrically connected to the electrical and electronic device.

Images