Receptacles, Receptacle Connectors, and Connector Assemblies

Abstract

The present invention discloses a female terminal, a female connector and a connector assembly. The female terminal includes a mating portion. The mating portion includes: a front annular portion, which defines a front port allowing a male terminal to be inserted into the mating portion; and an elastic cantilever, which is used to make electrical contact with the inserted male terminal. The front annular portion has two side walls that are opposite to each other in the transverse direction of the mating portion, a first protrusion is formed on the inner side of one side wall of the front annular portion, and a second protrusion is formed on the inner side of the other side wall. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are suitable for respectively abutting against the two sides of the inserted male terminal to position the male terminal in the transverse direction of the mating portion. Therefore, the female terminal of the present invention can be mated with a male terminal whose size is smaller than the front port of the female terminal. In addition, in the present invention, the elastic cantilever of the female terminal includes a top elastic arm and a side elastic arm whose ends are connected to each other, so that the electrical contact force between the elastic cantilever and the inserted male terminal can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a female terminal, a female connector including the female terminal and a connector assembly including the female connector. Background Art

[0002] The stamped female terminal has a front port for inserting the male terminal. In the prior art, no protrusion is formed on the inner side of the female terminal. Therefore, the size of the male terminal that matches the female terminal must match the front port of the female terminal, which results in a larger size of the male terminal. When it is necessary to match with a smaller male terminal, the female terminal needs to be redesigned and manufactured, which results in higher costs.

[0003] Furthermore, in the prior art, the electrical contact force between the elastic cantilever of the female terminal and the inserted male terminal is relatively small, resulting in relatively large contact resistance, which reduces the electrical contact performance between the female terminal and the male terminal. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a female terminal is provided. The female terminal includes a mating portion. The mating portion includes: a front annular portion defining a front port allowing a male terminal to be inserted into the mating portion; and an elastic cantilever for electrically contacting the inserted male terminal. The front annular portion has two side walls opposite to each other in the transverse direction of the mating portion, a first protrusion is formed on the inner side of one side wall of the front annular portion, and a second protrusion is formed on the inner side of the other side wall. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are suitable for respectively abutting against the two sides of the inserted male terminal to position the male terminal in the transverse direction of the mating portion.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shape of the first protrusion is different from a shape of the second protrusion.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion is a circular protrusion with a circular cross-section, and the second protrusion is a rectangular protrusion with a rectangular cross-section.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the first protrusion is the same as the shape of the second protrusion.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are circular protrusions with a circular cross-section or rectangular protrusions with a rectangular cross-section.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating portion further includes: a rear annular portion, opposite to the front annular portion in the longitudinal direction of the mating portion; and a bottom connecting wall, connected between the front annular portion and the bottom wall of the rear annular portion, and the elastic cantilever is connected to the rear annular portion and extends toward the front annular portion.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever includes: a top elastic arm, which is connected to the top wall of the rear annular portion and extends obliquely downward toward the front annular portion, and the top elastic arm is opposite to the bottom connecting wall in the height direction of the mating portion, so that the inserted male terminal can be clamped between the top elastic arm and the bottom connecting wall.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first contact protrusion protruding toward the bottom connecting wall is formed on the end of the top elastic arm, and the first contact protrusion is used to electrically contact the top surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a second contact protrusion protruding toward the first contact protrusion is formed on the bottom connecting wall, the second contact protrusion is opposite to the first contact protrusion in the height direction, and is used for electrically contacting the bottom surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever also includes: a guiding front end, which is connected to the end of the top elastic arm and extends upwardly obliquely toward the top wall of the front annular portion, and a guiding bevel is formed on the guiding front end, and the guiding bevel is used to guide the male terminal to be inserted between the top elastic arm and the bottom connecting wall.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic cantilever also includes: a side elastic arm connected to the side wall of the rear annular portion and extending toward the front annular portion along the longitudinal direction of the mating portion; and an arc-shaped connecting portion connected between the side elastic arm and the end of the top elastic arm, the side elastic arm being used to increase the rigidity of the top elastic arm so as to increase the electrical contact force between the top elastic arm and the inserted male terminal.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating portion further includes: a side connecting wall connected between the side walls of the front annular portion and the rear annular portion opposite to the side elastic arm, the side elastic arm and the side connecting wall are respectively located on both sides of the mating portion in the lateral direction, and the side connecting wall is connected to the bottom connecting wall.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating portion also includes: an elastic locking arm, which is connected to the front annular portion and extends obliquely upward toward the rear annular portion, and the elastic locking arm is used to engage with the housing of the female connector to lock the female terminal in the housing of the female connector.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic locking arm is located above the top elastic arm, and the root of the elastic locking arm is connected to the side wall of the front annular portion and abuts against the top surface of the front annular portion.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the female terminal further includes: a crimping portion connected to a rear end of the mating portion and used for being crimped onto a cable to be electrically connected to the cable.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the crimping portion includes: a first crimping portion, connected to the rear end of the mating portion, and used for crimping onto the conductor of the cable; and a second crimping portion, located behind the first crimping portion and connected to the first crimping portion, and used for crimping onto the outer covering layer of the cable.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the female terminal is an integral stamped and formed terminal.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a female connector is provided, comprising: a housing; and the female terminal inserted into the housing.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly comprises: the aforementioned female connector; and a male connector mating with the female connector. The male terminal of the male connector is inserted into the mating portion of the female terminal of the female connector to be electrically connected with the female terminal.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the male terminal includes a columnar plug portion inserted into the mating portion of the female terminal, and the cross-section of the columnar plug portion is rectangular; the dimension of the columnar plug portion in the lateral direction of the mating portion is 0.4 mm, and the dimension in the height direction of the mating portion is 0.3 mm.

[0025] In the above-mentioned various exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, by forming a protrusion on the inner side of the front port of the mating portion of the female terminal, the female terminal can be mated with the male terminal which is smaller in size than the front port of the female terminal. Therefore, the present invention does not need to redesign and manufacture the female terminal, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0026] Furthermore, in some of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the elastic cantilever of the female terminal includes a top elastic arm and a side elastic arm whose ends are connected to each other, thereby being able to improve the electrical contact force between the elastic cantilever and the inserted male terminal.

[0027] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from one side;

[0029] Figure 2 A perspective schematic diagram showing a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from another side;

[0030] Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 A transverse cross-sectional view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the front annular portion is removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The technical solution of the present invention is further specifically described below by examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0033] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0034] According to an overall technical concept of the present invention, a female terminal is provided. The female terminal includes a mating portion. The mating portion includes: a front annular portion, defining a front port allowing a male terminal to be inserted into the mating portion; and an elastic cantilever, which is used to make electrical contact with the inserted male terminal. The front annular portion has two side walls that are opposite to each other in the transverse direction of the mating portion, a first protrusion is formed on the inner side of one side wall of the front annular portion, and a second protrusion is formed on the inner side of the other side wall. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are suitable for respectively abutting against the two sides of the inserted male terminal to position the male terminal in the transverse direction of the mating portion.

[0035] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, there is provided a female connector, which comprises: a housing; and the aforementioned female terminal, which is inserted into the housing.

[0036] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned female connector; and a male connector, which is matched with the female connector. The male terminal of the male connector is inserted into the matching portion of the female terminal of the female connector to be electrically connected with the female terminal.

[0037] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from one side; Figure 2 A perspective schematic diagram showing a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from another side; Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A transverse cross-sectional view of a female terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the front annular portion is removed.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a female terminal is disclosed. The female terminal includes a mating portion 1 for mating with a male terminal (not shown). The mating portion 1 includes a front annular portion 11 and an elastic cantilever 13. The front annular portion 11 defines a front port 101 that allows the male terminal to be inserted into the mating portion 1. The elastic cantilever 13 is used to make electrical contact with the inserted male terminal. The front annular portion 11 has two side walls that are opposite to each other in the lateral direction X of the mating portion 1, a first protrusion 11a is formed on the inner side of one side wall of the front annular portion 11, and a second protrusion 11b is formed on the inner side of the other side wall of the front annular portion 11. The first protrusion 11a and the second protrusion 11b are suitable for respectively abutting against the two sides of the inserted male terminal to position the male terminal in the lateral direction X of the mating portion 1.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the first protrusion 11a is different from the shape of the second protrusion 11b. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion 11a is a circular protrusion with a circular cross section, and the second protrusion 11b is a rectangular protrusion with a rectangular cross section.

[0040] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the first protrusion 11a is the same as the shape of the second protrusion 11b. For example, the first protrusion 11a and the second protrusion 11b may be circular protrusions with a circular cross section or may be rectangular protrusions with a rectangular cross section.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating portion 1 further includes: a rear annular portion 12 and a bottom connecting wall 10. The rear annular portion 12 is opposite to the front annular portion 11 in the longitudinal direction Y of the mating portion 1. The bottom connecting wall 10 is connected between the bottom walls of the front annular portion 11 and the rear annular portion 12. The elastic cantilever 13 is connected to the rear annular portion 12 and extends toward the front annular portion 11.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic cantilever 13 includes a top elastic arm 131, which is connected to the top wall of the rear annular portion 12 and extends obliquely downward toward the front annular portion 11. The top elastic arm 131 is opposite to the bottom connecting wall 10 in the height direction Z of the mating portion 1, so that the inserted male terminal can be clamped between the top elastic arm 131 and the bottom connecting wall 10.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a first contact protrusion 13a protruding toward the bottom connecting wall 10 is formed on the end of the top elastic arm 131, and the first contact protrusion 13a is used to electrically contact the top surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a second contact protrusion 10a protruding toward the first contact protrusion 13a is formed on the bottom connecting wall 10, and the second contact protrusion 10a is opposite to the first contact protrusion 13a in the height direction Z, and is used for electrically contacting the bottom surface of the inserted male terminal.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic cantilever 13 further includes a guiding front end 134, which is connected to the end of the top elastic arm 131 and extends obliquely upward toward the top wall of the front annular portion 11. A guiding inclined surface 13b is formed on the guiding front end 134, and the guiding inclined surface 13b is used to guide the male terminal to be inserted between the top elastic arm 131 and the bottom connecting wall 10.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic cantilever 13 further includes a side elastic arm 132 and an arc-shaped connecting portion 133. The side elastic arm 132 is connected to the side wall of the rear annular portion 12 and extends toward the front annular portion 11 along the longitudinal direction of the mating portion 1. The arc-shaped connecting portion 133 is connected between the side elastic arm 132 and the end of the top elastic arm 131. The side elastic arm 132 is used to increase the rigidity of the top elastic arm 131, so as to increase the electrical contact force between the top elastic arm 131 and the inserted male terminal.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating portion 1 further includes a side connecting wall 15, which is connected between the side walls of the front annular portion 11 and the rear annular portion 12 opposite to the side elastic arm 132. The side elastic arm 132 and the side connecting wall 15 are respectively located on both sides of the lateral direction X of the mating portion 1, and the side connecting wall 15 is connected to the bottom connecting wall 10.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating portion 1 further includes an elastic locking arm 14, which is connected to the front annular portion 11 and extends obliquely upward toward the rear annular portion 12. The elastic locking arm 14 is used to engage with the housing of the female connector to lock the female terminal in the housing of the female connector.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic locking arm 14 is located above the top elastic arm 131 , and the root 14 a of the elastic locking arm 14 is connected to the side wall of the front annular portion 11 and abuts against the top surface of the front annular portion 11 .

[0050] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the female terminal further includes a crimping portion 2, which is connected to the rear end of the mating portion 1 and is used for being crimped onto a cable (not shown) to be electrically connected to the cable.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the crimping portion 2 includes: a first crimping portion 21 and a second crimping portion 22. The first crimping portion 21 is connected to the rear end of the mating portion 1 and is used to be crimped to the conductor of the cable. The second crimping portion 22 is located behind the first crimping portion 21 and is connected to the first crimping portion 21 and is used to be crimped to the outer sheath of the cable.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the female terminal is an integral stamped terminal, which can reduce manufacturing costs and improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a female connector is also disclosed. The female connector comprises: a housing and the aforementioned female terminal. The female terminal is inserted into the housing.

[0054] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes: the aforementioned female connector and a male connector. The male connector is mated with the female connector. The male terminal of the male connector is inserted into the mating portion of the female terminal of the female connector to be electrically connected with the female terminal.

[0055] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the embodiment shown in the figure, the male terminal includes a columnar plug portion (not shown) inserted into the mating portion 1 of the female terminal, and the cross section of the columnar plug portion is rectangular. The dimension of the columnar plug portion in the lateral direction X of the mating portion 1 is 0.4 mm, and the dimension in the height direction Z of the mating portion 1 is 0.3 mm.

[0056] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described above are exemplary and may be improved upon by those skilled in the art. The structures described in the various embodiments may be freely combined without causing any conflicts in structure or principle, and these changes should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred implementations of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0058] Although some embodiments of the general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0059] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A female terminal, characterized in that: include: The mating part (1) comprises: A front annular portion (11) defining a front port (101) allowing a male terminal to be inserted into the mating portion (1); a rear annular portion (12) opposite to the front annular portion (11) in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the matching portion (1); A bottom connecting wall (10) connected between the bottom walls of the front annular portion (11) and the rear annular portion (12); and An elastic cantilever (13) for making electrical contact with an inserted male terminal; The elastic cantilever (13) comprises: A top elastic arm (131) connected to the top wall of the rear annular portion (12) and extending obliquely downward toward the front annular portion (11); A side elastic arm (132) connected to the side wall of the rear annular portion (12) and extending along the longitudinal direction of the mating portion (1) toward the front annular portion (11); and An arc-shaped connecting portion (133) is connected between the ends of the side elastic arm (132) and the top elastic arm (131). The front annular portion (11) has two side walls that are opposite to each other in the transverse direction (X) of the mating portion (1), a first protrusion (11a) is formed on the inner side of one side wall of the front annular portion (11), and a second protrusion (11b) is formed on the inner side of the other side wall. The first protrusion (11a) and the second protrusion (11b) are suitable for respectively abutting against two sides of the inserted male terminal to position the male terminal in the transverse direction (X) of the mating portion (1). The front annular portion (11) and the rear annular portion (12) have a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the transverse direction (X), there is no connecting wall between the side walls of the first side of the front annular portion (11) and the rear annular portion (12), and the side elastic arm (132) is suspended between the side walls of the first side of the front annular portion (11) and the rear annular portion (12), The arc-shaped connecting portion (133) has two surfaces that are opposite to each other in thickness, and the two surfaces of the arc-shaped connecting portion (133) are parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y).

2. The female terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape of the first protrusion (11a) is different from the shape of the second protrusion (11b).

3. The female terminal according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first protrusion (11a) is a circular protrusion with a circular cross-section, and the second protrusion (11b) is a rectangular protrusion with a rectangular cross-section.

4. The female terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape of the first protrusion (11a) is the same as the shape of the second protrusion (11b).

5. The female terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first protrusion (11a) and the second protrusion (11b) are circular protrusions with a circular cross-section or rectangular protrusions with a rectangular cross-section.

6. The female terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top elastic arm (131) and the bottom connecting wall (10) are opposite to each other in the height direction (Z) of the mating portion (1), so that an inserted male terminal can be clamped between the top elastic arm (131) and the bottom connecting wall (10).

7. The female terminal according to claim 6, characterized in that: A first contact protrusion (13a) protruding toward the bottom connecting wall (10) is formed on the end of the top elastic arm (131), and the first contact protrusion (13a) is used to make electrical contact with the top surface of an inserted male terminal.

8. The female terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that: A second contact protrusion (10a) is formed on the bottom connecting wall (10) and protrudes toward the first contact protrusion (13a). The second contact protrusion (10a) is opposite to the first contact protrusion (13a) in the height direction (Z) and is used to make electrical contact with the bottom surface of the inserted male terminal.

9. The female terminal according to claim 6, characterized in that: The elastic cantilever (13) further comprises: A guiding front end (134) is connected to the end of the top elastic arm (131) and extends obliquely upward toward the top wall of the front annular portion (11). A guiding inclined surface (13b) is formed on the guiding front end (134), and the guiding inclined surface (13b) is used to guide the male terminal to be inserted between the top elastic arm (131) and the bottom connecting wall (10).

10. The female terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that: The mating portion (1) further comprises: A side connecting wall (15) is connected between the side walls of the front annular portion (11) and the rear annular portion (12) that are opposite to the side elastic arm (132). The side elastic arms (132) and the side connecting walls (15) are respectively located on both sides of the lateral direction (X) of the matching portion (1), and the side connecting walls (15) are connected to the bottom connecting wall (10).

11. The female terminal according to claim 6, characterized in that: The mating portion (1) further comprises: An elastic locking arm (14) is connected to the front annular portion (11) and extends obliquely upward toward the rear annular portion (12). The elastic locking arm (14) is used to engage with the housing of the female connector to lock the female terminal in the housing of the female connector.

12. The female terminal according to claim 11, characterized in that: The elastic locking arm (14) is located above the top elastic arm (131), and the root (14a) of the elastic locking arm (14) is connected to the side wall of the front annular portion (11) and abuts against the top surface of the front annular portion (11).

13. The female terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The crimping portion (2) is connected to the rear end of the mating portion (1) and is used for being crimped onto a cable to be electrically connected to the cable.

14. The female terminal according to claim 13, characterized in that: The crimping portion (2) comprises: A first crimping portion (21), connected to the rear end of the mating portion (1), and used for crimping onto the conductor of the cable; and The second crimping portion (22) is located behind the first crimping portion (21) and is connected to the first crimping portion (21), and is used for being crimped onto the outer coating layer of the cable.

15. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The female terminal is an integrated stamped terminal.

16. A female connector, characterized in that: include: case; and The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is inserted into the housing.

17. A connector assembly, characterized in that: include: The female connector according to claim 16; and A male connector is matched with the female connector. The male terminal of the male connector is inserted into the mating portion (1) of the female terminal of the female connector to be electrically connected to the female terminal.

18. The connector assembly according to claim 17, wherein: The male terminal comprises a columnar plug portion inserted into the mating portion (1) of the female terminal, wherein the cross section of the columnar plug portion is rectangular; The dimension of the columnar plug portion in the lateral direction (X) of the mating portion (1) is 0.4 mm, and the dimension in the height direction (Z) of the mating portion (1) is 0.3 mm.

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