Connectors

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connector. The connector comprises: a housing, which is formed with a plurality of terminal insertion holes extending in the longitudinal direction thereof and a pair of vertical slots opposite in the transverse direction thereof; a plurality of terminals, which are respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal insertion holes and each terminal has a pair of elastic parts opposite in the transverse direction; and a pair of conductive plates, which are respectively inserted into the pair of vertical slots. The plurality of terminals are arranged into a plurality of rows and columns in the transverse and height directions of the housing, and the elastic parts of two adjacent terminals in each row of terminals are in electrical contact with each other; one of the pair of conductive plates is in electrical contact with the elastic parts of the outermost column of terminals at the same time, and the other conductive plate of the pair of conductive plates is in electrical contact with the elastic parts of the other outermost column of terminals at the same time. In the present invention, the plurality of terminals of the connector are electrically connected to each other, so there is no need to provide an additional transfer connector, which simplifies the structure of the connector product, reduces the manufacturing cost, and reduces the volume of the connector product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical connection, and in particular to a connector. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, in order to achieve a quick electrical connection between cables, it is usually necessary to provide multiple cable connectors and a transfer connector. The cable connector includes a housing and a terminal disposed in the housing, and the terminal is crimped onto the cable. The transfer connector includes a housing and a plurality of transfer terminals disposed in the housing. The multiple cable connectors are respectively inserted into the transfer connector, and the terminals of the multiple cable connectors are electrically connected to each other via the multiple transfer terminals. However, the existing technical solution requires the provision of two different connectors, which increases the cost and causes the product to be too large. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises: a housing, formed with a plurality of terminal insertion holes extending in the longitudinal direction thereof and a pair of vertical slots opposite to each other in the transverse direction thereof; a plurality of terminals, respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal insertion holes and each terminal having a pair of elastic parts opposite to each other in the transverse direction; and a pair of conductive plates, respectively inserted into the pair of vertical slots. The plurality of terminals are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns in the transverse and height directions of the housing, and the elastic parts of two adjacent terminals in each row of terminals are in electrical contact with each other; one of the pair of conductive plates is in electrical contact with the elastic parts of the outermost column of terminals at the same time, and the other of the pair of conductive plates is in electrical contact with the elastic parts of the other outermost column of terminals at the same time.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal further comprises: a fixing portion, comprising a pair of side plates spaced opposite to each other in the transverse direction. One end of the pair of elastic portions is connected to the pair of side plates respectively, and each elastic portion has a contact portion bent into a hook shape at the other end thereof, the contact portions of two adjacent terminals in each row of terminals are in electrical contact with each other, one conductive plate is in electrical contact with the contact portions of the outermost column of terminals at the same time, and the other conductive plate is in electrical contact with the contact portions of the other outermost column of terminals at the same time.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the contact portion has an inner side and an outer side opposite to each other in the lateral direction, and the outer side of the contact portion of one terminal is used to electrically contact the outer side of the contact portion of another laterally adjacent terminal to electrically connect the two laterally adjacent terminals.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an insert tongue is formed in the terminal insertion hole of the housing, and the insert tongue is inserted between a pair of elastic portions of the terminal and abuts against the inner sides of the contact portions of the pair of elastic portions, so that the contact portions of two laterally adjacent terminals are in reliable electrical contact.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spacing between the contact portions of the pair of elastic portions is smaller than the width of the inserting tongue in the transverse direction, so that the contact portions of the pair of elastic portions are elastically deformed and generate a predetermined elastic contact force under the action of the inserting tongue inserted between them, so as to ensure that the contact portion of one terminal is in reliable electrical contact with the contact portion of another terminal adjacent to the terminal in the transverse direction.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic portion is cantilevered and a distal end thereof is bent toward an inner side between the pair of elastic portions to form a hook-shaped contact portion.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion also includes a base, the base including a bottom wall extending along the longitudinal direction and a pair of side walls respectively located on both sides of the bottom wall in a lateral direction; the pair of side plates are respectively connected to the upper sides of a pair of side walls of the base and extend upward along the height direction, and the pair of elastic portions are respectively connected to the front sides of the pair of side plates and are suspended above the base.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a primary lock spring is formed on the bottom wall of the fixing portion, and the primary lock spring is used to engage with a primary lock slot in the terminal insertion hole of the housing to lock the terminal in the terminal insertion hole.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a secondary lock buckle and a secondary lock slot are respectively formed on the top and bottom of the shell, and the secondary lock buckle can move between a locking position engaged with the secondary lock slot and an unlocking position separated from the secondary lock slot; when the secondary lock buckle is moved to the locking position, the secondary lock buckle abuts against the rear side of the side plate of the terminal to lock the terminal in the terminal jack of the shell.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal further comprises: a crimping portion for being crimped onto a cable to be electrically connected to the cable, wherein the crimping portion is connected to a rear end of the base and extends rearwardly along the longitudinal direction.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the crimping portion of the terminal includes: a first crimping portion for crimping onto the conductor of the cable; and a second crimping portion for crimping onto the outer covering layer of the cable, the first crimping portion being connected between the rear end of the base and the second crimping portion.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes: a plurality of cables electrically connected to the plurality of terminals respectively and led out from the rear end of the housing.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal is an integral stamping part, and the housing is an integral injection-molded part.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes four terminals, and the four terminals are arranged in two rows and two columns in the lateral direction and the height direction of the housing.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two terminals adjacent in the height direction are arranged in the housing in a back-to-back manner such that bottom walls of the two terminals adjacent in the height direction face each other.

[0019] In the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, two terminals adjacent to each other in the connector are in direct electrical contact with each other, and the two outermost rows of terminals are in electrical contact with the conductive plate, so that the multiple terminals of the connector are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the present invention does not need to provide an additional transfer connector, simplifies the structure of the connector product, reduces the manufacturing cost, and reduces the volume of the connector product.

[0020] 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

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 An exploded cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 A perspective schematic diagram showing a plurality of terminals and a pair of conductive plates of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 A perspective schematic diagram showing a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 A horizontal cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 A vertical cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] According to an overall technical concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector comprises: a housing, formed with a plurality of terminal insertion holes extending in the longitudinal direction thereof and a pair of vertical slots opposite in the transverse direction thereof; a plurality of terminals, respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal insertion holes and each terminal having a pair of elastic parts opposite in the transverse direction; and a pair of conductive plates, respectively inserted into the pair of vertical slots. The plurality of terminals are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns in the transverse and height directions of the housing, and the elastic parts of two adjacent terminals in each row of terminals are in electrical contact with each other; one of the pair of conductive plates is in electrical contact with the elastic parts of the outermost column of terminals at the same time, and the other of the pair of conductive plates is in electrical contact with the elastic parts of the other outermost column of terminals at the same time.

[0032] Figure 1 A perspective schematic diagram showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 An exploded cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4A perspective schematic diagram showing a plurality of terminals 1 and a pair of conductive plates 2 of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a terminal 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 A horizontal cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 A vertical cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector is disclosed. The connector includes: a housing 3, a plurality of terminals 1 and a pair of conductive plates 2. The housing 3 is formed with a plurality of terminal insertion holes 301 extending along its longitudinal direction Y and a pair of vertical slots 302 opposite to each other in its transverse direction X. A plurality of terminals 1 are respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal insertion holes 301 and each terminal 1 has a pair of elastic portions 13 opposite to each other in the transverse direction X. A pair of conductive plates 2 are respectively inserted into a pair of vertical slots 302. A plurality of terminals 1 are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns in the transverse direction X and the height direction Z of the housing 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the row direction is the transverse direction X of the housing 3, and the column direction is the height direction Z of the housing 3.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic portions 13 of two adjacent terminals 1 in each row of terminals 1 are in electrical contact with each other. One of the pair of conductive plates 2 is in electrical contact with the elastic portions 13 of the outermost column of terminals 1 at the same time, and the other conductive plate 2 of the pair of conductive plates 2 is in electrical contact with the elastic portions 13 of the other outermost column of terminals 1 at the same time.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 1 further includes a fixing portion 10, and the fixing portion 10 includes a pair of side plates 12 spaced apart and opposite to each other in the transverse direction X. One end of a pair of elastic portions 13 is connected to the pair of side plates 12, respectively, and each elastic portion 13 has a contact portion 130 bent into a hook shape at the other end thereof. The contact portions 130 of two adjacent terminals 1 in each row of terminals 1 are in electrical contact with each other, one conductive plate 2 is in electrical contact with the contact portions 130 of the outermost column of terminals 1 at the same time, and another conductive plate 2 is in electrical contact with the contact portions 130 of the other outermost column of terminals 1 at the same time.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the contact portion 130 has an inner side 13a and an outer side 13b that are opposite to each other in the horizontal direction X, and the outer side 13b of the contact portion 130 of one terminal 1 is used to electrically contact the outer side 13b of the contact portion 130 of another laterally adjacent terminal 1 to electrically connect the two laterally adjacent terminals 1.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, an insert tongue 30 is formed in the terminal insertion hole 301 of the housing 3, and the insert tongue 30 is inserted between the pair of elastic portions 13 of the terminal 1 and abuts against the inner side 13a of the contact portion 130 of the pair of elastic portions 13, so that the contact portions 130 of two laterally adjacent terminals 1 can be reliably electrically contacted.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between the contact portions 130 of the pair of elastic portions 13 is smaller than the width of the inserting tongue 30 in the horizontal direction X, so that the contact portions 130 of the pair of elastic portions 13 will be elastically deformed and generate a predetermined elastic contact force under the action of the inserting tongue 30 inserted therebetween, so as to ensure that the contact portion 130 of one terminal 1 is in reliable electrical contact with the contact portion 130 of another terminal 1 adjacent thereto in the horizontal direction.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic portion 13 is cantilevered and a distal end thereof is bent toward the inner side between a pair of elastic portions 13 to form a hook-shaped contact portion 130 .

[0040] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing portion 10 further includes a base 11, and the base 11 includes a bottom wall 11a extending in the longitudinal direction Y and a pair of side walls 11b respectively located on both sides of the bottom wall 11a in the transverse direction X. A pair of side plates 12 are respectively connected to the upper sides of the pair of side walls 11b of the base 11 and extend upward in the height direction Z, and a pair of elastic portions 13 are respectively connected to the front sides of the pair of side plates 12 and are suspended above the base 11.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a primary lock spring piece 15 is formed on the bottom wall 11a of the fixing portion 10, and the primary lock spring piece 15 is used to engage with the primary lock slot 33 in the terminal socket 301 of the housing 3 to lock the terminal 1 in the terminal socket 301.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a secondary lock buckle 31 and a secondary lock slot 32 are respectively formed on the top and bottom of the housing 3, and the secondary lock buckle 31 can move between a locking position engaged with the secondary lock slot 32 and an unlocking position separated from the secondary lock slot 32. When the secondary lock buckle 31 is moved to the locking position, the secondary lock buckle 31 abuts against the rear side of the side plate 12 of the terminal 1 to lock the terminal 1 in the terminal insertion hole 301 of the housing 3.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 8As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 1 further includes a crimping portion 14, which is used to be crimped onto a cable (not shown) to electrically connect with the cable. The crimping portion 14 is connected to the rear end of the base 11 and extends rearward along the longitudinal direction Y.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the crimping portion 14 of the terminal 1 includes: a first crimping portion 14a and a second crimping portion 14b. The first crimping portion 14a is used to be crimped to the conductor of the cable. The second crimping portion 14b is used to be crimped to the outer sheath of the cable. The first crimping portion 14a is connected between the rear end of the base 11 and the second crimping portion 14b.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector further includes a plurality of cables, which are electrically connected to the plurality of terminals 1 respectively and led out from the rear end of the housing 3 .

[0046] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 1 is an integral stamping part, and the housing 3 is an integral injection-molded part.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector includes four terminals 1, and the four terminals 1 are arranged in two rows and two columns in the lateral direction X and the height direction Z of the housing 3. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, for example, the connector may also include six terminals 1, and the six terminals 1 are arranged in two rows and three columns.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, two terminals 1 adjacent in the height direction Z are arranged in the housing 3 in a back-to-back manner such that bottom walls 11 a of the two terminals 1 adjacent in the height direction Z face each other.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 connector, characterized in that: include: A housing (3) is formed with a plurality of terminal insertion holes (301) extending in its longitudinal direction (Y) and a pair of vertical slots (302) opposite to each other in its transverse direction (X); A plurality of terminals (1) are respectively inserted into the plurality of terminal insertion holes (301), and each terminal (1) has a pair of elastic portions (13) opposite to each other in the transverse direction; and A pair of conductive plates (2) are respectively inserted into the pair of vertical slots (302). The plurality of terminals (1) are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns in the lateral (X) and height (Z) directions of the housing (3), and the elastic portions (13) of two adjacent terminals (1) in each row of terminals (1) are in electrical contact with each other. One of the pair of conductive plates (2) is in electrical contact with the elastic portion (13) of the outermost column of terminals (1) at the same time, and the other of the pair of conductive plates (2) is in electrical contact with the elastic portion (13) of the other outermost column of terminals (1) at the same time, The terminal (1) further comprises a crimping portion (14), wherein the crimping portion (14) is used to be crimped onto a cable to be electrically connected to the cable. An insert tongue (30) is formed in the terminal insertion hole (301) of the housing (3), and the insert tongue (30) is inserted between a pair of elastic parts (13) of the terminal (1) and abuts against the inner sides of the pair of elastic parts (13), so that the elastic parts (13) of two laterally adjacent terminals (1) are in reliable electrical contact.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal (1) further comprises: The fixing portion (10) comprises a pair of side plates (12) spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction (X), One end of the pair of elastic parts (13) is connected to the pair of side plates (12) respectively, and each elastic part (13) has a contact part (130) bent into a hook shape at the other end thereof. The contact portions (130) of two adjacent terminals (1) in each row of terminals (1) are in electrical contact with each other, one conductive plate (2) is in electrical contact with the contact portions (130) of the outermost column of terminals (1) at the same time, and another conductive plate (2) is in electrical contact with the contact portions (130) of another outermost column of terminals (1) at the same time.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The contact portion (130) has an inner side (13a) and an outer side (13b) that are opposite to each other in the transverse direction (X), and the outer side (13b) of the contact portion (130) of one terminal (1) is used to electrically contact the outer side (13b) of the contact portion (130) of another terminal (1) that is adjacent in the transverse direction, so as to electrically connect the two adjacent terminals (1) in the transverse direction.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inserting tongue (30) abuts against the inner side (13a) of the contact portion (130) of the pair of elastic portions (13), so that the contact portions (130) of two laterally adjacent terminals (1) are in reliable electrical contact.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The spacing between the contact portions (130) of the pair of elastic portions (13) is smaller than the width of the plug tongue (30) in the transverse direction (X), so that the contact portions (130) of the pair of elastic portions (13) are elastically deformed and generate a predetermined elastic contact force under the action of the plug tongue (30) inserted between them, thereby ensuring that the contact portion (130) of one terminal (1) is in reliable electrical contact with the contact portion (130) of another terminal (1) adjacent thereto in the transverse direction.

6. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic portion (13) is cantilevered and its end is bent toward the inside between the pair of elastic portions (13) to form a hook-shaped contact portion (130).

7. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixing portion (10) further comprises a base portion (11), wherein the base portion (11) comprises a bottom wall (11a) extending along the longitudinal direction (Y) and a pair of side walls (11b) respectively located on both sides of the bottom wall (11a) in the transverse direction (X); The pair of side plates (12) are respectively connected to the upper sides of a pair of side walls (11b) of the base (11) and extend upward along the height direction (Z), and the pair of elastic parts (13) are respectively connected to the front sides of the pair of side plates (12) and are suspended above the base (11).

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: A primary locking spring (15) is formed on the bottom wall (11a) of the fixing portion (10), and the primary locking spring (15) is used to engage with a primary locking slot (33) in the terminal insertion hole (301) of the housing (3) to lock the terminal (1) in the terminal insertion hole (301).

9. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: A secondary lock buckle (31) and a secondary lock slot (32) are respectively formed on the top and bottom of the housing (3), and the secondary lock buckle (31) is movable between a locking position engaged with the secondary lock slot (32) and an unlocking position separated from the secondary lock slot (32); When the secondary lock buckle (31) is moved to the locking position, the secondary lock buckle (31) abuts against the rear side of the side plate (12) of the terminal (1) to lock the terminal (1) in the terminal insertion hole (301) of the housing (3).

10. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The crimping portion (14) is connected to the rear end of the base portion (11) and extends rearward along the longitudinal direction (Y).

11. The connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The crimping portion (14) of the terminal (1) comprises: A first crimping portion (14a) for crimping onto a conductor of the cable; and The second crimping portion (14b) is used for crimping onto the outer sheath of the cable, The first crimping portion (14a) is connected between the rear end of the base (11) and the second crimping portion (14b).

12. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A plurality of cables are electrically connected to the plurality of terminals (1) respectively and are led out from the rear end of the housing (3).

13. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal (1) is an integral stamped part, and the housing (3) is an integral injection-molded part.

14. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The connector comprises four terminals (1), and the four terminals (1) are arranged in two rows and two columns in the lateral (X) and height (Z) directions of the housing (3).

15. The connector according to claim 14, characterized in that: Two terminals (1) adjacent to each other in the height direction (Z) are arranged in the housing (3) in a back-to-back manner such that bottom walls (11a) of the two terminals (1) adjacent to each other in the height direction (Z) face each other.

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