Elastic terminal, electrical connector assembly and pressure sensor

Abstract

The invention discloses an elastic terminal, an electrical connector assembly and a pressure sensor, and the elastic terminal comprises a conductive spiral spring which at least comprises a sparsely coiled elastic part; the thimbles are partially inserted into the conductive spiral springs from one ends respectively, and the outer walls of the thimbles protrude outwards from the two opposite sides in the circumferential direction to form stopping parts which abut against the corresponding ends of the conductive spiral springs. The electrical connector assembly comprises a plurality of elastic terminals, a first element and a second element, wherein the first element and the second element are fixed up and down, and the first element and the second element are provided with a plurality of holding holes for correspondingly holding the elastic terminals; and the first element and the second element are respectively pressed inwards from the outer sides of the upper end and the lower end to the stopping parts of the ejector pins on the upper and lower corresponding sides of the elastic terminal. When the elastic terminal is applied to equipment such as a pressure sensor, one end of the elastic terminal has better mechanical plugging performance, and the other end of the elastic terminal has better electric contact performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to an elastic terminal, an electrical connector assembly and a pressure sensor. Background Art

[0002] In the sensor, it is necessary to lead the electrical signal to the external device through an electrical connector, wherein the terminal needs to be mechanically and electrically connected to the external device. The electrical connector is usually assembled last, and in order to make it electrically connected to the electronic module assembly inside the housing while avoiding dimensional deviation in the assembly direction, a flexible element can be used to electrically connect to the electronic module assembly in the assembly direction. Such flexible elements include flexible circuit boards, conductive coil springs, and leaf springs. Among them, it is difficult for flexible circuit boards to be directly mechanically connected to external devices, so the use of conductive coil springs or springs with similar structures has become a trend. This type of conductive coil spring-type elastic terminal may include an upper section and a lower section with a relatively large outer diameter, the upper section has rigidity due to tight coiling, so that it can be mechanically connected to the external device; the lower section has telescopic elasticity due to sparse coiling.

[0003] However, due to limitations in the manufacturing process, this type of component usually has a bottom portion of the conductive coil spring that is in electrical contact with the electronic module assembly, and its contact portion is a linear edge on one side of the end face of the spring molded wire. That is, the area of ​​the conductive coil spring in electrical contact with the electronic module assembly is very small, resulting in a large electrical contact impedance between the two. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application provides a flexible terminal so that one end thereof has better mechanical plugging performance and the other end thereof has better electrical contact performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present application provides the following technical solution: an elastic terminal, comprising:

[0006] A conductive coil spring comprising at least a sparsely coiled elastic portion;

[0007] and ejector pins partially inserted into the conductive coil spring from one end respectively, wherein the outer wall of the ejector pin protrudes outward from two opposite sides in the circumferential direction to form a stopper that stops at the corresponding end of the conductive coil spring.

[0008] Preferably, one end of the ejector pin extending into the conductive coil spring is tightly fitted with the conductive coil spring.

[0009] Preferably, the conductive coil spring further includes a rigid portion connected to at least one end of the elastic terminal and tightly coiled.

[0010] Preferably, an outer diameter of the rigid portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the elastic portion.

[0011] The present application also claims protection for an electrical connector assembly, which includes a plurality of the above-mentioned elastic terminals, and a first element and a second element fixed up and down, the first element and the second element having a plurality of retaining holes corresponding to retaining the elastic terminals; the first element and the second element respectively press inward from the outside of the upper and lower ends to the stopper portion of the ejector pin on the upper and lower corresponding sides of the elastic terminal.

[0012] Preferably, the first element includes a plurality of upper retaining portions distributed in the circumferential direction and a connecting portion integrally connected to the upper retaining portions; the second element includes a plurality of lower retaining portions distributed in the circumferential direction and an upper connecting portion integrally connected to the upper portion of the lower retaining portion; the upper retaining portions and the lower retaining portions respectively enclose the upper and lower portions of the retaining hole; an upper pressing portion is connected to the upper end of the upper retaining portion, the ejector pin on the upper side of the elastic terminal is pressed upward against the upper pressing portion and its upper end passes through the upper pressing portion upward; a lower pressing portion is connected to the lower end of the lower retaining portion, the ejector pin on the lower side of the elastic terminal is pressed downward against the lower pressing portion and its lower end passes through the lower pressing portion downward.

[0013] Preferably, a relatively concave groove is formed between the outer walls of every two circumferentially adjacent lower retaining portions, and a positioning portion is formed downwardly corresponding to an edge of the connecting portion to fit and be inserted into the groove.

[0014] Preferably, the electrical connector assembly further comprises a first shell, at least a portion of which is clamped and fixed by the first element and the second element.

[0015] Preferably, the first shell is a thin shell-shaped element, comprising a horizontally extending pressing edge, and the pressing edge is clamped and fixed by the first element and the second element from top to bottom.

[0016] The present application also claims protection for a pressure sensor comprising:

[0017] The electrical connector assembly described above;

[0018] A second housing disposed at the lower side of the electrical connector assembly, which forms an installation cavity with the electrical connector assembly and is provided with a pressure introduction channel at one inner end thereof communicating with the installation cavity;

[0019] And a pressure measuring assembly arranged in the installation cavity, including a pressure sensitive element and an electronic module assembly electrically connected to each other, the pressure sensitive element is sealed at one end of the inner side of the pressure introduction channel, and the ejector pin on the lower side of the elastic terminal of the electrical connector assembly is electrically in contact with the electronic module assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a conductive coil spring according to a preferred embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of a flexible terminal according to a preferred embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of an ejector pin according to another preferred embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional diagram of a pressure sensor according to a preferred embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 A top view of a pressure sensor according to a preferred embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 A pressure sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of AA shown in FIG.

[0026] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional diagram of a first housing of a preferred embodiment;

[0027] Description of reference numerals: 100, pressure sensor; 110, conductive coil spring; 111, elastic portion; 112, rigid portion; 116a, one end; 116b, one end; 116c, stopper; 116, ejector pin; 11, elastic terminal; 121, connecting portion; 122, positioning portion; 123, connecting hole; 124, concave cavity; 12, first element; 130, lower connecting portion; 131, upper connecting portion; 132, connecting column; 133, groove; 134, hot riveting portion; 13a , step surface; 13, second element; 140, yielding portion; 141, main shell; 142, pressing edge; 143, inner convex portion; 14, first shell; 19a, upper retaining portion; 19b, lower retaining portion; 19c, upper pressing portion; 19d, lower pressing portion; 19, retaining portion; 1, electrical connector assembly; 20, pressure sensitive element; 21, electronic module assembly; 22, flexible circuit board; 23, support member; 2, pressure measurement assembly; 30, pressure introduction channel; 3, second shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and cannot be interpreted as limiting the present application. In the following description, the same symbols are used to represent the same or equivalent elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0029] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", "left", "right", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientations or positional relationships in which the products of the present application are conventionally placed when in use, or are the orientations or positional relationships conventionally understood by those skilled in the art. They are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0030] In addition, the terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] It should be further understood that the term “and / or” used in the specification and corresponding claims of this application refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items.

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the elastic terminal 11 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a conductive coil spring 110 and two ejector pins 116. The conductive coil spring 110 includes a sparsely coiled elastic portion 111 and a tightly coiled rigid portion 112 connected to both ends of the elastic terminal 11. One end 116b of the two ejector pins 116 can be partially inserted into the conductive coil spring 110, and the outer wall of the ejector pin 116 protrudes outward from the opposite sides of the circumference to form a stopper 116c, and the stopper 116c stops at the corresponding end of the conductive coil spring 110. Among them, the end 116b of the ejector pin 116 extending into the conductive coil spring 110 is tightly matched with the conductive coil spring 110, and specifically, the end 116b of the ejector pin 116 can be tightly matched with the corresponding rigid portion 112. In some other schemes, the end 116b of the ejector pin 116 can also be permanently fixed to the corresponding end of the conductive coil spring 110 by spot welding or the like.

[0033] The rigid part 112 is not necessary, and it can also be selectively provided at both ends of the conductive coil spring 110. One end 116b of the ejector pin 116 can also be tightly matched or welded with the corresponding rigid part 112 while being tightly matched or welded with the elastic part 111. More preferably, the outer diameter of the rigid part 112 is smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic part 111, and the cross section of one end 116b of the ejector pin 116 can be gradually reduced toward one side of the conductive coil spring 110 to form a certain taper at the end, so that it can be easily inserted into the conductive coil spring 110.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 3 In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of positioning grooves 1162 are arranged vertically side by side and extending substantially in the circumferential direction on the outer wall of one end 116b of the ejector pin 116 inserted into the conductive coil spring 110. The positioning grooves 1162 are used to accommodate the various circles of the rigid part 112. For example, if the rigid part 112 is formed by winding a wire four times, the positioning grooves 1162 preferably include more than four positioning grooves 1162. After the end 116b of the ejector pin 116 is inserted into the rigid part 112, the various circles of the rigid part 112 are accommodated in the corresponding positioning grooves 1162. The positioning groove 1162 is externally threaded, which is convenient for molding and for screwing one end 116b of the ejector pin 116 into the positioning groove 1162. The inner diameter of the rigid part 112 can be slightly smaller than the thread pitch of the externally threaded positioning groove 1162, so that the components of the rigid part 112 are slightly stretched, thereby increasing the friction between the ejector pin 116 and the rigid part 112 and preventing the ejector pin 116 from rotating out. The externally threaded positioning groove 1162 does not need to be complete in the circumferential direction. For example, the externally threaded positioning groove 1162 is cut into two parts in the circumferential direction by two opposite sides of the ejector pin 116. The two parts can also be regarded as multiple side-by-side positioning grooves 1162 that form a certain inclination angle relative to the horizontal plane. The above-mentioned inclination angle is the same as the winding angle of the rigid part 112.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 2 to 7 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensor 100 includes an electrical connector assembly 1 .

[0036] The electrical connector assembly 1 includes a first element 12 and a second element 13 fixed up and down. The first element 12 and the second element 13 surround a plurality of retaining holes (not marked), and the retaining holes are used to retain the corresponding elastic terminals 11. The first element 12 and the second element 13 respectively press inward from the outer sides of the upper and lower ends to the stopper 116c of the ejector pin 116 on the upper and lower corresponding sides of the elastic terminal 11. Specifically, the stopper 116c of the upper ejector pin 116 can press upward against an upper pressing portion 19c formed on the first element 12, the upper pressing portion 19c is integrally connected to the upper end of the upper retaining portion 19a, and the ejector pin 1 end 116a of the upper ejector pin 116 passes through the upper pressing portion 19c upward; the stopper 116c of the lower ejector pin 116 can press downward against a lower pressing portion 19d formed on the second element 13, the upper pressing portion 19c is integrally connected to the lower end of the lower retaining portion 19b, and the lower end of the lower ejector pin 116 passes through the lower pressing portion 19d downward. Compared with the prior art, the ejector pin 116 can have a larger contact area with other elements than the two ends of the conductive coil spring itself when in electrical contact, thereby reducing the contact resistance. In particular, the upper and lower ends of the ejector pin 116 can have contact surfaces that match the shape of the contact surface of the contacting element (such as the electronic module assembly 21 described below).

[0037] Among them, the first element 12 may include a plurality of upper retaining portions 19a distributed in the circumferential direction and a connecting portion 121 integrally connected to the upper retaining portion 19a. The second element 13 includes a plurality of lower retaining portions 19b distributed in the circumferential direction and an upper connecting portion 131 integrally connected to the upper portion of the lower retaining portion 19b. The upper retaining portion 19a and the lower retaining portion 19b respectively surround the upper and lower portions of the retaining hole. The upper pressing portion 19c is connected to the upper end of the upper retaining portion 19a. The lower pressing portion 19d is connected to the lower end of the lower retaining portion 19b. Preferably, a relatively concave groove 133 is formed between the outer walls of each two circumferentially adjacent lower retaining portions 19b. The edge of the connecting portion 121 is formed downwardly corresponding to a positioning portion 122 that is inserted into the groove 133 in a matching manner. In some other schemes, preferably, a connecting hole 123 may be provided in the middle of the connecting portion 121, and a connecting column 132 is formed by protruding upward in the middle of the upper connecting portion 131. The connecting column 132 is inserted upward into the connecting hole 123 in a cooperative manner. The connecting column 132 can be tightly matched with the connecting hole 123, and / or the positioning portion 122 and the insertion groove 133 are too tightly matched, so that the first element 12 and the second element 13 are fixed together up and down. More preferably, the second element 13 can be made of resin material, and a hot riveting portion 134 is formed at the upper end of the connecting column 132, and the hot riveting portion 134 will press the second element 13 downward to the first element 12. More specifically, the upper end of the first element 12 can be recessed downward to form a concave cavity 124, and the hot riveting portion 134 is disposed in the concave cavity 124, and the concave cavity 124 can also be used for positioning with external equipment.

[0038] In some other schemes, preferably, the electrical connector assembly 1 may also include a first shell 14. At least a portion of the first shell 14 is clamped and fixed by the first element 12 and the second element 13. For example, the first shell 14 may be a thin shell-shaped element, which includes a horizontally extending pressure edge 142. The pressure edge 142 is clamped and fixed by the first element 12 and the second element 13. More preferably, the pressure edge 142 protrudes radially inward to form a plurality of circumferentially spaced inner protrusions 143, and the inner protrusions 143 are clamped and fixed by the positioning portion 122 and an upward step surface 13a formed on the upper connecting portion 131. Accordingly, a plurality of clearance portions 140 are formed between the plurality of inner protrusions 143 to allow the plurality of lower retaining portions 19b to pass upward. Preferably, the first shell 14 may also include a main shell 141 formed by the outer edge of the pressure edge 142 extending downward.

[0039] The pressure sensor 100 may also include a second shell 3 and a pressure measuring assembly 2. The second shell 3 may be disposed on the lower side of the electrical connector assembly 1. The second shell 3 and the electrical connector assembly 1 form an installation cavity, and the second shell 3 is provided with a pressure introduction channel 30 whose inner end is connected to the installation cavity. The pressure measuring assembly 2 is disposed in the installation cavity to measure the pressure of the pressure medium to be measured introduced into the pressure introduction channel 30, and the ejector pin 116 on the lower side of the elastic terminal 11 of the electrical connector assembly 1 is electrically contacted with the pressure measuring assembly 2 downward. Exemplarily, the pressure measuring assembly 2 may include a pressure sensitive element 20 and an electronic module assembly 21 electrically connected to each other, the pressure sensitive element 20 is blocked at the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 30, and the ejector pin 116 on the lower side of the elastic terminal 11 of the electrical connector assembly 1 is electrically contacted with the upper surface of the electronic module assembly 21. Among them, in this embodiment, the pressure sensitive element 20 can be a metal diaphragm with a pressure measurement circuit. The metal diaphragm generates strain after receiving the pressure of the pressure medium to be measured. The piezoresistors constituting the measurement circuit generate corresponding electrical signals according to the above pressure on one side surface of the metal diaphragm. The measurement circuit is electrically connected to the electronic module assembly 21 through a flexible circuit board 22; the electronic module assembly 21 is arranged on the upper side of the pressure sensitive element 20, specifically, it can be fixed to the upper end of a cylindrical support member 23, and the lower end of the support member 23 is supported on the second housing 3. In some other embodiments, the pressure sensitive element 20 can also be a semiconductor pressure sensitive element, or a ceramic pressure sensitive element, etc.

[0040] The lower end of the first shell 14 is fixed to the second shell 3, so that the first shell 14, the second element 13 and the second shell 3 enclose an installation cavity (not marked), and the pressure measurement component 2 is arranged in the installation cavity. In some other schemes, the first shell 14 can be omitted, and accordingly, the second element 13 also includes a lower connecting portion 130 integrally connected to the above-mentioned multiple lower retaining portions 19b. The lower connecting portion 130 extends downward and is connected to the second shell 3, so that the second element 13 and the second shell 3 enclose an installation cavity, and the pressure measurement component 2 is arranged in the installation cavity.

[0041] It is easy to understand that the elastic terminal 11 and the electrical connector assembly 1 in the present application can be generally applicable to other sensors and other electronic devices besides sensors in addition to being specifically applicable to pressure sensors.

[0042] The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are construed as being included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A resilient terminal (11), characterized in that: include: A conductive coil spring (110) comprising at least a sparsely coiled elastic portion (111); and a push pin (116) partially inserted into the conductive coil spring (110) from one end, wherein the outer wall of the push pin (116) protrudes outward from two opposite sides in the circumferential direction to form a stopper (116c) that stops at a corresponding end of the conductive coil spring (110).

2. The elastic terminal (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the ejector pin (116) that extends into the conductive coil spring (110) is tightly fitted with the conductive coil spring (110).

3. The elastic terminal (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The conductive coil spring (110) further comprises a rigid portion (112) connected to at least one end of the elastic terminal (11) and tightly coiled.

4. The elastic terminal (11) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the rigid part (112) is smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic part (111).

5. An electrical connector assembly (1), characterized in that: The invention comprises a plurality of elastic terminals (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a first element (12) and a second element (13) fixed up and down, wherein the first element (12) and the second element (13) have a plurality of retaining holes corresponding to retaining the elastic terminals (11); the first element (12) and the second element (13) respectively press inward from the outer sides of the upper and lower ends to the stopper (116c) of the ejector pin (116) on the upper and lower corresponding sides of the elastic terminal (11).

6. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first element (12) comprises a plurality of upper retaining portions (19a) distributed in the circumferential direction and a connecting portion (121) integrally connected to the upper retaining portion (19a); the second element (13) comprises a plurality of lower retaining portions (19b) distributed in the circumferential direction and an upper connecting portion (131) integrally connected to the upper portion of the lower retaining portion (19b); the upper retaining portion (19a) and the lower retaining portion (19b) respectively enclose the upper portion and the lower portion of the retaining hole; the upper retaining portion (19a) The upper end of the lower retaining portion (19b) is connected to an upper pressing portion (19c), the ejector pin (116) on the upper side of the elastic terminal (11) is pressed upward against the upper pressing portion (19c) and its upper end passes through the upper pressing portion (19c) upward; the lower end of the lower retaining portion (19b) is connected to a lower pressing portion (19d), the ejector pin (116) on the lower side of the elastic terminal (11) is pressed downward against the lower pressing portion (19d) and its lower end passes through the lower pressing portion (19d) downward.

7. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: A relatively concave groove (133) is formed between the outer walls of each two circumferentially adjacent lower retaining portions (19b), and the edge of the connecting portion (121) is downwardly formed to form a corresponding positioning portion (122) that fits and is inserted into the groove (133).

8. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also comprises a first shell (14), at least a portion of which is clamped and fixed by the first element (12) and the second element (13) from top to bottom.

9. The electrical connector assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first shell (14) is a thin shell-shaped element, comprising a horizontally extending pressing edge (142), and the pressing edge (142) is clamped and fixed by the first element (12) and the second element (13) from top to bottom.

10. A pressure sensor, characterized in that: include: The electrical connector assembly (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 9; A second housing (3) disposed on the lower side of the electrical connector assembly (1), which together with the electrical connector assembly (1) forms an installation cavity, and is provided with a pressure introduction channel (30) whose inner end is connected to the installation cavity; and a pressure measuring assembly (2) disposed in the installation cavity, comprising a pressure sensitive element (20) and an electronic module assembly (21) electrically connected to each other, wherein the pressure sensitive element (20) is sealed at one end of the inner side of the pressure introduction channel (30), and the ejector pin (116) on the lower side of the elastic terminal (11) of the electrical connector assembly (1) is in electrical contact with the electronic module assembly (21).

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