Electric connector capable of switching conducting state between terminals

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric connector which can switch the conduction state between terminals. The electric connector comprises a circuit switching piece, a first terminal piece and two second terminal pieces. The first terminal piece is partially located in the circuit switching piece. The two second terminal pieces are arranged on two opposite sides of the circuit switching piece. Each of the two second terminal pieces is provided with a main body and an elastic block arranged on the main body. The two second terminal pieces are separated from each other to define a plug-in opening. The plug-in opening is used for receiving a plug-in piece. When the circuit switching piece is driven by the plug-in piece downwards to abut against the plug-in piece, the circuit switching piece is converted from the first state to the second state so as to change the conduction state between the first terminal piece and the two second terminal pieces. In the first state, the first terminal piece is in contact with the two second terminal pieces. In the second state, the first terminal piece is separated from the two second terminal pieces. The electric connector has a normally open state and a normally closed state, the structural stability can be improved, and a circuit conduction path can be formed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical connector, and in particular, to an electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally speaking, the terminal members between adjacent mating connectors on the market are mainly in a single stable state. For example, the positions of the terminal members are fixed, and the terminal members themselves cannot be moved, and they only simply realize the mating between components to electrically connect the components. However, the terminal members in the fixed state have gaps between each other in structure, and the gaps cause the terminal members to fall off or peel off due to violent shaking or aging of the components during use of the mating connector, so the current mating connector has the problem of insufficient structural stability. In addition, the conduction state between the terminals of the current mating connector is also fixed and cannot be changed. In summary, the current mating connector still has room for further improvement. SUMMARY

[0003] To solve the technical problems in the prior art, the present application provides an electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state.

[0004] The technical solution of the present application is that, according to one aspect of the present application, an electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state is provided, which has two states of normally open and normally closed, and can not only improve the structural stability, but also form a path for circuit conduction.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present application, an electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state is provided, which includes a circuit switching member, a first terminal member, and two second terminal members. The circuit switching member has elastic extension and contraction. The first terminal member is partially located in the upper part of the circuit switching member. The first terminal member has two extension parts. The two extension parts extend outwardly to the lower part of the circuit switching member. The two second terminal members are arranged on opposite sides of the circuit switching member. Each of the two second terminal members has a main body and an elastic block arranged on the main body. The two second terminal members are separated from each other to define a mating opening. The mating opening is used to receive a mating member. When the circuit switching member is driven downwardly by the mating member, the circuit switching member changes from a first state to a second state to change the conduction state between the first terminal member and the two second terminal members. In the first state, the two extension parts respectively contact the two elastic blocks. In the second state, the two extension parts are separated from the two elastic blocks, respectively.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present application, the circuit switching member has an elastic member and a plug-in part, and the elastic member contacts and surrounds the lower part of the plug-in part. The first terminal member is partially located in the plug-in part of the circuit switching member. The two extension parts extend in a vertical direction to the outside of the plug-in part. The two extension parts partially overlap the lower part of the plug-in part in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present application, the first length of the elastic member in the first state is greater than the second length of the elastic member in the second state.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present application, when the mating plug moves through the mating opening to drive the circuit switching member to move downward along the vertical direction and abut against the circuit switching member, the two elastic blocks of the second terminal members are separated from the two extension portions of the first terminal member, and the two second terminal members contact the mating plug.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present application, the mating portion of the circuit switching member has two grooves on opposite sides of the mating portion, and the two grooves extend along the vertical direction.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present application, the first terminal member has a contact portion connecting the two extension portions. A portion of the contact portion connecting the two extension portions is located in the two grooves. Another portion of the contact portion is located on the top surface of the mating portion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present application, the two extension portions of the first terminal member have two bent ends, respectively, bent toward the adjacent elastic blocks, such that when the circuit switching member is in the first state, the two elastic blocks contact the two bent ends, respectively.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present application, the main body of each of the two second terminal members is divided into a support portion and a bent portion connecting the support portion. The support portion has a hollow opening, and the two opposite ends of the elastic block are bent from the hollow opening toward the circuit switching member. The bent portion of each of the two second terminal members has a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The bent direction of the first portion is different from the bent direction of the second portion.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present application, the present application provides an electrical connector capable of switching the conductive state between terminals, which includes a circuit switching member and two terminal members. The circuit switching member has an elastic member and a mating portion connecting the elastic member. The two terminal members are partially located in the mating portion of the circuit switching member. Each of the two terminal members has a main body and an elastic block connecting the main body. The two main bodies are separated from each other to define a mating opening. The mating opening is used to receive a mating plug. When the two elastic blocks of the two terminal members contact each other to form a first loop, the circuit switching member is in a first state. When the mating plug moves through the mating opening to abut against the circuit switching member, the mating plug drives the circuit switching member to move such that the two elastic blocks are separated from each other, and the mating plug contacts the two main bodies to form a second loop different from the first loop, and the circuit switching member is in a second state.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, the mating portion has a first plate body and a second plate body extending from the first plate body. The first plate body and the second plate body define a receiving space, and a portion of the terminal member is located in the receiving space.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following advantages:

[0016] In the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application, the circuit switching member of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state can be switched from the first state to the second state to change the conduction state between the plurality of terminal members. Similarly, the circuit switching member can be switched from the second state back to the first state. The configuration of the switchable inter-terminal conduction state between the plurality of terminal members allows the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state to have both open and closed states, or two different circuits. Therefore, when the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state is not connected with the counterpart connector, the plurality of terminal members are in contact with each other to improve the structural stability; and when the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state is connected with the counterpart connector, the plurality of terminal members are not in contact with each other, but can be electrically connected with the counterpart connector to form a path of circuit conduction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state connected with the counterpart connector according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to an embodiment of the present application, ignoring the housing.

[0019] Figure 3 is a side view of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of Figure 2 .

[0020] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to some embodiments of the present application in operation. Figure 5

[0021] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the circuit switching member and the first terminal member of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to some embodiments of the present application in operation. Figure 8

[0023] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the circuit switching member of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the terminal member of the electric connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0025] ​​Figure 11 is a perspective view of a terminal member according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure Number Description

[0027] 100, 100a: Electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state

[0028] 110: Circuit switching member

[0029] 112: Elastic member

[0030] 114: Plug-in portion

[0031] 115: Top surface

[0032] 116: Groove

[0033] 117: Upper portion

[0034] 118: Lower portion

[0035] 120: First terminal member

[0036] 122: Extension portion

[0037] 123: Bending end

[0038] 124: Contact portion

[0039] 130: Second terminal member

[0040] 131: Support portion

[0041] 132: Main body

[0042] 133: Bending portion

[0043] 134: Elastic block

[0044] 135: First portion

[0045] 137: Second portion

[0046] 140: Circuit switching member

[0047] 142: Elastic member

[0048] 144: Plug-in portion

[0049] 146: First plate body

[0050] 148: Second plate body

[0051] 150: Terminal member

[0052] 152: Main body

[0053] 154: Elastic block

[0054] 160: housing

[0055] 170: base

[0056] 200, 300: counterpart

[0057] A: accommodation space

[0058] C: hollowed-out opening

[0059] D1: vertical direction

[0060] D2: horizontal direction

[0061] H1: first length

[0062] H2: second length

[0063] O1: counterpart opening

[0064] O2: counterpart opening DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state connected with a counterpart 200 according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to an embodiment of the present application, which ignores the housing 115, Figure 3 is Figure 2 a side view of the electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state. In Figures 1 to 3 the electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state includes a circuit switching piece 110, a first terminal piece 120, and two second terminal pieces 130. The circuit switching piece 110 has elastic extension and contraction. A base 170 is arranged below the circuit switching piece 110. The base 170 is used to fix the circuit switching piece 110 to move in the housing 160. The first terminal piece 120 is partially arranged in the circuit switching piece 110. The first terminal piece 120 has two extension parts 122. The two extension parts 122 extend outwardly towards the circuit switching piece 110. The two second terminal pieces 130 are arranged on opposite sides of the circuit switching piece 110, for example, one second terminal piece 130 is arranged on the left side of the circuit switching piece 110, and the other second terminal piece 130 is arranged on the right side of the circuit switching piece 110.

[0066] In some embodiments, each second terminal member 130 has a main body 132 and a resilient block 134 disposed on the main body 132. The two second terminal members 130 are separated from each other to define a mating opening O1. The mating opening O1 can be used to receive a mating member 200, which can be a conductor material, but is not limited thereto, as the application can dictate. In addition, the circuit switching member 110 has a resilient member 112 and a mating portion 114. For example, the resilient member 112 can be a telescopic spring, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal member 120 is partially disposed in the mating portion 114 of the circuit switching member 110.

[0067] In some embodiments, the two extension portions 122 of the first terminal member 120 have bent ends 123 bent toward their adjacent resilient blocks 134, respectively. When the circuit switching member 110 is in the first state, the two resilient blocks 134 of the second terminal member 130 contact the two bent ends 123 of the first terminal member 120, respectively. The main body 132 of each second terminal member 130 is divided into a support portion 131 and a bent portion 133 connecting the support portion 131. The support portion 131 has a hollow opening C, and the opposite ends of the resilient block 134 are bent from the hollow opening C toward the circuit switching member 110. In addition, the bent portion 133 of the second terminal member 130 has a first portion 135 and a second portion 137 adjacent to the first portion 135. The first portion 135 is bent in a direction different from that of the second portion 137. For example, the first portion 135 has a resilient characteristic, so that when the mating member 200 contacts the first portion 135, the first portion 135 can move to the opposite sides, allowing the mating member 200 to pass through the mating opening O1.

[0068] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 are schematic diagrams of the operation of the switchable inter-terminal conductive state electrical connector 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. First, the two first resilient blocks 134 of the two second terminal members 130 can contact the two extension portions 122 of the first terminal member 120, respectively, so that the two second terminal members 130 electrically connect the first terminal member 120, and the first circuit switching member 110 is in the first state at this time. Then, the mating member 200 can pass through the mating opening O1 to abut the circuit switching member 110, so that the mating member 200 drives the circuit switching member 110 to move in the vertical direction D1 to resist the circuit switching member 110.

[0069] In some embodiments, when the mating plug 200 moves downward to abut against the circuit switch 110, the circuit switch 110 changes from the first state to the second state to change the conduction state between the first terminal 120 and the two second terminals 130. In the first state, the two extensions 122 contact the two elastic blocks 134 to form a first loop. In the second state, the two extensions 122 are separated from the two elastic blocks 134, and the mating plug 200 contacts the two second terminals 130 to form a second loop. In addition, after the mating plug 200 is removed from the mating plug opening O1, the mating plug 200 can be separated from the electric connector 100 having the switchable terminals to be away from the mating plug opening O1.

[0070] In some embodiments, the first length H1 of the elastic member 112 in the first state is greater than the second length H2 of the elastic member 112 in the second state. That is, the first length H1 of the elastic member 112 in the elongated state is greater than the second length H2 of the elastic member 112 in the compressed state. In addition, when the mating plug 200 moves downward along the vertical direction D1 to abut against the circuit switch 110 through the mating plug opening O1, the two elastic blocks 134 of the two second terminals 130 are separated from the two extensions 122 of the first terminal 120, and the two second terminals 130 contact the mating plug 200.

[0071] In some embodiments, the mating portion 114 of the circuit switch 110 has two grooves 116 on opposite sides, and the two grooves 116 extend along the vertical direction D1. The first terminal 120 has a contact portion 124 connecting the two extensions 122. One part of the contact portion 124 connecting the two extensions 122 is located in the two grooves 116, and another part of the contact portion 124 is located on the top surface 115 of the mating portion 114.

[0072] In some embodiments, the elastic member 112 contacts and surrounds the lower portion 118 of the mating portion 114. The first terminal 120 is partially located in the upper portion 117 of the mating portion 114. The two extensions 122 of the first terminal 120 extend outwardly to the lower portion 118 of the mating portion 114. The two extensions 122 of the first terminal 120 extend out of the mating portion 114 along the vertical direction D1. The two extensions 122 of the first terminal 120 partially overlap the lower portion 118 of the mating portion 114 in the horizontal direction D2 perpendicular to the vertical direction D1.

[0073] In particular, the circuit switcher 110 of the electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state can be transformed from the first state to the second state to change the conduction state between the first terminal member 120 and the second terminal member 130. Similarly, the circuit switcher 110 can be transformed from the second state back to the first state. The configuration of the switchable inter-terminal conduction state between the first terminal member 120 and the second terminal member 130 allows the electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state to have both open and closed states, or two different circuits. Therefore, the electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state has the two extension portions 122 respectively contact the two elastic blocks 134 to improve the structural stability when not mated with the counterpart 200. After the electric connector 100 with switchable inter-terminal conduction state is mated with the counterpart 200, the second terminal member 130 can be electrically connected to the counterpart 200 to form a circuit conduction path.

[0074] In the following description, another form of the electric connector 100a with switchable inter-terminal conduction state will be described.

[0075] Please refer to Figures 6 to 8 , Figure 6 is a perspective view of a circuit switcher 140 and a terminal member 150 of the electric connector 100a with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to another embodiment of the present application, Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a schematic view of the electric connector 100a with switchable inter-terminal conduction state in operation according to another embodiment of the present application. The circuit switcher 140 has an elastic member 142 and a plug-in portion 144 connecting the elastic member 142. The elastic member 142 can be a telescopic spring. The terminal member 150 is partially located in the plug-in portion 144 of the circuit switcher 140. The terminal member 150 has a main body 152 and elastic blocks 154 connecting the main body 152. The main body 152 is separated from each other to define a counterpart opening O2 for receiving a counterpart 300.

[0076] In some embodiments, when the two elastic blocks 154 of the terminal member 150 contact each other to form a circuit, the circuit switcher 140 is in the first state. When the counterpart 300 passes through the counterpart opening O2 to abut the circuit switcher 140, the counterpart 300 can drive the circuit switcher 140 to move so that the two elastic blocks 154 are separated from each other. The counterpart 300 contacts the main body 152 to form another circuit and the circuit switcher 140 is in the second state.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , Figure 9 is a perspective view of a circuit switcher 140 of the electric connector 100a with switchable inter-terminal conduction state according to another embodiment of the present application, Figure 10is a perspective view of a terminal member 150 of a switchable inter-terminal conductive state electrical connector 100a according to another embodiment of the present application. The mating portion 144 of the circuit switch member 140 has a first plate body 146 and a second plate body 148 extending laterally from the first plate body 146. The first plate body 146 and the second plate body 148 of the circuit switch member 140 define a receiving space A. A portion of the terminal member 150 is located in the receiving space A defined by the first plate body 146 and the second plate body 148.

[0078] In particular, the circuit switch member 140 of the switchable inter-terminal conductive state electrical connector 100a can be switched from a first state to a second state, and the circuit switch member 140 can be switched from the second state back to the first state. When the switchable inter-terminal conductive state electrical connector 100a is not mated with the counter plug 300, the two extension portions 154 of the terminal member 150 are in contact with each other to improve the structural stability. When the switchable inter-terminal conductive state electrical connector 100a is mated with the counter plug 300, the two extension portions 154 of the terminal member 150 are separated from each other, and the extension portions 154 are electrically connected to the counter plug 300 to form a conductive path.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 is a perspective view of a terminal member 150a according to yet another embodiment of the present application. Figure 11 The terminal member 150a shown in Figure 10 differs from the terminal member 150 shown in Figure 11 The extension portion 154a of the terminal member 150a shown in Figure 10 The extension portion 154 of the terminal member 150 shown in

Claims

1. An electrical connector having a switchable inter-terminal conduction state, characterized by, Comprising: a circuit switching member (110) having a telescopic elasticity; a first terminal member (120) partially located in an upper portion (117) of the circuit switching member (110) and having two extensions (122), wherein the two extensions (122) extend outwardly toward a lower portion (118) of the circuit switching member (110); and two second terminal members (130) disposed on opposite sides of the circuit switching member (110), and each of the two second terminal members (130) has a main body (132) and an elastic block (134) disposed on the main body (132), wherein the two second terminal members (130) are separated from each other to define a pair of plug insertion openings (01) for receiving a pair of plugs (200); wherein when the circuit switching member (110) is driven downwardly against by the pair of plugs (200), the circuit switching member (110) is transformed from a first state to a second state to change the conduction state between the first terminal member (120) and the two second terminal members (130); wherein in the first state, the two extensions (122) respectively contact the two elastic blocks (134), and in the second state, the two extensions (122) are respectively separated from the two elastic blocks (134).

2. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 1, wherein, wherein the circuit switching member (110) has an elastic member (112) and a plug-in portion (114), the elastic member (112) contacts and surrounds the lower portion (118) of the plug-in portion (114); wherein the first terminal member (120) is partially located in the plug-in portion (114) of the circuit switching member (110), the two extensions (122) extend outwardly from the plug-in portion (114) along a vertical direction (D1), and the two extensions (122) partially overlap the lower portion (118) of the plug-in portion (114) in a horizontal direction (D2) perpendicular to the vertical direction (D1).

3. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 2, wherein, wherein a first length (H1) of the elastic member (112) in the first state is greater than a second length (H2) of the elastic member (112) in the second state.

4. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 2, wherein, wherein when the pair of plugs (200) drives the circuit switching member (110) to move downwardly along the vertical direction (D1) and abuts against the circuit switching member (110) through the pair of plug insertion openings (01), the two elastic blocks (134) of the two second terminal members (130) are separated from the two extensions (122) of the first terminal member (120), and the two second terminal members (130) contact the pair of plugs (200).

5. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 4, wherein, wherein opposite sides of the plug-in portion (114) of the circuit switching member (110) have a groove (116), and the two grooves (116) extend along the vertical direction (D1).

6. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 5, wherein, The first terminal member (120) has a contact portion (124) connecting the two extending portions (122), and a part of the contact portion (124) is located in the two grooves (116), and another part of the contact portion (124) is located on a top surface (115) of the plug-in portion (114).

7. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 1, wherein, The two extending portions (122) of the first terminal member (120) have a bent end (123), and the two bent ends (123) are bent towards the adjacent elastic blocks (134) respectively, so that when the circuit switching member (110) is in the first state, the two elastic blocks (134) contact the two bent ends (123) respectively.

8. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 1, wherein, The main body (132) of each of the two second terminal members (130) is divided into a support portion (131) and a bent portion (133) connected to the support portion (131), the support portion (131) has a hollow opening (C), and the opposite ends of the elastic block (134) are bent from the hollow opening (C) to the circuit switching member (110), the bent portion (133) of each of the two second terminal members (130) has a first portion (135) and a second portion (137) adjacent to the first portion (135), and the bending direction of the first portion (135) is different from the bending direction of the second portion (137).

9. An electrical connector having a switchable on-state between terminals, characterized in that It comprises: a circuit switching member (140) having an elastic member (142) and a plug-in portion (144) connected to the elastic member (142); and two terminal members (150) partially located in the plug-in portion (144) of the circuit switching member (140), wherein each of the two terminal members (150) has a main body (152) and an elastic block (154) connected to the main body (152), and the two main bodies (152) are separated from each other to define a pair of plug-in openings (O2) for receiving a pair of plug-in members (300); When the two elastic blocks (154) of the two terminal members (150) contact each other to form a first loop, the circuit switching member (140) is in a first state; When the pair of plug-in members (300) abuts against the circuit switching member (140) through the pair of plug-in openings (O2), the pair of plug-in members (300) drives the circuit switching member (140) to move, so that the two elastic blocks (154) are separated from each other, and the pair of plug-in members (300) contacts the two main bodies (152) to form a second loop different from the first loop, and the circuit switching member (140) is in a second state.

10. The electrical connector with switchable inter-terminal conduction state of claim 9, wherein, The plug-in portion (144) has a first plate body (146) and a second plate body (148) extending from the first plate body (146), the first plate body (146) and the second plate body (148) define a containing space (A), and a part of the terminal member (150) is located in the containing space (A).

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