Plate-type contactors and high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structures

Abstract

This invention provides a novel plate-type contact and a high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure. Through the lateral compression of the adapter connector's pressing structure, the elastic cantilever section moves towards the pressure portion of the elastic cantilever section of the opposite contact, thereby causing the short-circuit portion to contact the short-circuit portion on the opposite contact. This simplifies the component structure, reduces component usage costs, and standardizes and simplifies signal contacts. Compared to existing contacts, the contact structure of this invention is simpler, and a single insertion after assembly achieves circuit short-circuiting. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure eliminates the need for plate-type short-circuit pins to form a signal circuit, reducing the use of plate-type short-circuit pins, improving assembly efficiency, reducing component costs, and lowering the overall cost of the signal components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a contact element of an electrical connector, and more particularly to a plate contact element and a high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure. Background Technology

[0002] In the electrical connector industry, contacts are always the most crucial components, directly affecting the reliability of the connector's connection performance. Existing high-voltage interlocking connection assemblies often utilize a socket-type signal contact in their high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure. These signal contacts typically consist of two or more components. Specifically, for example... Figure 1-4 As shown, existing signal contacts typically include a signal socket 1 and an outer sheath 2. The rear end of the signal socket 1 is a terminal, and the front end is formed by a group of cantilever springs 101 arranged opposite each other to form a mating end for the insertion of an adapter conductor. During contact assembly, the mating end of the signal socket 1 is inserted into the outer sheath 2. The front port of the outer sheath 2 forms a mating opening for the insertion of a blade-type shorting pin 3. The blade-type shorting pin 3 simultaneously engages with two signal contacts, thereby shorting the two signal contacts to form a signal shorting circuit. The existing signal contacts use a large number of parts with complex structures during assembly, leading to complicated processing and assembly, and higher overall product cost. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a plate-type contact element to solve the problems of numerous signal contact parts, complex part structures, and cumbersome processing in existing high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structures, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of part manufacturing. Simultaneously, this invention also provides a high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure incorporating the plate-type contact element of this invention, solving the problems of numerous parts and complex assembly processes required in existing high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structures. It eliminates the need for the plate-type short-circuit pins used in existing signal short-circuit circuits during connection, improving overall assembly efficiency and reducing costs.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a plate contact, used in pairs and arranged opposite to each other, comprising a plate body, the plate body including a terminal, an assembly structure for fixed assembly with a first insulating shell, and a shorting structure, the shorting structure including an elastic overhang section, the elastic overhang section having a pressure-bearing portion for being laterally pressed by a pressure-bearing structure of a mating connector to move the elastic overhang section toward the elastic overhang section of the opposite plate contact, the elastic overhang section having a shorting portion for contacting the shorting portion on the opposite plate contact when the elastic overhang section is pressed.

[0005] Furthermore, the shorting portion is a contact spring arm formed by punching on the elastic cantilever section.

[0006] Furthermore, the contact spring arm extends away from the wiring terminal and inwards.

[0007] Furthermore, the end of the flexible suspension section facing away from the wiring terminal has an inwardly bent and outwardly bulging section, the pressure-bearing part is the outer side of the bent section, and the outer side of the bent section is a smooth guide surface.

[0008] Furthermore, the two ends of the elastic cantilever section in the width direction corresponding to the contact arm position are provided with inward bends.

[0009] Furthermore, the assembly structure is located on the sheet body between the wiring terminal and the shorting structure, including inwardly bent wings on both sides of the sheet body in the width direction, the bent wings being used to cooperate with the insertion groove in the first insulating shell, and also including a limiting structure disposed between the two bent wings.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting structure is an outwardly protruding snap-fit ​​structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the snap-fit ​​structure is a spring piece that is punched outward and extends toward the wiring end.

[0012] Furthermore, the elastic cantilever section has a transition section between its root and the short joint, and the transition section is provided with a hollow structure.

[0013] This invention provides a novel plate-type contact, which is used in pairs and arranged opposite each other. Through lateral compression by the mating connector's pressing structure, the elastic overhanging section moves towards the pressure portion of the elastic overhanging section of the opposite contact, thereby causing the shorting portion to contact the shorting portion on the opposite contact, thus achieving short-circuiting of two signals. This solution simplifies the component structure, reduces the cost of use, and standardizes and simplifies the signal contact. Compared to existing contact components, the contact of this invention has a simple structure, and circuit short-circuiting can be achieved in a single insertion step after assembly.

[0014] The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure of the present invention includes a first insulating shell with a front-to-back extending mounting cavity. A pair of contacts are installed in the mounting cavity. The contacts are used in pairs and arranged opposite to each other. Each contact includes a sheet, which includes a terminal, an assembly structure for fixed assembly with the first insulating shell, and a short-circuit structure. The short-circuit structure includes an elastic cantilever section with a pressure-bearing portion for being laterally pressed by the pressure-bearing structure of the adapter connector, causing the elastic cantilever section to move toward the elastic cantilever section of the opposite contact. The elastic cantilever section has a short-circuit portion for contacting the short-circuit portion on the opposite contact when the elastic cantilever section is pressed. The first insulating shell has a clearance perforation at the pressure-bearing portion corresponding to the contact to expose the pressure-bearing portion, so that the pressure-bearing portion is pressed by the pressure-bearing structure of the adapter connector when the adapter connector is inserted.

[0015] Furthermore, the shorting portion is a contact spring arm formed by punching on the elastic cantilever section.

[0016] Furthermore, the contact spring arm extends away from the wiring terminal and inwards.

[0017] Furthermore, the end of the flexible suspension section facing away from the wiring terminal has an inwardly bent and outwardly bulging section, the pressure-bearing part is the outer side of the bent section, and the outer side of the bent section is a smooth guide surface.

[0018] Furthermore, the two ends of the elastic cantilever section in the width direction corresponding to the contact arm position are provided with inward bends.

[0019] Furthermore, the assembly structure is located on the sheet body between the wiring terminal and the shorting structure, including inwardly bent wings on both sides of the sheet body in the width direction, the bent wings being used to cooperate with the insertion groove in the first insulating shell, and also including a limiting structure disposed between the two bent wings.

[0020] Furthermore, the limiting structure is an outwardly protruding snap-fit ​​structure.

[0021] Furthermore, the snap-fit ​​structure is a spring piece that is punched outward and extends toward the wiring end.

[0022] Furthermore, the elastic cantilever section has a transition section between its root and the short joint, and the transition section is provided with a hollow structure.

[0023] Furthermore, the inner wall of the mounting cavity is provided with a front-to-back extending insertion groove that mates with the bent wing on the plate contact element.

[0024] Furthermore, the inner wall of the mounting cavity is provided with a limiting groove on the opposite side to cooperate with the buckle structure.

[0025] This invention provides a high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure, solving the problem of numerous parts required during assembly in existing short-circuit structures. By providing a clearance perforation on the first insulating shell to expose the pressure-bearing part, the pressure-bearing part is pressed against the mating connector's pressing structure when the connector is inserted. The pressing structure compresses the outer sides of the opposing plate-type contact elements, achieving contact between the short-circuit parts and ensuring a high-voltage interlocking short circuit. Compared to existing short-circuit structures, the signal contact structure of this invention is simpler, easier to manufacture, and lower in cost. It eliminates the need for plate-type short-circuit pins to form a signal circuit, reducing the use of plate-type short-circuit pins, improving assembly efficiency, and lowering both component and overall signal component costs. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the signal jack structure of an existing contact element;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outer sheath of an existing contact component;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the signal socket of the existing contact element is assembled with the outer sheath;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an existing contact element that requires mating with a plate-type shorting connector during use.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the sheet contact element of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 For the paired such of the present invention Figure 5 The diagram shows a plate-type contact element whose pressure-bearing portion is not compressed.

[0032] Figure 7 For the paired such of the present invention Figure 5 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the plate contact element under pressure.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the sheet contact of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 For the paired such of the present invention Figure 8 The diagram shows a plate-type contact element whose pressure-bearing portion is not compressed.

[0035] Figure 10 For the paired such of the present invention Figure 8 The diagram shows a plate-type contact element whose pressure-bearing portion is not compressed.

[0036] In the diagram: 1. Signal jack; 101. Cantilever spring; 2. Outer sheath; 3. Plate-type shorting pin; 4. Plate-type contact; 41. Root; 5. Pressure-bearing part; 6. Contact spring arm; 7. Transition section; 8. Bending wing; 9. Snap-fit ​​structure; 10. Terminal; 11. Pressing structure; 12. Limiting groove; 13. Insertion slide; 14. Clearance cutout; 15. First insulating shell; 16. Second insulating shell; 17. Inner bulge. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The features and performance of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

[0038] This invention provides a high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure, which includes paired plate contacts. By optimizing the structure of the plate contacts, assembly efficiency is improved, the difficulty of component processing is reduced, and the cost of component processing and the overall cost of the signal module are reduced without affecting the transmission effect after the signal circuit is short-circuited. Specifically, the plate contacts arranged opposite each other are laterally squeezed by the pressing structure on the adapter connector, causing the elastic overhang section to move towards the elastic overhang section of the opposite contact, thereby driving the short-circuit part to contact the short-circuit part on the opposite contact. This simplifies the component structure, reduces the difficulty of component processing, and standardizes and simplifies the signal contacts.

[0039] The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure of the present invention includes a first insulating shell. The first insulating shell is a tubular structure with one open end and the other end is a plug-in end with a clearance cutout that mates with a second insulating shell on a mating connector. The clearance cutout is provided at the pressure-bearing part of the plug-in end corresponding to the contact element, allowing the pressure-bearing part to be exposed. The first insulating shell has a mounting cavity extending front and rear, in which a pair of contact elements are installed. In use, the high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure of the present invention can be installed in either a plug or a socket, with the corresponding pressure-bearing structure disposed on the other. In one embodiment, the high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure of the present invention is installed in a plug, and correspondingly, the pressure-bearing structure is disposed in a socket mating with the plug. The following content is based on this embodiment. The socket mating with the plug includes a second insulating shell. The second insulating shell has a mating structure at the plug-in end that mates with the first insulating shell, which can accommodate the clearance cutout on the first insulating shell when the plug and socket are mated. The second insulating housing has a hole extending axially away from the plug end at the plug end. A rounded chamfer is provided at the hole opening at the plug end as a pressing structure. When the mating structure completely covers and avoids the perforation, the pressure-bearing portions of the paired plate contacts inside the plug are pressed against the pressing structure of the adapter socket. The mounting cavity also has a mating structure that mates with the assembly structure on the plate contacts. When the pressure-bearing portion on the plate contact is pressed against the side of the pressing structure, the shorting portion contacts, forming a short-circuit. Compared to the original short-circuit structure, the high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure of this invention does not require mating with plate shorting pins to form a signal circuit, reducing the use of plate shorting pins, improving assembly efficiency, reducing component costs, and lowering the overall cost of the signal components.

[0040] Based on the above main concepts, the following embodiments are provided for illustration.

[0041] like Figure 5-10As shown, in this embodiment, the plate contacts 4 in the first insulating housing 15 are used in pairs and arranged opposite each other. The plate of each plate contact 4 includes a terminal 10, an assembly structure for fixed assembly with the first insulating housing 15, and a shorting structure. The shorting structure includes an elastic cantilever section with a pressure-bearing portion 5 for laterally pressing by the pressure structure 11 of the adapter socket, causing the elastic cantilever section to move towards the elastic cantilever section of the opposite contact. The elastic cantilever section also has a shorting portion for contacting the shorting portion on the opposite contact when the elastic cantilever section is pressed. A transition section 7 is provided between the shorting structure and the assembly structure. In use, the paired plate contacts 4 are arranged opposite each other within the mounting cavity of the first insulating housing 15. When the assembled plug is inserted into the matching socket, a clearance perforation 14 is provided on the first insulating housing 15 at the pressure-bearing part corresponding to the contact, allowing the pressure-bearing part to be pressed against by the pressing structure 11 of the matching socket when inserted. When the pressing structure 11 on the second insulating housing 16 of the matching socket presses against the pressure-bearing parts 5 of the contacts on both sides, the pressure-bearing parts 5, after being pressed, drive the short-circuit parts on each elastic cantilever section to move inward. The fixing and limiting structure on the first insulating housing 15 cooperates with the assembly structure of the sheet contact 4 to ensure that the relative sheet contact 4 will not be displaced in the axial direction due to insertion, causing the short-circuit part to be misaligned and affecting the circuit connection. When the short-circuit parts of the two sheet contact bodies 4 are fully in contact, the signal circuit is short-circuited.

[0042] The shorting portion and the inner side of the elastic cantilever section can be connected in various ways. For example, the shorting portion can be a contact spring arm fixed to the inner side of the elastic cantilever section by welding. This fixing method increases the processing difficulty of the part itself and reduces the elastic deformation range of the contact spring arm, which will affect the elasticity of the shorting portion to a certain extent. Therefore, in one embodiment, the shorting portion is a punched contact spring arm 6, which helps to reduce the processing difficulty and also meets the requirement of lightweight parts. The direction of the contact spring arm 6 is not fixed. It can be a contact spring arm extending towards the terminal or towards the inner side away from the terminal. However, considering that the plate contact 4 is set relative to each other during installation, if the contact spring arm is set to extend towards the inner side of the terminal, after installing the plate contact 4 on one side, when installing the plate contact 4 on the other side, interference and collision may occur with the contact spring arm 6 on the already installed plate contact 4. Therefore, in a more preferred embodiment, the contact spring arm 6 is set to extend towards the inner side away from the terminal. Specifically, the contact spring arm 6 is an extension segment extending inward from the back terminal. The end of the extension segment and the end of the opposite extension segment are always kept less than the distance between the two opposite pressure-bearing parts, ensuring that when the pressure-bearing part is subjected to lateral pressure, the extension segment of the contact spring arm 6 contacts the end of the pressure-bearing part first. To make the plug and socket insertion process more time-saving and labor-saving, in a preferred embodiment, the end of the elastic cantilever segment with an inwardly bent and outwardly bulging section is provided. The pressure-bearing part is the outer surface of the bent section, and the outer surface of the bent section is set as a smooth guide surface. When the plug and socket are inserted, the smooth guide surface can cooperate with the pressure structure with a smooth chamfer at the opening of the second insulating housing 16, ensuring smooth insertion. To ensure that when the plug and socket are disconnected after being plugged in, the elastic cantilever section of the sheet contact 4 can quickly return to its free state when it is not pressed by the pressing structure after the plug and socket are completely disconnected, in a more preferred embodiment, the two ends of the elastic cantilever section at the corresponding positions of the contact spring arm in the width direction are provided with inward bends.

[0043] To prevent axial displacement of the assembled plate contact 4 during plug-socket mating, which could lead to misalignment of the short-circuit portion and affect circuit connection, an assembly structure is provided on the plate contact 4. The assembly structure engages with the inner side of the first insulating shell 15 to fix and limit the plate contact 4 in the axial direction. The assembly structure involves providing mounting protrusions on the mounting cavity of the first insulating shell 15, and correspondingly, outward bends at both ends of the plate contact 4 at the locations corresponding to the mounting protrusions. A pressing method is used to tightly clamp the mounting protrusions with the bends. However, this installation method is cumbersome and makes the component structure more complex. Therefore, this paper also provides an embodiment where the assembly structure is located between the terminal and the short-circuit structure on the plate body, including inwardly bent wings 8 on both sides of the plate body's width direction. The first insulating housing 15 has a front-to-back extending insertion groove on its mounting cavity. The insertion groove is positioned opposite to the inner wall of the mounting cavity. The bending wing 8 is used to cooperate with the front-to-back extending insertion groove in the first insulating housing 15. When the two bending wings 8 of the plate contact 4 are in the insertion groove 13, the outer wall of the plate contact 4 is in close contact with the inner wall of the mounting cavity. To further ensure the stability of the plate contact 4 in the axial direction after installation, a limiting structure is also provided between the two bending wings of the plate contact 4. The limiting structure can be a raised barb on the outer side of the plate contact, or it can be knurled on the outer side of the plate contact. In this case, the inner diameter of the mounting cavity of the first insulating housing 15 is set to a size that can be interference-fitted with the top of the barb or the knurled outer wall. When the plug and socket are inserted, the friction between the limiting structure and the inner wall of the mounting cavity is increased, thereby limiting the plate contact in the axial direction. Considering the complexity and cost of the processing steps, in a preferred embodiment, the limiting structure is a snap-fit ​​structure 9, which is a spring piece punched outwards and extending towards the terminal. Correspondingly, a limiting groove 12 that can cooperate with the spring piece is provided on the inner wall of the mounting cavity of the first insulating housing 15. The spring piece on the plate contact 4 facing outwards is engaged in the limiting groove 12 on the inner side of the first insulating housing 15, thereby limiting the plate contact 4 in the axial direction. When the pressure-bearing parts 5 of the paired plate contacts 4 are laterally pressed by the pressing structure 11 inside the second insulating housing 16, the pressing structure 11 has a reaction force on the plate contacts 4 opposite to the plug insertion direction. The limiting groove 12 overcomes the reaction force and limits the plate contacts 4.

[0044] Considering the contact stability of the paired plate contact elements 4 during the pressure contact process, in order to improve the elastic preload of the plate contact elements 4, a more preferred embodiment further includes a transition section 7 on the plate contact elements 4. The transition section 7 can be configured in various ways near the shorting portion on the elastic cantilever section. Specifically, it can be positioned between the root 41 and the shorting portion of the elastic cantilever section. This transition section has a hollow structure, which not only allows the plate contact elements to have a certain elastic preload, increasing the stability of the contact between the shorting portions and improving vibration resistance, but also contributes to achieving the lightweight requirements of the parts. The present invention also provides another embodiment for the transition section 7: specifically, the transition section is set as an inner bulge 17 between the root 41 and the shorting portion of the elastic cantilever section. This also improves the vibration resistance of the plate contact elements, and the inner bulge 17 can increase the strength of the buckle 9 and strengthen the root of the transition section 7. The tail end of the plate contact is the terminal 10. In one embodiment, the terminal 10 can be a semi-enclosed structure formed by bending the upper and lower ends of the tail end of the plate contact 4 inward. In use, the wire harness is inserted into the semi-enclosed structure of the pair of plate contacts 4 and then fixed by crimping. In another embodiment, the terminal 10 can also be fixed by soldering. Specifically, a solder cup can be provided at the tail end of the plate contact, and solder can be used to fix the stripped section of the wire harness.

[0045] The present invention also provides a sheet contact, the embodiment of which has the same structure as the sheet contact in the above-mentioned high voltage interlocking short circuit structure, and will not be described again here.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims. Similarly, any equivalent structural changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention shall also be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sheet-type contact element, characterized in that, The two pieces are used in pairs and arranged opposite each other, including a plate, the plate including a terminal (10), an assembly structure for fixed assembly with a first insulating housing (15), and a shorting structure. The shorting structure includes a flexible overhang, the flexible overhang having a pressure portion (5) for being laterally pressed by the pressure structure of the mating connector so that the flexible overhang moves toward the flexible overhang of the opposite plate contact. The flexible overhang has a shorting portion for connecting with the opposite plate contact when the flexible overhang is pressed. The shorting part is in contact with the contact spring arm (6) formed by punching on the elastic cantilever section. The end of the elastic cantilever section facing away from the terminal has a bent section that bends inward and bulges outward. The pressure part (5) is the outer side of the bent section. The outer side of the bent section is a smooth guide surface. The assembly structure is set at the position between the terminal and the shorting structure of the sheet body. It includes inward bending wings (8) on both sides of the width direction of the sheet body. The bending wings (8) are used to cooperate with the insertion groove (13) in the first insulating shell.

2. The sheet contact element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact spring arm (6) is opposite to the wiring terminal and extends inward.

3. The sheet contact element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elastic cantilever section has inward bends at both ends of the elastic arm (6) in the width direction corresponding to the position.

4. The sheet contact element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The assembly structure also includes a limiting structure disposed between the two bent wings (8).

5. The sheet contact element according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting structure is an outwardly protruding buckle structure (9).

6. The sheet contact element according to claim 5, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​structure (9) is a spring piece that is punched outward and extends toward the wiring end.

7. The sheet contact according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elastic overhang has a transition section (7) between its root (41) and the short joint, and the transition section (7) has a hollow structure.

8. A high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure, characterized in that, The device includes a first insulating housing (15) having a front-to-back extending mounting cavity in which a pair of contacts are mounted. Each contact includes a sheet, which includes a terminal (10), an assembly structure for fixed assembly with the first insulating housing (15), and a shorting structure. The shorting structure includes an elastic cantilever section with a pressure-bearing portion (5) for laterally pressing against the mating connector's pressure structure, causing the elastic cantilever section to move towards the elastic cantilever section of the opposite sheet contact. The elastic cantilever section has a shorting portion for contacting the shorting portion on the opposite sheet contact when the elastic cantilever section is pressed. The shorting portion is used to... The contact spring arm (6) is formed by punching on the elastic cantilever section. The end of the elastic cantilever section facing away from the wiring terminal has a bent section that bends inward and bulges outward. The pressure-bearing part (5) is the outer side of the bent section. The outer side of the bent section is a smooth guide surface. The assembly structure is set at the position between the wiring terminal and the shorting structure of the sheet body. It includes inward bending wings (8) on both sides of the width direction of the sheet body. The bending wings (8) are used to cooperate with the insertion groove (13) in the first insulating housing. The first insulating housing (15) has a clearance cutout at the pressure-bearing part corresponding to the contact member so that the pressure-bearing part is pressed by the pressing structure of the adapter connector when the adapter connector is inserted.

9. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The contact spring arm (6) is opposite to the wiring terminal and extends inward.

10. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The elastic cantilever section has inward bends at both ends of the elastic arm (6) in the width direction corresponding to the position.

11. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The assembly structure also includes a limiting structure disposed between the two bent wings (8).

12. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 11, characterized in that, The limiting structure is an outwardly protruding buckle structure (9).

13. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 12, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​structure (9) is a spring piece that is punched outward and extends toward the wiring end.

14. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The elastic overhang has a transition section (7) between its root (41) and the short joint, and the transition section (7) has a hollow structure.

15. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inner wall of the mounting cavity is provided with a front-to-back extending insertion groove (13) that mates with the bent wing (8) on the plate contact piece.

16. The high-voltage interlocking short-circuit structure according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The inner wall of the mounting cavity is provided with a limiting groove (12) on the opposite side to the snap-fit ​​structure (9).

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