Terminal, electrical connector, wire harness and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a terminal, an electrical connector, a wire harness and a vehicle. The terminal includes: an elastic force arm extending along the lateral direction of the terminal and configured to cooperate with a housing, the terminal being configured such that when the terminal is locked in the housing by means of the elastic force arm, and when the holding force of the terminal is exceeded, the elastic force arm is positioned away from the terminal in the vertical direction. In the above terminal, the elastic force arm extends along the lateral direction of the terminal, which can reduce the deformation amount of the elastic force arm, improve the resilience accuracy of the elastic force arm, and moreover, since the deformation amount of the elastic force arm is reduced, the pulling force and stability of the terminal can both be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical connectors, and particularly to a terminal, an electrical connector, a wire harness and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, a terminal cooperating with a connector sheath includes a spring clip structure. The spring clip structure includes an elastic force arm bent upward at a certain angle along the longitudinal direction of the terminal. When the spring clip structure cooperates with the sheath, a certain moment needs to be provided by the elastic force arm. However, the traditional elastic force arm is prone to lose a certain proportion of elastic force, resulting in a lack of stability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention provide a terminal, an electrical connector, a wire harness and a vehicle.

[0004] A terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0005] An elastic force arm extending along the transverse direction of the terminal and configured to cooperate with a housing. The terminal is configured such that when the terminal is locked in the housing by means of the elastic force arm, and when the holding force of the terminal is exceeded, the elastic force arm is positioned away from the terminal in the vertical direction.

[0006] In the above terminal, the elastic force arm extends along the transverse direction of the terminal, which can reduce the deformation amount of the elastic force arm, improve the resilience accuracy of the elastic force arm, and moreover, since the deformation amount of the elastic force arm is reduced, the pulling force and stability of the terminal can both be improved.

[0007] In some embodiments, the terminal further includes a body. The body includes a first side wall and a second side wall disposed along the transverse direction of the terminal. The first side wall and the second side wall are spaced apart and opposite to each other. The elastic force arm is connected to the first side wall and extends towards the second side wall.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first side wall is provided with a notch, and the elastic force arm is connected to the edge of the notch.

[0009] In some embodiments, the body further includes a top wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall. The top wall is provided with a through hole, and a part of the elastic force arm corresponds to the position of the through hole.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second side wall is provided with a guiding space. The elastic force arm is provided with a flange along the transverse direction of the terminal. The flange is at least partially located in the guiding space, and the guiding space is used to guide the elastic force arm to move in a direction close to or away from the body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the guiding space is arc-shaped.

[0012] In some embodiments, the elastic force arm includes a first component and a second component. The first component and the second component are connected to each other at the bending portion of the elastic force arm, and together form a bending angle. The first component is connected to the side wall of the terminal.

[0013] In some embodiments, a bending angle is formed on one side surface of the first component along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

[0014] In some embodiments, a bending angle is formed on one side of the second component along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the connection length between the first component and the side wall of the terminal is less than the edge length of the second component in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] An electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal according to any of the above embodiments.

[0017] A wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0018] Wires; and

[0019] The electrical connector according to the above embodiment, wherein the wires are connected to the terminals.

[0020] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the wire harness according to the above embodiment.

[0021] In the above electrical connector, wire harness and vehicle, the elastic force arm extends along the transverse direction of the terminal, which can reduce the deformation amount of the elastic force arm, improve the resilience accuracy of the elastic force arm, and moreover, since the deformation amount of the elastic force arm is reduced, the pulling force and stability of the terminal can both be improved.

[0022] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, become apparent in part from the following description, or be learned through the practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative efforts.

[0024] Figure 1 Is a perspective view of the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 Top view of the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the terminal along line A-A;

[0027] Figure 4 Right view of the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 Front view of the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 Rear view of the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the movement process of the elastic force arm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The realization of the object of the present invention, functional features and advantages will be further described in conjunction with the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific Embodiments

[0032] The following details the embodiments of the present invention. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", 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 the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the said features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through other features between them. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over", and "on top of" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below", and "beneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0036] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of the present invention. To simplify the disclosure of the present invention, the components and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are only examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the present invention may repeat reference numerals and / or reference letters in different examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and does not itself indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, the present invention provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but those of ordinary skill in the art can be aware of the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0037] Please refer Figure 1 and Figure 2 , which shows the housing structure of the terminal 100 of the present invention. It should be noted that the present invention only schematically shows the external main structure of the terminal 100 in cooperation with the sheath, and does not schematically show the internal structure of the terminal 100. The terminal 100 includes a left part 12 and a right part 14. The left part 12 is connected to a crimping part (not shown) for crimping an electric wire, and the right part 14 is used for initially positioning the other terminal inserted into the terminal 100. For example, the terminal 100 of the present invention can be used as a female terminal, and the other terminal can be used as a male terminal. The male terminal is inserted into the female terminal through the right part 14 of the female terminal and contacts the connecting member inside the female terminal.

[0038] Specifically, the left part 12 may include two stoppers 16 for stopping the crimping member, and the two stoppers 16 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0039] The right part 14 may include a plurality of clamping members 18 for initially positioning the other terminal. The plurality of clamping members 18 are circumferentially spaced along the circumference of the terminal 100. An insertion opening 20 is defined around the ends of the plurality of clamping members 18. The other terminal can be inserted into the terminal 100 through the insertion opening 20. In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the number of the clamping members 18 is four. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the number of the clamping members 18 is not limited to four, and can also be two or more than two.

[0040] The terminal 100 may include a body 22 and an elastic force arm 24. The elastic force arm 24 is movably connected to the body 22 and extends along the transverse direction P of the terminal 100. The elastic force arm 24 is used to cooperate with a housing (i.e., a sheath). The terminal 100 is configured such that when the terminal 100 is locked in the housing by means of the elastic force arm 24, and when the holding force of the terminal 100 is exceeded, the elastic force arm 24 is positioned away from the terminal 100 in the vertical direction H. In the above terminal 100, the elastic force arm 24 extends along the transverse direction P of the terminal 100, which can reduce the deformation amount of the elastic force arm 24, improve the resilience accuracy of the elastic force arm 24, and moreover, since the deformation amount of the elastic force arm 24 is reduced, the pulling force and stability of the terminal 100 can both be improved.

[0041] Specifically, when the terminal 100 is locked in the housing, the holding force of the terminal 100 remains unchanged. When the terminal 100 is inserted into or removed from the housing, the elastic force arm of the terminal 100 will be pressed down. Subsequently, the elastic force arm of the terminal 100 has an upward elastic force, and the elastic force arm 24 can be positioned away from the terminal 100 in the vertical direction H, enabling the elastic force arm 24 to rebound.

[0042] The terminal 100 is formed, for example, straight, bent, or curved. Preferably, the terminal 100 is formed as a straight terminal 100. Among them, the terminal 100 is preferably formed as a socket terminal 100, or in the form of an insertion sleeve. A wire harness provided with the terminal 100 of the present invention can be referred to as a prefabricated or manufactured wire harness.

[0043] In the following embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the longitudinal direction L, the transverse direction P, and the vertical direction H of the terminal 100, the other terminal 100 can be inserted into the terminal 100 along the insertion direction S and withdrawn from the terminal 100 along the withdrawal direction A. The insertion direction S and the withdrawal direction A can be two directions on the longitudinal direction L.

[0044] In one example, the body 22 is substantially formed in a tubular shape, and the elastic force arm 24 extends from the body 22 in the transverse direction P of the terminal 100. Specifically, the body 22 includes a first side wall 26 and a second side wall 28 disposed in the transverse direction P of the terminal 100. The first side wall 26 and the second side wall 28 are spaced apart from each other, and the elastic force arm 24 is connected to the first side wall 26 and extends toward the second side wall 28. In this way, a deformation space for the elastic force arm 24 can be provided.

[0045] Specifically, when the elastic force arm 24 is subjected to a downward pressing force, it can rotate around a certain position toward the direction close to the body 22 to achieve deformation. When the acting force is withdrawn, the elastic force arm 24 can return. This position can be determined by testing.

[0046] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the height of the first side wall 26 in the vertical direction H is less than the height of the second side wall 28 in the vertical direction H, so that a foolproof structure can be formed.

[0047] In one embodiment, the first side wall 26 is provided with a notch 30, and the elastic force arm 24 is connected to the edge of the notch 30. In this way, the space occupied by the terminal 100 can be reduced, and the structure of the terminal 100 can be made compact.

[0048] Specifically, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 5 , a notch 30 is provided at the upper edge of the first side wall 26, and the elastic force arm 24 is connected to the edge of the notch 30, so that the elastic force arm 24 is partially located in the notch 30, reducing the height of the elastic force arm 24 in the vertical direction H, and further reducing the space occupied by the terminal 100 and making the structure of the terminal 100 compact.

[0049] In one embodiment, the body 22 further includes a top wall 32 connecting the first side wall 26 and the second side wall 28. The top wall 32 is provided with a through hole 34, and a part of the elastic force arm 24 corresponds to the position of the through hole 34. In this way, the deformation performance of the elastic force arm 24 can be ensured.

[0050] Specifically, when the elastic force arm 24 is subjected to a downward pressing force, this part of the elastic force arm 24 can move toward the direction close to the body 22. This part of the elastic force arm 24 corresponds to the position of the through hole 34, and the through hole 34 can provide sufficient space required for the deformation of this part, ensuring the deformation performance of the elastic force arm 24.

[0051] In Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the through hole 34 communicates with the notch to form a communication space, and the communication space can provide more space for the movement of the elastic force arm 24, further ensuring the movement of the elastic force arm 24.

[0052] In one embodiment, the resilient arm 24 includes a first component 36 and a second component 38. The first component 36 connects the first sidewall 26 and the second component 38. The second component 38 corresponds to the position of the through hole 34. That is, when the resilient arm 24 deforms, the second component 38 is mainly the component that moves in response to the downward pressure.

[0053] Preferably, the length of the through hole 34 along the longitudinal direction L of the terminal 100 and the width along the transverse direction P are both greater than the length of the second component 38 along the longitudinal direction L of the terminal 100 and the width along the transverse direction P.

[0054] In one embodiment, please refer Figure 5 to the second sidewall 28 is provided with a guiding space 40. The resilient arm 24 is provided with a flange 42 along the transverse direction P of the terminal 100. The flange 42 is at least partially located in the guiding space 40. The guiding space 40 is used to guide the movement of the resilient arm 24 in a direction close to or away from the body 22. In this way, the movement of the resilient arm 24 can be guided, and the stability of the resilient arm 24 during deformation can be improved.

[0055] Specifically, the flange 42 protrudes outward from the side of the second component 38 along the transverse direction P of the terminal 100. The guiding space 40 can be the through hole 34, or a groove or other structures that can enclose a space, and no specific limitation is made here. When the resilient arm 24 deforms, it drives the flange 42 to move in the guiding space 40. The guiding space 40 can guide the movement of the resilient arm 24, making the resilient arm 24 more stable during deformation.

[0056] The flange 42 can be integrally formed with the resilient arm 24. The flange 42 can also be formed as a split structure with the resilient arm 24. The flange 42 is fixed to the resilient arm 24, for example, by welding or screw fixing.

[0057] In one embodiment, the guiding space 40 is arc-shaped. In this way, the smoothness of the movement of the second component 38 can be improved. Specifically, when the second component 38 moves toward the body 22 under pressure or moves away from the body 22 when returning, the second component 38 can rotate around a certain position of the first component 36 or other positions of the terminal 100. The movement trajectory of the second part is arc-shaped. The second component 38 can be guided by the flange 42 in the arc-shaped guiding space 40. The shape of the guiding space 40 matches the movement trajectory of the second component 38, improving the smoothness of the movement of the second component 38.

[0058] In one embodiment, in a state without acting forces, at least one component of the elastic force arm 24 can elastically move in two directions in the vertical direction H. Further, the elastic force arm 24 includes a first component 36 and a second component 38. The first component 36 and the second component 38 are connected to each other at the bending portion of the elastic force arm 24 and jointly form a bending angle. The first component 36 is connected to the side wall of the terminal 100. The second component 38 can elastically move in two directions in the vertical direction H. The first component 36 and the second component 38 jointly form a bending angle, which helps to improve the elastic deformation performance of the elastic force arm 24.

[0059] Specifically, the body 22 includes a first side wall 26 and a second side wall 28 arranged along the transverse direction P of the terminal 100. The first component 36 is connected to the first side wall 26, and the second component 38 is connected to the end of the first component 36 far from the first side wall 26. A bending angle greater than 90° is formed between the first component 36 and the second component 38. Please refer to Figure 5 , when the second component 38 is subjected to a downward pressure, it can rotate counterclockwise around a certain position of the first component 36. When the pressure is withdrawn, the second component 38 can rotate clockwise around this position of the first component 36 to return to its original state.

[0060] In addition, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a strengthening component 44 is further provided on the second component 38. The strengthening component 44 extends substantially along the longitudinal direction L of the terminal 100. The strengthening component 44 can increase the cross-sectional area of the second component 38 along the transverse direction P and improve the structural strength. The strengthening component 44 can be a protrusion or a rib, etc.

[0061] The terminal 100 is preferably formed such that it can be arranged in a housing. Wherein, in the mating position of the terminal 100 in the housing, the terminal 100 is locked in the mating position of the housing by means of the elastic force arm 24. For this purpose, the elastic force arm 24 includes the second component 38. In the mating position of the terminal 100, the second component 38 is locked on a locking unit (not shown in the figure) of the housing along the longitudinal direction L.

[0062] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 5 , a bending angle A1 is formed on one side surface of the first component 36 along the longitudinal direction L of the terminal 100. In this way, the elastic deformation performance of the elastic force arm 24 can be improved. The bending angle A1 can be in a C shape.

[0063] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 5 , a bending angle A2 is formed on one side of the second component 38 along the longitudinal direction L of the terminal 100. In this way, the elastic deformation performance of the elastic force arm 24 can be improved. The bending angle A2 can be in a C shape.

[0064] In one embodiment, the connection length of the first component 36 to the side wall of the terminal 100 is less than the edge length of the second component 38 in the longitudinal direction L. In this way, it is convenient for the deformation of the elastic force arm 24, making it easier for the housing to be inserted into the terminal 100.

[0065] Specifically, when the housing is inserted into the terminal 100 along the insertion direction S (one of the directions of the longitudinal direction L), the inner wall of the housing can contact the top surface of the second component 38 and apply a downward pressure to the second component 38. When the second component 38 is subjected to the downward pressure, it moves towards the direction close to the body 22. As the housing continues to be inserted, the second component 38 is pressed down more. Since the connection length of the first component 36 to the side wall of the terminal 100 is less than the edge length of the second component 38 in the longitudinal direction L, when the second component 38 deforms, it is less resistant in the longitudinal direction L, and the second component 38 is more likely to move towards the direction close to the body 22, making it easier for the housing to be inserted into the terminal 100.

[0066] Furthermore, the first component 36 is connected to the edge of the second component 38 close to the right part 14 in the longitudinal direction L. The second component 38 is inclined at an angle relative to the insertion direction S towards the outside of the body 22, and this angle can be an acute angle.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the operation of the terminal 100 in the embodiment of the present invention is described as follows: During the assembly of the housing to the terminal 100, the second component 38 can rotate around the center O, and the center O can be located on the first component 36. The movement stroke of the second component 38 is L20, and the rotation stroke of the flange 42 around the center O is L10, and the stroke L10 is equal to the stroke L20. The flange 42 moves along an arc trajectory in the arc-shaped guiding space 40 to achieve the buckling function.

[0068] An electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the terminal 100 according to any of the above embodiments. Among them, the electrical connector can be a male electrical connector or a female electrical connector, which is not specifically limited herein. The electrical connector may further include a housing, and the terminal 100 can be clamped in the housing through the elastic force arm 24.

[0069] A wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a wire and the above electrical connector, and the wire is connected to the terminal 100.

[0070] Specifically, the wire can be connected and crimped to the connector on the terminal 100.

[0071] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the wire harness according to the above embodiment. Specifically, the wire harness can be applied to the electrical connection between various systems of the vehicle, and the electrical connection between various components, etc., which is not specifically limited herein. The vehicle includes but is not limited to pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, range-extended electric vehicles, fuel vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and the like.

[0072] It should be noted that the above explanations of the embodiments and beneficial effects of the terminal 100 also apply to the electrical connector, wire harness and vehicle of this embodiment. To avoid redundancy, no detailed elaboration will be made here.

[0073] In the description of this specification, the descriptions referring to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "schematic embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and purposes of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A terminal, characterized in that, Comprising: An elastic force arm extending along the lateral direction of the terminal and configured to cooperate with the housing, the terminal being configured to: be locked in the housing by means of the elastic force arm, and when the holding force of the terminal is exceeded, the elastic force arm is positioned away from the terminal in the vertical direction; The terminal further includes a body, the body including a first side wall and a second side wall disposed along the lateral direction of the terminal, the first side wall and the second side wall being spaced apart and opposite to each other, and the elastic force arm connecting the first side wall and extending towards the second side wall; The elastic force arm includes a first component and a second component, the first component and the second component being connected to each other at the bending portion of the elastic force arm and jointly forming a bending angle; The first component is connected to the first side wall, and the second component is connected to one end of the first component away from the first side wall; A notch is formed in the first side wall, and the elastic force arm is connected to the edge of the notch; The body further includes a top wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, a through hole is formed in the top wall, and a part of the elastic force arm corresponds to the position of the through hole; The through hole communicates with the notch to form a communication space.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, A guiding space is formed in the second side wall, the elastic force arm is provided with a flange along the lateral direction of the terminal, the flange is at least partially located in the guiding space, and the guiding space is used to guide the elastic force arm to move in a direction close to or away from the body.

3. The terminal according to claim 2, wherein The guiding space is arc-shaped.

4. The terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that, A bending angle is formed on one side surface of the first component along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

5. The terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that, A bending angle is formed on one side of the second component along the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

6. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein The connection length of the first component and the terminal side wall is less than the edge length of the second component in the longitudinal direction.

7. An electrical connector, characterized in that, Comprising the terminal according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. A wire harness, characterized in that, Comprising: A wire; And The electrical connector according to claim 7, the wire connecting the terminal.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that, Comprising the wire harness according to claim 8.

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