Electric connector

Abstract

The invention provides an electric connector. The electric connector comprises: a housing; a holding member fixed to the housing and including a holding arm, the holding arm including a holding portion adapted to engage with a mating portion on a conductor to be connected to the electrical connector to connect the conductor to the electrical connector; and a locking member mounted to the housing and movable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein the locking member is configured to restrict movement of the retaining arm to prevent the retaining portion from being disengaged from the mating portion when in the locking position, and to release restriction of movement of the retaining arm when in the unlocking position. According to the electric connector provided by the invention, stable mechanical connection with the conductor can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of electrical connectors, and more particularly to an electrical connector for electrically connecting one cable / copper busbar to another cable / copper busbar. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the connection structure between cables / copper busbars for high voltage and large current is complex and time-consuming to operate. It is desirable to develop an electrical connector that can achieve rapid connection between cables / copper busbars; it is also desirable that the electrical connector can achieve good electrical contact / electrical connection with the cables / copper busbars and carry a large current. Additionally, it is desirable that the electrical connector can achieve a firm mechanical connection with the cables / copper busbars. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, and to propose an improved electrical connector.

[0004] To this end, the present invention provides an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising: a housing; a retaining member, the retaining member comprising a retaining arm, the retaining arm comprising a retaining portion adapted to engage a mating portion on a conductor to be connected to the electrical connector to connect the conductor to the electrical connector; and a locking member mounted to the housing and movable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein the locking member is configured to: when in the locked position, restrict the movement of the retaining arm to prevent the retaining portion from disengaging from the mating portion, and when in the unlocked position, release the restriction on the movement of the retaining arm.

[0005] The above electrical connector can achieve preliminary positioning / holding of the conductor by engaging the retaining portion of the retaining member with the mating portion of the conductor, and can lock the retaining member and the conductor together by operating the locking member to move it to the locked position to prevent the retaining portion from disengaging from the mating portion, thereby achieving a firm mechanical connection between the electrical connector and the conductor.

[0006] According to the above technical concept, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0007] In some optional forms, the electrical connector includes a busbar held in the housing, wherein the busbar includes a contact clip for clamping the conductor; and wherein the contact clip is configured to clamp the conductor when the retaining portion engages the mating portion.

[0008] In some alternative forms, the retaining member is fixed within the housing and defines a first receiving channel for receiving the conductor; wherein, the contact clip defines a second receiving channel for receiving the conductor; and wherein, the first receiving channel is substantially aligned with the second receiving channel, and the retaining portion is adapted to engage with the mating portion when the conductor is inserted into place in the second receiving channel through the first receiving channel.

[0009] In some alternative forms, the retaining member is fixed within the housing and defines a first receiving channel for receiving the conductor, wherein, the retaining arm is configured to be elastically deformable substantially in a transverse direction transverse to a first centerline of the first receiving channel, and wherein, the locking member is configured to limit, when in the locked position, a transverse movement caused by elastic deformation of the retaining arm in the transverse direction and away from the first centerline, so as to prevent the retaining portion from disengaging from the mating portion.

[0010] In some alternative forms, the locking member is configured to push the retaining arm in the transverse direction and towards the first centerline when moving to the locked position, wherein, the retaining arm further includes a loading portion, the loading portion abuts against the contact clip, and is configured to apply a loading force to the contact clip in response to the pushing of the locking member on the retaining arm, so as to increase the clamping force of the contact clip on the conductor.

[0011] In some alternative forms, the retaining member includes a substantially tubular hollow body and at least two retaining arms extending from the hollow body and spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the hollow body, wherein, the at least two retaining arms together define the first receiving channel, and wherein, the retaining arm includes a limiting portion, the limiting portion is located within the hollow body and a gap is defined between the limiting portion and the hollow body.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the locking member includes at least two limiting arms, the limiting arms are configured to: insert into the gap to limit the transverse movement of the retaining arm when the locking member is in the locked position, and move out of the gap to release the limitation on the transverse movement of the retaining arm when the locking member is in the unlocked position.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the limiting arms are configured to: push the retaining arm in the transverse direction and towards the first centerline when the locking member moves to the locked position, wherein, the retaining arm further includes a loading portion, the loading portion abuts against the contact clip, and is configured to apply a loading force to the contact clip in response to the pushing of the limiting arms on the retaining arm, so as to increase the clamping force of the contact clip.

[0014] In some alternative forms, the contact clip includes a plurality of first contact arms and a plurality of second contact arms for making electrical contact with the conductor and jointly defining the second receiving channel, wherein the plurality of first contact arms are spaced apart around a second center line of the second receiving channel, and the plurality of second contact arms are spaced apart around the second center line, and wherein the contact points of the plurality of first contact arms with the conductor are spaced apart from the contact points of the plurality of second contact arms with the conductor in the direction of the second center line.

[0015] In some alternative forms, the plurality of first contact arms are disposed around the plurality of second contact arms.

[0016] In some alternative forms, each first contact arm of the plurality of first contact arms contacts a corresponding second contact arm of the plurality of second contact arms.

[0017] In some alternative forms, the electrical connector further includes a loading member fixed to the locking member to move therewith, wherein the loading member is located at a loading position and a non-loading position when the locking member is at the locking position and the unlocking position, respectively, and wherein the loading member is configured to apply a loading force to the contact clip to increase the clamping force of the contact clip when in the loading position, and to release the loading force when in the non-loading position.

[0018] In some alternative forms, the contact clip includes a plurality of contact arms for making electrical contact with the conductor and jointly defining the second receiving channel, wherein the loading member is adapted to be disposed outside the contact clip and includes a plurality of loading arms, and wherein each loading arm of the plurality of loading arms is adapted to press a corresponding contact arm of the plurality of contact arms when the loading member is in the loading position.

[0019] In some alternative forms, the housing includes an insertion opening disposed adjacent to the retaining member, wherein the insertion opening, the first receiving channel, and the second receiving channel are substantially aligned to allow the conductor to be inserted through the insertion opening and into the second receiving channel through the first receiving channel.

[0020] In some alternative forms, the electrical connector includes two retaining members and two locking members; wherein the bus bar includes a bus bar body and two contact clips disposed at both ends of the bus bar body; wherein the housing includes two housing portions, each of the two retaining members is fixed within a corresponding housing portion, each of the two locking members is mounted to a corresponding housing portion, and each of the two contact clips is disposed within a corresponding housing portion.

[0021] In some alternative forms, the two housing parts are adjacent to each other and connected to each other. The two housing parts respectively define two accommodation chambers, and the bus bar body is disposed in the two accommodation chambers.

[0022] In some alternative forms, the housing includes a partition wall for separating the two accommodation chambers. The partition wall includes a communication hole for communicating the two accommodation chambers. Wherein, the bus bar body includes a positioning groove. And wherein, the edge of the communication hole engages with the positioning groove to restrict the movement of the bus bar relative to the housing.

[0023] In some alternative forms, the electrical connector further includes two metal gaskets, and each metal gasket is fixed within a corresponding housing part and abuts against the partition wall.

[0024] In some alternative forms, the two housing parts are formed separately and spaced apart from each other, and two ends of the bus bar body are respectively disposed in the two housing parts.

[0025] In some alternative forms, the electrical connector further includes an elastic member, and the locking member is adapted to move from the unlocking position towards the locking position under the action of the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0026] In some alternative forms, the locking member includes an anchoring hook, and the housing includes an anchoring protrusion. Wherein, the anchoring hook is adapted to engage with the anchoring protrusion to anchor the locking member at the unlocking position, and is adapted to disengage from the anchoring protrusion under the action of an external force to allow the locking member to move towards the locking position.

[0027] In some alternative forms, the locking member includes a main body disposed within the housing. Wherein, the electrical connector includes a metal gasket fixed within the housing. Wherein, two ends of the elastic member respectively abut against the main body and the metal gasket.

[0028] In some alternative forms, the holding part is in the form of a protrusion, and the mating part is in the form of a recess.

[0029] The electrical connector according to the present invention can achieve a firm mechanical connection and a reliable electrical connection with a conductor, and the connection operation is simple. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following alternative embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals identify the same or similar components, wherein:

[0031] Figure 1Shows a perspective view of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 Shows an exploded view of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3A Shows a perspective view of a housing body of a housing of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3B Shows a perspective view of a metal gasket of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4A Shows a perspective view of a bus bar of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4B Shows a partial perspective view of a bus bar of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a contact clip of the bus bar holds an end portion of a conductor to be connected;

[0037] Figure 5A Shows a perspective view of a locking member of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5B Shows a perspective view of a loading member of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5C Shows a perspective view of a locking member and a loading member of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention assembled together;

[0040] Figure 6A Shows a perspective view of a holding member of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6B Shows a plan view of a holding member of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 6C Shows a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X; Figure 6B of;

[0043] Figure 7A Shows a partial cross-sectional view of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figures 7B to 7D Shows cross-sectional views of respective stages of connection of an electrical connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention to a conductor;

[0045] Figure 8 Shows a perspective view of an electrical connector according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 9 Shows a partial exploded view of an electrical connector according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0047] Figure 10 Shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector and the conductor when the connection is completed according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0048] The implementation and use of the implementation manners are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific implementation manners discussed are only exemplary illustrations of specific ways of implementing and using the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention. In the description, the expressions of the structural positions of each component, such as up, down, top, bottom, etc., are not absolute, but relative. When each component is arranged as shown in the figure, these orientation expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of each component in the figure change, these orientation expressions also change accordingly.

[0049] The terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified, the terms "mounted", "connected", "connected", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0050] Figures 1 to 7D Shows an electrical connector 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and its components.

[0051] Refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figures 5A to 7D , the electrical connector 10 can be used to electrically connect to a conductor 20. The conductor 20 is, for example, a cable or a copper bar. In the illustrated embodiment, both sides of the electrical connector 10 can be mechanically and electrically connected to two conductors 20 respectively, so as to achieve the mechanical connection and electrical connection between the two conductors 20.

[0052] The electrical connector 10 includes a housing 100, a retaining member 200, and a locking member 300. The retaining member 200 is fixed to the housing 100 and includes a retaining arm 202. The retaining arm 202 includes a retaining portion 204 adapted to engage with a mating portion 22 on the conductor 20 to connect the conductor 20 to the electrical connector 10. The locking member 300 is mounted to the housing 100 and is movable relative to the housing 100 between a locked position (see Figure 7D ) and an unlocked position (see Figures 7A to 7C ). The locking member 300 is configured to restrict the movement of the retaining arm 202 when in the locked position to prevent the retaining portion 204 from disengaging from the mating portion 22, and to release the restriction on the movement of the retaining arm 202 when in the unlocked position.

[0053] The above electrical connector 10 can achieve preliminary positioning / holding of the conductor 20 by engaging the retaining portion 204 of the retaining member 200 with the mating portion 22 of the conductor 20, and can lock the retaining member 200 and the conductor 20 together by operating the locking member 300 to move it to the locked position to prevent the retaining portion 204 from disengaging from the mating portion 22, thereby achieving a firm mechanical connection between the electrical connector 10 and the conductor 20.

[0054] Referring to Figure 4A and Figure 4B and Figure 7A and Figure 7C , the electrical connector 10 may further include a bus bar 400 held within the housing 100, the bus bar 400 including a contact clip 402 for clamping the conductor 20. The contact clip 402 may be configured to clamp the conductor 20 when the retaining portion 204 of the retaining arm 202 engages with the mating portion 22 of the conductor 20, as shown in Figure 7C . Thus, while achieving a mechanical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10 by engaging the retaining portion 204 with the mating portion 22, an electrical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10 can be achieved by clamping the conductor 20 with the contact clip 402.

[0055] Referring to Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 6A and Figures 7A to 7C , the retaining member 200 may define a first receiving channel 206 for receiving the conductor 20. The contact clip 402 may define a second receiving channel 404 for receiving the conductor 20. The first receiving channel 206 may be generally aligned with the second receiving channel 404. Specifically, a first center line A1 of the first receiving channel 206 may be generally aligned with a second center line A2 of the second receiving channel 404. As shown in Figure 7B and Figure 7CAs shown, the retaining portion 204 can engage with the mating portion 22 when the conductor 20 is inserted into place in the second receiving channel 404 through the first receiving channel 206 along the insertion direction I. In other words, by inserting the conductor 20 into place in the second receiving channel 404 through the first receiving channel 206 along the insertion direction I, the preliminary mechanical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10 can be achieved. And as described above, at this time, the contact clip 402 also clamps the conductor 20, so the preliminary electrical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10 can also be achieved simultaneously. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining member 200 and the housing 100 are separately formed, and the retaining member 200 is mounted and fixed to the housing 100. It is conceivable that in some other embodiments, the retaining member can also be integrally formed with the housing.

[0056] Referring Figures 5A to 5C and Figures 7A to 7D , the electrical connector 10 may further include a loading member 500. The loading member 500 can be fixed inside the locking member 300 to move with the locking member 300. The loading member 500 can be located at a loading position (see Figure 7D ) and a non-loading position (see Figures 7A to 7C ) when the locking member 300 is in the locked position and the unlocked position, respectively. The loading member 500 can be configured to apply a loading force to the contact clip 402 when in the loading position to increase the clamping force of the contact clip 402 on the conductor 20, and release the loading force when in the non-loading position.

[0057] Thus, after the conductor 20 is inserted into place in the second receiving channel 404 through the first receiving channel 206 along the insertion direction I, the locking member 300 can be operated to move the locking member 300 from the unlocked position to the locked position, as Figure 7D shown. At this time, the locking member 300 restricts the movement of the retaining arm 202 to prevent the retaining portion 204 from disengaging from the mating portion 22, so as to enhance the mechanical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10. At the same time, the loading member 500 moves with the locking member 300 to the loading position to increase the clamping force of the contact clip 402 on the conductor 20, thereby enhancing the electrical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10. Therefore, after the conductor 20 is inserted into place, by further operating the locking member 300, a reliable electrical connection and a firm mechanical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10 can be achieved. The connection operation between the electrical connector 10 and the conductor 20 is simple and the connection reliability is relatively high.

[0058] Referring Figure 1 , Figure 3A and Figures 7A to 7D, the housing 100 may have a generally rectangular cross-section and define a longitudinal direction L along its length. In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion direction I of the conductor 20, the first center line A1 of the first receiving channel 206, and the second center line A2 of the second receiving channel 404 are all generally parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the housing 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 100 may include a cover 102 and a housing body 104. The cover 102 may be connected to the housing body 104 in a detachable manner (e.g., by snap connection) to facilitate the installation of the electrical connector 10 and other components that are located inside or at least partially inside the housing 100. The cover 102 and the housing body 104 may be made of, for example, an insulating polymer material and formed by injection molding to provide insulation protection for the user of the electrical connector 10.

[0059] The cover 102 and the housing body 104 together define two receiving chambers 106 therebetween (see Figure 7B ). The housing 100 may be regarded as including two housing portions 108, each housing portion 108 defining a receiving chamber 106. The two housing portions 108 may be adjacent to each other and connected to each other in the longitudinal direction L of the housing 100. The two receiving chambers 106 of the two housing portions 108 may be separated by a partition wall 110 inside the housing 100. The housing 100 may have a symmetric structure. More specifically, the two housing portions 108 may be symmetric about the plane of extension of the partition wall 110. A communication hole 112 may be provided on the partition wall 110 (see Figure 3A ) to communicate the two receiving chambers 106 with each other.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the components carried by the two housing portions 108 of the electrical connector 10 may also be symmetric about the plane of extension of the partition wall 110. In other words, the electrical connector 10 as a whole may have a symmetric configuration and be symmetric about the plane of extension of the partition wall 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 10 includes two retaining members 200, two locking members 300, and two loading members 500; the two retaining members 200 have the same configuration, are respectively fixed inside the two housing portions 108, and are symmetrically arranged about the plane of extension of the partition wall 110; the two locking members 300 have the same configuration, are respectively mounted to the two housing portions 108, and are symmetrically arranged about the plane of extension of the partition wall 110; the two loading members 500 have the same configuration, are respectively fixed inside the two locking members 300, and are symmetrically arranged about the plane of extension of the partition wall 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the bus bar 400 is also symmetric about the plane of extension of the partition wall 110. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the electrical connector may not have a symmetric structure; the electrical connector may include other suitable numbers of retaining members, locking members, and loading members; the bus bar may also have other suitable numbers of contact clips other than two.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 100 may include two insertion openings 114 at opposite ends in its longitudinal direction L. More specifically, each housing portion is provided with an insertion opening 114 at an end away from the other housing portion. The insertion opening 114 of each housing portion 108 may be aligned with the first receiving channel 206 of the holding member 200 and the second receiving channel 404 of the contact clip 402 within that housing portion 108 to allow the conductor 20 to be inserted from the insertion opening 114 through the first receiving channel 206 into the second receiving channel 404, thereby enabling the conductor 20 to be mechanically and electrically connected to the electrical connector 10 within the receiving chamber 106 of that housing portion 108.

[0062] Referring to Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 7B and Figure 7D , the bus bar 400 is made of a conductive metal to allow two conductors 20 to be electrically connected to each other through the bus bar 400. Optionally, the bus bar 400 may be made of copper. In the illustrated embodiment, the bus bar 400 is entirely located within the housing 100 to prevent a user from accidentally touching the bus bar 400. The bus bar 400 includes a bus bar body 406 and two contact clips 402 provided at both ends of the bus bar body 406 and used for clamping the end portion 24 of the conductor 20.

[0063] The bus bar body 406 may extend from the receiving chamber of one housing portion through the communication hole 112 of the partition wall 110 into the receiving chamber of the other housing portion. The bus bar body 406 may be provided with a positioning groove 408 for restricting the movement of the bus bar body 406 relative to the housing 100 in the longitudinal direction L. In the illustrated embodiment, the bus bar body 406 may have a substantially rectangular cross-section and two positioning grooves 408 are provided at its opposite two side surfaces. It can be understood that the bus bar body may also have other suitable cross-sectional shapes, such as a square cross-section, a circular cross-section, an oval cross-section, etc.; the bus bar body may have other suitable numbers of positioning grooves.

[0064] Referring to Figures 2 to 3B and Figure 7A and Figure 7B , in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 10 further includes two metal gaskets 600 having the same structure. Each metal gasket 600 is fixed within the corresponding housing portion 108 and abuts against the partition wall 110. Each metal gasket 600 includes an end wall 602 adjacent to the partition wall 110 and a side wall 604 adjacent to the side wall of the housing portion 108, and an opening 606 matching the shape of the communication hole 112 of the partition wall 110 is provided on the end wall 602.

[0065] The bus bar body 406 can extend from the accommodation chamber of one housing part through the openings 606 of the two metal gaskets 600 and the communication holes 112 of the partition wall 110 to the accommodation chamber of the other housing part. The edges of the communication holes 112 of the partition wall 110 and the edges of the openings 606 of the end walls 602 of the two metal gaskets 600 can be engaged in the positioning grooves 408 of the bus bar body 406 to limit the movement of the bus bar 400 relative to the housing 100 in the longitudinal direction L. Compared with a plastic structure, the metal gasket 600 will not soften or deform when the bus bar 400 is energized and heated, and can stably position the bus bar 400.

[0066] Referring to Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B and Figures 7A to 7C , the two contact clips 402 of the bus bar 400 can be welded to both ends of the bus bar body 406. In the illustrated embodiment, the two contact clips 402 are respectively located in the two accommodation chambers 106 and are symmetrically arranged with respect to the extension plane of the partition wall 110. The two contact clips 402 can respectively hold the two conductors 20 so that the two conductors 20 are electrically connected to each other through the bus bar 400.

[0067] Each contact clip 402 includes a plurality of first contact arms 410 and a plurality of second contact arms 412 for making electrical contact with the conductor 20 and jointly defining a second receiving channel 404. The plurality of first contact arms 410 are spaced around the second center line A2 of the second receiving channel 404, and the plurality of second contact arms 412 are spaced around the second center line A2. The contact points of the plurality of first contact arms 410 and the conductor 20 are spaced apart from the contact points of the plurality of second contact arms 412 and the conductor 20 in the direction of the second center line A2.

[0068] In this way, when the end 24 of the conductor 20 is inserted into the second receiving channel 404 of the contact clip 402, it can be held by the contact clip 402 at two longitudinal positions, thereby increasing the contact points between the conductor 20 and the contact clip 402 to improve the electrical contact between the conductor 20 and the contact clip 402; at the same time, the current from the conductor 20 can be conducted to the bus bar body 406 through the plurality of first contact arms 410 and the plurality of second contact arms 412, which can increase the current-carrying capacity of the contact clip 402 and reduce the temperature rise of the contact clip 402, which is particularly advantageous for high-voltage and high-current application scenarios.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of first contact arms 410 are disposed around a plurality of second contact arms 412 and thus are located outside the plurality of second contact arms 412. Each of the plurality of first contact arms 410 may be substantially aligned with a corresponding second contact arm of the plurality of second contact arms 412 in a lateral direction transverse to the second center line A2. Each of the plurality of first contact arms 410 may also contact a corresponding second contact arm of the plurality of second contact arms 412. This allows the contact force between the plurality of first contact arms 410 and the plurality of second contact arms 412 and the conductor 20 to be increased simultaneously by applying a loading force to the plurality of first contact arms 410 and transmitting the loading force through the plurality of first contact arms 410 to the plurality of second contact arms 412, thereby increasing the clamping force of the contact clip 402 on the conductor 20, which will be clearer in conjunction with the following description.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor 20 may have a substantially rectangular cross-section. Accordingly, the contact clip 402 includes four first contact arms 410 and four second contact arms 412. The four first contact arms 410 are for electrically contacting four sides of the conductor 20 respectively, and the four second contact arms 412 are also for electrically contacting four sides of the conductor 20 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, first slots 414 (see Figure 4A ) are provided on some of the plurality of first contact arms 410 to increase the elasticity of the first contact arms 410; similarly, second slots 416 (see Figure 7A ) are provided on some of the plurality of second contact arms 412 to increase the elasticity of the second contact arms 412.

[0071] It can be understood that in other embodiments, the contact clip may have other suitable numbers of first contact arms and second contact arms; the contact clip may also have other contact arms in addition to the plurality of first contact arms and the plurality of second contact arms; the conductor may also have other suitable cross-sectional shapes, such as a square cross-section, a circular cross-section, an oval cross-section, etc.

[0072] Referring to Figure 3A 、 Figures 5A to 5C and Figures 7A to 7D , the locking member 300 may include a hollow body 302, anchoring arms 304 provided on both sides of the body 302, connecting arms 306 provided on both sides of the body 302, and a limiting arm 308 extending from the body 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 300 has a symmetric structure and includes two symmetrically arranged anchoring arms 304, two connecting arms 306, and two limiting arms 308. The body 302 and the limiting arm 308 may be disposed inside the housing 100. The anchoring arms 304 are disposed outside the housing 100. Each connecting arm 306 connects the body 302 and the corresponding anchoring arm 304.

[0073] The locking member 300 can move relative to the housing 100 from the unlocked position (see Figures 7A to 7C ) to the locked position (see Figure 7D ) in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I of the conductor 20. The electrical connector 10 can include an elastic member 700 that is adapted to bias the locking member 300 toward the locked position. In other words, the locking member 300 can move from the unlocked position toward the locked position in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I under the action of the elastic force of the elastic member 700. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic member 700 can be in the form of a helical spring.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, an elastic member 700 is provided in each housing portion 108, and both ends of the elastic member 700 abut against the main body 302 of the corresponding locking member 300 and the corresponding metal gasket 600, respectively. A groove 310 (see Figure 5C ) for receiving the end of the elastic member 700 can be provided on the main body 302 of the locking member 300. When the bus bar 400 is energized and heated, the metal gasket 600 is not affected by heat and softened, so it can better withstand the elastic force of the elastic member 700 and is not easily deformed.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 100 can include a plurality of anchoring protrusions 116 on its outer surface. Each anchoring arm 304 can include an anchoring hook 312 at one end thereof. The anchoring hook 312 of each anchoring arm 304 can engage with the corresponding anchoring protrusion 116 to anchor the locking member 300 in the unlocked position. The anchoring hook 312 of each anchoring arm 304 can be disengaged from the corresponding anchoring protrusion 116 under the action of an external force to allow the locking member 300 to move toward the locked position.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, each anchoring arm 304 can include a pressing portion 314 at the end thereof remote from the anchoring hook 312. The pressing portion 314 and the anchoring hook 312 can be located on both sides of the connecting arm 306, respectively. The user can press the pressing portion 314 to cause the anchoring arm 304 to rotate about the connecting arm 306 as a fulcrum, thereby disengaging the anchoring hook 312 from the anchoring protrusion 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the gap G1 between the pressing portion 314 and the housing 100 gradually increases in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I to avoid mechanical interference between the pressing portion 314 and the housing 100 during the movement of the locking member 300 from the unlocked position toward the locked position in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I, thereby allowing the locking member 300 to move smoothly to the locked position.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 100 can further include a window 118 (see Figure 7A)。 Each connecting arm 306 can extend from the interior of the housing 100 to the exterior of the housing 100 via a corresponding window 118 to connect the body 302 located inside the housing 100 and the corresponding anchoring arm 304 located outside the housing 100. The edge of the window 118 abuts the corresponding connecting arm 306 when the locking member 300 is moved to the locking position to limit the movement of the locking member 300 and thereby hold the locking member 300 in the locking position, as Figure 7D shown.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, each limiting arm 308 of the locking member 300 can extend from the body 302 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I. The function of the limiting arm 308 will be readily understood in conjunction with the following description.

[0079] Referring to Figure 5A 、 Figures 6A to 6C and Figures 7B to 7D , the holding member 200 can be fixed within the housing 100 and disposed adjacent to the insertion opening 114 of the housing 100. The holding member 200 can include a generally tubular hollow body 208 and at least two holding arms 202 extending from the hollow body 208 and spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the hollow body 208. The at least two holding arms 202 are at least partially located inside the hollow body 208 and together define a first receiving channel 206. Each holding arm 202 is configured to be elastically deformable generally in a transverse direction T that is transverse to the insertion direction I or the first center line A1 of the first receiving channel 206. The locking member 300 is configured to limit the lateral movement caused by the elastic deformation of the holding arms 202 in the transverse direction T and away from the first center line A1 when in the locking position, so as to prevent the engaging portion 204 of the holding arms 202 from disengaging from the engaging portion 22 of the conductor 20, as Figure 7D shown. The holding member 200 can be formed by stamping from a metal, such as spring steel, so that when the conductor 20 and the bus bar 400 are energized and heated, the holding member 200 will not be softened by the heat effect, thereby allowing the engaging portion 204 of the holding arms 202 to firmly engage with the engaging portion 22 of the conductor 20.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding portion 204 of each holding arm 202 is generally located inside the hollow body 208 and is in the form of a convex portion. Correspondingly, the mating portion 22 of the conductor 20 is provided on the outer side of the conductor 20 and is in the form of a concave portion. During the insertion of the conductor 20 into the receiving chamber 106 of the housing portion 108 along the insertion direction I through the insertion opening 114, the end portion 24 of the conductor 20 first mechanically interferes with the holding portion 204 of the holding arm 202, causing the holding arm 202 to elastically deform generally in the transverse direction T and away from the first center line A1 to allow the end portion 24 of the conductor 20 to move past the holding portion 204. When the conductor 20 is further inserted through the first receiving channel 206 of the holding member 200 into the second receiving channel 404 of the contact clip 402 and is inserted in place within the second receiving channel 404, the holding portion 204 of the holding arm 202 is aligned with the mating portion 22 of the conductor 20 in the transverse direction T, such that the holding portion 204 engages with the mating portion 22 and the holding arm 202 restores its elastic deformation, thereby achieving a preliminary connection between the holding member 200 and the conductor 20, as Figure 7C shown. After the preliminary connection between the holding member 200 and the conductor 20, moving the locking member 300 to the locked position can prevent the holding portion 204 from disengaging from the mating portion 22 and achieve a final secure connection between the holding member 200 and the conductor 20, as Figure 7D shown.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, each of at least two holding arms 202 may include a limiting portion 210. The limiting portion 210 may extend from the holding portion 204 of the holding arm 202 and is located between the holding portion 204 and the hollow body 208. A gap G2 is defined between the limiting portion 210 and the hollow body 208 (see Figure 6C ). Correspondingly, the locking member 300 includes at least two limiting arms 308. Each limiting arm 308 can limit the aforementioned transverse movement of a corresponding holding arm 202. Specifically, each limiting arm 308 is configured to: when the locking member 300 is in the locked position, insert into the gap G2 between the limiting portion 210 of the corresponding holding arm 202 and the hollow body 208 to limit the transverse movement of the holding arm 202, and when the locking member 300 is in the unlocked position, move out of the gap G2 between the limiting portion 210 of the corresponding holding arm 202 and the hollow body 208 to release the limitation on the transverse movement of the holding arm 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding member 200 includes two holding arms 202. Correspondingly, the locking member 300 includes two limiting arms 308. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the holding member may also include other suitable numbers of holding arms, and the locking member may also include other suitable numbers of limiting arms.

[0082] As Figure 6C and Figure 7AAs shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each retaining arm 202 may further include a loading portion 212. The loading portion 212 may extend from the limiting portion 210 of the retaining arm 202 toward the first contact arm 410 of the contact clip 402 and may be adjacent to the outer side of the first contact arm 410 (i.e., the side of the first contact arm 410 facing away from the second receiving channel 404). Refer to Figure 7B and Figure 7D , the locking member 300 is configured to push / press the retaining arm 202 in the lateral direction T and toward the first center line A1 when moving to the locking position. The loading portion 212 is configured to: in response to the pushing / pressing of the locking member 300 on the retaining arm 202, move toward the first contact arm 410 of the contact clip 402 and apply a loading force to the first contact arm 410 of the contact clip 402 to increase the clamping force of the contact clip 402 on the conductor 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the limiting arm 308 of the locking member 300 is configured to: when the locking member 300 moves to the locking position, push / press the retaining arm 202 toward the first center line A1. The loading portion 212 may, in response to the pushing / pressing of the limiting arm 308 on the retaining arm 202, move toward the first contact arm 410 of the contact clip 402 and apply a loading force to the first contact arm 410 of the contact clip 402 to increase the clamping force of the contact clip 402 on the conductor 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of the portion of the limiting arm 308 inserted into the insertion gap G2 is greater than the original width of the gap G2, such that when the limiting arm 308 is inserted into the gap G2, the retaining arm 202 is pushed / pressed toward the first center line A1. In other words, the gap G2 will widen when the limiting arm 308 is inserted into the gap G2. In the illustrated embodiment, the loading portion 212 is adapted to abut against the tip end portion 418 of the first contact arm 410 for contacting the conductor 20 and apply a loading force to the tip end portion 418 of the first contact arm 410.

[0083] Refer to Figures 5B to 5C and Figure 7A and 7DThe loading member 500 may be fixed in the body 302 of the locking member 300 and disposed outside the contact clip 402. The loading member 500 may include a plurality of loading arms 502 extending toward the interior of the loading member 500. Each of the plurality of loading arms 502 is adapted to press a corresponding first contact arm of the plurality of first contact arms 410 when the loading member 500 moves to the loading position along with the locking member 300, so as to increase the contact force between the first contact arm 410 and the conductor 20, thereby increasing the clamping force of the contact clip 402 on the conductor 20. In the illustrated embodiment, each loading arm 502 is adapted to press the middle section 420 of the first contact arm 410 for contacting the corresponding second contact arm 412 when the loading member 500 moves to the loading position, so that the first contact arm 410 can better transmit the loading force from the loading arm 502 to the second contact arm 412, so as to increase the contact force between the second contact arm 412 and the conductor 20, thereby increasing the clamping force of the contact clip 402 on the conductor 20. Alternatively, the loading member 500 may be formed from metal, such as spring steel, by stamping.

[0084] Combined with the above description, we can see that Figure 7D As shown, when the locking member 300 moves to the locking position, the middle section 420 of the first contact arm 410 can be pressed by the loading arm 502 of the loading member 500, and the tip section 418 of the first contact arm 410 can be pressed by the loading portion 212 of the retaining member 200. This is particularly advantageous when the contact clip 402 is made of pure copper, and can prevent the middle section 420 of the first contact arm 410 from being compressed and deformed, causing the tip section 418 of the first contact arm 410 to tilt and fail to make electrical contact with the conductor 20.

[0085] Combine the following Figures 1 to 7D The steps of establishing mechanical and electrical connection between two conductors 20 by means of the electrical connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention are described.

[0086] First, if Figure 7B and Figure 7CAs shown, the two conductors 20 can be respectively aligned with the two insertion openings 114 of the housing 100, and then each conductor 20 is inserted through the first receiving channel 206 of the corresponding holding member 200 along the insertion direction I via the insertion opening 114 and inserted into the second receiving channel 404 of the corresponding contact clip 402. When each conductor 20 is inserted in place in the second receiving channel 404 of the contact clip 402, the end of the conductor 20 is clamped by the contact clip 402, and the engaging portion 22 of the conductor 20 engages with the holding portion 204 of the holding member 200, thereby achieving the preliminary electrical connection and mechanical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10. Then, the pressing portions 314 of the two locking members 300 of the electrical connector 10 can be pressed to release the two locking members 300, and the two locking members 300 will move from the unlocked position to the locked position under the action of the elastic force of the elastic member 700, as Figure 7D shown. When the locking member 300 is in the locked position, the limiting arm 308 of the locking member 300 prevents the engaging portion 22 of the conductor 20 from disengaging from the holding portion 204 of the holding member 200 to achieve a firm mechanical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10. At the same time, the limiting arm 308 of the locking member 300 pushes the holding arm 202 toward the first center line A1 of the first receiving channel 206 so that the loading portion 212 of the holding arm 202 loads the tip end portion 418 of the first contact arm 410 of the contact clip 402, and the loading member 500 moves to the loading position with the locking member 300 to load the intermediate portion 420 of the first contact arm 410 of the contact clip 402 through the loading arm 502 to achieve good electrical contact and reliable electrical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10. Thus, the mechanical connection and electrical connection between the conductor 20 and the electrical connector 10 are completed.

[0087] Figures 8 to 10 FIG. shows an electrical connector 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connector according to the second embodiment is similar to the electrical connector according to the first embodiment, and the main difference is that: the two housing portions 108 of the housing 100 of the electrical connector 10 according to the second embodiment are separately formed and spaced apart from each other, the bus bar body 406 of the electrical connector 10 according to the second embodiment can have a longer length to adapt to long-distance electrical connections, and the bus bar body 406 can be bent at a suitable angle to adapt to different connection angles.

[0088] Referring to Figures 8 to 10, each of the two housing portions 108 of the electrical connector 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a cover 102 and a housing body 104, and the cover 102 may be detachably connected to the housing body 104. The cover 102 and the housing body 104 of each housing portion 108 together define a receiving chamber 106 therebetween. Each housing portion 108 may be provided with an insertion opening 114 at one end for inserting the conductor 20, and a communication hole 112 at the other end. The bus bar body 406 of the bus bar 400 may extend from the receiving chamber of one housing portion through the communication holes 112 of the two housing portions 108 into the receiving chamber of the other housing portion. And the two contact clips 402 of the bus bar 400 may be respectively located in the receiving chambers 106 of the two housing portions 108.

[0089] The bus bar body 406 may be provided with a plurality of positioning grooves 408 for restricting the movement of the bus bar body 406 relative to the two housing portions 108. The electrical connector 10 may further include two metal gaskets 600 respectively disposed in the receiving chambers 106 of the two housing portions 108. Each metal gasket 600 may be fixed in the receiving chamber 106 of the corresponding housing portion 108 and located at the end of the housing portion 108 including the communication hole 112. In the illustrated embodiment, each end of the bus bar body 406 is provided with two positioning grooves 408. The edge of the communication hole 112 of each housing portion 108 and the edge of the opening 606 of the corresponding metal gasket 600 may be engaged into the two positioning grooves 408 at the corresponding end of the bus bar body 406 to restrict the movement of the bus bar 400 relative to the housing portion.

[0090] The electrical connector 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes two retaining members 200, two locking members 300, two loading members 500 and two elastic members 700; the two locking members 300 are respectively mounted to the two housing portions 108; the two loading members 500 are respectively fixed in the two locking members 300; the two retaining members 200 are respectively fixed in the two housing portions 108; and the two elastic members 700 are respectively disposed in the two housing portions 108. The retaining members 200, locking members 300, loading members 500 and elastic members 700 of the electrical connector 10 according to the second embodiment have the same structure as the retaining members, locking members, loading members and elastic members of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment, and will not be described in detail herein.

[0091] It should also be understood that the various components and features described herein may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to polymers, rubbers, metals, and other suitable materials or combinations of materials well known to those skilled in the art. Figures 1 to 10The illustrated embodiments only show the shapes, dimensions, and arrangements of the various optional components of the electrical connector according to the present invention. However, they are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Other shapes, dimensions, and arrangements may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0092] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it can be understood that, under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can easily make modifications, variations, and equivalents of these embodiments based on the disclosed content. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. This disclosure is intended to cover these modifications, variations, and equivalents. The description of the above embodiments is exemplary rather than restrictive, and the protection scope of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An electrical connector (10), wherein, The electrical connector (10) includes: a housing (100); a retaining member (200), the retaining member (200) including a retaining arm (202), the retaining arm (202) including a retaining portion (204), the retaining portion (204) being adapted to engage with a mating portion (22) on a conductor (20) to be connected to the electrical connector (10) to connect the conductor (20) to the electrical connector (10); and a locking member (300), the locking member (300) being mounted to the housing (100) and being movable relative to the housing (100) between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein the locking member (300) is configured to: when in the locked position, restrict the movement of the retaining arm (202) to prevent the retaining portion (204) from disengaging from the mating portion (22), and when in the unlocked position, release the restriction on the movement of the retaining arm (202).

2. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The electrical connector (10) includes a bus bar (400) held within the housing (100), wherein the bus bar (400) includes a contact clip (402) for clamping the conductor (20); and wherein the contact clip (402) is configured to clamp the conductor (20) when the retaining portion (204) engages with the mating portion (22).

3. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The retaining member (200) is fixed within the housing (100) and defines a first receiving channel (206) for receiving the conductor (20); wherein the contact clip (402) defines a second receiving channel (404) for receiving the conductor (20); and wherein the first receiving channel (206) is generally aligned with the second receiving channel (404), and the retaining portion (204) is adapted to engage with the mating portion (22) when the conductor (20) is inserted into place in the second receiving channel (404) through the first receiving channel (206).

4. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The retaining member (200) is fixed within the housing (100) and defines a first receiving channel (206) for receiving the conductor (20), wherein the retaining arm (202) is configured to be elastically deformable generally in a transverse direction (T) transverse to a first center line (A1) of the first receiving channel (206), and wherein the locking member (300) is configured to, when in the locked position, restrict the transverse movement of the retaining arm (202) caused by elastic deformation in the transverse direction (T) and away from the first center line (A1) to prevent the retaining portion (204) from disengaging from the mating portion (22).

5. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 4, wherein, The locking member (300) is configured to push the holding arm (202) in the lateral direction (T) and toward the first center line (A1) when moving to the locking position. The holding arm (202) further includes a loading portion (212) that abuts the contact clip (402) and is configured to apply a loading force to the contact clip (402) in response to the pushing of the locking member (300) against the holding arm (202), so as to increase the clamping force of the contact clip (402) on the conductor (20).

6. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 4, wherein, The holding member (200) includes a generally tubular hollow body (208) and at least two holding arms (202) extending from the hollow body (208) and spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the hollow body (208). The at least two holding arms (202) together define the first receiving channel (206). The holding arm (202) includes a limiting portion (210) located within the hollow body (208), and a gap (G2) is defined between the limiting portion (210) and the hollow body (208).

7. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 6, wherein, The locking member (300) includes at least two limiting arms (308) configured to: insert into the gap (G2) to limit the lateral movement of the holding arm (202) when the locking member (300) is in the locking position, and move out of the gap (G2) to release the restriction on the lateral movement of the holding arm (202) when the locking member (300) is in the unlocking position.

8. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The limiting arm (308) is configured to push the holding arm (202) in the lateral direction (T) and toward the first center line (A1) when the locking member (300) moves to the locking position. The holding arm (202) further includes a loading portion (212) that abuts the contact clip (402) and is configured to apply a loading force to the contact clip (402) in response to the pushing of the limiting arm (308) against the holding arm (202), so as to increase the clamping force of the contact clip (402).

9. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The contact clip (402) includes a plurality of first contact arms (410) and a plurality of second contact arms (412) for making electrical contact with the conductor (20) and together defining the second receiving channel (404). The plurality of first contact arms (410) are spaced around a second center line (A2) of the second receiving channel (404), and the plurality of second contact arms (412) are spaced around the second center line (A2). The contact points of the plurality of first contact arms (410) and the conductor (20) are spaced apart from the contact points of the plurality of second contact arms (412) and the conductor (20) in the direction of the second center line (A2).

10. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of first contact arms (410) are arranged around the plurality of second contact arms (412).

11. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 10, wherein, Each of the plurality of first contact arms (410) contacts a corresponding second contact arm of the plurality of second contact arms (412).

12. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The electrical connector (10) further includes a loading member (500) that is fixed to the locking member (300) to move therewith, wherein the loading member (500) is in a loading position and a non-loading position when the locking member (300) is in the locking position and the unlocking position, respectively, and wherein the loading member (500) is configured to: apply a loading force to the contact clip (402) when in the loading position to increase the clamping force of the contact clip (402), and release the loading force when in the non-loading position.

13. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 12, wherein, The contact clip (402) includes a plurality of contact arms (410) for making electrical contact with the conductor (20) and jointly defining the second receiving channel (404), wherein the loading member (500) is adapted to be disposed outside the contact clip (402) and includes a plurality of loading arms (502), and wherein each of the plurality of loading arms (502) is adapted to press a corresponding one of the plurality of contact arms (410) when the loading member (500) is in the loading position.

14. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The housing (100) includes an insertion opening (114) disposed adjacent to the retaining member (200), wherein the insertion opening (114), the first receiving channel (206), and the second receiving channel (404) are substantially aligned to allow the conductor (20) to be inserted through the insertion opening (114), through the first receiving channel (206), and into the second receiving channel (404).

15. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The electrical connector (10) includes two retaining members (200) and two locking members (300); wherein the bus bar (400) includes a bus bar body (406) and two contact clips (402) disposed at both ends of the bus bar body (406); wherein the housing (100) includes two housing portions (108), each of the two retaining members (200) is fixed within a corresponding housing portion (108), each of the two locking members (300) is mounted to a corresponding housing portion (108), and each of the two contact clips (402) is disposed within a corresponding housing portion (108).

16. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 15, wherein, The two housing portions (108) are adjacent to and connected to each other, the two housing portions (108) respectively define two receiving chambers (106), and the bus bar body (406) is disposed within the two receiving chambers (106).

17. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 16, wherein, The housing (100) includes a partition wall (110) for separating the two receiving chambers (106); wherein, the partition wall includes a communication hole (112) for communicating the two receiving chambers (106); wherein, the bus bar body (406) includes a positioning groove (408); and wherein, the edge of the communication hole (112) engages with the positioning groove (408) to restrict the movement of the bus bar (400) relative to the housing (100).

18. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 17, wherein, The electrical connector (100) further includes two metal gaskets (600), each metal gasket (600) being fixed within a corresponding housing portion (108) and adjacent to the partition wall (110).

19. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 15, wherein, The two housing portions (108) are separately formed and spaced apart from each other, and the two ends of the bus bar body (406) are respectively disposed within the two housing portions (108).

20. The electrical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The electrical connector (10) further includes an elastic member (700), and the locking member (300) is adapted to move from the unlocking position towards the locking position under the action of the elastic force of the elastic member (700).

21. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 20, wherein, The locking member (300) includes an anchoring hook (312), and the housing (100) includes an anchoring protrusion (116); wherein, the anchoring hook (312) is adapted to engage with the anchoring protrusion (116) to anchor the locking member (300) in the unlocking position, and is adapted to disengage from the anchoring protrusion (116) under the action of an external force to allow the locking member (300) to move towards the locking position.

22. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 20, wherein, The locking member (300) includes a main body (302) disposed within the housing (100); wherein, the electrical connector (10) includes a metal gasket (600) fixed within the housing (100); wherein, the two ends of the elastic member (700) respectively abut against the main body (302) and the metal gasket (600).

23. The electrical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The holding portion (204) is in the form of a protrusion, and the mating portion (22) is in the form of a recess.

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