Connection terminal and connector

Abstract

A connector comprises a connecting terminal, and the connecting terminal comprises a terminal body which is provided with a plugging space which is enclosed by an upper wall, two side walls and a lower wall; the first elastic sheet extends in the plugging space from the lower wall to the first direction to form a first contact end, and a convex structure is formed on the upper surface of the first elastic sheet; the pairing terminal is used for being matched with the connecting terminal, and a groove is formed in the pairing terminal; and when the paired terminal is inserted into the insertion space, the groove is in sliding contact with at least part of the bulge structure. According to the connector provided by the invention, the current-carrying capability of the terminals is improved, and meanwhile, the reliability of a product is improved.

Description

This application is a divisional application. The filing date of the original application is April 9, 2020, the application number is 202010274828.1, and the name of the invention is “Connecting Terminals and Connectors”. Technical Field

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

[0002] Electrical connectors are usually composed of a metal male terminal and a metal female terminal, and electrical conduction is formed by plugging the male terminal and the female terminal. However, in current applications, the contact surface between the male terminal and the female terminal is usually relatively small, resulting in a faster temperature rise at a smaller current value, and poor reliability when the male terminal and the female terminal are plugged in in the existing design.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a connector that can provide a larger current carrying capacity and will not be damaged when subjected to a large pressure during the plugging process. Summary of the invention

[0004] In response to the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides, on one hand, a connecting terminal for use with a mating terminal, comprising: a terminal body, having an insertion space, wherein the insertion space is surrounded by an upper wall, two side walls and a lower wall; a first spring sheet, wherein the first spring sheet extends from the lower wall toward a first direction in the insertion space to form a first contact end, and a protruding structure is formed on the upper surface of the first spring sheet, so that when the mating terminal is inserted into the insertion space, the groove on the mating terminal slides in contact with at least part of the protruding structure.

[0005] In one embodiment, the protruding structure extends toward the first direction, and the size of the protruding structure is designed so that when the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space, at least a portion of the protruding structure can be accommodated in the groove.

[0006] In one embodiment, the connection terminal further includes a second elastic sheet, the second elastic sheet extends from the lower wall toward a second direction opposite to the first direction in the plug-in space to form a second contact end, and when the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space and the first elastic sheet is pressed down to the first position, the second contact end of the second elastic sheet contacts the first contact end of the first elastic sheet. In one embodiment, the connection terminal further includes a support member disposed below the first elastic sheet, the support member is configured to support the first elastic sheet to prevent the first elastic sheet from continuing to move downward when the plug-in terminal is inserted into the plug-in space and the first elastic sheet is pressed down to the second position.

[0007] In one embodiment, the second position is a lower position relative to the upper wall than the first position.

[0008] In one embodiment, according to the connection terminal of claim 1, at least one ridge is provided on the upper wall, and when the mating terminal is inserted into the insertion space, the upper surface of the mating terminal comes into contact with the at least one ridge.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first elastic sheet includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extends from the lower wall toward the upper wall in the insertion space, and the second portion extends from the first portion toward the lower wall in the insertion space.

[0010] In one embodiment, it further includes a wire connecting portion connected to the left side of the terminal body, the wire connecting portion includes a connecting portion body and at least one pair of side arms, and the at least one pair of side arms are relatively arranged on the wire connecting portion.

[0011] In one embodiment, the wire connecting portion is further connected to a wire fixing portion, and the wire fixing portion includes a fixing portion body and a fixing sheet, wherein the fixing sheet is bent to fix the wire on the fixing portion body.

[0012] On the other hand, the present invention provides a connector, comprising: a connecting terminal, the connecting terminal comprising: a terminal body, having an insertion space, the insertion space being surrounded by an upper wall, two side walls and a lower wall; and a first spring sheet, the first spring sheet extending from the lower wall toward a first direction in the insertion space to form a first contact end, a protrusion structure being formed on the upper surface of the first spring sheet; and a mating terminal, used to cooperate with the connecting terminal, the mating terminal being provided with a groove; wherein, when the mating terminal is inserted into the insertion space, the groove is in sliding contact with at least part of the protrusion structure.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mating terminal further includes an inserting portion, and the groove is arranged on a lower surface of the inserting portion.

[0014] In one embodiment, the protrusion structure extends toward the first direction, and the size of the protrusion structure is designed so that when the plug-in portion is inserted into the plug-in space, at least a portion of the protrusion structure can be accommodated in the groove. In one embodiment, the connection terminal further includes a second elastic sheet, which extends from the lower wall toward a second direction opposite to the first direction in the plug-in space to form a second contact end, and when the plug-in portion is inserted into the plug-in space and the first elastic sheet is pressed down to the first position, the second contact end of the second elastic sheet contacts the first contact end of the first elastic sheet.

[0015] In one embodiment, the connecting terminal also includes a support member arranged below the first spring sheet, wherein the support member is configured to support the first spring sheet to prevent the first spring sheet from continuing to move downward when the plug-in portion is inserted into the plug-in space and the first spring sheet is pressed down to a second position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the second position is a lower position relative to the upper wall than the first position.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one convex ridge is provided on the upper wall, and when the plug-in portion is inserted into the plug-in space, the upper surface of the plug-in portion comes into contact with the at least one convex ridge.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first elastic sheet includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extends from the lower wall toward the upper wall in the insertion space, and the second portion extends from the first portion toward the lower wall in the insertion space.

[0019] In one embodiment, the connecting terminal also includes a first wire connecting portion connected to the left side of the terminal body and the mating terminal also includes a second wire connecting portion connected to the right side of the plug-in end, the first wire connecting portion includes a first connecting portion body and at least one pair of first side arms, and the at least one pair of first side arms are relatively arranged on the first wire connecting portion; the second wire connecting portion includes a second connecting portion body and at least one pair of second side arms, and the at least one pair of second side arms are relatively arranged on the second wire connecting portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first wire connecting portion is also connected to a first wire fixing portion, the first wire fixing portion includes a first fixing portion body and a first fixing plate, and the second wire connecting portion is also connected to a second wire fixing portion, the second wire fixing portion includes a second fixing portion body and a second fixing plate, wherein the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate are bent to fix the wires to the first fixing portion body and the second fixing portion body respectively.

[0021] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a plug-in terminal made of a metal sheet, wherein the plug-in terminal includes a plug-in portion, and the plug-in portion is bent downward from both sides to form a groove, and the groove is configured to slide in contact with at least part of the protruding structure in the connecting terminal when the plug-in terminal is inserted into the plug-in space of a connecting terminal paired with it.

[0022] In one embodiment, when the plug-in terminal is inserted into the plug-in space of the connecting terminal, the groove can at least partially accommodate the protruding structure.

[0023] In one embodiment, the plug terminal further includes a wire connecting portion and a wire fixing portion which are arranged on the right side of the plug portion.

[0024] The connecting terminal and the connector provided by the present invention increase the contact points between the terminals, thereby providing a greater current carrying capacity, and the supporting member provided at the same time avoids damage to the terminals caused by a large pressure generated during the plug-in process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembled connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the connector 100 after being connected to the wire;

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along AA direction;

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along direction BB;

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of the connecting terminal 110;

[0031] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A rear perspective view of the connection terminal 110;

[0032] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a terminal body 120 of a connecting terminal 110 in one direction;

[0033] Fig. 9 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the terminal body 120 of the connecting terminal 110 in another direction;

[0034] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of the mating terminal 210;

[0035] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 1 is a rear perspective view of the mating terminal 210. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In the following specific description of preferred embodiments, reference will be made to the attached drawings that constitute a part of the present invention. The attached drawings show specific embodiments that can implement the present invention by way of example. The exemplary embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the present invention. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts. It will be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following specific description is not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is limited by the attached claims.

[0037] The terms "include", "comprising" and similar terms used herein should be understood as open terms, i.e., "including but not limited to", indicating that other contents may also be included. The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one other embodiment", and so on.

[0038] The connecting terminal in the embodiment of the present invention is a female terminal in a common sense, and the matching terminal in the embodiment is a male terminal in a common sense.

[0039] In the present invention, the front, rear, left, right, top, bottom, front end, rear end, left end, right end, top, bottom, etc. are all based on Figure 1 A relative concept used for reference.

[0040] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided, comprising: a connecting terminal, the connecting terminal comprising: a terminal body, having an insertion space, the insertion space consisting of an upper wall, two side walls and a lower wall; and a first spring sheet, the first spring sheet extends from the lower wall toward a first direction in the insertion space to form a first contact end, a protrusion structure is formed on the upper surface of the first spring sheet; and a mating terminal for mating with the connecting terminal, the mating terminal being provided with a groove; wherein, when the mating terminal is inserted into the insertion space, the groove is in sliding contact with at least part of the protrusion structure.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the connector 100 includes a connecting terminal 110 and a mating terminal 210. Figure 1 The figure shows a perspective view of the connecting terminal 110 and the mating terminal 210 after being plugged together.

[0043] like Figure 1 , Figure 3-4 and Figure 6-9As shown, the connection terminal 110 includes a terminal body 120, and the terminal body 120 includes an upper wall 122a, two side walls 122b, and a lower wall 122c, wherein the upper wall 122a, the two side walls 122b, and the lower wall 122c enclose an insertion space 121. The connection terminal 110 also includes a spring 124 and a spring 126, and the spring 124 extends from the lower wall 122c toward a first direction (here, the first direction refers to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The horizontal left direction shown in FIG. 1 extends in the insertion space 121 and forms a contact end 124a, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the spring piece 124 includes a first portion 124b and a second portion 124c connected to the first portion 124b, and the contact end 124a is one end of the second portion 124c. Specifically, the spring piece 124 is in a bent shape, the first portion 124b extends from the lower wall 122c toward the upper wall 122a in the plug-in space 121, and the second portion 124c extends from the first portion 124b toward the lower wall 122c in the plug-in space 121. In one embodiment, one end of the spring piece 124 is connected to the lower wall 122c on the right side of the terminal body 120, and the other end (i.e., the contact end) 124a formed by the extension of the spring piece 124 is a free end that is suspended. A protruding structure 125 is provided on the upper surface of the spring piece 124, and the protruding structure 125 extends in a first direction that is the same as the extension direction of the spring piece 124 (such as Figure 3 , 4 , 5, 8 and 9), the spring piece 126 is directed from the lower wall 122c toward a second direction opposite to the first direction (here, the second direction refers to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The upper wall 122a is provided with two ridges 127 facing the lower wall 122c (it should be understood that the number of ridges 127 can be only one or any number greater than two). In addition, the terminal body 120 also includes a support member 128, which is located below the spring member 124. It should be understood that the lower wall 122c can be a wall formed by a plurality of separate blocks located at the bottom of the terminal body 120, or a wall formed by a complete block located at the bottom of the terminal body 120.

[0044] like Figure 1 , Figure 3-5 and Figure 10-11As shown, the mating terminal 210 is used to cooperate with the connecting terminal 110. The mating terminal 210 includes a plug-in portion 220, and a groove 224a is provided on the lower surface 224 of the plug-in portion 220, wherein, when the plug-in portion 220 is inserted into the plug-in space 121 and the spring 124 is pressed down to the first position (at this time, the spring is subjected to a pressure within a suitable range), the groove 224a is in sliding contact with at least part of the protruding structure 125 (that is, the size of the protruding structure 125 is designed to be partially accommodated in the groove 224a and in contact with both sides of the groove 224a, or the size of the protruding structure 125 is designed to be fully accommodated in the groove 224a and in contact with both sides of the groove 224a. In one embodiment, the protruding structure 125 is engaged with the groove 224a.) and the upper surface 222 of the plug-in portion 220 is in contact with the two convex ridges 127. And when the plug-in portion 220 is inserted into the plug-in space 121 and the spring 124 is pressed down to the second position (here, the second position is a position lower than the first position relative to the upper wall 122a, at which time, the spring 124 is subjected to a greater pressure beyond the appropriate range), the support member 128 can prevent the spring 124 from continuing to move downward, thereby preventing the spring from being damaged. It should be understood that in one embodiment, the mating terminal 210 is made of a metal sheet, and the contact portion 220 is bent downward from both sides thereof to form a groove 224a.

[0045] Continue to refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 6-7 and Figure 10-11 The connecting terminal 110 further includes a wire connecting portion 130 and a wire fixing portion 140 disposed on the left side thereof, and the mating terminal 210 further includes a wire connecting portion 230 and a wire fixing portion 240 disposed on the right side thereof. The wire connecting portions 130 and 230 are respectively configured to be combined with the wire core of the wire 310. The wire connecting portion 130 includes a connecting portion body 132 and a pair of side arms 134. The wire connecting portion 230 includes a connecting portion body 232 and a pair of side arms 234. In one embodiment of the present invention, the side arms 134 and 234 are used to fix the metal wire core of the connecting wire. The wire fixing portion 140 includes a fixing portion body 142 and a pair of fixing plates 144. The wire fixing portion 240 includes a fixing portion body 242 and a pair of fixing plates 244. After being bent, the fixing plates 144 and 244 fix the wires to the fixing portion body 142 and the fixing portion body 242, respectively. The fixing piece 144 and the fixing piece 244 can fix the insulated wire part of the wire connection end to the fixing part body 142 and the fixing part body 242 respectively, which can enhance the stability of the wire and prevent the wire from being separated from the side arm 142 and the side arm 242. It should be understood that Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 6-7 and Figure 10-11In the illustrated embodiment, the wires connected to the wire connection portion 130 and the wire connection portion 230 are wires of the same type and size. In another embodiment, the wires connected to the wire connection portion 130 and the wire connection portion 230 may be wires of different types and / or sizes according to actual needs.

[0046] It should be understood that in the above embodiment of the present invention, the spring piece 124 and the spring piece 126 are integrally formed with the lower wall. In another embodiment, the spring piece 124 and the spring piece 126 may be connected to the lower wall in other suitable ways. In another embodiment, the connection terminal 110 may not include the spring piece 126. In this case, when the plug-in portion 220 of the mating terminal 210 is inserted into the plug-in space 121, the groove 224a on the lower surface 224 of the plug-in portion 220 is in sliding contact with at least part of the protruding structure 125 and the upper surface 222 of the plug-in portion 220 is in contact with the upper wall 122a (it should be understood that the upper surface 222 of the plug-in portion 220 may not be in contact with the upper wall 122a). In another embodiment, the connection terminal 110 may not include the spring piece 126 and the support member 128. In another embodiment, the upper wall 122a of the terminal body 120 may not include the ridge 17, that is, one side of the upper wall 122c in the plug-in space 121 is a plane.

[0047] The connection terminal and connector involved in the present invention increase the contact points between the terminals, thereby providing a greater current carrying capacity. At the same time, the support member provided avoids damage to the terminals caused by a large pressure generated during the plug-in process.

[0048] It should be noted that the above examples are only specific embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is obviously not limited to the above examples, and there are many similar variations. All variations directly derived or associated from the contents disclosed by the technicians in this field should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connecting terminal used in conjunction with a mating terminal. include: The terminal body has an insertion space, which is surrounded by an upper wall, two side walls and a lower wall; A first elastic sheet, the first elastic sheet extends from the lower wall toward a first direction in the plug-in space to form a first contact end, and a protrusion structure is formed on an upper surface of the first elastic sheet, so that when the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space, the groove on the mating terminal is in sliding contact with at least a portion of the protrusion structure; a second elastic sheet, the second elastic sheet extending from the lower wall toward a second direction opposite to the first direction in the plug-in space to form a second contact end, and when the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space and the first elastic sheet is pressed down to the first position, the second contact end of the second elastic sheet contacts the first contact end of the first elastic sheet; A support member is arranged below the first spring sheet, and the support member is configured to support the first spring sheet to prevent the first spring sheet from continuing to move downward when the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space and the first spring sheet is pressed down to a second position, wherein the second position is a position lower than the first position relative to the upper wall.

2. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, in, The protruding structure extends toward the first direction, and the size of the protruding structure is designed so that when the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space, at least a portion of the protruding structure can be accommodated in the groove.

3. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, in, At least one convex ridge is arranged on the upper wall, and when the mating terminal is inserted into the insertion space, the upper surface of the mating terminal contacts the at least one convex ridge.

4. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, in, The first elastic sheet includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the lower wall toward the upper wall in the insertion space, and the second portion extending from the first portion toward the lower wall in the insertion space.

5. The connection terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a wire connection portion connected to the left side of the terminal body, the wire connection portion comprising a connection portion body and at least one pair of side arms, and the at least one pair of side arms are arranged opposite to each other on the wire connection portion.

6. The connecting terminal according to claim 5, in, The wire connecting part is also connected to a wire fixing part, and the wire fixing part includes a fixing part body and a fixing sheet, wherein the fixing sheet is bent to fix the wire on the fixing part body.

7. A connector, include: A connecting terminal, the connecting terminal comprising: The terminal body has an insertion space, which is surrounded by an upper wall, two side walls and a lower wall; A first elastic piece, the first elastic piece extends from the lower wall toward a first direction in the plug-in space to form a first contact end, and a protrusion structure is formed on an upper surface of the first elastic piece; A second elastic piece, the second elastic piece extending from the lower wall toward a second direction opposite to the first direction in the insertion space to form a second contact end; and A support member, disposed below the first elastic sheet; and A mating terminal, used to cooperate with the connecting terminal, and the mating terminal is provided with a groove; Wherein, when the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space, the groove is in sliding contact with at least part of the protruding structure; When the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space and the first elastic sheet is pressed down to the first position, the second contact end of the second elastic sheet contacts the first contact end of the first elastic sheet; When the mating terminal is inserted into the plug-in space and the first spring sheet is pressed down to a second position, the support member supports the first spring sheet to prevent the first spring sheet from continuing to move downward, wherein the second position is a position lower than the first position relative to the upper wall.

8. The connecting terminal according to claim 7, in, The mating terminal further includes an inserting portion, and the groove is arranged on a lower surface of the inserting portion.

9. The connector according to claim 8, in, The protruding structure extends toward the first direction, and the size of the protruding structure is designed so that when the plug-in portion is inserted into the plug-in space, at least a portion of the protruding structure can be accommodated in the groove.

10. The connecting terminal according to claim 7, in, At least one convex ridge is arranged on the upper wall, and when the plug-in portion is inserted into the plug-in space, the upper surface of the plug-in portion contacts the at least one convex ridge.

11. The connecting terminal according to claim 7, in, The first elastic sheet includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the lower wall toward the upper wall in the insertion space, and the second portion extending from the first portion toward the lower wall in the insertion space.

12. The connecting terminal according to claim 7, further comprising a first wire connecting portion connected to the left side of the terminal body and the mating terminal further comprising a second wire connecting portion connected to the right side of the plug-in end, the first wire connecting portion comprising a first connecting portion body and at least one pair of first side arms, the at least one pair of first side arms being relatively arranged on the first wire connecting portion; the second wire connecting portion comprising a second connecting portion body and at least one pair of second side arms, the at least one pair of second side arms being relatively arranged on the second wire connecting portion.

13. The connecting terminal according to claim 12, in, The first wire connecting part is also connected to a first wire fixing part, which includes a first fixing part body and a first fixing plate. The second wire connecting part is also connected to a second wire fixing part, which includes a second fixing part body and a second fixing plate, wherein the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate are bent to fix the wires on the first fixing part body and the second fixing part body respectively.

14. A plug terminal made of metal sheet, in, The plug-in terminal comprises a plug-in portion, the plug-in portion is bent downward from both sides to form a groove, and the groove is configured to slide in contact with at least part of the protrusion structure in the connecting terminal when the plug-in terminal is inserted into the plug-in space of the connecting terminal paired therewith.

15. The plug terminal according to claim 14, in, When the plug-in terminal is inserted into the plug-in space of the connecting terminal, the groove can at least partially accommodate the protruding structure.

16. The plug terminal according to claim 14, in, The plug-in terminal also includes a wire connecting portion and a wire fixing portion which are arranged on the right side of the plug-in portion.

Images