Power connector

Abstract

An electric power connector comprises an insulation body and two electric power assemblies, the insulation body is provided with a butt joint groove penetrating forwards, the butt joint groove penetrates in the vertical direction at the same time, and the two electric power assemblies are arranged on the left side and the right side of the butt joint groove respectively; each power assembly comprises a terminal group, a conductive block and a plurality of first locking assemblies; the terminal group comprises a plurality of elastic arms protruding forwards and a connecting part; the conductive block comprises a base part, a first clamping part and a second clamping part which extend forwards from the base part, and a wire mounting part which extends backwards from the base part; the connecting part of the terminal group is limited between the first clamping part and the second clamping part, and is fixed by a plurality of first locking assemblies penetrating through the first clamping part, the second clamping part and the wire mounting part. According to the conductive block, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are integrally formed and used for fixing the terminal set and the electric power extension line, the integration degree of the conductive block is improved, the number of parts in the switching process is reduced, and meanwhile heating caused by too high impedance due to multi-part contact in the switching process is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector capable of transmitting large currents. Background Technology

[0002] Existing technology, Chinese invention patent CN116137395A, discloses a power connector for contacting slender DC power distribution buses and a method for monitoring such a power connector. Its power terminals consist of first and second spring contact assemblies. Due to the transmission of large currents, temperature rise is inevitable. To record the temperature rise in the very early stages of electrical contact deterioration, a temperature sensor is added. However, this does not truly solve the temperature rise problem.

[0003] Chinese invention patent CN114976708A discloses a connector in which a first terminal assembly is used to electrically connect a first wire to a first busbar in a busbar plug assembly, and a second terminal assembly is used to electrically connect a second wire to a second busbar in the busbar plug assembly. A first conductive block is electrically connected to the inner side of a first plate-shaped fixing portion of the first terminal assembly, and a second conductive block is electrically connected to the inner side of a second plate-shaped fixing portion of the second terminal assembly. Thus, the first and second conductive blocks are respectively disposed on the inner sides of the first and second terminal assemblies facing each other, while the first and second wires are respectively arranged on the outer sides of the first and second terminal assemblies to achieve electrical connection, greatly reducing the contact resistance at the connector contact ends. However, this connector significantly increases the lateral dimension of the connector and can only be used with vertically arranged wires.

[0004] Therefore, we hope to design an improved power connector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a power connector that can improve the problem of twisting of power extension cords.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention can adopt the following technical solution: a power connector, including an insulating body and two power components, wherein the insulating body is provided with a forward-through mating groove, the mating groove also extending in the vertical direction, and the two power components are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the mating groove; each power component includes a terminal group, a conductive block and a plurality of first locking components; the terminal group includes a plurality of forward-protruding elastic arms and a connecting portion, the elastic arms having a contact portion protruding into the mating groove in the left and right direction; the conductive block includes a base, a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion extending forward from the base, and a wire mounting portion extending rearward from the base; the connecting portion of the terminal group is constrained between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, and is fixed by a plurality of first locking components passing through the first and second clamping portions and the wire mounting portion.

[0007] Compared with the prior art, the conductive block of the present invention integrally forms the first and second clamping parts to fix the terminal group and the power extension line. By improving the integration of the conductive block, the number of parts in the conversion process is reduced, and the heat generation caused by excessive impedance due to multiple parts contact during the conversion process is reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a power connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view from another angle.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A magnified 3D image of a specific area.

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the dashed line AA.

[0012] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the insulating body.

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view from another angle.

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the two grounding components.

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the power supply components, detection components, and thermal sensor components on the left side of the middle section.

[0016] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the power extension line of the power component on the right side of the middle section.

[0017] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the terminal group and conductive block of the power assembly on the right side, and the second locking assembly.

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Another perspective view, in which the second locking component has been removed.

[0019] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A three-dimensional view from another angle.

[0020] Figure 13 yes Figure 10An exploded 3D view showing the further breakdown of the intermediate terminal group and conductive block.

[0021] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Another perspective of the exploded 3D view.

[0022] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 3D exploded view of the middle sub-assembly.

[0023] Component symbol explanation: Power connector 100 Insulating body 10, mating groove 11, terminal groove 12, mating plate 13, recess 131, stop 133 Housing mounting surface 141, receiving hole 142 Power component 20A terminal block 20 Inner surface 201, outer surface 202 Elastic arm 21, contact part 211, connecting part 22 Terminal piece 23, Connector 232, Elastic arm 231 First contact part 241 Second contact part 242 Conductive block 30 Base 31 First clamping part 32 Inclined surface 321 Recessed part 322 Second clamping part 33 Line mounting section 34, upper line mounting surface 341, lower line mounting surface 342 Power extension cable 40, upper power extension cable 41, lower power extension cable 42, flexible copper busbar 421 First locking component 51 Second locking component 52 Reinforcing component 53 Grounding component 60, base 61, grounding arm 62, contact portion 621 Vertical bar 63 First fixing part 641 Second fixing part 642 Shrapnel 65, Guide Angled 651 Detection terminal 71 Detection output connector 72 Thermistor 81 Thermistor output connector 82. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0025] The present invention relates to a power connector capable of transmitting large currents. In a specific embodiment, direct current from a DC distribution bus bar or what is known in the industry as a bus bar is transmitted to electronic devices such as servers through the power connector of the present invention. In other embodiments, the power connector of the present invention can also be used in a power supply unit, where it transmits the direct current output from the power supply unit to the DC distribution bus bar. Generally, the distribution bus bar includes a slender plug, which includes positive and negative conductors and an insulating strip supporting the positive and negative conductors. The positive and negative conductors are respectively embedded in two opposite side surfaces of the insulating strip. The power connector can be installed inside an electronic device (such as a server). When the plug is inserted into the docking slot 11 provided in the power connector, the terminal groups 20 on both sides of the docking slot 11 respectively contact the positive and negative conductors, and large current transmission is completed through the power extension line 40 at their rear ends. The docking slot 11 not only penetrates forward but also penetrates in the up and down directions, facilitating the extension of the slender plug through it. For ease of description, the side of the docking slot in contact with the distribution bus bar is the front, the opposite side is the rear, and the direction in which the slender distribution bus bar extends is the up and down direction.

[0026] As shown Figure 1-4 in the figure, the power connector 100 of an embodiment of the present invention includes an insulating body 10 and two power components 20A. The insulating body is provided with a docking slot 11 that penetrates forward and also penetrates in the up and down direction. The two power components 20A are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the docking slot 11. The insulating body 10 is provided with two terminal slots 12, which are located on the left and right sides of the docking slot 11 and penetrate backward through the insulating body 10. The two power components 20A are arranged in left-right mirror symmetry, and their rear ends are connected to a power extension line 40 such as a flexible copper bar. The power components 20A are inserted into the terminal slots 12 from back to front, and a plurality of contact portions 211 thereon are arranged in the up and down direction and protrude into the docking slot 11 in the left and right direction.

[0027] As shown Figure 13-14 in the figure, each power component 20A includes a terminal group 20, a conductive block 30, and a plurality of first locking components 51. The terminal group 20 includes a plurality of elastic arms 21 protruding forward and a connecting portion 22. The elastic arms 21 are provided with contact portions 211 protruding into the docking slot 11 in the left and right direction. The conductive block 30 includes a base portion 31, a first clamping portion 32 and a second clamping portion 33 extending forward from the base portion, and a wire mounting portion 34 extending backward from the base portion. Combining Figure 10-12As shown, the connecting portion 22 of the terminal group 20 is constrained between the first clamping portion 32 and the second clamping portion 33, and is fixed by a plurality of first locking components 51 passing through the first and second clamping portions and the wire mounting portion 34. It can be seen that the conductive block of the present invention integrally forms the first and second clamping portions to fix the terminal group and the power extension line. By increasing the integration of the conductive block, the number of parts in the transition process is reduced, and the heat generated due to excessive impedance caused by multiple parts contacting each other during the transition process is also reduced. In this embodiment, the conductive block 30 is formed from a machined copper block, and the first locking component 51 is configured as a bolt assembly.

[0028] In this embodiment, the wire mounting part 34 is horizontally arranged, and it has an upper wire mounting surface 341 and a lower wire mounting surface 342 for placing the power extension cable 40, supporting it, and allowing for angled connection of the power extension cable. The conductive block 30 changes the terminal group 30 outlet interface from vertical to horizontal, thus making the power extension cable outlet parallel to the server tray, reducing the height requirement, avoiding twisting of the power extension cable, or wasting space caused by round cables.

[0029] In this embodiment, the power extension cable 40 includes an upper power extension cable 41 and a lower power extension cable 42. The upper power extension cable 41 is attached to the upper wire mounting surface 341, and the lower power extension cable 42 is attached to the lower wire mounting surface 342. Multiple second locking components 52 pass through the upper power extension cable 41, the wire mounting portion 34, and the lower power extension cable 42 for fixation. This utilizes a flat copper busbar, resulting in more efficient space utilization and increased power transmission. In other embodiments, only the upper power extension cable or only the lower power extension cable may be provided. In this embodiment, the upper power extension cable 41 is a single flexible copper busbar, and the lower power extension cable 42 consists of two stacked flexible copper busbars 421. In this embodiment, the second locking components 52 are bolt assemblies.

[0030] In this embodiment, for ease of description, the part adjacent to the docking groove 11 is called the inner part, and the opposite part is called the outer part. The terminal group 20 is vertically arranged and has an inner surface 201 facing the docking groove 11 and an outer surface 202 opposite to the inner surface. The first clamping part 32 is vertically arranged and is attached to the inner surface 201 of the terminal group, and the second clamping part 33 is vertically arranged and is attached to the outer surface 202 of the terminal group. In this embodiment, the terminal group 20 is formed by stacking multiple metal sheets horizontally; in another embodiment, the terminal group can be formed by stacking multiple metal sheets vertically, but its contact part protrudes into the docking groove 11 from the left and right direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the first clamping part 32 protrudes forward from the second clamping part 33, and the front end of the first clamping part is provided with an inclined surface 321, which, in conjunction with... Figure 4As shown, the inclined surface 321 faces the elastic arm 21 of the terminal group and is arranged to be away from the inner surface 201 of the terminal group 20. Thus, when the elastic arm 21 moves obliquely outward in the left - right direction, the inclined surface 321 provides the space for its movement. The second clamping portion 33 does not extend forward to the elastic arm 21 of the terminal group. Combining Figure 4 As shown, the second clamping portion 33 abuts forward against the wall surface in the terminal groove 12, restricting the power component 20A from protruding forward excessively.

[0032] Furthermore, each power component 20A further includes two reinforcing members 53. The two reinforcing members are fixed to the first clamping portion 32 in the up - down direction and are located in front of the first locking assembly 51. Each reinforcing member is stamped with a clamping piece 531. Combining Figure 4 As shown, the clamping piece 531 is clamped on the insulating body 10. Further, the first clamping portion 32 is provided with two recessed portions 322. Each reinforcing member 53 is fixed in the recessed portion 322, and the clamping piece 531 is formed by extending obliquely backward and inward from the reinforcing piece 53.

[0033] Refer to Figure 14 As shown, each terminal group 20 includes a plurality of terminal pieces 23. Each terminal piece includes a connecting portion 232 and a plurality of elastic arms 231 extending forward from the connecting portion. The elastic arms 231 constitute the aforementioned elastic arm 21, and the elastic arms 231 are provided with contact portions 211. The plurality of connecting portions 232 constitute the aforementioned connecting portion 22. In this embodiment, among the terminal pieces stacked from the inside out, the contact portions of the first, third, fifth and other odd - numbered terminal pieces are cut to form two first contact portions 241, and the contact portions of the second, fourth and other even - numbered terminal pieces are one, that is, the second contact portion 242. The gap between the two first contact portions 241 provides a space for accommodating the second contact portion 242.

[0034] Refer to Figure 3 、 6 As shown, the lower wall of the insulating body 10 is semi - open. Thus, one end of the second locking assembly 52 is exposed on the lower wall, enhancing the heat dissipation effect.

[0035] The power connector body is further provided with two grounding parts 60. The insulating body 10 is provided with a chassis mounting surface 141 and two docking plates 13 extending forward from the chassis mounting surface. A docking groove 11 is formed between the two docking plates 13. Four grooves 131 are provided on the outer surface of the two docking plates 13 facing away from the docking groove 11. Each grounding part 62 includes four grounding arms 62 respectively accommodated in the corresponding grooves 131. The grounding arms are provided with contact portions 621 protruding in the left - right direction away from the docking groove. The contact portions 621 are used to contact the metal frame of the busbar housing to form a grounding path.

[0036] In this embodiment, the four grounding arms 62 are connected in pairs by a vertical strip 63. The insulating body is provided with a stop 133 located outside the vertical strip 63 to ensure that the grounding arms 62 will not pop out of the groove 131.

[0037] In this embodiment, the grounding component 60 includes a base 61 attached to the housing mounting surface 141, a plurality of first fixing portions 641 and second fixing portions 642 bent from the base, and two spring tabs 65 extending from the base. The two first fixing portions 641 are located at the upper and lower ends of the base, while the grounding arm 62 and the two second fixing portions 642 are located on the left and right sides of the base. The two spring tabs 65 extend vertically and obliquely away from the housing mounting surface 141. After the power connector 100 is installed in the housing, the housing mounting surface is attached to the inner surface of the housing, and the spring tabs 65 are pressed against and attached to the housing mounting surface 141. Thus, even if there is some floating between the housing mounting surface of the power connector and the housing, the grounding component remains in contact with the housing, ensuring a smooth grounding path. A guide tab 651 is provided on the outer side of the spring tab 65 to guide it into the recessed receiving hole 142 in the housing mounting surface 141.

[0038] In this embodiment, the power connector body is further provided with a detection component, which includes a detection terminal 71 fixed to the insulating body and a detection output connector 72, which converts the insertion state of the bus into the power connector into an electrical signal for system monitoring.

[0039] In this embodiment, the power connector body is further provided with a thermal sensor assembly, which includes a thermal sensor 81 and a thermal output connector 82, to convert the temperature of the power connector into an electrical signal for system monitoring.

[0040] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power connector, comprising an insulating body and two power components, wherein the insulating body has a forward-through mating groove that extends vertically, and the two power components are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the mating groove; Its features are: Each of the power components includes a terminal group, a conductive block, and a plurality of first locking components; The terminal group includes a plurality of forward-protruding elastic arms and a connecting portion, wherein the elastic arms are provided with a contact portion that protrudes into the mating groove in a left-right direction; The conductive block includes a base, a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion extending forward from the base, and a wire mounting portion extending rearward from the base; The connection portion of the terminal group is restricted between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion, and is fixed by a plurality of the first locking components passing through the first and second clamping portions and the wire mounting portion.

2. The power connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wire mounting part is horizontally arranged and has an upper wire mounting surface and a lower wire mounting surface.

3. The power connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The power assembly includes at least an upper power extension line and a lower power extension line, as well as a plurality of second locking components; the upper power extension line is attached to the upper wire mounting surface, the lower power extension line is attached to the lower wire mounting surface, and the plurality of second locking components pass through the upper power extension line, the wire mounting portion, and the lower power extension line for fixation.

4. The power connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The upper power extension line is a single flexible copper busbar, and the lower power extension line is two stacked flexible copper busbars.

5. The power connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal group is vertically arranged and has an inner surface facing the mating groove and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface; the first clamping part is vertically arranged and is attached to the inner surface of the terminal group; the second clamping part is vertically arranged and is attached to the outer surface of the terminal group.

6. The power connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first clamping part protrudes forward from the second clamping part, and the front end of the first clamping part is provided with an inclined surface. The inclined surface faces the elastic arm of the terminal group and is arranged away from the inner surface of the terminal group.

7. The power connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The second clamping part does not extend forward to the elastic arm of the terminal group.

8. The power connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the power components further includes two reinforcing members, which are arranged vertically and fixed to the first clamping part and located in front of the first locking component. Each reinforcing member is stamped with a retaining piece, which is secured to the insulating body.

9. The power connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The first clamping part has two recesses, each of the reinforcing parts is fixed in the recess, and the clamping piece is formed by extending backward and inward from the reinforcing part.

10. The power connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The power connector includes two grounding components; The insulating body has a housing mounting surface and two mating plates extending forward from the housing mounting surface. The mating groove is formed between the two mating plates, and the two mating plates have four grooves on their outer surfaces facing away from the mating groove. Each of the grounding components includes four grounding arms housed in a corresponding groove, each grounding arm having a contact portion protruding from the mating groove in a left-right direction; The four grounding arms are connected in pairs by a vertical strip, and the insulating body is provided with a stop located on the outside of the vertical strip.

11. The power connector as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The grounding component includes a base attached to the mounting surface of the housing, a plurality of first fixing parts and a plurality of second fixing parts bent from the base, and two spring clips extending from the base. Two first fixing parts are disposed at the upper and lower ends of the base, and the grounding arm and two second fixing parts are disposed on the left and right sides of the base; The two spring pieces extend vertically and obliquely away from the mounting surface of the housing.

12. The power connector as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The housing mounting surface is recessed with a receiving hole, and the outer side of the spring is provided with a guide plate, which is used to guide the spring into the receiving hole.

13. A power connector, comprising an insulating body, two power components and two grounding components, wherein the insulating body is provided with a forward-through mating groove that also extends vertically, and the two power components are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the mating groove; The insulating body has a housing mounting surface and two mating plates extending forward from the housing mounting surface. The mating groove is formed between the two mating plates, and the two mating plates have four grooves on their outer surfaces facing away from the mating groove. Each of the grounding components includes four grounding arms housed in a corresponding groove, each grounding arm having a contact portion protruding from the mating groove in a left-right direction; Its features are, The four grounding arms are connected in pairs by a vertical strip, and the insulating body is provided with a stop located on the outside of the vertical strip.

14. The power connector as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that, The mounting surface of the housing is recessed with a receiving hole; The grounding element includes a base attached to the mounting surface of the housing and two spring clips extending from the base; The two spring clips extend vertically and obliquely away from the mounting surface of the housing. The outer side of the spring is provided with a guide plate, which is used to guide the spring into the receiving hole.

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