A self-correcting connector

Abstract

The present application relates to a self-correcting connector, the self-correcting connector product is composed of a contact, a spring, a limiting piece, a plug, a base and a shell. In the natural state, the spring is not deformed, and no elastic force is generated. When the spring is placed in the limiting piece, the spring is deformed under pressure, the spring exerts an elastic force on the contact, and the plug limits the contact. At this time, an independent elastic assembly is formed. When the two ends or one end is inserted into the second conductor, the contact exerts sufficient positive force on the two end conductors to complete the conduction and realize current transmission. The self-correcting connector has the advantages of controllable clamping elasticity, improved reliability and reduced maintenance cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of bridge contact connector technology, and in particular to a self-aligning connector. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the upstream of the bridge contact connector industry mainly includes metal materials, insulating materials, and electroplating materials; the midstream is the connector manufacturing industry, which is responsible for product design, manufacturing, and testing; and the downstream is widely used in automobiles, communication equipment, industrial control, consumer electronics, and other fields. The upstream and downstream of the industrial chain are increasingly closely collaborating on innovation, with material suppliers and connector manufacturers jointly developing new solutions to meet specific application scenarios.

[0003] The use of high-voltage and / or high-current connectors is increasingly involved in automotive electrical and electronic architectures (EEA). One high-current connector solution involves the use of blade-type terminals (sometimes called contacts) in the connector, where the contacts may be skewed, creating a gap of 100°, such as... Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, this will lead to unstable power supply conduction.

[0004] To address this issue, we developed a self-correcting connector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a self-aligning connector with advantages such as controllable clamp elasticity, improved reliability, and reduced maintenance costs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a self-aligning connector, comprising: Two opposing contact assemblies: Each contact assembly includes multiple flat contacts stacked side-by-side in the same direction. The flat contacts have a blade-shaped structure. One inner sidewall of each flat contact forms a first contact portion, and the other inner sidewall forms a second contact portion. Each contact portion is inserted into an external conductor. The inner sidewall of each flat contact has two first protrusions in the middle. Each contact assembly has two corresponding first protrusion assemblies. A slot is formed between the two first protrusion assemblies. The slot has a rectangular structure to facilitate the insertion of connectors. The outer sidewall of each flat contact has two second protrusions. Each contact assembly has two corresponding second protrusion assemblies. A mounting groove is formed between the two second protrusion assemblies to facilitate the installation of elastic elements. Limiting component: The limiting component includes two parallel support plates and two limiting plates connecting the two support plates. The support plates have a convex structure, and their inner walls are pressed against the middle of the sheet-like contacts. The two support plates and the two limiting plates form a mounting opening. The limiting plates are respectively connected to the same side at both ends of the support plates and pressed against the outer wall of the elastic element. The two contact assemblies are located inside the mounting opening. The support plates have insertion holes, which are positioned directly opposite the slot. Elastic element: Two elastic elements are respectively installed in the mounting grooves of the two contact assemblies; the two ends of the elastic elements are respectively pressed into the second protrusion assembly, and the middle part of the outer side wall of the elastic element is pressed into the limiting plate; Connector: The connector is installed in the slots of the two contact assemblies, and both ends of the connector extend from the slots through the insertion holes and are folded and pressed against the outer wall of the support plate; A pressure plate is provided on each side of the elastic element along its length. One pressure plate presses against the front of the contact assembly, and the other pressure plate presses against the back of the contact assembly.

[0007] Preferably, the front side of the contact assembly is the front sheet plane of the first sheet contact in the contact assembly, and the back side of the contact assembly is the back sheet plane of the last sheet contact in the contact assembly.

[0008] Preferably, the pressing position of the pressing plate and the contact assembly is a first pressing part, the first pressing part is located between the middle part of the contact assembly and the first contact part, and the distance L1 between the first pressing part and the inner sidewall of the sheet contact is greater than the distance L2 between the first pressing part and the outer sidewall of the sheet contact.

[0009] Preferably, the other pressing position of the pressing plate and the contact assembly is a second pressing part, which is located between the middle part of the contact assembly and the second contact part, and the distance between the second pressing part and the inner sidewall of the sheet contact is greater than the distance between the second pressing part and the outer sidewall of the sheet contact.

[0010] Preferably, the tablet is a straight-line tablet or an L-shaped tablet.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic member has a first forked end and a second forked end at both ends, the second forked end including a plurality of toothed members, and at least one of the toothed members presses against a second protrusion.

[0012] Preferably, the first fork-shaped end and the second fork-shaped end have the same structural dimensions.

[0013] Preferably, the connector includes a plug plate and expansion tabs located on both sides of the plug plate. The expansion tabs are arranged perpendicularly to the plug plate. Both ends of the plug plate extend from the slot, pass through the insertion hole, and are folded and pressed against the outer wall of the support plate. The expansion tabs abut against the inner wall of the slot.

[0014] Due to the application of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: 1. The self-aligning connector of the present invention has pressure plates on both sides of the elastic element as the alignment structure of the contact assembly. The pressure plates are designed with a straight line shape, an L-shape, or other structures to ensure that the contact moves between the pressure plates on both sides. The movement space is controllable, and the cumulative gap of the connector during assembly is controlled.

[0015] 2. The limiting plate of the limiting member presses the top of the elastic member, and the pressing plate of the elastic member presses the two sides of the contact assembly, so that no gap is formed between the side wall of the sheet contact and the elastic member, preventing the elastic member from separating from the sheet contact, ensuring that the first contact part does not lose its force, and ensuring that the connector's conductivity does not fail.

[0016] 3. The elastic element presses the sheet-like contacts close to the first contact portion, reducing the cumulative tolerance of the stacked sheet-like contacts, so as to achieve stable and reliable contact.

[0017] 4. The fork-shaped end of the elastic element causes the contact portions at both ends of the contact to be subjected to elastic force simultaneously. The second contact portion elastically presses the second conductor, while the first contact portion elastically presses the conductor, thereby improving the stability of conduction and preventing poor contact.

[0018] 5. A slot is provided between the two contact assemblies. The outer wall of the contact assembly is pressed by a limiting member, and the side wall is inserted into the slot by a connector. The insert plate and the expansion plates on both sides abut against the slot, simplifying the molding structure and effectively reducing the cost of manufacturing and overall machine maintenance.

[0019] 6. The base snaps into the housing, which facilitates external protection of the first contact part and improves safety. At the same time, the base is fixedly connected to the external fastener through the connecting ears, which facilitates the positioning and connection of the connector. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the self-aligning connector described in this invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the self-aligning connector assembly described in this invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the natural state of the contact and elastic element described in this invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the natural state of the contact, elastic element, and limiting element described in this invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic element under compression as described in this invention.

[0025] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure when one end of the clamp is subjected to force.

[0026] Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure when the two ends of the clamp are inserted together.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tablet compress described in this invention when it is a straight-line tablet compress.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the L-shaped tablet described in this invention.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the tablet removal process according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 11 For the present invention Figure 10 Top view. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] Figures 1 to 2 In this context, a self-aligning connector includes two opposing contact assemblies 105, a limiting member 20, an elastic member 50, and a mating member 40.

[0033] Each contact assembly 105 includes multiple sheet-like contacts 10 stacked side-by-side in the same direction. The sheet-like contacts have a blade-shaped structure. One end of the inner sidewall of each sheet-like contact 10 forms a first contact portion 11, and the other end of the inner sidewall forms a second contact portion 13. Each contact portion is inserted into an external conductor. The inner sidewall of each sheet-like contact 10 has two first protrusions 151 in the middle. Each contact assembly 105 has two corresponding first protrusion assemblies 106. A slot 15 is formed between the two first protrusion assemblies 106. The slot has a rectangular structure to facilitate the insertion of the connector. The outer sidewall of each sheet-like contact 10 has two second protrusions 12. Each contact assembly 105 has two corresponding second protrusion assemblies 120. A mounting groove 121 is formed between the two second protrusion assemblies 120. The mounting groove facilitates the installation of the elastic element.

[0034] The limiting member 20 includes two parallel support plates 21 and two limiting plates 29 connecting the two support plates 21. The support plates have a convex structure and their inner walls are pressed against the middle of the sheet-like contacts. The two support plates 21 and the two limiting plates 29 form a closed mounting opening 22. The limiting plates are respectively connected to the same side at both ends of the support plates and pressed against the outer wall of the elastic member. The two contact assemblies 105 are located inside the mounting opening 22. An insertion hole 211 is provided in the middle of the support plate 21, and the insertion hole 211 is set opposite to the slot 15. The U-shaped connector 40 is riveted into the slots 15 of the two contact assemblies 105. Both ends of the connector 40 extend from the slots 15, pass through the insertion holes 211, and fold to press against the outer wall of the support plate 21. The connector 40 includes a plate 42 and tensioning pieces 41 located on both sides of the plate 42. The tensioning pieces 41 are perpendicular to the plate 42. Both ends of the plate 42 extend from the slots 15, pass through the insertion holes 211, and fold to press against the outer wall of the support plate 21. The plate 42 and the tensioning pieces 41 abut against the inner wall of the slots 15.

[0035] Two elastic elements 50 are respectively installed in the mounting grooves 121 of the two contact assemblies 105; the two ends of the elastic elements 50 are respectively pressed against the second protruding assembly 120, and the middle of the outer side wall of the elastic element 50 is pressed against the limiting plate 29; the mounting opening 22 abuts against the two side walls of the contact assembly 105 along its length and the outer wall of the elastic element 50. A pressure plate 51 is provided on each side along the length of the elastic element 50, one pressure plate 51 pressing against the front of the contact assembly 105 and the other pressure plate 51 pressing against the back of the contact assembly 105. Simultaneously, the pressure plate 51 abuts against the limiting member 20. The elastic elements ensure that the first contact portion and the second contact portion do not lose their elastic force, and the connector's conductivity will not fail.

[0036] The front side of the contact assembly 105 is the facing sheet plane of the first sheet contact 10 in the contact assembly 105, and the back side of the contact assembly 105 is the facing sheet plane of the last sheet contact 10 in the contact assembly 105. Preferably, the front and back sides of the sheet contact 10 have the same structure.

[0037] One pressing plate 51 is pressed into the contact assembly 105 at a first pressing portion 1051. The first pressing portion 1051 is located between the middle of the contact assembly 105 and the first contact portion 11, and the distance L1 between the first pressing portion 1051 and the inner wall of the sheet contact 10 is greater than the distance L2 between the first pressing portion 1051 and the outer wall of the sheet contact 10. The other pressing plate 51 is pressed into the contact assembly 105 at a second pressing portion (not shown in the figures). The second pressing portion is located between the middle of the contact assembly 105 and the second contact portion 13, and the distance between the second pressing portion and the inner wall of the sheet contact 10 is greater than the distance between the second pressing portion and the outer wall of the sheet contact 10. This prevents the sheet contact connection end from opening and creating a gap, which would affect the conductive connection.

[0038] The first contact portion 11 of the connector is inserted into the base 60. A base plate 64 and a guide post 66 are located at the bottom of the base 60. A first conductor 65 is located at the top of the base plate 64, and the first conductor 65 is inserted into the first contact portion 11. A second protrusion 62 is located at the top of the base plate 64, and a slot 621 is located on the side wall of the second protrusion 62, which is inserted into the outer shell 70. This facilitates the conductive connection between the first contact portion and the outside.

[0039] To improve the safety protection of the first contact part, an L-shaped notch 72 is provided at the bottom of the outer casing 70, and the notch 72 is inserted into the guide post 66. A bayonet 63 is provided at the bottom of the second protrusion 62, and a hook 71 is provided at the bottom of the outer casing 70, which is engaged with the bayonet 63.

[0040] Figures 8 to 9 The intermediate pressure plate 51 is either a straight pressure plate 51' or an L-shaped pressure plate 52. One end of the L-shaped pressure plate 52 has a bent portion 521, which presses against the sidewall of one end of the first contact portion 11. The elastic member 50 has a first forked end 501 and a second forked end 502 at its two ends, respectively. The second forked end 502 includes multiple toothed members 503, and each toothed member 503 presses against at least one second protrusion 12. The first forked end 501 and the second forked end 502 have the same structural dimensions. The pressure plate prevents gaps between the sheet-like contacts 10, thus preventing the connector's conductive connection from failing.

[0041] at the same time Figures 3 to 7 In this context, the connection method for a self-aligning connector includes the following steps: S10. Stack the sheet contacts 10 into two groups of the same height. The elastic member 50 that is snapped onto the outer wall of the sheet contact 10 guides the side wall of the sheet contact 10 through the pressure plate. The elastic member 50 is pressed into the mounting groove 121 between the first protrusions 12. The pressure plate at the side wall of the second fork end 502 is pressed into the side wall of the sheet contact 10. The bent part 521 of the pressure plate 52 is pressed into the side wall of one end of the first contact part 11.

[0042] S20. One end of the sheet contact 10 passes through the mounting port 22 of the limiting member 20. The mounting port 22 presses the elastic member 50 into the mounting groove 121 on the outer wall of the sheet contact 10. The elastic member 50 applies elastic force to the sheet contact 10.

[0043] S30. The insert plate 42 and the tensioning plate are inserted into the insertion hole 211 at the middle position of the support plate 21 and the slot 15 on one side of the plate contact 10 and riveted together. The end of the insert plate 42 is bent toward the support plate 21.

[0044] S40. The first elastic clamp 30 of the first contact portion 11 is inserted into the base 60 and conducts electricity. The second elastic clamp 35 at the second contact portion 13 is inserted into the second conductor 80. The support plate 21 is pressed against the side wall of the second contact portion 13. When the second conductor 80 is inserted into the second elastic clamp 35, the first elastic clamp 30 is simultaneously elastically squeezed and reduced in size. When the first elastic clamp 30 is then inserted into the conductor 85, the second conductor 80 and the conductor 85 are elastically pressed together.

[0045] S50. The first conductor 65 at the top of the base plate 64 is inserted into the first contact part 11, and the notch 72 at the bottom of the outer shell 70 is inserted into the guide post 66; the latch 63 at the bottom of the second protrusion 62 is engaged with the hook 71 at the bottom of the outer shell 70.

[0046] S60. The base 60 is fixedly connected to the external fastener via the connecting ear 61.

[0047] Self-aligning connectors are used in high-voltage and / or high-current automotive electronic and electrical architectures. The connector consists of a sheet contact 10, an elastic element 50, a limiting element 20, a plug element 40, a base 60, and a housing 70. In its natural state, the elastic element 50 does not deform and generates no elastic force. When placed within the limiting element 20, the elastic element 50 deforms under pressure, applying elastic force to the sheet contact 10. The plug element 40 then limits the movement of the sheet contact 10, forming an independent elastic assembly. When either or both ends of the connector are inserted into the second conductor 80, the sheet contact 10 applies sufficient positive force to the conductors at both ends, completing the conduction and enabling current transmission.

[0048] Multiple blade-shaped terminals are stacked side by side to form a sheet contact 10, and are arranged on both sides of the limiting member 20 to form a first elastic clamp 30. The plug-in member 40 is fixed after riveting, and elastic force is applied by the elastic members 50 on both sides to achieve multiple pairs of contact parts and realize high current transmission. The plug-in member 40 passes through the limiting member 20 and is then riveted to fix the sheet contact 10 and the elastic member 50. Then the elastic assembly is assembled into the base 60, and the outer shell 70 fixes and limits the elastic assembly to complete the product assembly.

[0049] The above are merely specific application examples of the present invention and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. All technical solutions formed by equivalent transformations or substitutions fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-aligning connector, characterized in that... It includes two opposing contact assemblies (105), a limiting member (20), an elastic member (50), and a plug-in member (40); Each of the contact assemblies (105) includes a plurality of sheet-like contacts (10) stacked side by side in the same direction. One end of the inner sidewall of each sheet-like contact (10) forms a first contact portion (11), and the other end of the inner sidewall forms a second contact portion (13). Two first protrusions (151) are provided in the middle of the inner sidewall of each sheet-like contact (10), and each contact assembly (105) is provided with two corresponding first protrusion assemblies (106). A slot (15) is formed between the two first protrusion assemblies (106). Two second protrusions (12) are provided on the outer sidewall of each sheet-like contact (10), and each contact assembly (105) is provided with two corresponding second protrusion assemblies (120). A mounting groove (121) is formed between the two second protrusion assemblies (120). The limiting member (20) includes two parallel support plates (21) and two limiting plates (29) connecting the two support plates (21). The two support plates (21) and the two limiting plates (29) form a mounting opening (22). The two contact assemblies (105) are located inside the mounting opening (22). The support plate (21) has a socket (211) which is positioned opposite the slot (15). The two elastic elements (50) are respectively installed in the mounting grooves (121) of the two contact assemblies (105); the two ends of the elastic elements (50) are respectively pressed into the second protrusion assembly (120), and the middle part of the outer side wall of the elastic element (50) is pressed into the limiting plate (29). The connector (40) is installed in the slots (15) of the two contact assemblies (105), with both ends of the connector (40) extending from the slots (15) through the sockets (211) and folded to press against the outer wall of the support plate (21); A pressure plate (51) is provided on each side of the elastic member (50) along its length. One pressure plate (51) presses against the front side of the contact assembly (105), and the other pressure plate (51) presses against the back side of the contact assembly (105). The connector (40) includes a plug plate (42) and expansion tabs (41) located on both sides of the plug plate (42). The two ends of the plug plate (42) extend from the slot (15) through the insertion hole (211) and are folded and pressed against the outer wall of the support plate (21). The expansion tabs (41) abut against the inner wall of the slot (15).

2. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front side of the contact assembly (105) is the front sheet plane of the first sheet contact (10) in the contact assembly (105), and the back side of the contact assembly (105) is the back sheet plane of the last sheet contact (10) in the contact assembly (105).

3. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing position of the pressing plate (51) and the contact assembly (105) is a first pressing part (1051). The first pressing part (1051) is located between the middle part of the contact assembly (105) and the first contact part (11). The distance L1 between the first pressing part (1051) and the inner sidewall of the sheet contact (10) is greater than the distance L2 between the first pressing part (1051) and the outer sidewall of the sheet contact (10).

4. The self-aligning connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, Another pressing position of the pressing plate (51) and the contact assembly (105) is the second pressing part, which is located between the middle part of the contact assembly (105) and the second contact part (13), and the distance between the second pressing part and the inner sidewall of the sheet contact (10) is greater than the distance between the second pressing part and the outer sidewall of the sheet contact (10).

5. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tablet (51) is either a straight tablet (51') or an L-shaped tablet (52).

6. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic member (50) has a first forked end (501) and a second forked end (502) at its two ends respectively. The second forked end (502) includes a plurality of toothed members (503), and one of the toothed members (503) presses against at least one of the second protrusions (12).

7. The self-aligning connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first fork-shaped end (501) and the second fork-shaped end (502) have the same structural dimensions.

8. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expansion joint (41) is perpendicular to the insert plate (42).

9. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first contact portion (11) of the connector is inserted into the base (60). The base (60) has a base plate (64) and a guide post (66) at its bottom end. The top of the base plate (64) has a first conductor (65) inserted into the first contact portion (11). The top of the base plate (64) has a second protrusion (62) and a slot (621) on its side wall. The slot (621) is inserted into the outer shell (70).

10. The self-aligning connector according to claim 9, characterized in that, The bottom of the outer shell (70) is provided with an L-shaped notch (72), which is inserted into the guide post (66). The bottom of the second protrusion (62) is provided with a latch (63), and the bottom of the outer shell (70) is provided with a hook (71), which is engaged with the latch (63).

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