Pluggable electric connector

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of connectors, and discloses a plug-in type electric connector which comprises an outer shell, a terminal assembly arranged in the outer shell and a handle movably installed on the outer shell, the terminal assembly comprises a conductive terminal and an elastic piece, the conductive terminal comprises a contact part and an elastic clamping part, the elastic piece is formed by bending and is supported on the outer shell from multiple directions, and the elastic clamping part is connected with the conductive terminal. The two ends of the elastic piece intersect and abut against the contact part to form a closed-loop structure, and one end of the elastic piece abuts against the handle to form a limiting space. And an elastic compensation part is arranged on the elastic sheet. By arranging the elastic compensation part, the contact part can be extruded when the cable is loosened due to overheating deformation of the contact part of the conductive terminal, so that the deformation of the contact part is compensated, an extrusion supporting effect is achieved, and the contact part is reset to a certain extent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of connector technology, and in particular to a pluggable electrical connector. Background Technology

[0002] A pluggable electrical connector is a device used to achieve electrical connections. Its function is to act as a bridge between interrupted circuits or between independent circuits, undertaking the task of transmitting current or signals; or it can be used in conjunction with electrical terminals to form board-to-wire connections; it can also be used independently for board-to-board connections. Pluggable electrical connectors are widely used in various fields, such as the automotive and electric vehicle industries, and various electronic equipment fields, to connect various electrical components.

[0003] Plug-in electrical connectors consist of a plastic body and terminals. To facilitate connection between the terminals and conductive components such as cables, spring contacts and handles are typically added. The elasticity of the spring contacts engages with the terminals to press the conductive components against them, establishing an electrical connection. Moving the handle positions the spring contacts, ensuring a tight and stable connection between the terminals and conductive components. During energized use, since both terminals and conductive components are metal, prolonged energization can cause the terminals to heat up. Over time, this can lead to deformation, potentially reducing the clamping effect between the terminals and spring contacts and causing loosening, resulting in circuit interruptions and compromising safe operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a pluggable electrical connector to solve the problem of loose conductive elements caused by terminal heat deformation.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a pluggable electrical connector including a housing, a terminal assembly disposed within the housing, and a handle movably mounted on the housing. The terminal assembly includes conductive terminals and spring contacts. The conductive terminals include contact portions and elastic clamping portions. The spring contacts are bent and supported on the housing from multiple directions. The two ends of the spring contacts intersect and abut against the contact portions to form a closed-loop structure. One end of the spring contacts abuts against the handle and forms a limiting space for the contact portions to pass through. Moving the handle changes the position of the limiting space, thereby providing better support. An elastic compensation portion is provided on the spring contacts. When the contact portion deforms, causing the cable to loosen, the elastic compensation portion triggers a compensation reset of the contact portion to avoid adverse effects caused by cable loosening due to contact portion deformation.

[0006] Furthermore, the spring includes a main body segment bent to support the outer shell from multiple directions, an abutting end extending from one end of the main body segment and abutting against the contact portion, and a contact end bent and extending from the other end of the main body segment toward the abutting end. The contact end intersects the abutting end and the contact portion and forms the limiting space between the contact portion. The handle abuts against the left side of the contact end. The elastic compensation portion is disposed on the abutting end to facilitate the cooperation between the abutting end and the contact portion and to prevent the cable clamp from loosening when the terminal deforms due to overheating.

[0007] Furthermore, the elastic compensation part includes a trigger part fixedly installed on the side of the abutment end facing the contact portion, and a reset part communicating with the trigger part and moving through the abutment end to extend onto the main body section. The trigger part is spaced apart from the contact portion. The trigger part includes an outer layer fixedly connected to the abutment end and made of thermally conductive material, and paraffin wax filled within the outer layer. The outer layer and paraffin wax are sheet-like in shape. The reset part includes shape memory metal, a flexible layer wrapped around the shape memory metal, and a thin tube with one end sealed to the inner cavity of the outer layer and the other end sealed to the inner cavity of the flexible layer. The two ends of the metal are respectively in contact with the abutment end and the main body section through flexible layers. The shape memory metal is heated and stretches, causing the abutment end to move towards the contact end. One end of the flexible layer is fixedly connected to the abutment end and the main body section respectively. Thus, after the contact part deforms due to overheating, it contacts the outer layer. When the contact part reaches a certain temperature, it separates from the outer layer, causing the paraffin wax to melt. The melted paraffin wax is squeezed into the flexible layer after being squeezed by the outer layer. The temperature of the paraffin wax causes the shape memory metal to deform and stretch, thereby squeezing the abutment end towards the contact side. This squeezing of the contact part by the abutment end plays a compensating role, reducing or even avoiding the possibility of deformation of the contact end.

[0008] Furthermore, the abutting end includes a first extension segment connected to the main body segment and a second extension segment connected to the first extension segment. One end of the first extension segment and the second extension segment is bent towards the handle side, and the other end of the first extension segment and the second extension segment extends away from the handle side. The contact portion includes a first arm segment connected to the elastic clamping portion and inclined towards the spring side, a second arm segment formed by bending and extending from the first arm segment, and a third arm segment bent and inclined from the second arm segment towards the spring side. The second extension segment abuts against the third arm segment. The connection between the first extension segment and the second extension segment is separated from the second arm segment by a bend to form an interval space. The outer layer is fixedly disposed on the second extension segment and located in the interval space. When the contact portion is heated and deformed towards the spring side, the angle between the second arm segment and the second extension segment decreases and gradually approaches the outer layer, so that the outer layer is not affected when the contact portion is not deformed. After the contact portion is deformed, it can contact the outer layer through the cooperation of the second extension segment to trigger compensation of the contact portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the limiting space includes a first movable through hole opened on the contact end along a plugging direction, the second arm segment and the third arm segment moving through the first movable through hole and forming a clamp between the first movable through hole, the handle being moved to press the contact end to move the contact end in the lateral direction and finally move the first movable through hole from the left side of the second arm segment to the right side of the second arm segment, thereby enabling the installation and fixing of cables.

[0010] Furthermore, the outer casing has two interconnected first and second mounting cavities distributed along the insertion direction. A first slot communicating with the first mounting cavity along the insertion direction is formed on a first surface of the outer casing. The first slot is used to insert a cable. When the first movable through hole is moved to the right side of the second arm segment by the handle, the first slot is located above the first movable through hole to facilitate the insertion of the cable into the first movable through hole. The contact portion and the main body segment are both located in the first mounting cavity. One end of the handle passes through the first mounting cavity to abut against the contact end. A second slot communicating with the second mounting cavity along the insertion direction is formed on the second surface. The elastic clamping portion is tightly fitted into the second mounting cavity and faces the second slot to limit the space for fixing the cable, and at the same time facilitates the elastic clamping portion to cooperate with the female connector.

[0011] Furthermore, the first mounting cavity includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall distributed sequentially. The first slot penetrates the first sidewall to connect to the first mounting cavity. The first slot is located on the side of the first sidewall closer to the second sidewall. The second mounting cavity penetrates the third sidewall to connect to the first mounting cavity. The first arm segment bends and extends from the elastic clamping part toward the first sidewall and tilts to the left. There is an active space between the contact part and the second sidewall, and the clamp is located within the active space. A support piece is formed on the side of the first arm segment that bends and extends toward the second sidewall on the right to provide support for the contact part and ensure the stability of the clamp.

[0012] Furthermore, the main body segment is located between the fourth sidewall and the contact portion. The main body segment includes an arc-shaped intermediate segment that abuts against the third sidewall and the elastic clamping portion, a first elastic arm that extends from one end of the arc-shaped intermediate segment toward the first sidewall and elastically abuts against the fourth sidewall, and a second elastic arm that extends from the other end of the arc-shaped intermediate segment toward the first sidewall. A third extension segment that abuts against the handle is formed by bending on the first elastic arm toward the second sidewall on the right. After the first extension segment tilts to the left from the second elastic arm, the second extension segment is bent and tilted toward the second sidewall on the right to face the second arm segment. The second extension segment abuts against the bend of the second arm segment and the third arm segment and can slide relative to the third arm segment. This facilitates the second arm segment to move closer to the second extension segment by squeezing the second extension segment when the contact portion deforms toward the spring side. At the same time, the second extension segment can also play a supporting role to a certain extent and reduce the possibility of deformation of the contact portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the housing includes a main body and a bottom cover. The first mounting cavity is formed on the main body and extends through its second surface. The bottom cover is detachably connected to the main body to block one side of the opening of the first mounting cavity. The bottom cover forms the third sidewall of the first mounting cavity on the side facing the main body. The bottom cover has a protruding insertion portion on the side facing away from the main body along the insertion direction. The second mounting cavity is formed on the insertion portion and extends through its first surface. The second slot is formed on the insertion portion, thereby facilitating the engagement between the insertion portion and the complementary terminal.

[0014] Furthermore, a support portion protrudes from the third sidewall and passes through the first mounting cavity. The support portion is recessed with a relief groove that supports the first elastic arm in a line contact manner. One end of the handle is movably inserted into the relief groove to facilitate the engagement between the handle and the first elastic arm.

[0015] The pluggable electrical connector of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: by setting a first spring with a closed-loop structure and having the first outer shell provide multi-directional support to the first spring, the first spring is restricted, greatly reducing the possibility of displacement of the first spring and improving the stability of the support of the first spring to the first conductive terminal; the elastic compensation part can squeeze the contact part when the contact part of the conductive terminal is deformed due to overheating, thereby compensating for the deformation of the contact part and playing a squeezing support role, and to a certain extent resetting the contact part. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the pluggable electrical connector of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the pluggable electrical connector of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a side sectional view of the pluggable electrical connector of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged view of part A shown;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shell of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal assembly and elastic compensation part of the present invention.

[0023] The meanings of the labels in the attached diagram are as follows:

[0024] Outer shell - 1; First mounting cavity - 11; First side wall - 111; Second side wall - 112; Third side wall - 113; Fourth side wall - 114; Guide slope - 115; Second mounting cavity - 12; First slot - 13; Second slot - 14; Main body - 15; First slot - 151; Slot - 152; First through hole - 153; Second slot - 154; Bottom cover - 16; Support part - 161; Circumvention groove - 1611; Support wall - 1612; Extension protrusion - 162; Wedge-shaped locking block - 163; Insertion part - 164; Limiting block - 165; Hook part - 1651;

[0025] Terminal assembly-2; conductive terminal-21; contact portion-211; support piece-2111; first arm segment-2112; second arm segment-2113; third arm segment-2114; first inflection point-2115; second inflection point-2116; elastic clamping portion-212; first substrate-2121; second substrate-2122; third substrate-2123; clamping arm-2124; clamping opening-2125; spring piece-22; main body segment-221; arc-shaped middle segment-2211; first elastic arm-2212; second elastic arm-2213; third extension segment-2214; abutment end-222; first extension segment-2221; second extension segment-2222; contact end-223; limiting space-23; first movable through hole-231; clamping opening-232;

[0026] Handle-3; Cam-31;

[0027] First surface -41; Second surface -42; Third surface -43; Fourth surface -44;

[0028] Elastic compensation part-5; trigger part-51; outer layer-511; paraffin wax-512; reset part-52; shape memory metal-521; flexible layer-522; capillary tube-523. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the pluggable electrical connector of the present invention includes a housing 1, a terminal assembly 2 disposed within the housing 1, a handle 3 movably mounted on the housing 1, and an elastic compensation part 5 disposed on the terminal assembly 2. The housing 1 provides protection for the terminal assembly 2, and the handle 3 is used to cooperate with the terminal assembly 2 for the installation and removal of cables, thereby realizing the electrical signal connection between the terminal assembly 2 and the cable. In this embodiment, the cable can be a power cable, which transmits electrical signals to the terminal assembly 2 after the cable is connected to power, so that the terminal assembly 2 can cooperate with the complementary terminal to achieve conduction. The elastic compensation part 5 is used to provide support compensation when the terminal assembly 2 is overheated and deformed, preventing the cable from loosening over a long period of time and causing circuit interruption, thereby improving safety.

[0031] In this embodiment, the housing 1 is made of an insulating material such as plastic. The housing 1 has a first surface 41 and a second surface 42 distributed on both sides along the insertion direction. Two first mounting cavities 11 and 12, distributed along the insertion direction and communicating with each other, are formed inside the housing 1. A portion of the terminal assembly 2 is installed in the first mounting cavity 11, and another portion of the terminal assembly 2 is installed in the second mounting cavity 12. A first slot 13, communicating with the first mounting cavity 11 along the insertion direction, is formed on the first surface 41 of the housing 1. A cable passes through the first slot 13 into the first mounting cavity 11 to mate with the portion of the terminal assembly 2 that passes through the first mounting cavity 11 to achieve electrical connection. A second slot 14, communicating with the second mounting cavity 12 along the insertion direction, is formed on the second surface 42 of the housing 1, so that a complementary terminal can pass through the second slot 14 and into the second mounting cavity 12, thereby mateing with the terminal assembly 2 in the second mounting cavity 12 to achieve electrical connection. In this embodiment, the outer casing 1 includes a main body 15 and a bottom cover 16. A first mounting cavity 11 is formed on the main body 15 and extends through the second surface 42 of the main body 15. The terminal assembly 2 is installed in the first mounting cavity 11 from one open side. The bottom cover 16 is detachably connected to the second surface 42 of the main body 15, and after being installed on the main body 15, the bottom cover 16 blocks one open side of the first mounting cavity 11. A second mounting cavity 12 is formed on the bottom cover 16 and extends through the first surface 41 of the bottom cover 16. The second terminal assembly 5 is installed in the second mounting cavity 12 from one open side. When the bottom cover 16 is detachably connected to the main body 15, the first mounting cavity 11 and the second mounting cavity 12 are enclosed by the main body 15 and the bottom cover 16 to form a closed cavity structure. The terminal assembly 2 is installed in this closed cavity structure, thereby preventing the terminal assembly 2 from detaching from the outer casing 1 to facilitate the installation of the terminal assembly 2 and the outer casing 1. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first surface 41 and the second surface 42 refer to two separate sides of a component in the insertion direction. Therefore, both the main body 15 and the bottom cover 16 have the first surface 41 and the second surface 42. The insertion direction refers to the height direction of the outer shell 1 or the main body 15.

[0032] In this embodiment, in addition to having opposing first surfaces 41 and 42, the main body 15 also has opposing third surfaces 43 and fourth surfaces 44, both adjacent to the first and second surfaces 41 and 42. A first slot 13 is formed along the insertion direction from the first surface 41 of the main body 15 to connect to the first mounting cavity 11. The width or inner diameter of the first slot 13 is larger than the diameter of conventionally used cables. The first mounting cavity 11 is generally square in shape and has six sidewalls. The four sidewalls connected end to end are the first sidewall 111, the second sidewall 112, the third sidewall 113, and the fourth sidewall 114. The first sidewall 111 and the third sidewall 113 are located on both sides of the first mounting cavity 11 along the insertion direction. The second sidewall 112 is directly opposite to and close to the third surface 43, and the fourth sidewall 114 is directly opposite to and close to the fourth surface 44. The first slot 13 penetrates the first sidewall 111 to connect to the first mounting cavity 11, and the first slot 13 is located on the side of the first sidewall 111 closer to the second sidewall 112. A first slot 151 is formed on the fourth surface 44 of the main body 15 along the width direction of the main body 15, penetrating the fourth sidewall 114 to connect to the first mounting cavity 11, and the first slot 151 penetrates the first surface 41 of the main body 15 along the insertion direction. The handle 3 is installed in the first slot 151. In this embodiment, the side where the second sidewall 112 is located is the right side, and the side where the fourth sidewall is located is the left side, for ease of understanding the structure.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first surface 41 of the bottom cover 16, i.e., the side of the bottom cover 16 facing the main body 15, is defined as the third sidewall 113 of the first mounting cavity 11, so that the bottom cover 16, after being installed on the main body 15, forms the first mounting cavity 11 with the main body 15. A support portion 161 is formed protruding on the first surface 41 of the bottom cover 16 and passes through the first mounting cavity 11. In this embodiment, the support portion 161 has a wedge-shaped structure or a triangular structure. The support portion 161 is located on the side closer to the fourth surface 44 relative to the third sidewall 113. The side of the support portion 161 facing the second sidewall 112 along the width direction of the outer shell 1 is defined as the fourth sidewall 114. In this embodiment, the fourth sidewall 114 is inclined, and a relief groove 1611 is recessed on the support portion 161, extending through the top and middle of the support portion 161 along the width direction of the outer shell 1. The relief groove 1611 is first through-shaped towards the first surface 41 along the insertion direction, so that the relief groove 1611 is U-shaped. Support walls 1612 are formed on both sides of the relief groove 1611 along the length direction of the outer shell 1. One side of the terminal assembly 2 is supported on the bottom side of the relief groove 1611 in a line contact manner. One end of the handle 3 is movably inserted into the relief groove 1611, and the two support walls 1612 support the handle 3. The width of the bottom cover 16 is adapted to the length of the first mounting cavity 11 in the width direction of the main body 15, so that the bottom cover 16 can be completely inserted into the first mounting cavity 11. Extended protrusions 162 are provided on both sides of the first surface 41 of the bottom cover 16 along the width. Wedge-shaped locking blocks 163 are provided on the opposite side of the extended protrusions 162 on both sides. The locking grooves 152 of the first mounting cavity 11 are provided on the third surface 43 and the fourth surface 44 of the main body 15 along the width direction of the main body 15 at the positions corresponding to the wedge-shaped locking blocks 163. When the bottom cover 16 is inserted into the first mounting cavity 11, the wedge-shaped locking blocks 163 move toward the first mounting cavity 11 until they are squeezed into the locking grooves 152 at the position directly opposite the locking grooves 152, thereby realizing the snap-fit ​​connection between the bottom cover 16 and the main body 15. A plug-in portion 164 is formed protruding along the plugging direction on the second surface 42 of the bottom cover 16, i.e., on the side of the second bottom cover 16 facing away from the main body 15. The plug-in portion 164 is located on the side of the bottom cover 16 close to the second sidewall 112 along the width direction of the main body 15, and the support portion 161 and the plug-in portion 164 are staggered in the plugging direction to facilitate the formation of the first mounting cavity 11 and the second mounting cavity 12. The second mounting cavity 12 is formed inside the plug-in portion 164 and extends through the first surface 41 of the bottom cover 16 along the plugging direction. The second slot 14 is formed on one side of the second surface 42 of the plug-in portion 164 and communicates with the second mounting cavity 12 along the plugging direction. A limiting block 165 is also protruding on the second surface 42 of the bottom cover 16. The limiting block 165 is spaced apart from the plug-in portion 164 along the width direction of the bottom cover 16, and a hook portion 1651 protruding toward the plug-in portion 164 is formed at the end of the limiting block 165.

[0034] In this embodiment, the terminal assembly 2 includes a conductive terminal 21 and a spring 22. The conductive terminal 21 is used to achieve electrical signal communication with the complementary terminal, and the spring 22 cooperates with the conductive terminal 21 to release or clamp the cable.

[0035] In this embodiment, the conductive terminal 21 is made of a conductive metal such as copper and includes an integrally formed contact portion 211 and an elastic clamping portion 212. The contact portion 211 is located in the first mounting cavity 11 and is positioned directly opposite the first slot 13. The elastic clamping portion 212 is located in the second mounting cavity 12 and is positioned directly opposite the second slot 14. The contact portion 211 is used to cooperate with the spring 22 to connect with the cable, and the elastic clamping portion 212 is used to engage with the terminal structure of the female connector to transmit electrical signals. The contact portion 211 extends from the elastic clamping portion 212 toward the first sidewall 111, and the end of the contact portion 211 away from the elastic clamping portion 212 is inclined toward the side away from the second sidewall 112, so that a V-shaped or triangular movable space is spaced between the contact portion 211 and the second sidewall 112. The movable space is positioned directly opposite the first slot 13 along the insertion direction, so that the cable passes through the first slot 13 and then enters the movable space. A support piece 2111 is formed on the side of the contact portion 211, bent and extending toward the second sidewall 112, to provide support for the contact portion 211 in a suspended state and ensure the stability of the contact portion 211. In the scope defined in this embodiment, the contact portion 211 includes a first arm segment 2112 inclined toward the second sidewall 112, a second arm segment 2113 bent and extending from the first arm segment 2112, a third arm segment 2114 bent and inclined toward the fourth sidewall 114 from the second arm segment 2113, and the support piece 2111 formed on the first arm segment 2112. The first arm segment 2112 extends from the elastic clamping portion 212 and is inclined toward the fourth sidewall 114, i.e., inclined to the left, away from the elastic clamping portion 212. The second arm segment 2113 can extend along the insertion direction to form a first inflection point 2115 at the connection with the first arm segment 2112. The third arm segment 2114, with its end away from the second arm segment 2113, is inclined towards the first sidewall 111 and towards the fourth sidewall 114, so that the connection between the second arm segment 2113 and the third arm segment 2114 forms an arc-shaped second inflection point 2116. A portion of the spring piece 22 abuts against the second inflection point 2116, and the second arm segment 2113 and the second arm segment 2113 play a limiting role to a certain extent. The support piece 2111 is configured as two pieces, both integrally bent from both sides of the first arm segment 2112 along the length direction of the main body 15 towards the second sidewall 112. The side of the two support pieces 2111 facing the second sidewall 112 is parallel to the second sidewall 112 so that it can abut against the second sidewall 112 relatively stably.In order for the support piece 2111 to abut against the second side wall 112, a guide slope 115 is formed on the side of the second side wall 112 facing the third side wall 113. The inclination direction of the guide slope 115 is consistent with the inclination direction of the first arm segment 2112. When the contact part 211 enters the first mounting cavity 11, the support piece 2111 first contacts the guide slope 115, and continues to move under the guidance of the guide slope 115 to press the first arm segment 2112 until the support piece 2111 abuts against the second side wall 112 and the first arm segment 2112 is installed in place, thereby ensuring the installation stability of the conductive terminal 21. The elastic clamping part 212 includes a first substrate 2121 that extends along the width direction after being bent from one end of the first arm segment 2112 away from the second arm segment 2113, a second substrate 2122 that extends along the insertion direction toward the side away from the first arm segment 2112 after being bent from the side of the first substrate 2121 away from the first arm segment 2112, a third substrate 2123 that is bent from both sides of the second substrate 2122 along the length direction and extends in the same direction along the width direction, and clamping arms 2124 that extend from the side of the two third substrates 2123 away from the first arm segment 2112 respectively. The two clamping arms 2124 are inclined towards each other and spaced apart from the side away from the third substrate 2123. Each clamping arm 2124 is bent backwards at the inclined end and has a clamping opening 2125 that is wide at both ends and narrows in the middle. The second mounting cavity 12 is adapted to be provided with the elastic clamping arm 2124. After the elastic clamping part 212 passes through the second mounting cavity 12, the two third substrates 2123 abut against the inner wall of the second mounting cavity 12 so that the elastic clamping part 212 is tightly fitted to the second mounting cavity 12.

[0036] In this embodiment, the spring piece 22 is bent and supported in the first mounting cavity 11 of the outer shell 1 from multiple directions. The two ends of the spring piece 22 intersect and abut against the contact portion 211, so that the spring piece 22 presents a closed-loop structure. Compared with the existing spring piece structure, the spring piece 22 is supported in the first mounting cavity 11 from multiple directions. While supporting the spring piece 22, it can also restrict the movement of the spring piece 22 from multiple directions, which greatly reduces the possibility of the spring piece 22 flipping or shifting, improves the stability of the spring piece 22, and the closed-loop structure of the spring piece 22 can better distribute pressure, reduce local pressure concentration, and enhance the overall stability and durability of the spring piece 22. At the same time, the closed-loop structure can provide better anti-tilting force, making the use of the spring piece 22 more reliable. In order to achieve the cooperation between the spring 22 and the contact part 211, the spring 22 abuts against the handle 3 and the contact part 211, and a limiting space 23 is formed between the spring 22 and the contact part 211 for the contact part 211 to pass through. The limiting space 23 is directly opposite the first slot 13 in the insertion direction and is located in the movable space. The handle 3 can change the position of the limiting space 23 by squeezing the spring 22, thereby loosening or fixing the cable.

[0037] In this embodiment, the spring piece 22 includes a main body segment 221 bent to support the outer shell 1 from multiple directions, an abutting end 222 extending from one end of the main body segment 221 and abutting against the contact portion 211, and a contact end 223 bent and extending from the other end of the main body segment 221 toward the abutting end 222. The abutting end 222 abuts against the second inflection point 2116 so that the abutting end 222 supports the contact portion 211 and reduces the possibility of the contact portion 211 deforming toward the spring piece 22. The second arm segment 2113 and the third arm segment 2114 play a certain role in restricting the movement of the abutting end 222 when the abutting end 222 is pressed against the second inflection point 2116, thereby preventing the abutting end 222 from slipping to a certain extent. The main body 221 is located in the first mounting cavity 11. The contact end 223 intersects with the abutment end 222 and the contact portion 211. The limiting space 23 is formed between the contact end 223 and the contact portion 211. The handle 3 abuts against the end of the contact end 223 away from the limiting space 23. In this embodiment, the main body segment 221 is located between the fourth sidewall 114 and the contact portion 211. The main body segment 221 includes an arc-shaped intermediate segment 2211 that abuts against the third sidewall 113 and the elastic clamping portion 212, a first elastic arm 2212 that extends from one end of the arc-shaped intermediate segment 2211 toward the first sidewall 111 and elastically abuts against the fourth sidewall 114, and a second elastic arm 2213 that extends from the other end of the arc-shaped intermediate segment 2211 toward the first sidewall 111. The two ends of the arc-shaped intermediate segment 2211 are bent toward the first sidewall 111 and supported on the third sidewall 113 and the first substrate 2121 respectively, thereby providing the arc-shaped intermediate segment 2211 with two different support points in two directions. The end of the first elastic arm 2212 away from the arc-shaped middle section 2211 is inclined toward the fourth surface 44, so that the middle position of the first elastic arm 2212 intersects with the bottom wall of the clearance groove 1611, so that the end of the first elastic arm 2212 away from the arc-shaped middle section 2211 extends into the clearance groove 1611. To facilitate the engagement between the spring 22 and the handle 3, a third extension 2214 is formed at the end of the first elastic arm 2212 away from the arc-shaped middle section 2211, abutting against the handle 3. The third extension 2214 can serve as one end of the first elastic arm 2212 or as one end of the contact end 223, so that the handle 3 and the spring 22 can maintain engagement. The suspended first elastic arm 2212 and contact end 223 make it easier for the handle 3 to engage with it and control the position of the limiting space 23. At the same time, the third extension 2214 and the clearance groove 1611 can increase the support points of the spring 22 in different directions, further improving the stability of the spring 22.Contact end 223 is formed by bending from the first elastic arm 2212 toward the second sidewall 112 (i.e., the right side). The limiting space 23 includes a first movable through hole 231 opened on the contact end 223 along the insertion direction. The second arm segment 2113 and the third arm segment 2114 of the contact portion 211 both move through the first movable through hole 231. A clamping opening 232 is formed between the end of the contact end 223 away from the third extension segment 2214 and the first movable through hole 231. The clamping opening 232 is located within the movable space. When the handle 3 is in an unused state, the first movable through hole 231... One side of the clamp 232 abuts against the second arm segment 2113 or the third arm segment 2114, at which time the clamp 232 is in a closed state. When the movable handle 3 presses the contact end 223, the contact end 223 moves in the lateral direction (i.e., left and right direction) and moves relative to the movable space, and finally moves the first movable through hole 231 from the left side of the contact part 211 to the right side of the contact part, thereby increasing the clamp 232. The first slot 13 is located above the clamp 232 corresponding to the first movable through hole 231 in the insertion direction to facilitate the insertion of the cable into the clamp 232. In order to ensure that the contact end 223 has sufficient room to move when it is squeezed by the handle 3, a first through hole 153 is provided on the third surface 43 of the main body 15 at the position opposite to the contact end 223 for the contact end 223 to move through. When the handle 3 squeezes the contact end 223 to increase the clamp 232, the contact end 223 passes through the movable space and then enters the first through hole 153. The abutment end 222 extends to the right after the second elastic arm 2213 is bent, so that the connection between the abutment end 222 and the second elastic arm 2213 corresponds to the first inflection point 2115. After the abutment end 222 abuts against the second inflection point 2116, the spring piece 22 can abut against each support point, thereby forming a tight fit with the outer shell 1 and maintaining stability.The abutment end 222 includes a first extension 2221 connected to the main body section 221 and a second extension 2222 connected to the first extension. The end of the first extension 2221 away from the second elastic arm 2213 extends toward the first sidewall 111 and is inclined toward the fourth sidewall 114. The end where the first extension 2221 and the second extension 2222 are connected is curved toward the handle 3. The end of the second extension 2222 away from the first extension 2221 extends toward the first sidewall 111 and is inclined toward the second sidewall 112, so that the ends of the first extension 2221 and the second extension 2222 that are away from each other extend away from the handle 3 in a V-shape. Thus, the connection between the first extension 2221 and the second extension 2222 is separated from the second arm by a bend. The second extension segment 2222 forms a gap space by segment 2113. When the contact portion 211 is heated and deforms toward the side of the spring piece 22, the second extension segment 2222 deforms toward the side of the fourth sidewall 114 when it is squeezed by the contact portion 211. The second extension segment 2222 can slide toward the first sidewall 111 relative to the third arm segment 2114. Under the premise that the position of the spring piece 22 remains unchanged, as the second arm segment 2113 is squeezed, the included angle between the second arm segment 2113 and the second extension segment 2222 gradually decreases. The distance between the second arm segment 2113 and the end of the second extension segment 2222 that is close to the first extension segment 2221 gradually decreases, that is, the gap space gradually narrows. However, the second extension segment 2222 can still press against the third arm segment 2114 to ensure support for the contact portion 211. It should be noted that the width of the first movable perforation 231 is greater than the width of the first elastic arm 2212 and the abutment end 222, and the first perforation 153 is located on the movement trajectory of the contact end 223 after being squeezed. The contact end 223 and the third arm segment 2114 are both in a free suspended state and have no contact with the outer shell 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, one end of the handle 3 passes through the first slot 151 so that part of the handle 3 is located in the first mounting cavity 11, and the end of the handle 3 that passes through the first mounting cavity 11 abuts against the left side of the contact end 223. To prevent the handle 3 from detaching from the first slot 151 after installation, cylindrical protrusions 31 are provided on both sides of the handle 3 along the length direction (i.e., the front-to-back direction) of the main body 15. To facilitate preventing the handle 3 from loosening and falling off, the width of the first slot 151 is smaller than the width of the first mounting cavity 11. On the fourth surface 44 of the main body 15, and on both sides of the first slot 151, there are recesses 154 that connect to the first mounting cavity 11 along the width direction and allow the protrusions 31 to pass through. When the handle 3 is installed, it moves from the fourth surface 44 toward the first slot 151 along the width direction, and the two protrusions 31 align with the two second slots 154 and move through the two second slots 154 until the two protrusions 31 enter the first mounting cavity 11. To ensure that the handle 3 can move, the first slot 151 continues to be opened along the insertion direction to penetrate part of the first sidewall 111 of the first mounting cavity 11 in the insertion direction. The first slot 151 and the inner wall of the first mounting cavity 11 form a positional difference and present a stepped shape. After the handle 3 is inserted into the first slot 151, the portion corresponding to the convex shaft 31 in the insertion direction and the convex shaft 31 are inserted into the first mounting cavity 11. Then, the handle 3 is moved towards the first sidewall 111 in the insertion direction until the fourth sidewall 114 blocks the convex shaft 31. After the handle 3 is installed, the terminal assembly 2 is installed so that the third extension 2214 supports and abuts against the handle 3 towards the first sidewall 111, thereby blocking the second slot 154 and restricting the handle 3. To further ensure the restriction of the handle 3, the two support walls 1612 approach or contact the convex shaft 31 after the support portion 161 is installed in the first mounting cavity 11, thereby preventing the handle 3 from disengaging from the first slot 151.

[0039] In this embodiment, the elastic compensation part 5 includes a trigger part 51 fixedly installed on the side of the abutment end 222 facing the contact part 211, and a reset part 52 communicating with the trigger part and moving through the abutment end 222 to extend onto the main body section 221. When the contact part 211 is not deformed, the trigger part 51 is spaced apart from the contact part 211. When the contact part 211 is overheated and deformed, causing the angle between the second arm section 2113 and the second extension section 2222 to decrease, it can contact the trigger part 51, thereby triggering the reset part 52 to press the abutment end 222. The abutment end 222 then presses the abutment part 211, causing the abutment part 211 to reset to a certain extent and restore the clamping of the cable. It should be noted that if the contact part 211 deforms towards the second sidewall 112, the clamping opening 232 will be reduced, thus preventing the cable from loosening.

[0040] In this embodiment, the triggering part 51 includes an outer layer 511 fixedly connected to the side of the second extension 2222 facing the second arm segment 2113 at the abutment end 222, and paraffin wax 512 filled within the outer layer 511. The outer layer 511 and paraffin wax 512 can be integrally sheet-like. The outer layer 511 is fixedly connected to the second extension 2222 and located within the space, allowing the thickness of the triggering part 51 near the third sidewall 113 to be greater than the thickness near the first sidewall 111, so that the second arm segment 2113 can more easily contact and compress the outer layer 511 after overheating and deformation. The outer layer 511 is a sealed cavity made of a flexible thermally conductive material such as flexible copper foil to ensure that the temperature can be quickly conducted to the paraffin wax 512 filled within it, and to facilitate the compression of the outer layer 511 by the deformed second arm segment 2113. When the paraffin wax 512 is not in contact with the second arm segment 2113 within the outer layer 511, it is solid and can fill the inner cavity of the outer layer 511. Since the melting point of the paraffin wax 512 is below 55°C, while the exothermic temperature of the conductive terminal 21 and the cable after being energized is much higher than the melting point of the paraffin wax 512, when the second arm segment 2113 comes into contact with and presses the outer layer 511 due to overheating deformation, the outer layer 511 rapidly conducts heat, causing the solid paraffin wax 512 to melt. Because the outer layer 511 is a flexible material, after being pressed by the deformed second arm segment 2113, the paraffin wax 512 inside the outer layer 511 can be squeezed into the reset part 52. After melting, the paraffin wax 512 is affected by fluidity and surface tension and will not flow into the reset part 52 on its own. This avoids the paraffin wax 512 melting due to excessive temperature in the first mounting cavity 11 when it is not deformed and is pressing the outer layer 511, thus preventing the reset part 52 from being triggered.

[0041] In this embodiment, the reset part 52 includes a shape memory metal 521, a flexible layer 522 wrapped around the shape memory metal 521, and a thin tube 523 with one end sealed to the inner cavity of the outer layer 511 and the other end sealed to the inner cavity of the flexible layer 522. The flexible layer 522 is a flexible bag that is closed on all sides. The shape memory metal 521 is located inside the flexible layer 522. One end of the shape memory metal 521 is pressed against the abutment end 222 through the flexible layer 522, and the other end extends to the first elastic arm 2212 and contacts the first elastic arm 2212 through the flexible layer 522. Preferably, the shape memory metal 521 contacts the end of the first elastic arm 2212 near the third extension section 2214. That is, in this embodiment, neither end of the shape memory metal 521 is fixedly connected to the abutment end 222 and the first elastic arm 2212, so as to avoid pulling the abutment end 222 toward the handle 3 side when the shape memory metal 521 contracts. Shape memory metal 521 is a shape memory alloy, primarily a nickel-titanium alloy. It is a special metallic material that undergoes plastic deformation due to changes in its crystal structure within a certain temperature range, and returns to its original macroscopic shape at another temperature. It possesses shape memory and high plasticity. One end of the flexible layer 522 is fixedly connected to the abutment end 222 and connected to the inner cavity of the outer layer 511 via a thin tube 523. The two ends of the thin tube 523 extend and connect the inner cavity of the flexible layer 522 and the inner cavity of the outer layer 511, respectively, so that the melted paraffin wax 512 flows into the flexible layer 522 only after being compressed by the second arm segment 2113 in the outer layer 511. The other end of the flexible layer 522 is connected to the first elastic arm 2212 of the main body segment 221 to prevent the shape memory metal 521 from contacting the conductive terminal 21 and affecting the compensation effect. In this embodiment, the flexible layer 522 is an inelastic material that cannot expand or contract. When the trigger part 51 is not triggered, the flexible layer 522 is in a wrinkled and folded state. When the paraffin wax 512 melts, it flows into the flexible layer 522, causing the shape memory metal 521 in the flexible layer 522 to deform and do work due to heat. The first elastic arm 2212 cannot be squeezed and moved by the shape memory metal 521 because it is supported by the support wall 1612 and the handle 3. Therefore, the shape memory metal 521 deforms and stretches due to heat, causing the abutment end 222 to deform toward the contact part 211 and toward the second sidewall 112. One side of the contact 211 is squeezed until the contact 211 gradually resets and clamps the cable, ensuring electrical connection with the cable. The volume of the outer layer 511 should be the same as or close to the volume of the flexible layer 522 to match, so that the paraffin 512 melts and is squeezed by the second arm segment 2113 in a short time. The paraffin inside the outer layer 511 is quickly squeezed into the flexible layer 522 through the thin tube 523 and is enough to fill the flexible layer 522. Meanwhile, the shape memory metal 521 is heated and deformed by the temperature of the molten paraffin 512 and squeezes the third extension segment 2214 until the second arm segment 2113 resets.

[0042] The operation of one embodiment of the pluggable electrical connector of the present invention is as follows: First, the first handle is installed on the main body 15 through the first slot 151 and the second slot 154. The elastic clamping part 212 is installed in the second mounting cavity 12. The support part 161 and the contact part 211 on the bottom cover 16 limit the spring piece 22. Then, the bottom cover 16 is connected to the main body 15 to block the mounting cavity 11. The third extension section 2214 abuts against the handle 3. The support piece 2111 supports and abuts against the second side wall 112. By turning the handle 3, the handle 3 rotates around the convex shaft 31 and presses the contact end 2 towards the second side wall 112. 23 After opening the clamp 232, the cable is passed through the first slot 13 and into the clamp 232. Then the force on the handle 3 is released, and the contact end 223 springs back, causing the clamp 232 to clamp the cable. When the contact part 211 deforms towards the spring piece 22 after being powered on for a long time, the angle between the second extension section and the second arm section 2113 becomes smaller. The second arm section 2113 gradually contacts the outer layer 511, causing the paraffin 512 inside the outer layer 511 to melt. The melted paraffin 512 flows into the flexible layer 522, causing the shape memory metal 521 to deform due to heat and squeeze the abutment end 222. The abutment end 222 squeezes the third arm section 2114 until it is reset.

[0043] In this design, since the paraffin 512 inside the outer layer 511 is melted by the heat generated at the second arm segment 2113 and flows into the flexible layer 522, it is far from the second arm segment 2113. Therefore, the heat at the second arm segment 2113 cannot keep the paraffin 512 that has flowed into the flexible layer 522 in a molten state. As a result, after the shape memory metal 521 is heated, deformed, stretched, and pressed against the end 222 by the molten paraffin 512, the temperature of the paraffin 512 decreases and solidifies, causing the stretched flexible layer 522 to form a hard support column. This hard support column always maintains the state of pressing against the end 222, effectively preventing the third arm segment 2114 from deforming again and moving towards the handle 3, thus keeping the cable clamped.

[0044] In another embodiment, the elastic compensation part 5 includes only a trigger part 51. The trigger part 51 includes an outer layer 511 fixedly connected to the side of the second extension 2222 facing the second arm segment 2113 at the abutment end 222, and paraffin wax 512 filled in the outer layer. When the second arm segment 2113 is not deformed, the outer layer 511 is spaced between the second arm segment 2113 and the third arm segment 2114, and the outer layer 511 is made of a high-temperature resistant elastic material. When the second arm segment 2113 overheats and deforms, pressing the outer layer 511 towards the outer layer 511, the paraffin wax 512 in the outer layer 511 melts due to heat. The melted paraffin wax 512 expands in volume by about 15%, causing the outer layer 511 to expand and directly press the second arm segment 2113 until the second arm segment 2113 returns to its original position. During this process, the second arm segment 2113 will generate heat whenever it is powered on, while the expanded outer layer 511 will always be in contact with the second arm segment 2113, thus keeping the outer layer in an expanded state to support and maintain the stability of the second arm segment 2113.

Claims

1. A pluggable electrical connector, comprising an outer shell, a terminal assembly disposed in the outer shell, and a handle movably mounted on the outer shell, characterized in that: The terminal assembly includes a conductive terminal and a spring, and the conductive terminal includes a contact portion and an elastic clamping portion. The spring is bent and supported on the outer shell from multiple directions. The two ends of the spring intersect and abut against the contact portion to form a closed-loop structure. One end of the spring abuts against the handle and forms a limiting space for the contact portion to pass through. The handle is moved to change the position of the limiting space. An elastic compensation portion is arranged on the spring, and the elastic compensation portion triggers the compensation reset contact portion when the contact portion is deformed and the cable becomes loose.

2. The pluggable electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring sheet includes a main body section that is bent to support the outer shell from multiple directions, an abutting end that extends from one end of the main body section and abuts against the contact portion, and a contact end that is bent and extended from the other end of the main body section toward the abutting end. The contact end intersects the abutting end and the contact portion and forms the limiting space between the abutting end and the contact portion. The handle abuts against the left side of the contact end, and the elastic compensation portion is arranged on the abutting end.

3. The pluggable electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic compensation portion includes a trigger portion fixedly mounted on a side of the abutting end facing the contact portion and a reset portion connected to the trigger portion and movably passing through the abutting end to extend to the main body section, wherein the trigger portion is spaced from the contact portion; The triggering part comprises an outer layer fixedly connected to the abutting end and made of a heat-conducting material, and paraffin filled in the outer layer, wherein the overall shape of the outer layer and the paraffin is a sheet; The reset part includes a memory metal, a flexible layer wrapped around the memory metal, and a thin tube whose one end is sealedly connected to the inner cavity of the outer layer and the other end is sealedly connected to the inner cavity of the flexible layer. The two ends of the memory metal are respectively in contact with the abutment end and the main body section through the flexible layer. The memory metal stretches when heated to move the abutment end toward one end of the contact part, and one end of the flexible layer is fixedly connected to the abutment end and the main body section.

4. The plug-in type electrical connection machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The abutting end includes a first extension section connected to the main section and a second extension section connected to the first extension section, one end of the first extension section and the second extension section connected is bent toward one side of the handle, and the other end of the first extension section and the second extension section extends back to the side away from the handle; the contact portion includes a first arm section connected to the elastic clamping portion and inclined toward one side of the spring sheet, a second arm section formed by bending and extending from the first arm section, and a third arm section bent and inclined from the second arm section toward one side of the spring sheet, the second extension section is tightly pressed against the third arm section, and the connection between the first extension section and the second extension section is separated from the second arm section by a bending arc to form a spacing space, the outer layer is fixedly arranged on the second extension section and is located in the spacing space, and when the contact portion is heated and deformed toward one side of the spring sheet, the angle between the second arm section and the second extension section becomes smaller and gradually approaches the outer layer.

5. The plug-in type electrical connection machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting space includes a first movable through-hole opened on the contact end along a plugging direction, the second arm segment and the third arm segment move through the first movable through-hole and form a clamp between the first movable through-hole, the handle is moved to press the contact end to move the contact end in a lateral direction and finally move the first movable through-hole from the left side of the second arm segment to the right side of the second arm segment.

6. The plug-in type electrical connection machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two first installation cavities and a second installation cavity distributed along the plug-in direction and connected to each other are formed in the outer shell, and a first slot connected to the first installation cavity along the plug-in direction is formed on a first surface of the outer shell, and the first slot is used to insert the cable, and when the first movable through-hole is moved to the right side of the second arm section by the handle, the first slot is just located above the first movable through-hole to facilitate the insertion of the cable into the first movable through-hole; the contact portion and the main body section are both arranged in the first installation cavity, and one end of the handle is penetrated in the first installation cavity to abut against the contact end; a second slot connected to the second installation cavity along the plug-in direction is formed on the second surface, and the elastic clamping portion is tightly fitted in the second installation cavity and faces the second slot.

7. The plug-in type electrical connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first installation cavity includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall distributed in sequence, the first slot passes through the first side wall to connect to the first installation cavity, the first slot is located on the first side wall close to the second side wall, and the second installation cavity passes through the third side wall to connect to the first installation cavity; the first arm section is bent and extended from the elastic clamping portion toward one side of the first side wall and inclined toward the left side, and there is a movable space between the contact portion and the second side wall, and the clamp is located in the movable space; a support sheet is formed on the side edge of the first arm section by bending and extending toward the second side wall on the right side.

8. The plug-in type electrical connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The main body section is located between the fourth side wall and the contact portion, and the main body section includes an arc-shaped middle section that abuts against the third side wall and the elastic clamping portion, a first elastic arm extending from one end of the arc-shaped middle section toward the first side wall and elastically abutting against the fourth side wall, and a second elastic arm extending from the other end of the arc-shaped middle section toward the first side wall; the first elastic arm is bent to form a third extension section that abuts against the handle, and the contact end is bent from the first elastic arm toward the second side wall on the right; after the first extension section tilts toward the left side from the second elastic arm, the second extension section is bent and tilted toward the second side wall on the right to face the second arm section, and the second extension section abuts against the bending point of the second arm section and the third arm section and can slide relative to the third arm section.

9. The plug-in type electrical connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer shell includes a main body and a bottom cover, the first installation cavity is formed on the main body and passes through its second surface, the bottom cover is detachably connected to the main body to block the open side of the first installation cavity, the third side wall of the first installation cavity is formed on the side of the bottom cover facing the main body, and a plug-in portion is convexly formed along the plug-in direction on the side of the bottom cover facing away from the main body, the second installation cavity is formed on the plug-in portion and passes through its first surface, and the second slot is formed on the plug-in portion.

10. The plug-in type electrical connection machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: A support portion is convexly formed on the third side wall and penetrates into the first installation cavity. A avoidance groove is concavely formed on the support portion and supports the first elastic arm in a line contact manner. One end of the handle is movably penetrated into the avoidance groove.

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