Electrical connectors

Abstract

This invention provides an electrical connector comprising an insulating body, conductive terminals, and a temperature-sensing element electrically connected to the conductive terminals. The insulating body has a terminal groove extending in a front-to-back direction, and the conductive terminals are housed in the terminal groove. Each conductive terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal that are mated together. The first terminal is in contact with the temperature-sensing element, and one end of the second terminal is in contact with the first terminal, while the other end is used to connect to the mating element. This electrical connector has high versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector. Background Technology

[0002] In the thermal management system of the battery management module (BMS) in traditional new energy vehicles, the temperature sensor used to detect temperature is usually fixed to the PCB or FPC / FFC by soldering. When the temperature sensor malfunctions, the entire battery pack needs to be disassembled for replacement. This replacement operation is relatively difficult and may damage the components, requiring recalibration. In addition, due to the different usage requirements of various types of interface components, the corresponding connectors need to be replaced for matching.

[0003] In view of this, it is necessary to improve the existing electrical connectors to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a highly versatile electrical connector.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides an electrical connector comprising an insulating body, conductive terminals, and a temperature sensing element electrically connected to the conductive terminals. The insulating body has a terminal groove extending in a front-rear direction, and the conductive terminals are housed in the terminal groove. The conductive terminals include a first terminal and a second terminal that are mated together. The first terminal is in contact with the temperature sensing element, and one end of the second terminal is in contact with the first terminal, while the other end is used to connect to the mating element.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first terminal is fixed in the terminal slot, and the second terminal is pluggably connected to the first terminal.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the insulating body has a main body portion and a receiving portion extending forward from the main body portion, the receiving portion forming a receiving cavity that is open to one side, the temperature sensing element being at least partially received in the receiving cavity and connected to the first terminal in the receiving cavity.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, each of the first terminals has a fixing portion fixed in the terminal slot, a contact arm disposed on one side of the fixing portion, and a docking arm disposed on the other side of the fixing portion. The contact arm protrudes into the receiving cavity to be connected to the temperature sensing element, and the docking arm is connected to the second terminal.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the plug portion of the second terminal is flat, and the docking portion of the docking arm is curved, having elasticity to elastically abut against the plug portion.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first terminal has a mating space that is rearwardly open for insertion of the plug portion.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, each of the first terminals also has a protective arm extending from the fixing portion, the protective arm and the insertion portion of the second terminal being located on both sides of the docking arm in the height direction.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first terminal also has a pressing portion disposed opposite to the docking arm in the height direction, the protrusion direction of the pressing portion being opposite to the protrusion direction of the docking portion of the docking arm, and the second terminal being sandwiched between the pressing portion and the docking portion.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the main body is opened outward to one side in its height direction to form an open portion, and the electrical connector also has a cover assembled in the open portion. The bottom wall of the first terminal extends rearward and forms a protrusion protruding from the rear side of the open portion. The cover abuts upward against the protrusion and at least partially covers the second terminal and the mating element.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the pressing part protrudes upward from the bottom wall, and the bottom wall and the docking arm are spaced apart to form a docking space for the insertion of the second terminal.

[0015] The electrical connector of the present invention sets the conductive terminals as a first terminal and a second terminal that are mated to each other. The first terminal is in contact with the temperature sensing element, and one end of the second terminal is in contact with the first terminal, while the other end is used to connect to the mating element. Thus, by replacing different second terminals, it can be adapted to different mating elements and usage requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another view of the electrical connector shown.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded 3D view of the electrical connector shown.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Another view of the electrical connector shown.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a further exploded view of the electrical connector after the insulating body and cover have been removed.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the first terminal of the electrical connector shown.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The electrical connector shown is a cross-sectional view.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The diagram shows a partially exploded view of the electrical connector after the insulating body has been removed.

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 The diagram shown is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector after the insulating body and cover have been removed. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10 The figure shown is a preferred embodiment of the electrical connector 100 of the present invention, wherein... Figures 1 to 7 The first embodiment of the electrical connector 100 Figures 8 to 10 This is a second embodiment of the electrical connector 100. In the first and second embodiments, the electrical connector 100 includes an insulating body 1, a conductive terminal 2, and a temperature sensing element 3 electrically connected to the conductive terminal 2.

[0028] Further, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the insulating body 1 has a terminal groove 101 extending in the front-back direction. The conductive terminal 2 is housed in the terminal groove 101. The conductive terminal 2 includes a first terminal 21 and a second terminal 23 that are mated to each other. The first terminal 21 is in contact with the temperature sensing element 3. One end of the second terminal 23 is in contact with the first terminal 21, and the other end is used to connect to the mating element 5.

[0029] Specifically, the insulating body 1 has a main body 11 and a receiving portion 12 extending forward from the main body 11. The receiving portion 12 forms a receiving cavity 120 that is open to one side. The temperature sensing element 3 is at least partially received in the receiving cavity 120 and connected to the first terminal 21 in the receiving cavity 120.

[0030] The receiving portion 12 also has a pair of raised portions 121 located within the receiving cavity 120. Each of the raised portions 121 protrudes upward and is in the shape of a strip extending in the front-back direction. The pair of raised portions 121 are arranged side by side and spaced apart in the transverse direction.

[0031] The main body 11 is opened outward to one side in its height direction to form an open portion 112. In this invention, the opening direction of the open portion 112 is opposite to the opening direction of the receiving portion 12. Specifically, in this embodiment, the receiving portion 12 is opened upward, and the open portion 112 is opened downward. In addition, the open portion 112 is opened downward and also backward to allow the second terminal 23 and the docking element 5 to be inserted forward.

[0032] Specifically, the main body 11 includes a pair of side plate portions 113 disposed opposite to each other and a top plate portion 114 connecting the pair of side plate portions 113. The open portion 112 is formed by the pair of side plate portions 113 and the top plate portion 114 and is open to the rear.

[0033] The main body 11 also has a partition wall 115 extending downward from the top plate 114, and in the transverse direction, the partition wall 115 is located between the pair of side plate portions 113.

[0034] In addition, the electrical connector 100 also has a cover 4 assembled to the open portion 112. The cover 4 covers the lower side of the main body portion 11 and includes a base 41, a pair of limiting walls 42 extending upward from the upper surface of the base 41, a pair of first stop blocks 43 disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the base 41, a pair of second stop blocks 44 disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the base 41, and a rear stop block 45 located on the rear side of the base 41.

[0035] The pair of first stop blocks 43 are located at the front of the cover 4 and are disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the cover 4 in the lateral direction, so that the first stop protrusion 431 formed on its outer side cooperates with the front of the main body 11; the rear stop block 45 is located at the rear end of the cover 4, and the second stop block 44 is disposed on both sides of the cover 4 in the lateral direction and adjacent to the rear stop block 45, so that the second stop protrusion 441 formed on its outer side cooperates with the rear of the main body 11; the rear stop block 45 is located on the lower side of the docking element 5 to provide support for it.

[0036] Furthermore, the pair of limiting walls 42 are spaced apart in the lateral direction and located at the center of the cover 4, with each limiting wall 42 extending in the front-rear direction. The spacer wall 115 is located within the space formed by the pair of limiting walls 42 for alignment and positioning.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the first terminal 21 is fixed in the terminal slot 101, and the second terminal 23 is pluggably in contact with the first terminal 21.

[0038] Each of the first terminals 21 has a fixing part 211 fixed in the terminal slot 101, a contact arm 212 disposed on one side of the fixing part 211, and a docking arm 213 disposed on the other side of the fixing part 211. The contact arm 212 protrudes into the receiving cavity 120 to be connected to the temperature sensing element 3, and the docking arm 213 is connected to the second terminal 23.

[0039] The contact arm 212 is positioned directly above the raised portion 121. Since the contact arm 212 has a flat, arm-shaped structure, the raised portion 121 can provide support for the contact arm 212 on its upper side to prevent the contact arm 212 from deforming downwards.

[0040] The insertion portion 231 of the second terminal 23 is flat, and the docking portion 2132 of the docking arm 213 is curved and elastic to elastically abut against the insertion portion 231. Each of the first terminals 21 has a rearwardly open docking space 210 for insertion of the insertion portion 231.

[0041] In addition, each of the first terminals 21 also has a protective arm 214 extending from the fixing part 211, and the protective arm 214 and the insertion part 231 of the second terminal 23 are respectively located on both sides of the docking arm 213 in the height direction.

[0042] The protective arm 214 is located on the non-dating side of the docking arm 213. The non-dating side is the side of the docking arm 213 that is in contact with the second terminal 23 and is opposite to it. In this embodiment, the non-dating side is the upper side of the docking arm 213, and the rearward extension length of the protective arm 214 is less than the rearward extension length of the docking arm 213, so that the rear end of the protective arm 214 is located in front of the rear end of the docking arm 213.

[0043] Each of the first terminals 21 further has a pressing portion 215 disposed opposite to the docking arm 213 in the height direction, the protrusion direction of the pressing portion 215 being opposite to the protrusion direction of the docking portion 2132 of the docking arm 213, and the second terminal 23 being sandwiched between the pressing portion 215 and the docking portion 2132.

[0044] Specifically, the first terminal 21 includes a bottom wall 216 and a pair of side walls 217 disposed opposite each other on both sides of the bottom wall 216 in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, the fixing part 211 extends forward from the bottom wall 216 in a flat manner. The protective arm 214 is connected to one of the side walls 217 through a first connecting wall 2181. The docking arm 213 is connected to the other side wall 217 through a second connecting wall 2182. The first connecting wall 2181 is stacked on the upper side of the second connecting wall 2182.

[0045] The bottom wall 216 of the first terminal 21 extends rearward and forms a protrusion 2161 protruding from the rear side of the opening 112. The cover 4 abuts upward against the protrusion 2161 and at least partially covers the second terminal 23 and the docking element 5.

[0046] The pressing part 215 protrudes upward from the bottom wall 216, and the bottom wall 216 and the docking arm 213 are spaced apart to form a docking space 210 for the second terminal 23 to be inserted.

[0047] The first terminal 21 also has a shielding portion 219 located at its rear. The shielding portion 219 is T-shaped from top to bottom and has a crossbeam 2191 extending in the lateral direction and a folded portion 2192 formed by bending downward from the rear end of the crossbeam 2191, so that the vertical cross-section of the shielding portion 219 along its middle in the lateral direction is L-shaped. The folded portion 2192 partially covers the docking space 210 from the rear side, which can protect the docking arm 213 when the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 23 are docked, thereby preventing the second terminal 23 from damaging the docking arm 213 when it is improperly inserted.

[0048] Additionally, the electrical connector 100 also has an insulating member (not shown) housed within the insulating body 1 and enclosing the temperature-sensing element 3. This insulating member encloses the connection portion between the temperature-sensing element 3 and the conductive terminal 2. In the embodiment shown in this invention, the temperature-sensing element 3 is completely housed within the receiving cavity 120, the pair of pins 31 are connected to the contact arm of the first terminal 21, and the molten plastic material forming the insulating member fills the receiving cavity 120, enclosing the temperature-sensing element 3 and its connection portion with the contact arm.

[0049] When the electrical connector 100 of the present invention is mated, the mating element 5 is first electrically connected to the connecting pin 232 of the second terminal 23. Then, the second terminal 23 connected to the mating element 5 is inserted from back to front into the mating space 210 of the first terminal 21 and sandwiched between the mating arm 213 and the pressing part 215 to make pressing contact with both.

[0050] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the docking element 5 is a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible circuit board (FPC), and when the docking element 5 is a flexible flat cable, its signal contact is more stable, thereby having more stable electrical connection and signal transmission performance.

[0051] In addition, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the docking element 5 has a pair of docking tongues 51 arranged side by side and spaced apart in the lateral direction for electrical connection with the corresponding second terminal 23, each of the docking tongues 51 having a through hole 512 formed therethrough in the height direction.

[0052] The second terminal 23 also has a connecting foot 232 that is perpendicular to the plug portion 231. The connecting foot 232 extends from the plug portion 231 and is inserted into the through hole 512 of the mating element 5 and is mechanically and electrically connected to it.

[0053] Please refer to Figures 8 to 10 The diagram shows a second embodiment of the electrical connector 100 of the present invention. The basic structure and assembly relationship of the electrical connector 100 are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here. The following description only focuses on the differences:

[0054] In this embodiment, the docking element 5 is a cable that is crimped to the conductive terminal 2. The cable has good bending performance and can be used in spaces that require bending. In addition, in this embodiment, in order to meet the requirements of the docking element (cable) 5, the second terminal 23 has a holding part 233 that is positioned with the insulating body 1 and a crimping part 234 that is connected to the docking element 5. The cover 4 has a receiving groove 47 located at its rear end and recessed downward to adapt to the insulating outer sheath of the cable 5.

[0055] As described in the first and second embodiments, the first terminal 21 can be connected to the second terminal 23 in both the first and second embodiments, which has better versatility and can meet the usage requirements of different types of docking elements 5.

[0056] The electrical connector 100 of the present invention sets the conductive terminals 2 as a first terminal 21 and a second terminal 23 that are mated to each other. The first terminal 21 is in contact with the temperature sensing element 3, and one end of the second terminal 23 is in contact with the first terminal 21 and the other end is used to connect to the mating element 5. Thus, by replacing different second terminals 23, it can be adapted to different mating elements and usage requirements.

[0057] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising an insulating body, conductive terminals, and a temperature-sensing element electrically connected to the conductive terminals, wherein the insulating body has a terminal groove extending in a front-rear direction, and the conductive terminals are received in the terminal groove, characterized in that: The conductive terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal that are mated to each other. The first terminal is in contact with the temperature sensing element. One end of the second terminal is in contact with the first terminal and the other end is used to connect to the mating element. The second terminal is a component of the electrical connector and is completely housed in the terminal slot. Different second terminals can be plugged into contact with the first terminal to adapt to different mating elements.

2. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first terminal is fixed inside the terminal slot.

3. The electrical connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The insulating body has a main body and a receiving portion extending forward from the main body. The receiving portion has a receiving cavity that is open to one side. The temperature sensing element is at least partially received in the receiving cavity and connected to the first terminal in the receiving cavity.

4. The electrical connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the first terminals has a fixing portion fixed in the terminal slot, a contact arm disposed on one side of the fixing portion, and a docking arm disposed on the other side of the fixing portion. The contact arm protrudes into the receiving cavity to be connected to the temperature sensing element, and the docking arm is connected to the second terminal.

5. The electrical connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The second terminal has a flat plug portion and the docking arm has a curved docking portion that is elastic to elastically abut against the plug portion.

6. The electrical connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The first terminal has a mating space that is rearwardly open for insertion of the plug portion.

7. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the first terminals also has a protective arm extending from the fixing portion, the protective arm and the insertion portion of the second terminal being located on both sides of the docking arm in the height direction.

8. The electrical connector as described in any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that: The first terminal also has a pressing portion disposed opposite to the docking arm in the height direction, the protrusion direction of the pressing portion being opposite to the protrusion direction of the docking portion of the docking arm, and the second terminal being sandwiched between the pressing portion and the docking portion.

9. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The main body is opened outward to one side in its height direction to form an open portion. The electrical connector also has a cover assembled to the open portion. The bottom wall of the first terminal extends rearward and forms a protrusion protruding from the rear side of the open portion. The cover abuts upward against the protrusion and at least partially covers the second terminal and the mating element.

10. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The pressing part protrudes upward from the bottom wall, and the bottom wall and the docking arm are spaced apart to form a docking space for the insertion of the second terminal.

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