Terminal assembly and vehicle control system

Abstract

The application relates to a terminal assembly and a vehicle control system, the terminal assembly comprising a base and a sleeve sleeved on the base, the base comprising a fixed part and a butt joint part fixed in the sleeve, one end of the fixed part being fixed in a shell of the vehicle control system, the other end of the fixed part being mounted on a circuit board, and the butt joint part and the fixed part being in an integrated structure. The terminal assembly of the application does not need a welding process between the butt joint part and the fixed part, thereby improving the stability of electrical connection of the terminal assembly and reducing various disadvantages caused by welding, such as insecure welding, welding cracks and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a terminal assembly and an automotive control system, and more particularly to a terminal assembly and an automotive control system for improving the stability of electrical connections. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional terminal assemblies are typically used in the ESC (Electronic Stability Controller) of automotive one-box braking systems. In traditional terminal assemblies, the mating and fixing parts are separately molded and then soldered together to achieve fixation and electrical conductivity. Existing Chinese patent CN102668265B discloses a connector terminal including a connecting body terminal unit and a connecting terminal unit. The connecting body terminal unit is inserted into the connecting terminal unit, and the rear end of the connecting body terminal unit has a clamping part for connecting to a wire, thus requiring the wire to be clamped for connection to other components.

[0003] In existing technologies, the fixing and mating parts of terminal assemblies used in ESCs require welding for fixation and electrical connection. This method not only involves multiple processes during manufacturing but also results in weak connections and unstable electrical connections, affecting the product's performance. Furthermore, the connector terminal unit in Chinese patent CN102668265B, which is assembled by inserting it into the connecting terminal unit, often experiences loosening after assembly, affecting performance. Traditional technologies also use laser welding to maintain fixation, but this welding process increases manufacturing steps and costs.

[0004] Therefore, it is indeed necessary to provide a new terminal assembly and automotive control system to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a new terminal assembly and automotive control system that eliminates the step of welding the mating part to the fixing part, improves the stability of the electrical connection of the terminal assembly, and reduces various drawbacks of welding, such as weak welding and welding cracks.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a terminal assembly for fixing in a housing to be inserted into a circuit board, the terminal assembly including a base and a sleeve fitted on the base, the base including a mating part fixed in the sleeve and a fixing part connecting the mating part, one end of the fixing part being fixed in the housing, and the other end of the fixing part being mounted on the circuit board, the mating part and the fixing part being integrally formed.

[0007] Furthermore, the docking part and the fixing part are arranged at an angle, and a bending part is provided between the docking part and the fixing part. The docking part, the bending part and the fixing part are integrally stamped and formed into a single structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the included angle between the docking part and the fixing part is greater than or equal to 90°.

[0009] Furthermore, the thickness of the metal sheet used to form the base is defined as the sheet thickness, the sheet thickness of the butt joint is less than the sheet thickness of the fixing part, and the sheet thickness of the bending part is less than or equal to the sheet thickness of the butt joint.

[0010] Furthermore, the butt joint and the bending joint are thinned by material removal or rolling before bending, so that the thickness of the plate of the butt joint and the bending joint is less than the thickness of the plate of the fixing joint.

[0011] Furthermore, the docking portion of the base is frame-shaped and has a receiving space. One of the upper and lower opposing side walls of the docking portion extends rearward to form an extension portion, which is integrally connected to the fixing portion via the bending portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the sleeve is configured in the shape of a frame and surrounds the outer periphery of the docking portion. The docking portion includes two flat plates arranged opposite each other and an elastic member bent inward from the edge of the flat plate and inserted into the receiving space. The elastic member makes mechanical contact with the docking portion and a docking terminal inserted into the receiving space to achieve electrical connection.

[0013] Furthermore, the two side walls of the docking portion are respectively provided with notches, and the two flat plates of the sleeve are provided with spring pieces that extend into the receiving space. The spring pieces are engaged with the corresponding notches to interlock the docking portion and the sleeve.

[0014] Furthermore, the elastic element of the sleeve is provided with an arc-shaped reverse fold extending inward and backward 180 degrees from the front edge of the flat plate portion, and a plurality of contact portions. The plurality of contact portions include a first inner contact portion located on the front side and connected to the reverse fold portion and a second outer contact portion located on the rear side. The first inner contact portion and the second outer contact portion are arc-shaped protrusions with opposite protrusion directions. The first inner contact portion protrudes in a direction away from the flat plate portion, and the second outer contact portion protrudes in a direction toward the flat plate portion. When the mating terminal is not inserted into the receiving space, the first inner contact portion does not contact the mating portion, and the second outer contact portion abuts against the mating portion to form a pre-contact.

[0015] Furthermore, the docking portion is provided with a protrusion protruding towards the first inner contact portion. When the docking terminal is inserted into the receiving space, the first inner contact portion deforms outward with the folded portion as the fulcrum, and the arc-shaped protrusion of the first inner contact portion aligns with and abuts against the protrusion. The second outer contact portion maintains mechanical contact with the docking portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the arc-shaped convex hull has an arc-shaped concave surface facing the corresponding convex point, and the convex point has an arc-shaped convex surface facing the arc-shaped convex hull to abut against the arc-shaped concave surface when the first inner contact portion deforms outward, and the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped convex surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped concave surface.

[0017] Furthermore, when the mating terminal is inserted into the receiving space, viewed from the insertion direction perpendicular to the mating terminal, at least two points of contact are formed between the arc-shaped concave surface of the arc-shaped convex bulge and the arc-shaped convex surface of the convex point, and a mating gap is formed between the arc apex of the arc-shaped concave surface and the arc apex of the arc-shaped convex surface.

[0018] Furthermore, the plurality of contact portions include a first inner contact portion, a first outer contact portion, a second inner contact portion, and a second outer contact portion, which are arranged sequentially from front to back and are all arc-shaped curved structures, and the protrusions are arranged corresponding to the first inner contact portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the first inner contact portion, the first outer contact portion, and the second inner contact portion are arranged adjacent to each other and form a continuous wave-shaped structure. When the docking terminal is inserted into the receiving space, the first outer contact portion abuts against the corresponding docking portion outward, and the second inner contact portion uses the contact position between the first outer contact portion and the docking portion as a fulcrum to elastically abut against the docking terminal.

[0020] Furthermore, one of the opposite side walls of the flat portion of the sleeve extends rearward to form an elastic arm, and the elastic arm is provided corresponding to the extension portion.

[0021] Furthermore, the base is provided with a front protrusion and a rear protrusion protruding towards the sleeve. The height of the rear protrusion is greater than the height of the front protrusion. The front protrusion is disposed on the mating portion to cooperate with the sleeve, and the rear protrusion is disposed on the extension portion to cooperate with the elastic arm.

[0022] Furthermore, the elastic element includes a plurality of elastic terminals spaced apart and a connecting beam located at one end of the plurality of elastic terminals and connecting the elastic terminals together. The connecting beam includes an edge material bridge connecting the elastic terminals located on the outer side and an intermediate material bridge connecting the elastic terminals located in the middle position. The width of the edge material bridge is greater than the width of the intermediate material bridge.

[0023] Furthermore, the elastic element includes an opening located between adjacent elastic terminals and the connecting beam, the width of which is greater than the interval between the elastic terminals.

[0024] Furthermore, the flat plate portion of the sleeve is provided with an outwardly protruding retaining member, which cooperates with the housing for fixation. One end of the fixing portion forms a plug-in fixing portion, and both sides of the plug-in fixing portion are provided with a plurality of fixing teeth that cooperate with the housing for locking. The other end of the fixing portion is provided with a plurality of pins that plug into the circuit board. The fixing portion also includes an intermediate connecting portion connecting the pins and the plug-in fixing portion. The width of the intermediate connecting portion is greater than the width of the plug-in fixing portion, and the bent portion is integrally connected to the intermediate connecting portion.

[0025] Furthermore, the retaining member is located between the two spring pieces, and the extending direction of the retaining member from the flat plate is opposite to the extending direction of the spring pieces from the flat plate.

[0026] Furthermore, the thickness of the metal sheet used to form the sleeve is defined as the sheet thickness, and the sheet thickness of the mating portion of the base is greater than the sheet thickness of the sleeve.

[0027] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution two: A vehicle control system includes a housing and the aforementioned terminal assembly integrated on the housing. The housing is provided with a first fixing interface and a second fixing interface. The first fixing interface fixes the fixing part, and the second fixing interface fixes the sleeve.

[0028] In this invention, the terminal assembly is constructed by making the mating part and the fixing part integrally formed, so that the mating part and the fixing part do not need to be welded, thereby improving the stability of the electrical connection of the terminal assembly and reducing various drawbacks of welding, such as weak welding and welding cracks. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the vehicle control system of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a top view of the vehicle control system of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of the portion of the sectional view along line AA, located at the terminal assembly.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the terminal assembly and mating terminal of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A picture viewed from another direction.

[0034] Figure 6 for Figure 4 3D exploded view.

[0035] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A three-dimensional exploded view from another direction.

[0036] Figure 8 for Figure 4 A sectional view along line BB.

[0037] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Enlarged view of part of the image.

[0038] Figure 10 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along the CC line.

[0039] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0040] Figure 12 for Figure 9 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0041] Figure 13 This is a front view of the terminal assembly of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A cross-sectional view along line DD.

[0043] Explanation of main component symbols

[0044] Please refer to the following diagrams for the symbol descriptions: Terminal assembly 100, mating terminal 101, base 1, mating part 11, notch 111, front protrusion 112, rear protrusion 113, extension part 110, protrusion 114, receiving space 115, fixing part 12, pin 121, intermediate connecting part 122, insertion fixing part 123, fixing tooth 1231, bending part 13, sleeve 2, flat part 21, spring piece 211, elastic arm 23, elastic element 24, reverse. Fold 240, contact 241, mating gap 2410, first inner contact 2411, second inner contact 2413, first outer contact 2414, arc-shaped protrusion 24111, second outer contact 2412, elastic terminal 242, connecting beam S, edge material bridge S1, middle material bridge S2, retaining member 25, opening 26, vehicle control system 200, housing 201, first fixing interface 2011, second fixing interface 2012. Detailed Implementation

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner" and "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0046] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above term in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] Please refer to Figures 4 to 7 The terminal assembly 100 of this invention can be applied to various automotive fields such as automobiles or motorcycles, and is particularly suitable for automotive control systems 200. The preferred embodiment is its application in the ESC (Electronic Stability Controller) of a one-box braking system in automobiles. The base 1 of the terminal assembly 100 includes a mating portion 11 fixed within a sleeve 2 and a fixing portion 12 fixed within a housing 201. The mating portion 11 and the fixing portion 12 are angled together and integrally connected by a bending portion 13. The base 1 is integrally formed. One end of the fixing portion 12 is fixed in the housing 201, and the other end of the fixing portion 12 is provided with a plurality of pins 121 spaced apart for insertion and engagement with a circuit board (not labeled) disposed within the housing 201. On the one hand, the pins 121 of the fixing part 12 directly engage with the corresponding electrical connection positions on the circuit board. Compared to the traditional method where the base is electrically connected to the cable via a clamping part, and then the cable is used to connect to other electronic components, this direct engagement reduces the clamping and cable connection steps, improving the electrical connection stability of the terminal assembly 100 and saving installation steps. On the other hand, in the prior art, the docking part and the fixing part of the terminal assembly used in ESC (Electronic Stability Controller) are fixed and electrically conductive by separately molding and then soldering them. This method not only involves many processes during manufacturing, but also results in weak connections and unstable electrical connections due to soldering, affecting the performance of the product. In contrast, this invention connects the docking part 11 and the fixing part 12 by integral stamping, thereby eliminating the soldering step between the docking part 11 and the fixing part 12, improving the electrical connection stability of the terminal assembly 100, and reducing various drawbacks of soldering such as weak soldering and solder cracks.

[0048] Please see Figures 1 to 13The terminal assembly 100 is fixed in the vehicle control system (ESC) housing 201 for electrical insertion with a circuit board (not labeled) fixed within the housing 201. The terminal assembly 100 is inserted into a mating terminal 101, which is inserted into the base 1. The base 1 includes a mating portion 11 fixed within the sleeve 2 and a fixing portion 12 electrically mated to the circuit board. A bending portion 13 between the mating portion 11 and the fixing portion 12 is stamped and bent to form a certain angle between them. The fixing portion 12 is integrated into the housing 201 and then connected to the circuit board (PCB) via insertion. The bending angle between the fixing portion 12 and the mating portion 11 is based on the PCB layout requirements. The fixing portion 12, the mating portion 11, and the bending portion 13 are integrally stamped structures. In this embodiment, the included angle between the mating part 11 and the fixing part 12 is greater than or equal to 90 degrees. Of course, the included angle between the mating part 11 and the fixing part 12 can also be set to 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees based on the design requirements of the circuit board. The present invention does not impose any specific limitations.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present invention, please refer to Figure 13 The base 1 and sleeve 2 are formed by stamping metal sheets, with the thickness of the metal sheet defined as the sheet thickness. The sheet thickness of the bent portion 13 and the mating portion 11 of the base 1 is less than or equal to the sheet thickness of the fixing portion 12. The smaller sheet thickness of the bent portion 13 and the mating portion 11 reduces the size of the sleeve 2 that it mates with, i.e., the overall sheet thickness of the sleeve 2. When the overall sheet thickness of the sleeve 2 is reduced, the space required for the terminal assembly 100 to be inserted into the housing 201 is smaller, thereby reducing the size of the housing 201. The larger sheet thickness of the fixing portion 12 increases the fixing strength with the PCB and the housing 201. In this application, the bent portion 13 and the mating portion 11 are thinned by material removal or rolling before bending, so that the sheet thickness of the mating portion 11 and the bent portion 13 is less than the sheet thickness of the fixing portion 12.

[0050] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 7 The docking portion 11 of the base 1 is frame-shaped and has a receiving space 115. One of the upper and lower opposing side walls of the docking portion 11 extends rearward to form an extension portion 110. The extension portion 110 is integrally connected to the fixing portion 12 via the bending portion 13. The docking portion 11 and the fixing portion 12 are formed by stamping of sheet metal. The frame shape of the docking portion 11 and the bending portion 13 are formed by secondary stamping and bending of the sheet metal. The docking portion 11 and the fixing portion 11 are an integral structure.

[0051] Please see Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 9 The sleeve 2 is frame-shaped and surrounds the outer periphery of the mating portion 11. The sleeve 2 includes two flat plates 21 arranged opposite each other and an elastic member 24 that bends inward from the end edge of the flat plate 21 and extends into the receiving space 115. The elastic member 24 has an arc-shaped reverse bend 240 that bends inward and backward 180 degrees from the front edge of the flat plate 21 and a plurality of contact portions 241. In this application, the elastic member 24 is located between the two flat plates 21 and is located in the receiving space 115 near the mating portion 11. The elastic member 24 makes mechanical contact with the mating portion 11 and a mating terminal 101 to achieve electrical connection. One side of the flat plate 21 of the sleeve 2 extends backward to form an elastic arm 23, which is correspondingly arranged with the extension portion 110.

[0052] The upper and lower opposite side walls of the docking portion 11 are respectively provided with corresponding notches 111, and the spring piece 211 is received in the notch 111. Specifically, the spring piece 211 is formed by bending from the outer edge of the corresponding stamping hole (unmarked) towards the inward side. In this way, the notch 111 and the spring piece 211 are engaged to achieve interlocking between the base 1 and the sleeve 2, thereby making the base 1 and the sleeve 2 better fixed. In the embodiment of this application, the upper and lower opposite side walls of the docking portion 11 are each provided with two symmetrically arranged notches 111 to form an interlock with the sleeve 2.

[0053] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 11 The docking portion 11 is provided with a front protrusion 112 and a rear protrusion 113 protruding towards the sleeve 2. The height of the rear protrusion 113 in the direction perpendicular to the flat plate portion 21 is greater than the height of the front protrusion 112 to improve the tightness of the fit between the docking portion 11 and the flat plate portion 21, thereby ensuring better electrical and mechanical connection between the base 1 and the sleeve 2. The front protrusion 112 is disposed on the frame-shaped docking portion 11 to mate with the frame-shaped sleeve 2. Specifically, the front protrusion 112 mates with the flat plate portion 21 surrounding the frame-shaped structure. Therefore, this application has two front protrusions 112. Please refer to [link / reference] for details. Figure 9The rear protrusion 113 is disposed on the extension 110 to cooperate with the elastic arm 23. The front protrusion 112, being a frame structure that contacts the sleeve 2, cannot have too much compressive force, so it is designed to be relatively low. However, the rear protrusion 113, because it contacts the elastic arm 23, can provide more elastic force, so it is designed to be relatively high. During the mating process, the front protrusion 112 engages with the frame structure of the sleeve 2, and the frame structure of the sleeve 2 undergoes only minor deformation or no deformation, thereby ensuring the size and shape of the terminal assembly 100. The rear protrusion 113 engages with the elastic arm 23 of the sleeve 2, and the elastic arm 23 undergoes significant outward deformation during mating to increase the reliability of the connection, thereby improving the tightness of the mating portion 11 and the flat portion 21 to ensure better electrical and mechanical connection performance between the base 1 and the sleeve 2.

[0054] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 9 and Figure 11The elastic element 24 of the sleeve 2 is provided with an arc-shaped folded portion 240 extending inward and backward at a 180-degree angle from the front edge of the flat plate portion 21, and a plurality of contact portions 241, which facilitates the dissipation of current and heat. The plurality of contact portions 241 includes a first inner contact portion 2411 located on the front side and connected to the folded portion 240, and a second outer contact portion 2412 located on the rear side. The plurality of contact portions 241 include a first inner contact portion 2411, a first outer contact portion 2414, a second inner contact portion 2413, and a second outer contact portion 2412 arranged sequentially from front to back and all of which are arc-shaped. The first inner contact portion 2411, the first outer contact portion 2414, and the second inner contact portion 2413 are arranged adjacently and form a continuous wavy structure. When the docking terminal 101 is inserted into the receiving space 115, the first outer contact portion 2414 abuts against the corresponding docking portion 11 outwards, and the second inner contact portion 2413 uses the contact position between the first outer contact portion 2414 and the docking portion 11 as a fulcrum to elastically abut against the docking terminal 101. Since the second inner contact portion 2413 is arranged adjacent to the first outer contact portion 2414, this ensures that the distance between the fulcrum position and the second inner contact portion 2413 can be minimized as much as possible, thereby providing better support for the elastic deformation of the second inner contact portion 2413 and increasing the holding force between the second inner contact portion 2413 and the docking portion 11. The first inner contact portion 2411 and the second outer contact portion 2412 are arc-shaped protrusions 24111 with opposite protrusion directions. Furthermore, the first inner contact portion 2411 and the second inner contact portion 2413 protrude in the direction away from the flat plate portion 21, while the first outer contact portion 2414 and the second outer contact portion 2413 protrude in the direction towards the flat plate portion 21. The protrusion directions of the first inner contact portion 2412, the second inner contact portion 2413, the first outer contact portion 2414, and the second outer contact portion 2412 are opposite in the vertical direction. The two first outer contact portions 2414 on the two flat plate portions 21 facing each other in the vertical direction protrude in opposite directions, and the two second outer contact portions 2412 protrude in opposite directions. The mating terminal 101 is inserted into the receiving space 115. When the mating terminal 101 is not inserted into the receiving space 115, the first inner contact portion 2411 does not contact the mating portion 11, and the second outer contact portion 2412 abuts against the mating portion 11 to form a pre-contact. The docking portion 11 is provided with a protrusion 114 corresponding to the outermost first inner contact portion 2411, protruding towards the receiving space 115. The protrusion 114 is provided corresponding to the first inner contact portion 2411.When the docking terminal 101 is inserted into the receiving space 115, the first inner contact portion 2411 deforms outward with the folded portion 240 as a fulcrum. The arc-shaped protrusion 24111 of the first inner contact portion 2411 deforms outward and abuts against the protrusion 114 of the docking portion 11, and the arc-shaped protrusion 24111 of the first inner contact portion 2411 is aligned and abuts against the protrusion 114. The protrusion 114 not only prevents the first inner contact portion 2411 from moving excessively outward, but also maximizes the clamping force between the first inner contact portion 2411 and the docking terminal 101, thereby increasing the insertion and extraction force and holding force of the docking terminal 101. When the docking terminal 101 is inserted into the receiving space 115, the second outer contact portion 2412 continues to maintain electrical contact with the docking portion 11, strengthening the connection between the two.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 12 The arc-shaped convex bulge 24111 has an arc-shaped concave surface facing the corresponding convex point 114. The convex point 114 has an arc-shaped convex surface facing the arc-shaped convex bulge 24111 to abut against the arc-shaped concave surface when the first inner contact portion 2411 deforms outward. The radius of curvature of the arc-shaped convex surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped concave surface. Thus, when the first inner contact portion 2411 deforms outward, the arc-shaped convex surface of the convex point 114 and the arc-shaped concave surface of the first inner contact portion 2411 will not completely fit together. Moreover, the arc-shaped convex surface of the convex point 114 will not contact the arc-shaped concave surface of the first inner contact portion 2411 at the apex of the arc, but will contact the arc-shaped concave surface at the two sides of the apex of the arc. When the mating terminal is inserted into the receiving space 115, viewed from the insertion direction perpendicular to the mating terminal 101, at least two points of contact are formed between the arc-shaped concave surface of the arc-shaped protrusion 24111 and the arc-shaped convex surface of the protrusion 114, and a fitting gap 2410 is formed between the arc apex of the arc-shaped concave surface and the arc apex of the arc-shaped convex surface. The two-point contact structure between the protrusion 114 and the arc-shaped protrusion 24111 allows the protrusion 114 to abut against the arc-shaped protrusion 24111 to increase the elasticity of the member 24 and the receiving space 115. The retaining force of the mating part 11, and the structure of the mating gap 2410 can ensure that the arc-shaped protrusion 24111 of the first inner contact part 2411 and the contact position of the mating terminal 101 retain a certain space for elastic deformation. In this way, during the process of pulling out the mating terminal 101, the arc-shaped protrusion 24111 can deform slightly outward to ensure that the mating terminal 101 can be pulled out smoothly, avoiding the problem that the protrusion 114 directly blocks the first inner contact part 2411, causing the mating terminal 101 to be unable to be pulled out.

[0056] Please see Figure 13 and Figure 14The elastic element 24 includes a plurality of elastic terminals 242 spaced apart and a connecting beam S located at one end of the plurality of elastic terminals 242 and connecting the elastic terminals 242 together. Each elastic terminal 242 is provided with the aforementioned first inner contact portion 2411, first outer contact portion 2414, second inner contact portion 2413, and second outer contact portion 2412. The plurality of elastic terminals 242 are connected at one end of the receiving space 115 via the connecting beam S. The connecting beam S ensures the strength of the elastic element 24. The connecting beam S includes an edge bridge S1 connecting the outer elastic terminals 242 and an intermediate bridge S2 connecting the middle elastic terminals 242. The width of the edge bridge S1 is greater than the width of the intermediate bridge S2. In this application, the plurality of elastic terminals 242 are connected by the connecting beam S, which improves the stability of the plurality of elastic terminals 242 and increases the elasticity between the elastic terminals 242. The edge bridge S1, located at the edge, retains more material than the middle bridge S2. This allows the edge elastic terminals 242 to provide support, while the middle elastic terminals 242 provide elastic contact, resulting in better elastic force for the middle elastic terminals 242. The elastic element 24 also includes openings 26 located between adjacent elastic terminals 242 and the connecting beam S. The opening width of the openings 26 is greater than the spacing between the elastic terminals 242, ensuring the elastic independence of the elastic terminals 242.

[0057] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The sleeve 2 and part of the fixing part 12 are fixed in the housing 201, and the fixing part 12 is provided with a plurality of pins 121 for fixing to the circuit board. Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 11 The sleeve 2 has an inclined, outwardly protruding retaining member 25 on its flat plate portion 21 for engaging and securing with the housing 201. The retaining member 25 is located between the two spring tabs 211, and the direction in which the retaining member 25 extends from the flat plate portion 21 is opposite to the direction in which the spring tabs 211 extend from the flat plate portion 21. This ensures the strength and balance of the sleeve 2 while maintaining a stable insertion. The mating portion 12 includes the insertion pin 121, an insertion fixing portion 123 located on one side of the insertion pin 121, and an intermediate connecting portion 122 connecting the insertion pin 121 and the insertion fixing portion 123. The insertion fixing portion 123 is located on one side of the retaining member 25 of the sleeve 2 in the front-rear direction and forms fixing teeth 1231. Specifically, the fixing teeth 1231 of the insertion fixing portion 123 are used to insert into and fix within the housing 201. The width of the intermediate connecting part 122 is greater than the width of the plug-in fixing part 123, and the bent part 13 is integrally connected to the intermediate connecting part 122.

[0058] Please refer to the following in this application: Figure 13 The thickness of the plate in the base 1 is greater than that in the sleeve 2. The greater thickness of the plate in the base 1 not only prevents overall deformation but also provides better support for the spring 211, elastic arm 23, etc.

[0059] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The present invention also relates to a vehicle control system 200, namely an ESC control system, including a housing 201 and the aforementioned terminal assembly 100 integrated on the housing 201. The housing 201 provides a first fixing interface 2011 and a second fixing interface 2012 for each terminal assembly 100. The first fixing interface 2011 fixes the fixing part 12, and the second fixing interface 2012 fixes the sleeve 2. The second fixing interfaces 2012 of the terminal assembly 100 are arranged at intervals along a curved direction, while the first fixing interfaces 2011 are arranged on one side of the curved direction. Since the first fixing interface 2011 is a longitudinally elongated fixing port, its arrangement along the curved direction consumes considerable space in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the first fixing interfaces 2011 are inclined and staggered, with the included angle between the corresponding fixing part 12 and the extension part 110 being at least greater than 90°, thereby allowing the fixing part 12 to be inclined to adapt to the setting direction of the first fixing interface 2011.

[0060] In this invention, the connecting part 11 and the fixing part 12 are integrally connected by the bending part 13, eliminating the welding step in the prior art, improving the stability of the electrical connection of the terminal assembly 100, and reducing various drawbacks of welding (such as weak welding, welding cracks, etc.). Simultaneously, the notch 111 on the connecting part 11 and the spring piece 211 on the flat part 21 interlock the base 1 and the sleeve 2, ensuring the stability of the fixation. Furthermore, a front protrusion 112 and a rear protrusion 113 are provided on the connecting part 11. The frame structure of the sleeve 2, which mates with the front protrusion 112, undergoes only minor deformation or no deformation, thus ensuring the size and shape of the terminal assembly 100; the elastic arm 23 of the sleeve 2, which mates with the rear protrusion 113, undergoes greater outward deformation to increase the reliability of the connection, thereby improving the tightness of the fit between the connecting part 11 and the flat part 21, ensuring better electrical and mechanical connection performance between the base 1 and the sleeve 2. The elastic element 24 of the sleeve 2 is provided with multiple contact portions 241. On the one hand, this facilitates the dissipation of current and heat. On the other hand, before the docking terminal 101 is inserted into the receiving space 115, the second outer contact portion 2412 makes pre-contact with the docking portion 11. After the docking terminal 101 is inserted into the receiving space 115, the second outer contact portion 2412 continues to maintain electrical contact with the docking portion 11, which can better achieve the electrical connection between the second outer contact portion 2412 and the docking portion 11. Before the docking terminal 101 is inserted into the receiving space 115, the arc-shaped protrusion 24111 of the first inner contact portion 2411 moves outward and abuts against the protrusion 114 of the docking portion 11. The protrusion 114 not only prevents the first inner contact portion 2411 from moving excessively outward, but also maximizes the clamping force between the first inner contact portion 2411 and the docking terminal 101, thereby increasing the insertion and extraction force and holding force of the docking terminal 101.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] The above description is only a partial embodiment of the present invention, not all embodiments. Any equivalent changes to the technical solutions of the present invention made by those skilled in the art through reading the present invention specification are covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A terminal assembly for fixing in a housing for insertion into a circuit board, the terminal assembly comprising a base and a sleeve fitted onto the base, characterized in that: The base includes a docking portion fixed within the sleeve and a fixing portion connecting the docking portion. One end of the fixing portion is fixed in the housing, and the other end is mounted on the circuit board. The docking portion and the fixing portion are integrally formed. The thickness of the metal sheet used to form the base is defined as the sheet thickness. The sheet thickness of the docking portion is less than the sheet thickness of the fixing portion. The docking portion is frame-shaped and has a receiving space. The sleeve is frame-shaped and surrounds the outer periphery of the docking portion. The sleeve includes two flat plates arranged opposite each other and an elastic member bent inward from the edge of the flat plate and inserted into the receiving space. The elastic member is provided with an arc-shaped reverse bend extending inward and backward 180 degrees from the front edge of the flat plate and multiple contact portions. The multiple contact portions include those located at... A first inner contact portion connected to the front of the arc-shaped folded portion and a second outer contact portion located at the rear are provided. The first inner contact portion and the second outer contact portion are arc-shaped protrusions with opposite directions of protrusion. The first inner contact portion protrudes away from the flat plate portion, and the second outer contact portion protrudes towards the flat plate portion. When the docking terminal is not inserted into the receiving space, the first inner contact portion does not contact the docking portion, and the second outer contact portion abuts against the docking portion to form a pre-contact. When the docking terminal is inserted into the receiving space, the second outer contact portion maintains mechanical contact with the docking portion. The first inner contact portion deforms outward with the arc-shaped folded portion as a fulcrum and abuts against the docking portion. The first inner contact portion also makes mechanical contact with the docking terminal, so that the elastic element is electrically connected to the docking portion and the docking terminal respectively.

2. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The docking part and the fixing part are arranged at an angle, and a bending part is provided between the docking part and the fixing part. The docking part, the bending part and the fixing part are integrally stamped and formed into a single structure.

3. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The included angle between the docking part and the fixing part is greater than or equal to 90°.

4. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness of the plate at the bending section is less than or equal to the thickness of the plate at the butt joint section.

5. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: Before bending, the connecting part and the bending part are thinned by material removal or rolling so that the thickness of the plate of the connecting part and the bending part is less than the thickness of the plate of the fixing part.

6. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: One of the upper and lower opposing side walls of the docking part extends rearward to form an extension, and the extension is integrally connected to the fixing part via the bending part.

7. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The two side walls of the docking part are respectively provided with notches, and the two flat plates of the sleeve are provided with spring pieces that extend into the receiving space. The spring pieces are engaged with the corresponding notches to interlock the docking part and the sleeve.

8. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The docking portion is provided with a protrusion extending toward the first inner contact portion corresponding to the first inner contact portion. When the docking terminal is inserted into the receiving space, the arc-shaped protrusion of the first inner contact portion aligns with and abuts against the protrusion.

9. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The arc-shaped convex hump has an arc-shaped concave surface facing the corresponding convex point, and the convex point has an arc-shaped convex surface facing the arc-shaped convex hump to abut against the arc-shaped concave surface when the first inner contact portion deforms outward, and the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped convex surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped concave surface.

10. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: When the mating terminal is inserted into the receiving space, viewed from the insertion direction perpendicular to the mating terminal, at least two points of contact are formed between the arc-shaped concave surface of the arc-shaped convex bulge and the arc-shaped convex surface of the convex point, and a mating gap is formed between the arc apex of the arc-shaped concave surface and the arc apex of the arc-shaped convex surface.

11. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The plurality of contact portions include a first inner contact portion, a first outer contact portion, a second inner contact portion, and a second outer contact portion, which are arranged sequentially from front to back and are all arc-shaped curved structures, and the protrusions are arranged corresponding to the first inner contact portion.

12. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that: The first inner contact portion, the first outer contact portion, and the second inner contact portion are arranged adjacent to each other and form a continuous wave-shaped structure. When the docking terminal is inserted into the receiving space, the first outer contact portion abuts against the corresponding docking portion outward, and the second inner contact portion elastically abuts against the docking terminal with the contact position between the first outer contact portion and the docking portion as a fulcrum.

13. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: One of the opposite side walls of the flat portion of the sleeve extends rearward to form an elastic arm, and the elastic arm is provided corresponding to the extension portion.

14. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that: The base is provided with a front protrusion and a rear protrusion protruding towards the sleeve. The height of the rear protrusion is greater than the height of the front protrusion. The front protrusion is disposed on the mating portion to cooperate with the sleeve, and the rear protrusion is disposed on the extension portion to cooperate with the elastic arm.

15. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element includes a plurality of elastic terminals spaced apart and a connecting beam located at one end of the plurality of elastic terminals and connecting the elastic terminals together. The connecting beam includes an edge material bridge connecting the elastic terminals located on the outer side and an intermediate material bridge connecting the elastic terminals located in the middle. The width of the edge material bridge is greater than the width of the intermediate material bridge.

16. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that: The elastic element includes an opening located between adjacent elastic terminals and the connecting beam, the width of which is greater than the interval between the elastic terminals.

17. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The sleeve has an outwardly protruding retaining member on its flat plate portion, which engages with and holds the housing. One end of the fixing portion forms a plug-in fixing portion, and both sides of the plug-in fixing portion have a plurality of fixing teeth that engage with the housing. The other end of the fixing portion has a plurality of pins that plug into the circuit board. The fixing portion also includes an intermediate connecting portion that connects the pins to the plug-in fixing portion. The width of the intermediate connecting portion is greater than the width of the plug-in fixing portion, and the bent portion is integrally connected to the intermediate connecting portion.

18. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that: The retaining member is located between the two spring pieces, and the direction in which the retaining member extends from the flat plate is opposite to the direction in which the spring pieces extend from the flat plate.

19. The terminal assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The thickness of the plate at the docking portion of the base is greater than the thickness of the plate in the sleeve.

20. A vehicle control system, comprising a housing and a terminal assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 19 integrated on the housing, the housing being provided with a first fixing interface and a second fixing interface, the first fixing interface fixing the fixing part and the second fixing interface fixing the sleeve.

Images